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INDIAN AFFAIRS
Cabinet Approvals
Cabinet Approvals on August 2, 2018
• On August 2, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the following:
 Cabinet approves Extension of Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS)
 Cabinet approves Raising of Extra Budgetary Resources (EBR) amounting up to Rs. 15,000 crore
during the financial year 2018-19
 Cabinet approves Policy Framework for exploration and exploitation of Unconventional
Hydrocarbons
 Cabinet approves issue of fresh equity to the extent of 15% of the paid up equity capital by
Hindustan Copper Limited
 Cabinet approves Re-structuring of the Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board (ASRB).Click
here to read more.
Cabinet Approvals on August 10, 2018
• On August 10, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi approved the
following proposals.
 Cabinet approved extension of the term of the Commission to examine the issue of Sub-
categorization of Other Backward Classes in the Central List
 Cabinet approved creation of two posts equivalent to Joint Secretary level in the Interpreters’
cadre of the Ministry of External Affairs
 Cabinet approved transfer of Central Hospital at Karma, Jharkhand under the Labour Welfare
Organisation for setting up a new Medical College
 Cabinet approved Concession Agreements & Land Lease Agreements for revival of Gorakhpur &
Sindri units of FCIL and Barauni unit of HFCL by HURL
 Cabinet approved raising of four additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force
 Cabinet approved release of pulses under Price Support Scheme to States with Central Subsidy of
Rs. 15 per Kg for utilization under Welfare Schemes
 Cabinet approved construction of New 4 – Lane Bridge on Kosi river at Phulaut , Bihar
 Cabinet approved continuation and revision of “Post Matric Scholarship for OBC Students for
studying in India”. Click here to read more.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana extended beyond 12th 5 year plan
• On August 11, 2018, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister
Narendra Modi,approved the continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) beyond
the 12th five year plan period.It has an estimated cost of Rs. 84,934 crore.
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Cabinet Approvals as on August 29, 2018

• On August 29, 2018, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the following:
 Cabinet approves Revised Cost Estimate for setting up of India Post Payments Bank
 Cabinet approves additional 2 percent Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees
and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1st July, 2018
 Cabinet approves Umbrella scheme “Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources
Modelling and Science (O-SMART)” of Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Cabinet clears 46 amendments to GST laws
• On August 1, 2018, In a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi amendments of GST
Laws were approved. It includes hiking threshold limit to Rs.1.5 crore , allowance of employers to claim
input tax credit on food, transport and insurance provided to employees under any law.
STATE WISE NATIONAL NEWS

Andhra Pradesh
Mukhyamantri Yuva Nestam: Andhra Pradesh Government launches unemployment allowance scheme
• On August 3, 2018, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Mukhya Mantri-Yuva
Nestham’ scheme to allowance to unemployed youth in the state.The allowance will be of Rs 1000 per
month.
The world’s first-ever high energy storage device has been built in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh
• On August 6, 2018, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled the world’s first-ever thermal battery
in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh state. It has been manufactured by the Bharat Energy Storage Technology
Private Limited (BEST). It had an estimated cost of Rs 660 crore.
Arunachal Pradesh
3 new districts created via passing of Arunachal Pradesh Re-Organisation of Districts (Amendment) Bill
2018
• On August 31, 2018, the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill for the creation of three new
districts namely- Pakke-Kesang, Lepa Rada and Shi Yomi, in the state.The name of the bill is
the Arunachal Pradesh Re-Organisation of Districts (Amendment) Bill 2018.
Assam
Assam releases final NRC draft, 40 lakh declared ‘illegal citizens’ of India
• On July 31, 2018, Assam government released its final draft of National Registry of Citizens of
Assam. 40.07 lakh people who have not made their name to the list have been declared ‘illegal
immigrants’.According to the release, Out of 3,29,91,384 (3.29 crore) total applicants, 2,89,83,677 (2.9
crore) people have been found eligible to be included in the National Register of Citizens.Click here to
read more.
‘Digital North East Vision 2022’ released by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
• On August 12, 2018, Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology Ravi Shankar
Prasad released ‘Digital North East Vision 2022’ in Guwahati. Inauguration of a new BPO at world’s
largest river island Majuli was done.
Assam Government extends AFSPA in the state for 6 more months
• On August 31, 2018, the state government of Assam sought extension under Section 3 Armed Forces
(Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) for another 6 months declaring entire state as ‘Disturbed Area’.
Bihar
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar launched Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana for empowerment of girls
• On August 8, 2018, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar launched Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana for
empowerment of women. A sum of Rs 7221 crore will be spend in a year on the programme.It will be
run by three departments — education, health and social welfare.
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Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh CM & actress Kangana Ranaut launch mobile distribution scheme ‘Mobile Tihar’
• On 30th July 2018, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and actress Kangana Ranaut launched
‘Mobile Tihar’, a smartphone distribution scheme under the Sanchar Kranti Yojna (SKY) in Raipur,
Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh first state to provide Right to Skills’ Development to youth
• Chhattisgarh has become the first state in India to provide Right to Skills’ Development to the youth.He
flagged off 15 Skill Chariots to launch the government’s ‘Skills on Wheels’ project in Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh government pays tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Naya Raipur to be renamed Atal Nagar
• On August 21,2018 Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved the proposal to rename Naya Raipur , capital of
Chhattisgarh as ‘Atal Nagar’.Moreover, on November 1, the statehood day, ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Sushasan award’ will be given to panchayats and urban bodies for good governance.
Gujarat
Overview of Prime Minister’s Gujarat Visit on August 23, 2018
• On August 23,2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Surat,where he was received by Gujarat
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.During his day long visit, he addressed the 4th convocation of Gujarat
Forensic Science University in Gandhinagar.Laid foundation stone of Astole Water Supply Scheme for
providing clean drinking water at the cost of Rs.586 crore in Kaprada region in Valsad district.Click
here to read more.
India’s First ISTS connected Wind Power Project Commissioned
• On 24th August 2018, a part capacity of 126 MW wind power of India’s first Inter-State Transmission
System (ISTS)auction, was commissioned in Bhuj, Gujarat, by Ostro Kutch Wind Private Ltd. Solar
Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) had conducted India’s first auction of wind power projects in
February 2017.
Centre approves proposal for setting up water aerodromes for improved air connectivity
• On August 13, 2018, the Civil Aviation Ministry has approved a proposal for setting up of water
aerodromes in the country.With an Objective to enhance air connectivity through amphibian planes. In
the first phase the places chosen for the development of such facilities are: Chilika
Lake in Odisha, Sardar Sarovar Dam and Sabarmati River Front in Gujarat.
Haryana
Haryana government launches online portal for disbursal of departmental funds
• On 8th August 2018, Haryana Finance Minister Captain Abhimanyu Singh Sindhu launched an online
portal for releasing grant-in-aid to government departments. He released Rs 84.58 crore to the health
department under the National Health Mission.
Parijat Urja Chakra launches campaign to educate farmers about ill effects of crop residue burning
• On August 10, 2018, Parijat Urja Chakra in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) organized a
special campaign at Fatehgarh village of Ambala in Haryana. It aims to create awareness about the ill
effects of crop residue burning and management.
Jharkhand
5 day International water colour festival held in Ranchi from 23rd-27th August: Jharkhand
• From August 23-27, 2018, Jharkhand government held the International water colour festival at the
Audrey House in capital city of Ranchi.With an Objective to promote rich culture and art of Jharkhand
and international art and give recognition to local artists.
Karnataka
‘Swachha Meva Jayate’: cleanliness campaign launched by Karnataka government
• On August 2,2018, Karnataka government launched ‘Swachha Meva Jayate’ campaign.It was launched
by Dr G Parameshwara, deputy chief minister of Karnataka.The department of Rural Development also
released the logo of the campaign: a little boy and a little girl standing in front of the map of Karnataka.
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has emerged as the second fastest growing
airport in the world-Routesonline
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• On August 22, According to Routesonline, global airlines events organiser’s Survey Bengaluru
Kempegowda International Airport Secured Second Spot and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International
Airport Secured Sixth Spot as fastest growing airport in the world during January to June this year.
Kerala
Operation ‘Madad’ by Southern Naval Command
• On 9th August 2018, Operation “Madad” was launched by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kochi,
in Kerala, to assist the Kerala state administration and to carry out disaster relief operations due to the
floods.
Centre says Kerala floods ‘calamity of severe nature’
• On August 21 2018 , Centre has declared the Kerala floods as a calamity of “severe nature”. The central
government has also scaled up its relief and rescue operations.
Cyclone Warning Centre to be set up in Thiruvananthapuram at Kerala
• On August 21 2018, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences is proposing to set up a Cyclone Warning
Centre in Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala which will provide regular coastal bulletins and heavy rainfall
alerts. It is expected to be serviceable within a month.Already we have 6 cyclone warning centres at
Chennai,Vishakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.
Madhya Pradesh
Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh gets GI tag
• On August 3, 2018, the famous Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh has
now got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.The application was made in the category of “Meat
Product, Poultry & Poultry Meat“, was approved on July 30.
Manipur
2 committees constituted to monitor illegal immigrants : Manipur Govt
• On August 6, 2018, after the final draft of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam, Manipur
government has constituted two committees to deal with illegal migrants. The first is State Level
Monitoring Committee which will monitor the entry or presence of illegal immigrants in the state.The
second is : the District Level Monitoring Committee with respective deputy commissioners as
its chairman.
‘North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom’ : First project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme inaugurated
in Manipur
• On August 14, 2018, governor of Manipur Dr. Najma A. Heptulla, inaugurated project “Development of
North East Circuit: Imphal & Khongjom” implemented under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of Ministry
of Tourism in Imphal, Manipur. It is the first project under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme being
inaugurated in the country.
Maharastra
Maharashtra govt approves over Rs 7,000 crore for water projects
• On August 1 2018, Maharashtra state minister informed that Maharashtra govt. has approved over Rs
7,000 crore to fulfill the drinking water projects in scarcity hit regions.The government has approved
Rs 7,952 crore to finish 6,624 water projects in 10,583 villages under the National Rural Drinking
Water Scheme.
Maharashtra Government announces special assistance of Rs 500 crore for OBC community
• On 7th August 2018, Maharashtra Government announced a special assistance of Rs 500 crore for OBC
community to help them develop employment opportunities for the youth.
Special film festival themed “Freedom Struggle & Freedom Fighters” held in Mumbai
• On 15th August 2018, a special film festival on the theme “Freedom Struggle and Freedom Fighters” was
held to mark India’s 72nd Independence Day, in Mumbai.
Meghalaya
Shri Shripad Yesso Naik lays the foundation stone of the 2nd Phase of construction of NEIAH in Shillong
• On July 29, 2018, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH Shri Shripad Yesso Naik laid
the foundation stone of the 2nd Phase of Construction of North East Institute of Ayurveda &
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Homeopathy (NEIAH) at NEIAH Campus in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. The estimated cost of the
construction is Rs 40.80 crore.
Meghalaya hosted 5th Act East Business Show -2018 to strengthen business ties between ASEAN
countries
• From 20th to 23rd June 2018, 5th Act East Business Show -2018 was held in Shillong, Meghalaya. Aim: to
strengthen business ties between ASEAN countries and northeastern states. Also, to explore the
potential of Meghalaya and its neighboring states.
NewDelhi
Swachh Survekshan 2019, ODF+ & ODF ++ Protocols, Ease of Living Index launched by MoSHUA Shri
Hardeep Puri
• On August 10, 2018, Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State (I/C), Housing & Urban Affairs launched
Swachh Survekshan 2019,SBM ODF Plus and ODF Plus Plus Protocol, Ease of Living Index in New Delhi.
India’s first all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team for anti-terrorist operations inducted
in Delhi Police
• On 10th August 2018, Delhi Police has inducted India’s first all-woman Special Weapons and Tactics
(SWAT) team for anti-terrorist operations. The all-woman SWAT team was formally inducted by Home
Minister Rajnath Singh. This team is specialized in building interventions, counter ambush and VVIP
security.
Rajnath Singh Inaugurates NDMC Smart City Projects
• On 13th August 2018, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated several Smart City projects
undertaken by the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), in New Delhi. MTNL’s (Mahanagar Telephone
Nigam Limited) hi-speed Broadband on Optical Fiber and Hi-Speed Wi-Fi were also launched in
Connaught Place.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari launched road safety awareness video in collaboration with Akshay
Kumar and R Balkhasve
• On August 15, 2018, minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari launched road safety
awareness video with Brand ambassador of road safety campaign actor Akshay Kumar in New Delhi.
President inaugurated “International Buddhist Conclave 2018”
• On 23rd August 2018, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the “International Buddhist
Conclave (IBC), 2018” at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. This is the 6th International Buddhist
Conclave. Theme of this conclave is: “Buddha Path – The Living Heritage”. Partner Country for IBC 2018
is Japan.
India Banking Conclave 2018 held in New Delhi
• On 23rd and 24th August 2018, India Banking Conclave 2018 was held in New Delhi.The India Banking
Conclave 2018 was organized by Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). Knowledge Partner of
the conclave was NITI Aayog.
Overview of 4 day visit of China’s Defence Minister Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe in New Delhi
• On August 21, 2018, the Defence Minister of China Lieutenant General Wei Fenghe visited New Delhi for
an official visit for 4 days till August 24, 2018. The two sides are likely to deploy troops from both
sides informing each other before carrying out any patrolling on the disputed areas along the 3488-km
border.Click here to read more.
Odisha
Odisha Govt to Set Up world-class Interpretation Centre at Bhitarkanika National Park
• On August 21 2018 ,Odisha government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art interpretation centre
at Bhitarkania National Park to showcase its flora, fauna and rich biodiversity.The estimated cost of the
project is Rs.3 crore.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a few projects and announced the upcoming
investor summit in November 2018
• On August 24, 2018, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated several projects through video
conferencing.In this summit, Japan will be the ‘partner country’ and State Bank of India will be
the banking partner. The first edition of investment summit ‘Make in Odisha Conclave’ was in 2016. It
saw the State receive investment intent of more than Rs.2 lakh crore across 10 diversified sectors.
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) opens its first regional centre near Chilika Lake
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• On August 27, 2018, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) opened its first regional centre
in Chilika.The regional branch was inaugurated in the premises of the Wetland Research and Training
Centre (WRTC) of the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) at Chandrapur in Chilika.BNHS has been
promoting conservation of nature in India since its establishment in 1883.
Odisha ranks 2nd after Andhra in implementation of AMRUT scheme: National Level Rating Framework
• On August 30, 2018, in the National Level Rating Framework assessment, Odisha ranked second with a
score of 53.19 in implementation of Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
scheme . Andhra Pradesh scored highest with 54.11 score.
Odisha partnered with 2 US based agencies to eradicate malaria
• On August 30, 2018, Odisha government signed an MOU with two US-based agencies to eradicted
malaria. The 2 agencies are: ‘Malaria No More’ and ‘Malaria Elimination Trust’. The state has an existing
anti-malaria campaign called: the Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN) Scheme that has
brough down 85% of the malaria cases.
‘One District, One product’ scheme launched in Odisha : MSME Minister
• On August 31, 2018, Union MSME Minister Giriraj Singh announced the launch of ‘One District One
Product’ scheme in Odisha at a function of the SC-ST State Conclave cum Exhibition under National SC-
ST Hub.With an Objective to provide market link to farmers and make small industries successful in the
state.
Punjab
‘Tatkal Sewa’ for property registration across the state introduced by Punjab Government
• On August 13, 2018, the Punjab government started a ‘Tatkal sewa’ for property registration across the
state. Under this, people can seek appointment for ‘tatkal’ (instant) registration for properties for an
hour-long slot from 9 am to 10 am.The facilitation charges for the service would be Rs. 5000.
Punjab Cabinet okays amendments to CrPc & IPC to make sacrilege punishable with life imprisonment
• On August 21st 2018, The Punjab Cabinet approved amendments to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well
as the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to make disrespect of religious texts punishable with life
imprisonment.The Cabinet has approved insertion of section 295AA to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to
provide that – whoever causes injury, damage or sacrilege to Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Srimad Bhagwad
Geeta, Holy Quran and Holy Bible with the intention to hurt the religious feelings of the people, shall be
punished with imprisonment for life.
Punjab Cabinet approves formation of State Higher Education Council
• On 21st August 2018, the Punjab Cabinet approved the formation of the state higher education council
to offer quality education. A bill regarding this will be introduced in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The
Council will be headed by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
Punjab Cabinet approves bill for price stabilisation fund
• On August 24, 2018,the Punjab cabinet approved a bill for creation of a price stabilisation fund. This
decision was taken by the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. Amendments
will be made to sections 25 (A), 26 and 28 of the Punjab Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1961.
PUDA 360: Punjab’s e-properties module launched by CM of Punjab
• On August 31, 2018, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh launched PUDA360 module to facilitate
online property transactions.The facility has been provided by Punjab Urban Planning and
Development Authority (PUDA).
Rajasthan
Rajasthan becomes first State to implement Centre’s ‘Biofuel Policy’
• On August 1, 2018, Rajasthan becomes the first state to implement Centre’s ‘Biofuel Policy.’ For this
Rajasthan has established a Centre of Excellence in Udaipur to promote research in alternate fuels and
energy sources. State Rural Livelihood Development Council will also encourage women’s self-help
groups (SHGs) to have additional income through supply of biodiesel.
India’s Largest Business Incubator “Bhamashah Techno Hub” launched in Jaipur by Rajasthan Chief
Minister Vasundhara Raje
• On August 24, 2018, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Vasundhara Raje launched India’s largest Business
Incubator “Bhamashah Techno Hub” In Jaipur. The Rajasthan government announced setting up of a Rs
500-crore startup fund – Bhamashah Techno Fund. Out of the total amount, Rs 50 crore has been
earmarked for green startups and Rs 100 crore for women startups.
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Sikkim
Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve : 11th Biosphere Reserve from India to be Included in the World
Network of Biosphere Reserves of UNESCO
• On August 9, 2018, UNESCO designated World Network of Biosphere Reserves
(WNBR) included Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in its list. It is India’s 11th Biosphere Reserve
that has been included so far. The core zone – Khangchendzonga National Park was designated a World
Heritage Site in 2016 under the ‘mixed’ category.
Tamilnadu
Tamil Nadu CM E.Palanisamy launches app, website on plastic pollution free Tamilnadu
• On 23rd August 2018, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.Palanisamy launched an app and a website on plastic
pollution free Tamilnadu(www.plasticpollutionfreetn.org).He inaugurated a campaign to highlight the
impact of plastic pollution. He appointed actor Vivek as the brand ambassador of the project.
TamilNadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami lays foundation stone for Special Investment Region (SIR) at
Krishnagiri
• On 25th August 2018, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami laid the foundation stone for developing
a Special Investment Region (SIR) in Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu. The SIR is estimated to cost Rs
2,420 crore. It will be completed in 7-8 years. It will attract investments of nearly Rs 5,000 crore.
Telangana
B-Hub: country’s first hub for biotech, pharma sector set up in Telangana
• On August 6, 2018, the Telangana government will set up a biotech and pharma facility, B-Hub, India’s
first organised cluster for life sciences Research & Development at Genome Valley.With an Objective to
support manufacturing activities for bio-pharma R&D.
National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB): India’s only lab for conservation of endangered
species inaugurated by Dr Harsh Vardhan in Hyderabad
• On August 13, 2018, Union minister of science and technology Harsh Vardhan inaugurated and
dedicated first scientific and most modern national wildlife genetic resource bank for conservation of
Endangered Species at Hyderabad.
Telangana CM launched 2 schemes for people of the state on 72nd Independence day
• On August 15, 2018, on the eve of 72nd Independence Day, Telengana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar
Rao launched two major schemes:Rythu Bima: insurance to farmers, Under this scheme, every farmer
would be provided with life insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh.Kanti Velugu: free eye screening for all citizens.
Telangana Government launches Disaster Response Force (DRF) vehicles
• Telangana Government has launched Disaster Response Force (DRF) vehicles in Hyderabad to handle
situations like flash floods, heavy rains, building collapse and fire mishaps. Hyderabad is the second city
to have an exclusive Enforcement Vigilance Disaster Management wing.
Telangana government increases free power units for SC/ST families from 50 Unit to 101 Units
• On 24th August 2018, Telangana State Government increased the free electricity supply to the families
of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for domestic purpose from the current 50 units to 101
units. It has also decided to increase the retirement age of Archakas in Temples to 65 years from the
current 58 years.
Uttar Pradesh
‘One District one Product’ Summit inaugurated by President of India in Uttar Pradesh
• On August 10, 2018, President of India inaugurates ‘One District one Product’ Summit in Lucknow, Uttar
Pradesh. It is a first of its kind summit in the country to boost trade of the MSMEs.With an Objective
to promote traditional industries and spur local trade.
Nirmala Sitharaman & Yogi Adityanath launch defence industrial corridor in Aligarh
• On 11th August 2018, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi
Adityanath inaugurated the first phase of UP Deference Corridor in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.6 nodal
points have been identified for the corridor: Agra, Aligarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Chitrakoot and Jhansi.
Uttar Pradesh government to name upcoming Bundelkhand Expressway as Atal path
• Uttar Pradesh government has decided to name the upcoming Bundelkhand Expressway as ‘Atal
Path’ to honour former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajyapee. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath
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had also announced that the Uttar Pradesh government will build 4 memorials in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s
name in Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur and Balrampur.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand Cabinet approves revised policy on adventure sports
• On 8th August 2018, Uttarakhand Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat approved a
revised policy on adventure sports.It has imposed a total ban on smoking and substance abuse by
enthusiasts when they perform rafting, kayaking or canoeing in Uttarakhand.
Centre signs MoU with 6 states for Lakhwar Yamuna basin project in Uttarakhand for water
management
• On August 28, 2018, Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with 6 states(Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan , Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana
and Delhi) for the construction of the Lakhwar multi-purpose project in the upper Yamuna basin. The
total project is worth Rs 3,966.51 crore.
WestBengal
Israel opens Visa Application Centre in Kolkata
• On August 12, 2018, Israel opened a visa application centre in the city of Kolkata for tourists from West
Bengal and north eastern states. The visa application categories include : employment, business,
tourism, meeting and conferences, students.
Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme: West Bengal Government removed family income ceiling.
• On August 16, 2018, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee lifted family income ceiling for the beneficiaries
of women welfare scheme ‘Kanyashree’.This would cost the state government an additional Rs 200
crore.The state had already incurred an annual expenditure of Rs 1200 crore under the scheme in 2017.
Other Important National Affairs

