Sunday, 1 August 2021

30th July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

30 July 2021
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30th July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 30th July July 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 14 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 14 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news

National News

1. Govt announces 27% reservation for OBCs, 10% quota for EWS in medical seats

  • The centre has announced 27% reservation for OBCs and a 10% quota for students from the economically weaker sections (EWS) for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses under the All-India Quota (AIQ) scheme.
  • Under the AIQ scheme, 15% of seats at the UG level and 50% seats at the PG level are kept domicile free in government medical and dental colleges against which students from other states to are offered admission while the rest of the seats are kept only for students from within the state.
  • This will immensely help thousands of our youth every year get better opportunities and create a new paradigm of social justice in our country.
  • A statement by the government said that the decision would benefit nearly 1500 OBC students in MBBS and 2500 OBC students in PG while it will also impact around 550 EWS students in MBBS and around 1000 EWS students in PG medicine.

International News

2. Maldives’ Abdulla Shahid won the Presidency of the 76th UNGA

  • Foreign Minister of Maldives Abdulla Shahid won the Presidency of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
  • This is for the first time in the history of the United Nations (UN), Maldives will hold the office of President at the UNGA. Abdulla Shahid’s victory at the UNGA Presidential election is a “proud accomplishment” and “a step forward in elevating the country’s stature on the global stage”.
  • Maldives’ decision to join the UN in 1965, immediately after its independence, sparked a debate on how a “microstate”, could possibly contribute to the organisation.
  • Over the years, Maldives has cleared all the doubts by raising its voice on issues of concern and playing a prominent role in the UN as well as in the other multilateral organisations including the Commonwealth.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • President of the Maldives: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih;
  • Capital of Maldives: Male; Currency of the Maldives: Maldivian Rufiyaa.

State News

3. Kerala police launched ‘Pink Protection’ project for women safety

  • The Kerala Police launched a new initiative called the Pink Protection project for the protection of women in public, private and digital spaces.
  • The Pink Protection project aims to prevent dowry-related issues, cyber-bullying & humiliation in public places. It has 10 components, one of which is activating the existing Pink Police Patrol system, named Pink Janamaithri Beat.
  • They will collect information from panchayat members, neighbours and other locals and hand it over to the Station House Officers for further action.
  • The Pink Beat system, in which specially trained women police officers have been deployed, will be present at Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses and in front of schools, colleges and other public places including bus stops.
  • Pink control rooms have been set up in all 14 districts to coordinate the activities.
  • The Pink Shadow Patrol team will also be deployed to detect the presence of anti-socials in crowded areas and to take action.
  • A bullet patrol team of woman police officers called "Pink Romeo" was also launched as part of the project.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • Kerala CM: Pinarayi Vijayan;
  • Kerala Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan.

Appointments News

4. Property consultant Colliers appoints Ramesh Nair as CEO for India

  • Property consultant Colliers has appointed Ramesh Nair as the chief executive officer (CEO) for India and managing director, market development, for Asia.
  • Nair's experience and leadership skills will be particularly relevant to its clients in the region and around the world as they seek opportunities in the post-COVID economy.
  • Nair joined Colliers from JLL India, where he held the position of CEO & country head, leading over 12,000 people.
  • Based in Mumbai, Ramesh will partner with Sankey Prasad, chairman & managing director of Colliers in India, to lead the business.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • The Asia Pacific CEO of Colliers is John Kenny;
  • Colliers CEO: Jay S. Hennick;
  • Colliers Headquarters: Toronto, Canada;
  • Colliers Founded: 1976, Australia.

Agreements News

5. BIAL signs a deal with IBM to set up ‘Airport in a Box’ platform

  • Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), has signed a ten-year partnership with the company IBM to set up the ‘Airport in a Box’ platform.
  • The partnership is designed to help Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) improve its productivity, automate its information technology services, increase operational flexibility to handle future growth in passenger traffic and reduce costs.
  • The airport operator chose IBM Global Business Services, IBM hybrid cloud capabilities and Kyndryl, the new, independent company that will be created following the separation of IBM's Managed Infrastructure Services business, to design and implement a next-generation architecture with a dynamic delivery model.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • IBM CEO: Arvind Krishna.
  • IBM Headquarters: Armonk, New York, United States.

