Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 20th July 2024

 

National News 

1. NITI Aayog sets target of $500 billion electronic manufacturing by 2030 

• The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in a report titled "Electronics: Powering India's Participation in Global Value Chains" has set an ambitious target for India to reach $500 billion in electronic manufacturing in value terms by 2030. 
• This will help India fulfill its ambition of becoming the third largest economy in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), India is the fifth largest economy in the world after the United States, China, Japan, Germany and France. 
• The report was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Sudesh Berry on 18 July 2024 in New Delhi. Some of the key points of the report are as follows India's electronic sector has recorded an impressive growth in domestic production from $48 billion in 2017-18 to 101 billion in 2022-23. 
• Out of the $101 billion output, finished goods contributed $86 billion, while component manufacturing contributed $15 billion. 
• Mobile phones account for 43 per cent of total electronic manufacturing, and India meets 99 per cent of its smartphone requirements domestically. 
• China's share in global electronic manufacturing output is 28.4 per cent, while India's share is only 3.3 per cent. India's export of electronic goods in 2022-23 was around $25 billion, which is less than 1 per cent of the global electronics export market. 
• The target for finished goods manufacturing is $350 billion, while the target for components manufacturing is $150 billion. This will create an estimated 55 to 60 lakh new employment opportunities in the country. This will increase electronics exports to $240 billion. 
• NITI Aayog It was established on 1 January 2015 by a resolution of the Union Cabinet. It replaced the Planning Commission. Suman K Beri has been reappointed as Vice Chairman, while leaders of NDA allies have been included in Niti Aayog. Full-time members - VK Saraswat, Prof. Ramesh Chand, Dr. VK Paul, Arvind Virmani. 

2.Union Home Minister Amit Shah launches National Narcotics Helpline 'Manas-1933' 

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the National Narcotics Helpline 'Manas'-1933. On this occasion, the Home Minister also virtually inaugurated the regional office of Narcotics Control BureauNCB in Srinagar. He also released the NCB's 'Annual Report 2023' and compendium on 'Drug-Free India'.
• Manas will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app and Umang app, so that citizens of the country can connect with NCB anonymously 24x7 to seek advice on de-addiction and rehabilitation, share information on drug trafficking. 
• NCB in collaboration with BISAG-N has developed a web portal and mobile app "MapDrugs" to curb illegal cultivation and provide accurate GIS information. 
• The Home Minister chaired the 7th apex level meeting of the NarcoCoordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi on 18th July 2024. Speaking on the occasion, he said that the fight against drugs is very important and should be fought with seriousness and priority. 
• Shri Shah said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a target of making India a world leader in every field by 2047, which can be achieved only by keeping the young generation away from the curse of drugs. 
• The Minister said that earlier the motto of our agencies was 'need to know' but now we should move towards 'duty to share' and this big change has to be adopted by all the agencies. 
• He said that from the year 2004 to 2023, one lakh 52 thousand kg of drugs worth Rs 5,933 crore were seized, while in the ten years from 2014 to 2024, this quantity increased to 5,43,000 kg, worth more than Rs 22,000 crore. NERACE Web Portal and Mobile App 
• Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region and Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the North East Region Agri Commodity e-Connect (NERACE) web portal and mobile application in Shillong, which is designed to benefit the farming community and buyers in the North Eastern Region. 
• The NERACE App aims to support agricultural and horticultural products such as spices, fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals and minor forest produce. It aims to provide farmers access to larger markets, better negotiation opportunities, premium pricing and real-time availability updates. 
• Currently, the Northeast region has 20 GI products that are exotic, high-value and loaded with health benefits. Under one platform, it will provide support in English, Hindi, Assamese, Mizo, Manipuri, Nepali and Khasi languages. 