‘State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index’ released by BEE and AEEE
• On August 2, 2018, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy
(AEEE) released the ‘State Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index’.It was launched by Mr. A.K. Bhalla,
Secretary, Ministry of Power; Dr Ajay Mathur, DG, TERI in the presence of senior officials from the
Ministry and BEE. States are categorised based on their efforts as ‘Front Runner’, ‘Achiever’, ‘Contender’
and ‘Aspirant’.
Front Achiever Contender States Aspirant states
Runner States
States
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal,
Andhra Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar,
Pradesh, Tamil Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram,
Kerala, Nadu, Uttarakhand. Assam, Nagaland,
Maharashtra , Haryana. Arunachal Pradesh,
Punjab. Meghalaya, Sikkim,
Himachal Pradesh
Seva Bhoj Yojna: new scheme worth Rs.325 crore launched by the Ministry of Culture, Government of
India
• On August 2, 2018, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India launched the new scheme Seva Bhoj
Yojna. Total outlay of the scheme is Rs. 325.00 Crores for financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20.The
Objective of the Scheme is to reimburse the CGST and IGST to Religious/Charitable Institutions who
provide Food free of cost without any discrimination to Public/Devotees.
Logo, tagline for GI launched by Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu
• On August 2, 2018, the Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu launched
a logo and tagline for Geographical Indications (GI).With an Objective to create awareness about
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs).The slogan for the GI tag is: Invaluable Treasures of Incredible
India.Some of the GI tagged products are: Darjeeling Tea, Tirupathi Laddu, Kangra Paintings, Nagpur
Orange and Kashmir Pashmina.
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Piyush Goyal Approves a New Promotion Policy for Railway Sportspersons

• Union Minister of Railways, Coal, Finance & Corporate Affairs, Piyush Goyal has approved a new policy
for promotion of Railway Sportspersons. As per this new policy, in addition to the sportspersons who
won a position or medal in Olympics, all the sportspersons and coaches who have been awarded
with Padma Shri will also be promoted as officers.
MSME launches Mission Solar Charkha for implementation of 50 Solar Charkha Clusters across India
• The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched Mission Solar Charkha for
implementation of 50 Solar Charkha Clusters throughout India. The budget for this mission is: Rs 550
crore for 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Textile ministry launches SAATHI initiative
• On August 3, 2018 Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Power have joined hands under the initiative
SAATHI(Sustainable and Accelerated Adoption of efficient Textile technologies to Help Small
Industries) in order to sustain and accelerate the adoption of energy efficient textile technologies in the
powerloom sector.
Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill 2018 gets President’s assent
• On 5th August 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill,
2018, that will prevent offenders from avoiding legal process and escaping the country.
122 New Research Project selected at a cost of Rs 112 Crore under IMPRINT-2 : HRD Minister Prakash
Javadekar
• On August 5, 2018, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has
approved 122 new research projects at a cost of Rs 112 crore under IMPRINT-2.With an Objective for
advancing research in the high education institutions.
Govt imposed 120% tariffs on 29 US imports effective from September 18
• On August 5, 2018, India imposed new higher tariffs of 120% against 29 goods imported from
the United States.These will come into effect from September 18,2018.The products include: almonds,
walnuts and apples.
Parliament passes Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018
• On 6th August 2018, the Parliament passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 that ensures
severe punishment for those convicted of raping girls below 12 years of age. This bill will replace the
Criminal Law Ordinance, promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on 22nd April 2018.
NGT constituted a committee to monitor Ganga rejuvenation project; headed by a former Allahabad
High Court judge
• On 6th August 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT), constituted a committee, to be headed by a
former Allahabad High Court judge, to monitor the rejuvenation project of Ganga from Haridwar to
Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) will be the nodal agency to
coordinate with the committee. It will coordinate and provide inputs to the panel.
India imposed safeguard duty on solar cells imports from China and Malaysia for two years
• On August 1, 2018, India imposed safeguard duty on solar panels imported from China and
Malaysia for 2 years.With an Objective to protect domestic players from losing the market to them.
Parliament passes Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill
• On 7th August 2018, Parliament passed the Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property
(Amendment) Bill regarding the compensation payable for acquisition of immovable property by the
Centre for defence and security purposes.
Swaminathan panel report being implemented for better livelihood of farmers: Agriculture minister
• On August 9, 2018, the agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh announced that government would
implement Swaminathan Committee’s report to improve living standards of farmers and upliftment of
farm sector.
Parliament passes National Sports University Bill, 2018
• On 9th August 2018, Parliament passed the National Sports University Bill 2018, as the Rajya Sabha
approved it. This Bill aims to set up a first-of-its-kind National Sports University in Manipur to promote
sports.Regional centres of the university will also be set up in other parts of India and other countries.
Parliament passes SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018
• On 9th August 2018, Parliament passed the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of
Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2018. Section 18A has been inserted to eliminate the need for a
preliminary enquiry before registration of an FIR, or obtain approval of any authority before arrest of
an accused, and to restore the provisions of Section 18 of the Act.
9|Page
“PARIVESH” – an environmental single window hub for Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ
clearances launched
• On 10th August 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive
facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single-window Hub) on the occasion of World
Biofuel Day. It also follows the Minimum Government and Maximum Governance ideology.
India Science Technology and Innovation portal launched by Vigyan Prasar
• On August 11, 2018, the Union science ministry’s communication wing, Vigyan Prasar launched
the India Science Technology and Innovation portal. It would invest Rs. 15 crore for development and
upgradation of portal.The portal follows a launch of India Science ( indiascience.in ), an Internet-based
science channel, to showcase the developments in science and technology in India.
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 passed; Allowing death sentence for rape of children below 12
years
• On August 12, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to the Criminal Law (Amendment)
Act, 2018, that provides death penalty for convicts accused of raping girls below the age of 12 years.It
will further amend the Indian Penal Code, Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1973 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2018 passed by Parliament
• On August 12, 2018, Parliament has passed the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Second Amendment)
Bill,2018 with the Rajya Sabha’s approval. The Bill seeks to clarify that allottees under a real estate
project should be treated as financial creditors.
NGT forms committee on natural conservation zones
• On August 13, 2018, the National Green Tribunal has formed a committee with Ministry of Environment
and Forests acting as the nodal agency of the committee.With an Objective to monitor consistency of the
sub-regional plans for protection of Natural Conservation Zones (NCZs) as per regional plan prepared
by the National Capital Region Planning Board.
2 new Space Research Technology Centres to come up in Jammu and Agartala
• On August 13, 2018, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North
Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh announced
that Jammu will be the first city in North India to get a full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre.
Another Space Technology Research Centre will be set up in Agartala, Tripura in the Northeast.
Jodhpur emerged as the cleanest Railway station in India: survey by QCI
• On August 13, 2018, railway minister Piyush Goyal announced that Jodhpur in Rajasthan topped in
the cleanest railway stati` on in the recent ranking of the ‘Swach Rail’. In
the A1 category, Jodhpur has emerged as the cleanest station overtaking the spot from last year’s
winner Visakhapatnam. Marwar in Rajasthan topped the list in A category.
Rs 66,000 crore fund released by Centre to increase India’s green cover
• On August 14, 2018, Centre has approved more than 66,000 crore rupees to increase the country’s
forest cover. 80 percent of the compensatory afforestation amount will be utilized by the states
in 13 activities. The remaining 20 percent will be used for 11 listed works to strengthen forest and
wildlife protection related infrastructure.
7 member group headed by IRDAI CGM constituted by IRDA to analyze and amend norms for insurance
surveyors
• On August 14, 2018, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) constituted
a 7 member working group for norms regarding insurance surveyors.The group will headed by Yegna
Priya Bharat, Chief General Manager (Nonlife), IRDAI. The group will work on theareas pertaining to
licensing, renewal and others as per the existing regulatory framework for Surveyors and Loss
Assessors.
New Central Sector scheme for promoting Pharmacovigilance of AYUSH Drugs released by AYUSH
ministry
• On August 14, 2018, Ministry of AYUSH introduced new Central Sector scheme for
promoting pharmacovigilance of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy (ASU&H) Drugs.
Government has sanctioned grant of Rs 10.60 Crore for the establishment of pharma covigilance
network.
“Digital Screens” launched by Ministry of Railways to spread awareness about Indian Railways Heritage
• On August 16, 2018, Ministry of Railways launches “Digital Screens” to spread awareness about Indian
Railways Heritage.Addirionally, QR code based posters on Railway Heritage are also being displayed at
these stations.
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Campaign against sexual abuse of children launched by Amnesty International India