6. Intel launches ‘AI For All’ initiative in collaboration with CBSE

  • Intel in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Ministry of Education, announced the launch of the AI For All initiative with the purpose of creating a basic understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) for everyone in India.
  • Based on Intel’s AI For Citizens program, AI For All is a 4-hour, self-paced learning program that demystifies AI in an inclusive manner.
  • It is as applicable to a student, a stay at home parent as it is to a professional in any field or even a senior citizen. The program aims to introduce AI to 1 million citizens in its first year. Partnerships and Initiatives at Intel.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • Intel Chief Executive Officer: Pat Gelsinger;
  • Intel Founded: 18 July 1968;
  • Intel Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States;
  • Intel Founders: Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce.

Banking News

7. Madgaum Urban Co-op Bank licence cancelled by RBI

  • The Reserve Bank of India has cancelled the licence of Madgaum Urban Co-operative Bank Limited, Margao, Goa, as the bank with its current financial position would be unable to pay its present depositors in full.
  • According to the RBI, as per the data submitted by the bank, about 99 per cent of the depositors will receive full amounts of their deposits from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
  • The bank ceases to carry on banking business with effect from the close of business on July 29, 2021.

Awards News

8. Vaidehi Dongre from Michigan crowned as Miss India USA

  • Vaidehi Dongre, a 25-year-old girl from Michigan, has been crowned Miss India USA 2021 at the beauty pageant.
  • Arshi Lalani from Georgia was declared the first runner up and North Carolina's Mira Kasari was declared the second runner up.
  • Dongre, who has majored in international studies, won the 'Miss Talented' title in the pageant for giving a flawless performance of Indian classical dance from Kathak. 

Science and Technology News

9. IIT Hyderabad developed Covid RNA test kit called "COVIHOME"

  • India’s first Rapid electronic Covid-19 RNA Test kit that allows self-testing at home called ‘COVIHOME’ has been developed by a research group at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.
  • The kit has been validated by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology and can be used to check for Covid-19 trace at the comfort of home.
  • This test kit can produce results within 30 minutes for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
  • The major benefit of this testing kit is that it does not require RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction), an expert human resource, and a BSL 2 lab facility for the extraction of RNA, so it has the potential for one to take the test at home without expert supervision.
  • The validation report confirmed the kit’s efficiency at 94.2 per cent, Sensitivity 91.3 per cent and Specificity 98.2 per cent.
  • While a test currently costs around Rs 400, the developers say that mass production of the testing kit will help to reduce the cost to around Rs 300 per test.

Sports News

10. Vantika Agarwal bags national women online chess title

  • Vantika Agarwal has won the National Women Online Chess title. She scored 9.5 points from 11 rounds. Arpita Mukherjee of West Bengal took the second spot and Tamil Nadu’s Sreeja Seshadri secured the third spot in the competition.
  • In the absence of over-the-board events due to the ongoing pandemic, the All India Chess Federation has decided to consider the performance of this online event for the selection of players for the Asian individual championship and other events.

11. Former England bowler Mike Hendrick passes away

  • Former England and Derbyshire bowler, Mike Hendrick has passed away. He played a major role in two of England’s Ashes-series victories and took 87 wickets in 30 Tests for his country between 1974 and 1981.
  • Hendrick, who took 770 wickets in 267 first-class matches and 35 wickets in 22 ODIs, was also the first professional coach of Ireland.

Important Days

12. World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: 30th July

  • United Nations observes 30 July every year as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
  • In 2013, the General Assembly designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.
  • The 2021 theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is Victims’ Voices Lead the Way.
  • This year’s theme puts victims of human trafficking at the centre of the campaign and will highlight the importance of listening to and learning from survivors of human trafficking.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Founded: 1997.