International News 

3.Belarus launches visafree policy for 35 European countries 

• The Belarus Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it introduced a visa-free policy for 35 European countries. The policy will come into force from July 19, 2024 and will run until December 31 this year. Citizens of 35 countries, including members of the European Union and the United Kingdom, can stay in Belarus for up to 30 days at a time without a visa. 
• To further demonstrate Belarus' commitment to openness, peace and good neighbourliness and to simplify personnel exchanges, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has supported citizens of 35 European countries to temporarily enter and stay in Belarus through road and rail checkpoints without visas, the statement said. 
• President Alexander Lukashenko, in power since 1994 and a close ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, is subject to Western sanctions after he allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory to send thousands of troops into Ukraine in 2022. 
• Visa-free entry can be used multiple times within a year, but does not apply to holders of special passports such as diplomatic or official passports. This visa-free arrangement expands the existing policy that already applies to neighbouring countries Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Additionally, it will now include 35 other European nations. Violent anti-reservation protests begin in Bangladesh 
• The death toll in anti-reservation protests in Bangladesh has reached more than 39. According to media reports, violence has increased in the country over protests by students demanding reforms in the reservation system in government jobs. 
• The protests erupted after the High Court restored the 30% job quota for families of freedom fighters of the 1971 war, which was earlier abolished in 2018. The Supreme Court has suspended the order and scheduled a hearing on August 7. 
• Established in 1972, Bangladesh's quota system has been amended over the years. As of 2018, 56% of government jobs were reserved under various quotas. The largest share was for families of freedom fighters, while allocations were also made to other groups such as women, underdeveloped districts, indigenous communities and the disabled. 
• The students are demanding the abolition of all categories except those benefiting indigenous communities and the disabled. 

4. Serum Institute and Oxford launch first malaria vaccine 'R21/Matrix-M' in Cote d'Ivoire 

• A new high-quality malaria vaccine 'R21/Matrix-M' developed by the Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford has been officially launched in Africa. With this, Cote d'Ivoire has become the first country in West Africa to start vaccination of R21/Matrix-M. 
• The R21/Matrix-M vaccine was approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) last year after passing a rigorous regulatory process and clinical evaluation, and was found to be highly effective and affordable. 
• Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said that reducing the burden of malaria has now finally become possible. Poonawalla further said that we have committed to produce 100 million doses of R21. 
• Africa has received a total of 656,600 doses of R21/Matrix-M. Initially, 250,000 children between 23 months will be vaccinated in 16 regions of Cote d'Ivoire. The R21/Matrix-M vaccine has also been authorized by Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic. 
• R21 is the second malaria vaccine available in sub-Saharan Africa, after RTS,S. In total, 15 African countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccines in 2024 with support from Gavi, and countries plan to vaccinate approximately 6.6 million children against malaria in 2024 and 2025. 

5. Malaysia's national symbol 'Malayan Tiger' declared on the verge of extinction as its number dropped to 150 

• In the 1950s, there were about 3,000 Malayan tigers in Malaysia. But poaching and habitat loss have reduced those numbers to less than 150. Which has now been declared on the verge of extinction. Now conservation experts are declaring this situation a 'national emergency'.
• The scientific name of the tiger is Panthera tigris jacksonii / Panthera tigris malayensis. It is commonly found in the Straits of Johor on Peninsular Malaysia as well as on the island of Singapore. About eight feet long, it can weigh up to 130 kg. 
• The Malayan Tiger is the national animal of the country. It is also depicted on the country's Coat of Arms with its orange color and thin black stripes. 
• One of the smallest tiger species, the Malayan Tiger has been recognized as a subspecies of the tiger only for the last two decades. 
• It was previously thought to be the same species as the Indochinese tiger. It is commonly found in the Straits of Johor on peninsular Malaysia as well as on the island of Singapore. According to the WWF, the Malayan tiger is protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010. 
•  It is also listed as 'critically endangered' under the IUCN Red List for Threatened Species. The survey was conducted by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks, WWF-Malaysia, and other NGOs from 2016 to 2020. 
• In addition to habitat loss, retaliatory killings due to humantiger conflicts, the construction of roads through their habitat increases the risk of fatal vehicle collisions. 
• In an eight-year National Tiger Conservation Action Plan released in collaboration with nonprofit groups in 2020, Malaysian officials outlined priorities such as conservation tools and a "national physical plan" to aid conservation efforts. 

