August current affairs

 China continues to intrude Indian cyberspace in significant way as cyber-attacks

originating from China account for largest 35% of total number of cyber-attacks on
official Indian websites followed by US (17%), Russia (15%), Pakistan (9%), Canada
(7%) and Germany (5%).
 CERT-In is nodal agency for information technology (cyber) security under aegis of
Department of Information Technology, Ministry of Electronics and IT. It was established in
2004. Its mandate is to protect Indian cyberspace and software infrastructure against
destructive and hacking activities. It also responds to computer security incidents, report on
vulnerabilities and promote effective IT security practices throughout country. It also issue
guidelines, vulnerability notes, advisories and whitepapers regarding to information security
practices, prevention.
 India’s ace Shuttler and Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu (23) was ranked
seventh on Forbes list of highest-earning women sportspersons in the world (earnings
between June 2017 and June 2018).
 The International Buddhist Conclave (IBC), 2018 was held in New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind. It was sixth edition of International
Buddhist Conclave. Its theme was ‘Buddha Path – The Living Heritage”. The Conclave
was organized by Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with State Governments of
Maharashtra, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Japan is ‘Partner Country for IBC-2018.
 University Grants Commission (UGC) issued circular directing all varsities and higher
education institutions to ban sale of junk food on their campuses.
 India Banking Conclave (IBC) 2018 was held in New Delhi from 23-24, 2018. It was
organised by Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) along with its knowledge partner
and government Think Tank, NITI Aayog.
 Maharashtra Government has appointed Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as the brand
ambassador of Mumbai city-based Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).
 Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has notified food safety standards for honey
and its products in bid to curb adulteration.
 Shooter Saurabh Chaudhary (16) won gold medal in Men’s 10m Air Pistol event with
record score of 240.7 at 2018 Jakarta Palembang Asian Games in Indonesia.
 Iran has unveiled first domestically manufactured fighter jet nicknamed Kowsar. It was
unveiled at defence show held in the capital city of Tehran.

 Article 153: It says that there shall be Governor for each state. 7th Constitutional
Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated appointment of the same person as governor for two or
more states.
 Article 156: It says that Governor is appointed by President of India for a term of five years
(But Governor usually holds office during pleasure of President.
 RXIL is India’s first TReDS platform operating since January 2017. It promoted by
National Stock Exchange (NSE), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI),
State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and Yes Bank.
  Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has announced to set up Cyclone Warning Centre in
Kerala’s capital Thiruvananthapuram. It also proposed to set up C-band Doppler
weather radar at Mangalore, Karnataka.
 The World Senior Citizens Day is celebrated every year on 21 August across the world.
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated National Crime Records Bureau
(NCRB) as nodal authority to curb online child pornography, sexual violence and rape
videos.
 Supreme Court scrapped use of NOTA (none of the above) option for Rajya Sabha
elections, saying it defeats fairness in indirect elections, destroys democratic values and
serves as Satan of defection and corruption.
 Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced to observe September
2018 as the National Nutrition Month to mark the country’s fight against malnutrition. The
month-long intensive campaign will be undertaken with an aim of reaching every household
with message of nutrition — ‘har ghar poshan tyohar’ (every house a celebration of
nutrition).
 Five northern states Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Union
territories of and Delhi and Chandigarh have decided to set up centralised secretariat at
Panchkula (Haryana) to tackle the drug menace.
 Home ministry notifies sops which sets deadline of replenishing cash in ATMs before 9pm
in cities and 6pm in rural areas. In case of Naxal-hit districts notified by central government,
e deadline will be 4pm.
 SAAW project is India’s first fully indigenous anti-airfield weapon project sanctioned by
Government in September 2013. The Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) has successfully tested indigenously developed light weight glide bomb Smart Anti
Airfield Weapon (SAAW) dropped from an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
 Trio of Bhin Bhin (bird of paradise), Kaka (one horned rhino) and Atung (deer) are
mascots of 2018 Asian Games.,Jakarta. The next games (19th edition) are scheduled to
Hangzhou, China between 10 and 25 September 2022.
 As instructed by the WHO, India is keeping a close watch on incoming tourists, fearing
transmission of a new respiratory virus that belongs to the same family as the
deadly Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A serious form of pneumonia
 Union Government has imposed safeguard duty of 25% on import of solar cells (whether or
not assembled in modules or panels) from China and Malaysia.
 Scientists from National Brain Research Centre (NBRC) have successfully identified
molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly. Babies born
with microcephaly have significantly smaller head size compared with normal babies.
 Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) aims cover over 10 crore
poor vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage of up to
Rs. 5 lakh (per family per year) for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
 Union Cabinet has approved first extension of Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS) for
another five years from 2018 to 2023 to support Indian Entities bidding for strategically
important infrastructure projects abroad. The scheme also has been liberalized, allowing any
Indian company, irrespective of ownership eligible to benefits of it.
 China successfully launched Gaofen-11, an optical remote sensing satellite, as part of the
country’s high-resolution Earth observation project. It was launched on board of Long March
 4B rocket from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in northern Shanxi Province. Gaofen means
“high resolution” in Chinese.
 Union Cabinet has approved policy framework to permit exploration and exploitation of
unconventional hydrocarbons such as Shale oil/gas, Coal Bed Methane (CBM) etc. It will
be carried out under existing Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), CBM contracts and
Nomination fields to encourage existing contractors in licensed or leased area to unlock full
potential of unconventional hydrocarbons in existing acreages.
 President Ram Nath Kovind has conferred Outstanding Parliamentarian Awards on five
Members of Parliament.
 2013- Nazma heptullah 2014 –hukumdev Narayan 2015 –gulam navi azad 2016 –dinesh
trivedi 2017 – bhartruhari mehtab (BJD). The award was established in 1992 by Shivraj
Patil who was then Speaker of Lok Sabha.
 Union Ministry of Culture launched Seva Bhoj Yojna, a new scheme to provide
financial assistance on purchase of specific food items by Charitable Religious Institutions
(CRIs) for free distribution among people. Under this scheme, Centre’s share of Central
Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Interstate GST charged on raw food materials
purchased by the religious institutions will be refunded. All eligible religious and charitable
institutions first must registered with Darpan portal of NITI Aayog and get Unique ID
generated by it. Thereafter, they shall enroll themselves in CSMS Portal on the Ministry of
Culture’s website in prescribed format.

