IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 29th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 29th, 2017

1. International Tiger Day: 29 July

i. The 7th International Tiger Day is observed globally on 29 July. This year’s International Tiger Day would be celebrated with the slogan ‘Fresh Ecology For Tigers’ Protection’.

ii. The conference of the heads of 13 countries – where tigers are available – held at Saint Petersburg of Russia in 2010 took the decision to mark the world tiger day on July 29 every year. 

2. NPCI receives final nod from RBI to function as Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit

i. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organization for all retail payment systems has received a final nod from the Reserve Bank of India to function as the Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit (BBPCU) and operate the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 28th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 28th, 2017

1. World Hepatitis Day: 28 July

i. World Hepatitis Day (WHD) takes places every year on 28 July and brings the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change.

ii. The Theme for World Hepatitis Day 2017 is 'Eliminate Hepatitis'.

2. BRICS nations sign memorandum to facilitate taxation cooperation

i. Tax authorities of the five BRICS countries have signed a landmark document to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation. The BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum, signed at the fifth meeting of BRICS Heads of Tax Authorities, is the bloc’s first document that elevates taxation cooperation to the institutional level.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 27th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 27th, 2017

1. PM Modi inaugurates APJ Abdul Kalam’s memorial in Rameswaram

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s memorial at Pei Karumbu in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on the second death anniversary of the former President. Mr. Modi unveils a statue of Dr. Kalam and hoisted the National flag at the memorial.

ii. Mr. Modi will flag off Kalam Sandesh Vahini, an exhibition bus which will travel across the country and reach Rashtrapati Bhavan on 15th of October, which marks the birth anniversary of the former President.

2. Amidst internal Rifts, Nitish Kumar takes oath as Chief Minister for the 6th time

i. Less than a day after resigning as Bihar chief minister, Nitish Kumar took oath at 10 am today at Raj Bhawan in Patna as the head of the government that would include BJP and its allies. Prior to this, the party of Nitish Kumar, JD-(U) was supported by Mahagathbandhan allies with Lalu Yadav led RJD.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 26th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 26th, 2017

1. Nation celebrates Kargil Vijay Diwas: 26 July

i. The country celebrated the 18th Anniversary of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’. On the occasion, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and three Chiefs of Services laid floral tribute at Amar Jawan Jyoti, India Gate.

ii. Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 26 July, commemorates India’s emphatic victory against Pakistan and honors the war heroes.
iii. On this day in 1999, the Indian Army successfully took control of posts at a treacherous high altitude and glaciated terrain across the Himalayas in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, after fighting for 60 days.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 25th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 25th, 2017

1. Union Government launched Mobile App 'Aarambh' for Road Maintenance

i. Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation- Shri Narendra Singh Tomar and Deputy Director General (Policy) of International Labour Organization (ILO) Ms. Deborah Greenfield have launched the Mobile App for Road Maintenance “Aarambh”.

ii. This Mobile Phone App aims at the use of GIS based mapping for making road inventories, condition surveys, and producing cost estimates and other relevant data for preparation and monitoring of annual road maintenance plans.

iii. In addition, Tomar and Greenfield also launched a Concept Note and Guidance Note for Mobilizing Funds for Maintenance of Rural Road.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 23rd and 24th JULY, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 23rd and 24th JULY, 2017

1. Kiren Rijiju inaugurates RIWATCH Museum in Arunachal Pradesh

i. Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju has inaugurated the Research Institution of World Ancient, Traditional, Culture & Heritage (RIWATCH) Museum at Roing in Arunachal Pradesh. 

ii. Later, on the sideline of his visit to Roing, Rijiju also inaugurated the 235-meter long Chimari Bridge, which would serve as a life line between the National Highway 52 of Roing-Tezu. 

