Tag: awards and winner

Assam Current Affairs – January 25-27, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 25-27, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 25-27, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 25-27, 2024 

PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme (PM YASASVI)

PM YASASVI is a Scholarship scheme for Other Backward Class (OBCs), Economically Backward Class (EBC) and Denotified Nomadic Tribes (DNT) Students. 

The scheme aims to provide scholarships to students from various impoverished classes. The Scheme provides these students with the resources they need to become financially independent and continue their studies.

A total of ₹32.44 Crore has been released for Pre-matric Scholarships and ₹387.27 Crore for Post-Matric Scholarships to States/Union Territories (UTs) under the PM YASASVI scheme.

About PM YASASVI 

  • Under this Scheme students can avail Pre-Matric Scholarship from Class 9 to 10 and Post Matric Scholarship for their higher studies at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage. 
  • Students who excel in their studies also get an opportunity of Scholarship to study in Top Class Schools and Colleges under the Scheme of ‘Top Class School Education’ and ‘Top Class College Education’. 
  • Additionally, hostel facilities are provided for OBC students through a construction scheme. 

Eligibility: 

  • Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT) 
  • Parents or guardians annual income is not more than Rs. 2.50 Lakhs. 
  • Studying in a Top Class School in Class 9 or 11.

There are five sub-Schemes under the Scheme. 

  1. Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students: For students studying in class IX and X on a full-time basis in Government Schools only. Benefit-The students shall be given a consolidated academic allowance of Rs. 4000/- per annum 
  2. Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC, EBC and DNT Students. : For students studying at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education. Benefits-allowance from Rs.5000 to Rs.20000 is awarded to students as per category of course. 
  3. Top Class School Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students: For meritorious students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories from Class 9 onwards till they complete Class 12. Benefits-Scholarship is awarded for tuition fee, hostel fee and other charges  subject to a maximum of Rs. 75,000/- per annum per student of class 9 and 10 and Rs. 1,25,000/- per annum per student of class 11 and 12. 
  4. Top Class College Education for OBC, EBC and DNT Students: For students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories. Benefits-by providing full financial support that include tuition fee,living expenses,books and stationaries etcs. 
  5. Construction of Hostel for OBC Boys and Girls -To provide hostel facilities to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes, especially from rural areas, to enable them to pursue secondary and higher education in the Govt. schools, universities, institutions and institutes located at a reasonable distance.

Arvind Panagariya Appointed Head Of Sixteenth Finance Commission 

The Government of India has appointed Arvind Panagariya, a renowned trade economist and former Niti Aayog vice chairman, as the chairman of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

Major Terms of Reference for the 16th Finance Commission: 

  • Division of Tax Proceeds: Recommending the distribution of taxes between the Union Government and the States under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution. Includes the allocation of shares among the States from these tax proceeds. 
  • Principles for Grants-in-Aid: Establishing principles governing grants-in-aid to the States from the Consolidated Fund of India. Determines amounts to be provided to the States as grants-in-aid under Article 275 of the Constitution. 
  • Enhancing State Funds for Local Bodies: Identifying measures to enhance the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement resources available to Panchayats and Municipalities. Based on recommendations made by the State’s own Finance Commission. 
  • Evaluation of Disaster Management Financing: The Commission may review current financing structures related to Disaster Management initiatives. Examines funds created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and presents suitable recommendations for improvements or alterations. 

About Finance Commission 

  • The Finance Commission (FC) of India was established by the President in 1951 under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. 

Functions

  • Its primary role is to define and regulate the financial relations between the central government and the individual state governments. 
  • The Finance Commission (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1951, further outlines the qualifications, appointment, disqualification, term, eligibility, and powers of the Finance Commission. 
  • The Fifteenth Finance Commission, made recommendations covering the period of six years commencing on April 1, 2020.

Composition: 

  • Appointed every five years, the FC comprises a chairman and four other members. 
  • The chairman of the commission is selected from among persons who have had experience in public affairs. 
  • Four other members are selected from among persons who: 
  1. are, or have been, or are qualified to be appointed as Judges of a High Court; 
  2. or have special knowledge of the finances and accounts of Government; 
  3. or have had wide experience in financial matters and in administration; 
  4. or have special knowledge of economics

Padma Awards 2024

The President has approved conferment of 132 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (counted as one) for the year 2024.

Padma Awards 2024 List

The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards. 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 8 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 9 Posthumous awardees.