• On August 17, 2018, Amnesty International India launched a new campaign named ‘Our Safety, Our
Rights’, among children against sexual abuse.The campaign will culminate on October 11 –
International Day of the Girl Child.With an Objective to help them understand and identify sexual abuse.
Panel headed by B Sesikeran to review red-labelling draft of FSSAI
• On August 17, 2018, bill for red-labelling of packaged products containing fat, sugar and salt has been
halted by the government as per FSSAI’s report.The group is headed by B Sesikeran, former director
of National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) as well as the current director Hemalatha and doctor Nikhil
Tandon.
UIDAI announces phased rollout of live face 2 step authentication with TSPs from September 15
• On August 18, 2018, UIDAI announced a phased rollout of live face recognition feature with telecom
service providers from September 15.The ‘live face photo’ capture would be done to obtain eKYC for
issuance of mobile SIMs.
Supreme Court accepts Centre’s proposal for use of coloured stickers to indicate nature of fuel
• On 13th August 2018, Supreme Court accepted the proposal of the ministry of road transport and
highways (MoRTH), on usage of hologram-based colour coded stickers on vehicles to indicate nature of
fuel.Light blue-petrol and CNG fuel, Orange-Diesel.MoRTH had issued a draft notification on 15th May
2018, proposing a number plate with green background for electric vehicles.
PFRDA set up panel for advice on cyber safety to protect subscribers
• On August 19, 2018, Pension fund regulator, Pension Fund and Regulatory Development Authority
(PFRDA), set a standing committee to suggest steps to deal with cyber security challenges.The focus
area of the committee is on ‘Information Systems and Technology and Cyber Security’.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has notified new sets of specified health
warnings for all tobacco product packs
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notified a new set of specified health warnings for all tobacco
products manufactured or imported or packaged on or after September 1. Health ministry ordered all
packs of tobacco products must have “tobacco causes cancer” and “tobacco causes painful death”written
in white on a red background, and the words “quit today call 1800-11-2356” in white on a black
background.
Centralised secretariat at Panchkula for 5 Northen staes and 2 UTs to tackle drug menace
• On 20th August 2018, 5 Northern States: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand
and Union Territories: Delhi and Chandigarh decided to set up a centralised secretariat at Panchkula, in
Haryana, to tackle drug menace.
IIT Kharagpur launches ‘Aditya Choubey Center for Re-Water Research’
• On 17th August 2018, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-Kharagpur) launched ‘Aditya
Choubey Center for Re-Water Research’ to treat and convert sewage water into potable water.
NOTA option cannot be permitted in Rajya Sabha polls, says Supreme Court
• On August 21,2018 None of The Above (NOTA) option will not be available for elected MPs and MLAs
voting in the coming Rajya Sabha elections, with the Supreme Court cancelling an Election Commission
notification which had provided such option in Upper House.
Home Minister assigned NCRB to curb “sexual violence” videos involving women and children
• On August 21,2018 ,An important meeting was held under the head of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to
discuss recommendations on ways to curb “sexual violence” videos involving women and children.A
notification has been issued to NCRB under the Information Technology Act, 2000 to enable us take
action against such videos and to ask the service providers to block the content.
JEE Advanced: IITs reject Government proposal to reform exam format
• On August 21,2018, Indian Institute of Technology rejected the proposal of Human Resource and
Development ministry for setting up a panel to recommend changes in the Joint Entrance Examination
(JEE- Advanced).
Overview of Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera’s visit to India
• The Defence Minister of Japan Mr. Itsunori Onodera visited India for the first time for 2 days at the
invitation of the Defence Minister of India Smt Nirmala Sitharaman from 19 to 20 August 2018.With an
Objective to further strengthen defence and security cooperation under the ‘Japan-lndia Special
Strategic and Global Partnership’.Click here to read more.
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Strong wage policies needed to promote inclusive growth in India: as per ‘India Wage Report: Wage
policies for decent work and inclusive growth’
• On 20th August 2018, ILO (International Labour Organization) released its ‘India Wage Report: Wage
policies for decent work and inclusive growth’. This report states that, India needs to improve its wage
policies to promote inclusive growth. As per the report, nearly 33 % i.e. 62 million workers were paid
less than the indicative national minimum wage. Also, the rate of low pay was higher in women.
Government unveils Draft International Air Connectivity (IAC) scheme for extending affordable air
travel programme UDAN to international circuits
• On 21st August 2018, Central Government launched Draft International Air Connectivity (IAC)
scheme to extend affordable air travel programme UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) to international
circuits.
Government imposed standard environment clearing conditions for 25 sectors; Expert committee has
been constituted
• On August 24, 2018, to give proper general guidance to companies seeking environment clearance, the
government has given standard environment clearing conditions for 25 sectors which include: iron,
steel, cement, coal, petroleum refineries industry, paper and pulp industries, hydro-electric projects,
industrial estates, among others.
5 Thematic Reports on Sustainable Development in Indian Himalayan Region launched by NITI Aayog
• On August 24, 2018, NITI Aayog released the 5 Thematic Reports on Sustainable Development in Indian
Himalayan Region that had been prepared by the 5 Working Groups (WGs) in June 2017. The 5 themes
include:Inventory and Revival of Springs in Himalayas for Water Security,Sustainable Tourism in Indian
Himalayan Region,Transformative Approach to Shifting Cultivation,Strengthening Skill &
Entrepreneurship Landscape in Himalayas and Data/Information for Informed Decision Making.
Committee of Secretaries approved setting up National Logistics Portal as a e-marketplace
• On August 24, 2018, A committee of secretaries has approved a proposal by department of commerce
(DoC) to setup a National Logistics Portal (NLP). The portal is being planned in three
phases:development of a logistics e-marketplace whose test run is being planned by March,single
window certification by bringing in 81 authorities on board and integrating financial services on the
platform.
Various states and institutions renamed themselves after Late PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
• The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) announced its decision to rename its School of Management and
Entrepreneurship as Atal Bihari Vajpayee School of Management and
Entrepreneurship. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh renaming upcoming capital of the state Naya
Raipur as Atal Nagar.Upcoming airport at Deoghar as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Airport Deograh,
5G steering committee headed by AJ Paulraj submitted its report to DoT; India to get 5G by 2020.
• On August 25, 2018, high-level 5G Forum headed by Stanford University’s Professor Emeritus AJ
Paulraj, submitted its 62-page report to the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) and suggested
the following measures to be taken.
 Earmarking additional airwave bands that may have an economic impact of more than $1 trillion
by 2035,
 Most guidelines on regulatory matters must be promulgated by March 2019to facilitate early 5G
deployment,
 Additional financial support may be offered to internet service providers (ISPs), technology
companies, local governments to participate in the trials.India is likely to see the first 5G
commercial launch in 2020.
Bhopal and Kolkata topped in CSE rankings of ‘Urban Commute’ on clean transportation
• On August 26, 2018, the New Delhi-based think tank, Centre for Science and Environment
(CSE) released its analysis – titled The Urban Commute in Kolkata on pollution in urban commute.In
the Overall emissions and energy consumption category: Bhopal topped and Delhi ranked last (14th).In
the Per-travel trip emissions and energy consumption category: Kolkata topped and Hyderabad ranked
last (14th).
Committee chaired by Secy, Corporate Affairs on review of penal provisions of Company Act 2013
submitted its final report to Shri Arun Jaitley
• On August 27, 2018, the Committee constituted by Government of India in July 2018 to
review framework dealing with offences under the Companies Act, 2013 submitted its report to the
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley.With an Objective to promote better
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corporate compliance. This report is presented by the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Shri
Injeti Srinivas, who chaired the committee.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister launches online portal for Common Carrier Capacity booking on
GAIL’s pipelines, a first of its kind in Indian natural gas sector
• On 27th August 2018, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Dharmendra Pradhan launched an online portal for enabling easy, efficient and transparent booking of
Common carrier capacity for natural gas transmission services under GAIL’s pipelines.
Bombardier Q400 turboprop: India’s first biofuel flight from Dehradun to Delhi operated by Spice Jet
took off
• On August 27, 2018, SpiceJet would fly India’s first biofuel-powered flight from Dehradun to Delhi on
its Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport.It‘s a mix of the oil
extracted from the seeds of Jatropha plant.The government will make an environment friendly aviation
action plan till 2035.
Government announces regulations for safe commercial usage of drones
• On August 28, 2018, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Suresh Prabhu announced the Drone
Regulations 1.0. These regulations will enable the safe, commercial usage of drones starting December
1, 2018. They are intended to enable visual line-of-sight daytime-only and a maximum of 400 ft altitude
operations.
Corporate sports policy for CPSEs under Steel Ministry to provide support for sports
• On August 28, 2018, Union Minister of Steel, Chaudhary Birender Singh, unveiled the corporate sports
policy for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) under the Ministry of Steel.With an Objective to
provide a framework for promotion of sports by Steel Ministry CPSEs.
National Anti-profiteering Authority launched consumer helpline to file GST profiteering complaints
• On August 28, 2018, the National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAA) launched a helpline number for
complaints regarding GST rate cuts.With an Objective to encourage consumers to file complaints
against the companies that are not passing GST rate cut benefits. The helpline number is : 011-
21400643 .
NMCG Approves Projects Worth Nearly 150 Crore Rupees for Cleaning the River and Its Banks
• On 28th August 2018, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved projects worth Rs 150
crores in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal under the Namami Gange programme, in
its 5th Executive Committee meeting held in New Delhi.
NVIDIA made deep learning technology partner of NITI Aayog for “MoveHack”
• On 28th August 2018, computer chip manufacturer NVIDIA collaborated with NITI Aayog as its Deep
learning technology partner to support NITI Aayog’s “MoveHack” hackathon. Deep learning technology
comes under machine learning (ML) in artificial intelligence (AI). It has networks capable of learning
unsupervised from data that is unstructured or unlabelled.
Centre sanctions Rs 730 cr for Narmada project
• On August 30, 2018, the Centre sanctioned Rs 730 crore for the Gujarat’s Sardar Sarovar Dam project on
the Narmada river. The total cost of the project is estimated to be Rs.13000 crore.It’s area
covers 17 districts, is spread over 27,000 square km.It is considered one of India’s 99 major irrigational
projects.
PM-STIAC: 21 member committee formed To Advise PM On Science, Tech-Related Policy Issues
• On August 30, 2018, the Government has constituted a 21 member high power committee to advise it
on policy matters related to science, technology and innovation.The name of the committee is : PM-
STIAC (Science, Technology, Innovation Advisory Committee).It is chaired by K Vijay Raghavan,
Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government.
Government puts restrictions on export of bio-fuels: DGFT
• On August 30, 2018, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) announced that the government
had imposed restrictions on export of bio-fuels including the same for imports.The restriction on
import and export of bio-fuels include ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits, bio-diesel, petroleum
oils.
Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) to promote innovation launched by
HRD ministry
• On August 31, 2018, the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar announced the introduction of Atal
Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA), an initiative of the union ministry to
promote innovation. India has already been improving on global stage in terms of Innovation ranking
from 86th place, 5 years ago, to 57th place this year.
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National Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) plus strategy
launched by Dr Harsh Vardhan
• On August 31, 2018, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Dr. Harsh
Vardhan introduced the ‘National REDD+(“Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest
Degradation”)Strategy India’ for the implementation of the REDD+ strategy.With an Objective to help
build sustainable livelihood of local communities and conserve biodiversity.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) Makes India’s First Standardised Modern Ship Design for
Ganga a Reality
• On 31st August 2018, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) made public 13 standardised
advanced ship designs suitable for large barge haulage on river Ganga (National Waterway-1). The
Government is implementing Jal Marg Vikas Project (JMVP) for capacity enhancement of navigation
on NW-1 (Varanasi-Haldia stretch) at a cost of Rs 5369.18 crore.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
World’s First Intertidal Art Gallery Opened in Maldives
• The Intertidal art gallery called Coralarium is located at the Fairmont Madives Sirru Fen Fushi resort.
The Art Gallery is filled with around 30 Sculptures acting as a habitat for coral and other marine
species.
4 day Visit of External Affairs Minister to Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Republic of
Uzbekistan (August 2- 5, 2018)
• On August 5, 2018 External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj concluded her 4 day visit to three
nations.It is her first trip to these countries as External Affairs Minister.Click here to read more.
2 day Nepal-India Literature Festival 2018 held in Birgunj, Nepal
• On August 14, 2018, Chief Minister of Province 2 Mohammad Lalbabu Raut of Nepal inaugurated the 2
day Nepal-India Literature Festival 2018 in Birgunj. The event was organised by Nepal India Co-
operation Forum.
India releases additional funds for Nepal’s Postal Highway
• On 14th August 2018, Indian Government released additional NPR 470 million for the Postal
Highway being constructed in Southern Plains of Nepal.This amount has been released for the ongoing
construction of 14 road packages under Postal Highway Project.
24th World Congress of Philosophy held in Beijing, China for the first time
• On August 13, 2018, the 24th World Congress of Philosophy (WCP) was held in Beijing, China for
the first time.The theme for this event is: “Learning To Be Human”.It is organized by the International
Federation of Philosophical Societies, and Peking University.
Esala Maha Perehera festival begins in Sri Lanka
• On 16th August 2018, the historic Esala Maha Perehera festival started in Kandy, Sri Lanka.The Festival
started with a grand procession from Sri Dalada Maligawa, the biggest Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka.
35% of cyber attacks on Indian sites from China:Report by CERT-In
• On August 23, 2018, according to a report by Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-
In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the maximum number of cyber
attacks on official Indian websites are from China, US and Russia.
9th edition of Mountain Echoes Literary Festival 2018 held in Bhutan
• From 23rd to 25th August 2018, 9th edition of Mountain Echoes Literary Festival 2018 was held
in Thimphu, Bhutan. The festival focused on Spirituality and Philosophy, Performing Arts,
Environmental Conservation, Food, Film & Theatre, etc.
Foreigners barred from flying drones in India: RPAS
• On August 30, 2018, as per the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) regulations, foreigners have
been barred from flying drones in India.For commercial purpose, they need to lease RPAS to an Indian
entity who in-turn will obtain UIN and UAOP from DGCA.Furthermore, micro drones could be allowed
during night subject to various conditions and up to a height of 200 feet above ground level.
14 | P a g e
BANKING & FINANCE

RBI in News
RBI releases its Third Bi-monthly Policy on August 1, 2018
• On August 1, 2018, a 3 day 6 member meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee headed by Governor
Dr. Urjit Patel concluded where RBI released its 3rd bi-monthly policy.The Next meeting will be
scheduled from October 3-5, 2018.
Policy rates 2nd bi-monthly 3rd bimonthly in
in June 6 2018
th August 1,2018
Repo Rate 6.25% 6.50%
Reverse Repo Rate 6.0% 6.25%
Marginal Standing 6.5% 6.75%
Facility (MSF)
Bank Rate 6.5% 6.75%
Reserve Ratios
Cash Reserve Ratio 4% 4%
(CRR)
Statutory Liquidity 19.5% 19.5%
Ratio (SLR)
Mauritius-based SBM Group the first foreign lender has received Reserve Bank of India’s approval to
operate in the country as SBM Bank (India)
• On August 2, 2018, RBI has given approval to State Bank of Mauritius to operate in the country through
a wholly-owned subsidiary route under the name SBM Bank(India).It is the first such bank to get such
approval. Currently it has 4 operational branches in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and
Ramachandrapuram.
RBI bars Fino Payments Bank from enroling new customers
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred Fino Payments Bank from adding new customers after it
observed anomalies regarding deposits in the existing accounts. Recently, Paytm Payments Bank was
also barred by RBI to add new customers after violation of KYC process.
Umbrella Organisation’ to revive Urban Co-op Banking: RBI
• On August 5, 2018, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed non-fund-based Umbrella
organisations(UO) at State levels to revive India’s co-operative banking sector.It would conduct non-
fund activities in the areas of training, capacity building and IT infrastructure and research.Gujarat is
the first State in the country to have an UO for the UCB sector.
UAE top source of inward remittances in 2016-17: RBI
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• Reserve Bank of India’s survey of inward remittances for 2016-17 has stated that, the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) is the top source of inward remittances, and Kerala has received the maximum
funds sent from abroad. It is followed by the United States (22.9%), Saudi Arabia (11.6%), Qatar (6.5%)
and Kuwait (5.5%).
RBI to pay Rs 50,000 cr dividend to govt for FY18 in line with Budget estimate for the July 2017-June
2018 financial year
• On August 11, 2018, RBI announced that the Central Board of Directors of the Reserve Bank of India, at
its meeting held on August 8, 2018, approved the transfer of surplus amounting to Rs. 500 billion
or Rs.50,000 crore for the year ended June 30, 2018 to the Government of India.
RBI Annual Report stated that India remains preferred destination for FDI
• On August 29, 2018, according to RBI Annual Report, India remains a preferred destination for foreign
direct investment (FDI). India received $37.3 billion capital inflow in 2017-18 as compared to $36.3
billion in the previous fiscal. During the 2015-16, the country received $36.06 billion. FDI inflows were
mostly from Mauritius and Singapore with almost 61% of total equity investments.
99.30% of demonetized money worth Rs.15.31 lakh crore back in the system: RBI annual report
• On August 30, 2018, in the annual report published by RBI, it announced that 99.30% of all of the
demonetized currency notes have been counted and accounted for by the central bank. Rs 15.31 lakh
crore worth currency notes have now been returned, since November 8, 2016.The total worth of notes
that was in circulation at the time of demonetization was : Rs 15.41 lakh crore.
India’s economic growth rate to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2018-19: RBI
• On August 30, 2018, its annual report, RBI stated that India’s economic growth rate will grow at 7.4 per
cent in the current financial year.It was 6.7 percent in the previous year. RBI will work toward the
medium term target for retail inflation of 4 percent.
Loans issued by banks/others

Loan issued by Received by Amount Points to be noted
NABARD Haryana Rs 722 crore For eight water projects in
the rural areas of Haryana.
Additionally, the state
government has sent three
more project proposals,
costing Rs 236.85 crore, to
NABARD for financial
assistance.
State Bank of National Rs 25,000 crore This is the largest amount of
India (SBI) Highways loan that has been
Authority of sanctioned to NHAI in one
India (NHAI) shot. Also, this is the largest
long term unsecured loan
sanctioned by SBI at a time
to any entity.
IBRD of World Government of $300 million The program will be

Bank India implemented by the Energy
Efficiency Services Limited
(EESL).This is one of the
several steps being taken by
the Government of India to
meet its climate change
commitments to
reduce carbon
intensity by 33-35 percent
by 2030.
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Asian Government $375 million To double farming

Development of India incomes in Madhya Pradesh.
Bank (ADB) It will cover 2 large
irrigation systems:
the Kundalia irrigation
project, the existing Sanjay
Sarovar Irrigation Project.
Asian Government $346 million To finance Karnataka State
Development of lndia Highways lmprovement lll
Bank (ADB) Project (KSHIP-lll)
World Bank Government $250 million For Development Policy
of India Loan (DPL) for Rajasthan.
and Government The name of the loan is
of Rajasthan : The Second Programmatic
Electricity Distribution
Reform Development Policy
Loan.
German Government Euro 120 mn The purpose of the project is

envoy Jasper of lndia to reduce the inflow of
Wieck on behalf untreated waste water in
of Germany River Ganga and improve
the water quality of the
river.
Asian West $245 million With an Objective to provide

Development Bengal state safe, sustainable, and
Bank (ADB) inclusive drinking water
service.
MoU/Agreements in Banking & Finance

Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance tie up with Fincare Small Finance Bank for bancassurance
• On August 4, 2018, Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance has tied up with Fincare Small Finance Bank to offer
specialised product offerings to the bank customers. It aims to push life insurance to the rural
population.As per the MoU, two products will be offered: Point of Sale (POS) product and a protection
product.
HDFC Life inks pact with Vijaya Bank to sell insurance products
• On August 4, 2018, HDFC Life Insurance and Vijaya Bank signed an MoU where the bank will sell the
insurer’s products through its branches. HDFC Life already has 163 bancassurance partners.
StarAgri Finance signs MoU with Karur Vysya Bank to aid traders and farmers
• On August 1, 2018, To provide financial assistance to commodity traders and farmers, StarAgri
Finance signed MoU with private lender Karur Vysya Bank.Micro-lending would be provided to traders
and farmers in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Reliance Jio, SBI ink pact to boost digital transactions
• On August 3, 2018, State Bank of India (SBI) has inked a pact with Reliance Jio Infocomm to integrate its
digital banking solution Yono with MyJio application. It is a 30:70 joint venture between SBI and
Reliance.
Blockchain: Exim Bank signs MoU with BRICS development banks
• On August 12, 2018, Exim Bank of India signed an MoU with member development banks of BRICS on
collaboration in Blockchain Techonology. A joint research working group will be constituted by the
signatories for formulating the research agenda and targeted outcome.
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APPS Launched by Banks

Mobile apps/portal Launched by Purpose
MOPAD State Bank of It is a Point of Sale (PoS) terminal that will
India allow to facilitate transactions from cards
to QR code based payments.
MyDeal HSBC To simplify capital raising process through

capital markets by offering real-time access
to information like investors’ feedback,
profiles, client orders and deal pricing.
Rates changed by Banks

