Current Affairs – July 2017 in english
INDIAN AFFAIRS
• Rail Land Development Authority has joined hands with National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC)
for redevelopment of 10 railway stations across the country on global standards.
• Mumbai's 'Vikrikar Bhavan' was renamed as 'GST Bhavan' on 2nd of July 2017 after the Goods and Services
Tax regime was rolled out. 'Vikrikar Bhavan' is the headquarters of Maharashtra government's erstwhile Sales
Tax department.
• Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, has decided to present a separate agriculture budget for the
state from next year.
• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated computerisation of PACS and launched RuPay Kisan
Credit cards in the state on 1st of July 2017. Odisha is the first state to implement an integrated Core Banking
Solution Project.
• The Madhya Pradesh government has set a record of 6 cr saplings were planted in 24 districts of Narmada
basin in just 12 hours.
• The Supreme Court has permitted a woman, who is in her 26th week of pregnancy, to abort her foetus that is
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suffering from severe cardiac ailments. It has been announced by Supreme Court on 3 of July 2017.
• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a G-Ride app. It is a digital ride sharing platform
designed and deployed for the IT industry by the Group of Technology Companies (GTech).
• In Goa, the Office of the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes has set up GST facilitation centres in ward
offices across the state. The department’s head office has set up in Panaji.
• President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent to a bill banning hookah in Gujarat on 3rd of July 2017. Those
who will run hookah bars in Gujarat will now draw a maximum jail term of three years.
• On July 5, 2017, Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched a month-long plantation drive to
mark Van Mahotsav at Ram Lila Park, C. C Colony and Model Town in Delhi.
the report titled “Compulsory Registration of Marriages” to
• On July 4, 2017, Law Commission submitted its 270
Law Ministry. In this report, Law Commission has recommended compulsory registration of all marriages to
deal with social evils such as child marriages, bigamy, and marriage frauds, desertions of women by their
husband and gender violence.
• On July 4, 2017, Union Government has announced that 97% of the total outstanding debt of all state power
distribution companies (discoms) has been covered under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY). As
on September 30, 2015, the total debt of all state-owned discoms was Rs. 3.95 lakh crore. The 26 states and 1
UT which have joined the UDAY scheme.
• On July 5, 2017, Supreme Court told Central Government that there is a need for Parliament to make law to
ensure fair and transparent appointments of Election Commissioners (EC).Currently, the Prime Minister and
his council of ministers decide as to who will be Election Commissioner.
• The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has become the last state to adopt the Goods and Services Tax
(GST) resolution during a special session on 5th of June 2017.
• According to the Ministry of Agriculture India has declared itself free from highly pathogenic avian influenza
(H5N1 and H5N8) and notified the same to World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
• On July 6, 2017, ‘JIGYASA’, a student- scientist connect programme was officially launched in New
Delhi. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) to implement this programme.
• Private bus operators in Punjab, including the Badals, may run into financial troubles with the Congress
Government’s “new” transport policy which was approved on 5th July, 2017. It also abolished the system
of district transport officers (DTO) and restructuring the transport department.
• Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju, piloted the anti -hijacking law on 5th July .The new Anti-
Hijacking Act replaces a 1982-vintage law.The new law covers offences against an aircraft or personnel even
when it is on ground.The defaulters of hijacking would now be punishable with death penalty where such an
act results in the death of "any person".
• The Minister of State for Minority AffairsMukhtar Abbas Naqvi inaugurates first Gharib Nawaz Skill
Development Centre in Hyderabad. The minister also said 100 such Gharib Nawaz Skill Development Centres
to be established in 100 Districts of the country.
• Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey said on 6th July in Agartala that the government has decided to do
away with the no-detention policy for students from the next academic session. The no-fail provision has been
laid down under Section 16 of the RTE Act 2009, and prohibits schools from detaining or expelling any
student up to Class VIII.
• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has established a four member GST Facilitation Cell on 7th of
July 2017.The members of the GST Facilitation Cell can be accessed through Toll Free No 1800111175 or
on #AskonGSTFPI.The cell will be headed by Shri Bijaya Kumar Behera.
• On July 7, 2017, Union Food Processing Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal laid the foundation stone,
of Punjab’s first maize based Food Park at Rehana Jattan village in Kaputhala District of Punjab. This food
park will be set up on 55 acres, at the cost of Rs. 123 crore.
• According to the reports Chhattisgarh has topped the list in issuance of soil health cards among all the states in
the country. Chhattisgarh has issued over 43 lakh soil health cards (SHCs) to farmers in the past two years.
• The ministry of commerce and industry has launched a scheme for awareness on Intellectual Property Rights
(IPR). It was further step to take forward the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy 2016. 'Scheme for
IPR Awareness Creative India; Innovative India' has been launched by Cell for IPR Promotion and
Management (CIPAM).
• President Pranab Mukherjee on 9th July launched digital initiatives Swayam, Swayam Prabha, National
Academic Depository and National Digital Library in New Delhi to push e-education in the country.
• Indiais planning to invite the leaders of the 10 ASEAN nations for the Republic Day parade for 2018. It has
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been announced on 8 of July 2017. This year also marks the 25 year of dialogue partnership between India
and ASEAN.
• The government has merged the ministries of urban development, and housing and urban poverty alleviation
on 7th July- involved in policy making in urban areas - to form the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs.This is third time the ministries have been merged.
• The centre has cleared the decks for the Reliance Aerostructure proposal for the development of the Dhirubhai
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Ambani Aerospace Park with related infrastructure facilities and services at Mihan SEZ (Nagpur) on 10 of
July 2017.
• The government is going to organise a global food fair in November 2017. The Food Fair will be organized to
provide a platform to Indian farmers and manufacturers so that they can showcase their products and explore
partnerships with foreign companies.
• The Maharashtra Government has launched the 'Antara' program on account of World Population Day, which
involves giving women the Modroxy Progesterone Acetate (MPA) injection to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
The government is providing it free of cost. The state has become the first to launch this injectable
contraceptive.
• CM Arvind Kejriwal has launched e-RTI in Delhi and has become second state to accept online application. It
has been launched on 10th of July 2017.Maharashtra had followed suit in 2015 with its own RTI portal.
• Cabinet approves Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany on cooperation in the field of
Health.
• Cabinet approves enhancement of the age of superannuation of Medical Officers of Central Armed Police
Forces and Assam Rifles. General Duty Medical Officers of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam
Rifles from 60 to 65 years.
• Cabinet has approved the creation of three posts of Directors for the three new All India Institutes of Medical
Sciences (AIIMS) at Mangalagiri near Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Kalyani in West Bengal and Nagpur in
Maharashtra. These AIIMS are being set up as a part of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana
(PMSSY).
• The government has saved over Rs 57,000 crore with its Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. By which
subsidies are given directly to beneficiaries.
• Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has launched the ambitious flagship programme titled “Livelihood
Intervention and Facilitation of Entrepreneurship” (LIFE) at Songsak in East Garo Hills on 12th of July 2017.
In 2017-18, the programme aims to reach out to additional 2144 villages.
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• The Indian Railways launch RailCloud on 12 July 2017, a virtual server with an inbuilt security system for
faster connectivity at a reduced cost. It has been developed by rail PSU RailTel at an estimated cost of about
Rs 53 crore.
• On July 12, 2017, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, J P Nadda, launched the National Strategic
Plan for Malaria Elimination (2017-22) at a function in New Delhi. The government would like to eliminate
malaria by 2027.
• The Indian government has given Army vice-chief Sarath Chand full financial powers to procure weaponry
for short intense wars following "critical voids" in capabilities of the Army.
• Supreme Court has allowed Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands to get exemption from the
court's ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of National and State Highways.
• Indian Railways launched its first 1,600 HP solar powered Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU)
train from Safdarjung station, New Delhi
• The Union Government has set up a new wing Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management
(DGARM). It is formed to provide intelligence inputs taking action against tax evaders. It will be under the
Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
• Delhi will be the first state police who will get ‘super cop belt,’. It is a specially designed belt, widely used by
Police in UK, USA, Russia and para-military forces like CRPF, CISF, NSG etc.
• The government has launched a GST training programme to skill around two lakh youths in six months and to
handle tax compliance issues like invoice making.The people would be trained under the Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).It will be implemented in 14 states.
• According to the Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar said the government is working on a vision
to set up one passport centre in every 50 km range in the country in future.
• Falun Gong is a Chinese spiritual practice that combines meditation and qigong exercises with a moral
philosophy. Falun Gong is the ancient Chinese holistic system that is banned in China. It will be celebrated in
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India on 15 July with a parade and Human Word Formation in the capital.
• Minister of Railways inaugurates Sindhudurg leg of the Science Express in Maharashtra.
• This phase of train is being referred as ‘Science Express Climate Action Special (SECAS) – II’ as it conveys
message about global challenge related to climate change.
• Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (Amendment) Bill, 2017 introduced in Lok
Sabhaby Minister of State for Planning, Programme Implementation and Statistics Rao Inderjit Singh.
• A bill has introduced in Lok Sabha for setting up of the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy in Andhra
Pradesh. It has been introduced on 18th of July 2017. According to the Objects and Reasons of the bill the
institute would be established in Visakhapatnam district in pursuance of the central government’s commitment
for setting up a petroleum university.
• A bill to grant statutory status to the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) in Public Private
Partnership (PPP) mode was passed through a voice vote in Lok Sabha on July 19, 2017.
• Cabinet approves MOC in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS countries – Brazil, Russia, China
and South Africa to promote cooperation amongst the BRICS Revenue administrations in international forum
on common areas of interest in tax matters and in the area of capacity building and knowledge sharing.
• Cabinet approves IRDAI’s admission as a signatory to International Association of Insurance Supervisors
(IAIS), Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU)
• Cabinet approves revalidation of permission to raise Extra Budgetary Resource (EBRs) of Rs. 660 crore as
Government of India Bonds by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in 2017-18
• Union cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for the promulgation of the Central Goods and Services
Tax (Extension to Jammu & Kashmir) Ordinance, 2017 and replacement of the Ordinance by the Central
Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
• National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC), under the Chairmanship of Secretary
Environment Ministry, Mr Ajay Narayan Jha, approved the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by
Governments of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Sikkim for funding under the National Adaptation Fund for Climate
Change (NAFCC).
• Cabinet approves alternative mechanism for creation and launch of a New Exchange Traded Fund. To take
decision for divestment through Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) out of all the listed central public sector
enterprises (CPSEs) including CPSEs listed subsequently subject to Government of India (GoI) retaining 51%
stake in these CPSEs.
• Telangana government has launched a portal “Janahitha” grievance redressal system. This portal will receive
complaints from the public. It has been launched on 19 July 2017. The programme was inaugurated in
Suryapet district by Telangana Energy minister G Jagadish Reddy.
• According to the Telangana Government Order, the maximum weight of a school bag with textbooks and
notebooks should not exceed 1.5 kg for Class I and II and 2 to 3 kg for Classes III to V.
• The civil nuclear cooperation deal between India and Japan that provides for collaboration between their
industries in the field came into force on 20th July 2017.
• The govenment of Chhattisgarh has targeted planting over 8crore saplings by the end of August this year. It
has been announced on 20th July 2017. Chief minister Raman Singh has called for active participation of
people in the ‘Hariyar Chhattisgarh’ campaign. Oxy-zones will be developed in all the 27 districts of the
Chhattisgarh.
• Arun Jaitley the Finance Minister of India has introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to repeal the necessary Acts
in wake of the merger of State Bank of India (SBI) with its subsidiary banks on 20th July 2017.
• Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2017, a bill amending the law on
free and compulsory education to extend the deadline for teachers to acquire the prescribed minimum
qualifications for appointment was passed in Lok Sabha.
• The Bill adds a provision to Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 by stating that
those teachers who do not possess the minimum qualifications as on March 31, 2015 will acquire the
minimum qualifications within a period of four years i.e. by March 31, 2019.
• The Union Cabinet has approved revision of the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) guidelines. It has
been approved on 19th of July 2017. The approval was granted during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
• The Centre has accepted a proposal to set up an Aerospace University in India. It has been announced on 22nd
July 2017. A high-powered Expert Group headed by former Cabinet Secretary B.K. Chaturvedi has made the
recommendation.
• On July 24, 2017, The Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2017, was introduced in Lok Sabha by Finance
Minister Arun Jaitley. The bill seeks to amend the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and replace the Banking
Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2017, which was promulgated in May 2017.
• On July 29th 2017, Union Minister of state for Minority Affairs and Parlariamy Afentfairs Shri Mukhtar
Abbas Naqvi launched “JIYO PARSI PUBLICITY PHASE– 2” function in Mumbai. In the year of 2013
“Jiyo Parsi Publicity Phase-1” was initiated to increase the small minority population of parsi community.
• Rajaswa Gyansangam’ is going to be held on 1st and 2nd September, 2017 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate this two day Conclave on the 1st day of September, 2017.
• The Executive Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga in its 4th ng hameetis approved seven
projects worth Rs 425 crore in the sector of sewage infrastructure, Ghat development and research. In sewage
sector it includes three projects each in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been approved.
• Arun Jaitley,a Defence Minister has inaugurated the 315th Sainik Rest House of the Kendriya Sainik Board
(KSB) in New Delhi. It aimed to provide facilities for former servicemen.
• The government has withdrawn from the Rajya Sabha a bill to amend the Architects Act, 1972 which provides
for registration of architects. It has been announced on 24th of July 2017.
• Rajya Sabha passed Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill, 2017 and The Admiralty
(Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims), 2017. Both the bills were passed by voice vote.It was
established under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.Headquarters of FDDI is located
in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
• On July 24, 2017, Government introduced in the Lok Sabha, Central Road Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2017, a
bill providing for allocation of about Rs 2,000 crore from Central Road Fund (CRF) for developing national
waterways (NWs).
• The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of the newly constituted Islands
Development Agency (IDA) on 24th of July 2017 in New Delhi
• On July 26, 2017, Rajya Sabha passed Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill, 2017, which seeks to amend
the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008. The amendment bill was introduced by the M inister of Statistics and
Programme Implementation, Mr. D.V.Sadananda Gowdain Lok Sabha in March 2017 and was passed in April
2017.The Act extended to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir.
• Cabinet gives ex-post facto approval for amendment of the Constitution (Application to Jammu & Kashmir)
Order, 1954. The approval paves the way for applicability of Goods and Services Tax regime in the State of
Jammu & Kashmir.
• Cabinet apprised of the Joint Declaration of Intent between India and Germany on Indo German-Centre for
Sustainability.
• Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of Department of Rural Development for
revision of cost of Socio Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC 2011) which provides for:Revising the cost
of SECC 2011 to 4893.60 crore from the approved estimated expenditure of Rs.3543.29 crore.
• On July 26, 2017, Union Cabinet cleared a new Minimum Wage Code Bill that will integrate four different
wage legislations.The bill also seeks to empower the Centre to set a minimum wage across sectors, and states
will have to maintain that.
• Lok Sabha passed Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2016, a bill to amend the Companies Act, 2013, seeking to
strengthen corporate governance standards, initiate strict action against defaulting companies and help
improve the ease of doing business in India.