6. Ursula von becomes President of European Commission for second five-year term 

• The European Parliament has elected Germany's Ursula von derLeyen for a second five-year term as President of the European Commission on 18 July 2024. Von der Leyen secured 401 votes in the 720-seat house, more than the majority needed to retain her post as head of the EU's executive body. 
• She committed to continue the European Green Deal, a key policy of her first term, which aims to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050. 
• She pledged to reduce emissions by 90 percent by 2040 and announced substantial investments in infrastructure and industry, especially energy-intensive sectors. Von der Leyen also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine. Roberta Metsola - President of the European Parliament 
• On 16 July 2024, Roberta Metsola, a prominent politician from Malta, has secured a historic second term as President of the European Parliament, making her the first woman to achieve this feat in the history of the EU assembly. 
• Known for her leadership and advocacy, Metsola received significant support from EU politicians, receiving 562 out of 623 votes in her favour. 
• In November 2020 she was elected First Vice-President and was the Acting President of the Parliament after the death of President Sassoli on 11 January 2022. 
• On 18 January 2022, she was elected President for the second part of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament after Simone Veil (1979–1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999–2002). 
• Article 14 of the Treaty on European Union states that the Parliament elects its President from among its members. Since the first European elections (universal suffrage) in 1979, each president has held office for a renewable term of two and a half years. 

7. Annual 'Kataragama Esala' festival held in Sri Lanka 

• The annual Kataragama Esala festival is being celebrated in Sri Lanka. Devotees who started the padayatra in May have reached Kataragama after completing a journey of more than 500 kilometers on foot from remote places like Jaffna in the northern peninsula of Sri Lanka, crossing difficult terrains.
• The festival is celebrated across different religions and is known for the deep ties between India and Sri Lanka. The main temple of Katharagama is Maha Devala dedicated to the Hindu war god Skanda. 
• Skanda have six heads, twelve arms, twenty names and two wives, Skanda is also worshipped by Buddhists as Katharagama Deviyo, while Muslims believe that the place is related to Hazrat Khizr. 
• The Perahara, which began on July 6, will hold a fire procession event on July 18 and conclude with a grand procession on July 21. Kataragama Esala Festival, also known as Kataragama Perahera. It is dedicated to the worship of Lord Kataragama, who is widely revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. Harela, the folk festival of Uttarakhand 
• Lord Shiva's favorite month of Sawan is going to start from July 22. At the same time, Uttarakhand has a different belief about Sawan. Here the month of Sawan is considered to start with Harela festival. 
•  Harela is a folk festival of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, which is associated with nature. Harela festival is especially celebrated in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. When the Sun God enters Cancer, the festival of Harela is celebrated.
•  This year Harela festival was celebrated on 16 July 2024. Uttarakhand is called Shivbhoomi, because here is Kedarnath Jyotirlinga and Shivaji's in-laws. Therefore, Harela festival has special significance in Uttarakhand. On this day people also worship Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. Lok Samvardhan Parv in New Delhi 
• Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Lok Samvardhan Parv in New Delhi. The Lok Samvardhan Parv is being organised to showcase the schemes, programmes and achievements of the Ministry from 16th to 31st of this month under the 100-day action plan of the Central Government. 
• The Lok Samvardhan Parv is celebrating and showcasing over 70 exquisite handicrafts and handloom products from various states made by 162 artisans belonging to various minority communities. 
• The Minister released a coffee table book on the schemes and achievements of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Besides, a loan scheme of National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to disburse loans of over Rs 1000 crore to over 2.5 lakh beneficiaries during 2024- 25 was also released by the Minister, according to an official statement 

State News 

8. N Kotiswar Singh first judge from Manipur in Supreme Court

•  Justices N Kotiswar Singh and R Mahadevan took oath as judges of the Supreme Court of India. It is a momentous occasion for the judiciary as Justice N Kotiswar Singh has become the first judge from Manipur to be appointed to the apex court 70 years after India's independence.
• The move completes the sanctioned strength of 34 judges in the Supreme Court, including the CJI. 
• Justice Singh began his judicial career as an additional judge of the Gauhati High Court in October 2011 and was appointed Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court in February 2023. Robert Gerard Ravi - New Chairman of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited 
• The Government of India has appointed Robert Gerard Ravi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The appointment took effect from July 15, 2024. 
• Ravi's appointment comes at a time when the government has decided not to extend the term of outgoing CMD P K Purwar. Purwar, who has been at the helm of both BSNL and MTNL since July 2019, completed his term on July 14, 2024. 