Indian Bank revises interest rates on FCNR(B) deposits
• On 1st August 2018, Indian Bank has revised interest rates on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Banking)
– FCNR(B)deposits with immediate effect.
Deposit period Revised Previous Interest
Interest Rate Rate
1 year and above but less than 2 3.68 % 3.59 %
years (in US Dollar terms)
2 years and above, but less than 3 3.88 % 3.77 %
years
3 years and above but less than 4 3.97 % 3.89 %
years
4 years and above but less than 5 3.99 % 3.92 %
years
up to 5 years 4% 3.93 %
HDFC Bank raised fixed deposit rates by up to 0.6%
• On August 6, 2018, HDFC increased fixed deposit rates on various maturities by up to 0.6 per cent.
Tenors Final increased rates (in %)
6 months to 9 months 6.75
9 months three days to 1 year 7
1 year to 2 years 7.25
2 years to 5 years 7.10
ICICI Bank Hikes Fixed Deposit (FD) Interest Rates
• On August 14, 2018, private sector lender ICICI Bank hiked its fixed deposit or FD interest rates across
select maturities and amounts with effect from 14th August.
Tenure Period Rate of Interest (% p.a.) w.e.f
August 14, 2018
General Senior Citizen*
7 days to 14 days 4 4.5
15 days to 29 days 4.25 4.75
30 days to 45 days 5.5 6
46 days to 60 days 5.75 6.25
121 days to 184 days 6 6.5
185 days to 289 days 6.5 7
290 days to less than 1 year 6.75 7.25
1 year to 389 days 6.75 7.25
390 days to 2 years 7 7.5
2 years 1 day upto 5 years 7.25 7.75
5 years 1 day upto 10 years 7 7.5
5 Years Tax saver FD(Max upto Rs. 1.50 lac) 7.25 7.75
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IDBI hiked MCLR rate by up to 0.10% on various tenors

• On August 15, 2018, IDBI Bank increased the marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by up
to 0.10 per cent for various tenors.
Tenors New Interest Rate (in %)
Overnight 8
One month 8.25
Three months 8.45
Six Months 8.60
One year 8.85
Two years & 8.90
Three years
Andhra Bank raised MCLR by 0.15% for various tenors
• On August 16, 2018, Andhra Bank raises MCLR by 0.15% for various tenors.
Tenors New Rates (in %)
Overnight 8.15
One Month 8.20
Three months 8.40
Six months 8.55
One year 8.70
Other Important Banking & Finance News

Bandhan Bank surpasses YES Bank market capitalisation; becomes 7th most valued bank
• On 1st August 2018, Bandhan Bank surpassed YES Bank’s market capitalisation (m-cap) and became
the sixth most valuable private sector bank and seventh most valued listed lender. As on 1st August
2018, HDFC Bank, SBI and Kotak Mahindra Bank occupied the top three positions respectively, based on
market capitalization.
Vikas Bonanza 456: a new deposit scheme launched by Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB)
• On August 3,2018, Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) launched a new deposit scheme
called Vikas Bonanza 456.The scheme is of a tenure of 456 days with interest rate of 7.10 per cent for
public and 7.60 per cent for senior citizens.It also offers annualized return of 7.35% for the general
public and 7.89% for senior citizens.
Rs 4,989.55 crore collected from customers in FY18 by 24 banks for not maintaining minimum account
balance
• On August 6, 2018, 21 public sector banks and 3 major private sector lenders collected Rs 4,989.55
crore from customers for non-maintenance of minimum balance in their accounts in 2017-
18.SBI collected Rs.2433 crore nearly half the amount raised by the 24 banks put together.
PayPal & HDFC Bank partner to offer seamless payment experiences to card holders
• On August 9, 2018, PayPal and HDFC Bank partnered to offer safer, faster and convenient payment
experiences to bank’s card holders.This would enable consumers to easily open PayPal accounts and set
it as their preferred payment method.
PayU & Reliance Money announce strategic partnership for instant personal loan
• On August 9, 2018, PayU India partnered with Reliance Money to offer personal loans via LazyPay.With
an Objective to reach out to the underserved consumers in India.
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Vijaya Bank entered into a bancassurance deal
• On August 10, 2018, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance entered into a bancassurance deal with Vijaya
Bank.Insurance products such as health, personal accident, home, motor and travel along with
a commercial line of insurance products will be offered.
1st of its kind iris authentication for Aadhaar-based transactions introduced by Axis Bank
• On August 10, 2018, Axis bank has become the first bank in the country to introduce Iris Scan
Authentication feature for Aadhaar -based transactions through its micro ATM tablets.This is being run
as a pilot project in 8 branches of rural Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
Urban co-op lender SVC Bank partnered with DHFL Pramerica Life, Aditya Birla Health for
bancassurance
• On August 11, 2018, Insurers DHFL Pramerica Life Insurance and Aditya Birla Health
Insurance Co announced their bancassurance partnership with SVC Co-operative Bank Limited. It aims
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to offer easy access to simple life insurance products and strengthen the distribution network of DHFL
Pramerica Life Insurance.
SBI ranked as India’s most patriotic brand: Survey by UK based YouGov
• On August 13, 2018, the survey conducted by UK-based online market research and data analytics
firm YouGov announced SBI to be the most patriotic brand.It is Followed by Tata
Motors,Patanjali,Reliance Jio and BSNL.
Cosmos Bank’s server hacked; Rs 94 cr transferred off in 2 days via Visa and Rupay payment gateways
• On August 14, 2018, Cosmos bank announced that the server of Pune-based bank was under a malware
attack for 2 days between August 11 and August 13 and an amount of Rs 94 crore has been transferred
off. The cards of the cooperative bank customers that were cloned were of Visa and Rupay.
Bharti AXA & Airtel Payments Bank partnered to offer Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
• On August 16, 2018, Bharti AXA, Airtel Payments Bank team up to offer Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti
Bima Yojana.It will give Rs 2 lakh life insurance cover for an annual premium of Rs 330.
Sarvatra technologies launches 450th cooperative bank – ‘Sevalia Urban Co-operative Bank’
• On August 17, 2018, Sarvatra Technologies has launched ‘Sevalia Urban Co-operative Bank’ as 450th co-
operative bank on National Financial Switch (NFS). It aims to add another 50 plus co-operative banks
by FY 2019.
Investment in P-notes hits 9-year low at Rs 80,341 crore since 2009
• On August 18, 2018, according to SEBI data , investments through participatory notes into Indian
capital markets declined to over nine-year low of Rs 80,341 crore till July-end.This is the lowest level
since April 2009 when the cumulative value of such investments stood at Rs 72,314 crore.
Home Ministry notifies new Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for refilling of ATMs
• Home Ministry has specified new Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) for refilling of ATMs
(Automated Teller Machine), which will come to effect on 8th February 2019. As per the new SoPS, Cash
loading of the ATMs or cash transportation activities will not be done:After 9 pm– in urban areas,After 6
pm– in rural areas,Before 9 am or after 4 pm– in districts notified by the central government as Left
Wing Extremism affected areas or Naxal-hit areas.
Ujjivan SFB launched overdraft facility for medium and small enterprises
• On August 23, 2018, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank announced the launch of its overdraft facility for micro
and small enterprises (MSE). It would be offered to all MSEs with a turnover of Rs 50 lakh or more. This
interest rate on the overdraft is for one year with a minimum credit of Rs 11 lakh to a maximum of Rs
50 lakh renewed on an annual basis.
NABARD All India Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) 2016-17
• On 16th August 2018, NABARD All India Financial Inclusion Survey (NAFIS) report was released by Dr.
Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog at an event, in New Delhi. This is the first edition of this survey.
NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) has proposed to perform this survey
every 3 years.Click here to read more.
Bondi bond : world’s first blockchain public bond launched by World Bank
• On August 25, 2018, the World Bank has launched the world’s first public bond created and managed
using only blockchain technology. It has been named : Bondi Bond stands for Blockchain Operated New
Debt Instrument.The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is the sole manager of the deal that has been
priced by the World Bank at A$100 million ($73.16 million) with a two-year maturity.
Punjab National Bank tops in digital transaction: Department of Financial Services
• On August 27, 2018, according to a report of Department of Financial Services, Punjab National
Bank has been rated as number one state-owned bank in terms of digital transactions.
Current account deficit to hit 2.8% of GDP in FY19: SBI report Ecowrap
• On August 27, 2018, according to a report named Ecowrap published by SBI, the current account deficit
of the country will rise to 2.8% of the GDP in the current financial year. The merchandise trade
imbalance is also expected to rise to USD 188 billion in FY19, compared with USD 160 billion in FY18.
Axis Securities launched commodity trading with MCX
• On August 28, 2018, Axis Securities launched commodity broking services with MCX and became the
first bank subsidiary to enter the commodity broking business. All existing Axis Direct customers can
now trade in 29 commodity futures and contracts through a one-time online registration process.
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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Japan overtakes China to become world’s second-largest stock market: Bloomberg
• On August 5, 2018, according to Bloomberg’s data Japan is now the world’s second-largest stock
market.It has overthrown China as its total equity is $6.17 trillion and that of China’s is $6.09
trillion.The United States is the world’s biggest market for stocks, with total worth just over $31 trillion.
India’s GDP growth to rise by 7.5% this fiscal, says Morgan Stanley
• Morgan Stanley has predicted, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 7.5 % in this financial
year 2018 – 2019. Morgan Stanley’s report forecasts Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to remain
above the inflation target of 4 % and the current account deficit below 2.5 % of GDP.
Startup India launched the Startup Academia Alliance programme
• Startup India launched the “Startup Academia Alliance programme”, which is a special mentorship
opportunity between academic scholars and startups working in similar domains. Aim: to minimize the
gap between scientific research and its industrial applications to enhance the impact of these
technologies.
Import duty on 328 textile products doubled to 20% to boost production: CBIC
• On August 8, 2018, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Custom (CBIC) doubled import duty
on 328 textile productes to 20% under Section 159 of the Customs Act, 1962.Earlier, the government
had last month doubled import duty on over 50 textile products– including jackets, suits and carpets to
20 per cent.
IMF forecasts India’s GDP to grow at 7.5 % in 2019/20 fiscal year
• On 7th August 2018, International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected India’s GDP (Gross Domestic
Product) to grow at 7.5 % in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. India’s GDP forecast is 7.3 % in fiscal
year 2018/19 and 7.5 % in 2019/20.
REC inked pact with German bank for 200 mn euro loan for energy projects in India
• On August 15, 2018, Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) inked a loan agreement with German
bank KfW in Frankfurt for EUR 200 million. This is REC’s fourth line of credit under Indo-German
development cooperation.
GDP likely to expand by 7.4% in FY’19: Ficci’s Economic Outlook Survey’
• On August 15, 2018, as per Ficci’s survey ‘Ficci’s Economic Outlook Survey’, the Indian economy is
expected to grow at 7.4 per cent in the current fiscal. It projects that GDP will grow at 7.4 per cent
for 2018-19, with a minimum and maximum range of 7.1 per cent and 7.5 per cent, respectively.
India Ratings decreases growth forecast to 7.2% from 7.4% for FY19
• On August 16, 2018, according to India Ratings, growth forecast of India has been cut to 7.2% from
7.4% for FY19.The private final consumption expenditure to grow 7.6% in FY19 compared to 6.6% in
FY18.
Government bans pet coke import for fuel use
• India banned the import of pet coke as fuel use but it will be allowed to use as feedstock in some
industries. Cement, lime kiln, calcium carbide and gasification industries are only allowed to use import
of pet coke as the feedstock or in the manufacturing process on actual user condition.India is one of the
world’s largest consumers and imports over 27 million tonnes from the United States.
PhonePe partners with IRCTC app Rail connect to facilitate convenient payments
• On August 16, 2018, PhonePe announced partnership with IRCTC app ‘IRCTC Rail Connect’, to facilitate
convenient, fast and secure payments.This will enable PhonePe’s 100 million plus users to now pay
directly from their bank accounts using UPI, credit and debit cards and also the PhonePe wallet.
TCS piped RIL to become most valued Indian company: BSE
• On August 17, 2018, according to BSE data, TCS overtakes RIL to become most valued Indian
company.Earlier, on July 31st 2018, RIL was ranked the top company according to m cap crossing the
USD 100-billion market capitalisation mark.
RUCO (Repurpose Used Cooking Oil): FSSAI’s initiative to collect & convert used cooking oil into biofuel
• On 10th August 2018, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched RUCO (Repurpose
Used Cooking Oil) initiative for collection and conversion of used cooking oil into bio-diesel.As per
FSSAI regulations, the maximum permissible limits for Total Polar Compounds (TPC) is 25 %. Beyond
this limit, the cooking oil is not safe for consumption.
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India’s CAD is expected to widen to 2.8 pc of GDP in FY19: Nomura

• On August 19, 2018, according to a report by Nomura, India’s current account deficit (CAD) is expected
to widen to 2.8 per cent of the GDP in FY19 from 1.9 per cent of GDP, in 2017-18 fiscal.Moody’s have
predicted the CAD to be 2.5% of the GDP of FY19.
Germany surpasses Japan again with world’s largest current account surplus: Ifo
• On 20th August 2018, the Ifo institute said that, Germany’s current account surplus will remain the
world’s largest in 2018, in spite of increased trade tensions. Germany’s current account surplus will
remain the world’s largest for the third year in 2018 at $299 billion. It is followed by Japan in second
position with $200 billion.
IRDAI directs insurance companies to cover mental illness in policies
• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has directed all insurance companies
to create provision to cover mental illness in policies.IRDAI has notified all insurance companies to
comply with the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 that came to effect on 29th May 2018, and make provisions
for medical insurance of treatment for medical illness with immediate effect.
HAL becomes first PSU to transact on TReDS: RXIL
• The Receivables Exchange of India (RXIL) informed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) became
first Public Sector Unit to transact on RXIL Trade Receivable e-Discounting System (TReDS) platform.
US imposes preliminary anti-dumping duties of over 50.55 % on India-made metal pipes
• The United States has imposed preliminary anti-dumping duty of 50.55 % on India-made metal
pipes.Preliminary anti-dumping duties for the other countries are China – 132.63 %,Greece – 22.51
%,Canada – 24.38 %,South Korea – 14.97 to 22.21 %,Turkey – 3.45 to 5.29 %.
India’s growth in 2018, 2019 predicted at 7.5%: Moody’s
• On August 23, 2018, according to Moody’s Investor services report called Global Macro Outlook for
2018-19, the Indian economy will grow by around 7.5 per cent in 2018 and 2019. Retail inflation in
India has been predicted to be around 5% and core inflation has risen to 6.2%. The growth of the G-20
countries together has been predicted to be 3.3 per cent in 2018 and 3.1 per cent in 2019.
Fortune’s 4th ‘Change the World’ list 2018 has been released; Reliance Jio tops the list
• On August 24, 2018, Fortune released its 4th annual ‘Change the World’ List 2018. Reliance Jio tops the
list followed by Merck and Bank of America.Apart from Reliance Jio, another Indian Company that has
ranked is Mahindra and Mahindra in 23rd position.
Paytm Partners with Alibaba to launch “Paytm AI Cloud for India”
• Paytm has launched “Paytm AI Cloud for India” for developers, start-ups, and enterprises in partnership
with Alibaba, a global tech giant.The data centre and cloud service are provided in partnership with
Alibaba.
Reliance Power unit wins dispute and gets $56 million international arbitration award
• On August 26, 2018, Reliance Power Netherlands BV, a wholly owned subsidy of Reliance Power won an
international arbitration award of $56 million (Rs 390 crore) from the Arbitration Tribunal regarding a
dispute.
Indian economy to grow at 7.4% in FY19: NCAER
• On August 31, 2018, according to National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) report
for 2018-19, India’s growth forecast for the current fiscal is at 7.4 per cent .
Call for Code initiative: IBM partners with Indian tech firms to develop global solutions for disaster
management
• IBM, Persistent Systems, Invest India, Wipro, Capgemini and Nasscom have joined the ‘Call for Code’
Global Initiative to involve startups, academic and developers to respond to and recover from natural
disasters.
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MOUs/AGREEMENTS
MoUs between Countries
No. MoU between Field

1 India and Germany On financial and technical
cooperation.According to this agreement,
Germany will give nearly Rs 8,500
crore (1,055 million Euros) for
development of India. This will focus on
sustainable urban development and
renewable energy in areas of sanitation,
solid waste management and promotion of
urban mobility.
2 India & Japan Bamboo sector in Tripura.They took part in

a workshop called
‘Bridging Japan and India by Bamboo’.Rs
1000-crore soft loan agreement is going to
be signed between JICA and Tripura
Government.
3 India and Indonesia Health cooperation
4 India and Korea Trade Remedy Cooperation
5 India and Canada On collaboration among Chartered

Accountant Institutions
6 India and Indonesia Scientific and Technological Cooperation
7 India and South Africa Joint issue of postage stamp
8 India and Bulgaria In the field of tourism
9 India and United Kingdom and In the fields of Animal Husbandry, Dairying
Northern Ireland and Fisheries
10 India and Republic of Korea In the field of railways
11 India and Morocco Air Services Agreement
12 India and Rwanda Trade Cooperation Framework
13 India and USA Insurance regulatory sector
14 India and Singapore The Two Countries signed the Second

Protocol amending the Comprehensive
Economic Cooperation Agreement
(CECA) in New Delhi. Singapore is the
second largest trading partner of India
within ASEAN.
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MoUs – States wise

No State MoU with Field/Purpose
1 Andhra Pradesh Holytech For setting up electronics manufacturing plant. It
will have cost of Rs. 1400 crores.
2 Telangana State Tech Mahindra To launch India’s first Blockchain district