SEP 2018
 The output of coal, refinery products, fertiliser and cement grew by 9.7%, 12.3%, 1.3% and 10.8%
respectively in July 2018. According to Index of Eight Core Industries released by
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, eight core sectors have grown by 6.6% in July
2018 pushed by healthy output in coal, refinery products, cement and fertilizer
sectors. It had registered growth of 2.9% in July 2017.
 These eight core sectors constitute 40.27% of total index of industrial production
(IIP).
 Weightage: Petroleum Refinery production (weight: 28.04%), Electricity generation
(19.85%), Steel production (17.92%), Coal production (10.33%), Crude Oil
production (8.98%), Natural Gas production (6.88%), Cement production (5.37%),
Fertilizers production (2.63%).
 Punjab National Bank (PNB’s) managing director and chief executive, Sunil Mehta
was elected as new chairman of Indian Banks Association (IBA) for year 2018-19.
Bank of India’s managing director and chief executive Dina Bandhu Mohapatra was
elected as the deputy chairman.
 India and Nepal have signed MoU to build strategic railway line connecting Raxaul
city in Bihar, India to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Nepal PM K P Sharma Oli inaugurated
400-bed Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala in Kathmandu, capital of
Nepal.
 Mumbai-based eminent neurosurgeon Dr B.K. Misra was named for prestigious Dr
B.C. Roy National Award for year 2018 as Eminent Medical Person of the Year.
 Kerala Government has decided to appoint KPMG as project consultant partner for
rebuilding state ravaged by recent massive floods.
 Union Home Ministry has announced that Census 2021 for the first time in
independent India will collect data on Other Backwards Castes (OBCs).
 The 4th BIMSTEC Summit concluded in Kathmandu with signing and adoption of
Kathmandu Declaration by all the seven members (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan,
Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand)
 Union Ministry of Women and Child Development recently had inaugurated widows’
home ‘Krishna Kutir’ at Vrindavan in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Krishna Kutir is
special home for 1000 widows set under Swadhar Greh scheme.
 18th Asian Games
Indonesia (Jakarta and palembang)
 Indian women hockey captain Rani Rampal was India’s flag-bearer at closing
ceremony. China has topped medals tally with 132 gold, 92 silver and 65 bronze
followed by Japan and South Korea. India finished 8th with 15 gold, 24 silver and
30 bronze. The next Asian Games (19th edition) are scheduled to Hangzhou, China
between 10 and 25 September 2022.
 According to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data, Mauritius was top source of foreign
direct investment (FDI) into India in 2017-18 followed by Singapore.
 National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog flagged off cycle rally
MOVE Cyclathon to spread message of clean mobility to the Indian public and
promote cleaner, accessible modes of transport..
 Fourth International Ayurveda Congress (IAvC) was held in Leiden, Netherlands
from September 1 to 2, 2018.
 Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has chosen Japanese woman swimmer Rikako Ikee
(18) as winner of Most Valuable Player (MVP) Trophy Award in 2018 Jakarta and
Palembang Asian Games.
 China has pledged $60 billion of financial assistance to Africa bolster industry,
counter hunger, and enhance security in the continent.
 FOCAC is an official forum between China and all states in Africa (except
Eswatini). It was started as Ministerial Conference in 2000 in Beijing and
since then it is held triennially in China and Africa alternatively.
 Union Health Ministry has released draft rules on sale of drugs by e-pharmacies to
regulate online sale of medicines across India.
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs has cleared proposal of Jharkhand Government to
rename Nagar Untari town and railway station as Banshidhar Nagar, after Banshidhar
Temple, which is dedicated to Krishna in Garhwa district of state.
 US-based nonprofit The Internet Society and Internet Service Providers Association
of India (ISPAI) have signed MoU to make Internet safe and secure in India by
securing routers which is vital for healthy internet infrastructure.
 Union Government has received Rs. 3,000 crore of additional tax from MNCs that
have entered into advance pricing agreements (APAs) with it over last five years and
also has eliminated big source of tax litigation.
 India along with 23 other nations will be participating in major Indian ocean-wide
tsunami mock exercise known as IOWave18. The exercise is being organized
by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. It will involve
evacuation of thousands of people from coastal areas in over half a dozen states.
 India and Cyprus have signed two agreements on combating money laundering and
cooperation in the field of environment. These agreements were signed after wide-
ranging talks between President Ram Nath Kovind and his Cypriot counterpart Nicos
Anastasiades in Nicosia (capital of Cyprus).
 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released draft Charter of Patients’
Rights prepared by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
 Ukraine has launched annual joint military exercise named Rapid Trident with
United States and other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member
countries. The exercise will place in western Ukrainian village of Starychi from
September 2 to 15, 2018
 The 6th East Asia Summit-Economic Ministers’ Meeting (EAS-EMM) and 15th
India-ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) was held in Singapore.
Singapore is currently holding the Chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
 NITI Aayog constituted group of experts has submitted report titled ‘Inventory and
Revival of Springs in the Himalayas for Water Security.’ It has mentioned that nearly
30% of springs crucial to water security of people are drying and 50% have reported
reduced discharge.
 Meghalaya with 3,810 villages with springs has highest number of these water
sources in Eastern Himalayan States. Sikkim had greatest density with 94% of its
villages having spring. In Western Himalayas, Jammu & Kashmir had both highest
number of villages with springs at 3,313 and greatest density of 50.6%.
 India, Kazakhstan joint army exercise KAZIND will be conducted between Indian
and Kazakhstan Army in Otar region, Kazakhstan from 10 to 23 September 2018.
 Union Territory of Puducherry has bagged top position in National Clean School
Award after seven schools from Puducherry were awarded for cleanliness. Tamil
Nadu bagged second position in National Clean School Award. The third position
was shared by Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat. Fourth position was shared by
Jharkhand, Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
 Justice Ranjan Gogoi will be become 46th Chief Justice of India .
 Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry launched Coffee Connect-India coffee
field force app and Coffee KrishiTharanga – digital mobile extension services
project for coffee stakeholders. These initiatives were developed by Coffee Board of
India for the overall technological advancement of the coffee sector and value chain.
 India is 6th largest coffee producer in the world with 4% share after Brazil,
Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. In India, coffee is cultivated in India in
about 4.54 lakh hectares by 3.66 lakh coffee farmers and 98% of them are small
farmers. Karnataka (54%), Kerala (19%) and Tamil Nadu (8%) are largest coffee
producing states. India accounts for only 4-5% of world’s coffee output, but exports
70-80% of its produce. Italy, Russia and Germany are the top three buyers of Indian
coffee. In India, two coffee varieties robusta (or Coffea canephora) and Coffea
arabica are grown on large scale.
 Asia Index Pvt Ltd has launched S&P BSE Private Banks Index to measure the
performance of private banks. Asia Index Pvt Ltd is a joint venture between S&P
Dow Jones Indices and BSE Ltd.
 The National Nutrition Month (Rashtriya Poshan Maah) is being celebrated across
the country in September 2018 to mark fight against malnutrition. Union Ministry of
Women and Child Development are spearheading various programmes during this
month to spread broad awareness on issues related to malnutrition like stunting,
under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight in children.
 International Women Entrepreneurs Summit 2018 was held in Kathmandu, capital of
Nepal from September 3 to 5, 2018. The summit was inaugurated by Vice President
of Nepal Nanda Bahadur Pun. The theme of 3-day summit was “Equality begins
with Economic Empowerment”. It was organised by the South Asian Women
Development Forum.
 Dr Arif ur Rehman Alvi (69) was elected as 13th President of Pakistan.
 Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd has bagged order from Indian Army to
supply SpyLite mini UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems for high altitude aerial
surveillance. Cyient Solutions & Systems Pvt. Ltd is joint venture between IT firm
Cyient and BlueBird Aero Systems of Israel.
 American security and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin has entered into an
agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture wings of
its F-16 fighter jets in India. Producing F-16 wings in India will support Central
Government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ programme and strengthen Lockheed Martin’
strategic partnership with TASL.
 According to recent study published in Lancet Global Health journal, at least 34% of
India’s population is insufficiently active. The levels of insufficient activity were
higher among women at 48%, while prevalence was 22 %among men.
 Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will soon
convene special meeting of Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to
decide on field-trial approvals for transgenic mustard DMH-11 developed by
University of Delhi’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP).
 Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully carried out first ever midair refuelling of
indigenously developed light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The midair refuelling test
conducted involved dry linkup, meaning no fuel was actually transferred between IAF
Il-78 tanker and Tejas fighter jet through its air-to-air refuelling probe.
 For this test, Russian-built IL-78 MKI tanker was launched from IAF’s base in
Agra while LCA Tejas fighter was launched from Gwalior. LCA Tejas is
lightweight single-seat multi-role jet fighter, powered by single engine. It has tailess
and compound delta wing design made entirely of composite structures. It is pegged
as world’s smallest and lightest supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
 Japanese researchers from Shizuoka University will conduct world’s first experiment
to test small prototype of space elevator in space by using two mini satellites. The
test equipment will be launched by Japan’s space agency on board of H-2B rocket
from southern island of Tanegashima.
 State-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has bagged order worth Rs. 9,200 crore for
supply of seven Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) systems to Indian
Navy. In this regard, it has entered into a contract with Mazagon Dock Limited
(MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
 Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Malanad Malabar Cruise Tourism Project under
Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development of rural circuit in Kerala.
 Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved establishment
and operationalization of permanent campus of seven new Indian Institutes of
Management (IIMs). These IIMs will be established at Amritsar (Punjab), Bodh Gaya
(Bihar), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Sambalpur (Odisha), Sirmaur (Himachal Pradesh),
Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) and Jammu.
 India and Bulgaria have signed four MoUs in fields of Civil Nuclear cooperation,
investment, Tourism and establishment of Hindi chair at Sofia University.
 Atal pension yojna will expand its focus to target individuals, instead of households.
Moreover, all accounts opened after August 2018 will have accident insurance limit
of Rs 2 lakh, double than earlier Rs 1 lakh limit. The overdraft facility of the scheme
was also increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. Earlier, people of age 18 to 60 years
were entitled to enroll in this scheme. But now it has been relaxed further to 65
years, taking into consideration rise in average age-expectancy
 Search engine giant Google has launched Dataset Search, a new search engine for
scientific community that will help them make sense of millions of datasets present
online.
 The third ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Conference on ‘Global Ageing and Human
Rights of Older Persons’ was held in Seoul, capital of South Korea. It was jointly
organised by South Korea and National Human Rights Commission of Korea.
 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 3-day Defence & Homeland
Security Expo and Conference – 2018 in New Delhi. I
 Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry has launched National Mission on
Government eMarketplace (GeM) for increasing awareness and accelerating use of
GeM by major central Ministries, State Governments and their agencies. GeM
provides online, end to end solution for procurement of commonly used goods
and services for all Central Government Departments and State Governments.
Public Sector Units and affiliated bodies.
 Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh was unanimously re-elected as World Health
Organization (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia for another five-year
term beginning February 2019.
 India, Sri Lanka joint naval exercise SLINEX-2018 was held at Trincomalee, Sri
Lanka from September 7 to 13, 2018. SLINEX exercise started in 2005 was
previously held once in two years and now it has been converted to annual event this
year onwards.
 Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD has officially decided to
participate in Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) after gap
of nine years. It will send team of officers to Paris to negotiate India’s terms of
participation in PISA 2021.
 India and United States has signed Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement (COMCASA) that will lead to a new generation of bilateral military
partnership. It was signed at end of inaugural India-US ‘2+2’ Ministerial Dialogue
held in New Delhi.
 COMCASA is meant to facilitate use of high-end secured communication
equipment to be installed on military platforms being sold to India by US to fully
exploit their potential.
 The first edition of 2+2 dialogue between India-US held in New Delhi. In the
inaugural meeting, Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj and
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hosted US Secretary of State Michael R.
Pompeo and US Secretary of Defence James Mattis.
 India and United States will conduct their annual combat exercise “Yudh Abhyas” at
Chaubatia in Uttarakhand from 16 to 29 September, 2018. The exercise will be held
soon after both countries hold their inaugural top-level “2+2” dialogue in New Delhi.
 Singapore-based global investment firm Temasek has signed agreement to invest up
to Rs 2,750 crore ($400 million) in National Investment and Infrastructure
Fund’s (NIIF) Master Fund. With this investment, NIIF Master Fund is now one of
largest infrastructure funds in India which invests in core infrastructure sectors
in India with focus on energy, transportation and urban infrastructure.
 India and France have signed implementation agreement on Mobilise Your City
(MYC) to support three pilot cities – Nagpur, Kochi and Ahmedabad for
reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to urban transport. It was
signed between Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Agence Française
de Développement (AfD).
 State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has made oil and gas discoveries in
Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal that may potentially open up two new
sedimentary basins in country. They are category-III basins, having hydrocarbon and
are considered geologically prospective for exploration.
 India and France have signed agreement to collaborate for ISRO’s first human space
mission Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022.
 Union Finance Ministry has doubled pecuniary limit to Rs. 20 lakh from Rs.10 lakh
for filing loan recovery application in Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRT) by banks and
financial institutions. It means that bank or financial institution or consortium of
banks or financial institutions cannot approach DRTs if pecuniary limit amount due is
less than Rs 20 lakh.
 The Odisha State Assembly has passed resolution seeking creation of Legislative
Council (Vidhan Parishad or second house of legislature). The resolution was passed
with as many as 104 of total 147 legislators casting their votes in its favour. The
resolution now will be sent to Central Government (Union cabinet) for approval,
following which it will be tabled in both houses of the Parliament. Thereafter,
presidential assent is required to make it Act.
 The World Hindu Congress (WHC-2018) was held Chicago, United States. It was
organized to commemorate 125 years of Swami Vivekananda’s historic Chicago
address on September 11, 1893. The theme of WHC-2018 was “Sumantrite
Suvikrante” — think collectively, achieve valiantly”.
 India’s ace sprinter Hima Das was appointed as Sports Ambassador of Assam to
inspire budding players of northeastern state to aim big and young generation to take
up sports seriously.
 Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka is set to
become first airport in Asia to introduce face recognition based passage system
technology from 2019.
 The World Summit on Accreditation (WOSA-2018) was held New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister for Human Resource Development (HRD) Prakash
Javadekar. WOSA-2018 was organized by National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
with main focus (theme) on “Challenges and Opportunities in Outcome Based
Accreditation.
 Former world number one Novak Djokovic from Serbia won 2018 US Open title of
tennis in men’s singles category by defeating Argentina’s Juan Martín del Potro
(world no 3).
 Snow leopard was spotted at height of about 4,000 metres in Lippa-Asra wildlife
sanctuary in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. Project Snow Leopard: It
was launched in 2009 to safeguard and conserve Snow Leopard (an unique natural
heritage of high-altitude) and its habitats by promoting conservation through
participatory policies and actions.
 Regional Conference on Good Governance with Focus on Aspirational Districts was
held in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. It was organized by Department of
Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DAR&PG), Ministry of Personnel,
Public Grievances and Pensions in association with Madhya Pradesh Government.
 Nepal has refused to participate in inaugural joint military exercise of Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
countries scheduled to be held in Pune, Maharashtra. The first BIMSTEC field
training exercise will be conducted at Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune,
Maharashtra from September 10 and 16, 2018. Armies of BIMSTEC members
including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand and Nepal were
to participate in it.
 Haryana Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian
Oil Corporation (IOC) to set up ethanol plant at village Bohali village in Panipat
district with an outlay of over Rs. 900 crore. The MoU will be valid for one year.
This plant will motivate farmers in its 50 km radius area to manage crop residue and
prevent straw burning and help to fulfill increasing demand of ethanol and also bio-
fuels for consumers of petroleum product.
 India, Mongolia joint exercise Nomadic Elephant 2018 commenced at Mongolian
Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar (capital of Mongolia).
Nomadic Elephant is annual bilateral military exercise started in 2006.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully carried out first ever mid-air refuelling of
indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas MK-1 over Gwalior,
Madhya Pradesh. With this, India joins in elite group of countries which have
successfully developed air-to-air refuelling system for military aircraft. It was
first wet mid-air refuelling of LCA Tejas (LSP8) carried out by transferring 1,900 kg
of fuel from IAF’s Russian-origin Ilyushin-78 (IL-78) tanker at altitude of 20,000
feet. This operation had refueled all internal tanks and drop tanks of LCA Tejas.
 The first field training military exercise MILEX-18, as part of the Bay of Bengal
initiative for multi-sectoral technical and economic cooperation (BIMSTEC)
commenced at Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra. All member
BIMSTEC countries, except Thailand and Nepal will take active part in this
exercise. Thailand and Nepal will only be sending group of observers.
 India, Bangladesh jointly inaugurated three projects related to power supply
rehabilitation of existing railway section. These projects were jointly inaugurated
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
through video conference. Rehabilitation of Kulaura-Shahbazpur section of
Bangladesh Railways: 500 MW additional power supply from India to
Bangladesh: Akhaura–Agartala Rail Link
 India was the focus country of 87th Izmir International Trade Show held in Izmir,
third most populous city in Turkey, after Istanbul and Ankara from 7th to 11th
September, 2018. Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) had led 75-member
Indian delegation for this trade show.
 Election Commission of India (EC) had removed NOTA (None of the Above) option
from ballot papers of Rajya Sabha, Legislative Council elections following directive
of Supreme Court. The NOTA option, henceforth will be only available in direct
elections such as Lok Sabha and state assembly elections.
 Union Ministry of Railways has launched Rail Sahyog web portal
(www.railsahyog.in). It will provide platform for Corporates and PSUs to fund
creation of amenities at railway stations through Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) funds.
 NITI Aayog, Intel, and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) are
collaborating to set up Model International Center for Transformative Artificial
Intelligence (ICTAI) in Bengaluru, capital of Karnataka. This collaboration is part of
NITI Aayog’s ‘National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence’ .
 Justice Mukul Mudgal was named Chairman of 11-member selection committee to
pick this year’s Dronacharya and Dhyanchand awardees given as part of National
Sports Awards ceremony. These awards will be presented at National Sports Awards
ceremony scheduled to be held on September 25, 2018.
 Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Telecommunications Consultants
India Ltd (TCIL) have signed agreement for implementation of e-VidyaBharati and
e-AarogyaBharati (e-VBAB) Network Project in Africa. e-VBAB Network
Project is completely funded by Government of India for its entire duration.
 Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay has recommissioned India’s
oldest nuclear research reactor named ‘Apsara’, which was shut down permanently
in 2009 for repair. The refurbished version of this reactor has been named as ‘Apsara-
 upgraded’ (Apsara-U) and also has double capacity compared to its earlier version. It
is located within India’s nuclear weapons facility at BARC’s Trombay campus
(Maharashtra).
 Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has mandatory for unlisted public
companies to issue new shares or transfer of all shares in dematerialised or demat (i.e.
in electronic form) form beginning October 2, 2018.
 Senior BJP leader L K Advani was renominated as Chairman of Ethics Committee of
Lok Sabha. He was renominated by Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan.
 Tamil Nadu Government has issued order banning manufacture, sale and
possession of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-Cigarettes with
immediate effect in the state. So far, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, Mizoram, Jammu
and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar already have prohibited manufacture, import,
sale and distribution of ENDs or e-cigarettes.
 IIP is composite indicator that measures short-term changes in volume of production
of basket of industrial products during given period with respect to chosen base
period. It is compiled and published monthly by Central Statistical Organization
(CSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
Base year: The CSO had revised the base year of the IIP from 2004-05 to 2011-12 in
May 2017.

Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved

proposal for introduction of Bill in Parliament for amendment of National Institutes of Design (NID)
Act, 2014 for establishing four new NIDs across the country.
 Amaravati/Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
 Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
 Jorhat, Assam.
 Kurukshetra, Haryana.
 Union Cabinet has approved MoU signed between Export-Import Bank of India
(Exim Bank) and member banks under BRICS Interbank Cooperation
Mechanism on Collaborative Research on Distributed Ledger and Block chain
Technology in context of development of digital economy.
 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has prohibited manufacture, sale,
distribution of 328 Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) for human use with immediate
effect.
 Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) is gearing up to undertake sea trials of India’s
first ocean surveillance ship by end of September 2018 or first week of October 2018.
This ship is now simply referred as VC 11184 and will be formally named after its
induction into the Indian Navy.
 India’s first 205T Electric Drive Rear Dump Truck (Model BH205-E), designed and
developed by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) was flagged off recently. The
dump truck has been developed for use in the project of Northern Coalfields Limited
(NCL), Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. It will also help to address the growing demand
for higher capacity equipments in mining industry.
 46th Chief Justice of India –Ranjan gogoi
 National Hindi Divas (हहहहह हहहह) is observed every year on 14 September.
 Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has launched Dairy Processing &
Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Scheme with an outlay of Rs. 10881 crore.
 Under this fund, first installment of Rs. 440 crore was given to National Dairy
Development Board (NDDB).
 Union Ministry for Minority Affairs has launched the country’s first National
Scholarship Portal Mobile App (NSP Mobile App). It aims to provide smooth,
accessible and hassle-free scholarship system for students from poor and weaker
section.
 Union Ministry of Tourism has inaugurated India’s first tribal circuit project
connecting 13 tourism sites in Chhattisgarh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The
circuit connects Jashpur, Kunkuri, Mainpat, Kamleshpur, Maheshpur, Kurdar,
Sarodadadar, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Nathiya Nawagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot, and
Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh.
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved 100%
electrification broad gauge routes of Indian Railways (IR) by 2021-22.
 Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS) has developed India’s
first indigenous medical kit for protection against nuclear warfare or radioactive
leakage. The kit will ensure protection from serious injury and aid faster healing of
wounds due to nuclear warfare or radioactive leakage.
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has approved continuation of Capacity Development Scheme for
period 2017-18 to 2019-20. It is ongoing Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of
Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI).
 Hyderabad International Airport (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) was
awarded Airports Council International Airport Service Quality World no.1 airport
awardin the 5-15 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) category. This is for the
second consecutive year Hyderabad airport has won this award.
 Rajasthan’s first lion safari was inaugurated at Nahargarh Biological Park. The
park is located on Delhi-Jaipur National Highway in the Aravalli foothills, nearly 12
kilometers from state capital Jaipur (known as Pink City).
 Union Ministry of Power has launched Chiller Star Labelling Program to encourage
deployment of energy efficient chiller systems in the country. It was launched as
part of occasion of 24th World Ozone Day and 31st Anniversary of Montreal
Protocol, which will be observed on 16th September 2018. The program was
formulated by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). It envisages providing star rating
in terms of its energy performance. Initially, the program has been launched on
voluntary basis and will be valid upto 31st December 2020. BEE has developed
online registration platform for easy and expeditious approval under this program.
 India’s first underwater robotic drone EyeROV TUNA was handed over to Naval
Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
 Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned indigenously built patrol vessel ICGS
Vijaya in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is second in the series of 98 m offshore patrol
vessels (OPVs) commissioned by ICG.
 Kerala Tourism has won two prestigious gold awards of Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) for its innovative marketing campaigns. These awards were
won by Kerala Tourism’s Yalla Kerala print campaign and Live Inspired Posters
under PATA’s Travel Advertisement Print and Travel Poster categories respectively.
Both campaign and posters were developed and designed by Stark Communications
which is advertising agency of Kerala Tourism.
 The International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer (or World Ozone Day) is
observed every year on September 16 for the preservation of the Ozone Layer. This
year, the theme for the Day is ‘Keep Cool and Carry On: The Montreal Protocol’.
 Union Cabinet recently approved new umbrella scheme “Pradhan Mantri
Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan” (PM-AASHA) to give major boost to pro-
farmer initiatives of Government. The Scheme is aimed at ensuring remunerative
prices to e farmers for their produce as announced in Union Budget for 2018.
 The second edition of Nepal-China joint military exercise named Mt Everest
Friendship Exercise-2018 (Sagarmatha Friendship-2018) commenced in China’s
southwestern Sichuan province.
 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted first successful
trials of indigenously developed third generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided
Missile (MPATGM). Two rounds of missile were flight tested in operational
configuration in two days from Ahmednagar range in Maharashtra.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has inaugurated S–Band Polarimetry
Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota
spaceport, Andhra Pradesh. It will be used for observation of weather system up to
range of 500 km and also for early warning of severe weather events.
 India and United States joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas 2018 commenced at
Chaubattia, Uttarakhand. It will be fourteenth edition of exercise in Yudh Abhyas
series which was started in 2004 under US Army Pacific Partnership Program. This
will be fourth time exercise will be conducted at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand

Ministry of Culture has released National Museum Research Bulletin Number 10:
Special issue. The bulletin was revived after gap of 16 years. It also has released
Sindhu Ghati Sabhyata:Ek Parichay, a Hindi version of An Introduction To Indus
Valley Civilization which among the bestsellers at National Museum.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched two satellites—
NovaSAR and S1-4-belonging to United Kingdom (UK) based Surrey Satellite
Technology Limited (SSTL). Both satellites were injected into Sun Synchronous
Orbit (pole-to-pole orbit) at an altitude of 583 km after the launch. These satellites
were launched on board of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C42) from first
launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota, Andhra
Pradesh.
 India’s first ‘smart fence’ pilot project was inaugurated along two 5-km each
patches of India-Pakistan International Border Jammu and Kashmir. It was launched
by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh from Border Security Force (BSF)
Headquarters in Ploura, J&K.
 Maharashtra Government is setting up new Cyber University dedicated to mitigating
cyber threats. It will train 3,000 professionals to fight online space cyber-attacks,
internet crimes and conduct cyber forensics.
 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism was held in Seoul, capital of
South Korea from 16 to 19 September, 2018. The theme of the summit was ‘A 2030
Vision for Urban Tourism’. The summit was co-organized by World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) and Seoul Metropolitan Government and supported by
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea Korea Tourism Organization
and Seoul Tourism Organization.
 NITI Aayog in its recently report has recommended that Ministry of Agriculture to
take up mission on shifting cultivation to ensure inter-ministerial convergence
between different ministries. The report was titled “Mission on Shifting Cultivation:
Towards a Transformational Approach”.
 Union Finance Ministry announced proposal for amalgamation of three public sector
banks- Bank of Baroda, Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The combined entity after
consolidation will create India’s third largest bank. Post this merger, number of PSU
banks will come down to 19 from 21, accounting for more than two-thirds of banking
assets in the country.
 India and Malta signed three Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) in the fields
of Maritime Cooperation, Tourism and Training. These MoUs were signed after
delegation level talks between Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and President of
Malta, Ms. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Vice President Naidu visited in Malta in the
second phase of his visit to three European countries viz. Serbia, Malta and Romania.
It was the first senior Indian leader to visit Mediterranean nation in last 28 years.
 Bangladesh Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved draft
agreement allowing India to use its Chittagong and Mongla ports to transport
cargo to and from its northeastern states.
 Germany has rolled out world’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train. These
locomotives named iLint trains emit zero emissions, making them eco-friendly. This
train technology offers greener and quieter alternative to diesel on non-electrified
railway lines. These hydrogen trains are manufactured by French TGV-maker Alstom
and are commercially running on 100km route between towns and cities of
Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervoerde and Buxtehude in northern Germany.
 Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has appointed renowned scientist Kamlesh
Nilkanth Vyas as chairman of Atomic Energy Commission and secretary of
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). He will have tenure till he attains the age of
64 years, i.e. till May 2021
 Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on eve of
World Ozone Day (16th September) released draft India Cooling Action Plan
(ICAP). It makes India first country in world to develop such document. The
draft was prepared by Ozone Cell of MoEFC.
 Union Government has inked US$74 million loan agreement for International Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Credit for Uttrakhand Workforce
Development Project (UKWDP).
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched e-Sahaj portal to facilitate
individuals and private companies in seeking security clearance for setting up
businesses in certain sensitive sectors. The portal aims to bring greater transparency
in according security clearances to business proposals relating to sensitive sectors and
geographical locations.
 Union government (Agriculture and Environment ministries) along with UN body
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has launched agriculture project that
seeks to bring transformative change in farm sector through conservation of
biodiversity and forest landscapes. It will be implemented in five states viz. Madhya
Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladeshi counterpart Sheikh Hasina
jointly launched the construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Product Pipeline
Project through video conferencing. It is first such pipeline through which refined
diesel will be supplied to Bangladesh from India. The project involves construction of
 130-kilometre long pipeline that will connect Siliguri in West Bengal and
Parbatipur in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh.
 Uttarakhand Assembly has unanimously passed resolution seeking status of “rashtra
mata — mother of the nation” for cow.
 India and Morocco have signed revised Air Services Agreement between two
countries enabling greater air connectivity through modernized agreement.
 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched pilot project for transport
of sputum specimen for Tuberculosis (TB) Diagnosis by utilising services of
Department of Post in Karawal Nagar, New Delhi.
 Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has launched its
monthly e-newsletter MSME Insider.
 The Employee’s State Insurance (ESI) has rolled out Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan
Yojna for providing unemployment allowance to workers rendered jobless due to
changing employment pattern. It was announced at 175th ESI Corporation meeting
chaired by Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar in New Delhi. It aims to
financially support those who lost their jobs or rendered jobless for whatsoever
reasons due to changing employment pattern. Its beneficiaries will be insured
persons covered under Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 for period of two years
continuously.
 India and Russia joint air exercise Aviaindra 18 was held in Lipetsk, Russia from
September 17 to 28, 2018. The second session of Aviaindra 18 will be conducted in
Jodhpur, Rajasthan (India) from December 10 Dec to 22, 2018.