• On July 28, 2017, Rajya Sabha passed Indian Institute of Information Technology (Public-Private Partnership)
Bill, 2017, a bill to declare 15 Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIITs) set up through public-private
partnership mode as "institutions of national importance" as well as to set up such institutes through
collaboration.
NITSER (National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research) Amendment Bill passed in
Rajya Sabha. The Bill proposes to introduce two new Institutions.
1.Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati
2.IISER Berhampur in the Second Schedule of the NITSER Act, 2007.
• Supreme Court strike out immediate arrests in dowry harassment cases was ruled out on 27th of July 2017.
Every dowry harassment complaint made under Section 498A of Indian Penal Code must be referred to the
committee, which would look into them.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released Operational Guidelines for Planning and Implementation
of Family Participatory Care (FPC). These guidelines are aimed at improving newborn health.
PLACES IN NEWS
• Raghubar Das, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has recently inaugurated the India’s largest fresh water
aquarium “Ranchi Machchli Ghar” at Bhagwan Birsa Munda Biodiversity Park in Ranchi.
• Mizoram celebrates 31st anniversary of the Mizo Peace accord on 30th of June. Mizo peace accord is signed
between the Union government and the Mizo National Front (MNF).
• On July 3, 2017, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap
Rudi and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan laid the foundation stone of the India’s
biggest Global Skill Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
• The new ATC tower at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will be the tallest structure in Delhi.It is
likely to start operations by December. This is a 101.9-metre tower.
• The Dree Festival of Arunachal Pradesh is an agricultural festival celebrated by the Apatani tribe of
Arunachal Pradesh.
• Telangana is the first state to build India’s first university for Dalit students by 2018. It has been announced
on 7th of July 2017. The university will be a part of the government’s policy of providing education free of
cost to students from weaker sections from kindergarten to post-graduation (KG to PG) level.
• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced to set up an international standard sports city
announced on 11th of July 2017. Kalinga International Sport City will be set up in Bhubaneswar.
• Cabinet approves establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), South Asia Regional
Center (ISARC) at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center (NSRTC) in Varanasi.
• Rajasthan is the first state of our country has set minimum educational qualification to candidates for elections
to village cooperative societies and various other cooperative bodies.
The minimum educational qualification from class 5 to class 8 is must for members of dairy societies,
farming societies, consumer societies, weavers' societies, urban banks, housing construction societies, primary
land development banks, credit societies and cooperative unions.
• President of India has given assent to the Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016. Maharashtra has thus become the first state in the country to bring a law
making social boycott a crime.
• Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of
India, signed an Institutional agreement with the Punjab State Council of Science and Technology in New
Delhi to establish India's first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information
Centre, Punjab, under the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) TISC program.
• India is set to get its first high-speed rail training centre at Gandhinagar Gujarat announced on 13th of July
2017. The estimated cost is Rs 600 crore and the training centre will
• Haryana government has decided to set up a modern ornamental fish hatchery in Jhajjar district announced on
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12 of July 2017.It total estimated cost of Rs 13.68 crore and will be the first-of-its-kind project in the
country. The National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources has declared Haryana as a fish disease-free state.
• In a bid to empower women, Central Railway has appointed all women staff at suburban Matunga railway
station (located in central Mumbai), thereby making it India’s first railway station run by women. A formal
event to mark all women railway station will be held soon.
• The Jammu and Kashmir has launched a first ever 'Cultrue of Cruise', a weekly cultural programme at Dal
lake on 16th of July 2017. It aimed to bring artists from various fields on one stage.
• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has dedicated to the nation the state's longest bridge. The longest
bridge is named it after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.The 2.88 km bridge over the river Kathajodi will connect
the state capital of Bhubaneswar with Cuttack.
• The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has adopted two resolutions on re- naming the Kanpur and Bareilly airports after
freedom fighter Ganesh Shanker Vidyarthi and as Nath Nagri respectively.
• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has inaugurated the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Paika
Rebellion of Odisha on 20th July 2017 in New Delhi. The Paika Rebellion of 1817 was India’s first organized
armed rebellion against British Raj.
• Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Research Institution of World Ancient,
Traditional, Culture& Heritage (RIWATCH) Museum at Roing in Arunachal Pradesh and hoped that it would
serve as a place of exchange of cultural values of various tribes of the state and the North East.
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• Kerala will be going to host the 5 edition of South India Writers Ensemble (SIWE) at Chengannur in coastal
Alappuzha district from 24 July 2017. The theme of the festival 2017 is ‘tolerance’.
• India’s first Lucknow metro network to offer free drinking water and toilet facilities and will also become the
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first in the country to have its own FM radio station. It has been announced on 24 of July 2017.
• Madras High Court has ruled that Vande Mataram should be sung in all schools and colleges across the state
“at least once a week” and in government and private offices “at least once a month”. The order has been
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issued on 25 of July 2017.
• On July 27, 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated APJ Abdul Kalam’s memorial in
Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu on the second death anniversary of the former president. PM Modi also hoisted
the national flag at the memorial. The memorial has been designed and built by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The Mumbai Metro One Private Limited has announced the launch of India’s first Mobile Ticketing System
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‘OnGo’on 26 of July 2017. It will help commuters to buy their tickets on their mobile phones.
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• Delhi Metro is the first Metro system to become completely green in the world announced on 28 of July
2017. DMRC also announced it is now generating 20 megawatt (MW) of solar power.
FOREIGN VISITS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel - Overview
• Commemorating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, Danziger Flower Farm named
the flower Crysanthumun as 'Modi', on the name of Prime Minister.Crysanthumun is a new fast-growing
Israeli flower.
• PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, first ever visit of an incumbent Indian prime minister.
• India’s Mahindra Telephonics and Israeli firm Shachaf Engineering signed a MoU to collaborate on design,
development and manufacture of strategic electronics for military use.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu replicas of two sets of relics
from Kerala, regarded as key artefacts of the long Jewish history in India. The gift comprise two different sets
of copper plates that are believed to have been inscribed in 9-10th Century.
India, Israel sign seven agreements, to cooperate in fight against terror
1. A MoU was signed between the Department of Science and Technology, India, and the National
Technological Innovation Authority, Israel, for setting up an India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological
Innovation Fund (I4F).
2. India's Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation signed a MoU with Israel's Ministry of National
Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources on a national campaign for water conservation in India.
3. A MoU on state water utility reform was signed between the Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam and the Ministry of
National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources of Israel.
4. India-Israel Development Cooperation on a three-year work programme in agriculture from 2018 to 2020.
5. A Plan of Cooperation was signed between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Israel
Space Agency (ISA) regarding cooperation in atomic clocks.
6. ISRO and ISA signed a MoU on cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link.
7. ISRO and ISA signed another MoU on cooperation in electric propulsion for small satellites.
8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to start a new flight service connecting Delhi, Mumbai and Tel
Aviv and invited youth of Israel to visit India.
9. In a bid to enhance people-to-people contacts between India and Israel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has
announced the setting up of an Indian Cultural Centre in Israel.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
• World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of the latest Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It comes at 42 days after the last confirmed case of Ebola.
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• The world’s first emergency call telephone line marks 80 anniversary on 1 of July 2017 by police forces
across Britain. The best known phone number in Britain is now 999 number to alert police, fire, ambulance
and coast guard in emergencies.
• On June 30, 2017, India told China that its attempt to construct a road in the Doklam area in Bhutan will cause
a "significant change of status quo", is a "violation of a 2012 understanding", and will lead to "serious security
implications.
• The United States of America has started rolling out its Global Entry programme for Indian citizens which
allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Global Entry programme is an initiative
of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). India has become the 11th country whose citizens are eligible to
enrol in this initiative of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
• On July 5, 2017, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley told a meeting of the U.N. Security
Council that the United States is prepared to use military means to defend against the threat posed by North
Korea’s launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• Italian lawmakers on 5th of July, 2017 finally passed a bill making torture a crime under national law, after
years of parliamentary haggling.
• A global treaty banning nuclear weapons was adopted at the United Nations on 7th July by 122 countries. But
all nuclear states and NATO members have boycotted the negotiations except for the Netherlands.This is the
first multilateral nuclear disarmament treaty to be concluded in more than 20 years.
• Vietnam granted Indian oil firm ONGC Videsh a two-year extension to explore oil block 128. This was stated
by the state-run company’s managing director Narendra Verma.The part of the oil block 128 is in the U-
shaped ‘nine-dash line,’ the area which is claimed by China.
• India and Bangladesh have decided to construct a bridge over Mizoram’s Khawthlangtuipui River to facilitate
trade and improve communication between the two neighbours. Mizoram shares a 318 km unfenced border
with Bangladesh.
• According to the World Bank, India is emerging as a front runner in the global fight against climate change,
with a sweeping commitment to solar power, innovative solutions and energy efficiency initiatives to supply
its people with 24x7 electricity by 2030. World Bank said the country also walked away from plans to
install nearly 14 GW of coal-fired power plants.
• According to the UN’s health agency New drugs is needed to treat against gonorrhoea. It is a sexually-
transmitted disease threatening and out of control as it develops resistance to existing antibiotics.
• The British government has launched a new project the ‘Grand Trunk Road’ to mark the 70th anniversary of
India’s Partition in August 1947.
• According to the Islamic State militant group its supreme leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has died.
• A 21-year-old man has become the first in Britain to give birth to a girl on 9th of July 2017. The girl was born
on 16th June at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
• India has granted USD 500000 to the Philippines to fight ISIS. It has been given for the rehabilitation and
relief efforts in war-torn Marawi City. It is the first time that India is sending financial aid to another country
affected by terrorism.
• Malta parliament voted to allow same-sex couples to marry on 12th of July 2017. Malta, the EU's smallest
nation, becomes the bloc's 15th member to legalise same-sex unions.
• A Model United Nations (MUN) Regional Conference is being held from July 10, 2017 at Kathmandu, Nepal.
The conference will conclude on July 14, 2017.
• European Union (EU) and Indiaannounced the establishment of an Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM)
for EU Investments in India.The mechanism will allow for a close coordination between the European Union
and India with an aim to promote and facilitate EU investment in India.
• India has contributed an additional million dollars to a UN partnership fund. It has launched to support
sustainable development projects across the developing world.
• The US House of Representatives has passed a $621.5 bill on defence cooperation with India.The bill
proposes to advance defence cooperation with India.
• The world's first centre is being constructed in Vietnam's central region for breeding Saola. Saola, a critically
endangered hoofed mammal is identified by two parallel horns with sharp ends, which can reach 51
centimetres in length and are found on both males and females. The centre is located in Bach Ma National
Park in Thua Thien Hue province.
• Indonesia has become the latest Southeast Asian nation to rename South China Sea as North Natuna
Sea.Indonesia will refer to the northern areas of its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea as the
North Natuna Sea.
• The administration of US President Donald Trump is imposing new economic sanctions against Iran over the
Islamic Republic’s ballistic missile program.
• Australia became the 35th country to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), an initiative launched by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2015 in Paris. ISA is co-led by India and France.
• The UN has selected Dubai as the data hub for the Middle East North Africa and South Asia (MENASA)
region.Dubai has launched a series of comprehensive and integrated initiatives to mine and manage the city’s
data.
• The world's first full-scale floating wind farm has started to take shape off the north-east coast of Scotland
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announced on 24 of July 2017.
• The world's longest pedestrian suspension bridge the Europabrücke or Europaweg (Europe Bridge) on 29th
July 2017, a ribbon-thin span nearly a third of a mile long at in Randa, Switzerland. It measures 1,620 eet f
long and rises as high as 278 feet above the Grabengufer ravine.
• Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has declared his government’s independence from World Bank and IMF on
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25 of July 2017.
• Zimbabwe's parliament has passed a bill by amending the constitution to give the president (Present: Robert
Mugabe )sweeping powers to appoint the country's top judges without consulting any other institution It has
been announced on 25th of July 2017.
SUMMITS & CONFERENCES
• 10th Session of the India- Jordan Trade and Economic Joint Committee (TEJC) held in New Delhi.
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• External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has inaugurated the 9th edition of Delhi Dialogue on 4 of July
2017. The theme for Delhi Dialogue 9 is India-ASEAN relations: Charting the Course for the Next 25 Years.
• Ms. Sumitra Mahajan - Speaker of the 16th Lok Sabha inaugurated the 4th National Summit on Good,
Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Care Systems at Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
• 5th Meeting of BRICS Education Ministers was held on July 5, 2017 in Beijing, China. The Indian delegation
was led by Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Prakash Javadekar.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has organized Scorecard 2017 on 6 July, 2017 at New Delhi, various
government delegates attended the meet including Vijay Goel, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• First International Aviation Security seminar organised by National Security Guard in Haryana.
• First Edition of WINGS 2017 – “Sab Uden, Sab Juden”- Expanding Regional Connectivity Hosted in New
Delhi. The session was chaired by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and the
Union Minister of State for Civil AviationShri Jayant Sinha .
• Two day Regional conference on Good governance and Replication of best held in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
• President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates ‘Ashiana Annexe’ in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. At the inauguration
function, MoU between M/s. Prashak Techno Enterprises and Central Building Research Institute was signed
to collaborate for effective proliferation of Habitech-NivaraTantra Technology solutions.
• The National Conference of Chief Secretaries of States and Union Territories organised by NITI Aayog is
held in New Delhi. It will cover a wide range of issues and will focus is on best practices in social and
economic sectors across states.
• The two-day national conference on crowd management has successfully concluded at Thiruvananthapuram,
Kerala on 14th of July 2017.
• Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the 212th meeting of Indian
Road Congress (IRC) in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The Indian Road Congress is the apex body of highway
engineers in the country.
• The United Kingdom hosted a major international summit on family planning, in partnership with UN
Population Fund (UNFPA), in London, UK, to discuss efforts to reach our Family Planning 2020 goals.
• The Informal BRICS Leaders meeting held in Hamburg, Germany. The leaders had discussed preparations
and priorities for the forthcoming Xiamen BRICS Summit. The forthcoming 9th BRICS Summit will be in
September in Xiamen, China.
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee met
for its 41st session in Krakow, Poland.During the session, the
• The 5.5 km walled city area in Ahmedabad, Gujarat with an approximate population of four lakh has been
declared India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO.
• 22nd World Petroleum Congress (WPC) International Conference held in Istanbul, Turkey. Theme for
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22 World Petroleum Congress was ‘Bridges To Our energy Future’.
2017 G20 Summit
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• The 2017 G20 Summit was the 12 meeting of the Group of Twenty (G20), which was held on 7 and
8th July, 2017, in Hamburg, Germany.The theme for this year's G20 Summit was "Shaping an Inter-connected
World".
• The G20 nations, including India, pledged to strengthen health systems and also combat the menace
of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the grouping termed as a "growing threat" to public health and
economic growth.
• G20 leaders adopted a World Bank funding plan of up to USD 1 billion for women entrepreneurs in
developing nations, an initiative championed by US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump.