13. International Day of Friendship: 30 July

  • International Day of Friendship is observed globally on 30th July. This day is celebrated to mark the importance of friends and friendship in life.
  • The day also advocates the role that friendship plays in promoting peace in several cultures across the world.
  • In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Friendship Day with an aim to forge a strong bond of friendship of people of various countries irrespective of race, colour, gender, religion, etc.

Miscellaneous News

14. Bhoot Jolokia chillies from Nagaland exported to London

  • A consignment of ‘Raja Mircha’, also referred to as King Chilli or Bhoot Jolokia, from Nagaland, has been exported to London for the first time.
  • Naga king chilli is constantly on the top five in the list of the world's hottest chillies based on the Scoville Heat Units. It got a GI tag in 2008.
  • It was declared the hottest chilli pepper in the world by Guinness World Records in 2007.

31st July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

31 July 2021
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31st July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 31st July 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 10 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 10 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news

National News

1. PM Modi launches Academic Bank of Credit and Artificial Intelligence programme

  • PM Modi has launched multiple educational initiatives including the Academic Bank of Credit that will provide multiple entries and exit options for students in Higher education.
  • Academic Bank of Credit is envisaged as a digital bank that holds the credit earned by a student in any course.
  • Academic Bank of Credit is a major instrument for facilitating multidisciplinary and holistic education and multiple entry and exit in higher education.
  • Academic Bank of Credit and the Artificial Intelligence programme to make the youth future-oriented and open the way for an AI-driven economy.

State News

2. Rajasthan Government launches ‘Mission Niryatak Bano’

  • The Rajasthan government's industries department and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) have launched the 'Mission Niryatak Bano' campaign to promote aspiring exporters in the state.
  • The campaign is aimed at registering and handholding the local traders willing to expand their business to foreign countries, in six steps.
  • This shall cover assistance from training, securing necessary documentation, registration in Rajasthan Export Promotion Council and even support in exports and trade operations.
  • The state government in consideration of the challenges of small businesses had waived off the need for several state-level clearances for the initial three years of upcoming businesses.
  • The exporter assistance campaign shall be another step in helping the local business develop understanding towards the procedures and increase their business.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • Chief Minister of Rajasthan: Ashok Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra.

Appointments News

3. Bharat BillPay appoints PayU’s Noopur Chaturvedi as new CEO

  • Bharat Bill Payment System has appointed former PayU and Airtel Payments Bank executive Noopur Chaturvedi as its new chief executive officer. Chaturvedi, prior to this appointment, was the country head for small and medium businesses at PayU.
  • In a career spanning nearly two decades, she has worked with Airtel Payments Bank, Samsung, ING Vysya Bank and Citibank in various senior roles.
  • Bharat BillPay is an interoperable and integrated bill payment system for online as well as agent-based settlement of recurring bills.
  • On April 1 this year, NPCI transferred all its BBPS mandates to a newly set up subsidiary called the NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL), effectively hiving off its automated billing business. Founded in 2013.

Business News

4. HDFC Bank, ICICI and Axis pick up stake in blockchain start-up

  • Three of India’s biggest private lenders – ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank have taken stakes in the blockchain financial technology firm IBBIC Pvt Ltd. HDFC Bank and Axis Bank invested ₹5 lakh each for the shares.
  • ICICI Bank also said it has subscribed to 49,000 fully paid-up equity shares of face value ₹10 each of IBBIC constituting 5.44 per cent of the issued and paid-up share capital. It paid ₹4.9 lakh for the shares.
  • IBBIC was incorporated on May 25 this year as a financial technology company with the objective of providing a platform for exploring, building, and implementing distributed ledger technology (DLT) solutions for the Indian financial services sector.
  • About 15 banks have come together to set up IBBIC, with an aim to expand the use of blockchain applications in financial sector transactions.

Economy News

5. Modi govt's fiscal deficit touches 18.2% of annual target

  • The central government's fiscal deficit stood at Rs 2.74 lakh crore or 18.2 per cent of the full year's Budget estimate at the end of June, according to data released by the Controller General of Accounts (CGA).
  • The fiscal deficit at the end of June 2020 was 83.2 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE) of 2020-21.
  • The fiscal deficit or the gap between expenditure and revenue for 2020-21 was 9.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), better than 9.5 per cent projected in the revised estimates in the Budget in February.