The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has
allowed India’s top two stock exchanges BSE Ltd and National Stock Exchange of
India Ltd (NSE) to launch commodity derivatives trading from 1 October, 2018.
This approval is part of SEBI’s December 2017 announcement of having unified
exchange regime wherein stock exchanges will be allowed to offer trading in
commodities derivatives.
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved Revised Cost
Estimate of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). It has been
increased to Rs. 3,466 crore from earlier Rs. 1968 crore. CCEA also gave approval
for two-year time extension for project from July 2018 to June 2020. Out of total
revised cost of Rs.3,466 crore, Rs.2,628 crore will be funded by World Bank and
Rs.747 crore will be funded by DRIP States or Implementing Agencies (IAs) and
balance Rs.91 crore will be funded by Central Water Commission (CWC).
 India has decided to place four more reactors under International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) safeguards. It was announced by Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic
Energy Commission (AEC) at 62nd General Conference of IAEA held in Vienna,
Austria. The four reactors include two Russian-designed Pressurised Light Water
Reactors and two Pressurised Heavy Reactors being built with Indian technology.
With this, total of 26 Indian nuclear facilities will be now under IAEA
safeguards.
 Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has recently exchanged
MoUs with Tata Trusts and Dell to provide technological platform for nationwide
prevention, control, screening and management program of Non Communicable
Diseases (NCDs).
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stone of India International
Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) in Sector 25, Dwarka, New Delhi. On
completion, it will be biggest indoor exhibition space in India and also rank among
the top 10 in the world.
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to set up of state-of-the-
art Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER). ISRO will
render its technical expertise for setting up of proposed ICR-ER.
 State-owned India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) and private life insurer Bajaj
Allianz Life Insurance Co Ltd (BALIC) have entered into strategic partnership to
provide life insurance solutions. It will allow IPPB customers across segments to
access wide array of life insurance products and services especially at
doorstep. BALIC is the first life insurer to partner with IPPB. This partnership will
allow BALIC to leverage IPPB’s last mile reach for building awareness about life
insurance.
 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully flight
tested indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range tactical ballistic
missile ‘Prahaar’. It was launched from mobile launcher from Launch Complex-III,
Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore off Odisha Coast. It is solid-fuelled surface-
to-surface short-range tactical ballistic missile. It has been indigenously developed by
DRDO. It has length of 7.3 meter, diameter of 420 mm and weighs 1,280 kg. It has
operational range of 150 km and flight altitude of 35 km.
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched Cyber Crime Prevention
against Women and Children (CCPWC) portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) to check
objectionable online content.
 Pakistan has invited Saudi Arabia to join $50 billion China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) as the third strategic partner. Formal request in this regard was
made after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia during his first
foreign trip after getting elected.
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has launched India’s National Database of
Sexual Offenders (NDSO). With this, India became the ninth nation to maintain such
thorough database.
 India’s biggest cyclotron facility named Cyclone-30 became operational at Kolkata-
based Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), which comes under
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Cyclotron is used to produce radioisotopes for
diagnostic and therapeutic use for cancer care. Radiations from these isotopes are
used to destroy cancer cells.
 India has contributed $1 million to United Nations (UN) Headquarters’ Solar Project,
under which solar panels will be installed on roof of world body’s headquarters at
New York, US.
 The inaugural General Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) will be
inaugurated on 2 October 2018 in New Delhi. It will be followed by ministerial level
assembly of ISA following day which will be will be held in Greater Noida.
 India’s first indigenously developed 500-megawatt (mw) Prototype Fast Breeder
Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is expected to achieve criticality in
2019. It was stated by Sekhar Basu, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy at 62th General Conference of
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is setting up third launch pad at
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh to undertake Gaganyaan manned space flight
programme. ISRO currently has two launch pads which are already full. ISRO is
developing SSLV to offer affordable launch options for smaller satellites through
ANTRIX, the space agency’s commercial arm.
 National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and London Stock Exchange (LSE)
have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on creating
dual listing route for masala bonds and foreign currency bonds of Indian
issuers. Masala bonds are rupee-denominated bonds through which Indian entities
can raise money from foreign markets in rupee and not in foreign currency. Basically,
it is debt instruments used by corporates to raise money from foreign investors in
local currency.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched commencement of work for India’s first
Coal-gasification based fertilizer plant with pet coke blending will come up in
Talcher, Odisha. The coal gasification based fertilizer plant is being developed by
Talcher Fertilizers Limited (TFL).
 Tamil Nadu government has announced Scheme for protection of exotic Neela
kurinji (Strobilanthus kunthianus) plants that flower only once in 12 years.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated new airport in Jharsuguda – also known
as the powerhouse of Odisha.
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has shortlisted five IT firms for implementation of
Centralised Information and Management System (CIMS) for seamless data
collection and validations. These five IT firms are Infosys, Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), Capgemini Technology Services India, IBM India and Larsen &
Toubro Infotech.
 President Ram Nath Kovind has inaugurated centenary celebrations of Dakshina
Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha on 22 September 2018 in New Delhi. DBHPS is an
autonomous body functioning under the grant from Union Government.
 International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated annually across the world on 23
September every year along with International Week of the Deaf. This year it was
first International Day of Sign Languages. Its theme was “With Sign Language,
Everyone is Included!”.
 Assamese movie ‘Village Rockstars’ was selected as India’s official entry to the
Oscars 2019 (91st Academy Awards) under Foreign Language Film category.
 India successfully conducted interceptor missile test off the Odisha coast at night.
With this, Defence Research and Development Organization achieved major
milestone in developing indigenous two-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system.
PDV interceptor missile was launched from Abdul Kalam Island (earlier known as
Wheeler Island) of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha coast. Its mission was
aimed at test-firing of interceptor missile of coast of Odisha to intercept an
incoming ballistic missile off the Bay of Bengal.
 Social networking giant Facebook has selected three Indian women among five
global leaders for $1 million award as part of its Community Leadership Programme.
They are Adhunika Prakash, Chetana Misra and Tamanna Dhamija.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ambitious Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya
Yojana (PMJAY), under Ayushman Bharat umbrella at Ranchi, Jharkhand. The
scheme aims to provide annual health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to 10.74 crore
beneficiary families i.e. over 50 crore beneficiaries across India.
 Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated Indian Culinary Institute (ICI) in
Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. It is promoted by Union Ministry of Tourism. The ICI
building was designed by National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC).
 Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs had held two-day National Orientation
workshop on National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) in New Delhi. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram
Meghwal. On this occasion, new website of NeVA was also launched
 NeVA is initiative of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. It aims to make all
legislatures in the country paperless by making proceedings of houses digital.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Sikkim’s first-ever airport at Pakyong.
Prior to this airport, Sikkim was only state in India remaining without functional
airport. Pakyong airport is India’s 100th functional airport and one of the country’s
five highest airports.
 Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has joined SDG Media Compact
aimed at advancing awareness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is
among more than 30 organisations from across the world that have come together to
form global media compact.
 Nepal become first country in the world to double its tiger population in a decade
as part of World Wildlife Foundation’s (WWF) ‘Tx2’ programme which aims to
double number of tigers in the world all over the world by 2022.
 Andhra Pradesh has topped Ease of Living Index rankings under AMRUT (Atal
Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation). It was followed by Odisha and
Madhya Pradesh.
 India and Morocco have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of
defence and security.
 25th September was observed as Antyodaya Diwas across the country to mark the
birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a noted philosopher, historian and
political activist.
 Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved procurement of 1,000 engines of
1,000 BHP (brake horse power) for fitment in T-72 tanks of Indian Army. These
engines will be procured under ‘Buy & Make’ category at an approximate cost of
over Rs 2,300 crore. Most of these engines will be manufactured by Ordnance
Factories Board (OFB). Their fitment will enhance mobility, agility and acceleration
of T-72 tanks making them more versatile and effective in the battlefield.
 Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched portal
www.psbloansin59minutes.com to enable micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) to get in-principle approval of loans within hour without need for branch
visit.
 The web portal will enable in principle approval for MSME loans up to Rs. 1 crore
within 59 minutes from Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and
5 Public Sector Banks (PSBs). It also simplifies decision making process for loan
officer as final output provides summary of credit, valuation and verification on a
user-friendly dashboard in real time.
 Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Environment Dr.
Harsh Vardhan inaugurated air pollution control device WAYU (Wind Augmentation
PurifYing Unit) for traffic junctions at ITO intersection and Mukarba Chowk in
New Delhi.
 Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Arun Jaitley launched Financial
Inclusion Index in New Delhi. It was launched after his Annual Performance Review
 Meeting with CEOs of Public Sector Banks (PSBs). The index has three
measurement dimensions (i) Access to financial services (ii) Usage of financial
services and (3) Quality.
 Indian Navy has signed contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) located
in Visakhapatnam for construction of two Diving Support Vessels (DSV). These
vessels will help to augment Indian Navy’s submarine support operations on either
coast.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully test fired indigenously developed Beyond
Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from Su-30 figher aircraft. The
missile was tested at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, West Bengal. During the test,
missile successfully engaged manoeuvring target with high precision meeting mission
objectives.
 Supreme Court has unanimously struck down Section 497 of Indian Penal Code
(IPC) 1860 that makes adultery punishable offence for men. The judgment was
given by five-judge bench of the Supreme Court including Chief Justice of India
Dipak Misra on petition filed by non-resident Keralite Joseph Shine. Justice Indu
Malhotra was lone woman judge on this bench.
 Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare launched online software for
processing applications Agmark quality certification mark for agricultural
products. It was launched by Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh.
 G-4 Nations viz. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan have voiced concern over lack
of substantive progress in long-pending United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
reform. It was convened during meeting of Ministers from four G4 Countries which
was hosted by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj at Indian Mission to UN to
review the reform progress.
 The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is observed
every year on 26 September across the world.
 The World Tourism Day (WTD) is being observed every year on 27th September to
raise awareness about importance of tourism.
 The World Maritime Day (WMD) is observed every year on last Thursday of
September to acknowledge the maritime industry and to highlight importance of
shipping safety, maritime security and marine environment and to acknowledge
maritime industry. This it was observed on September 27 with theme as “IMO 70:
Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”.
 United States and India have formed ‘USAID-India End TB Alliance comprising
leading experts in public and private sectors to combat the menace of tuberculosis. It
was announced by US Agency for International Development (USAID) administrator
Mark Green at event in New York in presence of Union Health Minister J P Nadda.
 Multilateral lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide US $150 million
loan for establishing first multi-skills park in central Indian state of Madhya
Pradesh. This new flagship GSP campus will be established in state capital Bhopal
from where about 20,000 people are expected to be benefited.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly
awarded 2018 Champions of the Earth award, UN’s highest environmental honour.
 Union Government has enhanced its contribution in State Disaster Response fund
(SDRF) from 75% to 90%. Now, Central government will contribute 90% and all
States will contribute 10% to the SDRF.
 The World Rabies Day is observed every year on 28 September across the world to
raise awareness about rabies disease and its preventable measures. The 2018 theme