• The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), in association with the West Bengal Government, will host Horasis
Asia Meeting, a Global Business meeting, in November 2017 announced on 18th of July 2017.
• India to host 5th Global Conference on Cyber Space 2017 – World’s Largest Conference on Cyber Spacein
Aero City, New Delhi.The GCCS 2017 will take place on the 23rd and 24th of November, 2017. The theme of
Cyber4All is “An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace”.
• The 5th North East Connectivity Summit- 2018 will be held in Arunachal Pradesh. It has been announced on
20th July 2017..The 4th North East Connectivity Summit will be held in Nagaland in the month of September
2017.
• Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a hosting of three-day International Conference on
'Reclaiming Social Justice, Revisiting Ambedkar' from 21stJuly to 23rd July to mark 126th birth Anniversary
of Dr B R Ambedkar at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru.
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• Hyderabad will host the 10 edition of Urban Mobility India conference this November. The event will be
jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Urban Development and the Telangana Government.
• Japan will host the G20 summit of leading nations in 2019, with Saudi Arabia presiding the 2020 edition.
• 2017 BRICS Youth Forum opened in Beijing, China on July 25, 2017, to discuss youth development in the
BRICS member-nations viz. Brazil Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• Theme of 2017 BRICS Youth Forum is “Enhance BRICS Partnership, Promote Youth Development”.
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• BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meet was held on 26 and 27 July, 2017 in Chonqging,
China. Indian delegation to this meet was led by Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State (Independent
Charge) for Labour & Employment.
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• 2017 BRICS National Security Advisors (NSAs) meeting was held on 27 and 28 July 2017, in Beijing,
China. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval represented India at this meeting.
• The 7th edition of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Artists Camp and Exhibition
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of Paintings has begun at Kathmandu on 28 of July 2017.
• The 10th edition of the Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conferenc-ecum-exhibition will start in Hyderabad from
November 4. The theme of this year's conference is intelligent, inclusive and sustainable mobility
RANKINGS & REPORTS
• TERI was ranked number two by the International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG). ICCG is an
internationally-renowned body whose activities focus on the design of climate policy and related governance
issues. ICCG ranking helps highlight the scale and magnitude of work done by the think tanks working in the
field of climate change.
• As per an analysis of the latest figures compiled by the Swiss National Bank, India has slipped to 88th place in
terms of money parked by its citizens with Swiss banks by the end of 2016. With maximum holdings, UK has
topped the list.
• On July 3, 2017, international body for global financial system, Financial Stability Board (FSB) submitted its
status report to G20 on progress in financial regulatory reforms in various jurisdictions, including India. FSB
has listed India among countries that are 'compliant or largely compliant' on implementation of priority area
reforms.
• As per UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU),Cyber-Security Index, India ranks 23rd out of the
193 countries with a score of 0.683 . ITU is a specialised ICT agency under the United Nations that is
responsible for allocation global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, along with developing technical network
standards. Singapore tops thecharts with a 0.925 score with the highest level.
• According to the NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat are the three
best-performing states in "ease of doing business". Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam are included worst in the
rankings.
• Patanjali, Reliance Jio among top 10 most influential brands in India
As per a new study by global research firm Ipsos, spiritual guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali and Muekesh
Ambai controlled Reliance Jio have been rated among the top 10 most influential brands in India.Search
engine Google has been ranked at the No 1 slot.
• Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, has ranked first in Customer Satisfaction Index
Surveyamong 49 airports in India.Raipur Airport has scored highest, 4.84 on a five point scale index in the
latest Customer Satisfaction Index Survey conducted by an independent agency for the period of January-June
2017.
• According to OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026, released by Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development (OECD) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations,
India will be the world's largest milk producer by 2026 and will account for the biggest increase in wheat
production globally.
• According to a report titled ‘Measuring Global Migration Potential 2010-2015’ by International Organisation
for Migration (UN Migration Agency), India has the second highest number of adults planning to migrate to
other countries with the US and the UK among the most favoured destinations. The study is based on
international survey data by the Gallup World Poll.
• India has ranked 116 out of 157 nations on a global index that assesses the performance of countries towards
achieving the ambitious sustainable development goals (SDGs). Sweden leads the list, followed by Denmark
and Finland. The United States ranks 42nd on the Index, while Russia and China rank 62nd and 71st
respectively.
• According to the International Migration Outlook 2017 report on Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) member countries. As per the report, Indians and Chinese were the top asylum
seekers in countries such as New Zealand and Latvia between 2012 and 2016.
• According to a senior US counter-terror official more than half of the terror attacks in the world in 2016 took
place in five countries, including India and Pakistan.55% of all attacks took place in Iraq, Afghanistan, India,
Pakistan, and the Philippines.
• India presented its ‘Voluntary National Review Report on Implementation of Sustainable Development
Goals’ to the United Nations (UN). The report was presented by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind
Panagariya at the United Nations high-level political forum on ‘Sustainable Development in 2017’.
• As per World Health Organization (WHO) Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic, 2017, launched at the
United Nations on July 19, 2017, several countries have implemented tobacco control policies, ranging from
graphic pack warnings and advertising bans to no smoking areas.
• The report has been funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg
Philanthropies is WHO Global Ambassador for Non-communicable Diseases.
• As per a report titled ‘Ending AIDS: Progress towards the 90-90-90 targets’ by the Joint UN Programme
on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, India, China and Pakistan are among the 10 countries that accounted for more than
95% of all new HIV infections in the Asia and the Pacific region in 2016.
• India has ranked 132nd out of 152 countries on the inaugural “Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index”
released by international NGO Oxfam in association with Developmental Finance International. Sweden
topped the index while Nigeria took the bottom most spot.
• According to National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism
(NCSTRT) data compiled by the US state department, India is third after Iraq and Afghanistan on a list of
countries facing terror attacks in 2016. Earlier, Pakistan held the third position.The US analysis has
labelled Naxalsthe third most deadly terror organisation in the world after IS and Taliban, even ahead of Boko
Haram.
• As per World Bank’s latest edition of the report titled ‘Global Economic Prospects – A fragile
recovery’, India is the fourth fastest growing economy in the world behind Estonia, Uzbekistan and
Nepal.For FY 2017-18, Indian economy is expected to grow at 7.2%. For following fiscal year it will grow at
7.5%It pegs world GDP to grow at 2.7 percent in 2017 and 2.9 percent in 2018-19.
• Singapore Airlines has been rated as the world’s best airline in a survey by the Travel + Leisure (T+L)
magazine.Singapore Airlines is followed by Emirates and Qatar Airways, which ranked 2 and 3, respectively.
• According to the second edition of National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) State
Investment Potential Index (N-SIPI 2017) report, Gujarat has retained the top position in the list of 21 states
and UTs with most investment potential.The report has highlighted that although Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and
West Bengal are ranked among the least favourable states for investment, they rank higher under individual
pillars.
• 197 Asian companies have featured in the latest edition of the Fortune Global 500 list, which ranks companies
by their revenues in 2016. A Total of 7 Indian companies have featured in this list out of which four are from
the public sector.Indian Oil, ranked at 168th is the only Indian company in the top 200.
• As per Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026 report released by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and
the Organisation for Economic Cooperation (OECD), India is the world’s third-biggest exporter of beef and is
projected to hold on to that position over the next decade. Brazil was ranked as the world’s top beef exporter.
• Central Governmen thas launched ‘Swachh Survekshan-2018’ to rank all the 4,041 citie sand towns of the
country on 31st of July 2017. In the 2017 Survey, 434 cities with a population of one lakh plus each and state
capitals were assessed in which Indore, Bhopal and Visakhapatnam were the cleanest cities.
• As per `Global Infrastructure Outlook’ released by Global Infrastructure Hub (GIH), India will need
investments to the tune of around USD 4.5 trillion till 2040 to develop infrastructure to improve economic
growth and community wellbeing. The report is based on an intensive study of 50 countries and seven
industry sectors.
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• Bengaluru has ranked 40 out of 50 cities on Women Entrepreneur (WE) Cities Index 2017 study released
by Dell. The index ranks cities in terms of its ability to attract and foster growth of women-owned firms. New
York topped the list.
BANKING & FINANCE
• Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime officially came into force from July 1, 2017.As per an order issued
by Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), July 1 will be known as ‘GST Day’ and will be celebrated
in all offices of CBEC just as Central Excise Day and International Customs Day.
• As per Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Financial Stability Report 2017, released on June 30, 2017, reform
initiatives like goods and services (GST) and continuing political stability will push the economic growth
scale to 7.3% in terms of gross value added (GVA) in 2017-18.
• India has contributed USD 500,000 to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, expressing hope that more funding by
nations will boost efforts by the world body to build and sustain peace.
• The government has lowered interest rate on small saving schemes like PPF, Kisan Vikas Patra and Sukanya
Samriddhi by 0.1% for the July- September quarter. Investments in the public provident fund (PPF) scheme
will fetch lower annual rate of 7.8%.Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) investments will yield 7.5% and mature in 115
months.The one for girl child savings, Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme, will offer 8.3% annually, from
8.4% at present.The investment on 5-year Senior Citizens Savings Scheme will yield 8.3.
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) will block all the Maestro debit cards from 31st of July 2017 if the card holders
will fail to replace it with a more secure EMV chip based card by the end of this month.
• Karnataka Bank has launched the ‘KBL-Image Debit Card’ on 2nd of July 2017. Karnataka Bank has enabled
its cardholders to personalise the card with the image of his/her choice.
• The Syrian Central Bank has announced that a new 2000 Syrian Pound bank note with the face of President
Bashar al-Assad will soon go into circulation. The notes are the first time Syria will depict President Bashar
al-Assad on its currency since he took office 17 years ago.
• According to the Reserve Bank of India FINO Payments Bank has commenced the operations as a payments
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bank with effect from 30 June, 2017.HQ of FinoPaytech is in Mumbai, India.
• On July 3, 2017, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) announced that its Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) has crossed 1 crore transactions mark in June 2017. UPI was launched in August 2016 with 21
banks. Currently it is offered by around 50 banks.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed USD 220 million for improving road connectivity as well as
transport efficiency and safety on state highways of Rajasthan on 3rd of July 2017.
• Reserve Bank has raised the FPI investment limit in government securities by 4.7% to Rs 2.42 lakh crore (Rs
2.42 billion) for July-September quarter, mainly to increase foreign capital inflows.
• As per a notification issued by Revenue Department, restrictions on cash dealings of Rs. 2 lakh or more will
not apply to credit card bill payments, business correspondents appointed by banks and issuers of prepaid
instruments.It is to be noted that the Finance Act 2017 banned cash transaction of 2 lakh or above with
effect April 1, 2017. However, some exceptions were made.
• China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has said its board has approved USD 329 million loan
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to build access roads to 4,000 villages in Gujarat on 5 of July 2017.
• Yes Bank has signed an MoU in London with Santander to promote India-UK trade and business
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opportunities on 5 of July 2017.
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• Axis Bank has introduced a special super bike loans for the bike lovers on 5 of July 2017.The loan will
offer funding up to 95% of their costs. The loans which are for Bikes with an engine displacement of over 500
cubic centimetres(cc) will come at a price tag of 10-11% per annum.
• Kolkata-headquartered Srei Infrastructure Finance has signed an MoU with Russia's Vnesheconombank on to
create a $200 million IT and Innovation Fund. This MoU provides for a credit line of $500 million to Srei.
• Indus OS has announced a partnership with YES BANK to launch the first OS integrated UPI payment
platform on 6th of July 2017. Their main aim is to further drive up the existing growth rate of UPI-
based transactions.
• EPFO a retirement fund body has inked pacts with five banks for collections of provident dues and to make
retirement payments.The tie-ups with Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bankand Kotak
Mahindra Bank will help EPFO save around Rs 125 crore a year and expedite its investments as well as
payment of benefits to its members.
• South Indian Bank has tied up with PFG Forex for remittance facility for the benefit of Indian expatriates
from Australia on 6th of July 2017. Under this arrangement, NRIs can enjoy cost-effective and fast remittance
services using SIB's Express facility.
• According to a report by BMI Research, Indian economy is expected to clock a real Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) growth of 6.9% in this financial year.
• As per a study presented by researchers at Centre for International Development (CID) at Harvard University,
India will be the base to the economic pole of global growth over the coming decade, remaining ahead of
China.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 6th July directed banks to credit the amount involved in the unauthorised
electronic transaction within 10 working days to the account holder from the date of such notification by the
customer (without waiting for settlement of insurance claim, if any). RBI has capped the customer liability at
Rs 25,000 if they report unauthorised transactions within seven working days.
• The Reserve Bank of India(RBI) has allowed Non Banking Finance Companies to sell and market the new
pension scheme ( NPS). Those NBFCs which have asset size of Rs 500 crore and above that and have made a
net profit in the preceding financial year are permitted to sell NPS to their clients after registration with the
pension regulator.
• Private life insurance company Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance, has tied up with
Dhanlaxmi Bank for marketing bancassurance on 7th July 2017.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering setting up a public credit registry in India to address the twin
balance sheet problem of the banking sector and the corporate sector. Reserve Bank celebrated its ‘11th
Annual Statistics Day Conference’ on July 04, 2017 on the Theme ‘New Frontiers on Statistical Methods and
Information Base for Central Banks’.
• India will soon get a seat on the Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC), a newly-constituted forum of
central bankers and experts working towards promotion of a robust and transparent forex market.
• MobiKwik and Samsung Pay enable one-tap payment solution for e-wallet users. It allows users to just tap
and pay using the debit/credit cards and wallets stored on their mobile devices.
• Nepal SBI Bank, a subsidiary of the State Bank of India, on 8th July launched its fully automatic digital
banking services sbiINTOUCH in Kathmandu. This is for the first time the State Bank of India has expanded
the paperless banking system outside India.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended its earlier order asking banks to initiate bankruptcy
proceedings against 12 companies which have outstanding loans amounting to over Rs 5,000 crore as on
March 2016.
• The next tranche of sovereign gold bond (SGB) scheme will be launched by Government on July 10, 2017.
This time is providing a 2.5 per cent annual interest to investors. The minimum investment will be 1 gram of
gold. The maximum limit can be subscribed up to 500 grams per person per fiscal year (April-March).
• A new tax payer service module ‘Aaykar Setu’, was launched by the Union Finance Minister, Shri Arun
Jaitley on 10th of July 2017.This e-initiative would help in reducing physical interface between assesses and
tax assessing authorities.
• Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley was the Chief Guest on the occasion of 36th Foundation Day of
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), celebrated in New Delhi. NABARD
dedicated this day to celebrate the Silver Jubilee (25 years) of Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme
(SHG BLP).
• Axis Bank has announced a collaboration with Inter- American Investment Corporation that it will help
traders boost relations between India and Latin America.Axis Bank said it is the first Indian Bank to be a part
of such a facility.
• SBI has waived charges for fund transfer of up to Rs 1,000 through its IMPS (Immediate Payment Service) to
promote small transactions. SBI charge Rs 5 along with the applicable service tax for IMPS fund transfer of
up to Rs 1,000.
