Current Affairs 28th July 2021| Current Affairs News

 

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem – Observed on July 26

• The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 and celebrated annually on 26 July, aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as “a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem” and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses.

Mangrove conservation:

• Mangrove conservation efforts are largely aimed at preventing destruction of mangrove ecosystems, and increasing coverage.
• A key issue is not just destruction but degradation of mangrove ecosystems, through pollution, siltation, changes in salinity or loss of biodiversity.

Largest Mangrove Forest in the world:

• The Sundarbans Reserve Forest (SRF), located in the south-west of Bangladesh between the river Baleswar in the East and the Harinbanga in the West, adjoining the Bay of Bengal, is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world.

CRPF observes 83rd Raising Day – Observed on July 27

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 83rd Raising Day all over the country.
  Raised on July 27, 1939 in Neemuch (M.P) as Crown Representative Police, this Force has displayed numerous examples of courage, patriotism and national service, in the past 83 years.
• From the first year of its inception, this Force started fulfilling responsibilities assigned to it.
• In 1949, the Force was rechristened as Central Reserve Police Force and has evolved as a Force indispensable for the internal security of the nation.
• CRPF Raising Day was also celebrated in Group Centre Kootah (Hiranagar) in which chief guest of the program DevendraYadav DIG paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the Force at ‘Shaheed Smarak’.
• After that saplings were planted by officers and personnel of Group Centre Hiranagar.

World Nature Conservation Day – Observed on July 28

• World Natural Conservation Day is celebrated every year on July 28 to raise awareness about the importance of working for a healthy environment.
• The Theme of the World Nature Conservation Day 2021 is ‘Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet‘, around which the whole observation of this year will revolve.
• The day aims at promoting best practices to protect our environment.
• Human activities since the last century or so have had a devastating impact on natural vegetation and resources.
• The quest for rapid industrialization and cutting down of forest cover to make space for the ever-growing population brought climate change and other environmental implications.
• While awareness about environment conservation has grown in the past few years, we still have a long way to go before positive steps show their result.

To protect our environment concentrate on:

• Cut down on plastic use
• Save Electricity
• Save water
• Recycle-Reuse
• Check e-waste

World Hepatitis Day – Observed on July 28

• World Hepatitis Day is commemorated each year on 28 July to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer.
• This year’s theme is “Hepatitis can’t wait”, conveying the urgency of efforts needed to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.
• This day aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis— a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E — and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• Hepatitis Bis a liver infection caused by a virus (called the hepatitis B virus, or HBV).
• It can be serious and there’s no cure, but the good news is it’s easy to prevent.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

National web portal for sharing R&D facilities I-STEM Phase II project launched

• The Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM), the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities was formally launched in January 2020 by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
• The I-STEM project has been accorded extension for five years, until 2026 and enters its second phase with added features.
• The goal of I-STEM is to strengthen the R&D ecosystem of the country by connecting researchers with resources, in part by promoting technologies and scientific equipment development indigenously, and providing necessary supplies and supports to researchers by enabling them an access to existing publicly funded R&D facilities in the country through the I-STEM web portal.
• In the first phase, the portal is listed with more than 20,000 pieces of equipment from 1050 institutions across the country and has more than 20,000 Indian researchers.
• I-STEM portal facilitates researchers to access slots for the use of equipment, as well as to share the details of the outcomes, such as, patents, publications and technologies.

About phase II:

• Under Phase II, the portals will host indigenous technology products listed through a digital catalogue.
• The portal will also provide a platform for the various City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters (https://www.psa.gov.in/st-clusters) supported by the Office of PSA to enhance effective use of R&D infrastructure through leveraging collaboration and partnership built on a shared STI ecosystem.
• It will also host and provide access to selected R&D software required to undertake research projects by students and scientists.
• The I-STEM portal in its new phase will be designed as a dynamic digital platform that will provide a boost to research and innovation especially for 2 tier and 3 tier cities and also for the emerging start-up ecosystem.

WCD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani to introduce 24/7 helpline number

• Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the National Commission for Women’s 24/7 helpline number – 7827170170. 
• The helpline aims to provide 24/7 online support to women affected by violence through referral by linking them with appropriate authorities such as police, hospitals, District Legal Service Authority, psychological services etc.
• She stated that this digital helpline gives a message to women that whenever they are in need, their government and their Commission will stand by them.
• She also congratulated the entire NCW team for the “stupendous” efforts for helping women especially during the pandemic.

About the service:

• She mentioned that the partnership between NCW and WCD goes a long way in ensuring a seamless intervention to help women in distress.
• These complaints are received in writing or online through its website i.e., ncw.nic.in.
• The Commission processes complaints to facilitate in providing adequate and expeditious relief to women ensuring suitable redressal of grievances.
• In order to strengthen and expand the complaint platform, the Commission took the initiative to start this Digital Helpline. 
• This helpline service has been developed in collaboration with Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Govt decided to set-up Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming

• The Union Government has decided to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics for creating a world-class talent pool in India to cater to the Indian as well as global industry.
• It will be set up in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
• Minister of Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur stated this in the Rajya Sabha.
• He stated, in order to support skilled manpower in the animation and VFX sector, Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and Film and Television Institute of India run courses on Animation and VFX.
• The Minister also mentioned that the Media and Entertainment sector is one of the largest growing sectors in the country.
• He noted that to attract foreign investment in the film industry, National Film Development Corporation organizes Film Bazaar at the International Film Festival of India held at Goa every year.
• Mr Thakur stated, it is the largest South Asian Film Market and attracts investors from around the world by encouraging creative and financial collaboration between the South Asian and International Film communities.
• The Minister also informed that India has also audio-visual co-production treaties with 15 countries.