9. Indore, Madhya Pradesh creates Guinness World Record for planting 11 lakh trees in a single day 

•  A new Guinness World Record was created in the category of “Most number of trees planted by a team in 24 hours” by planting more than 11 lakh saplings on 14 July 2024 at the BSF campus in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. 
• Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that Indore, India’s cleanest city and Madhya Pradesh’s economic capital, has now also set a world record for planting more than 11 lakh saplings in a day.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the city of Indore for entering the Guinness Book of World Records for “Most number of trees planted by a team within 24 hours” and said that Mother Earth is smiling on the city. 
• According to the 'Guinness Book of World Records', 9 lakh 26 thousand saplings were planted in 24 hours between 13 and 14 September last year in Udalguri district of Assam. This record was broken by planting more than 11 lakh saplings in Indore on 14 July 2024. 
• Prime Minister Modi had launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign on World Environment Day on June 5. Shah said that under this campaign, 140 crore saplings will be planted across the country, out of which five crore saplings will be planted in 'Lungs of India' Madhya Pradesh. 
• Mr Shah said that Madhya Pradesh has 31% forest area and it works to give oxygen to the whole of India. He said that Madhya Pradesh has 12% of the total forest area of the whole country and this has also boosted tourism. 
•  He said that Madhya Pradesh has 6 tiger reserves, 11 national parks, 24 sanctuaries and Prime Minister Modi has now also brought leopards to Kuno Tiger Reserve which will benefit our environment. 

10. Several children die due to suspected Chandipura virus infection in Gujarat 

• Several children have died due to suspected Chandipura virus infection while undergoing treatment at Himmat Nagar Civil Hospital in Sabarkantha, Gujarat. The number of people infected with the virus has gone up to more than 14. 
• Meanwhile, the state health department held a meeting in Gandhinagar to review the spread of Chandipura virus in various districts including Sabarkantha, Aravalli, Kheda and Mahisagar. RB Patel, Additional Director of Gujarat Health Department, said that the department has directed all the affected districts to conduct surveillance to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Chandipura virus is a rare and potentially fatal pathogen that causes fever, flu-like symptoms and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family. 
• The virus is transmitted through vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies and can cause illness, coma and even death. Zika infection in Maharashtra 
• Zika has been confirmed in Magarpatta, Katraj and Bhugaon in Maharashtra. Out of the 21 patients in Pune city, 10 are pregnant women. Zika virus, it is a mosquito-borne flavivirus. Zika virus is mainly transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito of the Aedes species. Zika virus has an RNA genome and thus has a very high ability to accumulate mutations. 
• Genomic studies have revealed that there are two types of Zika virus: African and Asian. 
• The virus was first discovered in 1947 in infected monkeys in the Zika Forest of Uganda and the first human infection of this virus was reported in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. 
• It is associated with health problems such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathy and myelitis in adults and children. Infection during pregnancy causes congenital malformations, such as microcephaly and other related disorders. HIV spreads to over 800 students in Tripura 
• According to officials of the Tripura State AIDS Control Society (TSACS), 828 students have tested positive for HIV, of which 47 have died. The crisis is spread across 220 schools and 24 colleges, highlighting the rapid spread of HIV among students. 
• Efforts include data collection from health facilities across the state and provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 8,729 individuals. Addressing drug use through awareness and medical intervention is key to curbing the epidemic.
• TSACS officials have reported detection of five to seven new cases daily, Underlining the urgent need to comprehensively address the situation. 
• As of May 2024, Tripura's ART (antiretroviral therapy) centres have registered 8,729 individuals suffering from HIV. 

11. Naidu outlines his vision for 'Viksit Andhra Pradesh-2047' 

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Mi- nister N. Chandrababu Nai- du shared his vision for the development of the State with the theme, 'Viksit Andhra Pradesh-2047', in a meeting with NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahma- nyam at the Secretariat on Friday. 
• Mr. Naidu said he would ensure that Andhra Pradesh made a valuable con- tribution to the emergence of India as a global force by making plans for it at his le- vel in the due course and drawing lessons from the reforms introduced by him in the unified State.
• The target was to achieve a growth rate of 15% and double the per capita income. He stated that due focus would be laid on eradicating poverty and adopting latest technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), for bring- ing about the desired transformation as a pro- gressive State. 
• Efforts should be made to develop Amaravati and Visakhapatnam as AI hubs in the future, he said, while revealing a plan to esta- blish an Al university in the State. Further, Mr. Naidu said the government ac- corded top priority to re- viving the agriculture sec- tor and promoting natural farming, and said the Raya- laseema region had good scope for setting up food processing industries. 