was ‘Rabies: Share the message. Save a life’
 Union Railway Ministry has launched Rail Heritage Digitisation Project in
collaboration with Google Arts and Culture Association. It can be accessed at
“https://artsandculture.google.com/project/indian-railways”. It is first-of-its-kind
project that aims to showcase India’s rail heritage to the national and international
audience in an online story-telling platform. It is also largest cultural heritage
digitisation project in India and possibly in entire Asia Pacific Region.
 NITI Aayog and United Nations in India signed Sustainable Development
Framework for 2018-2022. The agreement is reflection of commitment and efforts
made by India towards attaining Sustainable Development Goals.
 The Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has constituted High Level
Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility – 2018 (HLC-2018) under
Chairmanship of Injeti Srinivas, Secretary, MCA. It will review existing
framework and guide and formulate roadmap for coherent policy on Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR).
 NITI Aayog has singed Statement of Intent (SoI) with Oracle to pilot real drug
supply-chain using blockchain distributed ledger and Internet of Things (IoT)
software to fight growing problem of counterfeit drugs in India. Strides Pharma
Sciences and Apollo Hospitals will partner in this effort. Oracle is US multinational
computer technology corporation that specializes primarily in developing and
marketing database software and technology, cloud engineered systems, and
enterprise software products.
 Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has partnered with Google to launch Loo
Review campaign on Google Map. The joint campaign has been launched under aegis
of Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM–U). It will run throughout October and
November 2018 in an effort to increase awareness and ease of locating public toilets
across India.
 United States and Morocco have launched GCTF Terrorist Travel Initiative under
auspices of Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). The initiative brings together
stakeholders to share expertise on developing and implementing effective
counterterrorism watchlisting and screening tools. It was launched on sidelines of
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York.
 Second Anniversary of Surgical Strike was celebrated as Parakram Parv or Surgical
Strike Day on September 29 – 30, 2018 by Indian Army to showcase gallant action of
brave Army in the conduct of Surgical Strikes on September 29, 2016.
 India is 6th largest coffee producer in the world with 4% share after Brazil, Vietnam,
Colombia, Indonesia and Ethiopia. This year International Coffee Organization had
chosen special theme: ‘Women in Coffee’ being celebrated on 1st OCTober.
 Madhya Pradesh Government has announced creation of new district Niwari. It will
be 52nd district of the state and came into effect from October 1, 2018.
 All India Council for Technical Education will establish country’s first AICTE
Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy in Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.
Moreover, three more ATAL academies will come at Thiruvananthapuram
(Kerala), Guwahati (Assam) and Baroda (Gujarat) by next year.
 President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent Karnataka Good Samaritan and
Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during Emergency Situations) Bill,
2016 under Article 200 of Constitution. With this, Karnataka became first state give
 legal protection to good Samaritans who help accidents victims with emergency
medical care within golden hour. This law will ensure that good samaritans are not
harassed in any manner and face any criminal or civil liability.
 Union Finance Ministry has constituted nine-member Competition Law Review
Committee to ensure that legislation is in tune with changing business environment.\
It will be chaired by chaired by Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas and
includes Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) Chairperson M S
Sahoo and Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairperson as members.
 India-born economist Gita Gopinath was appointed Chief Economist of
International Monetary Fund (IMF).
 The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) is observed every year. The theme for
this year is “Celebrating Older Human Rights Champions”.
 The World Habitat Day was observed every year on first Monday in October all over
the world. This year it was observed on 1 October 2018 with theme ‘Municipal Solid
Waste Management’.
 India and Uzbekistan have inked 17 agreements including for cooperation in the
fields of tourism, national security, training of diplomats, against trafficking and visa
free travel for diplomatic passport holders. These agreements were signed after
delegation level talks Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uzbekistan’s President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev in New Delhi.
 India was ranked 5th among 206 countries in Cigarette Package Health
Warnings: International Status Report 2018 released by Canadian Cancer Society.
 The 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was jointly awarded to two
immunologists James P. Allison (US) and Tasuku Honjo (Japan) for their discovery
of Immune checkpoint therapy i.e. cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune
regulation. It was announced by Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute.
 Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has launched Sustainable Alternative
Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) aimed at providing sustainable
alternative towards affordable transportation. The initiative was launched with PSU
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs i.e. IOC, BPCL and HPCL).
 PMI is an indicator of business activity-both in the manufacturing and services
sectors. It is a survey-based measure that asks respondents about changes in their
perception of some key business variables from month before. It is calculated
separately for manufacturing and services sectors and then composite index is
constructed.
 India’s leading bourse Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) became first stock exchange
in the country to launch commodity derivative contracts. It has launched contracts
in popular commodities like gold (1kg) and silver (30kg). This launch comes after
unified exchange regime kicked off from 1 October 2018.
 Realtors body National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) has signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
to provide skill training and jobs in construction sector for 2.5 lakh poor people. The
partnership will strengthen skill trainings and employment opportunities in
construction sector for urban poor under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National
Urban Livelihoods Mission.
 Odisha Government has launched State Food Security Scheme (SFSS) to benefit
the 25 lakh poor people who were left out of the National Food Security Act
(NFSA).
 President Ramnath Kovind has appointed senior judge of Supreme Court Madan
Bhimarao Lokur (64) as Executive Chairman of National Legal Services
Authority of India (NALSA). He was appointed by President in exercise of power
conferred under Clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 3 of the Legal Authorities
Act, 1987.
 The sixth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multi–national maritime exercise
between Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies was held at Simons Town,
South Africa
 The world’s largest dome was inaugurated at Maharashtra Institute of
Technology (MIT)’s World Peace University (MIT-WPU) campus at Loni
Kalbhor, Pune (Maharashtra). It was inaugurated by Vice President Venkaiah
Naidu along with Peace Center on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of
Mahatma Gandhi.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated first Assembly of International Solar
Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi.
 The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched first global guidelines on
sanitation and health.
 India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed $240 million loan agreement for
West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project to provide safe
drinking water to people in three districts of West Bengal. The project aims at
providing safe and sustainable drinking water to people in Bankura, North 24
Parganas and Purba Medinipur affected by arsenic, fluoride and salinity.
 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has selected three scientists Arthur Ashkin
(USA), Gerard Mourou (France) and Donna Strickland (Canada) for the 2018 Nobel
Prize in Physics. They were selected for groundbreaking inventions in the field of
laser physics. Arthur Ashkin (91) received the half prize and remaining half was
shared equally by Gérard Mourou and Donna Strickland.
 The Union Cabinet has remodified its earlier decision to establish of National
Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR) in Sehore District (Bhopal-
Sehore highway) instead of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
 Government has inked US $150 million loan agreement with multilateral lender
Asian Development Bank (ADB) for establishing India’s first Global Skills Park
park in Bhopal, capital of Madhya Pradesh. It will have training facilities focusing
on skills for manufacturing, service and advanced agricultural jobs, benefitting about
20,000 trainees and trainers.
 India was ranked 28th among 73 countries in 2018 Government e-Payments
Adoption Ranking (GEAR). India has jumped by eight positions in this ranking from
36th in 2011 which reinforces country’s progress towards digital transformation.
Norway has topped 2018 GEAR list scoring 89.7 points in seven categories.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully undertaken series of flight trials of Astra
Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVR-AAM) from September 26 to
October 3, 2018. The tests were conducted at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Balasore,
Odisha as part of final development trials of the missile. Astra is air to air beyond
visual range air-to-air indigenously developed by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO).
 India has launched massive humanitarian operation Samudra Maitri to provide
assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims in Indonesia.
 Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has launched Udyam
Abhilasha (हहहहह हहहहहहह), a national level entrepreneurship awareness
 campaign. It was launched in 115 Aspirational Districts identified by NITI Aayog in
28 States.
 The fourth India International Science Festival 2018 (IISF 2018) will be held in
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from October 5 to 8, 2018. It is being organized by
Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences in association with
Vijnana Bharati at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Lucknow.
 The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has selected US scientists Frances Arnold
and George Smith and British researcher Gregory Winter for the 2018 Nobel Prize in
Chemistry. They were selected for harnessing power of evolution to develop enzymes
and antibodies that have led to new pharmaceuticals and biofuels. Chemistry was
third of this year’s Nobel Prizes. Frances Arnold shared the half price and George
Smith and Gregory Winter share other half of the prize.
 The second Global Renewable Energy Investment Meeting and Expo
(REINVEST- 2018) was organised by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in
Noida from October 3 to 5, 2018. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in the presence of Secretary General of United Nations Antonio Guterres.
 The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has redesignated R N Ravi,
Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee as Deputy National Security Advisor
(Internal Affairs).
 21 countries in Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) adopted Delhi
Declaration on Renewable Energy in Indian Ocean Region. It was adopted at 2nd
IORA Renewable Energy Ministerial Meeting held at 2nd Global Re-Invest India-
ISA Partnership Renewable Energy Investor’s Meet & Expo in Greater Noida.
 The maiden joint exercise of Coast Guards of India and Vietnam “Sahyog HOP
TAC -2018” was held in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently conferred Swachh Survekshan Grameen Awards 2018 to
top ranked states and districts. Haryana was ranked as best State, Satara District of Maharashtra
was ranked as best district. Uttar Pradesh was rewarded for maximum citizens’ participation. Top 3
States: Haryana (1st), Gujarat (2nd) and Maharashtra (3rd).
 Top 3 Districts: Satara (Maharashtra), Rewari (Haryana) and Pedapalli (Telangana).
 States with maximum citizen participation: Uttar Pradesh (1st), Gujarat (2nd) and Maharashtra
(3rd).
 Districts with maximum citizens’ participation: Nashik (Maharashtra), Solapur (Maharashtra)
and Chittorgarh (Rajasthan).
 Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has released policy on biometric based digital
processing of passengers at airports called Digi Yatra.
 Indian IT industry’s apex body National Association of Software and Services
Companies (NASSCOM) has launched its Centre of Excellence for the Internet of
Things (CoE – IoT) at Gurugram, Haryana.
 NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has successfully completed flyby of Venus at distance
of about 2,415 kilometres during its first gravity assist from planet. These gravity
assists will help spacecraft tighten its orbit closer to Sun over course of the
mission. arker Solar Probe is mankind’s first mission to study outer corona of Sun.
 Government has inked $110 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank
(ADB) to upgrade all-weather rural roads in Madhya Pradesh under Pradhan
Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). It is second tranche of $500 million
 Second Rural Connectivity Investment Programme for India approved by ADB in
December 2017.
 Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched Closing the
Skills Gap Task Force in India in collaboration with World Economic Forum (WEF).
It will be co-chaired by Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Dharmendra Pradhan along with Salil Parekh, Chief Executive Officer and
Managing Director of Infosys.
 Pankaj Sharma has been appointed as ambassador and India’s permanent
representative to United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
 National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) will be set up on the banks of the
Ganga river in Patna University campus in Patna, capital of Bihar.
 Chennai based Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India has
granted Alphonso mango from 5 districts of Maharashtra gets Geographical
Indication (GI) tag.
 Norwegian Nobel Committee has selected Dr. Denis Mukwege (63), Nadia Murad
(25) jointly awarded 2018 Nobel Peace Prize. They were given award for their efforts
to end use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Russia’s federal space agency
Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (ROSCOSMOS) have agreed to
worked together for first manned space mission Gaganyaan. In this regard, both
space agencies have signed MoU at end of delegation level talks between Prime
Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladmir Putin in New Delhi.
 Gujarat Forest Department has started vaccination of lions in Gir sanctuary to