• YES BANK, India's fourth largest private sector bank, along with YES Global Institute has launched 'YES
GST' program for MSMEs(Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) under its MSME CSR initiative, 'Say YES
to Sustainable MSMEs in India'.The Bank has also created a portal http://www.Yesbank.In/yes-gst which will
be easy-to-understand knowledge material of all GST related information.
• The Chhattisgarh government has planned to merge all district cooperative central banks (DCCBs) of the state
into a single State Cooperative Bank.
• YES Bank has got $150 million funding from US government and Wells Fargo to fund SME lending on 14th
of July 2017. This is the third round of funding between the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC)
US government development finance institution and Wells Fargo.
• The government has extended the deadline till 16th August for businesses to opt for composition scheme
under the GST regime. It has been announced on 22nd of July 2017. Small businesses with turnover of up to
Rs 75 lakh were earlier given time till July 21 to opt for the scheme in the Goods and Services Tax regime.
• SBI bank has launched ‘SBI Realty’ www.sbirealty.in . It is a one stop integrated website for home
buyers.The lender is expected to expand its home loancredit through such move.
• According to ADB India is expected to achieve the projected growth rate of 7.4% in 2017 and further up 7.6%
on 2018.
• The Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue bank notes of denomination Rs 20 in Mahatma Gandhi
series 2005. It will be similar in design to those currently in circulation. The new notes will be bearing inset
letter 'S' in the number panel and signature of Governor Urjit R Patel.
• ICRA has launched a new system for rating of infrastructure projects in association with the India
Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL).The new rating system will emphasise on the overall recovery of
external funds given to the lender.
• ICICI Bank will be offering personal loans of up to Rs 15 lakh through its ATMs. It can be availed by salaried
customers even if they haven't previously applied for one.
• Markets regulator SEBI has signed a pact with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) for
exchange of information Central Counterparties (CCPs) on 20th July 2017.
• Bank of Baroda has signed an agreement with Directorate General of Supplies & Disposal (DGS&D) on 21st
of July 2017. The MoU has been signed for extending various banking services to Government e-Marketplace
(GeM).
• Karnataka Bank has launched a Met Loan & Life Suraksha” (MLLS) for its customers. It has been announced
on 20th of July 2017. The bank also introduced ‘KBL MLLS’ app, which marks the celebration of 15 years of
partnership with M/s PNB MetLife.
• In latest update of World Economic Outlook released by International Monetary Fund (IMF) on July 24,
2017, economic growth outlook for India has been kept unchanged at 7.2% in 2017-18 and 7.7% in 2018-
19.IMF has kept its outlook for global growth unchanged at 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018.
• India’s GDP growth is to be higher at 6.6% in the June quarter from the previous three months this year.
According to Japanese financial services major Nomura.
• RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Union Bank of India f-coorm “plnoniance” on Know Your
Customer (KYC) norms announced on 31st of July 2017.
• State Bank of India has cut interest on savings account deposits by 50 bassi points to 3.5 per cent on balance
up to Rs 1 crore. The bank decides to continue 4 per cent interest on savings account balance of Rs 1 crore and
above.
• Aurionpro Solutions has launched its Branch-in-a-Box product, the Virtual Teller Machine (VTM) a fully
integrated self-service kiosk for automating 90% of banking transactions at the branch level.
• On July 24, 2017, NSE Nifty breached the 10,000 level for the first time while the BSE Sensex hit another
record high of 32,374.30 in opening trade. Nifty breached the historic 10,000 level by gaining 44.90 points, or
0.45 %, to trade at an all-time high of 10,011.30, surpassing its previous intra-day high of 9,982.05 touched on
July 24, 2017.
• Standard Chartered Bank has launched a Multi-currency Forex Card for overseas travellers. The card is
designed to offer travelers a secure way to carry money when traveling abroad.
• According to the Nomura report Retail Inflation in India is expected to rise "noticeably" from 'trough' in June
to 4.4% in the second half of 2017.
• Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has started its full-fledged merchant banking operations
to help MSME’s tap market announced on 26th of July 2017.
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance have signed an agreement for the
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distribution of insurance products through the branches on 26 July 2017.
• BSE has joined hands with Egyptian Exchange (EGX) for cooperation in exchange of information across
business areas. The MoU between BSE and EGX represents an important step in integrating both the
exchanges to build capital market flows.
• RBI has set up Supervisory Colleges for six Scheduled Commercial Banks which have sizeable international
presence to enhance information exchange and cooperation among supervisors, to improve understanding of
the risk profile of the banking group. The Banks which are included are State Bank of India, ICICI Bank Ltd.,
Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank Ltd. and Punjab National Bank.
• The RBI has given a final nod to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), the umbrella organisation
for all retail payment to function as the Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit (BBPCU) and operate the Bharat
Bill Payment System (BBPS).
• Indian Overseas Bank has offered the Bharat Bill Payment System(BBPS) which is introduced by the National
Payments Corporation of India, for its customers.
• India has featured among 60 nations on Digital Evolution Index 2017, exhibiting a high potential in terms of
digital payments.On the Digital Evolution Index 2017, India has been categorised under the “break out”
segment which refers to countries that have relatively lower absolute levels of digital advancement, yet remain
poised for growth and are attractive to investors by virtue of their potential.
• Canara Bank has launched its first ‘Digital Banking Branch’ at Spencer Towers in MG Road, Bengaluru. The
branch is titled “CANDI” and its aim to provide an end-to-end digital experience to customers.
BUSINESS
• On June 30, 2017, Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan launched National Biopharmaceutical
Mission. This programme has been named Innovate in India (i3).It is a $250 million dollar initiative that
includes a $125 million loan from the World Bank.
• The growth of eight core sectors slowed to 3.6% in May due to fall in output of coal and fertilisers.The growth
rate of eight infrastructure sectors coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel,
cement and electricity was 5.2% in May last year.
• The Finance Ministry has removed additional excise duty on tobacco, pan masala and cigarettes with effect
from July 1, following the GST implementation.
• Aadhaar architect Nandan Nilekani and Helion Venture’s Sanjeev Aggarwal have launched an investment
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fund called Fundamentum on 3 of July 2017. It has been launched with a corpus of $100 million.
• In a bid to identify and nurture innovative start-ups, Karnataka government has launched the ‘Elevate 100’
scheme. Karnataka Minister for IT and BT, Priyank Kharge has mentioned that aim of ‘Elevate 100’ scheme
is to identify 100 most innovative start-ups in the state to elevate them to the next level of success.
• Siemens has opened its first digital factory in India on 5th of July 2017. It is also the third globally after one
each in Germany and China. It is as the industrial conglomerate pitches smart facilities to small and medium
scale enterprises in the country.
• The Consumer Affairs Ministry has amended the rules that govern packaged commodities from 1st Jan. 2018.
The Centre has clarified that the retail sale price shall be the maximum retail price (MRP) inclusive of all
taxes, with the provision to round off the price to the nearest rupee or 50 paise.
• National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and Industrial Infrastructure Development
Corporation (IDCO) have launched a joint venture company to set up an aluminium park at AngulOdisha.
• According to the official figures released on 6th July, India became the fourth-largest foreign investor into the
UK. It slipped one position from 3rd to 4th.The data was based on the number of projects set up by various
countries in UK. The US remains on the top, investing in 577 projects in the UK
• US tech giant Oracle has announced the opening of its first 'Digital Hub' in the Asia Pacific regionin
Bengaluru on 7th of July 2017.
• India will be going to import crude oil from US and the shipment is expected to touch Indian shores in
October for the first time in history.
• The government has exempted the import of aircraft, aircraft engines and its parts on lease from the Goods
and Services Tax (GST).
• The income-tax authorities have added a new provision in the tax return form (ITR2) which will require all
non-residents to disclose details of their bank accounts outside India.
• BMW motors has opened a new research and development (R&D) centre in China, the largest outside of
Germany.
• Auto major Tata Motors has developed the country’s first bio-CNG (bio-methane) bus on 17th of July 2017.
The buses were showcased at the Urja Utsav organised by oil ministry.
• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the first time crossed Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation.It is the
second company (Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) was the first company in 2014) to cross Rs 5 lakh crore in
market capitalisation.
• As per Government data released on July 18, 2017, India’s food grain production has increased by 8.7% to a
record high 273.38 million tonne during 2016-17. India last had a record output in food grains of 265.04
million tonne during 2013-14.
• Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan (NTFAP) and
said WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) coming into force on February 22, 2017 was a major
milestone for the global trading system.
• The Indian Army has signed a MoU with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to
raise one regiment of the advanced Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles ( MRSAM) . The entire project has
a total cost of Rs 17,000 cr.
• India has launched its first petroleum Research & Development (R&D) facility for testing high-end BS-VI
quality fuel emissions. This "first-of-its kind" facility was inaugurated by Petroleum Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan in Faridabad in the National Capital Region (NCR) on 22nd of July 2017.
• The Food Safety and Authority of India (FSSAI) has banned the stapler pins in tea bags from January 2018
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announced on 24 of July 2017. The FSSAI has directed the concerned food business operators to discontinue
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the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of stapled tea bags by 1 January 2018.
• Microsoft India has launched Kaizala app, a 'made in India' app. It ha been designed for large group
communications and work management, even for remote locations with 2G optimisation. It is powered by
Azure Cloud platform.
• Global food standard-setting body Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) adopted three Codex standards
for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme paving the way for a universal agreement on identifying
quality spices in various countries. These three Codex standards were adopted at CAC’s recent meeting in
Geneva, Switzerland.
• According to Minister for Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh said that first time India has become a net export
country in Steel. It has been announced on 31st of July 2017.
• Amazon Prime Video has signed deal with Bollywood star Salman Khan to premiere his all future films first
exclusively on Amazon Prime Video right after the theatrical release.
• The Central Board oDif rect Taxes (CBDT) has entered into 9 Unilateral Advance Pricing Agreements
(UAPAs) with Indian taxpayers on 31st of July 2017. The APA Scheme will provide cerait nty to taxpayers in
the domain of transfer pricing.
• Australia has sent its first uranium shipment to India for testing purposes ahead of possible commercial sales.
It comes after India and Australia signed an agreement for civil nuclear cooperation in 2014 to meet India’s
growing energy needs.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
• 2 Indian-Americans Shantanu Narayen and Vivek Murthy to be honoured with Great Immigrants award on
US's Independence Day on July 4.
• Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya set to be awarded with Mohun Bagan Ratna
Former India defender Subrata Bhattacharya will get the 'Mohun Bagan Ratna' for this year. It was announced
on 30th of June 2017.Debabrata Das will get the best cricketer prize. Balwant Singh will also bag the best
footballer of the year.
• On June 30, 2017, writer Preeti Shenoy was awarded Indian of the Year Award by Brands Academy in New
Delhi.
• Telangana IPS officer Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat gets award from US state department. Mr. Bhagwat, the
current Rachakonda Police Commissioner is the third IPS officer to get the honour.
• Swayam Shikshan Prayog is a city-based NGO, has been awarded the United Nations Development
Programme’s Equator Prize. It is the only Indian organisation to win the award among 800 nominations across
120 countries.
• An Indian-origin man Guruswamy Jayraman was awarded Order of Australia for community work on 6th of
July 2017. It is Australia's highest civilian award.
• Water Health International (WHI), a US-based company with operating headquarters in Hyderabad, has been
awarded the Unilever Global Development Award at the 20th Responsible Business Awards ceremony, held
in London on July 4, 2017.
• Tata Steel has won the Prime Minister's trophy for being the best performing integrated steel plant in the
country during 2014-15 and 2015-16. This makes it the third consecutive-year for the firm to be honoured
with this award
• Actor Ranveer Singh has featured in GQ's Most Influential Young Indians 2017. 'Baahubali'
actor Prabhas with other actors have featured in the Most Influential Young Indians Artistes list by GQ India
magazine.
• Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman has been shortlisted for the World Soundtrack Awards for
his upcoming film, Viceroy's House.It is a film directed by Gurinder Chadha, a British filmmaker of Sikh
origin, "Viceroy's House"
• Mother Terasa’s blue border sari which worn by nuns of Missionaries of Charity was recognised as
Intellectual Property of Missionaries of Charity on September 4, 2016, the day the Mother Teresa was
canonized. This is the first time that a uniform has been made intellectual property.
• During the ‘Maruti Suzuki Sportsperson of the Year’ Charity Gala Awards Rio Olympics silver medallist P V
Sindhu was bagged with the Sportsperson of the Year award on 8th of July 2017.P Gopichand(Sindhu’s
coach) received the Coach of the Year award and Sikh Milkha Singh was given the Living Legend of the Year
award.2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Climate and energy efficiency solutions company Danfoss India has been recognized with the ‘Golden
Peacock Award’ for Environment Management.
• Indian Railways Organization for Alternate Fuel (IROAF) has set gold standards by winning Golden Peacock
Award for Eco Innovation for the year 2017 for introducing eco friendly and cost saving Compressed Natural
Gas (CNG) based Dual Fuel 1400 HP Diesel engines on Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains.
• Kishore Sansi, Managing Director and CEO of Vijaya Bank, has been conferred the ‘Personality of the Year’
award by Skoch Consultancy Services on 13th of July 2017. The award is part of the ‘Skoch Banking and
Financial Leadership’ series.
IIFA Awards 2017 in New Jersey, USA – Winners List
Category Winner
Best Film Neerja
Best Actor – Male Shahid Kapoor (Udta Punjab)
Best Actor – Female Alia Bhatt (Udta Punjab)
Best Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury (Pink)
• According to Forbes Middle East the UAE Minister of State for Tolerance Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has
topped a poll of the most powerful Arab women in government this year.
• The Toronto Film Festival is set to honour Priyanka Chopra. She will be the guest of honour at the fundraiser
event on 6th of September, 2018. The Toronto Film Festival will begin from 7th Sept to 17th September, 2017
in Canada.
• Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his
contributions as a parliamentarian in the Lok Sabha. The award was given by the Vice President Hamid
Ansari at a function organised by the Lokmat Media Group to honour distinguished Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha members.
• On July 24, 2017, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee conferred this year's 'Mahanayak Samman
2017' to veteran actress Shakuntala Barua for her contribution to the world of cinema. For this year, Prosenjit
Chatterjee and Nusrat Jahan took home the Best Actor and Best Actress awards
• An Army medic from Michigan is becoming the first person to receive the Medal of Honorrom f President
Donald Trump in Wahington. While McCloughan was a 23-year-old, he was drafted into the Army and sent to
Southeast Asia.
• Kolkata-based football club Mohun Bagan conferred prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna award on former club
captain and coach Subrata Bhattacharya, while Indian Women's cricket team veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami
was given a special award at the club's annual day programme in Kolkata on July 29, 2017.
• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has become the world's richest person with a fortune of over $90.5 billion
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announced on 27 of July 2017. Bezos owns around 17% of the equity of Amazon.