2. Meghalaya CM launches ‘Mission Football’ in Shillong

i. Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma launched ‘Mission Football’ at a grand ceremony at JN Sports Complex, Shillong recently.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 22nd, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 22nd, 2017 

1. Arun Jaitley launches Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana pension scheme with 8% fixed rate

i. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley formally launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens with 8% fixed rate of interest on their savings.

ii. Under this scheme, there will be an assured return of 8 per cent over a tenure of 10 years. It can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India which has been given the sole privilege to operate this scheme.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 21st, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 21st, 2017

1. FM Arun Jaitley releases National Trade Facilitation Action Plan

i. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan. The WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was a major milestone for the global trading system.

ii. This Action Plan gives a time bound map, not only for implementing TFA, but also for India's initiatives for trade facilitation and ease of doing business which goes beyond TFA. According to a Finance Ministry statement, all actions covered under the plan have been categorised by prioritising the activities into sho

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 19th and 20TH JULY, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF 19th and 20th JULY, 2017

1. TR Zeliang appointed as Chief Minister of Nagaland by Governor

i. TR Zeliang has been appointed as the Chief Minister of Nagaland by Governor PB Acharya. This will be the second term for Zeliang, his earlier term was from 2014 to 2017.
ii. Zeliang's appointment came after Nagaland Chief Minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu and nine ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) legislators failed to appear for the floor test.

2. Maharashtra government approved revised policy of scheme to improve girl child ratio

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 18th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 18th, 2017

1. Nelson Mandela International Day: 18th July

i. Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday. 

ii. The Nelson Mandela Foundation is dedicating this year's Mandela Day to Action Against Poverty, honouring Nelson Mandela's leadership and devotion to fighting poverty and promoting social justice for all. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 17th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 17th, 2017

1. Roger Federer lifts a record 8th Wimbledon title beating Marin Cilic in Men’s singles

i. Roger Federer won a record eighth Wimbledon title and became the tournament’s oldest champion with a straight-sets victory over Marin Cilic. Federer claimed his 19th Grand Slam title.

ii. The 36-year old Federer is also Wimbledon’s oldest men’s winner of the modern era, succeeding Arthur Ashe, who was almost 32 when he won in 1976. This was his 11th Wimbledon final and 29th title at the majors.
iii. With this victory, Federer also became the first player since Bjorn Borg in 1976 to win Wimbledon without dropping a set in the entire tournament.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS JULY 16th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 16th, 2017

Govt launches GST training programme                                                                                

i. The government has launched a GST training programme to skill around two lakh youths in six months to handle tax compliance issues like invoice making. The people would be trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

ii. The new training course would cater to the need of GST trained professionals to help businesses in areas such as registration and calculation of tax liability under the new tax regime.

Superwoman Lilly Singh appointed UNICEF’s Global Goodwill Ambassador

i. UNICEF appointed Indian- origin Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh as its newest Global Goodwill Ambassador at a special event in New Delhi.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 15th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 15th, 2017

1. Railways launches India's first solar-powered DEMU train

i. Indian Railways launched its first 1,600 HP solar powered Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train with a unique facility of Battery Bank from Safdarjung station, New Delhi.

ii. A solar power DEMU train with six trailer coaches will save about 21,000 Litres of Diesel and thereby bring cost saving of Rs.12 Lac every year. 

2. World Youth Skills Day: 15 July

i. World Youth Skills Day is being observed globally on 15th July. The objective of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of investing in youth skills development.

ii. The theme of this year is "Skills for the Future of Work".

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 14th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 14th, 2017

1. DIPP to set up India’s first TISC in Punjab

i. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry has signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New Delhi to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre, Punjab.

ii. The objective of the TISC is to stimulate a dynamic, vibrant and balanced Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) system in India to foster creativity and innovation.

iii. Services offered by TISCs include:

1. Access to online patent and non-patent (scientific and technical) resources and IP-related publications;
2. Assistance in searching and retrieving technology information;
3. Training in database search;
4. On-demand searches (novelty, state-of-the-art and infringement);
5. Monitoring technology and competitors;
6. Basic information on industrial property laws, management and strategy, and technology commercialization and marketing.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 13th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 13th, 2017

1. India to host 8th edition of Theatre Olympics in 2018

i. India will host 8th edition of Theatre Olympics in 2018, the biggest theatre celebration of the world. The greatest carnival will start from February 17-April 08, 2018. India is hosting this event for the first time.

ii. There will be five hundred plays and seven hundred ambiance performances from across the world.