About Padma Awards 

  • The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India. They are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March / April every year.
  • The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 
  • The Padma Awards are provided in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 
  • The ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is given to people who have done outstanding and remarkable service. 
  • The ‘Padma Bhushan’ is awarded for excellent service of a high order. 
  • The ‘Padma Shri’ is given to those who have shown great service in different fields. 
  • The award contain a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President, medallion and a small replica of the medallion, awardee names are also published in the Gazette of India on the ceremonial day.
  • The award does not amount to title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

Padma Vibhushan 2024 

Name                                   Field                State/ Region 

  1. Ms. Vyjayantimala Bali           Art                      Tamil Nadu 
  2. Shri Konidela Chiranjeevi      Art                      Andhra Pradesh 
  3. Shri M Venkaiah Naidu      Public Affairs     Andhra Pradesh
  4. Shri Bindeshwar Pathak    Social Work           Bihar

(Posthumous)  

  1. Ms. Padma Subrahmanyam    Art                 Tamil Nadu

Padma Bhushan Awardees 2024 

Name                                   Field           State/Country 

  1. Ms. M Fathima Beevi   Public Affairs       Kerala 
  2. Shri Hormusji N Cama Literature & Education Maharashtra
  3. Shri Mithun Chakraborty Art West Bengal 
  4. Shri Sitaram Jindal Trade & Industry Karnataka 
  5. Shri Young Liu Trade & Industry Taiwan 
  6. Shri Ashwin Balachand Mehta Medicine Maharashtra 
  7. Shri Satyabrata Mookherjee Public Affairs West Bengal 8. Shri Ram Naik Public Affairs Maharashtra 
  8. Shri Tejas Madhusudan Patel Medicine Gujarat 
  9. Shri Olanchery Rajagopal Public Affairs Kerala 
  10. Shri Dattatray Ambadas Mayaloo alias Rajdutt Art Maharashtra 
  11. Shri Togdan Rinpoche Others – Spiritualism Ladakh 13. Shri Pyarelal Sharma Art Maharashtra 
  12. Shri Chandreshwar Prasad Thakur Medicine Bihar 
  13. Ms. Usha Uthup Art West Bengal 
  14. Shri Vijaykanth Art Tamil Nadu 
  15. Shri Kundan Vyas Literature & Education – Journalism Maharashtra

Padma Awards 2024

The Padma Shri Awards 2024 have been announced, honouring 110 distinguished individuals across various fields for their exceptional service. 

Individual/s has been awarded with the Padma Shri Awards 2024 from Assam

  1. Assam’s first female elephant mahout, Parbati Baruah, is recognized for her commitment to mitigating human-elephant conflict.
  2. Sarbeswar Basumatary  also known as “Chirang ke Krishi Chiraag,” is a farmer whose innovative approach to farming, incorporating various technologies, has not only transformed his own agricultural practices but has also garnered attention at the national level.
  3. Folk artiste from Assam Drona Bhuyan, an exponent of Ojapali and Deodhani dancer

Sapinda Marriage

Delhi High Court recently rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of Section 5(v) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (HMA), which prohibits marriage between Hindus if they are “sapindas” of each other.

About Sapinda Marriage

  • A sapinda marriage is one between individuals who are related to each other within a certain degree of closeness. 
  • Sapinda relationships for the purposes of the HMA are defined in Section 3 of the Hindu Marriage Act. 
  • Under section 3(f)(ii) of the act, two persons are said to be sapindas of each other if one is a lineal ascendant of the other within the limits of sapinda relationship, or if they have a common lineal ascendant who is within the limits of sapinda relationship with reference to each of them. 
  • Under the provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, on the mother’s side, a Hindu individual cannot marry anyone who is within three generations of them in the line of ascent.
  • On the father’s side, the same prohibition applies to anyone within five generations of the individual.

Exceptions to the Prohibitions Against Sapinda Marriages

  • The Hindu Marriage Act (HMA) provides an exception to the prohibition against sapinda marriages.
  • This exception applies when the customs of each individual involved permit such marriages.
  • According to Section 3(a) of the HMA, a custom must be continuously and uniformly observed for an extended period to gain legitimacy.
  • For a custom to be valid, it must be certain, not unreasonable, and in line with public policy. Additionally, if the custom applies only to a specific family, it should not have been discontinued by that family.

Cabinet approves the scheme for promotion of Coal/Lignite

Union Cabinet approved the scheme for promotion of Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects of Government PSUs and Private Sector with an outlay of Rs.8,500 crore towards incentive for coal gasification projects under three categories.

The cabinet has approved the scheme as follows: 

Total outlay of Rs.8,500 crore will be provided as financial assistance for coal gasification projects under three categories. 