Winners of Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2017
Winner Awarded for
Yoshiaki Ishizawa For devoting 50 years of his life to help preserve Cambodia’s Angkor Wat
(Japan)
Gethsie Shanmugam For braving bombings and threats of arrests in conflict zones to counsel war widows,
(Sri Lanka) orphans and children traumatized by three decades of brutal civil war in Sri Lanka
Abdon Nababan For leading an effort to return state-controlled forest land to indigenous communities and
(Indonesia) give them a political voice and identity
Tony Tay For organizing volunteers starting in 1983 to cook and distribute thousands of free meal
(Singapore) packs every day to feed the elderly, migrant workers and low-income families.
Ms. Lilia de For overseeing the opening of hundreds of job-generating export processing zones across
Lima (Philippines) the country as head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority
Philippine Philippine Educational Theatre Association was founded in 1967 with an initial aim of
Educational Theatre creating a national theatre but served as an artistic platform for protest when
Association dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law five years later. Its advocacies through the
(Philippines) arts have since expanded to gender issues and disaster preparedness.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNS
Appointee Desination and Organisation
KK Venugopal 15th Attorney General of India
Rajiv Kumar Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh
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Achal Kumar Jyoti 21 Chief Election Commissioner
Carrie Lam was sworn Hong Kong's first female leader
Vidya Balan Brand Ambassador of Signature Global
Dinesh Malkani (quits Office) Cisco India President
Lt General Mahesh Senanayake New Army Commander of Sri Lanka.
Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kumar National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Chief
Pradeep Kumar Rawat Ambassador of India to the Republic of Indonesia
N Chandrasekaran Chairman of Tata Global Beverages
Sanjiv Goenka IIT-Kharagpur chairman
Sandeep Chakravorty (India's Ambassador New York Consul General
to Peru )
Khaltmaa Battulga (Democratic Party) wins Mongolian presidential election
Saima Wazed Goodwill Ambassador of WHO
Kewal Handa Non-executive chairman of Union Bank
Melwyn Rego Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Syndicate
Bank.
R K Pachnanda Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
John Joseph Director General of GST intelligence agency
Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah First Ever black assistant for Queen Elizabeth
Raninder Singh (Re Elected) National Rifle Association of India President
Debi Prasad Dash Director General of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
(DRI).
Leslie Thng CEO of Vistara
M&M's Rajeev Dubey Governing board of the International Labour Organisation
Thomas Kuehl President of Nissan Indian operations
Ravi Shastri New head coach of Indian cricket team
Sandeep Patil Brand ambassador of Indoor Cricket Team
Farzaneh Sharafbani First female CEO Iran Air
Justice Vikramajit Sen Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC-chairperson)
Subra Suresh President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU)-
Singapore
Senior IRS Officers Arbind Modi and CBDT Members
Bajrang Dass Vishnoi
Aarthi Subramanian - Chief Digital Officer of Tata Sons
Bishwadip Dey (concurrently) High Commissioner of India to Montserrat
Lilly Singh UNICEF's Global Goodwill Ambassador
Sanjiv Kohli (concurrently) High Commissioner of India to Niue
Mukesh Kumar Jain MD & CEO of Oriental Bank
Sushant Kumar Panda, Ameeta Suri, Members in the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).
Pranab Kumar Das and Joseph
Bilal Dar Brand ambassador of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation
(SMC)
Justice Gopal Prasad Parajuli Chief Justice of Nepal
Farooq Abdullah (Srinagar-Budgam) Lok Sabha members
Kunhalikutty(Malappuram)
UK's first woman Sikh MP Preet Kaur Parliament panel in UK
Gill
Smriti Irani Additional charge as I&B Minister
NarendraTomar Additional charge -Minister for housing and urban affairs.
Swami Smarananandaji Ramakrishna Mission president
TR Zeliang 19th Cheif Minister of Nagaland.
Bharat Arun Cricket India bowling coach until 2019 World Cup
Ram Nath Kovind (NDA) 14th President of India
Mayawati (resigns) From Rajya Sabha MP post
Lady Super Star Nayanthara Brand Ambassador for Tata Sky
Kamal Haasan Brand ambassador of Tamil Thalaivas
Shanmugh Natarajan MD of Adobe India operations
Former minister Lord Davies Chair of the UK India Business Council
Sanjay Kothari Secretary to new President Ram Nath Kovind
Brenda Hale UK supreme court's first female president
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Alphabet Board of Directors
Ajay Kanwal Janalakshmi Financial Services- CEO
Subhash Chandra Garg India’s Alternate Governor on the Board of Governors of ADB
JDU President Nitish Kumar Chief Minister of Bihar for 6th time
Shikha Sharma (Term Extended three- Axis Bank CEO
year from June 2018 )
Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif (resigns) Over Panama Papers verdict
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Interim Pakistan Prime Minister
Ravi Mittal Part-time member on IRDAI board
Amitabh Bachchan Ambassador of UNICEF
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
• National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE) will merge with Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) creating
the India's third biggest commodity exchange.ICEX will hold a 62.8% stake in the merged entity,
while NMCE shareholders will own 37.2%.This is the first merger deal in the commodity exchange space in
India.
• Nokia has announced that it has entered into a wide-ranging patent licensing and purchase deal with
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Xiaomi on 5 of July 2017. Xiaomi is the Chinese maker of smartphones, wearables and other hardware,
which will also become a customer of Nokia’s for networking equipment.
• Google has acquired Bangalore-based artificial intelligence firm Halli Labs. It focuses on Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
• State Bank of India (SBI), the Carlyle Group and GE have announced that they have sfiignenitid deve
agreements.Under this agreement SBI and Carlyle Group will acquire GE Capital's enire sttake in SBI Card,
the second-largest credit card franchise in India.SBI and Carlyle will own 74% and 26% respectively in each
of the two entities.
• Eurofins Scientific is acquirin gAdvinus Therapeutics from the Tata Group. Eurofins Scientific is the world
leader in food, environment and pharmaceutical products testing and a L-bauxesemd grbourgoup of
laboratories.
• The Cabinet has given an in-principle approval to sell the government’s entire 51.11% stake in
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Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd to Oil and Natural Gas Corp. It has been announced on 24 of July 2017.
• Yatra Online Inc, India’s second-largest online travel operator has acquired Air Travel
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Bureau (ATB)announced on 24 July 2017. The estimated cash-and debt deal is of $22.5-27.5 million.
• Axis Bank has announced that it has agreed to buy mobile payments wallet provider FreeCharge from e-
commerce company Snapdeal for Rs 385 crore.
• Lulu Exchange, a foreign exchange and remittance company, has announced that it has entered into an
agreement to acquire 100 per cent ownership of Al Falah Exchange Company in the UAE for Rs. 95 crore.
MoUs
• Odisha government has signed an Expression of Intent (EOI) with the International Association of Athletics
Federations (IAAF) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on 6th of July 2017. It is for establishing
an 'Odisha-AFI-IAAF High Performance Academy', to provide coaching, integrated support services and
education to athletes and junior potential elite athletes of the state.
• 65 MoUs in the textiles sector were signed on July 1, 2017, the 2nd day of mega textiles trade fair, ‘Textiles
India 2017’. These MoUs were signed in presence of Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani.
• Microsoft India has signed an agreement with National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) to offer
Microsoft Aspire School Program (MASP) Pro Plus to over 55,000 member schools. Through this
partnership, schools across 23 states can now avail MASP Pro Plus.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Government
of West Bengal to set up a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine on 10th of July 2017.
The Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine will be set up in Kolkata. Government has approved an
outlay of approximately Rs.200 Crores towards equipment, manpower and running costs.
• MoU Between ESIC & DGFASLI has been signed on occupational health and prevention of occupational
injuries and diseases in New Delh. It will remain in force for a time period of three years.
• Cabinet approves MoU between India and Palestine on cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine.
• Bangladesh would impart clarity to the interpretation of the existing Agreement between India and
Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (BIPA).
• Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Computer
Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and Bangladesh Government Computer Incident Response Team
(BGD e-Gov CIRT) for cyber security cooperation.
• Cabinet apprised of MoU between India and Palestine on cooperation in the field of Information Technology
and Electronics (IT&E)
• The Uttar Pradesh government has signed an MoU with the Centre for setting up of an AIIMS hospital in
Gorakhpur on 14th of July 2017.
• A MoU was signed for promoting regional air connectivity in Bihar.The MoU has been signed in presence of
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok GajapatiRaju and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Kumar.
• Five states and a union territory including Gujarat and Telangana would ink an MoU with Government e-
Market (GeM) for smart procurement of goods and services. The other states that will ink the agreement are
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and union territory Puducherry.
• HAL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Defence for the financial year 2017-
18.The revenue from operations has been targeted at Rs 17,900 crore, the highest ever.
• BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd (BRPL) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have signed an MoU to
explore collaboration opportunities for solar rooftop, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, energy
efficiency and smart grid technologies.
• India and Sri Lanka have signed a MoU to develop a village in Anuradhapura District. The total estimated
cost is Rs 30 crores Sri Lankan rupees.
• The MoU has been signed between the department of Defence Production and Bharat Electronics Limited
(BEL) for the financial year 2017-18 with the Ministry. BEL is a Navratna Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Sector
Enterprise (CPSE).
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and
Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) for the financial year 2017-18.A MoU has been signed between
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a Schedule ‘B’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and a
Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence for the financial year 2017-18. Goa Shipyard Limited
(GSL), a miniratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) for the financial year 2017-18.
• Union Cabinet has been apprised of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and
Netherlands on cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes. The MoU was
signed on May 11 & 22, 2017 at Bangalore and The Hague, Netherlands respectively.
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• India and Bangladesh have signed a pact to connect both the countries by waterways announced on 24 of
July 2017. The waterways will facilitate movement of passengers and goods between India’s northeast and
West Bengal with Bangladesh.
• Cabinet apprised of the MoU signed between India and Palestine on cooperation in the field of youth affairs
and sports.
• Maharashtra’s women commission will sign an agreement with the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP).It has been signed for rescue and rehabilitation of women who are victims of sex trafficking, acid
attack and domestic violence.
• The Punjab government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Foundation for
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Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) on 28 of July 2017. The MoU was signed on the occasion of World
Hepatitis Day.
• Iran and Iraq has signed an agreement to boost military cooperation and the fight against terrorism and
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extremism on 23 of July 2017.
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• The BRICS nations have signed the BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum on 27 of July 2017. The
aim is to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation. It includes improving consultation procedures
efficiency, boost taxation capacities and plan paths for coordination of taxation policies and tax collection.
• On July 29, 2017, Sri Lanka’s government signed an agreement to sell a 70% stake in a $1.5 billion
Hambantota port to China in a bid to recover from the heavy burden of repaying a Chinese loan obtained to
build the facility. The deal document was signed between the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and China Merchants
Port Holding Co. in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a MoU with Government of Uttarakhand Civil Aviation
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Development Authority (UCADA). The MoU has been signed on 21 of July 2017.
SCHEMES
• Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on 8th July, 2017 announced a new health scheme to enable capital’s
residents avail free surgery in private hospitals at government’s cost. This would be applicable in case
government hospitals were unable to operate within one month.
• The Maharashtra government has approved a revised policy of the 'Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree' scheme who
have a yearly income of upto Rs 7.5 lakh will be benefited from this scheme. As per the revised provisions
after having the first girl child, if the mother or the father undergoes a family planning operation, a sum of Rs
50,000 shall be deposited in a bank in the name of the girl child.
• Madhya Pradesh’s school education department is going to start programmes such as 'Hamari Shala Kaisi Ho'
and 'Shala Siddhi Karyakram' to provide qualitative education to the government school studentsof the state.
• Finance Minister Arun Jaitley formally launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension
scheme exclusively for senior citizens (60 years and above) with 8% fixed rate of interest on their
savingsfor 10 years.It can be purchased offline as well as online through Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of
India.
• The Ministry of Rural Development will launch a new sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana –
National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) which will be named as “Aajeevika Grameen Express
Yojana (AGEY)”.
• Uttar Pradesh Power Minister Srikant Sharma has launched free power connection scheme for the BPL card
holders in the state
• The Centre has approved the construction of 30,000 houses for the urban poor on private land
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in Maharashtra's Sholapur on 25 of July 2017. It is the first such project to be taken up on private land under
PMAY(U).
• On July 26, 2017, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave approval for revision
of guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) Scheme with a view to achieve its intended objectives.
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• The Punjab health minister Brahm Mohindra has launched a flagship care companion health scheme on 28 of
July 2017. The main aim is to improve patient outcomes through better family engagement and education.
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• Haryana government has prohibited mixing of liquid nitrogen with any drink or food article announced on 29
of July 2017. The ban has been issued under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
(Central Act 34 of 2006).
• The Punjab government has announced the launch of its flagship 'Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar' scheme by
flagging off over 100 uber MOTO bikes.Under the scheme the state government will be providing commercial
two wheelers and four wheelers to unemployed youth at subsidised rates.
COMMITTEE
• A four-member committee of BCCI will take the final call in appointing the support staff of the Indian team
and then decide on the contracts that will be handed to the coaches.A four member committee will have
President CK Khanna, acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary, CEO Rahul Johri and Committee.
• Karnataka has constituted a nine member committee to design a 'state' flag and submit a report on giving it
legal sanctity. If such a flag does come into being, Karnataka will only be the second state in the country to
officially have a flag of its own.
• The Supreme Court has allowed the Centre to replace the MCI oversight committee and to supervise the
functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) with a fresh panel of five eminent doctors.
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has formed a selection committee headed by the Cabinet
Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha to identify and recommend eligible persons for appointment as the chairman
and members of the National Anti-profiteering Authority.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
• Reliance Jio Infocomm has launched the Asia-Africa-Europe (AAE-1) submarine cable system. It is
the longest 100Gbps technology based submarine system, will stretch over 25,000 km from Marseille, France
to Hong Kong, with 21 cable landings across Asia and Europe.
• NASA is developing the first-ever mission that will deflect a near-Earth asteroid. It help in testing the systems
that will allow mankind to protect the planet from potential cosmic body impacts in the future.
• Scientists have developed the world's sharpest laser with record-breaking precision. It can help in making the
optical atomic clocks more precise as well as test Einstein's theory of relativity.
• The indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air (QRSAM) short range missile was successfully
test-fired from a test range along the Odisha coastChandipur near Balasore. The missile has a capability of
engaging multiple target and has a strike range of 25 km to 30 km.
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• North Korea claims to have successfully tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on 4 of July
2017. It can strike targets anywhere in the world, following its most recent launch.
• On July 3, 2017, SpaceX's Dragon cargo spacecraft returned to Earth from the International Space
Station (ISS) bringing back the first Chinese experiment ever to ISS. This was SpaceX's 11th contracted cargo
re-supply mission for NASA.
• The world's most detailed scan of the brain's internal wiring has been produced by scientists at Cardiff
University, UK. The scanning was done in Cardiff, Nottingham, Cambridge and Stockport, as well as London
England and London Ontario.
• Union Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal, New & Renewable Energy and Mines, Piyush Goyal launched
the ‘MERIT app (Merit Order Despatch of Electricity for Rejuvenation of Income and Transparency)’ and the
e-bidding portal for providing e-Bidding solution to States to select Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for
procurement of power by transferring their domestic coal under the scheme of flexibility in utilization of
domestic coal.
• SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully delivered super-heavy Intelsat 35e, a commercial communications
satellite, to a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO). Intelsat 35e was launched from Kennedy Space Centre,
Florida, US.
• Pakistan has successfully undertaken a series of training launches and tests during the current week for
validation of new technical parameters of ‘Nasr’ which is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile
system . The launch took place in Rawalpindi. This missile system ranges from 60 km to 70 km.
• University of Washington researchers have invented a cellphone that requires no batteries.This battery free
cellphone works by harvesting the few microwatts of power it requires from either ambient radio signals or
light.
• Centre has launched a GST Rates Finder app to verify the accurate tax rate on commodity and services under
the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. Through this app, user can determine GST rate by entering the
name of the commodity or service.
• The Madhya Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the RSS website on 10th of July 2017.
The website will energise and inspire people to do good work and people to come forward to serve others.
• The findings mark the first time a vaccine has shown any protection against gonorrhea .Researchers say a
vaccine, originally developed to protect against a strain of meningitis, has been shown to ward off gonorrhea -
a sexually transmitted infection.
• According to NASA's Juno mission has completed a close flyby of Jupiter's Great Red Spot on 12th of July
2017. This flyby came as part of Juno's sixth science orbit around the planet the next close flyby will occur
1st Sept.
• Union Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has inaugurated Doppler Weather Radar on 12th of July 2017. Doppler
Weather Radar is built by Indian Meteorological Department at Kochi.
• Astronomers from Cambridge University have discovered a smallest star in our galaxy.The star known as
EBLM J0555-57Ab is almost 600 light-years away from Earth.
• A team of Indian astronomers has discovered a large supercluster of galaxies which named as Saraswati. It is
as big as 20 million billion suns.It has been said by Pune-based Inter University Centre for Astronomy and
Astrophysics (IUCAA) on 13th of July 2017.
• Russian Soyuz Rocket lifted off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and deployed 73 satellites into
three different orbits.The satellites were launched by Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Russian space agency,
Roscosmos.
• The Rail Minister has launched an integrated mobile application SAARTHI (synergised advanced application
rail travel help and information) to cater to various passenger requirements, including ticket booking, inquiry,
on-board cleaning and ordering meal on a single platform.
• Scientists from the University of Cambridge have developed super-stretchy and strong artificial silk. It is
composed almost entirely of water, which may be used to make eco-friendly textiles and sensors.
• Ministry of Science and Technology launched Sohum Hearing Screening device, a low-cost indigenous
screening device to detect congenital hearing loss in newborns. The device was formally launched in New
Delhi by the Minister of State for Science and Technology YS Chowdary.
• Scientists from ETH Zurich in Switzerland have developed a 3D-printed soft silicone heart that closely
resembles and functions like the human organ.
• UIDAI, which issues Aadhaar numbers, has launched mAadhaar app for mobile users. It will allow users to
carry unique identification profile on mobile.
• Google has launched 'Hire', a recruiting app for small- and medium-sized businesses on July 20, 2017. It also
integrates seamlessly with G Suite.
• According to the scientists the three space-based observatories Astrosat, Chandra, Hubble Space Telescope
and a ground-based observatory HARPS have detected a massive coronal explosion on the nearest planet-
hosting star ‘Proxima Centauri’. The exercise to investigate the fate of this Earth-like planet orbiting the
‘Proxima Centauri’, around 4.25 light years away from the Sun.
• Wi-Fi Local Area Network (LAN) was launched at the Arunachal Pradesh. The facility would modernize
work culture in the civil secretariat on 23rd of July 2017. It is the first secretariat in the country to be fully
under wireless coverage.
• The WCD minister also directed the officials to make the 'SHe-box'(sexual harassment electronic box) as
"interactive" as possible. This aims to enable women employees of the central government to file complaints
related to sexual harassment at the workplace.
• Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) in Thiruvananthapuram have
developed a hydrophobic sorbent that can suck up oil and congeal it.
• Scientists have developed a super strong, flexible bio-glue for wound healing without causing toxicity. It has
been developed by the erudite researchers from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineernig and
the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
• The Union Minister Shri Tomar and the ILO Deputy Director General (Policy) International Labour
Organization Ms. Deborah Greenfield has launched the Mobile App for Road Maintenance “Aarambh”. It has
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been announced on 24 of July 2017.
• Scientists have produced human antibodies in the laboratory for the first time using a technique that can lead
to rapid development of new vaccines to treat a wide range of infectious diseases. Researchers, led by
Facundo Batista from the Francis Crick Institute in the UK.
• On July 25, 2017, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Uttar Pradesh Real Estate
Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) website, http://www.up-rera.in/. This will help Home buyers who can get
complete information about builder’s right from registration number of builders to his/her antecedents.
• This rare eclipse will be the first in 99 years, when the Earth will cross the shadow of the moon, creating a
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total solar eclipse. The event will occur on 21 August 2017.
• Scientists in the US for the first time have successfully used gene-editing tools on human embryos to correct
defective DNA that cause inherited diseases. This study may open gates to Designer Babies.
• On the occasion of Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences in New Delhi Union Minister of Science &
Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has launched an
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app“India Quake”on 27 of July 2017.
• On July 27, 2017, Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Environment, Forests & Climate
Change, Dr. Harshvardhan launched an Integrated Information Dissemination System, “Sagar Vani” on the
occasion of Foundation Day of Ministry of Earth Sciences in New Delhi.
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• Iran has successfully launched a satellite-carrying rocket Simorgh into space on 28 of July 2017. The launch
of a "Simorgh" rocket that is capable of carrying a satellite weighing 250 kilograms (550 pounds). "Simorgh"
means "phoenix" in Farsi.
• Scientists have developed new Artificial intelligence (AI) software called SurfNet that can create three
dimensional (3D) models from 2D photographs.SurfNet can be used in robotics, object recognition and even
self-driving cars.
• The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has approved 6 transport proposals of the
Transport ministry exploring options to improve public transport. The ministry is headed by former top
official of Railways to study parameters associated with these technologies and their best global practices.
• Breakthrough Starshot, a Russian billionaire Yuri Milner’s $100-million effort to explore the closest star
system to our own, has launched the smallest-ever spacecraft into orbit around Earth Known as Sprites.
DEFENCE
• There is a 15-day long joint military training exercise named Ex Maitree 2017 between the Indian and Thai
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army has begun from 3 July in Himachal Pradesh.
• The Trilateral Malabar exercise begins in Chennai on 7th July 2017. The U.S., Indian and Japanese maritime
forces will be participating in the Malabar Naval Exercise 2017. Naval ships, aircraft and
personnel from India, Japan and the United States will participate in exercise Malabar 2017.
• NATO military exercises in Eastern Europe have begun in Bulgaria. It involves 25,000 military personnel
from more than 20 allied and partner countries. The Saber Guardian 17 exercises are being led by U.S. Army
Europe and run until 20th July.
• China and Russia have started their large-scale naval exercise “Joint Sea 2017” in the Baltic Sea. It has been
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announced on 23 of July 2017. The Joint Sea naval exercises were held for the first time in 2012.
• The US and Australia have jointly test-fired a hypersonic missile capable of moving at a speed eight times
faster than sound as part of a $54-million research project. The test was part of a project called the Hypersonic
International Flight Research Experimentation Program (HIFiRE) involving the US and Australian militaries,
Queensland University, Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group and private companies, including
Boeing and BAE Systems.
• U.S. Navy recently tested the world’s first-ever active Laser Weapons System (LaWS). It is $40 million
system which is currently deployed on board the USS Ponce amphibious transport ship in the Persian Gulf.
• The second of the eight Mark IV LCU vessels was formally handed over to the Indian Navy at a ceremony in
Kolkata on 19th of July 2017. It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilderss and Engineers Limited (GRSE),
Kolkata.
• US Navy commissioned world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R Ford into the fleet. The commissioning
ceremony was held at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia in presence of US President Donald Trump. The ship is
named after the 38th President of the United States Gerald Ford.
• On July 25, 2017, Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure)
announced the launch of its first two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) – ‘Shachi’ and ‘Shruti’ - at their
shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat.
• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an unmanned, remotely operated
tank named ‘Muntra’ which has three variants – surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with
nuclear and bio threats. Muntra has been developed and tested for the Army by Combat Vehicles Research
and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, Chennai.
ENVIRONMENT
• As per a publication titled ‘Mangrove Forest Cover Changes in Indian Sundarban (1986-2012) Using Remote
Sensing and GIS’, by the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, 124.418 sq. km. mangrove
forest cover in Indian Sundarbans has been lost from 1986 to 2012.
• The Assam government has raised a new Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF)on 1st July, 2017. It has
been raised for better protection of the one-horned rhinos in Assam.
• A rare ‘white tiger’ with a pale skin color has been spotted for the first time in the Nilgiris by a wildlife
photographer on 5th of July 2017.
• A study by the University of Hyderabad and the Indian Institute of Technology – Bombay suggests that the
extreme El Nino that occurred in 2015 played an important role in Chennai’s heavy rainfall.
After 1982 and 1997, the 2015 event also turned out to be an extreme El Nino event.
• India among top 5 countries using dirty wastewater farms the report has been published on 5th of July 2017.
India and four other countries are China, Pakistan, Mexico and Iran. These countries account for the most
cropland in the world irrigated by dirty wastewater according to the new research has found.
• The study have found that the surface of Mars contains a toxic cocktail of chemicals that can eradicate living
organisms. According to the study the Mars soil may be toxic to alien life on red planet.
• Scientists have discovered a unique new species of hermit crab. The newly discovered crustacean is called
Paragiopagurus atkinsonae or the Green-eyed hermit crab.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a ban on nylon and synthetic ‘manja’ the string used to fly kites as it
poses a threat to the lives of birds, animals and humans. The ban also includes cotton ‘manja’ coated with
glass, the tribunal clarified.
• Scientists from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) have discovered the presence of millions of tonnes of
precious metals and minerals deep under the waters that surround peninsular India.
• The underwater ghost nets is posing threat to the marine ecosystem off Kerala coast. It may become major
threat to the natural habitat and breeding ground of underwater fish.
• The Indian state of Telangana will have eco-friendly bridges for easy movement of tigers.The Telangana
Irrigation Department has already given permit for the construction of the eco-bridges.
• A study has been conducted by researchers from University of Hyderabad’s plant sciences department
highlights Castor plants can reduce the soil which is highly polluted with heavy metals due to industrial
pollution.
• Typhoon Haitang struck China's eastern Fujian Province with continual rain blows on dierentff parts of the
region. Over 2 lakh people have been evacuated from Typhoon. As per Xinhua news agency Typhoon Haitang
the 10th typhoon this year made landfall at 4.40 pm in Pingtung on the island of Taiwan.
• Scientists have discovered a three new species of toads living in Nevada's Great Basin in the US.It has been
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announced on 24 of July 2017.
• As per the announcement by Trivendra Singh Rawat, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand the count of tigers in
Uttarakhand shot up 242 with an increase of 63 big cats in the year 2017. Uttarakhand is the second state in
terms of tiger count behind Karnataka, which has 400 big cats.
• Scientists have discovered a new species of glow-in-the-dark shark in the Pacific Ocean. It has an unusually
large nose, weighs a little less than a kilo and measures less than a foot.
• According to the Land and Resources Ministry China has successfully produced natural gas from methane
hydrate, also known as “flammable ice”, in an experimental project in the South China Sea (SCS).
SPORTS
• Australia's Jeff Horn stunned Pacquiuao to claim a unanimous 12-round decision and win the WBO world
welterweight title in front of 50,000 fans at Lang Park on 2nd July 2017.
• On June 30, 2017, M S Dhoni became the first Indian batsman to hit more than 200 sixes in One Day
International (ODI) cricket.M S Dhoni accomplished this feat while playing a crucial unbeaten knock of 78
runs against West Indies in the third ODI in North Sound, Antigua on June 30, 2017.
• Harinder Pal Sandhu won the eighth title at the PSA level on 8th July 2017 and the third this season after
winning two in Malaysia in the month of May. The tournament was held at Adelaide,Australia.
Eastbourne Aegon Championship
Category Winner Runners-up
Men’s Singles Novak Djokovic (Serbia) Gaen Monfils (France)
Women’s Singles Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark)
Men’s Doubles Bob Bryan (US) & Mike Bryan (US) Rohan Bopanna (India) & Andre Sa
(Brazil)
Women’s Doubles Chan Yung-jan (Taipei) & Martina Hingis Ashleigh Barty (Australia) & Casey
(Switzerland) Dellacqua (Australia)
• Germany has won their first ever football Confederations Cup title after they secured a 1-0 victory against
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Copa America winners Chile on 2 of July 2017.
• Indian woman badminton player Ritika Thaker defeated another Indian woman badminton player Simran
Singhi to win the singles title in the Ivory Coast International badminton tournament at Abidjan. In women’s
singles final, Ritika defeated Simran by 21-13, 21-19 in 31 minutes.
• Jehan Daruvala became the first Indian driver to win in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship claiming
victory at Norisring in the final race of Round 5. Jehan Daruvala’s historic win comes 18 years after Naren
Karthikeeyan won in the British F3 championship.
• India has moved four places up to the 96th position in the FIFA World ranking released on 6th of July 2017.
Brazil remain on top of the FIFA rankings.
• India’s leading Pankaj Advani teamed up with Laxman Rawat to beat Pakistan in the final of the Asian Team
Snooker Championship is to be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
• India's Harinder Pal Sandhu won beating beat Rex Hedrick of Australia, a Victorian Opashen sq titlue, in
Melbourne.
• Asian champion Govindan Lakshmanan (Tamil Nadu) has won a gold medal in men’s 5000m race on the
opening day of the National Int-eStar te Athletics Championshpis. He bagged a gold medal at the Asian
Athletics Championships 2017 held in Bhubaneswar.
• Teenage Atthaya Thitiku blecame the youngest winner on the Ladies European Tour in Thailand at the
Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Cl bub.eat H Ane a Menendez of M by texicowo str okes.
Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas dominated the Austrian Grand Prix to take his second victory of the year ahead
of Sebastian Vettel as Lewis Hamilton recovered to fourth.
• India Women’ Cricket Team Captai nMithali Raj scripted history as she became the al-timel leading run-
getter in women's one-day internationals (ODI). She overtoo kCharlotte Edwards (5992 runs) after scoring
her 34th run against Australia in Bristol. Mithali first player in the wom’s gen ame to reach 6000 ODI runs
when she hit a six off Kristen Beams.
• Dr Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism has announced that 8t ehdition of the greatest
carnival of Theatre in the World will take place in India for the first time everrom f February 17 – April 08,
2018.
• Former Pakistan test captain Misb-ulah-Haq was honoured with Honorary Life Membership by the
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). The 43-year-old Misbah is the 22nd Pakistani to receive the honour.