protect them from a deadly canine distemper virus (CDV) and protozoa infections.
The virus is blamed for the death of as many as 23 lions in Gujarat’s Gir sanctuary in
less than month.
 Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has signed memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with UN Environment for coherent implementation of the environmental
dimension of sustainable development.
 86th Indian Air Force (IAF) day was celebrated on 8 October 2018 to commemorate
its official foundation day of the force.
Union Government has decided to cover damages to crops in wild animal attacks under Pradhan
Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna in select districts on an experimental basis. insurances firms will also have
to spend 0.5% of their earnings from annual premium to advertise provisions of the scheme.
The amended provisions of the scheme also stipulate fines in cases of delay in clearing insurance
claims for crop damages. In case firm delays insurance clearances beyond two months, it will have to
pay an annual interest of 12%. Similarly State government too will have to pay interest of 12% in
case of delay in release of state’s share of subsidy in premium to insurance firms. Under this scheme,
farmers need to pay uniform premium of only 2% for all Kharif crops and 1.5% for all Rabi
crops. In case of annual commercial and horticultural crops, farmers have to pay premium of
only 5%.
 Odisha Government has launched ‘Nirman Kusuma’ programme for providing
financial assistance to the children of construction workers for their technical
education in the state.
 The 3rd edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) commenced at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. JIMEX-18
 Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sanctioned five new battalions of anti-
riot and crowd control Rapid Action Force (RAF). These new battalions will be
 stationed at Varanasi (Uttar Pradesg), Hajipur (Bihar), Jaipur (Rajasthan),
Mangalore (Karnataka) and Nuh (Haryana).
 Thangjam Tababi Devi (16) became India’s first judo medallist at the Olympic
level. She achieved this feat after winning silver medal at ongoing Youth Olympics
Games in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina.
 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has released
special report on global warming in Incheon, South Korea.
 Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was awarded ISSA (International
Social Security Association) ISSA Good Practice Award for Administrative
Solution for Coverage Extension at Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and
Pacific held at Kuala Lumpur, capital Malaysia.
 Weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga (15) won India’s maiden gold medal at 2018
Youth Olympic Games being held in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina. He won the
medal in in the men’s 62 kg category by lifting total of 274 kg (124 kg +150 kg)
weight to finish on top.
 Union Government has reconstituted Security Policy Group (SPG) under
chairmanship of National Security Advisor to assist National Security Council (NSC)
in strategising on matters dealing with external, internal and economic security of the
country. It will be 16-member body chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA)
Ajit Doval. Its members will include NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Cabinet
Secretary, Chiefs of the three defence services, RBI governor, foreign secretary,
home secretary, finance secretary and defence secretary.
 Bangladesh’s President Abdul Hamid has given his assent controversial Digital
Security Bill, 2018, by enacting it as a law. This new law combines previous
colonial-era Official Secrets Act with tough new provisions such as arrests without
warrant. Bangladesh Government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Bangladesh
Awami League) has defended the digital law as necessary to combat cyber crime
 Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has allowed
foreign entities to participate in commodity derivatives market of stock
exchanges for hedging their exposures. Prior to this, foreign entities were not
permitted to directly participate in Indian commodity derivatives market, even if they
imported or exported various commodities from and to India.
 American economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer were jointly awarded
2018 Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences for integrating climate change and
technological innovation into macroeconomic analysis.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled a 64-foot-tall statue of peasant leader Sir
Chhotu Ram at his native village Sampla in Rohtak district of Haryana. The statue
has been sculpted by renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan-recipient Ram Vanji
Sutar.
 Department of Telecom (DoT) has exempted wireless devices that operate in low
frequency range like bluetooth, wireless chargers, internet-of-things (IoT) products,
medical devices etc. from licensing requirement. The move aimed at facilitating ease
of doing business for adoption of new technologies like IoT, machine-to-machine
(M2M) communications both in industrial and consumer applications.
 China has agreed to sale 48 Wing Loong II high-end armed drones to its all-weather
ally Pakistan.
 World Post Day is observed every year on October 9.
 Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has launched India for Humanity
initiative to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and
 honour of his service to humanity. It will feature year-long series of artificial limb
fitment camps in a number of countries spanning globe. For this initative, MEA
has collaborated with renowned charitable organisation Bhagwan Mahaveer
Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS). It is non-profit organization founded by DR
Mehta in 1975.
 India’s first ever National Environment Survey (NES) will be kicked off in
January, 2019 to map environment data of 55 districts across 24 states and 3
Union Territories.
 Indian Air Force (IAF) has launched ‘MedWatch’ mobile health app to provide
health information to users, including first-aid and other health and nutritional topics.
It was launched on 8 October on the occasion of IAF’s 85th anniversary. It is first of
its kind mobile health app built by any of the three armed forces.
 Union Cabinet has approved the payment of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)
equivalent to 78 days’ wages for financial year 2017-18 for all eligible non-
gazetted Railway employees.
 Scientists from US claimed that they have developed world’s first bioelectronic
medicine which is implantable, biodegradable wireless device that speeds nerve
regeneration and improves healing of damaged nerve.
 Union Cabinet has approved establishment and operationalisation of two new
permanent campuses of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research
(IISER) in Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh) and Behrampur (Odisha).
 The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year across world on
October 11 with theme ‘With Her: A Skilled Girl Force’.
 Union Cabinet chaired has approved establishment of National Council for
Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). It will be set up by merging
existing regulatory institutions in the skills space – National Council for Vocational
Training (NCVT) and National Skill Development Agency (NSDA).
 The Appointments Committee of Union Cabinet has approved appointment Tushar
Mehta has been appointed as the new Solicitor General of India.
 Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in collaboration with Assam
Government has launched new Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) facility connecting
Neamati to Manjuli Island in Assam. IWAI is nodal statutory body in charge of
development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation. It was
established in October 1986 and is headquartered in Noida, UP.
 Union Cabinet has approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and
Finland on Environmental Cooperation.
 Zika virus Disease is mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
which also transmit three other vector-borne diseases Chikungunya, dengue and
yellow fever.
 The 32nd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) is
being held in Belawan, Indonesia from 11 – 27 October 2018. Under it, ships and
aircraft from both countries will undertake patrolling on respective sides of 236
nautical miles long International Maritime Boundary Line.
 The World Obesity Day is observed globally every year on 11 October. The
theme for this year is “It’s time to End Weight Stigma!”.
 Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with Central University of Jammu (CUJ) in Jammu today for setting up of
Satish Dhawan Center for Space Science in University.
  The World Economic Forum (WEF) has announced its new Centre for Fourth
Industrial Revolution in India.. The Centre will be based in Maharashtra. It was
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at function held in New Delhi. It will be
fourth center in chain-ones as part of WEF’s global network along with San
Francisco (US), Tokyo (Japan) and Beijing (China) are already functioning.
 Stanford University was named as World’s Most Innovative University by Reuters
news agency rankings.
 Guadeloupean author Maryse Conde (81) was awarded New Academy Prize in
Literature, an alternative award formed in protest to Nobel Literature Prize.
 International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is observed every year on October
13 with theme Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’
 India and Azerbaijan has signed protocol on trade and economic, science and
technology cooperation. The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of
Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu and Azerbaijan’s Minister
of Ecology and Natural Resources Mukhtar Babayev.
 Sikkim was awarded UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Future Policy
Gold Award (Gold Prize) for its achievement in becoming the world’s first totally
organic agriculture state. Sikkim beat out 51 other nominees from around the world
for the award. Policies from Brazil, Denmark and Quito (Ecuador) were joinlty Silver
Awards.
 Government’s premier think tank NITI Aayog has inked agreement with Microsoft
India to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to address challenges in
agriculture and healthcare and promote adoption of local language computing
among others.
 India was elected to United Nations’ Human Rights Council’, the main body of UN
charged with promoting and monitoring human rights for period of three years
beginning January 1, 2019. In this secret ballot election held in 193-member UN
General Assembly (UNGA) India secured 188 votes in Asia-Pacific category,
 National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) celebrated Silver Jubilee (25 years) on
October 12, 2018. NHRC was set up on October 12, 1993.
 Indian Navy has inducted its first Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) which
is deployed to rescue downed or disaster-struck submarines at high sea. It will be
based in Mumbai, Maharashtra and enhance Navy’s operational capabilities. With
this, India joined select list of international navies (United States, China, Russia,
Japan, South Korea, Singapore UK, Sweden and Australia) with ability to search,
locate and provide assistance to downed or disaster-struck or distressed
submarines at high sea. The second DSRV is expected to be inducted at
Visakhapatnam in 2019.
 The 46th edition of world’s largest IHGF-Delhi Fair was held at India Expo
Centre & Mart, Greater Noida from October 14 to 18, 2018. It was inaugurated
by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Textiles Ajay Tamta.
Union Government has opened new series of sovereign gold bonds scheme for subscription. Under
this scheme, sovereign gold bonds will be issued every month from October 2018 to February 2019.
This bond will be sold through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited, Post Office, Stock
Exchange (NSE and BSE). It is aimed at providing alternative to buying physical gold. Under it,
bonds are denominated in units of one gram of gold and multiples thereof. These gold denominated
bonds are restricted for sale to resident Indian entities, including individuals, Hindu undivided
families (HUF), trusts, universities and charitable institutions.
The minimum subscription for individual and HUF is 1 gram and maximum is 4 kg.
 The 6th edition of India International Silk Fair (IISF) was held at Pragati Maidan
in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Irani. India is
the 2nd largest producer of silk in the world after China.
 Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Dr. Shekhar Mande
as the Director General of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Research (DSIR). He will succeed
Girish Sahni who superannuated in August 2018.
 The first India-United States tri-services exercise is likely to take place in 2019 in
India. It will include all services of both countries and talks are on to include special
forces. US will second country after Russia with whom India conducts tri-services
exercise.
 The 6th Interregional Ministerial Meeting of Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) was held in Singapore. The meeting was reviewed after 6th
RCEP ministerial meeting held in August 2018.
 Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has launched Artificial
Intelligence (AI) powered chatbot– Ask Disha ((Digital Interaction to Seek Help
Anytime) to help its users answer various queries. The chatbot is special computer
programme designed to simulate conversation with users, especially over the internet.
It has gone live on IRCTC’s next-gen e ticketing website and soon will be integrated
on the IRCTC Rail Connect Android app.
 Veteran composer, lyricist, writer and national award winning music director
Mohammed Zahur Khayyam Hashmi, famously known as Khayya was 2018
Hridaynath Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award will be conferred by
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. This year, the award
ceremony coincides with81st birthday of Hridaynath Mangeshkar after whom award
is named.
 The International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on October 15 to
recognize the crucial role and contribution of rural women. The 2018 theme of the
day was “Sustainable infrastructure, services and social protection for gender
equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.
 Government has allowed foreign tourists to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands
without any restrictions. In this regard, Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has
modified its earlier order which made it mandatory for foreign tourists to register
with Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 24 hours of their arrival.
 The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is observed every year
on October 17 to raise people’s awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and
destitution worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The 2018 theme was
‘Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal
respect for human rights and dignity’.
 Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has launched Youth Road Safety
Learners Licence programme in New Delhi today. It is Public–private partnership
(PPP) initiative in collaboration with Diageo India and Institute of Road Traffic
Education (IRTE).

