CURRENT GK
1.India is among the fastest growing economies: World Bank :-
According to the World Bank’s latest edition of the Global Economic Prospects, India is the fourth fastest growing economy in the world.
The World Bank has pegged India’s growth rate at 7.2 for the current year on the back of rising export and increase in government spending.
In terms of growth rate, India is placed behind smaller economies of Estonia, Uzbekistan and Nepal.
2.President of India Presents ‘Pranab Mukherjee Award for Academic Excellence’ :-
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presented the ‘Pranab Mukherjee Award for Academic Excellence’ to Shri Aman Aggarwal for scoring the highest aggregate in Class XII CBSE Examination, 2017 among the students of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Vidyalaya located in the President’s Estate July 19, 2017) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
On the occasion, Both the ‘Omita Paul Award for Academic Excellence’ for scoring highest aggregate marks amongst girls in Class XII CBSE Examination, 2017 as well as the ‘Kunjannamma Mathew Award’ for Academic Excellence’ for scoring highest marks in Mathematics amongst the girls in Class XII CBSE Examination, 2017 were presented to Kumari Muskan Sharma by Smt. Omita Paul, Secretary to the President and Dr. Thomas Mathew, Additional Secretary to the President respectively.
3.Pakistan among countries providing “safe havens” to terrorists: US :-
The United States on Wednesday listed Pakistan among the nations providing “safe havens” to terrorists, saying terror groups like the LeT and JeM continued to operate, train, organise and fundraise inside the country.
In its annual ‘Country Report on Terrorism’, as mandated by the Congress, the State Department said the Mumbai attack mastermind and UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed continued to address large rallies, although in February 2017 Pakistan proscribed him under relevant provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act.
4.PM meets top scientific officials of Government of India :-
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on Tuesday held a meeting with top scientific officials of the Government of India. These included Dr. V.K. Saraswat – Member, NITI Aayog; Dr. R. Chidambaram – Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India; and Secretaries related to scientific departments in the Union Government.
Officials briefed the Prime Minister on progress in various areas of scientific research.
5.Cabinet approves MOC in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa :-
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given the approval for the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters between India and the Revenue administrations of BRICS countries namely, Brazil, Russian Federation, China and South Africa.
The MoC aims to further promote cooperation amongst the BRICS Revenue administrations in international forum on common areas of interest in tax matters and in the area of capacity building and knowledge sharing.
It envisages regular interaction amongst the heads of Revenue administration of BRICS countries to continue discussion on common areas of interest and strive towards convergence of views and meeting of the Experts on tax matters to discuss the contemporary issues in areas of international tax.
6.Dinesh Karthik looking forward to the 2019 World Cup :-
His eyes flicked across the ground, picking out little things. The sight of the iconic arena at Chepauk also forces Dinesh Karthik to flash a rather infectious smile.
“You know, I was a ball boy here when India defeated Australia in a thrilling Test in 2001. Sachin Tendulkar, my idol, scored a hundred against Steve Waugh’s men. Cannot forget those moments,” Karthik said here on Wednesday.
7.Environment Ministry Approves Projects for Climate Change Adaptation in Three States :-
The Environment Ministry today approved three projects for climate change adaptation in three states.
The National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC), under the Chairmanship of Secretary MoEF&CC, Shri Ajay Narayan Jha, approved the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by Governments of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sikkim for funding under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC).
8.From Doklam to Taiwan, China shows zero tolerance to ‘sovereignty’ threats :-
China’s insistence on the withdrawal of Indian troops from the Doklam plateau as a precondition for negotiations is consistent with its position on Tibet, Taiwan or the South China Sea — areas of hyper-sensitivity, where Beijing perceives that its “territorial sovereignty” is at stake.
9.The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley to inaugurate Delhi Economics Conclave-2017 on Saturday, 22nd July, 2017 in the national capital; Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Singapore to deliver the Inaugural Address on ‘India Development Strategy and International Engagement post Hyperglobalisation” :-
The Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley will inaugurate the Delhi Economics Conclave-2017 on Saturday, 22nd July, 2017 in the national capital. On this occasion, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy Prime Minister, Republic of Singapore will deliver the Inaugural Address on ‘India Development Strategy and International Engagement Post-Hyper globalisation”.
In the one-day Conclave, the first Plenary Session will be on “The Future of Cash”. Main Speaker on the subject would be Mr. Kenneth S Rogoff, Professor of Economics, Harvard University while Mr. Viral Acharya, Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India will be Moderator of the Session.
In the Second Plenary Session, Mr. Nandan Nilekani, former Chairman, UIDAI will speak on the issue of ‘Data as the oil of the 21st Century: India’s Response’. This Session will be moderated by Mr. Bibek Debroy, Member, NITI Ayog, Govt of India.
10.Extra privileges for foreigners on Indian trains :-
The Indian Railways has made train travel easy for foreign nationals and NRIs by offering confirmed accommodation in upper classes of all trains one year in advance.
Besides the Foreign Tourists Quota (FTQ) of eight berths each in First and Second Class AC coaches, these passengers would also be entitled to avail confirmed berths on demand from the general quota earmarked for Indian nationals.
11.Allotment of temporary COCO Outlets to SC, ST & Women Beneficiaries :-
The allotment letters of temporary COCO outlets to SC, ST & Women beneficiaries was presented by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri.
Thaawar Chand Gehlot, Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri. Jual Oram & Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri. Dharmendra Pradhan at a ceremony held at Constitution Club of India, New Delhi today.
This initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is part of a slew of initiatives to take forward the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri.
12.U.S. Senate Committee for bigger Indian role in Afghanistan :-
India has a “critical role” to play in breaking the stalemate in Afghanistan, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Forces has said, calling for enhancing trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, India and the U.S.
In a report accompanying the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) 2018, the committee also called for enhancing the overall defence cooperation between the U.S. and India, and “eventually joint naval patrol of the Indian Ocean.”