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22 -Asian Athletics Championships 2017 - Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar
• Bhubaneswar was the third Indian city to host Asian Championships.
• The mascot of Championship was Olly, the Olive Ridley sea turtle.
• India ended the four-day championship on top with their highest ever medal haul of 29 medals (12 gold, 5
silver and 12 bronze) ,India's best came way back in the 1985 Jakarta edition where they had won 22 medals.
• This time India created history by topping medal tally at Asian Athletics.
• Neeraj Chopra (men's javelin), Govindan Laxmanan (men's 10,000 metres)nd S awapna Burman (women's
heptathlon) along with the men's and women's teams in the 4x400m relays won gold medals in their respective
events.
131st -Wimbledon Championships 2017 – Overview
Category Winner Runners-up
Men’s Singles Roger Federer (Switzerland) Marin Cilic (Croatia)
Women’s Singles Garbine Muguruza (Spain) Venus Williams (US)
Men’s Doubles Lukasz Kubot (Poland) & Oliver MArach (Austria) & Mate
Marcelo Melo (Brazil) Pavic (Croatia)
Women’s Doubles Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) & Monica Niculescu (Romania) &
Elena Vesnina (Russia) Chan Hao-ching (Taiwan)
Mixed Doubles Jamie Murray (UK) & Martina Heather Watson (UK) & Henri
Hingis (Switzerland) Kontinen (Finland)
• Lewis Hamilton Mercedes driver won his fourth successive British Grand Prixfor a record-equaling fifth time
at the Silverstone on 16th of July 2017.
• India has bagged three medals, including gold in the Asian Cadet Judo Championship in Bishkek,
Kyrgyzstan. Thangjam Tababi Devi of Manipur won the yellow metal for India in the girl's below 44kg
weight category. Haryana's Simran clinched a bronze in the girl's below 40kg division.Paramjeet of Haryana
bagged bronze medal in the boy's below 90kg category.
• H Manudev from Karnataka won the first National Masters snooker tournament title in Chennai on July 16,
2017. He defeated former Asian champion, Alok Kumar.
• The first ever Kargil International Marathon ‘Run for Sarhad’concluded with more than 800 runners from all
over the world participating in the event. The event concluded on 17th of July 2017.
• Indian youngster Damneet Singh has wonthe India’s first silver medal at the IAAF World U18
Championships. He has won in the boys’ hammer throw category. The IAAF World U18 Championships
being held in Nairobi, Kenya.
• World football's governing body FIFA has lifted the ban on the Sudan Football Association (SFA). The ban
was imposed on the Sudan Football Association (SFA) for its failure to comply with its obligations stipulated
in articles 14 and 19 of the FIFA Statutes.
• Kerala emerged champions with 159 points at the 57th National Inter-State Championships that was held from
15th – 18th July, 2017 in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. Tamil Nadu finished second with 110 points followed by
Haryana with 101 points in overall team rankings.
• A group of seven Indian students has bagged two awards at a robotics Olympiad organised by ‘FIRST Global’
in Washing D.C., US.
• Francesco Totti, a footballer legend from Italy confirmed his retirement on 17th of July 2017.
The Roma legend had announced he will take a directorship role at the Serie A club.
• Mumbai teens Neel Joshi and Ananya Dabke has bagged the under-15 boys and girls titles in the Dutch Open
Junior Squash Championship held in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
• Russia's Kazan has been selected to host the 2022 World Short Course Swimming Championships.
• According to PTI, for the first time in 21 years Chennai will not host India’s lone ATP tour tournament. The
competition will now be held in Pune and called “Maharashtra Open.”
• Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has launched a statewide football grassroots development
programme 'Mission Football'at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on 23rd of July 2017.
• Indian Shot-putter Manpreet Kaur has been caught in the dope net after testing positive for a banned stimulant
(dimethylbutylamine) which might lose the gold medal clinched by her earlier this month. Kaur, who won a
gold medal in the recently-concluded Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.
Eighth edition of World Para Athletics Championships -London, UK
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• India ranked at 34 position on medal table. Indian team won 5 medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze) in this
championship. China Topped the medal tally with 65 medals including 30 Gold.
• Indian Para-athlete Sundar Singh Gurjar (javelin throw) became second Indian to win gold at the World Para
Athletics Championships.
• India’s Amit Kumar Saroha clinched a silver medal in men’s club throw competition in World Para Athletics
Championships on July 17, 2017.
• Discus-thrower Karamjyoti Dalal won a Bronze medal at World Para Athletic sChampionships 2017, in the
Women’s category.
• High jumpers Sharad Kumar and Varun Bhati won silver and bronze medalrespectively at Para Athletics
Championships 2017.
• England beat India to won ICC women world cup 2017held at Lord’s Cricket Ground at London.The 2017
Women’s Cricket World Cup was the eleventh edition of the Cup.The Player of the Series title has been
awarded to Tammy Beaumont of England.
• Indian shuttler C Rahul Yadav and Men’s doubles pair of Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy has won the
Men’s singles and Men’s doubles title at Lagos International challenge. The Lagos Inntaterional challenge
was held in Nigeria.
• India has bagged total 24 medals at the Jordan Junior and Cadet Open table tennis tournament.The event held
in Amman the capital of Jordan. The tally includes 7 Gold, 7 Silver and 10 Bronze medals. In the event India
was the second best finishers.
• Sebastian Vettel won a Hungarian Grand Prix.He took the checkered flag 0.9 seconds ahead of Raikoknen on
30th July 2017. This is his fourth win of the season and 46th of his Formula One career.
• John Isner(From USA) won his fourth ATP Atlanta title on 30th of July 2017. He had deefated Ryan Harrison
by 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (9/7). Isner, who has reached the final in seven of eight editions of the tournament, added a
fourth title to those he won in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
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• Indian Shuttler H S Prannoy has won the US Open Grand Prix Gold badminton tournament title on 24 July
2017. He has defeated his compatriot Parupalli Kashyap.It was held at Anaheim, California USA.
• World Youth Champion Sachin Siwach had won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in
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Nassau Bahamas on 23 of July 2017.
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• HarmanpreetKaur has made a jump of seven slots to move to 6 position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI
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Rankings. It is released on 25 of July 2017.
• Indian weightlifter Konsam Ormila Devi has bagged a gold medal at the Asian Youth and Junior
Weightlifting Championships in Kathmandu, Nepal.
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• The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has announced on 24 of July that India will host their first
Men’s World Championship in 2021.The AIBA Men’s World Championships 2019 will be held in Russia city
of Sochi. The 2018 Women’s World Championships will also be held in New Delhi.
• The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competition Committee has awarded Indonesia the hosting of the
AFC Under-19 championship 2018.
th of July 2017.
• Indian shuttler HS Prannoy climbed to 17th position in the BWFworld rankings released on 28
Indian, Kidambi Srikanth is highest ranked at number 8. India now has four shuttlers in top-20.
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• India finished 6 in the girl’s team event of the 2017 WSF-World junior squash championship on 29 of June
2017. World Junior Squash held in Tauranga, New Zealand.
• The 20-year-old American Swimmer Caeleb Dressel has become the first swimmer to win three gold medals
on a single night at either the FINA World Swimming Championship or the Olympics at 2017 FINA World
Aqatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
• Britain's Adam Peaty broke the 50m breaststroke world record for the second time in a day as he reached the
World Aquatics Championships final in Budapest, Hungary. In medal tally US topped with 39 medals(17
gold, 12 Silver and 10 bronze)
• Indian boxers have bagged a total of 8 medals at the 48th Grand Prix at Usti Nad Labem in Czech Republic.
In the tournament out of the eight, five were gold medals. The three other medals are two silver and one
bronze.
OBITUARY
• Simone Veil, iconic European feminist politician, dies at 89
• Noted Odia Actor Minaketan Das Passes Away
• Veteran Journalist Ravinder Randev passes away in shimla.
• Veteran Marathi actor-writer Madhukar Toradmal passes away
• Drummer John Blackwell Jr dies at 43
• Former Bengal Cricketer Gour Ghosh passes away
• Actor Nelsan Ellis was best known for playing Lafayette Reynolds on the HBO series "True Blood," has died
at the age of 39.
• Veteran actress Sumita Sanyal passes away at the age of 7.
• Former Indian Ambassador to the US Naresh Chandra passes away.
• Water expert Mohanakrishnan passed away.
• 'The Indian Fighter' Actress Elsa Martinelli Dead At 82
• Renowned cartoonist Mangesh Tendulkar passed away in Pune. He was 83.
• Forensic expert Prof P Chandra Sekharan passes away
• Ray Phiri, a South African jazz musician died. He has died of cancer at age 70.
• Chinese Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo passes away
• Iranian- born mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani dies
• Former Sikkim CM Nar Bahadur Bhandari passes away
• Oscar-winning Actor Martin Landau has died at the age of 89, announced on 17th of July 2017.He was an
American film and television actor.
• Red West, an Actor-song writer died at the age of 81 in USA on July 18, 2017.
• Senior Congress leader Shivajirao Patil, passed away on 22nd of July 2017 after a brief illness.Patil was a
former MP and also a former member of the Maharashtra Legislature and the state cabinet.
• Nationalist Congress Party Kerala unit president Uzhavoor Vijayan died on 23rd of July 2017.
• Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington has passed away. He was 41. He was an American Singer
• Professor Udupi Ramachandra Rao, ex-Isro chief and renowned space scientist passes away.The first Indian
satellite ‘Aryabhata’ was launched in 1975 under his watch.
• Former Himachal Pradesh chief secretary Sudripta Roy died at the age of 63.
• Veteran scientist, administrator and popular science communicator, Professor Yash Pal passed away on July
24, 2017 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. He was 90.
• Former Australian Grand Slam champion and reputed coach Mervyn Rose has passed on 25th of July 2017.
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• Veteran freedom fighter and social worker Kubersingh Saklecha passed away on 25 of July 2017.
Kubersingh was born in 1923 in Raisen district's Bareli tehsil, Uttar Pradesh
• Noted Gandhian and Freedom fighter K.E. Mammen, who had participated in the Quit India Movement,
passed away on July 25, 2017 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• Former Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh passed away.He was 80. Dharam was the 17th Chief
Minister of Karnataka and a member of the Janata Dal (Secular) and Congress alliance government between
2004 and 2006.
• Bollywood Actor Inder Kumar, best known for his role in films like Khiladiyon KaKhiladi and Kahin Pyaar
Na Ho Jaaye, died in Andheri, Mumbai.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has received the first copy of a book “President Pranab
nd July 2017 from Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at a function held
Mukherjee – A Statesman” on 2
at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He appreciated the wonderful photos taken by Shri Varun Joshi from The Statesman
that feature in the photo essay
• Amit Bhardwaj, the founder of Amaze Mining & Research Limited, has launched his third e-book
‘Cryptocurrency for Beginners ‘ in the series, after ‘Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners’ and
‘Cryptocurrency Mining for Beginners’.
• BJP President Amit Shah and RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has released a coffee table book on Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s life in New Delhi.The book – Making of A Legend, has been compiled by Sulabh
International Founder Bindeshwar Pathak.
• A coffee-table book on Dalhousie has released on 13th of July 2017 by Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy.The
book 'Dalhousie...Through My Eyes', authored by retired civil servant Kiran Chadha.
• The President of India, ShriPranab Mukherjee received the first copy of the book “President’s Lady”
(Pranaber Preyosi) on his wife Late Smt. Suvra Mukherjee on 13th of July. The author of the book is Sangeeta
Ghosh.
• Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has released a coffee table book on 'Ganga Avahan'. It is a 2,800 km
exploratory open-water swim expedition on the Ganga river.
• Katie Price has disclosed the cover for her next novel "Playing With Fire", which will be available later this
year.
• The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee receives the first copy of the book ‘Future of Indian
Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives’ at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.It has
been complied by Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of JGU University and is published by
Oxford University Press.
• Governor of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (additional charge) C. Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister of
Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has released the book ‘Mann Ki Baat – A Social Revolution on Radio’ at Raj
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Bhavan in Mumbai on 29 of July 2017. The book includes transcripts of the first 23 episodes of Prime
Minister’s monthly address on radio ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has released the fourth volume of Selected Speeches of President
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Pranab Mukherjee on 24 of July 2017.
IMPORTANT DAYS
• Each year, first Saturday of July is observed as International Day of Cooperatives to increase awareness on
cooperatives. 2017 slogan of the International Day of Co-operatives is "Co-operatives ensure no one is left
behind".
• National Doctor's Day is celebrated to commemorate the contributions of the gods on earth.India
observes doctor's day on 1st of July in honour of former West Bengal Chief Minister, Dr Bidhan Chandra
Roy, who was also a physician.
• World Sports Journalists Day is a global professional observance which is held on 2nd of July.
• Global Forgiveness Day is observed on 7th July 2017. It is a day to forgive, and a day to be forgiven!. It was
created in 1994 by the Christian Embassy of Christ's Ambassadors. The date has been moved from August
27th to July 7th.
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• International Plastic Bag Free Day has been observed on 3 of July 2017.It has been dedicated to heightening
awareness about plastic and disposable carrying devices.
• The World Zoonoses Day is observed every year on 6th of July to create awareness on zoonotic diseases, how
to prevent them and what actions to take when exposed.
• World Population day is observed every year on July 11th 2017 to raise awareness of global population issues
since 1989.Theme of World Population Day 2017 is ‘Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing
Nations‘.
• Malala Day is celebrated on July 12 in honour of Nobel Peace Prize and UN activist Malala Yousafzai. Malala
Yousafzai, a Pakistani girl engaged in the promotion of women’s education, delivered an impassioned speech
at the United Nations (UN) headquarters regarding the importance and need of gender equality in education.
• The World Youth Skills Day is observed globally on 15 July. It has been observed to raise awareness about
the importance of youth skills development.The World Youth Skill Day 2017 Theme is “Skills for All”.
• International Justice Day has been observed on 17th July. It marks the 19th anniversary of the 1998 Rome
Statute, the founding treaty that created the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC began its work in
The Hague, Netherlands in 2002.
• Nelson Mandela International Day (or Mandela Day) is celebrated every year on 18th July to honour the
former Nobel Prize winner. The United Nations officially declared this day in November 2009. Nelson
Mandela was South Africa’s first black president (1994-1999).
• The United Forum of Bank Unions has decided to observe 19th July as 'Save public sector banks' day. It is the
48th anniversary of nationalisation of major banks.
• Radio broadcast had completed 90 years in country on 23rd of July 2017. It is the first ever radio broadcast in
the country went on the air from the Bombay Station on 23rd July 1927 under a private company, the Indian
Broadcasting Company. All India Radio, now under Prasar Bharati, has the significance of being one of the
major broadcasting organizations in the world.
• The Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) has celebrated its 78th Anniversary at CRPF Headquarters in New
Delhi on 27th of July 2017.
th
• The country is celebrating the 18th Anniversary of ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’ on 26 of July, 2017.Kargil Vijay
Diwas is celebrated on 26 July, pay homage to India’s emphatic victory against Pakistan and honors the war
heroes.
th
• World Hepatitis Day has observed on 28 July every year. The 2017 theme of World Hepatitis Day
is "Eliminate Hepatitis" to mobilize intensified action towards the health targets in the 2030 Sustainable
Development Goals.