The World Food Day is observed globally on 16 October to mark foundation of
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945. The
 theme for this year was: ‘Our actions are our future – A zero hunger world by 2030 is
possible’.
 Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun has signed
two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
(KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) to launch ‘Prakriti’ programme. The
main objective of Prakriti programme is to provide platform for school children to
learn practical skills towards sustainable use of resources.
 The Union Government launched national campaign ‘Swasth Bharat Yatra’ on
occasion of World Food Day (observed on 16 October) to sensitise people about
eating safe food and be healthy. The campaign has been launched in association with
states and led by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The 2018 global hunger index is prepared by Welthungerhilfe together with Concern Worldwide.
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has stepped aside from its involvement in
the report. The index is based on the following four parameters

1. The proportion of the undernourished as a percentage of the population

2. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from wasting;
3. The proportion of children under the age of five suffering from stunting;
4. The mortality rate of children under the age of five.

 India has been ranked at the 103rd position among 119 countries.
 The North Central Railways (NCR) launched two mobile apps, NCR RASTA
(Railway assets Summerised Tracking Application) and Yatri RASTA (Railway
Approach to Station Tracking Application) for its employees and passengers,
respectively, for locating assets and stations.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired sixth meeting of National Disaster
Management Authority (NDMA) at New Delhi. It is governed by 9 member board
chaired by Prime Minister of India (thus, he is ex-officio chairman of NDMA).
 Shahi Litchi from Bihar has received Geographical Indication (GI) tag from Chennai
based Geographical Indication Registry and Intellectual Property India
 The first joint military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” between India and
Japan will be held at the Army’s Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at Vairengte
(Mizoram) from November 1 to 14, 2018.
 The National Commission for Women (NCW) has come out with dedicated e-mail
address ([email protected]) to report instances of sexual harassment at workplace.
 The 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit was held in Brussels, Belgium. The
theme of summit was ‘Global Partners for Global Challenges’. It was chaired by
European Council President Donald Tusk. The summit was attended by heads of state
of 51 European and Asian countries, representatives of European Union and
Secretary General of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). India was
represented by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu.
 Dravk Nyamrup Tshogpa Party has won the recent general elections held in
Bhutan. This party won 30 of the National Assembly’s 47 seats.
 JSW Steel CMD Sajjan Jindal was elected as treasurer of World Steel Association
(WSA).
 Indian-American Minal Patel Davis was honoured with Presidential Medal for
Combating Human Trafficking’. She was presented with award by US Secretary of
State Mike Pompeo for her extraordinary contribution towards combating human
trafficking. It is US’s highest honour in the field.
 The seventh meeting of education ministers of member states of Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Astana, capital city of Kazakhstan.
 The 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and 5th ADMM-Plus was
held on October 19 and 20, 2018 Singapore. ADMM and ADMM-Plus serves as key
Ministerial-level platforms in regional security architecture for promoting strategic
dialogue and practical cooperation between ASEAN and its partners. The conferences
were attended by defence ministers from India, Australia, China, Japan, New
Zealand, South Korea, Russia and US.
 10-member ASEAN comprise of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore,
Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos. India is a full
dialogue partner of the ASEAN.
 India and US have agreed to elevate their bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to
trilateral format by including Japan.
 China’s first home-grown amphibious aircraft AG600 (code-named Kunlong)
successfully carried out its first take-off and landing on water. It is claimed to be as
the world’s largest amphibious aircraft.
 75th anniversary of establishment of Azad Hind government observed October 21,
2018.
 India’s longest river bridge with total length of 19.3 kilometers will be built on
Brahmaputra river in Assam. This bridge will connect Dhubri of Assam to
Fulbarani of Meghalaya. This bridge will reduce the distance between these two
places by 203 kms and also travel time. At present, India’s largest river bridge is
Dhola-Sadia bridge, its length is 9.15 kilometers.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced launch of national award in name of
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to honour those involved in disaster response
operations.
 The 27th Fusion Energy Conference (FEC 2018) was held in Gandhinagar,
Gujarat. The six-day event is organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) and hosted by Department of Atomic Energy and Gandhinagar-based
Institute of Plasma Research.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and dedicated National Police Memorial
(NPM) to nation in New Delhi on the occasion of National Police Commemoration
Day (Observed on October 21).
 US-based Dalit writer Sujatha Gidla (55) has won 2018 Shakti Bhatt First Book
Prize for her debut book “Ants Among Elephants: An Untouchable Family and
the Making of Modern India”.
 The joint military exercise Iron Magic 19 between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and
United States (US) kicked off near Dubai.
 United States (US) President Donald Trump has announced that US will unilaterally
pull out of three-decade-old Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty signed
with Russia during Cold War.
 India and Myanmar inked MoU for appointment of private port operator for
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of Sittwe Port, Paletwa Inland Water
Terminal and associated facilities included in Kaladan Multi Model Transit
Transport Project.
  UN-backed fund Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved US $43.4 million for
enhancing climate resilience for millions of people living in India’s coastal
communities as part of its efforts to combat extreme impacts of climate change.
 Eminent jurist Fali S. Nariman (89) was awarded 19th Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Award for Excellence in Public Administration. He was presented the
award by Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at a function held in New Delhi.
 India and China have signed agreement on internal security cooperation. It is first
such agreement to be signed between the two countries. The agreement was signed by
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and China’s State Councilor and Minister of
Public Security Zhao Kezhi in New Delhi.
 The Druzhba 2018 (Friendship 2018) joint bilateral military exercise between
Pakistan and Russian special forces has begun in Pakistan.
 Invest India, the country’s investment promotion body, has won United Nations
(UN) Award for excellence in promoting investments in sustainable
development. The award was presented by Armenian President Armen Sarkissian to
CEO of Invest India Deepak Bagla at the World Investment Forum, Geneva.
 The Asian Economic Integration Report 2018 was presented by Asian
Development Bank.
 International Conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR –
2018) was held at Bangaram Island, Union Territory of Lakshadweep from 22nd to
24th October, 2018. The theme of the conference was “Reef for Life”. It was
inaugurated by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr.
Harsh Vardhan.
 Seoul Peace Prize Committee has decided to confer 2018 Seoul Peace Prize on Prime
Minister Narendra Modi. He is the fourteenth recipient of this award.
 China inaugurated Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, world’s longest sea bridge
with total length of 55 km.
 The first trilateral meeting between India, Afghanistan and Iran of Coordination
Council of Chabahar Agreement was held in Tehran, capital city of Iran. India,
Iran and Afghanistan in May 2016, had signed agreement which entailed
establishment of transit and transport corridor among three countries using Chabahar
Port as one of regional hubs.
 On October 25, 2018, the Central Government has announced formal launch
Impactful Policy Research in Social Sciences (IMPRESS) scheme to promote
research in Social Sciences.
 The Indian Council of Social Science and Research (ICSSR) will be the project
implementing agency.
 QS Asia University Ranking is an annual publication of university rankings by Quacquarelli
Symonds (QS). Universities are assessed based on the academic reputation, employer reputation,
student-faculty ratio, international faculty and students, staff with PhD, papers per faculty and
citations per paper, among other parameters. Eight Indian universities have figured among the top
100 in the list of Asia’s top 50 universities. IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Madras, IISC
Bangalore, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Kanpur, Delhi University and IIT-Roorkee are the Indian
institutions in the top 100.
 The second conference on PHC inaugurated on 25 October 2018 in Astana,
Kazakhstan. The conference is a collective initiative of Government of
Kazakhstan, WHO and UNICEF.
  On October 25, 2018, the Union Ministry of HRD has launched Scheme for
Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) scheme, which
aims to improve the research ecosystem of India’s higher educational
institutions by facilitating academic and research collaborations between Indian
Institutions and the best institutions in the world.
 The World Polio Day is observed annually across world on 24 October.
 India has won Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and
Management (CAPAM) Award, 2018. The award was announced at Annual
General Members Meet held at Georgetown, Guyana. Department of Administrative
Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under Union Ministry of Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions is institutional member of Commonwealth Association for
Public Administration and Management (CAPAM).
 Union Government (Ministry of Culture) has announced winners of Tagore Award
for Cultural Harmony for year 2014, 2015 and 2016.
2014-Rajkumar Singhajit Singh
2015-Chhayanaut
2016- Ram Vanji Sutar.
 Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) is going to issue masala
bonds worth Rs. 5,000 crore to mobilise funds for various development works.
KIIFB has appointed Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings for rating the masala
bonds issue. The bonds will be listed in London and Singapore stock exchanges.
The funds will be raised in tranches over period of 10 years.
 Masala bonds are rupee-denominated bonds through which Indian entities can raise
money from foreign markets in rupee and not in foreign currency.
 The Central Vigilance Commission observes the Vigilance Awareness Week every
year during the week in which birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
(31st October) falls.
 Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked Ranil Wickremesinghe,
incumbent prime minister of Sri Lanka and appointed former President
Mahinda Rajapaksha as new Prime Minister.
 The United Nations Prize in the Field of Human Rights (UN Human Rights Prize) was announced
recently by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the 73rd Session of United Nations
General Assembly. The winners of 2018 award are:
 Asma Jahangir – Pakistan’s late human rights activist
 Rebeca Gyumi – A Tanzanian human rights activist
 Joenia Wapichana – Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer
 Front Line Defenders – A human rights organisation of Ireland

 So far, only one Indian personality – Baba Amte has been awarded United
Nations Human Rights Prize. Baba Amte was given this prize in 1988.
Global Agriculture Leadership Awards – 2018

 Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu was awarded the Policy Leadership