 Ranks and Reports News

 12. Two of India's coal mines ranked in World Atlas' list of top-5 coal mines in the world 

• The Ministry of Coal has said that two of the five largest coal mines in the world are now in India. Gevra and Kusmunda, operated by Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), are ranked second and fourth respectively among the world's largest coal mines. The list has been released by WorldAtlas.com.
• Indonesia tops the list of top ten coal mines with four mines, and the United States' Black Thunder Mine has been ranked as the world's largest coal mine. 
• China is the world's largest coal producer and consumer, and India is the second largest producer. The United States has the world's largest known coal reserves. The Gevra and Kusmunda mines together produce more than 100 million tonnes of coal annually, which is about ten percent of India's total coal production. 
• The Gevra opencast mine, which began operating in 1981, has an annual production capacity of 70 million tonnes and achieved a production of 59 million tonnes in the financial year 2023-24. 
• It has sufficient coal reserves to meet the country's energy needs for the next decade. Meanwhile, the Kusmunda mine contributed over 50 million tonnes of coal to the total production in 2023-24. Coal 
• Based on the carbon content, coal is classified into anthracite, bituminous, lignite and peat. The East India Company started the first commercial coal mining in India in 1774 at the Raniganj coalfield along the Damodar river in present-day West Bengal. 
• The largest coal reserves were in Odisha, followed by Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. Jharkhand is the top coal producing state in the country, followed by Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. 

High-octane petrol - Storm-X

•  India's top oil company Indian Oil has started production and export of high-octane petrol - Storm-X, a fuel used in adrenaline-pumping motor racing, at its refinery located at Paradip in Odisha.
•  IOC, the country's largest oil company, will be the first Indian and among a handful of companies globally to produce the fuel used in F1 racing. 
• This premium race fuel has been developed by IOC R&D Centre, Faridabad. It blends high-octane rating gasoline (petrol) streams from Panipat refinery with advanced sustainable components including 2G ethanol. 
• The company has three premium fuels - 95-octane XP95 petrol and 100-octane XP100. The company will be the official fuel partner for the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC) for three years – from 2024 to 2026, supplying STORM-X petrol at all race rounds of the ARRC. 

Science and Technology News 

13. Earth revolves around the barycenter, not the Sun, according to a new NASA study 

• The Earth orbits around a barycenter, a point in space near the Sun but not currently inside this bubbling star, making it difficult to say that the planet is orbiting the Sun. 
• Our initial concepts of planets orbiting perfectly around the Sun may need to be slightly revised. While the Sun is the undisputed dominant force in our solar system. 
• The reason for this update is the barycenter, which is the center of mass in an orbiting body system. Imagine a cosmic playground where the Sun and Earth serve as an axis around which both objects balance and rotate. 
• The Sun's enormous mass pulls the Earth into its orbit, but according to Newton's law of universal gravitation, this attraction is twoway. The Earth, in its own small way, exerts a gravitational force on the Sun as well.
•  This point usually stays very close to the center of the Sun, but not always. The influence of giant planets such as Jupiter and Saturn can sometimes pull the barycenter out of the Sun's boundaries.
•  "Kepler's third law describes the relationship between the masses of two objects orbiting each other and the determination of orbital parameters," NASA explains. NASA discovers six new exoplanets 
• NASA has achieved a significant milestone with the discovery of six new exoplanets: HD 36384 b, TOI198 b, TOI-2095 b, TOI-2095 c, TOI4860 b and MWC 758 c. 
• This brings the total number of confirmed exoplanets outside our solar system to 5,502, 
• The first exoplanets were confirmed nearly 31 years ago in 1992 with the detection of Poltergeist and Phobetor orbiting the pulsar PSR B1257+12.
•  NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), launched in 2018, has been key in discovering thousands of exoplanet candidates. Other space telescopes, including the Spitzer, Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes, have also played important roles in exoplanet research. 
• NASA plans to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope in May 2027. 