Home Minister Amit Shah launches Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign at Sohra (Cherrapunji) and inaugurated the Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme

• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah launched the Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign at Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya.
• This afforestation campaign will be run by the Meghalaya Government with the help of Assam Rifles, this will greatly benefit eco-tourism and will also boost tourism in the state.
• Our country is intact due to the paramilitary forces deployed to protect the borders of the country, since the last two years they are also shouldering the responsibility of improving the environment.
• With the help of Paramilitary forces around 1.48 crore plant saplings have been planted across the country.
• This will help to fight against the carbon emissions and also to achieve the Paris agreement proposals.
• The Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme will help to provide pure drinking water across the Meghalaya State.
• Therefore the Government has set the target of providing pure drinking water to every household in the state of Meghalaya and the country before the completion of 75 years of Independence and 50 years of Meghalaya.

Parliament passes the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021

• Parliament has passed the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021.
• Two educational institutes, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM)Kundali (Haryana) and Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology(IIFPT) Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries became Institutions of National Importance (INI).
• This will provide these Institutes Greater Autonomy, so that they can start new and innovative courses, as well as help them to attract excellent faculty and students.
• Global standards can also be adopted in academic and research work.
• These institutes will have curricular provision related to food processing areas e.g. cold chain technology, food bio nanotechnology which can help in filling the technological gap.
• Now they can open new centres anywhere in the country and abroad. 
• Along with this, giving them the status of Institute of National Importance (INI) will also pave the way for the creation of skilled manpower.

Union Agriculture Minister inaugurates 28th regional workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras of Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh

• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar virtually inaugurated the 28th Regional Workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
• At present 723 KVKs are being run by ICAR units, NGOs and State Agricultural Universities. Out of which 7 are in Naxal-affected areas.
• KVKs distribute soil health cards to the farmers and advise them for nutrient requirements according to the crops through demonstration and training.
• A new project- ‘Arya’, being operated in Attari, Jabalpur in 12 KVKs of Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh, is attracting youth towards farming.
• Under the project, more than 700 youth have set up enterprises in nursery management, processing and mushroom production etc.
• The ‘Farmer First’ project in Attari, Jabalpur is being run by three institutes and four universities.
• ‘Mera Gaon-Mera Gaurav’ program is also being run by 5 universities and 5 other institutes of Madhya Pradesh-Chhattisgarh.
• To increase the availability of seeds of pulse crops, the Seed Hub program is being operated by KVK in 15 districts.
• KVKs play an important role in discharging the responsibility of women empowerment by promoting nutrition-sensitive agriculture through the ‘Nari’ program, development of agriculture and entrepreneurship in tribal-dominated areas through ‘Kshamata’ program, value addition of employment-oriented regional products through ‘Vatika’ program.
• Also the foundation has been laid for Soybean Seed Hub Store at KVK, Govind Nagar, Hoshangabad.

In a big boost to AgriBusiness, First consignment of vegetables exported to UAE from Uttarakhand

• In a major boost to agricultural produce exports from Uttarakhand, first consignment of vegetables including curry leaf, okra, pear and bitter gourd sourced from the farmers of Haridwar, was exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• The exports of vegetables come after a consignment of millets grown in Uttarakhand was exported to Denmark in May, 2021.
• APEDA, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Agriculture Produce Marketing Board (UKAPMB) & Just Organik, an exporter, sourced & processed ragi (finger millet), and jhingora (barnyard millet) from farmers in Uttarakhand for exports, which meets the organic certification standards of the European Union.
• The Uttarakhand government has been supporting organic farming.
• UKAPMB, through a unique initiative, has been supporting thousands of farmers for organic certification.
• These farmers produce mainly millets such as Ragi, Barnyard millet, Amaranthus etc.
• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been carrying out promotional activities to bring Uttarakhand on the agricultural and processed food products export map of India. 
• APEDA is planning to provide financial assistance for setting up a pack house in Uttarakhand which would fulfil the mandatory requirement or infrastructure for export of fresh fruits and vegetables to the international market.
• APEDA would continue to focus on the Uttarakhand region both in terms of capacity building, quality upgradation, and infrastructure development by linking buyers to farmers through strengthening the entire supply chain of agricultural produce.
• In 2020-21, India exported fruits and vegetables valued at Rs 11,019 crore compared to Rs 10,114 crore worth of exports in 2019-20, which is an increase of close to 9%.
• APEDA undertakes market promotion activities for export of food products, market intelligence for making informed decisions, international exposure, skill development, capacity building and high-quality packaging.

Coal India Ltd. (CIL) Takes Out of Box Initiative To Produce Sand From Overburden at a Much Cheaper Price

• Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has taken an out of box initiative to produce sand from overburden at a much cheaper price.
• This will not only help in minimising environmental pollution due to sand siltation from overburden, but will also be an option for getting cheaper sand for construction purposes.
• In this effort, CIL aims to reach a production level of around 8 million tonnes of sand within the next five years by commissioning 15 major Sand Plants in its different coal producing subsidiaries.
• By the end of current fiscal, CIL envisages to have 9 out of 15 plants with a production of around three lakh cubic meter.
• This effort will not only help the society at large but will also help in minimising river bed mining of sand.
• During opencast mining of coal, the strata lying above coal seam is known as overburden consisting of clay alluvial sand and sandstone with rich silica content. 
• The overburden is removed to expose and extract coal from beneath.
• After completion of coal extraction, the overburden is used for backfilling to reclaim the land in its original shape.
• While extracting overburden from top, the swell factor of the volume accounts for 20-25%.
• Initiative has been taken to utilise at least 25% of overburden in converting to sand by crushing, sieving and cleaning.
• The very first initiative of such conversion has been taken by Western Coalfields Ltd.(WCL), a subsidiary of CIL in its mines. 
• Initially a Pilot Project was launched where sand was extracted through machines erected departmentally.
• This sand has been offered to Nagpur Improvement Trust at a much cheaper price for constructing low cost houses under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY).
• The price of sand is almost 10% of the market price with better quality.
• The use of overburden has minimised the volume of land required for overburden dump. This initiative also lowers the adverse footprint of river bed mining of sand.
• WCL is also selling overburden for road construction at a cheaper price to NHAI & others.
• Two new plants in Chandrapur District of Maharashtra have been planned by WCL, which is likely to be commissioned by the year end.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UNESCO grants World Heritage Status to Madrid’s Paseo del Prado and Retiro Park