Information Technology in Telengana at the International Blockchain
Congress 2018.
3 UP government Amazon To provide support MSME entrepreneurs across

nine districts.This will be a part of Amazon India’s
Kala Haat programme which aims to help traditional
industries to enter in to ecommerce business.
4 Odisha National Small To enhance technology adoption in MSMEs (Micro,
Industries Small and Medium Enterprises) to enhance skills of
Corporation youths in Odisha. Also, Dharmapada Bhawan, an
Limited (NSIC) Integrated Marketing Development Centre (IMDC)
was inaugurated in Bhubhaneswar.
Other MoUs
No Organization MoU with Field/Purpose

1 Lucknow Metro BSNL For extending benefits in customer services. BSNL will use the
Rail Corporation smart card services of LMRC for collection of post-paid bills.
(LMRC)
2 PHD Chamber of Confederatio To promote Indian investment in Nepal, work with Indian
Commerce and n of Nepalese ventures in Nepal to tackle problems faced by them, enhance
Industry Industries industrialization in Nepal and train Nepali entrepreneurs.
(PHDCCI) (CNI)
3 Tribal National To promote primary level value addition to MAPs produce from
Cooperative Medicinal forest area.
Marketing Plants Board
Development (NMPB)
Federation of
India Ltd.
(TRIFED)
4 Prasar Bharati Mizzima For cooperation and collaboration in broadcasting and content
Media sharing in New Delhi.This would include culture, entertainment,
Group of Mya education, science, news and sports along with other areas of
nmar mutual interest.
5 Indian Railways M/s GAIL For supply of Natural Gas to Indian Railways Workshops,
(India) Production Units and Depots at Rail Bhavan in New Dehi.With
an Objective to replace Industrial gases like Dissolved Acetylene,
LPG, BMCG and Furnace Oil / High Speed Diesel (HSD) oil with
environment friendly Natural Gas.
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APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

National
Name Appointed As Entity/Place Points To Be Noted
Man Mohan Bhanot Ambassador Republic of He will be the first resident
Extraordinary and Equitorial Guinea Ambassador of India to the Republic
Plenipotentiary of of Equitorial Guinea.He is presently
India Ambassador to Syria.
D Bala Venkatesh Varma Ambassador of India Russia He is currently serving
as Ambassador of India
to Madrid.He will succeed Pankaj
Saran who has been appointed as
the deputy National Security
Advisor.
Partha Satpathy Ambassador of India Ukraine
Srikumar Menon Ambassador of India Democratic Currently, he is the Ambassador of
Republic of Sao India to Angola.
Tome and Principe
Sandeep Kumar Ambassador of India Ireland He is an Indian Foreign Service
(IFS) Officer of the 1985 batch.
Currently, he is the Ambassador of
India to Croatia.
Raveena Tandon Brand ambassador Sanjay Gandhi SGNP is rich in flora and fauna. It
National Park provides water to a major portion of
(SGNP) Mumbai.
Rekha Sharma Chairperson National
Commission for
Women (NCW)
Ram Sewak Sharma Chairperson Telecom Regulatory He was also Director General and
Authority of India Mission Director of the Unique
(TRAI) Identification Authority of India
(UIDAI) or Aadhaar.
Manjula Chellur Chairperson Appellate Tribunal She was the first woman Chief
for Electricity Justice of Calcutta High Court. She
(APTEL) has served as the Chief Justice of
Kerala High Court and the first
female judge of the Karnataka High
Court.
N Raghuram Chair International He is the first Indian and Asian to be
Nitrogen Initiative elected as Chair of INI. He will
(INI) succeed Mark Sutton as chair of INI.
K S Srinivas Chairman Marine Products He had served as Joint Secretary in
Export the Department of Agriculture
Development Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare
Authority (MPEDA) in the Ministry of Agriculture.
Dr. G Satheesh Reddy Chairman(DRDO) Department He is currently serving as
& Secretary(DoDRD) of Defence the scientific advisor to the defence
Research and minister and is also the Director
Development & General of the strategic missile
DRDO division. He will replace Defence
Secretary Sanjay Mitra.
Ashish Kumar Bhutani Chief Executive Officer Pradhan Mantri He is an IAS officer of the 1992
(CEO) Fasal Bima Yojana batch of Assam-Meghalaya cadre.He
(PMFBY) has been appointed the CEO of
PMFBY till 9th May 2020.
25 | P a g e
Imtaiyazur Rahman Chief Executive Officer UTI Mutual Fund He Succeeds Leo Puri
(CEO)(Acting)
Anup Maheshwari Chief Executive Officer IIFL Mutual Fund
(CEO) and chief
investment officer
(CIO)
Vijaya Kamlesh Chief Justice Madras High Court She replaced Justice Indira
Tahilramani Banerjee who has been appointed
as Supreme Court judge.
Gita Mittal Chief Justice Jammu and She succeeded Ramalingam
Kashmir High Court Sudhakar. She became the first-ever
woman Chief Justice of Jammu and
Kashmir High Court.
Aniruddha Bose Chief Justice Jharkhand High He was an advocate of Bar Council
Court of West Bengal in 1985.He practised
in the Calcutta High Court and was
elevated to the Bench in 2004.
Rajendra Menon Chief Justice Delhi High Court. He was earlier the Chief Justice
of Patna High Court. He had also
served as a judge in the Gwalior
Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High
Court.
M R Shah Chief Justice Patna High Court He was a judge of the Gujarat High
Court. He became a judge of the
Gujarat High Court on March 7,
2004 and was confirmed as
permanent judge on June 22, 2005.
Kalpesh Satyendra Chief Justice Orissa High Court He will succeed Chief Justice Vineet
Jhaveri Saran, who has been elevated to the
Supreme Court.
Harivansh Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha She was previously a member of
NCW. She was holding the
additional charge of chairperson
after Lalitha Kumaramangalam
stepped down from the position in
September 2017.
C B Ananthakrishnan Director (Finance) Hindustan Earlier, C B Ananthakrishnan was
Aeronautics Ltd the Executive Director (Finance) at
(HAL) HAL Corporate Office.
S Gurumurthy and Satish Directors(Part Time) Reserve Bank of They were appointed by Cabinet’s
Marathe India Appointments Committee for
a four-year term.
Akshay Kumar Singh Director (Pipelines) Indian Oil Corp He joined GAIL in 1985. He was
(IOC) made Executive Director (Project)
of GAIL in 2013.
S Gopakumar Director and General United India Earlier, S Gopakumar was Managing
Manager Insurance Director and Chief Executive Officer
Company of GIC Housing Finance Ltd.
Chanda Kochhar Director ICICI Securities.
Arun Jaitley Finance Minister India He replaced Minister for Railways

and Coal Piyush Goyal who was
appointed in May.
Anandiben Patel Governor Chhattisgarh He was Governor of Madhya
Pardesh
Ramesh Powar Head coach Women’s national He is former India spinner
26 | P a g e
cricket team by
BCCI
L.P.Kabir Mathur Head Abu Dhabi He is a former director with US
Investment fund KKR & Co. L.P.
Authority (ADIA)
Oscar Kerketta High Commissioner of Republic of Rwanda Oscar Kerketta is Additional
India Secretary in the Foreign Service
Institute (FSI)
Prashant Agrawal High Commissioner of Republic He is an Indian Foreign Service
India of Namibia (IFS) Officer of the 1998 batch. At
present he is Joint Secretary at
Headquarters.
Ruchi Ghanashyam High Commissioner of United Kingdom She succeeds YK Sinha who had
India assumed the charge as the Indian
High Commissioner in the UK in
December, 2016.
Subhash Sheoratan Independent Director Indiabulls Housing He is a former Deputy Governor of
Mundra Finance the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) till
July 2017.
Abhaya Prasad Hota Independent Director Indiabulls Ventures He is a former managing director at
the National Payments Corporation
of India (NPCI). He had worked with
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for
27 years.
KM Joseph, Indira Judges Supreme Court They were earlier posted as
Banerjee, Vineet Saran Uttarakhand High Court Chief
Justice KM Joseph,Madras High
Court Chief Justice Indira Banerjee
and Orissa HC Chief Justice Vineet
Saran
Egon Zehnder Knowledge Partner Indian Banks’ It will help to design, implement
International Association and institutionalise a flagship
leadership development strategy
for public sector banks in India.
Anurag Sachan Managing Director Dedicated Freight Sachan, a 1981-
Corridor batch officer of Indian Railway
Corporation of Service of Engineers (IRSE), is
India Ltd. (DFCCIL) at present Chief
Administrative Officer of
Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail
link project.
Prachi Mishra Managing director and Goldman Sachs She was the head of the strategic
chief India economist. research unit at the Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) from February 2016 to
May 2017. She was also a specialist
adviser at the RBI between
November 2014 and February
2016.
Ajay Data Member Country Code He has become the first Indian to be
Names Supporting made member of the Country Code
Organisation Names Supporting Organisation
(ccNSO) (ccNSO).
Aditya Member Central Board of Aditya Vikram is a 1981 batch
Vikram and Pramod Direct Taxes Indian Revenue Service (Income
Chandra Mody (CBDT) Tax) officer. He is the principal
director general (logistics) in
Delhi.Pramod Chandra Mody is a
27 | P a g e
1982 batch Indian Revenue Service

(Income Tax) officer. He is the
principal chief commissioner,
Mumbai.
Anil Kumar Pathak Member (Planning) Airports Authority Earlier, Anil Kumar Pathak was
of India (AAI) Executive Director of Planning and
Engineering at the headquarters.
R. G Anand Member National
Commission for
Protection of Child
Rights
Thothala Narayanasamy Non-Executive Canara Bank & Canara Bank: Thothala
Manoharan.Gopalaraman Chairman Bank of India Narayanasamy Manoharan.Bank of
Padmanabhan. India: Gopalaraman Padmanabhan.
Deepak Parekh Non-Executive HDFC J.J. Irani and Keki Mistry were
Director reappointment as directors to
HDFC’s board.Upendra Kumar
Sinha and Jalaj Ashwin Dani were
also appointed as independent
directors.
Akila Krishnakumar and Non- IndusInd Bank
Anil Tiwari executive independen
t directors
Uday Kumar Varma Secretary General Industry He will succeed DS Rawat.He is
chamber Assocham former Secretary, Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting,
Government of India.
Kalpana Sampat Senior Executive Vice- DHFL Pramerica Earlier, Kalpana Sampat was the
President & Chief Life Insurance Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re
Operating Officer (DPLI) India.
(COO)
Subrata Dutta Vice president South West Asian He is a vice president of All India
Football Federation Football Federation (AIFF)
(SWAFF)
International
Name Appointed as Entity/place Points to be noted
Satya S Tripathi Assistant United Nations He will succeed Elliott Harris of Trinidad and
Secretary General Environment Tobago.
and Head of the Programme
New York Office (UNEP)
Ehsan Mani Chairman Pakistan Najam Sethi quits from the post of Pakistan
Cricket Board Cricket Board chairman.
Lalchand Rajput Head coach Zimbabwe He is likely to remain in charge for the 2020
World T20 and beyond.He was earlier
appointed as the interim head coach of
Zimbabwe in May.
India President Asia-Pacific India won for the first time against Iran. Sri
Institute for Lanka was elected as vice-chair.
Broadcasting
Development
(AIBD)
Emmerson President Zimbabwe Earlier he was the Vice-President
28 | P a g e
Mnangagwa
Ivan Duque President Colombia He replaced Juan Manuel Santos and became
the youngest president in Colombia’s recent
history.
Ibrahim Boubacar President Mali He won 67 percent of the vote and defeated
Keita his opponent Soumaila Cisse in the
presidential election.
Mario Abdo Benítez President Paraguay He replaced Horacio Cartes.He belongs to the
conservative Colorado Party.
Scott Morrison Prime minister Australia He was serving as Australia’s treasurer. Josh
Frydenberg was sworn in as the treasurer
after Scott Morrison sworn in as P.M.
Other important Appointments

NASA names Sunita Williams, 8 others, for first space flights on commercial spacecraft
• Indian-origin U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams is among the 9 astronauts selected by NASA (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration) to fly the first missions into space on commercial spacecraft,
starting in 2019.The astronauts will launch on Boeing CST-100 Starliner and SpaceX Dragon capsules to
the International Space Station starting in 2019.
President Ram Nath Kovind appoints 7 new Governors; Satya Pal Malik replaces NN Vohra in J&K
• On August 21,President Ram Nath Kovind appointed Governors for seven States viz Bihar, Haryana,
Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand.
 Senior BJP leader Lal Ji Tondon has been appointed as the new Governor of Bihar.He Succeeds
Satyapal Malik.
 Satyadev Narayan Arya was appointed as the Governor of Haryana.He succeeds Kaptan Singh
Solanki.
 Bihar governor Satya Pal Malik was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir.He
replaces N.N.Vohra.
 Former Agra mayor and ex-member of National Commission for Women (NCW) Baby Rani
Maurya was appointed as the Governor of Uttarakhand.She Replaces K.K.Paul.
 Tripura governor Tathagata Roy has been appointed as Governor of Meghalaya.He replaces
Ganga Prasad.
 Governor of Meghalaya,Ganga Prasad has been appointed as Governor of Sikkim.He Succeeds
Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil.
 Haryana governor Kaptan Singh Solanki has been appointed as Governor of Tripura,He succeeds
Tathagata Roy.
NGT appointed ex-judge Justice SJ Vazifdar as chairman of panel to decide Vedanta’s plea challenging
closure of Sterlite copper plant
• On August 23, 2018, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has appointed retired judge S J Vazifdar as head
of a three-member committee.This decision was taken by a bench headed by chairperson A K Goel.He is
a former Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice
Resignation
Paresh Sukthankar resigned from HDFC Bank’s deputy managing director position
• On August 11, 2018, Paresh Sukthankar, deputy managing director of HDFC Bank resigned from his
post. Prior to joining HDFC Bank, he was at Citibank for nine years. He was recently appointed to
an RBI Committee for a medium-term action plan for improving financial inclusion.
Allahabad Bank MD & CEO sacked on last day in office
• On August 14, 2018, Allahabad Bank‘s MD and CEO Usha Ananthasubramanian was fired on her last day
in office. She had served as the CEO and Managing Director of PNB from 2015 to 2017.Before that, she
had also served as PNB’s Executive Director from 2011 to 2013.
29 | P a g e
Government accepts NHB MD Sriram Kalyanaraman’s resignation