Defence News

7. 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia begins

  • The 36th edition of CORPAT between India and Indonesia is being held on 30 and 31 July 2021, in the Indian Ocean region.
  • The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Saryu, an indigenously built Offshore Patrol Vessel and Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Bung Tomo is undertaking coordinated patrol (CORPAT).
  • Besides this, Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both nations are also participating. The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. India and Indonesia have been conducting the Coordinated Patrols along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002 twice a year.
  • The basic aim of CORPAT is to keep the Indian Ocean Region safe and secure for commercial shipping, international trade and conduct of legitimate maritime activities.
  • CORPATs help build understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitate the institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.

Awards News

8. Asha Bhosle to get prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan award 2021

  • The Maharashtra Bhushan Selection Committee chaired by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has unanimously selected legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle for the prestigious award.
  • Asha Bhosle is best known for her playback singing in Hindi cinema, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle’s career started in 1943 and has spanned over seven decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand movies.
  • Asha Bhosle was officially acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most recorded artist in music history. The Government of India honoured her with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. Bhosle is the sister of playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and belongs to the prominent Mangeshkar family.

Important Days

9. World Ranger Day: 31 July

  • World Ranger Day is observed every year on 31 July to commemorate the Rangers killed or injured while on duty and to celebrate the work that Rangers do to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage.
  • World Ranger Day offers a chance to support their vital work, which ranges from environmental campaigning to education. The day is also an opportunity to pay tribute to rangers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. A Ranger is a person tasked with preserving and protecting parklands and natural protected areas.
  • A Ranger typically refers to a forest ranger or a park ranger. It was on this day in 1992 that International Ranger Federation (IRF) was founded. World Ranger Day was created by the International Ranger Federation and was first held in 2007.

Miscellaneous News

10. 14 Tiger Reserves of India get (CA|TS) Recognition

  • From India, 14 tiger reserves have received the accreditation of the Global Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CA|TS), on the occasion of International Tiger Day on July 29, 2021.
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recognized the ‘BaghRakshaks’ for their efforts in protecting Tigers and forests. The NTCA’s quarterly newsletter STRIPES was also released during the event.

The 14 tiger reserves of India that have received prestigious global accreditation from CA|TS are:

  • Mudumalai and Anamalai Tiger Reserves, Tamil Nadu
  • Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka
  • Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Kerala
  • Sunderbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal
  • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh
  • Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar
  • Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra
  • Satpura, Kanha and Panna Tiger Reserves, Madhya Pradesh

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

25th and 26th July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

26 July 2021
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25th and 26th July 2021 Daily GK Update: Read Daily GK, Current Affairs for Bank Exam

Daily GK updates are incorporated with the important news that made the current affairs headlines for banking or other competitive exams. Daily GK Update is the complete bag of the important news that is held all day long. One should have complete knowledge about banking terms, current affairs news, etc. So, here is the GK update of 25th and 26th July July 2021 to help you prepare the Current affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Top 15 Daily GK Updates: National & International News

Here is providing below the top 15 important Daily General Knowledge GK 2021 updates with national & international news

International News

1. Sweden joins International Solar Alliance

  • Sweden has ratified the framework agreement for the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and is now a member of the global platform, which is an initiative of India aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
  • Sweden hopes to bring its expertise and its experience in renewable energy and clean energy technologies to discussions in the ISA to contribute to meeting the challenges related to climate change.
  • In April 2018, Prime Minister Modi visited Stockholm during which both sides agreed to further deepen innovation partnership for a sustainable future.
  • The ISA has been conceived as an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform to increase the availability of solar energy technologies to enhance energy security and sustainable development.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • ISA Headquarters: Gurugram;
  • ISA Founded: 30 November 2015;
  • ISA Founded: Paris, France;
  • ISA Director-General: Ajay Mathur;
  • Stockholm is the capital of Sweden;
  • The krona is the official currency of Sweden;
  • The current PM of Sweden is Stefan Lofven.