• Madrid’s tree-lined Paseo del Prado boulevard and the adjoining Retiro park have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. 
• The UNESCO World Heritage Committee, holding an online meeting from Fuzhou, China, backed the candidacy that highlighted the green area’s introduction of nature into Spain’s capital.
• The influence the properties have had on the designs of other cities in Latin America was also applauded by committee members.
• UNESCO stated that “Collectively, they illustrate the aspiration for a utopian society during the height of the Spanish Empire”.

About the sites:

• “The Paseo del Prado” was one of the first boulevards inside the city limits of all European cities and capitals, where all citizens, without distinction of class, could enjoy leisure and a stroll.”
• The Retiro park occupies 1.2 square kilometers (1.3 square miles) in the center of Madrid.
• Next to it runs the Paseo del Prado, which includes a promenade for pedestrians.
• The boulevard connects the heart of Spain’s art world, bringing together the Prado Museum with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofía Art Centre.

About Spain:

• Capital: Madrid
• King: Felipe VI of Spain
• Currency: Euro

Philippines is the first country to approve Golden Rice for planting

• The Philippines approved commercial cultivation of vitamin A-rich Golden Rice, long touted as a partial remedy for childhood malnutrition.
• It comes at a time when scientists in Bangladesh expressed deep frustration over regulators’ delay in approving the variety in the country for nearly four years.
• Now, Filipino farmers will become the first in the world to be able to cultivate Golden Rice, a daily consumption of which can potentially reduce childhood malnutrition prevalent in the Philippines as well as in Bangladesh.
• The Filipino variety of Golden Rice was developed by the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) in partnership with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) to contain additional levels of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A.
• According to the World Health Organization’s global vitamin A deficiency (VAD) database, one in every five pre-school children in Bangladesh is deficient in this key vitamin.
• Among pregnant women, 23.7% suffer from VAD.
• Globally VAD affects an estimated 190 million children, a major cause of childhood blindness.

About Philippines:

• President: Rodrigo Duterte
• Capital: Manila
• Currency: Philippine peso

Indonesia: Sunseap set to build world’s biggest floating solar project

• Singapore’s Sunseap is planning a $2 billion floating solar project on a reservoir in Indonesia’s Batam Island. 
• If successful it will be the world’s largest to date and electricity could be exported via undersea cable to the nearby island city state of Singapore.
• Sunseap stated it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Batam Indonesia free zone authority, Badan Pengusahaan Batam (BP Batam), to build a floating photovoltaic system and energy storage system.
• The floating solar system will have a capacity of 2.2 GWp and span around 1600 hectares, making it the largest in the world to date.
• The energy storage system will have a storage capacity of more than 4000 MWh.

About Indonesia:

• Capital: Jakarta
• Currency: Indonesian rupiah
• President: Joko Widodo

Sweden now joins International Solar Alliance

• Leading European nation Swedenstated it has ratified the framework agreement for the International Solar Alliance, an initiative of India aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
• Swedish Ambassador to India, Klas Molin, stated Sweden is to join the International Solar Alliance(ISA).
• He mentioned Sweden hopes to bring its expertise and its experience in renewable energy and clean energytechnologies to discussions in the ISA to contribute in meeting the challenges related to climate change.
• Prime Minister Lofven reiterated to Prime Minister Modi the need for enhanced global cooperation at their last meeting”.

About Sweden:

• Capital: Stockholm
• Currency: Swedish krona
• Prime Minister: Stefan Löfven

BRICS Health Ministers’ Meeting on Traditional Medicine

• BRICS countries are all prepared to take ahead, incorporate and amplify the Traditional Medicine System in the fight against Covid-19.
• BRICS countries will be discussing this particular issue in the virtual event, BRICS-Health Ministers Meeting on Traditional Medicine.
• The Ministry of AYUSH, GOI, is on the go to present the success of Indian System of Medicine in mitigation of COVID-19 pandemic.
• India assumed the rotating Chairship of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) on January 1, 2021.
• India took over the chairship from Russia.
• Each BRICS member takes over the Chair for a year.
• The theme for this Health Ministers’ meet is BRICS Requital to COVID-19: Towards Digitalised Holistic Framework for Pandemic Preparedness.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

Karnataka: Basavaraj Bommai elected as the new Chief Minister 

• The Karnataka BJP legislature party which met on July 27, to elect their new legislature party leader has chosen Basavaraj Bommai as the new Chief Minister.
• 61-year-old Bommai, the MLA from Shiggaon, is the home minister of the state and had served as Minister of Water Resources in the Yediyurappa government in 2008.
• Like Yediyurappa (Banajiga sub-sect), Bommai (Sadar sub-sect), son of former Chief Minister SR Bommai also hails from the Lingayat community.
• The community comprises about 17% of the state’s population and Bommai with his political experience was one of the favorites who were considered for being the new guard.
• It was expected that the BJP will opt for a member from the community, considering it is the party’s prime vote bank and they cannot be seen as isolating the community by removing Yediyurappa as the Chief Minister.