• ‘International Tiger Day’ is celebrated every year on 29th July. This year’s International Tiger Day was
celebrated with the slogan ‘Fresh Ecology For Tigers’ Protection’.
• The United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2017 was observed on 30 July 2017 around the
world. The theme of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is ‘Act to Protect and Assist
Trafficked Persons’.
Static Gk – July
National Park in Gujarat :
♦ Gir National Park , Blackbuck National Park, Marine National Park and Vansda National Park
UP GK Facts
♦ Thermal Power Plant: Harduaganj Thermal Power Plant, Rosa Thermal Power Plant
♦ Heritage sites in UP: Fatehpur Sikri,Agra Fort
Maharashtra National Park:
♦ Chandoli National Park, Pench National Park and Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park
Karnataka Heritage Sites
♦ Group of Monuments at Hampi Ballari district Karnataka India
♦ Group of Monuments at Pattadaka Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India
Thermal Power Plant in Maharashtra
♦ Paras Thermal Power Plant and Koradi Thermal Power Plant
National Park Of Telangana
♦ Mahavir Harina Vanasthali NP, Kasu Brahmananda Reddy NP, Mrugavani NP
♦ National Parks in Chhattisgarh:
♦ Indravati NP, Kanger Valley NP
West Bengal National Park:
♦ Gorumara NP, Buxa tiger reserve and Singalila NP
Some of the famous temples in Arunachal Pradesh are:
♦ Parasuram Kundtemple : It is famous temple that attracts many Hindu devotees.
♦ Tawang Monastery : It is a famous Buddhist temple in Arunachal Pradesh.
♦ Urgelling Monastery : It was built by UrgenSangpo.
♦ Malinithan temple: It is called as Akashganga Temple.
♦ GRL Gompa Monsatery : It is located in west Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.
National Parks in Himachal Pradesh
♦ Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Inderkilla National Park, Khirganga National
Park and Simbalbara National Park
Kerala heritage sites:
♦ Anjengo / Anchuthengu Fort (Near Trivandrum): is a 16th Century fort constructed by the English East
India Company.
♦ Kumarakom Boat Race (Near Kumarakom): The race is held in September every year during Onam
festival.
♦St. Francis Church (Near Kochi) :It is the first European Church built in India.
Rajya Sabha :
♦ Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India.
♦ Rajya Sabha has maximum 250 members.
♦ The President can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services.
Arunachal Pradesh National Park:
♦ Namdapha National Park, Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and Mouling National park
Odisha National Parks:
♦ Simlipal NP, Bhitar Kanika NP, Airport, Biju Patnaik airport
Gujarat GK Facts
♦ National Park: Blackbuck NP, Gir forest NP and Vansda NP
♦ Airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Airport, Vadodara Airport
National Park in Jammu and Kashmir:
♦ Dachigam NP, Salim Ali NP and Hemis NP
UP GK facts :
♦ Dudhwa NP, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
Lucknow Heritage Sites:
♦ Begum Hazrat Mahal Park: Situated in the heart of the city, the Begum Hazrat Mahal Park was built in the
memory of the beautiful Queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal.
♦ Rumi Darwaza : The Rumi Darwaza is a 60-foot-tall gateway located close to historical landmarks such as
Bada Imambara and Chota Imambara in the city of Lucknow.
♦ Bada Imambara: Located at the bank of Gomti River in Lucknow, this historic tomb was built by Nawab
Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784.
Mumbai Heritage Sites:
♦ Haji Ali: The Haji Ali Dargah is Mumbai’s most popular mosque and tomb, located on an islet 500 metres
off the coast of Worli in South Mumbai.
♦ The Gateway of India: The Gateway of India is symbolic of Mumbai.
♦ Taj Mahal Palace and Tower: This majestic hotel located in South Mumbai.
Delhi GK facts
♦ Delhi famous Temple:Akshardham, Gauri Shankar Temple
♦ Power Plant: Indraprastha Power Plant
♦ Heritage Sites:Red Fort, Qutub Minar, National rail Museum and Humayun Tomb
Kerala GK Facts :
♦ National Park: Eravikulam NP, Periyar NP, Bandipur NP
♦ Airports: Coachin International Airport Kannur International Airports
USA :
Bolivia ♦ Capital: Washington, D.C.
♦ Capital: Sucre ♦ Currency: Dollar
♦ Currency: Boliviano ♦ President: Donald Trump
♦ President: Evo Morales
Pakistan :
Germany: Capital: Islamabad
♦ Capital: Berlin Currency: Pakistani rupee
♦ Currency: Euro
♦ Chancellor: Angela Merkel Niue
♦ Capital: Alofi
Zimbabwe ♦ Currency: New Zealand Dollar
♦ Capital :Harare ♦ Governor General: Dame Patsy Reddy
♦ Currencies: United States Dollar, South African
rand, Euro, Indian rupee, Pound sterling, Indonesia
Renminbi, Botswana pula ♦ Capital: Jakarta
♦ President: Robert Mugabe ♦ Currency: Indonesia Rupiah
♦ President: Joko Widodo
Switzerland:
♦ Currency: Swiss franc Turkey :
♦ Capital: Bern ♦ Capital: Ankara
♦ Currency: Turkish lira
Malta
♦ Capital: Birkirkara Iran
♦ Currency: Euro ♦ Capital: Tehran
♦ President: Hassan Rouhani
♦ Currency: Rial
Australia: South Africa
♦ Capital: Canberra ♦ Capital: Capetown
♦ Currency: Australian Dollar ♦ Currency: South African rand
♦ Current Prime Minister: Malcolm Turnbull ♦ President: Jacob Zuma
Scotland: Egypt :
♦ Capital: Edinburgh ♦ Capital :Cairo
♦ Currency: Pound sterling ♦ Currency: Egyptian Pound
♦ President:Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
UK ♦ Prime Minister :Sherif Ismail
♦ Capital: London
♦ Currency: Pound Sterling Syria:
♦ Capital: Damascus
Japan: ♦ Currency: Syrian Pound
♦ Capital: Tokyo ♦ Current President: Bashar al-Assad
♦ Currency: Yen
♦ PM: Shinzo Abe Russia
♦ Capital - Moscow
Israel: ♦ Currency - Russian Ruble
♦ Capital: Jerusalem
♦ Currency: Israeli new shekel Nepal :
♦ Current Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu ♦ Capital: Kathmandu
♦ Current President: Reuven Rivlin ♦ Currency: Nepalese rupee
♦ Prime minister: Sher Bahadur Deuba
Italy:
♦ President - Sergio Mattarella Indonesia:
♦ Prime minister - Paolo Gentiloni ♦ Capital: Jakarta
♦ Currency - Euro ♦ Currency: Indonesian rupiah
♦ Capital – Rome ♦ President :Joko Widodo
Vietnam : Israel
♦ Capital: Hanoi ♦ Capital: Jerusalem
♦ Currency: Vietnamese dong ♦ Currency: New Shekel
♦ President: Reuven Rivlin
Bangladesh ♦ PM: Benjamin Netanyahu
♦ Capital: Dhaka
♦ Currency: Taka Peru
♦ President: Abdul Hamid ♦ Capital: Lima
♦ Currency: Sol
Hungary : ♦ PM: Fernando Zavala Lombardi
♦ Capital: Budapest ♦ President: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski
♦ Currency: Hungarian forint
Mongolia
Nigeria : ♦ Capital : Ulaanbaatar
♦ Capital: Abuja ♦ Currency : Togrog
♦ Currency: Nigerian naira
North Korea
Jordan : ♦ Capital: Pyongyang
♦ Capital: Amman ♦ Currency: North Korean won
♦ Currency: Jordanian dinar ♦ Supreme Leader: Kim Jong-un
♦ King: Abdullah II of Jordan
Bangladesh: WHO
♦ Capital: Dhaka ♦ Formation on 7th April 1948
♦ Currency: Bangladeshi taka ♦ HQ: Geneva Switzerland
♦ Current Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina ♦ Director-General: Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus
Palestine:
♦ Capital: East Jerusalem NATO:
♦ Currency: Israeli new shekel, Egyptian pound, ♦ It was established at the signing of the North
Jordanian dinar Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949.
♦ Current President: Mahmoud Abbas ♦ Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Srilanka World Bank
♦ Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte ♦ CEO- Kristalina Georgieva.
♦ Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) ♦ Headquarters- Washington, D.C.
♦ PM:Ranil Wickremesinghe
♦ President: Maithripala Sirisena SAARC
♦ Member states
Netherlands: include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
♦ Capital: Amsterdam Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
♦ Currency: Euro ♦ Headquarters:Kathmandu
♦ Current Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Financial Stability Board(FSB):
Iran ♦ It was established in April 2009.
♦ Capital :Tehran ♦ Headquarters of FSB is located in Basel,
♦ Currency :Rial Switzerland.
♦ President :Hassan Rouhani
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Bulgaria ♦ Type - Specialized Agency
♦ Capital: Sofia ♦ Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland
♦ Currency:Lev ♦Head - Houlin Zhao
♦ President: Rumen Radev
♦ PM: Boyko Borisov International Organisation for Migration
(IOM):
Kyrgyzstan ♦ It was formed in 1951 as Intergovernmental
♦ Currency: Kyrgyzstani som. Committee for European Migration.
♦ Capital: Bishkek ♦ Headquarters of IOM is located in Geneva,
♦ President: Almazbek Atambayev Switzerland.
♦ William Lacy Swing is the current Director
IRDAI: General of IOM.
♦ Founded in: 1999
♦ Headquarters: Hyderabad UNAIDS:
♦ Current Chairman: T. S. Vijayan ♦ Headquarters of UNAIDS is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.
Footwear Design and Development Institute ♦ Michel Sidibe is the current Executive Director
(FDDI): of UNAIDS
FDDI was established up by the Govt. of India in
1986 with an objective to provide human resource PNB
and technical services to the industry. ♦ Founded: 19th May 1894
♦ It was established under the aegis of ♦ Founder: Lala Lajpat Rai
the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. ♦ HQ: New Delhi
♦ Headquarters of FDDI is located in Noida, Uttar ♦ MD&CEO: Sunil Mehta
Pradesh.
Karnataka Bank ♦ Chairman: M.K. Sharma
♦ Founded: 1924 ♦ CEO: Chanda Kochhar
♦ HQ: Mangaluru Karnataka
♦ MD: Mahabaleshwara Bhat SEBI
Formed: 12th April 1988
FinoPaytech HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra
♦ FinoPaytech was founded on 13th July 2006. Chairman: Ajay Tyagi
♦ HQ of FinoPaytech is in Mumbai, India.
BOB
Unified Payments Interface (UPI): ♦ Founded: 20th July 1908
♦ UPI was launched in August 2016 with 21 ♦ HQ: Vadodara
banks. ♦ Chairman: Ravi Venkatesan
♦ Currently it is offered by around 50 banks. ♦ MD&CEO: P.S. Jayakumar
♦ Around 22% percent transactions are merchant-
based. Karnataka Bank
♦ Founded on 1924
ADB ♦ Headquarters:Mangaluru, Karnataka
♦ Formation: 24 Nov 1966 ♦ Tagline : Your Family Bank, Across India.
♦ HQ: Manila, Philippines ♦ MD :Mahabaleshwara Bhat M S
♦ Head: Takehiko Nakao
Standard Chartered Bank
Yes Bank : ♦ Headquartered in London, England
♦ Tagline: Experience our Expertise ♦ Founded :1969
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai ♦ Chairman :José Viñals
♦ CEO: Rana Kapoor
NPCI
Axis Bank ♦ Founded :2008
♦ HQ: Mumbai Maharashtra ♦ Headquarters:Mumbai
♦ MD&CEO: Sikha Sharma ♦ Chairman:Balachandran M
♦ Tagline: Badhti ka naam zindagi
IOB
South Indian Bank ♦ Founded:10 February 1937
♦ Headquarter of South Indian Bank is in Thrissur, ♦ Headquarters:Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Kerala. ♦MD& CEO: R. Subramania Kumar
♦ Current MD and CEO of South Indian Bank ♦ IOB Tagline: Good People to Grow With
is Mr. V.G Mathew.
Canara Bank :
Axis Bank: ♦ Tagline Of Canara Bank: "Together We Can ".
♦ CEO: Shikha Sharma ♦ App Launched By Canara Bank: M-Wallet
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai ♦ Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
♦ Founded: 1990, Ahmedabad ♦ Chairman: Shri T. N. Manoharan
♦ MD & CEO: ShriRakesh Sharma
ICRA :
♦ CEO : Naresh Takkar Nomura
th
♦ Founded: 1991 ♦ Founded on: 25 December 1925
♦ Headquarters: Gurgaon ♦ HQ: Nihonbashi Chuo, Tokyo Japan
♦ Chairman: Nobuyuki Koga
ICICI
♦ ICICI full form: Industrial Credit and Union Bank of India
Investment Corporation of India ♦ HQ :Mumbai
♦ Founded: 1994 ♦ MD & CEO :Rajkiran Rai G.
♦ Headquarters: Mumbai ♦ Tagline: Good People to Bank with
Odisha GK facts : ADB
♦ National Park: Simlipal and Bhitarkanika ♦ HQ :Manila Philippines
♦ Airport : Biju Patnaik International Airport ♦ President: Takehiko Nakao.
♦ Formed: 24th November 1966.
WTO :
♦ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland Employees' State Insurance :
♦ Formation: 1 January 1995 ♦ Founded: 25 ; February 1952
♦ Head: Roberto Azevêdo ♦ Headquarters: New Delhi
IOC: UNDP
♦ Founded:1959. ♦ Formation:1965
♦ Headquarter :New Delhi, India. ♦ Headquarters:New York City
♦ Chairman:Sanjiv Singh. ♦ Head: Achim Steiner
Vijaya Bank Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
♦ MD & CEO: Kishore Sansi (FIND) :
♦ HQ: Bengaluru ♦ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
♦ Founded on: 1931 ♦ Founded: 2003
National Disaster Response Force : BCCI
♦ Motto: Saving Lives & Beyond ♦ Founded: 1926
♦ Minister responsible : Rajnath Singh, Minister ♦ HQ: Maharashtra India
of Home Affairs ♦ CEO: Rahul Johri
♦ Headquarters: New Delhi ♦ President: CK Khanna
National Rifle Association of India (NRAI): FIFA
♦ Headquarters : New Delhi ♦ HQ: zurich Switzerland
♦ Founded :1951 ♦ President:Gianni Infantino
ILO : IAAF
♦ Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland ♦ It was founded on 17 July 1912.
♦ Formation: 1919 ♦ Headquarter in Monaco.
♦ Head: Guy Ryder ♦ President: Sebastian Coe
UNICEF Badminton World Federation (BWF) :
♦ Established on 11 December 1946. ♦ Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
♦ HQ: New York city, Geneva ♦ Formation: 1934
♦ Executive Director: Anthony lake ♦ President: Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen
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