2. United Kingdom reports cases of ‘Norovirus’ infection

  • The United Kingdom is now reporting an outbreak of norovirus. Public Health England (PHE) recently issued a warning regarding Norovirus. England has recorded 154 cases of norovirus in the country. An increase in norovirus cases in educational settings has been reported.
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus is very contagious that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. People suffering from norovirus disease can shed billions of virus particles. And to make people sick only a few of them is required.
  • Symptoms of norovirus are vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nausea. This virus can cause inflammation of the intestines or the stomach and it is termed acute gastroenteritis.
  • Other symptoms of this virus are headache, fever and body aches. People generally develop the symptoms within 12 to 48 hours and they can last up to 1 to 3 days.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

  • Prime minister of United Kingdom: Boris Johnson.
  • Capital of the United Kingdom: London.

Appointments News

3. IPS officer Nasir Kamal appointed DG of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

  • Senior IPS officer Nasir Kamal has been appointed the Director-General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). He is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Kamal's appointment to the post of Director General in BCAS for a tenure up to his superannuation on July 31, 2022.

4. Yusuffali to be Abu Dhabi CCI’s vice-chairman

  • Lulu Group chairman, M A Yusuff Ali has been appointed as the Vice-Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi & Dy. Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces issued a resolution to form a new Board of Directors for Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI).
  • HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan recently had honoured Yusuffali with the 'Abu Dhabi Award 2021', the highest civilian honour for his almost 5-decade long contributions in the fields of economic development & philanthropy.

5. IPS officer Nasir Kamal appointed DG of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security

  • Senior IPS officer Nasir Kamal has been appointed the Director-General of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). He is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Kamal's appointment to the post of Director General in BCAS for a tenure up to his superannuation on July 31, 2022.

Agreements News

6. CRPF signs MoU with C-DAC to train manpower of force in advanced technologies

  • The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has signed an MoU with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing C-DAC to train the manpower of the force in advanced technologies and undertake joint projects.
  • The MoU aims at augmenting the technical capabilities of CRPF by training its manpower in advanced areas like the Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, AI, etc.
  • The agreement will also provide the expertise of C-DAC in the form of a Technology Partner and Knowledge Partner in developing various ICT solutions of CRPF.
  • The MoU will go a long way in providing CRPF personnel with customised advanced courses aligned to the needs of the field and practical applications.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • Central Reserve Police Force Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
  • Central Reserve Police Force Formed: 27 July 1939.
  • Central Reserve Police Force Motto: Service and Loyalty.
  • CRPF director general: Kuldiep Singh.

Banking News

7. IFC lends $250 million to HDFC Ltd to boost green housing finance

  • HDFC Ltd has got a loan of $250 million from International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group, to be used by India’s largest housing finance company for green housing.
  • Green housing is regarded as a luxury market in the country but has climate benefits. Its partnership with HDFC would help change perceptions about the market. At least 25 per cent of the funding is for green affordable housing.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • Headquarters of HDFC Bank: Mumbai, Maharashtra;
  • MD and CEO of HDFC Bank: Sashidhar Jagdishan;
  • The tagline of HDFC Bank: We understand your world;
  • International Finance Corporation Founded: 20 July 1956;
  • International Finance Corporation Executive Vice President & CEO: Makhtar Diop;
  • International Finance Corporation Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S.

Awards News

8. Pramod Bhagat named Differently Abled Sportsman of the Year 2019

  • World No. 1 para shuttler Pramod Bhagat was named Differently Abled Sportsman of the Year at Indian Sports Honour for 2019. The delay in the announcement was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Indian Sports Honours are awards given annually by the RPSG Group in association with the Virat Kohli Foundation to outstanding sports personalities of India. The awards were founded in 2017.
  • Bhagat, who won two gold medals and a bronze at the Dubai Para-Badminton Tournament this year, will be participating in singles and mixed doubles events at the Paralympics which opens in Tokyo from August 24.