Award for his proactive policies for uplifting the farming community by focusing on
irrigation, investment, global partnerships, marketing initiatives and zero budget
 natural farming. The best fisheries State Award was given Jharkhand for
efforts in augmenting the production potential of the state in fisheries
segment. Further, Bihar is Best Animal Husbandry State, Nagaland is best
Horticultural state, Gujarat is Best Agriculture State and Haryana has been
conferred with Program Leadership Award.
 India railways announced its plan to link New Delhi and Ladakh by means of a
railway line that will run along the India-China Border. The proposed Bilaspur-
Manali-Leh Line would be the world’s highest railway line once launched.
 World wrestling championship - india position 17(1 silver ,1 bronze). Top -japan
 Bajrang Punia bagged the silver medal. Pooja Dhanda won Bronze medal and
became fourth Indian woman to win a medal at the World Wrestling
Championship.
 India will be among the top three aviation market by 2024 according to
International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its 20- year air passenger forecast
report. India is currently at seventh position in Global Aviation market.
 The sixth edition of North East festival is being organized till October 28, 2018 in
New Delhi and the 15th edition of Indian International Centre festival is to be held
from 27-31 October 2018.
 The GoI has notified the sale of electoral bond by SBI through its 29 authorized
branches from 1.11.2018 to 10.11.2018. 29. These SBI branches are in cities like
New Delhi, Gandhinagar, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur,
Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati. The concept of electoral bond was
initiated in Union Budget 2017.Later on Electoral bond scheme 2018 was introduced.
 The bonds are issued in multiples of 1000, 10000, 1lakh, 10 lakh, 1 crore. The cash
donation has been capped at Rs. 2000 and beyond that donations are via electoral
bonds.
 The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has organised a seminar on Gandhian
thoughts and Swachhta to make India a Swacch Bharat by 2019 -150 the birthday
celebration of Mahatma Gandhi organized in wardha district.
 The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) scientists has
developed less polluting green firecrackers named SWAS,SAFAL,STAR. Green
crackers are so named because they do not contain harmful chemicals that would
cause air pollution.
 The 19th meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) was held
in New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. The
meeting was attended by RBI Governor Dr. Urjit R. Patel, SEBI chairman, IRDAI
Chairman along with heads and other senior officers of Government and financial
sector regulators.
 Union Defence Ministry has signed contract worth Rs 2,435.15 crore with public
sector Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata for
manufacturing of four survey vessels aimed at boosting to capabilities of Indian
Navy.
 The World Cities Day is observed every year across the world on 31st October with
theme this year ‘Building Sustainable and Resilient Cities’.
 NASA has retired Kepler space telescope after it ran out of fuel needed for further
science operations. This brings end of nine-and-a-half year mission of Kepler space
telescope in which it had discovered over 2,600 intriguing exoplanets from outside
our solar system some of which may harbour life.
 Harvard University (US) has selected Nobel Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai (20) for
its 2018 Gleitsman Award in recognition of her work promoting girls’ education.
 The first ever India-US Dialogue on Intellectual Property (IP) was launched in New
Delhi to deepen bilateral strategic cooperation on IP policy.
 India ranked 77th among 190 countries by leapfrogging 23 ranks in World Bank’s
Ease of Doing Business (EODB) 2018 rankings.
 India has successfully carried out night user trial of Agni-I short-range nuclear-
capable ballistic missile. The test flight was conducted by Indian Army’s Strategic
Forces Command off Abdul Kalam Island in Bay of Bengal, off the coast of the
Indian state of Odisha. The test was second known nighttime trial of Agni-I since its
first such successful test in April 2014.
 Former India captain Rahul Dravid was officially inducted into International
Cricket Council’s (ICC) Hall of Fame. , Dravid became fifth Indian cricketer after
Bishan Singh Bedi (inducted in 2009), Sunil Gavaskar (2009), Kapil Dev (2010) and
Anil Kumble (2015) to be named on the elite list.
 Lt Gen P S Rajeshwar took over as 12th Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to
Chairman, COSC.
 Union Cabinet has approved renaming of Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha as “Veer
Surendra Sai Airport, Jharsuguda” after Veer Surendra Sai who is well-known
freedom fighter of Odisha.
 The first joint military exercise named “Dharma Guardian” between India and Japan
has begun at Indian Army’s Counter-Insurgency Warfare School at Vairengte
(Mizoram).
 The Union Cabinet Narendra Modi has approved signing of Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between India and South Korea for strengthening cooperation
in the field of Tourism.
 Indian Railway has eliminated all Unmanned Level Crossings (UMLCs) on Broad
Gauge routes (rails separated by 1676 mm or 1.67m of distance) from 12 of its
total 16 zones.
 Maharashtra state cabinet approved plant for conversion of Indian Navy’s longest-
serving aircraft carrier INS Viraat, into India’s first-ever moored maritime
museum-cum-marine adventure centre. At present, INS Viraat is at Mumbai’s
Naval dockyard after it was decommissioned (retired) in 2017.
 India and Japan signed Loan Agreement worth Rs. 1817 crore for construction of
Turga Pumped Storage (I)’ Hydel Project. On completion, this project will
contribute to Industrial Development and Living Standard Improvement in the West
Bengal.
 Odisha Government has launched Saura Jalnidhi scheme to encourage use of
solar energy in irrigation by farmers. Under this scheme, farmers will be given
90% subsidy and 5,000 solar pumps. The beneficiary of this scheme will be farmers
who have valid farmer identity cards and have minimum 0.5 acres of agricultural
land.
 The researchers from Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have
designed India’s first indigenous microprocessor called ‘Shakti’. It is aimed at
developing industrial-grade microprocessors and other components of the
microprocessor ecosystem.
 The National Seminar on Entrepreneurship and Business Development in Ayurveda
was held in New Delhi. It was organised by Ministry of AYUSH in association with
 NITI Aayog with aim of encouraging entrepreneurs and Ayurveda stakeholders
towards businesses opportunities in the sector.
 New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has launched quick response (QR)-
enabled fridge magnets for digital payment of bills. The magnets are personalised
and each customer will have unique QR Code mapped to their consumer account
number. It is powered by SignCatch – an IT and services company,.
 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated steps to set up wide-based digital Public
Credit Registry (PCR) to capture loan information of individuals and corporate
borrowers. In this regard, RBI has invited expression of interest (EOI) for
developing PSC from companies with turnover of over Rs 100 crore in last three
years.
 Indian Coast Guard (ICG) launches new Offshore patrol vessel (OPV) ICGS
Varaha at L&T Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It is fourth in the
series of 98 M OPVs designed and built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
 India and South Korea have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sports
cooperation. The MoU was signed between Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports and South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in New Delhi.
 The World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed every year across the world on 5
November 2016 .
 Union Home Ministry has released more than Rs. 113 crore to six border states under
Border Area Development Programme (BADP) as part of its plan to ameliorate the
problems of people living in isolated locations. These six states are Assam, Nagaland,
Sikkim, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
 India and South Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for
strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.
 India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant has successfully completed
its first deterrence patrol.
 INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously-designed, developed and manufactured
nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and three more such submarines are
reportedly under various stages of construction.
 Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) approved operationalisation
strategy for Operation Greens. Operation Greens was announced by Union
Government in Budget 2018-19 to stabilise supply of Tomato, Onion and Potato
(TOP) crops. It is aimed at ensuring availability of TOP crops throughout the country
round the year without price volatility.
 United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has issued special stamps with
Diyas lamps (special event sheet) to commemorate India Hindu festival of Diwali.
These stamps are available at UN headquarters post office in New York, US and also
online.
 United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Chinese e-commerce giant
Alibaba Group have formed strategic partnership to support efforts eliminate
hunger globally by 2030.
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the
filling of Padur Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) in Karnataka by overseas
National Oil Companies (NOCs). The filling of the SPR will be under PPP model and
is being undertaken to reduce budgetary support of Union Government.
 Union Cabinet has approved setting up of Central Tribal University in Andhra
Pradesh.
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved strategic
disinvestment of 100% Government of India’s shares in Dredging Corporation of
India Limited (DCIL) to consortium of four ports.
 Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved leasing
out six airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for operation, management and
development under Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the first phase.

 Yudh abhiyas - india and US in chaubatia in Uttarakhand from 16 to 29

September, 2018.
 Rapid Trident - Ukrain with United States and other NATO.
 KAZIND -India, Kazakhstan Otar region, Kazakhstan from 10 to 23 September
2018.
 SLINEX-2018 –India srilanka naval exercise
 Nomadic Elephant –India and Mongolia joint exercise 2018 commenced at
Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar
(capital of Mongolia).
 MILEX-18, as part of the Bay of Bengal initiative for multi-sectoral technical and
economic cooperation (BIMSTEC) commenced at Foreign Training Node at Aundh
in Pune, Maharashtra.
 Aviaindra 18 - India and Russia joint air exercise was held in Lipetsk, Russia.2 nd
will be held in Jodhpur..
 IBSAMAR, a joint multi–national maritime exercise between Indian, Brazilian and
South African Navies was held at Simons Town, South Africa.
 The maiden joint exercise of Coast Guards of India and Vietnam “Sahyog HOP
TAC -2018” was held in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast, Tamil Nadu.
 The 3rd edition of Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) commenced at
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. JIMEX-18
 The 32nd edition of India-Indonesia coordinated patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) is
being held in Belawan, Indonesia from 11 – 27 October 2018.
 “Dharma Guardian” between India and Japan will be held at the Army’s Counter-
Insurgency Warfare School at Vairengte (Mizoram) from November 1 to 14, 2018.
 India and US have agreed to elevate their bilateral ‘Cope India’ air exercise to
trilateral format by including Japan.
  Maitree - Indian Army and Royal Thai Army in
Thailand
 Iron Magic 19 between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and United States (US) kicked
off near Dubai.
 Druzhba 2018 (Friendship 2018) joint bilateral military exercise between Pakistan
and Russian special forces has begun in Pakistan.


2018 Nobel Prize

 Physiology - James P. Allison (US) and Tasuku Honjo (Japan) for their
discovery of Immune checkpoint therapy.
 Physics - Arthur Ashkin (USA)(1/2), Gerard Mourou (France) and Donna
Strickland (Canada) for the 2018 Nobel Prize in They were selected for
groundbreaking inventions in the field of laser physics.
 Chemistry -US scientists Frances Arnold(1/2) and George Smith and British
researcher Gregory Winter. They were selected for harnessing power of evolution
to develop enzymes and antibodies that have led to new pharmaceuticals and
biofuels.
 Peace - Dr. Denis Mukwege (63), Nadia Murad (25) jointly awarded 2018 Nobel
Peace Prize. They were given award for their efforts to end use of sexual violence as
a weapon of war and armed conflict.
 Economics Sciences -American economists William Nordhaus and Paul Romer
for integrating climate change and technological innovation into macroeconomic
analysis.

 World Senior Citizens Day - 21 August
 National Hindi Divas -14 September.
 World Ozone Day- September 16
 International Day of Sign Languages -23Sep .Theme was “With Sign Language,
Everyone is Included!”.
 25th September was observed as Antyodaya Diwas across the country to mark the
birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
 The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons- 26 September.
 The World Tourism Day (WTD) -27th September
 The World Maritime Day (WMD) -every year on last Thursday of September to
acknowledge the maritime industry and. This it was observed on September 27 with
theme as “IMO 70: Our Heritage – Better Shipping for a Better Future”.
 The World Rabies Day - 28 September.
 Parakram Parv or Surgical Strike Day on September 29 – 30, 2018.
 World Post Day is observed every year on October 9.
 The International Day of the Girl Child is observed every year across world on
October 11 with theme ‘With Her: A Skilled Girl Force’.
 International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) is observed every year on October
13 with theme Reducing Disaster Economic Losses’
 The World Polio Day is observed annually across world on 24 October.


 India was ranked 28th among 73 countries in 2018 Government e-Payments

Adoption Ranking (GEAR).
 Ease of doing business -77
 Global hunger index- 103rd position among 119 countries.
 India has been ranked 96th in the United Nation’s E-Government Development
Index (EGDI) 2018.

 India has been ranked 57th most innovative nation among 130 countries in the 11th
edition of Global Innovation Index (GII-2018).
 India has been ranked 158th among 195 countries in
2016 for investment in health care and education