About Karnataka:

• Capital: Bengaluru
• Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
• Chief minister:Basavaraj Bommai
• National Parks: Bannerghatta National Park, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Kudremukh National Park, Anshi National Park.

Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lays the foundation stone of bamboo industrial park

• Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa in Dima Hasao.
• The project will be implemented with 50 crores from DoNER Ministry.
• CM Sarma, “Laid the foundation stone of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa, Dima Hasao”.
• Once completed, the project will usher in a new era in the economy of #NorthEast & create vast employment opportunities for local youth.
• Earlier, the Central Government has decided to set up the first Bamboo Industrial Park in the Northeast in Dima Hasao district for tapping the immense potential of the bamboo sector in the State.

About Assam:

• Capital: Dispur
• Chief minister: Himanta Biswa Sarma
• Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
• National parks: Kaziranga National park , Manas National park, Dibru-Saikhowa National park, Nameri National park and Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.

Union Govt to set up Centre for Bioresources & Sustainable Development

• The Ministry of Science and Technology will set up a first-of-its-kind Centre of Excellence in the Northeast.
• The prestigious project for establishing the Centre for Bio-Resources and Sustainable Development as a Centre of Excellence was sanctioned by the Department of Biotechnology and is complete for formal inauguration shortly.
• The location of the project is at Kimin in district Papum Pare in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The construction of the new building as well other infrastructure has been completed.
• A delegation of MPs from Arunachal Pradesh called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and thanked him on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh in particular and the people of the entire North Eastern Region in general.

About Arunachal Pradesh:

• Capital: Itanagar
• Chief minister: Pema Khandu
• Governor: Biswa Bhusan Harichandan

Dholavira in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch on UNESCO World Heritage List

• The Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch has found a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage list, making it the 40th world heritage property in the country.
• The UNESCO announcement on Dholavira, which followed the agency’s announcement listing Rudreswara Temple, also known as the Ramappa Temple, in Telangana as a world heritage site.
• India had submitted the nomination dossier for ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City to the World Heritage Centre’ in January, 2020. 
• The site has been on UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014.
• It is one of the very few well-preserved urban settlements in south Asia dating from the 3rd to mid-2nd millennium BCE.

About Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Chief minister: Vijay Rupani
• National Parks: Gir National Park, Velavadar National Park, Marine National Park, Vansda National Park.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

Care Ratings predicts India’s GDP growth between 8.8-9% in FY22

• Care Ratings stated in a report, The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to be 8.8 to 9 per cent in the current financial year, driven by agriculture and industrysectors.
• The country’s economy had contracted by 7.3 per cent in fiscal 2020-21.
• The agency stated the outlook for the Indian economy on almost all counts in FY22would look seemingly better than FY21 on account of the negative base effect.
• “GDP growth for the year (FY22) is expected to be 8.8-9 per cent with GVA (gross value added) growth of 7.8 percent and the main drivers of the economy would be agriculture and industry“.

About CARE Ratings:

• Credit Analysis & Research Ltd (CARE) commenced its operations in 1993 and has established itself as the leading credit rating agency of India.
• The company provides various credit ratings that help corporations to raise capital for their various requirements and assist the investors to form informed investment decisions based on the credit risk and their own risk-return expectations.
• Credit Analysis & Research Ltd (CARE Ratings) is a full service rating company that offers a wide range of rating and grading services across sectors.
• The company is recognized by Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Government of India (GoI) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) etc.

IMF Projects India’s economic growth for FY22 at 9.5% & FY23 at 8.5%

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply scaled down India’s economic growth projection by 300 basis points to 9.5 per cent for the current financial year from 12.5 per cent estimated earlier in April.
• IMF stated the downward revision is owing to “lack of access to vaccines‘ ‘ and possibility of renewed waves of coronavirus.
• “Growth prospects in India have been downgraded following the severe second Covid wave during March–May and expected slow recovery in confidence from that setback,” IMF stated in the latest edition of its flagship World Economic Outlook (WEO) report.

About IMF:

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 190 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.
• IMF funds come from two major sources: quotas and loans. Quotas, which are pooled funds of member nations, generate most IMF funds.
• Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., U.S
• Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath

CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING & FINANCE

IFC grants $250-million loan to HDFC for enhance affordable housing               

• International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group, has provided a loan of $250 million ( ₹1,875 crore) to HDFC, to promote affordable green housing finance for low and middle income borrowers.

Benefits :

• At least 25 percent of the financing has been earmarked for green affordable housing.
• It aligned with the government of India’s target to provide ‘Housing for All,’ & the funding will also help generate jobs.
• Green affordable housing can help India on its path to deliver on its commitments under the Paris Agreement
• Green and energy-efficient housing can help cut emissions, as residential housing accounts for about 24 percent of the nation’s electricity consumption.
• IFC estimates there’s a $1.25 trillion investment opportunity in green residential housing in India to the year 2030.
• For on-lending to retail buyers of affordable housing and developers of affordable and green housing, IFC has made investments worth over $920 million in housing finance companies in India.

About HDFC :

• HDFC – Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited
• CEO: Keki Mistry
• MD : Renu Sud Karnad
• Founder: Hasmukhbhai Parekh
• Founded: 1977
• Headquarters: Mumbai

About IFC :

• IFC, the private sector investment arm of World Bank Group, will support HDFC’s move to grow its green affordable housing portfolio by improving access to such housing for those in the low-income group.
• Founded: 20 July 1956
• Executive Vice President & CEO: Makhtar Diop
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., S.