Finance under 3 categories

  • In category I, Rs.4,050 crore provisioned for Government PSUs in which upto 3 projects will be supported by providing lump-sum grant of Rs.1,350 crore or 15% of capex, whichever is lower.
  • In category II, Rs.3,850 crore provisioned for private sector as well as Government PSUs in which lump-sum grant of Rs.1,000 crore or 15% of capex, whichever is lower provided for each project. At least one project will be bid out on tariff-based bidding process and its criteria will be designed in consultation with NITI Aayog. 
  • In category III, Rs.600 crore provisioned for demonstration Projects (indigenous technology) and/or small-scale product-based Gasification Plants under which lump-sum grant of Rs.100 crore or 15% of capex, whichever is lower, will be given to the selected entity who will have a minimum Capex of Rs. 100 Crore and minimum production of 1500 Nm3/hr Syn gas.

Project Veer Gatha

The third edition of Project ‘Veer Gatha’, a joint initiative of Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education as part of Republic Day celebrations, has witnessed an overwhelming pan India response.

About Project Veer Gatha

  • Project Veer Gatha was initiated under the Gallantry Awards Portal (GAP) in 2021 with the primary goal of raising awareness about the brave actions of Gallantry Awardees and sharing their life stories with students.
  • It aims to inspire patriotism and civic values among the youth.
  • It aims to disseminate the details of acts of bravery of the Gallantry Awardees and the life stories of these brave hearts among the students. 
  • The order of precedence for Gallantry awards – Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.

Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 353: January 2024, Week 5

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Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 353: January 2024, Week 5

(Daily and Monthly Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz & MCQ for APSC Exams and various Assam exams)

Assam Current Affairs Quiz Home Page

Current Affairs Assam Quiz - Assam exam

Q1. Which of the following traditional sports was organised for the first time under government guidance in Assam?

  1. Cock Fight
  2. Horse Fight
  3. Elephant Fight
  4. Buffalo fight

Buffalo fight

 

Q2.Who individual/s has been awarded witth the Padma Shri Awards 2024 from Assam?

  1. Ms. Parbati Baruah 
  2. Shri Sarbeswar Basumatary 
  3. Shri Drona Bhuyan
  4. All of the above

All of the above 

Assam’s first female elephant mahout, Parbati Baruah, is recognized for her commitment to mitigating human-elephant conflict.

Sarbeswar Basumatary  also known as “Chirang ke Krishi Chiraag,” is a farmer whose innovative approach to farming, incorporating various technologies, has not only transformed his own agricultural practices but has also garnered attention at the national level.

Folk artiste from Assam Drona Bhuyan, an exponent of Ojapali and Deodhani dancer.

Q3. Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan is launched to 

  1. Promote the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups.
  2. Promote the health sector in the state.
  3. Provide free lunch to school-children.
  4. Improve school education in six states covering 10 million teachers.

Promote the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups.

Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan scheme is designed to promote the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups. 

It aims to transform them into “Rural Micro Entrepreneurs” with an annual income target of ₹1 lakh per member.

 

Q4. Which teacher from Assam has received the National Teachers’ Award 2023 during the Teachers Day celebration?

  1. Madhav Singh
  2. Bhupinder Gogia
  3. Kumud Kalita
  4. Netai Chandra Dey

Kumud Kalita

Q5. Who among the  following has been awarded with Sahitya Academy Award for the short stories category for his book titled ‘Sreshtha Galpa.’

  1. Dhirendra Nath Chakraborty
  2. Pranavjyoti Deka
  3. Joysurya Bora
  4. Kunal Saikia

Pranavjyoti Deka 

Q6. What is the objective of ‘Amrit Brikshya Andolan’ initiated in Assam?

  1. It is an initiative aimed at planting a total of 1 crore commercially-viable saplings across the State by individuals.
  2. It aims to stimulate the tree-based economy within the state, generating sustainable livelihoods and income opportunities. 
  3. It aims to increase Assam’s forest cover as a measure to combat climate change and promote environmental conservation.
  4. All of the above

All of the above

The Assam Amrit Brikshya Andolan is a massive tree planting initiative launched by the Assam government in 2023. 

The initiative aimed at increasing the state’s green cover by planting saplings, primarily of commercial trees. 

The initiative aims to increase Assam’s forest cover as a measure to combat climate change and promote environmental conservation. 

The Andolan aims to stimulate the tree-based economy within the state, generating sustainable livelihoods and income opportunities. 

The primary objective of the campaign was to plant 1 crore saplings across Assam, involving thousands of people from various regions of the state.

Q7. Which place of Assam has been selected as the best tourism village of India 2023?