• The government has accepted the resignation of National Housing Bank (NHB) Managing Director
Sriram Kalyanaraman.He was the first private sector candidate to be appointed as MD &CEO of NHB in
2015. He was appointed for a five-year term.
Infosys CFO MD Ranganath quits
• On 18th August 2018, Infosys’ Chief Financial Officer (CFO) MD Ranganath resigned from his position.
He has worked in the areas of consulting, finance, strategy, risk management and M&A. He has been
involved in formulating and executing strategic priorities for Infosys.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Name of Awards Award Winner Field Points to be noted
Shalaka Samman for Javed Akhtar lyricist The lyricist has also been honoured
2017-18 with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the
Padma Bhushan in 2007.He is also a
recipient of the Sahitya Akademi
Award in Urdu for his collection of
poems entitled Lava.
International K.Anvar Sadath Administrator He is the first Indian to receive this
Contributions Award award.He also won Science
Literature Award (2005)given by
the Kerala State Council for Science,
Technology and Environment
(KSCSTE), and he also received Dr.
C.P. Menon Memorial Award (2012).
Women in Business: Aruna At the 19th annual Indo-American
Making a Difference Vishwanathan Chamber of Commerce of Greater
Award Houston (IACCGH) gala, in Houston,
United States.Other 2 women are
Carlecia Wright (American),Jewel
Smith (American).
Most influential woman Marie Curie Physicist and Top 5 persons in the list are:Marie
in history by BBC Chemist Curie (Nobel Prize-winning
History Magazine scientist),Rosa Parks (US civil rights
activist),Emmeline Pankhurst
(leader of the British suffragette
movement),Ada Lovelace (early
computer programmer),Rosalind
Franklin (British chemist).
Hindu Playwright Annie Zaidi Writer For her play Untitled-1, at the launch
Award 2018 of the 14th edition of The Hindu
Theatre Fest at the Taj Coromandel,
in Chennai.
Shaurya Chakra Aditya Kumar Rifleman Sepoy Vrahma Pal Singh has been
Aurangzeb and Ma conferred with Kirti Chakra
jor posthumously.
Nao Sena Gallantary 6 women crew Nao Sena Gallantary medals were
medals members of Indian also announced for marine Lt Cdr
Naval Sailing Vessel Anil Raina and Kunal Saini for anti-
(INSV) Tarini insurgency operations.
India’s wealthiest Smitha Crishna She is Followed by Roshni Nadar,
women list for 2018,by Indu Jain.
Kotak Wealth-Hurun
Report.
30 | P a g e
2018 Albany Medical James Allison, Carl Scientists. It is the second-highest value prize
Center Prize June and Steven in medicine and biomedical
Rosenberg research, awarded by the Albany
Medical Center.
Legion of Merit (Degree Dalbir Singh Suhag Indian Army Its the second time that an Indian
of Commander) (Retired General) military officer has been awarded
this award. Earlier, General
Rajendrasinghji Jadeja was awarded
this in 1946.
WHO World No Tobacco S.K. Arora Health He was presented the award by
Day 2018 Sector(Delhi Henk Bekedam, WHO India country
government’s head.
additional director
of health)
24th Rajiv Gandhi Gopalkrishna Politician He received the award for
National Sadbhavana Gandhi promoting communal harmony and
Award peace. The award includes a citation
and a cash award of Rs 10 lakh.He
is former West Bengal Governor
2018 UEFA President’s David Beckham Footballer In recognition of his remarkable
Award career and humanitarian efforts.
J C Bose Fellowship of Appa Rao Podile Scientist, This fellowship has been awarded as
Department of Science Educator a recognition of his work in plant-
and Technology by the microbe interactions and induced
Government. resistance in plants.
Game Changer of the Indra Nooyi
Year title of the 2018
Asia Game Changer
Awards
world’s best bank for DBS Bank Bank It is the first Asian bank to receive
digital innovation the accolade.In 2017 ING Bank won
by Global the award.
Finance magazine
Praful Bidwai memorial Ulka Mahajan The award was presented to her by
award 2018 social activist Medha Patkar.
Fortune 500 list 2018 features 7 Indian companies; RIL tops in the Indian Private sector
• On August 2, 2018, 7 Indian companies have been listed in Fortune’s 500 list 2018 of world biggest
corporations.IOC is the highest ranked company from India followed by RIL which jumped 55 places &
ranked 148th .IOC ranked 137th in 2018 with a significant jump from 168th position from 2017.
President gives away Outstanding Parliamentarian awards from 2013-2017
• On 1st August 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind, presented the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award for
the years 2013-2017, in New Delhi.
Award Winner For the Year
Dr Najma Heptullah 2013
Hukum Dev Narayan 2014
Ghulam Nabi Azad 2015
Dinesh Trivedi 2016
Bhartruhari Mahtab 2017
Santhali: India’s first tribal language to get own Wikipedia edition in its own Ol Chiki script
• On August 12, 2018, Santhali has become the first Indian tribal language to get a Wikipedia edition in its
own script. Wikipedia contributors from India, Bangladesh and Nepal generated the content. The home
page of the Santhali edition of Wikipedia carries an article on Raghunath Murmu, who created the Ol
Chiki script.
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President’s Police Medal for Gallantry for CRPF Head Constable Mohd Tafail and CRPF Constable Sharief
Ud Din Ganaie
• On 14th August 2018, the government announced service medals for 942 state police and paramilitary
personnel for the upcoming 72nd Independence Day. Constable Sharief-ud-din Ganaie and Head
Constable Mohd Tafail of the CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) have been conferred the President’s
Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) posthumously.
Madhya Pradesh to have 3 awards after former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Shivraj Chouhan
• On August 19, 2018, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Chouhan announced that the state
government will name three awards after former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.One award will
be for poets (as former PM was also a poet).The second award will be for the outstanding contribution
in the field of journalism and the third award would be for good work in administration.
Assamese film ‘ Xhoixobote Dhemalite’ bags another award at US fest
• “Xhoixobote Dhemalite” (Rainbow fields), an Assamese film directed by Bidyut Kotoky has won an
award for screenplay at Treasure Coast International Film Festival in Florida.
Forbes Marshall Lanka winner of Golden Flame Award in the Sri Lanka National Efficiency Awards 2018
• On August 21, 2018, the Sri Lanka National Efficiency Awards 2018 commenced in Colombo. Forbes
Marshall won the Gold Flame Award in the Energy Efficiency Improvement category of the Best Energy
Services Companyfor its contribution to reduce energy use through energy management efforts.
Luka Modric named UEFA Player of the Year 2018: UEFA Awards
• On August 31, 2018, in the UEFA Awards, Croatia captain Luka Modric was voted the best player in
Europe. He also won the Midfielder of the Season. The best women’s player award was won by Pernille
Harder of Denmark and Wolfsburg.
Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das receive Bharatiya Manavata Vikas Puraskar given by Daily India Media
On 30th August 2018, actors Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das and 13 others were awarded the Bharatiya
Manavata Vikas Puraskar, in New Delhi. They were awarded for their contribution to the society and
their fight for equity, social justice and human welfare
Recognitions
Forbes released its 2018 top 10 highest paid lists:P.V. Sindhu,Akshay Kumar,Salman Khan ranked in top
10
• On August 23, 2018, Forbes released its top 10 highest list on different categories and professions.
Akshay Kumar has emerged as the seventh highest-paid actor in the world by earning $40.5 million in
2018. Salman Khan has been ranked in the ninth place with $38.5 million in the Top 10 highest paid
Actor while Indian badminton player P. V. Sindhu ranked in 7th place in the Top 10 highest paid Women
SportsPerson category.
World’s smallest medical robot sets Guinness record
• Scientists have made a new Guinness World Record by developing the world’s smallest medical
robot.The robot is only 120 nanometres in size. It would help in cancer and Alzheimer’s treatments in
the future.
Bolivian woman Julia Flores Colque might be world’s oldest at nearly 118
• Julia Flores Colque of Bolivia is 117 years and 10 months old. She would be the oldest woman in Bolivia
and the world.But a Guinness World Record on her as world’s oldest person has not been confirmed yet.
CONFERENCE/SUMMIT
No. Name of Summit/Conference Place Facts about the summit /conference
1 Nepal-India Think Tank Kathmandu, Nepal With an Objective to foster greater
collaboration and knowledge-sharing
among the think tanks of the two countries.
2 11th World Hindi Conference Mauritius Main theme of the Conference was “Hindi
(WHC) Vishwa Aur Bharatiy Sanskriti” (Hindi
World and Indian Culture).Click here to
read more
3 Investors’ Conference for the New Delhi The Conference is organized by NITI Aayog
32 | P a g e
Holistic Development of Islands along with the respective UT

Administration.
4 Sustainable Growth through New Delhi. It is inaugurated by the Union Minister of
Material Recycling: Policy Road Transport, Highways & Ganga
Prescriptions Rejuvenation, Shri. Nitin Gadkari .With an
Objective to Development and growth of
material recycling in India, creating jobs ,
reducing exports and protecting the
environment.
5 International Conference on Thanjavur The theme of the conference is: ‘Doubling
Recent Advances in Food Farmers Income through Food Processing’.
Processing Technology (iCRAFPT)
COMMITTEE/MEETING
No. Name of Committee/Meeting Place Facts about the summit
/conference
1 G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Argentina(Salta’s Fine Arts The theme for the 2018 meeting was
Meeting Museum, and Salta : ‘Building consensus for fair and
Convention sustainable development.
Centre in Salta)
2 First South Asian Association for Kathmandu, Nepal The theme of three-day Forum is
Regional Cooperation the ‘Organizing and Strengthening
(SAARC) Agri Cooperative Family Farmers’ Cooperatives to attain
Business Forum the Sustainable-Development-Goals-1
and 2 in South Asia’.
3 8th meeting of India-Kenya Joint Nairobi, Kenya India is one of Kenya’s largest trade
Trade Committee partners and the second largest foreign
investor in Kenya. Indians are the
third-largest group of tourists to
Kenya.
4 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Singapore Singapore’s proposal to convene a
Meeting Track 1.5 symposium on counter-
terrorism in October 2018 titled, “The
2018 Southeast Asia Counter-
Terrorism Symposium: A Collective
Approach” was accepted.
5 Asian electoral stakeholders Sri Lanka(Colombo) The Theme of AESF-IV was ‘Advancing
forum (AESF-IV) Election Transparency and Integrity:
Advertising and marketing and
Defending Democracy Together’
RANKINGS
India in Rankings
Index/Report/Field Position Points to be noted
Global Innovation Index 57 The theme for GII 2018
2018 (GII- 2018) is: “Energizing the World with
Innovation”
33 | P a g e
States/Cities in Ranking
Index/Report/Field Position Points to be noted
N-SIPI (State Investment Delhi Delhi has topped the list and has
Potential Index) series by replaced Gujarat.
economic think-tank NCAER Top 10 Positions:
1.Delhi,2.TamilNadu,3.Gujarat,
4.Haryana,5.Maharashtra,6.Ker
ala,7.Andhra
Pradesh,8.Telangana,9.Karnata
ka,10.WestBengal.
Air quality index (AQI) by Gurugram(Most polluted
Central Pollution Control city)
Board (CPCB)
Ease of Living Index 2018 Pune It is followed by Navi
Mumbai,Greater
Mumbai,Tirupati.The survey was
carried out in 111 cities in India.
Vienna tops to be the world’s most liveable city: Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index
2018
• On August 14, 2018, Vienna for the first time topped the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability
Index as ‘world’s most pleasant city to live in’. Earlier the 1st spot was owned by Melbourne, Australia
seven times which now ranked at 2nd spot. Osaka, Calgary and Sydney ranked 3rd, 4th and 5th.Among
Indian Cities,New Delhi tops the Index by attaining 112th Position,Mumbai Ranks next
at 117th Position.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Cabinet approved LIC-IDBI deal of LIC acquiring 51% stake at IDBI Bank
• On August 1,2018, The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi , cleared the purchase
of 51 per cent controlling stake in IDBI bank by state-run insurer Life Insurance Corporation (LIC).
According to the deal the bank will get Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 13,000 crore depending on the share price.
Paytm acquired Bengaluru-based Balance Technology
• On August 11, 2018, digital payments major Paytm acquired Bengaluru-based savings management
start-up, Balance Technology, for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is expected to be about $2
million.This would enhance its user and merchant interfaces with customised and intuitive user
experiences.
Walmart completes acquisition of 77% stake in Flipkart for $16 bn
• On August 19, 2018, Walmart and Flipkart announced the completion of the $16-billion deal.Walmart
now holds 77 per cent stake in the Indian firm.Walmart will appoint five members to the eight-member
board of Flipkartout of which 2 will be independent directors.
Tapzo acquired by Amazon in a $35-40 million deal
• On August 30, 2018, Amazon announced that Amazon Pay, the payments arm of Amazon India, will
acquire Sequoia-backed Tapzo. The deal values at about $35-40 million.Tapzo has so far raised over $20
million from Sequoia Capital and American Express Co.
India’s largest mobile operator Vodafone Idea Ltd merger completed
• On August 31, 2018, Idea Cellular and Vodafone completed their merger of India operations. This deal is
valued at roughly a $23 billion (roughly Rs. 1.6 lakh crores). The name of the merged entity is: Vodafone
Idea LTd
34 | P a g e
DEFENCE
Exercise Maitree: Annual Joint military exercise between Indian Army and Royal Thai Army conducted
between 06 to 19 August 2018 in Thailand
• On August 7, 2018, the opening ceremony of Exercise Maitree, a joint military exercise between Indian
Army and Royal Thai Army , was held in Chachoengsao province , Thailand. It will be conducted
between August 6-19th 2018.
“Pacific Endeavor-2018 (PE-18)” started in Kathmandu, Nepal
• On 6th August 2018, Pacific Endeavor-2018 (PE-18), a communication exercise under the Multinational
Communications Interoperability Program (MCIP) begun in Kathmandu, Nepal. Main objective: to
develop common communications operating procedures to enable military forces in the Asia Pacific
region to work together in times of disaster.
Curtain Raiser: Exercise SCO Peace Mission 2018
• From 22nd August to 29th August 2018, SCO Peace Mission Exercise 2018 will be conducted by Central
Military Commission of Russia at Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk, Russia. India is participating for the first time
in the exercise after becoming a full member of the SCO in June 2017.
First-ever IAF-RMAF joint air exercise begins in Malaysia
• On August 20 2018, The first-ever joint air exercise involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the the
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) commenced at Subang Air Base in Malaysia. This is the inaugural
bilateral exercise between IAF & RMAF.
Iran unveils first domestic fighter jet:Kowsar
• On August 21,2018 Iran unveiled its first domestic fighter jet “Kowsar” which means river in paradise in
Islam,at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Tehran,which is 100 percent indigenously made.
Barak 8: India-Israel missile defence system to be procured by Israeli Navy
• The multi-purpose Barak 8 missile defence system, jointly developed by India and Israel, will be
procured by the Israeli Navy. It is referred to as Barak-8 by Israel and LR-SAM (long-range surface-to-
air missile) by India. It has variants with maximum ranges of 70km and 150km.
India successfully tests indigenously developed Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’
• On 19th August 2018, India successfully flight tested the indigenously developed helicopter
launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile(ATGM) ‘HELINA’ from Army helicopter in Pokhran, Rajasthan.
HeliNA (Helicopter-launched Nag) is helicopter launched version known of NAG ATGM.The Strike
Range of HeliNa is range of 7–8 km.
India successfully tests indigenously developed Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW)
• On 19th August 2018, the indigenously designed and developed guided bombs Smart Anti Airfield
Weapon (SAAW) was also successfully flight tested from IAF (Indian Air Force) aircraft at Chandan
range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. SAAW can destroy various ground targets through precision navigation.
‘Speedex’ Contract launched by IAF for speedy delivery of consignments
• On August 25, 2018, Air Marshal RKS Shera, Air Officer-in-charge Maintenance, IAF formally
launched The Stores, Proactive, Efficient and Expeditious Despatch of Extra Size/ Wt
Consignment (SPEEDEX) contract. The theme of the contract is : ‘lift, shift and move’ , that on all
principles of Military Logistics.
DAC clears procurement proposal worth over Rs 46,000 cr for services for Indian Army and Navy
• On August 27, 2018, Defence Acquisition Council, DAC chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman approved approximately 46,000 crore rupees for procurement of services.These
include:procurement of 111 Utility Helicopters for the Indian Navy at a cost of over 21,000
crore rupees, 150 Indigenously Designed and Developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems for
the Indian Army at a cost of around 3,365 core rupees.
SCO military drill in Russia from 22-29 August: Indian,Pakistani troops take part for the first time
• On August 22, 2018, for the first time, the militaries of India and Pakistan are taking part in a mega anti-
terror drill of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) named The Peace Mission 2018 in Russia.
Indian Navy’s Biggest Ship, INS Vikramaditya will get an upgrade for Its Air Wing by Russian company
35 | P a g e
• On August 24, 2018, India’s only aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will be upgraded and fitted with a
marine hydraulic system to boost the air operations of the ship for the first time. Hydraulics technology
uses fluid pressure to power machines and the systems to be installed are named “GS-1MF” and “GS-3”.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Mobile apps/portal Launched by Purpose
FOCAL(Forum of Cargo- The Inland Waterways Authority of To connect cargo owners and shippers with
Owners and Logistics- India (IWAI) real time data on availability of vessels.
Operators)
“WOW” (Wellness of Women’s wing of Federation of This platform allows users to talk to doctors
Women) Indian Chamber of Commerce and through video conferencing or connect with
Industry them via voice or email.
Shaur Nahin Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister With an Objective to stop unnecessary noise
Jai Ram Thakur pollution.
Swachh Manch web portal Shri Hardeep S Puri, Minister of
State (I/C), Housing & Urban
Affairs
Bidder Information Minister for Road Transport & They are aimed at expediting pre
Management System Highways, Shipping, Water construction processes relating to bidding
(BIMS) and Bhoomi Rashi Resources, River Development and and land acquisition.
and PFMS linkage. Ganga Rejuvenation Shri Nitin
Gadkari
Mycall & DND 2.0 Telecom Regulatory Authority of With an Objective to reach out to the
India consumers and to safeguard their interests.
Niryat Mitra Union Minister of Commerce & It provides wide range of information
Industry and Aviation Suresh required to undertake international trade. It
Prabhu will help promote export in the country and
increase the ease of doing business.
E-pay,e-courts services, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. e-courts services: e-filing along with user
NSTEP manual,E-pay : making digital
payments,NSTEP (National Service and
Tracking of Electronic Processes): service of
judicial notices.
Dial 100 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister To help the needy at the time of emergency.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
UPI version 2.0 RBI Governor Urjit Patel The new version has been developed by
the National Payments Corporation of India
(NPCI).It will allow the customers to use
overdraft limit for making payments for
merchants.
Neta app Former President Pranab It will enable users to rate their MLAs and
Mukherjee MPs. It is billed as an instrument to measure
voter sentiment in Indian constituencies.The
app is developed by Pratham Mittal, a 27-
year-old entrepreneur.
2Gud Flipkart For refurbished goods, including mobile
phones, laptops and tablets.It is aimed to
bring affordability, accessibility and
availability to the refurbished market.
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Navlekha Google Navlekha, which means ‘a new way to write’

in Sanksrit. Project Navlekha has been
launched to enable Indian publishers of
regional languages to publish their content
online, without facing the trouble of selling
printed copies.
Other Science and Technology News of National & International
Chinese researchers ‘create’ world’s first single-chromosome yeast
• Chinese scientists have created the first single-chromosome yeast without affecting the majority of its
functions. Molecular biologists at the Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, China used
CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing to develop a single-chromosome yeast strain.
Rashmi: India’s first humanoid robot, can speak Hindi, Bhojpuri, Marathi
• Ranjit Srivastava has developed Rashmi, India’s first humanoid robot, which can speak Hindi, Bhojpuri,
Marathi and English.He uses linguistic interpretation (LI), artificial intelligence (AI), visual data and
facial recognition systems. It gives facial, eye, lips, and eyebrow expressions. It can move its neck.
China successfully tests first hypersonic aircraft: Xingkong-2 or Starry Sky-2
• On 3rd August 2018, China successfully tested “Xingkong-2” or “Starry Sky-2”, its first waverider
hypersonic aircraft that could carry nuclear warheads and penetrate any current generation anti-
missile defence systems.
ISRO’S 5700kg GSAT-11 satellite the heaviest one will launch from French Guiana’sspaceport in
November 30,2018.
• On August 7, 2018, ISRO announced that it would launch the heaviest communication satellite GSAT -11
from French Guiana onNovember 30, 2018.This satellite weighs over 5.7 tonnes or 5700 kg .It will be
launched from the European spaceport Arianespace.This will help in increasing internet speed of the
country of 14 gigabit per second data transfer speed.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe: World’s first mission to touch the Sun lifts off
• On 12th August 2018, NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, the world’s first mission to touch the Sun, was
launched from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, in United States. The
Parker Solar Probe was carried by a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket.
Chandrayaan-2 Lander to be named ‘Vikram’ after the father of Indian space programme
• On August 13, 2018, the Space Commission has approved ISRO’s proposal of naming
the Chandrayaan-2 lander ‘Vikram’ after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian space
programme. Sarabahi was awarded (posthumously) the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, Padma
Bhushan in 1966 and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar medal in 1962.
Fateh Mobin: Iran’s next generation short-range ballistic missile
• On 13th August 2018, Iran has successfully test fired and unveiled the latest generation of its
Fateh ballistic missile named Fateh Mobin or Bright Conqueror. It is a short-range ballistic
missile.It has a range between 300-500 kilometers.It is capable of striking targets on land and
sea.
Aditya – L1: First Indian mission to study the Sun to be launched in 2019
• ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission, India’s first mission to study the solar corona, is planned to be launched in
2019-2020, by Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-XL) from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
World’s most wear-resistant metal alloy created by US Scientists; 100 times more durable than steel
• On August 19, 2018, a platinum-gold alloy has been engineered by US scientists from Sandia National
Laboratories, that may be the most wear-resistant metal in the world.
International team of scientists including 18 Indians decode complex wheat genome
• On August 19 2018, A team of international researchers have decoded the wheat genome. Eighteen
Indian scientists from that team played a crucial role in cracking the genetic code of wheat – the world’s
most widely cultivated crop.
World’s first 4D printing for ceramics developed
• On August 20 2018,Scientists have developed the world’s first 4D printing for ceramics, that can be
used to create complex, shape-changing objects.
Chandrayaan-I data confirms presence of ice on Moon: NASA
• NASA informed that Scientists have found frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the
Moon’s polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft, that was launched by India ten
years ago.
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European wind survey satellite “Aeolus” launched from French Guyana