Newly Discovered Exoplanets 

• HD 36384 b: A super-Jupiter orbiting an M giant star about 40 times the size of the Sun. 
• TOI-198 b: Located at the inner edge of its star's habitable zone. 
• TOI-2095 b and TOI-2095 c: Hot super-Earths orbiting the same M dwarf star. 
• TOI-4860 b: A rare "hot Jupiter" that completes an orbit around an M dwarf star every 1.52 days. 
• MWC 758 c: A giant protoplanet orbits a young star. 

Sports News 

14. ICC's Annual Conference begins in Colombo, Sri Lanka 

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference began in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 19 July 2024. The theme of this year's conference is "Taking advantage of the Olympic opportunity", in which topics such as 'diversity and inclusion', 'environmental sustainability and sports' and 'cricket's triumphant return to LA28' will be discussed. 
• During this, the election of Associate Member Directors was held, in which Mubashir Usmani, Imran Khwaja and Mahinda Vallipuram emerged victorious in the election, getting 23, 20 and 13 votes respectively. 
• The new directors were elected through the ballot system for a term of two years. The ICC's Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Colombo from 19 to 22 July. 
• Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in its statement that more than 220 delegates from 108 ICC member countries across the world, covering regions such as Africa, Americas, Asia, East Asia Pacific and Europe, will attend this important annual conference. 

15. Chennai Super Kings' Super Kings Academy in Sydney

•  Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has announced the establishment of its third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia.
•  CSK has already established international centres in Dallas, USA and the United Kingdom. The Super Kings Academy in India is at Chennai - Guru Nanak College. 

ICC Development Awards to Six Countries 

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has awarded ICC Development Awards to six countries in Associate Cricket for 2023. The ICC Development Awards were introduced in 2002 to recognise the efforts and achievements of ICC Associate Member Countries. 
• Announced by the ICC, Mexico, Oman, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Nepal and Scotland received honours in six categories, with the winners selected from a shortlist of 21 countries by the ICC Development Awards Panel.

 Key Categories and Countries 

• ICC Development Initiative of the Year – Mexico Cricket Association 
• ICC 100% Cricket Women’s Cricket Initiative of the Year – Oman 
• ICC Associate Member Men’s Best Performance of the Year – Netherlands 
• ICC Associate Member Women’s Best Performance of the Year – UAE 
• ICC Digital Fan Engagement of the Year – Nepal 
• ICC Cricket 4 Good Social Impact Initiative of the Year – Scotlandaa 

Award 

16. INS Delhi awarded Best Ship of Eastern Fleet 

• INS Delhi has been adjudged the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet at the annual ‘Fleet Awards Function2024’ held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on July 14, 2024. 
• INS Kavaratti was awarded the Best Ship in Corvettes/OPVs/LSTs, while INS Shivalik, INS Sumedha and INS Sumitra were adjudged the most spirited ships of the Sunrise Fleet for undertaking a variety of challenging missions in the past one year. 
• Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command was the Chief Guest at the event hosted by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar. 
• Throughout the year, the Eastern Fleet demonstrated its operational readiness through various exercises and missions in the Indian Ocean Region, including naval exercises, amphibious operations and humanitarian efforts. 
• A guided-missile frigate called INS Delhi was delivered to the Indian Navy on November 15, 1997. It was planned by the Directorate of Naval Design of the Indian Navy and built by Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. 
• It is the lead ship of the Delhi class. The 163-metre-long ship has a payload of about 6,200 tonnes. 

Space scientists Prahlad Agarwal and Anil Bhardwaj honoured by COSPAR 

• Space scientists Prahlad Chandra Agarwal and Anil Bhardwaj were honoured by the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) at its biennial meeting in Busan, South Korea for their contributions to space research. The 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly is being held in Busan, South Korea from 13 to 21 July 2024. 
• Renowned space scientist Prahlad Chandra Agarwal was awarded the Harrie Massey Prize. 
• A minor planet was named after Professor Agarwal as part of the award. Professor Prahlad Chandra Agrawal (Retd) was a Professor in the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, Maharashtra. 
• Professor Agrawal led the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) AstroSat programme, dedicated to studying celestial sources in the X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands. 
• Anil Bhardwaj was awarded the Vikram Sarabhai Medal at the 45th COSPAR Scientific Assembly. The Vikram Sarabhai Medal, instituted by COSPAR in collaboration with ISRO, is awarded to a space scientist from a developing country for his outstanding contribution to space research. 
• Anil Bhardwaj is currently the Director of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He has been involved in ISRO's interplanetary missions including Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan and Aditya-L1 (study of the Sun) mission. 