2. Model United Nations Regional Conference begins in Kathmandu

i. A Model United Nations (MUN) Regional Conference is being held at Kathmandu. The event is organised by the US Embassy in partnership with the Youth Thinker’s Society. Youths from 12 South and Central Asian countries including India are participating in 5-day conference.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 12th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 12th, 2017

• The United States has deployed anti-aircraft missiles for the first time in the Baltics for use in NATO military drills in Lithuania. 
• This comes ahead of the Zapad exercise by Russia and Belarus, which NATO allies believe could increase Russian presence. 
• The United States and Qatar On 12th July signed an agreement on combating terrorism and terror financing. 
• Note : Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Egypt had imposed sanctions on Qatar last month accusing it of financing extremist groups.
• The Telecom department has made itmandatory for all phones, including feature phones, to install Global Positioning System (GPS) from January 1, 2018. 
• The order aims to ensure consumers' safety as GPS can help locate them in emergency situations.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 11th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 11th, 2017

1. World Population Day: 11 July

i. World Population Day is being observed globally on 11th July.

ii. The theme of this year is 'Family Planning- Empowering People, Developing Nations'.

2. Khaltmaa Battulga elected as Mongolian president

i. Mongolian Businessman and Martial Arts expert Khaltmaa Battulga was sworn in as president, vowing to revive the flagging economy and pursue relations with countries outside its giant neighbors Russia and China. 

ii. Battulga replaces Tsakhia Elbegdorj after the outgoing president served the maximum four-year terms for two times. 

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 9th and 10th, 201`7

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS JULY 9th and 10th, 2017

1. First Edition of WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity Hosted in New   Delhi 

i. The First edition of WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity was hosted in New Delhi by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Plenary session was chaired by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

ii. This event brought together the key stakeholders of the Aviation Sector such as States, Tourism Departments, and Tour Operators as a Group representing airline consumers to facilitate interaction with various airlines, airport operators, cargo operators and other ecosystem players at a common forum.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 8th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 8th, 2017

1. 12th G20 Summit held in Hamburg, Germany

i. Hamburg hosted the twelfth G20 Summit on the 7th and 8th of July, 2017. The G20, or group of 20, is an international meeting between heads of states, finance ministers and central bank governors from the world’s leading economies.

ii. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hosting this year’s G20 Summit in Hamburg.
iii. Leaders of the G20 countries agreed to swift action and targeted exchange of information on terrorism and its financing. The leaders also decided that the private sector will also be involved in the global efforts to counter terror financing.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 7th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 7th, 2017

1. India ranks 23rd among 165 nations in cybersecurity index

i. India is ranked a high 23rd out of 165 nations in a global index that measures the commitment of nations across the world to cybersecurity. The second Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) was released by the UN telecommunications agency International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

ii. The top 5 most committed countries to cybersecurity are-

1. Singapore,

2. The United States,

3. Malaysia,

4. Oman,

5. Estonia.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 6th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 6TH, 2017

1. India Signed 7 Agreements with Israel

i. A total of seven agreements were signed between India and Israel in sectors ranging from agriculture to water conservation and space as they sought to deepen ties beyond high-priced defence deals.

ii. The PM of India Mr. Narendra Modi and his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu presented a series of agreements for cooperation on satellite technology, water and agriculture, as well as the creation of a $40 million innovation fund.

2. Sushma Swaraj inaugurated the 9th edition Delhi Dialogue

i. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has inaugurated the 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 5th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF JULY 5TH, 2017

1. Indo-Thailand joint military exercise begins in Himachal Pradesh

i. A 14-day joint military training exercise between India and Thailand started in Himachal Pradesh. The joint exercise of the Indian Army with the Royal Thailand Army commenced at Bakloh in Chamba district.

ii. The aim of this exercise is to build and promote closer relations while exchanging skills and experiences between the two armies. 'Exercise Maitree 2017' is a continuation of a series of joint exercises between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army.
iii. The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi in Thailand in 2016.