• On August 23, 2018, Europe launched a rocket named “Aeolus” from French Guyana. It is the
world’s first space mission to acquire profiles of Earth’s wind on a global scale. Aeolus is the fifth of the
ESA’s planned Earth Explorer missions.
IIT-Hyderabad launches First of its kind in India, Fabless Chip Design Incubator (FabCI)
• On 21st August 2018, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, announced the launch of Fabless Chip
Design Incubator (FabCI) exclusively for startups in chip design.FabCI is said to be the first-of-its-kind
in India. It focuses on developing an ecosystem for supporting startups in chip design.
Researchers develop “ReMix”, an ‘in-body GPS’ system to track tumours
• Scientists have developed a wireless ‘in-body GPS’ system named “ReMix” that can accurately locate
ingestible implants and track tumours inside the body. ReMix could be used in proton therapy, a type of
cancer treatment through bombardment of tumours with beams of magnet-controlled protons.
EU-India join hands to develop new Influenza vaccine:“Horizon 2020”
• On 28th August 2018, Indian government and the European Union (EU) partnered for Rs. 240
crore research programme to develop a Next Generation Influenza Vaccine to protect people
throughout the world.The first information event was held in New Delhi on 27th August 2018.
NASA’s 2 virtual reality apps: NASA Selfies app and NASA’s Exoplanet Excursions, lets you click selfies
with galaxies
• NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has designed 2 virtual reality applications
named: NASA Selfies app and NASA’s Exoplanet Excursions, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the
Spitzer Space Telescope.The NASA’s Exoplanet Excursions takes the users on a virtual guided tour of
the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system.
BeiDou 3: Twin navigation satellites aboard Long March-3B carrier rocket launched by China
• On August 26, 2018,China successfully sent twin BeiDou 3,navigation satellites into the space on
the Long March-3B carrier rocket from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan
Province.This was the 283rd mission of the Long March-3B carrier rocket.
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft catches its first image of its target Bennu asteroid
• NASA’s OSIRIS-Rex (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith
Explorer), an asteroid sampling spacecraft, caught its first image of asteroid Bennu, last week after a 2-
year journey.OSIRIS-REx is the first mission of NASA to visit a near-Earth asteroid. It will survey the
surface, collect a sample and deliver it to Earth.
NASA set to launch Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) to track Earth’s melting ice
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will launch Ice, Cloud and land Elevation
Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) in to the space on 12th September 2018, to measure the changes in the heights of
Earth’s polar ice.
Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO unveils plans for India’s manned space flight mission
• On 28th August 2018, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), unveiled India’s Gaganyaan
programme for manned space flight that will be launched by 2022. It will be executed using GSLV Mk-III
launch vehicle. India will be the 4th country after the USA, Russia and China to send humans to space.
Google Tez rebranded as Google Pay; ties up with banks to offer instant loans
• Google has rebranded its payment app Google Tez to Google Pay to improve its growth in India to add
more features. Google has partnered with 4 banks: HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, ICICI Bank and
Federal Bank, to enable instant disbursement of pre-approved loans to user’s account.
Jupiter’s Great Red Spot reveals signs of water: NASA
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) scientists have detected signs of water above
Jupiter’s deepest clouds. This will supplement the information collected by NASA’s Juno spacecraft as it
circles Jupiter from north to south once every 53 days.
ENVIRONMENT
World’s oldest cheese discovered from Egyptian Tomb
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• World’s oldest cheese was found in the tomb of Ptahmes, mayor of Memphis in Egypt during the 13th
century BC. His tomb was first unearthed in 1885. It was lost under drifting sand, and was rediscovered
in 2010. Archeologists found a jar with a solidified whitish mass inside the tomb.
99 million-year-old beetle trapped in amber discovered in Myanmar
• On August 19, 2018, Scientists discovered a two-millimeter-long beetle trapped in amber that dates
back to 99 million year. The study published in the journal Current Biology.
Never-Before-Seen Megalithic Mass Grave From 5,000 Years Ago Discovered in Kenya
• It was 5,000 years ago. In Africa’s shifting environment, an early society came together on the shores of
Kenya’s Lake Turkana, and they built something so rare and remarkable.The mortuary cavity of a
platform mound measuring 30 metres (almost 100 ft) in diameter, an estimated minimum of 580
individuals was buried – including men, women, children, and the elderly.
The Oldest, Thickest Arctic Sea Ice Is Breaking For the First Time on Record
• Some of the oldest and thickest sea ice in the Arctic Sea has broken down for the first time in recorded
history. As per NASA data, September Arctic sea ice, which is usually its lowest, is reducing at a rate of
13.2 % per decade.
Three unknown ancient primates: Ekwiiyemakius walshi, Gunnelltarsius randalli and Brontomomys
cerutti identified
• Scientists from United States have identified 3 new species of ancient primates that were earlier
unknown, and have named them: Ekwiiyemakius walshi, Gunnelltarsius randalli and Brontomomys
cerutti.
SPORTS
Badminton
BWF World Championships 2018
• From 30th July to 5th August 2018, BWF World Championships 2018 also known as TOTAL BWF World
Championships 2018 was held at Nanjing Youth Olympic Games Sports Park in Nanjing,
China. Mascot: was named “Yu Bao”.Click here to read more.
2018 Vietnam Open (badminton)
• From 7th to 12th August 2018, the 2018 Vietnam Open officially known as YONEX-SUNRISE Vietnam
Open 2018, was held at Nguyen Du Cultural Sports Club in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Event Winner Runner-Up
Men’s Singles Shesar Hiren Rhustavito (Indonesia) Ajay Jayaram (India)
Women’s Yeo Jia Min (Singapore) Han Yue (China)
Singles
Men’s Doubles Ko Sung-hyun, Shin Baek-cheol (South Lee Sheng-mu, Yang Po-hsuan
Korea) (Chinese Taipei)
Women’s Misato Aratama, Akane Watanabe Nami Matsuyama,Chiharu Shida
Doubles (Japan) (Japan)
Mixed Doubles Nipitphon Phuangphuapet, Savitree Alfian Eko Prasetya, Marsheilla
Amitrapai (Thailand) Gischa Islami (Indonesia)
Cricket
Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson announced retirement from all forms of cricket
• On August 19, 2018, 36-year-old Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson retire from all forms of
cricket.He retired from international cricket during the Test series against New Zealand in Perth in
November 2015.
Emirates Cricket Board to host 2018 Asia Cup: BCCI
• On August 17, 2018, BCCI officially handed over its hosting rights to the Emirates Cricket Board for the
upcoming Asia Cup 2018.The tournament would be held from September 15 to 28 in Abu Dhabi and
Dubai.Countries participating in the event are :Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
.They will be joined by a sixth team — the winner of the Asian Cricket Council qualifier event.
Rishabh Pant becomes fourth Indian wicket-keeper to take five catches on Test debut
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• On 19th August 2018, Rishabh Pant became the 4th Indian wicket-keeper to take 5 catches on Test
debut during the second day of the third cricket Test against England, in Nottingham, England. Other
Indians who had achieved this feat of taking 5 catches on Test debuts: Naren Tamhane, Kiran More and
Naman Ojha.
Veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami retires from T20Is
• Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami has announced her retirement from Twenty-20 Internationals
(T20Is).She will only play ODIs hereafter.She represented India in 68 T20Is and has taken 56 wickets at
an economy rate of 5.45.At present, she is the leading wicket-taker in the women’s ODI format. She is
also the first woman cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets.
Pakistan’s Mohammed Irfan bowls 23 Dot Balls, sets record for Most Economical Spell in T20 history
• On August 27, 2018, Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Irfan set the world record for the most
economical four-over bowling figures in the history of T20 cricket.This record was previously shared
by South Africa’s Chris Morris and Sri Lanka’s Chanaka Welegedara.
Virat Kohli becomes second-fastest Indian to score 6000 Test runs
• On 31st August 2018, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli became the second-fastest Indian to score 6,000
runs in Test cricket.He has achieved this feat in his 119th Test. The fastest Indian to reach the 6,000-run
mark was Sunil Gavaskar, who made it in 117 innings.
James Anderson becomes 1st bowler to take 100 wickets at Lord’s
• On 12th August 2018, English cricketer James Anderson became the first player to take 100 wickets at
Lord’s. He took the wicket of Murali Vijay in the second over of India’s second innings to achieve this
feat. Also, this was his 550th Test wicket.
Football
WAFF(West Asian Football Federation Cup) Under16 2018 title: Indian team won the title by defeating
Iraq
• Under-16 team of India defeated Iraq by 1-0,held in Amman,Jordon.The sole goal in the Under 16 team
was given by Bhuvenesh.This win goes down in history Since,India had won for the first time against
Iraq in any football format and in any age group.
Germany’s Mario Gomez retired from international football
• On August 7, 2018, Veteran German striker Mario Gomez announced his retirement from international
football . He scored 31 goals in 78 international appearances.He also represented his country at the
FIFA World Cup in 2010 and 2018 and the Euro Cup in 2008 and 2012.
David Silva : Spanish International Player and Manchester City Midfielder retired
• On August 15, 2018, Manchester City midfielder 32 year old David Silva announced his retirement from
international football. He is also known as “Spain’s Lionel Messi”.He was in the Spanish team which won
the 2010 World Cup as well as the 2008 and 2010 European Championships.
COTIF Cup(under-20):Argentina Won the Tournament by defeating Russia
• On August 8,Argentina’s U-20 football team won COTIF Tournament,held at Valencia, Spain
by defeating Russian team in the Extra Time by 2-1 goals.Indian team won over Argentina in the final
group stage match,which held on August 5th, 2018 by 2-1 & Created History by defeating the 6 time
Champion.
Lionel Messi assumes Barcelona captaincy
• On 10th August 2018, Lionel Messi was made the captain of Barcelona football team. Sergio Busquets
and Gerard Pique will be his lieutenants. Lionel Messi will lead the team in the Spanish SuperCup.He has
won the prestigious Ballon d’Or award five times.
India improve to world no 96 in FIFA rankings
• On 16th August 2018, Indian football team improved a rank and secured 96th position in the latest FIFA
world rankings,they share the 96th position with Georgia.Top 5 countries are,
Rank Country
1 France
2 Belgium
3 Brazil
4 Croatia
5 Uruguay
2018 SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship (football)
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• From 9th to 18th August 2018, the 2018 SAFF U-15 Women’s Championship was held at Changlimithang
Stadium, in Bhutan. Six countries participated: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Indian U-15 women’s team emerged as champions of the SAFF U-15 Championship.
FIFA takes control of Uruguayan football association (AUF)
• FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) has taken temporary control over the
Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) due to governance issues. Uruguay campaigns with Argentina
and Paraguay to host the 2030 Football World Cup.
Japan wins its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in France (Football)
• On 24th August 2018, Japan won its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title at the La Rabine Stadium
in Vannes, France. Japan defeated Spain 3-1 in the final and won its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World
Cup.England defeated France 4-2 and finished in the third position.
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy and Chelsea defender Gary Cahill Retires from England international
Football Team
• On 28th August 2018, Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill announced their retirement from England
international Football Team.Jamie Vardy is a striker with Leicester City team. He is 31 years old. He
entered international football in 2015. He had scored 7 goals in 26 appearances for England.Gary Cahill
is a defender in the Chelsea team. He is 32 years old. He made his international debut in 2010.
Japan wins its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title in France (Football)
• On 24th August 2018, Japan won its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title at the La Rabine Stadium
in Vannes, France. Japan defeated Spain 3-1 in the final and won its first FIFA U-20 Women’s World
Cup.England defeated France 4-2 and finished in the third position.
Tennis
Karman Kaur Thandi became the sixth Indian woman tennis player to crack the top-200 rankings in
singles; ranked 200th in WTA
• On August 3, 2018, Karman Kaur Thandi became the sixth Indian woman tennis player to crack the top-
200 rankings in singles in the WTA chart.She is now ranked 200.
Los Cabos Open 2018
• From 30th July to 4th August 2018, Los Cabos Open 2018 also known as the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis
Mifel presentado por Cinemex was held in Los Cabos, Mexico. Italy’s Fabio Fognini won the men’s
singles title. El Salvador’s Marcelo Arévalo and Mexico’s Miguel Ángel Reyes-Varela won the men’s
doubles title.
Rafael Nadal maintains 1st spot in ATP rankings
• Rafael Nadal maintained his top position in the men’s Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world
singles rankings released on 6th August 2018.Followed by Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev.
Washington Open (tennis) 2018
• From 28th July to 5th August 2018, Washington Open (tennis) 2018 or Citi Open 2018 was held at Rock
Creek Park Tennis Center in Washington DC, United States.Winners of Washington Open (tennis):
Event Winner Runner-up
Men’s Singles Alexander Zverev (Germany) Alex de Minaur (Australia)
Women’s Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) Donna Vekić (Croatia)
Singles
Men’s Singles Jamie Murray (United Kingdom), Mike Bryan (United States), Édouard
Bruno Soares (Brazil) Roger-Vasselin (France)
Women’s Han Xinyun (China), Darija Jurak Alexa Guarachi (Chile), Erin Routliffe
Doubles (Croatia) (New Zealand)
ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament in Indonesia
• From 6th August to 12th August 2018, ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament was held in Indonesia.
Event Winner Runner
Men’s Singles Niki Kaliyanda Michael Look (AUS)
Poonacha (IND)
Men’s Doubles Justin Francis Casey
Barki (INA) / Christopher Alcantara (PHI) / Kaito
Rungkat (INA) Uesugi (JPN)
Cincinnati Masters 2018 or Western & Southern Open 2018
41 | P a g e
• Cincinnati Masters also called Western & Southern Open for the year 2018 took place at the Lindner
Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, a northern suburb of Cincinnati, in the United States.
Name of the title Winner Runner
Men’s single Novak Djokovic of Swizerland’s Roger Federer
serbia
Women’s single Kiki Bertens of Romania’s Simona Halep
Netherland
Men’s Doubles Brazil’s Bruno Soares Colombia’s Juan Sebastian
and United Kingdom’s Cabal and Robert Farah
Jamie Murray
Women’s Doubles Czech Republic’s Lucie Belgium’s Elise Mertens and
Hradecka and Russia’s Netherland’s Demi Schuurs
Ekaterina Makarova
Other Sports News