Norms fixed for implementation of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in country to enable state-specific reforms

• The Union Government has fixed norms for implementation of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the country to enable state-specific reforms.
• The Minister stated that in order to strengthen resources in the hands of State Governments in the wake of unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the Union Government addressed to all the States, laid out an additional borrowing of 0.25% for each reform of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to the States for FY 2020-21 subject to implementation of following specific state level reforms:
• Implementation of One Nation One Ration Card System;
• Ease of Doing Business reform;
• Urban Local body/ utility reforms and
• Power Sector reforms.

Systemic measures by Government under Black Money Act yields results

• In recent years, the Government has taken a number of measures to bring back the black money stashed abroad ‘The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015’.
• The Minister stated that as a result of systematic actions by the Government, the following results have been achieved as on 31.05.2021:
• As on 31.05.2021, assessment orders under section 10(3)/10(4) of the Black Money Act, 2015 have been passed in 166 cases, wherein demand of Rs. 8,216 crore has been raised.
• Undisclosed income of Rs. 8,465 crore (approx.) has been brought to tax and penalty of Rs. 1,294 crore has been levied in HSBC cases.
• Undisclosed income of Rs. 11,010 crore (approx.) has been detected in ICIJ (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists) cases.
• In the Panama Papers Leaks cases, undisclosed credits of Rs. 20,078 crore (approx.) have been detected.
• In the Paradise Papers Leaks cases, undisclosed credits of Rs. 246 crore (approx.) have been detected.
• Steps taken by the Government to bring back black money from outside the country to India, the Minister stated that the following numbers of measures have been taken:

1. Constitution of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Black Money under Chairmanship and Vice-Chairmanship of two former Judges of Hon’ble Supreme Court,
2. Proactively engaging with foreign governments with a view to facilitate and enhance the exchange of information under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs)/Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEAs)/Multilateral Conventions.

• India has been a leading force in the efforts to forge a multi-lateral regime for proactive sharing of financial information known as Automatic Exchange of Information which will greatly assist the global efforts to combat tax evasion. 

1. The Automatic Exchange of Information based on Common Reporting Standard has commenced from 2017 enabling India to receive financial account information of Indian residents in other countries.
2. India has entered into an information sharing agreement with the USA under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of USA.

Government identified 2,38,223 companies as shell companies between 2018-2021

• There is no definition of the term “Shell Company” in the Companies Act and it normally refers to a company without active business operation or significant assets, which in some cases are used for illegal purposes such as tax evasion, money laundering, obscuring ownership, benami properties etc.
• The Minister further stated that the Special Task Force set up by the Government to look into the issue of “Shell Companies” has inter-alia recommended the use of certain red flag indicators as alerts for identification of Shell Companies.
• The Government has undertaken a Special Drive for identification and striking off Shell Companies during the last three years, the Minister stated.
• In Total around 238223 companies have been struck off from the year 2018-2021

Better prospects of consumption in Indian rural economy

• As per the Provisional Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2020-21 released by the National Statistical Office, the Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture has shown a growth of 3.6 per cent, signalling better prospects of consumption in rural India.
• The Minister stated that total foodgrain production is estimated to rise 2.7 per cent to a new record of 305.44 million tonnes in the current crop year 2020-21, on record output of rice, wheat, maize and gram.

Key Measures to improve the Status of the farmer:

• Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, additional Emergency Working Capital Funding for farmers through NABARD, 
• Concessional credit through Kisan Credit Cards, Fund transfer under PM-KISAN
• PM-Fasal Bima Yojana claim payments,
• Additional subsidy for DAP & P&K fertilizers,
• Extension of SVAMITVA Scheme to all States/UTs, enhancing agricultural credit and infrastructure funds, interest subvention for dairy cooperatives, liquidity support under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund to states, 
• PM Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan, enhanced MGNREGA budgetary support,
• PM SVANidhi, Agri-Infrastructure Fund for farm gate infrastructure, scheme for Formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises (MFE),
• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, 
• National Animal Disease Control Programme, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, Promotion of Herbal Cultivation and Beekeeping and extension of Operation Greens from Tomatoes, Onion and Potatoes (TOP) to all fruits and vegetables (TOTAL).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Senior IPS officer Nasir Kamal appointed as Director General in BCAS

• Nasir Kamal, has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• He has been appointed to the post for a period up to his superannuation on July 31, 2022.
• Nasir Kamal’s appointment was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
• As Director-General of BCAS, Kamal will be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

About Nasir Kamal :

• Nasir Kamal is a 1986-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
• Currently, he is serving as Director of the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science.
• Prior to this, he was serving as Special Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF).
• He had a wide range of  experience in the fields of law enforcement, anti-corruption investigation, border security management and human resource management.

About BCAS :

• The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India). 
• It is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India.
• It is headed by an officer of the rank of Director general of Police and is designated as Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

About Ministry of Civil Aviation :

• Responsible Minister : Jyotiraditya Scindia
• Headquarters: Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi

Rakesh Asthana appointed as Delhi Police Commissioner

• The Union government gave additional charge of the Delhi Police to Balaji Srivastava after the retirement of SN Shrivastava on June 30, and there was no indication at the time that the charge was temporary.
• Asthana, who has previously headed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), was exonerated in a 2018 bribery case registered by the then Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chief Alok Verma.
• He held the post of the special director in the investigative agency.