  1. Dhordo village
  2. Biswanath Ghat 
  3. Ranthali
  4. Sualkuchi

Biswanath Ghat 

Q8. The government of Assam conferred the Artists Award (Silpi Bota) for the year 2024 to

  1. Chetana Das
  2. Dr. Pradipjyoti Mahanta
  3. Manisha Hazarika
  4. Jagadish Barman
Manisha Hazarika

 

The Artists Award (Silpi Bota) for the year 2024 was bestowed upon distinguished artist Manisha Hazarika, along with seven other notable individuals recognized for their substantial contributions to the Assamese socio-cultural and literary spheres.

Q9. Who among the following has won the Sukapha Award 2023?

  1. Kuladhar Saikia
  2. Rajendra Prasad Basumatari
  3. Kashinath Barua
  4. Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah 
Dhirendra Nath Bezbaruah  

Q10. As per the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), what penalty is prescribed under the new hit-and-run law?

  1. 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 7 lakh
  2. 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh
  3. 5 years in jail and a fine of Rs 8 lakh
  4. 15 years in jail and a fine of Rs 10 lakh
10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 7 lakh

  • As per the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which is a replacement for the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), if a driver causes a serious road accident due to careless driving and then leaves without informing the police or any official, they could be punished with up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 7 lakh.

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Assam Current Affairs – January 16-18, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 16-18, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 16-18, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 16-18, 2024 

Assam Govt Unveils Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

The Assam government launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan (MMUA) to empower rural women entrepreneurs.

About Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan

  • The scheme is designed to foster the development of rural women who are part of self-help groups, transforming them into “rural micro-entrepreneurs” with a target annual income of Rs 1 lakh per member.
  • To qualify for the grant, women from the general and other backward caste (OBC) categories must have no more than three children. 
  • However, specific exemptions are made for women from the Moran, Muttock, and tea-tribe communities, who can apply with four or fewer children. 
  • For women belonging to Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) categories, the eligibility criteria dictate that they should have no more than four children.
  • If beneficiaries have daughters, they must be enrolled in school. For girls not attending school, a signed commitment for future enrollment is necessary. 
  • Beneficiaries need to ensure that the trees planted under the government’s tree plantation campaign, Amrit Brikshya Andolan, are thriving.

Assam Baibhav Award 

Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi will be honored with Assam’s highest civilian award ‘Assam Baibhav’. The decision to confer this year’s award upon Ranjan Gogoi reflects the state government’s acknowledgment of his exceptional service and achievements.

This marks the third year of the Assam Baibhav awards, with the inaugural award presented to business magnate Ratan Tata in the first year, followed by journalist Tapan Saikia in the second year. 

About ‘Assam Baibhav’ Awards

  • It is one of the highest civilian awards given by the state of Assam. As an award, Gogoi will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. 
  • Ranjan Gogoi held the office of the 46th Chief Justice of India. 
  • During his tenure, the Supreme Court had given a historic verdict on the decade-old Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case.

Assam Saurav Award 2023: 

This award will be given to four personalities. 

  1. Mainly among these Hima Das – Athletics 
  2. Dr. Kishan Chand Nauriyal: Art and Culture 
  3. Elvis Ali Hazarika: Swimming and 
  4. Nadiram Deuri: Tiwa Dance 

This award will include a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 4 lakh. 

Assam Gaurav Award 2023: 

This year 17 personalities will be given the ‘Assam Gaurav’ award. 

  1. Ranjit Gogoi (Folk and Bihu dance exponent) 
  2. Parvati Barua (animal protection activities) 
  3. Debojit Chiangmai (sound engineer) 
  4. Drono Bhuyan (Oja Pali) 
  5. Neelam Dutta (Organic Farming) 
  6. Anupam Deka (industrialist) 
  7. Soumyadeep Dutta (Wildlife Conservation) 
  8. Basant Chiring Phukan (Mushroom Cultivation) 
  9. Manendra Deka (Handicraft) 
  10. Meenakshi Chetia (Social Service) 
  11. Pakhila Lekhtepi (Karbi Lok) 
  12. Tenzing Bodosa (Elephant Friendly Tea Garden) 
  13. Nirmal De (mat) 
  14. Jessin Kumbang Pao (weaving) 
  15. Mary Hassa (social services) 
  16. Upendra Rabha (black rice cultivation) and 
  17. Rahul Gupta (Hydroponic Farming). 

Assam Gaurav Award winners will be given a citation, certificate, medal and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh.

Indian Army launched Operation Sarvashakti

The Indian Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in the Rajouri-Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, deploying forces on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists who have carried out a series of attacks on troops in the area.