World Junior Squash Championships 2018 held in Chennai, India
• From 18th to 29th July 2018, World Junior Squash Championships 2018 was held in Chennai,
India. Egypt national junior squash team defeated England 2-0 in the final and emerged as the 2018
World Junior Squash Champions. India finished in 11th position.
Event Winner Runner-up
Men’s Individual Mostafa Asal (Egypt) Marwan Tarek (Egypt)
Women’s Individual Rowan Elaraby (Egypt) Hania El Hammamy(Egypt)
Men’s Team Egypt England
Asian Nations Cup Chess Tournament 2018
• On July 28th to August 3, 2018, the biennial Asian Nations Cup Chess Tournament was held in Hamadan,
Iran. It was organized by Iran Chess Federation on behalf of Asian Chess Federation. India
won 5 medals: 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze.India ranked 2nd in the overall ranking.
FIH rankings: Indian men’s hockey team jumps one spot to 5th
• Indian men’s hockey team has improved one rank and has reached the 5th spot and Australia topped the
chart in the latest FIH rankings chart released on 7th August 2018. In the women’s rankings, the Indian
team improved one spot to and reached 9th position. Netherlands remained in the top position of
women’s FIH rankings. It is followed by England, Australia, Argentina and Germany.
Tokyo 2020: First Olympics to deploy facial recognition technology to increase security
• On August 8, 2018, it was announced that the Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympics to deploy facial
recognition technology to increase security.The Olympic organizers have partnered with NEC, a
Japanese telecommunications and information technology firm, to develop the first system of this kind.
Hong Kong Junior Open Championship 2018
• From 8th August to 11th August 2018, the Hong Kong Junior Open Championship 2018 was held at
Discovery Bay Golf Club in Hong Kong. Hitaashee Bakshi won the Hong Kong Junior Golf Championship
title in the girls 13-14 years age category.Kartik Sharma finished second and Sunhit Bishnoi finished
third in the Boys 15-17 years age category.
Viraj Madappa becomes youngest Indian golfer to win on Asian tour
• On 12th August 2018, Indian golfer Viraj Madappa became the youngest Indian to win on the Asian
Tour, as he won his first title on the Asian Tour at Take Solutions Masters in Bengaluru. He is 20 years
old and has become the youngest Indian to win on the Asian Tour.Earlier this record was held by
Gaganjeet Bhullar.
TNPL 2018 Final: Madurai Panthers win first title with dominant win over Dindigul Dragons
• On 12th August 2018, Madurai Panthers won their first Tamil Nadu Premier League 2018 title, at the
MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Madurai Panthers’ Arun Karthik scored his sixth fifty of this
season and remained the highest run scorer in the tournament.
Odisha is to host 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup for the First Time
• Odisha for the First time is Organizing the 2018 Men’s Hockey World Cup,which will be the 14th edition
of the Hockey World Cup field hockey tournament.It is scheduled to be held from 28 November to 16
December 2018, at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India.
Kho-Kho gets recognition from Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)
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• Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has given recognition to Kho-Kho, India’s indigenous sport. This was
announced at the General Assembly of the OCA on 19th August 2018. Kho-Kho will be included as a
demonstration sport in the Asian Indoor Games.
Manu Ginobili, four-time NBA champion with San Antonio Spurs, retires at 41 (basketball)
• On 27th 2018, Manu Ginobili, Argentine basketball player, announced his retirement from
basketball.Ginobili helped the Spurs win NBA titles in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014.He also was a gold
medalist with Argentina in 2004 and won EuroLeague Finals most valuable player honors in 2001. He
was a two-time All-Star and was the league’s Sixth Man of the Year for the 2007-08 season.
Asian Games 2018

• 18th Asian Games also known as Jakarta-Palembang 2018 held from 18 August to 2 September 2018.
India finishes with biggest ever medal tally of 69 Medals.Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was the flag
bearer for India at the opening ceremony of the Games.And Indian women’s hockey team captain Rani
Rampal was selected as India’s flag-bearer for the closing ceremony.Click here to read more.
Sports/Tournament/title Winner Points to be noted

Hungarian Grand Prix Lewis This is the 67th career victory for Lewis
Hamilton of Mercedes Hamilton. Daniel Ricciardo was
named Driver of the Day by Formula
One for finishing at fourth position after
starting from the 12th position.
European Tour title Gaganjeet Bhullar Australia’s Anthony Quayle finished in the
second position. South Africa’s Ernie Els
finished at tied third with Australia’s Ben
Campbell. Another Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu
finished at tied 43rd position.
Women’s Hockey World Cup The Netherlands Netherlands defeated Ireland 6-0 in the
2018,Netherland finals.The Netherlands have emerged as
the world champions in Women’s hockey
for a record 8th time.
Toronto Masters title Rafael Nadal He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 7-6
(7/4).
Abu Dhabi Masters Nihal Sarin He became India’s 53rd Grandmaster
(GM)
2018 UCI Junior Track Cycling World Esow Alben He won India’s first medal (a silver medal).
Championships in Aigle, Switzerland. Czech Republic’s Jakub Stastny won gold
medal.
FIFA eWorld Cup Saudi Arabia’s He defeated Belgium’s Stefano Pinna 4-0
Mosaad Aldossary on aggregate in the two-legged FIFA
eWorld Cup Grand Final.
Belgian Grand Prix 2018 at Spa- Sebastian Vettel Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished in the
Francorchamps Track in Belgium second position. He was followed by Red
Bull’s Max Verstappen in the third
position.
BOOKS & AUTHORS

Book Name Author Other Information
‘Jewellery’, ‘Ghats of Jewellery’ was written Minister of state for Culture (I/C), Dr. Mahesh
Banaras’and ‘Untold Story by Dr. Gulab Sharma released the book.
of Broadcasting’ Kothari, Ghats of
Banaras’ was written
by Dr. Sachidanand
Joshi and ‘Untold Story
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of Broadcasting’ was
written by Dr. Gautam
Chatterjee.
Bebak Baat Vijay Goel Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu released the book
Exam Warriors Narendra Modi It was earlier released in English and Hindi in
February 2018. Union Minister for Oil and Natural
Gas Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Odia
edition of the book.
No Spin Shane Warne Shane Warne plan to release his extraordinary
cricketing career and his life off the pitch besides
unveiling several unknown facts in his
autobiography ‘No Spin ‘which will be published on
October 2018.
281 and Beyond VVS Laxman
Sea Prayer Khaled Hosseini A tribute to Alan Kurdi.Earlier “Sea Prayer” was
produced in collaboration with UNHCR (United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and
released as a Guardian virtual film on 1st September
2017.
Atal Ji Ne Kaha Brijendra Rehi This is a book on former Indian Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee was launched by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi.
Weather Information R K Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and New
Portal for Indian Power & Renewable Energy released this book in Power
System System Operation Corporation limited (POSOCO),
New Delhi.
OBITUARY
NATIONAL
Name of the person Field Points to be noted
who passed away
Krishna Shripadrao library scientist The state government had honoured him with the
Deshpande Rajyotsava award.He is also the recipient of the
prestigious Kaula-Ranganath award.
Rajinder Kumar Dhawan Politician He is former Congress MP.He was personal secretary
to Indira Gandhi when she was Prime Minister of India
from 1962 to 1984.
Mony K. Mathew Senior financial He was a senior assistant editor at The Hindu
journalist BusinessLine.He had worked with The Indian Express
and The Financial Express before joining The Hindu
BusinessLine.
M Karunanidhi Politician He was a Chief Minister in 1969,1971,1989,1996 &
2006.Maanavanesan was his first manuscript
magazine.In 1971 he created history by winning 184
Assembly constituencies.
Sumatheendra R. Nadig Kannada writer, poet, He had won the Karnataka Sahitya Academy award 3
critic and translator times in 1994, 1997 and 1999. He had also received
other awards like Karnataka Rajyotsava Prashasti,
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Dinakara Pratisthana Prashasti, V.M. Inamdar

Prashasti, and M.V. Si. Puraksara.
Somnath Chatterjee Politician He was a barrister by profession.He was given the

“Outstanding Parliamentarian Award” in 1996.He was
a former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and 10 time MP
Balramji Dass Tandon Politician In 1953, he became a Corporator in Amritsar Municipal
Corporation. He was a six-time MLA.He was also
deputy chief minister of Punjab.He is Governor of
Chhattisgarh.
Hakam Singh Athlete He had won gold medal in 20 km race walk event at the
1978 Asian at Bangkok and created a new Record.He
received the Dhyan Chand Award in 2008.
Chemmanam Chacko Poet He had won several awards, including those by the
Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Sanjayan Award, Kunjan
Nambiar Kavitha puraskaram, P Smaraka Puraskaram
and Mahakavi Ulloor Award.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Politician He was the first BJP leader to become the prime
minister of India. He was a three-time Prime Minister
of India.Click here to read more.
Ajit Wadekar Cricketer He was India’s first ODI (One Day Internatioanl)
captain.He retired from the international cricket in
1974.He received the Arjuna Award in 1967 and
Padmashri in 1972.
Chennupati Vidya Politician She was elected to the Parliament as a Congress
contestant from Vijayawada constituency in 1980 and
1989.She had won the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in honour
of her services to women.
Gurudas Kamat Politician He was a Member of Parliament from the Mumbai
North West Constituency in 2009 and Mumbai North
East Constituency in 1984,1991,1998 and 2004.
Jadunath Das Mohapatra Politician He was also made education minister in the cabinet of
late Chief Minister Janaki Ballabh Patnaik in 1985.
Kuldip Nayar Journalist He was a former editor at The Indian Express. In 2015,
he was honoured with the Ramnath Goenka Lifetime
Achievement Award for his contribution to journalism.
Gopal Bose Cricketer He started his career with the first-class cricket in the
1968-69 season and accumulated 3757 runs at an
average of 30.79.He was bestowed with Lifetime
Achievement Award by the Cricket Association of
Bengal(CAB).
Nand Lal Passi Politician She is former MLA and Samajwadi Party leader
INTERNATIONAL
Name of the person who Field Points to be noted
passed away
Jarrod Lyle Australian golfer He had won the feeder Web.com tour two times. He had
played 121 US PGA Tour tournaments in his career.
Nicholas Bett Athlete In 2015 IAAF World Championship held in Beijing, he won
gold medal.He had made a Kenyan record of 47.79. In
Commonwealth Games 2018 in Australia, he finished at
8th position in the 400m hurdles event.
VS Naipaul Writer He received the Booker Prize in 1971 and Nobel Prize in
Literature in 2001. He received a knighthood from Queen
Elizabeth in 1989.
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Aretha Franklin US singer In the late 1960s, she earned the title “Queen of Soul”.She
performed at the inaugurations of three US Presidents:
Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Kofi Annan Politician He was the seventh UN secretary general and also the first
black African secretary-general. He served two
terms between 1997 and 2006.He received the Nobel peace
prize in 2001.
Neil Simon Playwright He had received: 4 Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, the
Kennedy Center honors (1995), 4 Writers Guild of America
Awards, an American Comedy Awards Lifetime
Achievement honor, Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
(2006).
John McCain Politician He was a 6-term Republican senator and presidential
nominee.He was one of the most influential US politicians of
his generation. Before entering politics in 1980s, he served
as a pilot in the US Navy.
IMPORTANT DAYS
Observed Day Other information
date/week
28th July 2018 Nature Conservation Day It is observed to create awareness about the exploitation
and to protect natural resources.India has taken a few steps
towards conserving nature such as:Shift to renewable
energy: Aim to achieve 175 GW of power by 2022.
1st August Earth Overshoot Day Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when we all have
2018 consumed more from nature than our planet can renew in
the entire year.
6th August Hiroshima Day It marks 73rd anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.On
2018 this day in 1945, the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the first
atomic bomb nicknamed ‘Little Boy’ ever used in military
combat on Hiroshima.
7th August 201 National Handloom Day The National Handloom Day was launched in 2015. It marks
8 (NHD-2018) the day on which Swadeshi movement was launched.
9th August 76th anniversary of Quit To observe the anniversary of Quit India movement,
2018 India movement named President Ram Nath Kovind hosted the freedom fighters at
as August Kranti Day an At-Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
9th August 201 International Day of the This day is observed to promote and protect the rights of the
8 World’s Indigenous Peoples world’s indigenous population.The theme for International
Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2018 is: Indigenous
peoples’ migration and movement.
10th August World Biofuel Day The Objective of the World Biofuel Day is to raise awareness
2018 about the significance of non fossil fuels which can be used
as an alternative to fossil fuels. The Prime Minister also
released a booklet on“National Policy on Biofuels 2018”
12th August International Youth Day It is an awareness day designated by the United Nations to
2018 draw attention to cultural and legal issues surrounding
youth. The Theme for IYD 2018 is: “Safe space for Youth”.
12th August World Elephant Day It was first conceived by Canadian filmmakers Patricia Sims
2018 and Michael Clark of Canazwest Pictures, and Sivaporn
Dardarananda, Secretary-General of the Elephant
Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand.
13th August International left handers It aims to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of the
2018 day left handers.The day was first observed in the year 1976 by
46 | P a g e
Dean R. Campbell, founder of the Lefthanders International,

Inc.
14th August 20 Shaheed Saman Diwas Madhya government had decided to honour families of
18 martyrs of Madhya Pradesh origin, who sacrificed their lives
during war, military action and internal security.
15th August 72nd Independence Day This day remembers and honours all those who fought and
2018 sacrificed their lives for the freedom of India. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi announced that, India’s manned space
mission will be launched by 2022.
19 August
th World Humanitarian Day It is observed to pay tribute to aid workers who risk their
2018 lives for humanitarian services. #NotATarget is
the Campaign for the 2018.
19 August
th World photography day It is celebrated in order to inspire photographers to share
2018 their work and to celebrate the art of photography.The
inventor of the first practical process of photography is
Louis Daguerre.
20 August
th World Mosquito Day This day is a honor of British doctor Sir Ronald
2018 Ross’s discovery in 1897 that female mosquitoes transmit
malaria between humans. Mosquitoes have been around for
over a hundred million years.
20 August
th Sadbhavana Diwas 2018 The Sadbhavana (means having good feelings for others)
2018 Diwas or Harmony Day is celebrated to commemorate the
birth anniversary of the earlier Prime Minister of India
named Rajiv Gandhi.
21 August
st International Day of To observe the first International Day, the Permanent
2018 Remembrance of and Tribute Missions of Afghanistan, Belgium, Iraq, Nigeria, and the
to Victims of Terrorism United States, along with the United Nations Office of
Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and the Counter-Terrorism
Committee Executive Directorate (UNCTED) will launch a
multimedia exhibit at the Exhibition Hall, Visitors’ Lobby at
the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
21st August World Senior Citizen Day The history of International Senior Citizens Day comes from
2018 the period of 1988.The main aim of observing the World
Senior Citizens Day is to raise awareness of the condition of
elder people and support them through the process of
senescence.
23rd August International Day for the This day was first celebrated in a several countries including
2018 Remembrance of the Slave Haiti on 23rd August 1998.This day remembers the tragedy
Trade and Its Abolition of the slave trade in memory of the affected people.
29th August 20 International Day against The first International Day against Nuclear Tests was
18 Nuclear Tests observed in 2010.
29 August
th National Sports Day This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Indian
2018 hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Every year on National
Sports Day, Arjuna and Khel Ratna awards are conferred by
the President to extraordinary Indian athletes.
30 August 20 International Day of the
th In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared
18 Victims of Enforced 30th August as the International Day of the Victims of
Disappearances Enforced Disappearances. This day was first observed on
30th August 2011.
National Nutrition Month to be observed in September
• The month of September will be celebrated as the National Nutrition Month every year to mark India’s
fight against malnutrition.The programmes will be focused on adolescent girls, pregnant women and
lactating mothers.It is announced at the second meeting of National Council on India’s Nutrition
Challenges under the Poshan Abhiyaan on 25th July 2018.
India pitches for declaring 2019 as International Year of Millets
47 | P a g e
• India has proposed to declare 2019 as “International Year of Millets” to the Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. This proposal aims to create awareness about millets among
consumers, policy makers, industry and R&D sector.
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IBPS PO Prelims 2018: Take 20 Tests, 3 Free

IBPS RRB Assistant 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free

IBPS RRB Officer Scale I 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free

RBI Grade B 2018: Take 10 Phase I + 25 Phase II Tests, 1 Free

Indian Bank PO 2018: Take 15 Tests, 1 Free

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SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

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IBPS PO Prelims 2018: Take 20 Tests, 3 Free

IBPS RRB Assistant 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free

IBPS RRB Officer Scale I 2018: Take 40 Tests, 1 Free

RBI Grade B 2018: Take 10 Phase I + 25 Phase II Tests, 1 Free

Indian Bank PO 2018: Take 15 Tests, 1 Free

NIACL Assistant 2018: Take 20 Tests, 1 Free

SSC CGL 2018: 50 Tests (30 Tier I + 20 Tier II)

BANKING & FINANCE

Loans issued by banks/others

IBRD of World Government of $300 million The program will be

Asian Government $375 million To double farming

German Government Euro 120 mn The purpose of the project is

Asian West $245 million With an Objective to provide

MoU/Agreements in Banking & Finance

APPS Launched by Banks

MyDeal HSBC To simplify capital raising process through

Rates changed by Banks

IDBI hiked MCLR rate by up to 0.10% on various tenors

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BUSINESS & ECONOMY

India’s CAD is expected to widen to 2.8 pc of GDP in FY19: Nomura

No. MoU between Field

2 India & Japan Bamboo sector in Tripura.They took part in

4 India and Korea Trade Remedy Cooperation

5 India and Canada On collaboration among Chartered

6 India and Indonesia Scientific and Technological Cooperation

7 India and South Africa Joint issue of postage stamp

8 India and Bulgaria In the field of tourism

11 India and Morocco Air Services Agreement

12 India and Rwanda Trade Cooperation Framework

13 India and USA Insurance regulatory sector

14 India and Singapore The Two Countries signed the Second

MoUs – States wise

2 Telangana State Tech Mahindra To launch India’s first Blockchain district

3 UP government Amazon To provide support MSME entrepreneurs across

No Organization MoU with Field/Purpose

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS

Arun Jaitley Finance Minister India He replaced Minister for Railways

1982 batch Indian Revenue Service

Other important Appointments

Government accepts NHB MD Sriram Kalyanaraman’s resignation

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Holistic Development of Islands along with the respective UT

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Navlekha Google Navlekha, which means ‘a new way to write’

European wind survey satellite “Aeolus” launched from French Guyana