Manipur Govt announced to appoint Olympic Silver Medalist Mirabai Chanu as ASP (Sports)

• Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won Silver at the Tokyo Olympics, will be appointed as the Additional Superintendent of Police in the state police department.
• The state government would also reward her with Rs.1 crore.
• Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal in the 49 kg category, will hold the designation of Additional Superintendent of Police (Sports).
• The Manipur government has also decided to establish a world-class weightlifting academy in the state soon, he added.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOU’s AND AGREEMENTS

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

• The lead internal security force of the country-Central Reserve Police Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)-India’s premier tech R&D to train the manpower of the force in advanced technologies and undertake joint projects.
• The MoU aims at augmenting the technical capabilities of CRPF by training its manpower in advanced areas like Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber security, Artificial Intelligence, High Performance Computing (HPC) and Big Data Analytics.
• The agreement will also provide the expertise of C-DAC in the form of Technology Partner & Knowledge Partner in developing various ICT solutions of CRPF.

About CRPF:

• The Central Reserve Police Force is India’s largest Central Armed Police Force.
• It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India.
• The CRPF’s primary role lies in assisting the State/Union Territories in police operations to maintain law and order and counter insurgency.
• Headquarters: New Delhi

About C-DAC:

• The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing is an Indian autonomous scientific society, operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is the premier R&D organization of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for carrying out R&D in IT, Electronics and associated areas.

IPC, WHO sign MoU for promotion of diversity and equity

• The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to work together to foster diversity and equity through global initiatives promoting health and sport for everybody, everywhere.
• The two partners will collaborate to improve global access to quality rehabilitation and assistive technology as part of universal health coverage; and mitigate existing inequalities in relation to access to these life-changing services – a prerequisite for equal opportunities and participation in sports for persons with disabilities, including for Paralympians and Para athletes.
• Parsons and Tedros signed the MOU in Tokyo.
• The Paralympic Games will begin on August 24 and conclude on September 5.

About IPC:

• The International Paralympic Committee is an international non-profit organization and the global governing body for the Paralympic Movement.
• The IPC organizes the Paralympic Games and functions as the international federation for nine sports.
• Headquarters: Bonn, Germany
• Vice President: Duane Kale
• President: Philip Craven

About WHO:

• The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health.
• The WHO Constitution, which establishes the agency’s governing structure and principles, states its main objective as “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health“.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

INS TABAR Participates In Navy Day Celebrations of the Russian Navy

• INS Tabar reached St Petersburg, Russia on 22 July to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy.
• Post Navy Day celebrations, Tabar will participate in Exercise INDRA scheduled to be held on 28 and 29 Jul 21 in the Baltic sea with two Russian Navy ships.

EXERCISE INDRA-21

• 12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint military Exercise INDRA 2021 will be held at Volgograd, Russia from 01 to 13 August 2021.
• The exercise will entail conduct of counter terror operations under the United Nations mandate by a joint force against international terror groups.
• 250 personnel from both the nations will form part of the exercise.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising a Mechanised Infantry Battalion underwent rigorous training at different locations in India to refine their drills for participation in the joint exercise.
• Exercise INDRA-21 will further strengthen mutual confidence and interoperability between the Indian & Russian Armies and enable sharing of best practices between the contingents of both the countries.
• The exercise will be yet another milestone in strengthening security cooperation and will serve to reinforce the longstanding bond of friendship between India and Russia.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ISRO signs on eight companies to begin work on its merchandise programme

• The Indian Space Research Organisation’s customised space-themed merchandise programme in partnership with industry has taken off with multiple companies on board.
• In that will be able to purchase authorised products, such as scale models, T-shirts, mugs, space-themed educational games, science toys, and etc connected to ISROs missions and work
• Eight companies have registered with ISRO on a non-exclusive basis.
• Indic Inspirations (Pune), 1947IND (Bengaluru), and Ankur Hobby Centre (Ahmedabad) etc.
• In that ISRO shares the themes, general arrangement drawings, images or any other design for enabling these companies.
• To make scaled models , 3D and 2D drawings are being used.

Purpose  of the Programme :

• It can play a game-changing role in creating awareness and kindling interest of students, children and public, in the domain of space science & technology, and propagating its achievements.

About ISRO :

• Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
• Founded: 15 August 1969
• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan

Google’s Parent company Alphabet Launches New robotics software company Intrinsic 

• Google‘s parent company Alphabet’s secretive research unit launches New robotics software company named Intrinsic 
• It mainly focused on developing software for robots.

About Intrinsic :

• Intrinsic  developing software tools to make industrial robots easier to use, cheaper and more flexible.
• It is working to unlock the creative and economic potential of industrial robotics for millions more businesses, entrepreneurs, and developers.”
• It has been testing software in real-time mechanics that uses various techniques like deep learning, automated perception, motion planning, reinforcement learning, force control and simulation.

Note :

• Wendy Tan White, is the Current chief executive officer of Intrinsic.

About Alphabet Inc :

• CEO: Sundar Pichai
• Chairperson: John L. Hennessy
• Founded: 2 October 2015
• Headquarters : California, United States
• Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin
• Presently on the basis of revenue, Alphabet is the world’s fourth-largest technology company.