Appointment and Resignation News 

17. Ex-Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra is new Ambassador to U.S. 

• Amid "differences" with the United States over In- dia's ties with Russia and a number of other issues, New Delhi has announced that it will send Vinay Kwa tra, who retired as Foreign Secretary last week, to Washington as India's new Ambassador, filling a posi- tion that has been lying va cant for over six months. 
• According to a state- ment by the Ministry of Ex ternal Affairs, Mr. Kwatra will "take up the assign ment shortly". Mr. Kwa tra's larger task ahead will be to assess the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections in November and engage with the new administra tion. 
• He will also be expect ed to prepare for a possible visit by U.S. President Jo seph Biden for the Quad Summit that India is due to host later this year. His challenge will be to smooth over recent differences between the two countries over the Pannun case, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Rus- sian President Vladimir Pu tin in Moscow, as well as re- cent U.S. pronouncements on the human rights situa tion in India. 
• Speedy appointment Officials said both New Delhi and Washington sought to expedite the process of appointing the new Am bassador, as indicated by the speed with which re quests were made and ap proved: Mr. Kwatra hand- ed over charge to the new Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on July 15, after which his Ambassadorial ap pointment was approved by Washington in less than a week. 
• It is also significant that New Delhi has decided to post an Indian Foreign Service officer who retired in a senior position, rather than an officer still in ser vice, as has been the practice for two decades. Through much of the 1980s and 1990s, New Delhi had posted "political ap- pointees" as U.S. Ambassa dors, including former Minister and J&K Governor Karan Singh, former West Bengal Governor Siddhar tha Shankar Ray, and form- er Cabinet Secretary Na- resh Chandra. In 2001, the government had appoint- ed retiring Foreign Secre tary Lalit Mansingh to the U.S., but subsequently, all eight Indian envoys to Washington, between 2004 and 2024, were serv ing Foreign Service offic ers. 
• Mr. Kwatra's predeces- sor in South Block, Harsh Shringla, had in fact been Ambassador to the U.S. be fore he became Foreign Secretary. 'Agree to disagree' In a sign that the govern- ment is also taking a more conciliatory position on criticism from the U.S. over the Russia visit, the MEA said that it "agrees to dis- agree" with U.S. Ambassa dor Eric Garcetti over his comments indicating Washington's disapproval last week. 
• Asked about In- dia's response, MEA spo- kesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the Ambassador was "entitled to his opi- nion". "India, like many other countries, values its 'stra- tegic autonomy'," Mr. Jais wal said. "Obviously, [the U.S. and India) have diffe rent views. Our compre hensive global strategic partnership with the U.S. gives us the space to agree to disagree on certain is- sues, while respecting each other's viewpoints," he added. 

18. UPSC Chairperson Manoj Soni quits 5 years before completion of tenure 

• Union Public Service Com- mission (UPSC) Chairper- son Manoj Soni has re- signed due to "personal reasons", almost five years before his tenure ends in 2029, sources told The Hindu. Mr. Soni, who joined the commission as a member in 2017, was sworn in as the Chairperson on May 16, 2023. 
• "He resigned almost a month back," a top source told The Hindu. The source added there was no clarity if the resignation would be accepted and he would be relieved. The source also clarified that the resignation was not linked to the controver- sy regarding UPSC candi- dates securing employment by presenting fake certificates. Mr. Soni is learnt to have submitted his resignation to the President of India. 
• However, the government is yet to announce the name of the new Chairperson. According to sources, he wants to devote more time to Anoopam Mission, a branch of Swaminarayan Sect in Gujarat. He became a monk, or nishkam kar mayogi (selfless worker), in the Mission after receiving diksha, or initiation, in 2020. 
• Mr. Soni is considered close to Prime Minister Na- rendra Modi, who had picked him as the Vice Chancellor of M.S. Univer sity in Vadodara in 2005 when he was 40 years old, making him the youngest Vice-Chancellor in the country. Prior to his appointment to the UPSC in June 2017, Mr. Soni had served three terms as Vice-Chancellor in two universities in his home State of Gujarat. 
• Not linked to Puja issue Sources added that the re- signation was not linked to the controversy regarding trainee Indian Administra- tive Service (IAS) officer Puja Khedkar, who alleged- ly forged identity papers and presented a disability certificate to get into the service. 
•  After Ms. Khedkar's case surfaced, social media was abuzz with several cases of candidates, presently in service, who allegedly forged documents to get benefits reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, the Economically Weaker Sec- tions (EWS), and Persons with Benchmark Disabili- ties (PwBD). 
• The cases raise questions about the sanctity of the UPSC's ex- am and selection processes. The UPSC is a constitu- tional body as mandated under Article 315-323 Part XIV Chapter II of the Con- stitution of India. The Commission conducts sev- eral examinations on be- half of the Union govern- ment. 
• It also conducts Civil Services Examinations every year and recommends candidates for appoint- ment to the IAS, the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the Central Services - Group A and Group B.