Ranks and Reports News

9. India Enters WTO's Top 10 Agricultural Produce Exporters In 2019

  • India has entered the top ten list of agricultural produce exporters in 2019 with a significant share within the export of rice, soya beans, cotton and meat, according to a World Trade Organisation (WTO) report on trends in world agricultural trade in recent 25 years.
  • In 2019, India ranked ninth with a share of 3.1% in global agricultural exports. Earlier this place was New Zealand.
  • Similarly, Mexico has ranked seventh with a share of 3.4% in global agricultural exports, which was previously followed by Malaysia. In the 'meat and edible meat offal' category, India was ranked eighth with a 4 per cent share in global trade.
  • While the US, which topped the list in 1995 (22.2%), was overtaken by the European Union in 2019 (16.1%). Brazil maintained its ranking as the third-largest exporter, increasing its share from 4.8% in 1995 to 7.8% in 2019. China climbed from the sixth spot in 1995 (4%) to fourth in 2019 (5.4%).

Sports News

10. China’s Yang Qian Wins First Gold Medal of Tokyo Olympics

  • Yang Qian of China took gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final to secure the first gold medal of the 2020 Summer Games at the Asaka Shooting Range on 24th July.
  • Anastasiia Galashina of Russia won silver, while Nina Christen of Switzerland won the bronze medal.

Books and Authors News

11. A book title ‘An Ordinary Life: Portrait of an Indian Generation’ by Ashok Lavasa

  • Former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa has come out with a book titled “An Ordinary Life: Portrait of an Indian Generation.”
  • In this book, Ashok Lavasa narrates about his father, Udai Singh, and his own experience on how his father’s principles served as a moral compass in his life, and can in ours too.
  • Ashok Lavasa resigned as election commissioner in 2020 to become vice-president of the Asian Development Bank.

Important Days

12. Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrated on 26th July

  • Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on July 26 since the year 1999, to mark India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil conflict. This year nation is celebrating the 22 years of victory in the Kargil war.
  • It was in 1999 that a high altitude mountain war broke out along the peaks of Kargil near the Line of Control, the de-facto border that divides Kashmir between the two nations.
  • The Kargil War was fought between May-July of 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC) in which India got the victory.
  • The Kargil war was fought for more than 60 days, ended on 26 July.
  • July 26 is celebrated as “Kargil Vijay Diwas” every year to mark the successful completion of “Operation Vijay” that ended the 3-month war along the Line of Control.
  • The operation White Sea was also launched during the Kargil war, 1999.

13. World Drowning Prevention Day: 25 July

  • World Drowning Prevention Day, declared through the April 2021 UN General Assembly Resolution “Global drowning prevention”, is held annually on 25 July.
  • This global advocacy event serves as an opportunity to highlight the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities and to offer life-saving solutions to prevent it.

Obituaries News

14. Bangladesh's legendary folk singer Fakir Alamgir passes away

  • Bangladesh's legendary folk singer, Fakir Alamgir has passed away due to complications from COVID-19. He was born on February 21, 1950, in Faridpur, Alamgir began his music career in 1966.
  • The singer was a key member of cultural organisations 'Kranti Shilpi Gosthi' and 'Gana Shilpi Gosthi' and played an important role during Bangladesh's 1969 uprising.
  • During Bangladesh's 1971 Liberation War, Alamgir joined the 'Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra' and performed frequently to inspire freedom fighters.

Miscellaneous News

15. Rudreswara Temple inscribed as India’s 39th UNESCO World Heritage List

  • The Kakatiya Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Mulugu district, near Warangal in Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, during the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. With this latest induction, there are 39th World Heritage Sites located in India.
  • The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire.
  • The iconic 13th-century temple is also known as Ramappa temple, named after its architect, Ramappa
  • The Rudreswara temple was the only nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage site tag for the year 2019 by the Indian government.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

  • UNESCO headquarters: Paris, France.
  • UNESCO Head: Audrey Azoulay.
  • UNESCO Founded: 16 November 1945.