 India to explore indigenous deposits of Phosphatic rock

• Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation of raw materials in the country for the manufacturing of Fertilisers.
• The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba along with Senior officials of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ministry of Mines, Geological Survey of India, National Remote Sensing Centre and Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited.
• The Minister stated that India is committed to reduce dependency on fertilizer imports and to gain ‘Atma Nirbharta’ in all fertilizers.
• To achieve this goal, we have to focus on scaling up production of fertilizers through indigenous raw materials.
• Currently India is dependent on other countries for raw materials to produce DAP and SSP primarily. 
• India of the 21st century needs to reduce its dependencies on import.
• In order to achieve that goal, India has to explore indigenous deposits of Phosphatic rock and Potash and make it available to indigenous industries to produce DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate), SSP (Single superphosphate), NPK (nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)) and MOP (Muriate of Potash )to cater the needs of Indian farmers.”
• It is pertinent to mention that Rock Phosphate is the key raw material for DAP and NPK fertilizers. 
• Currently India is 90% dependent on imports for this raw material.
• Volatility in international prices affects domestic prices of fertilizers.
• It hinders the progress and development of the agriculture sector in the country and puts extra pressure on our farmers.
• He also underlined the importance of commercial exploration of Phosphorite deposits.
• He called for taking all the necessary steps for ramping up the production in the existing 30 lakh MT of Phosphorite deposits.
• The Union Government has handed over fertilizer mineral resource bearing GRs to the tune of 536 million tonnes to various states.
• These deposits are available in Rajasthan, central part of peninsular India, Hirapur (Madhya Pradesh), Lalitpur(Uttar Pradesh), Mussoorie syncline, Cuddapah basin (Andhra Pradesh).
• It was further decided that the Department of Mining and Geological Survey of India is going to expedite the exploration in the potential potassic ore resources in Rajasthan’s Satipura, Bharusari & Lakhasar and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ENVIRONMENT 

Ashwini Kumar Choubey announces 31.6% rise in e-waste generation last year

• Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed, India generated 10,14,961.2 tonnes of e-waste , which is an increase of 31.6% when compared to the year 2019 to the Rajya Sabha.
• The e-Waste (Management) Rules were notified in 2016.
• The Environment Ministry has notified 21 types of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) as e-waste.
• The Ministry has been promoting and encouraging the establishment of an efficient e-waste collection mechanism, which is environmentally safe and sound.
• Recycling through authorised dismantlers and recyclers of e-waste, will minimise the illegal recycling and recovery operations and reduction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic components.

Note :

• Presently, 400 dismantlers/recyclers of e-waste are operating in 20 States.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SPORTS NEWS

Four New Sports Introduced in Tokyo Olympics

• The Tokyo Olympics are introducing four new sports namely skateboarding, surfing, karate and sport climbing. 
• With this, the Tokyo Games now has 339 medal events.
• Karate :
• Karate is a martial art that originated in Okinawa during the Ryukyu Dynasty.
• It makes its Olympic debut in Tokyo, joining judo, taekwondo and wrestling.
• It consists of two disciplines for both men and women: kata (forms) and kumite (sparring).
• The three days competition will be held at Nippon Budokan.
• Skateboarding :
• Skateboarding is an Olympic debut sport recruited by organizers to attract young audiences.
• It is a high-flying tricks and stunts event & the competitors have a age-range between 12 to 47.
• Men’s and women’s Olympic skateboarding will consist of two events: park and street.
• The sport will feature three disciplines: Speed, Bouldering and Lead.
• Surfing :
• The competition will take place in the ocean, so for that , the condition of the waves, the direction and strength of the wind, and the ebb and flow of the tide are considered.
• Surfing was popularised by Duke Kahanamoku ( the father of modern surfing ), from Hawaii, who won three gold medals in swimming at the Stockholm 1912 and Antwerp 1920 Games when competing for the US.
• Since 1995, the International Surfing Association has been lobbying for the inclusion of this sport.
• Sport Climbing :
• Sport climbing has been dubbed the epitome of the Olympic motto “citius, altius, fortius” (faster, higher, stronger).
• In speed climbing, two athletes secure themselves to ropes and race each other on a fixed route to the top of a 15-meter high wall. 
• The sport of skateboarding will make its Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Daily CA On July 27 :

• On July 26, 2021, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the Government proposes to set up a National Research Foundation NRF to strengthen the research ecosystem in the country.
• The Ministry of AYUSH has developed and launched the AYUSH Sanjivani mobile application to generate data on the acceptance and usage of Ayush advocacies and measures among the population and its impact in the prevention of COVID-19.
• Government taken initiative to identify effective medicines under Ayush systems to cure patients with symptoms of COVID-19
• Virendra Kumar virtually inaugurated the “5th North-East India Traditional Fashion Week (NEIFW) 2021”, the event aims to enrich the ‘Make in India’ Movement by mainstreaming divyangjan along with promoting the indigenous culture and art-forms of North-East India.
• A 33/11kV 10 MVA Substation commissioned under the IPDS scheme of the Government of India was inaugurated in Nusso, Bandipora, J & K.
• The Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah  inaugurated the Inter-State Bus Terminal at Maviyang & the aim of this Inter-state bus terminal is to give highest priority for the connectivity of the North East.
• Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone for the Multipurpose Convention Centre and Exhibition Facility of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in Shillong 
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the web based portal in to facilitate submission of applications, identification of children eligible to receive support under the ‘PM CARES for Children’ scheme and processing of applications for securing benefits to them.
• Union Power Minister and Minister of State for Power release a report on Key Regulatory Parameters of Power Utilities as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
• KASEZ (Kandla SEZ) is the First Green SEZ to achieve the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Green Cities Platinum Rating for Existing Cities.
• Indian Railways’ Oxygen Express to transport 200 MT Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) to Bangladesh in 10 containers.
• On July 26, 2021, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched the ‘MyGov-Meri Sarkar’ portal.
• Minister of State for Finance Bhagwat K Karad Stated Non-performing assets (NPAs) of banks have declined by Rs 61,180 crore to Rs 8.34 lakh crore at the end of March 31, 2021.
• The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization’ (SMAM) with effect from 2014-15.
• NITI AAYOG -TRIFED join hands for successful implementation of Van DhanYojana in Tribal Clusters of Aspirational Districts of India
• On July 26, 2021, Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced his resignation at a two-year celebration of his government.
• Indian Naval Ship Talwar is participating in Exercise Cutlass Express 2021along the East Coast of Africa. 
• A veterinary-doctor-turned-inventor, John Abraham, has received the patents for inventing biodiesel from slaughtered chicken waste.
• According to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) report, on the trends in world agricultural trade in the past 25 years, India has entered the top 10 list of the countries exporting agricultural produce in the year 2019.
• Japanese Emperor Naruhito & IOC president Thomas Bach have officially opened the 32nd Summer Olympic Games in the newly-built National Stadium Tokyo.
• The Advisory Committee of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has recommended cash awards for Indian athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics, In that Athletes winning gold medals will be awarded ₹75 lakh & Silver medal winners will be given ₹40 lakh, & Bronze medal winners will receive ₹25 lakh.
• On July 26, 2021, Momiji Nishiya, a 13 years 330 days old Japanese skateboarder won the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• On July 23, 2021, Folk music legend and freedom fighter Fakir Alamgir passed away.