 Schemes and committees News 

19. Maharashtra Government announces ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana’ and ‘Ladka Bhau Yojana’ 

• To tackle unemployment among youth, the Maharashtra government has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana. It aims to provide valuable internship opportunities, equip youth with necessary skills and enhance their employability in the competitive job market. 
• The government has made a provision of ₹5,500 crore for this scheme. Candidates between the age of 18 and 35 years residing in Maharashtra are eligible to apply under this scheme. The minimum educational qualification ranges from 12th pass to post-graduation. 
• Industries and establishments operating in Maharashtra registered with the Department of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation are also encouraged to participate. Trainees will receive a monthly stipend through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 
• A stipend of ₹6,000 has been allotted for 12th pass, and for ITI/Diploma – ₹8,000 and for Degree/Post Graduation – ₹10,000 will be offered. Both government establishments and private sector industries are eligible to participate, provided they fulfil specific criteria including registration with EPF, ESIC, GST, DPIT and Udyog Aadhaar and have been in operation for at least three years. 
• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the ‘Ladka Bhau Yojana’ for boys in the state after announcing the ‘Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana’ for girls. It aims to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women. 

Thane to Borivali - India's longest and largest urban tunnel 

• On July 13, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India's longest and largest urban tunnel project, the Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel, developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). 
• The Rs 16,600 crore project will reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from one hour to just 12 minutes, reducing the travel distance by 12 km. The initiative is part of a wider Rs 29,000 crore infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity in Mumbai. 
• The tunnel is 11.8 km long. It will run from Thane to National Highway 8 in Borivali. Completion is targeted by May 2028. The tunnel, which consists of a 10.25 km bored section with cross passages every 300 metres.
•  MMRDA has assured that its construction will not cause any harm to Sanjay Gandhi National Park and will help in reducing noise and air pollution. 

Education Ministry and UGC launch ‘ASMITA Project’ to enrich Indian language literature in higher education 

• The Ministry of Education, UGC and Bhartiya Bhasha Samiti launched three initiatives to promote Indian languages in higher education namely ASMITA, Indian Language Ecosystem for Multilingual Dictionary and Real-time Translation Architecture. 
• The ASMITA (Enhancing Study Material in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) initiative aims to develop 22,000 impactful books in Indian languages and regional languages over the next five years. 
• The project was officially launched by Higher Education Secretary Sanjay Murthy. The initiative is closely aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP).
• According to UGC Chairman Jagadeesh Kumar, the aim is to prepare 1,000 books in each of the 22 scheduled languages within five years. 
• To ensure effective implementation, thirteen nodal universities have been identified to lead the project. To ensure a streamlined process, UGC has developed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the bookwriting process in each specified language. 
• This SOP includes identification of nodal officers, authors, allocation of title, theme and programme, writing and editing, submission of manuscript, review and plagiarism check, finalization, designing, proofreading and e-publishing."

 "Multilingual Dictionary" 

• Along with ASMITA, the Ministry launched "Multilingual Dictionary", a comprehensive multilingual dictionary serving as a single-point reference for words and their meanings of all Indian languages. The initiative will be developed by the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti. 
• The dictionary aims to facilitate the use of Indian words, phrases and sentences in various modern sectors including IT, industry, research and education.