Daily CA On July 28 :

• The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem,Observed on July 26, adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015.
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 83rd Raising Day on July 27 all over the country.
• World Natural Conservation Day is celebrated every year on July 28 to raise awareness about the importance of working for a healthy environment.
• World Hepatitis Day is commemorated each year on 28 July to enhance awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes a range of health problems, including liver cancer.
• The Indian Science Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM), the national web portal for sharing R&D facilities was formally launched in January 2020 by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
• Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt Smriti Zubin Irani inaugurated the National Commission for Women’s 24/7 helpline number – 7827170170. 
• The Union Government has decided to set up a National Centre of Excellence for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics for creating a world-class talent pool in India to cater to the Indian as well as global industry.
• Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah launched the Green Sohra Afforestation Campaign at Sohra (Cherrapunji) in Meghalaya.
• Parliament has passed the National Institutes of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management Bill, 2021.
• Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar virtually inaugurated the 28th Regional Workshop of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
• In a major boost to agricultural produce exports from Uttarakhand, first consignment of vegetables including curry leaf, okra, pear and bitter gourd sourced from the farmers of Haridwar, was exported to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has taken an out of box initiative to produce sand from overburden at a much cheaper price.
• Madrid’s tree-lined Paseo del Prado boulevard and the adjoining Retiro park have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list. 
• The Philippines approved commercial cultivation of vitamin A-rich Golden Rice, long touted as a partial remedy for childhood malnutrition.
• Singapore’s Sunseap is planning a $2 billion floating solar project on a reservoir in Indonesia’s Batam Island 
• Leading European nation Sweden stated it has ratified the framework agreement for the International Solar Alliance, an initiative of India aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainable development.
• BRICS countries are all prepared to take ahead, incorporate and amplify the Traditional Medicine System in the fight against Covid-19.
• The Karnataka BJP legislature party which met on July 27, to elect their new legislature party leader has chosen Basavaraj Bommai as the new Chief Minister.
• Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation of Bamboo Industrial Park at Manderdisa in Dima Hasao & the project will be implemented with 50 crores from DoNER Ministry.
• The Ministry of Science and Technology will set up a first-of-its-kind Centre for Bioresources & Sustainable Development
• The Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch has found a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage list, making it the 40th world heritage property in the country.
• Care Ratings stated in a report, The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is likely to be 8 to 9 percent in the current financial year, driven by agriculture and industrysectors.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has sharply scaled down India’s economic growth projection by 300 basis points to 9.5 per cent for the current financial year from 12.5 per cent estimated earlier in April.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC), the investment arm of the World Bank Group, has provided a loan of $250 million ( ₹1,875 crore) to HDFC, to promote affordable green housing finance for low and middle income borrowers.
• The Union Government has fixed norms for implementation of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the country to enable state-specific reforms.
• In recent years, the Government has taken a number of measures to bring back the black money stashed abroad ‘The Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015’.
• Rao Inderjit Singh informed that Government has identified total 2,38,223 companies as shell companies between 2018-2021
• As per the Provisional Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the year 2020-21 released by the National Statistical Office, the Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture has shown a growth of 3.6 per cent, signalling better prospects of consumption in rural India.
• Nasir Kamal, has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• The Union government gave additional charge of the Delhi Police to Balaji Srivastava after the retirement of SN Shrivastava on June 30, and there was no indication at the time that the charge was temporary.
• Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won Silver at the Tokyo Olympics, will be appointed as the Additional Superintendent of Police in the state police department.
• The lead internal security force of the country-Central Reserve Police Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC)-India’s premier tech R&D to train the manpower of the force in advanced technologies and undertake joint projects.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) signed an agreement to work together to foster diversity and equity through global initiatives promoting health and sport for everybody, everywhere.
• INS Tabar reached St Petersburg, Russia on 22 July 2021 to participate in the 325th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy.
• 12th Edition of Indo-Russia joint military Exercise INDRA 2021 will be held at Volgograd, Russia from 01 to 13 August 2021.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation’s customised space-themed merchandise programme in partnership with industry has taken off with multiple companies on board.
• Google‘s parent company Alphabet’s secretive research unit launches New robotics software company named Intrinsic & it mainly focused on developing software for robots.
• Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers and Health & Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation of raw materials in the country for the manufacturing of Fertilisers.
• Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey informed, India generated 10,14,961.2 tonnes of e-waste , which is an increase of 31.6% when compared to the year 2019 to the Rajya Sabha.
• The Tokyo Olympics are introducing four new sports namely skateboarding, surfing, karate and sport climbing.