About Operation Sarvashakti

  • Recent years have witnessed three major terrorist attacks in the area, resulting in the loss of 20 soldiers.
  • Operation Sarvashakti is an initiative of the Indian army to neutralise terrorist threats in Pir Panjal range. 
  • As part of the operation at least three brigades of additional troops are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations in order to increase the density of troops.
  • It is similar to Operation Sarpvinash. 
  • In 2003, Indian forces launched Operation Sarpvinash to flush out terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range, especially in the Hilkaka area in Poonch. 
  • The operation flushed out terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18, even as terrorist incidents continued to take place in the valley.

The deposits raised under the framework are covered by the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023

Surat and Indore have been jointly recognized as the cleanest cities in India at the Union Urban Affairs Ministry’s annual Clean City Awards 2023. Indore achieved the top rank for the seventh consecutive time.

President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the Swachh Survekshan awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). 

The theme for the year 2023 was -“Waste to Wealth”. 

The theme for the Cleanliness Survey 2024 is “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.”

The President launched the Swachh Survekshan 2023 dashboard, emphasizing the importance of everyone’s contribution to and participation in the survey.

Key Points

  • In the category of cities with a population of less than 1 lakh, Sasvad, Patan and Lonavala secured the top three spots. 
  • Mhow Cantonment Board in Madhya Pradesh was adjudged the Cleanest Cantonment Board. 
  • Varanasi and Prayagraj won the top two awards amongst the Cleanest Ganga Towns. 
  • Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh won the top three awards for Best Performing State.
  • Chandigarh walked away with the award for the Best Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher, acknowledging initiatives that prioritize the safety, dignity, and well-being of sanitation workers.  

About Swachh Survekshan Awards

  • It was launched in 2016, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by the Government of India to promote cleanliness and sanitation in urban areas. 
  • The annual survey ranks cities based on various sanitation parameters like door-to-door waste collection, waste treatment, public toilet management, citizen participation, and innovation in sanitation practices.
  • Winning cities and states receive recognition and financial incentives, aiming to motivate them to maintain and improve their sanitation standards.

NHAI Introduces ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ Initiative

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative that aims to discourage user behavior of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.

About the ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative:

  • The initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of the Electronic Toll Collection system and provide seamless movement at the Toll Plazas. 
  • The new arrangement Of ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ has also been introduced to discourage user behaviour of using single FASTag for multiple vehicles or linking multiple FASTags to a particular vehicle.
  •  The initiative encourages FASTag users to complete ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) process of their latest FASTag by updating KYC as per RBI guidelines.
  • FASTags with valid balance but with incomplete KYC will get deactivated/blacklisted by banks post 31st January 2024.
  • NHAI has taken this initiative after the recent reports of multiple FASTags being issued for a particular vehicle and FASTags being issued without KYC in violation of RBI’s mandate. 
  • The ‘One Vehicle, One FASTag’ initiative will help to make toll operations more efficient and ensure seamless & comfortable journeys for the National Highway users.

About FASTag

  • FASTag is a device that uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to enable toll payments while the vehicle is in motion. 
  • It is essentially an RFID passive tag on the vehicle’s windscreen linked to a customer’s prepaid or savings/current account. 
  • It allows customers to drive through toll plazas without stopping for toll payments. 
  • The toll fee is deducted from the customer’s linked account. 
  • It is also vehicle specific and once it is affixed to a vehicle, it cannot be transferred to another vehicle.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)State’s Startup Ranking 2022

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) released the State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report. Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu emerged as the best-performing states in the Startup Ranking for 2022.

Categories and Participation 

A total of 33 states and union territories actively participated in the evaluation, categorized under five distinct groups – best performers, top performers, leaders, aspiring leaders, and emerging startup ecosystems. The rankings serve as a testament to the varied and evolving nature of the startup ecosystem in different regions of the country.

About State’s Startup Ranking Framework 2022 report

Category A States (Population more than 1 crore)

  • Best performing states: Gujarat, Karnataka and Kerala 
  • Top performing states: Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Orissa and Maharashtra
  • Leading states: Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Andhra Pradesh 
  • States with Ambitious Leadership: Bihar and Haryana 
  • States developing emerging startup ecosystems: Chhattisgarh, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir 

Category B States (Population less than 1 crore)

  • Best performer: Himachal Pradesh 
  • Top Performer: Arunachal Pradesh Meghalaya 
  • Leader: Goa, Manipur and Tripura 
  • Aspiring leader:  Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Nagaland
  • Emerging Ecosystems: Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, Ladakh Mizoram, Puducherry and Sikkim

MeitY Secretary Launches India’s First Graphene Centre and IoT CoE in Kerala

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Secretary S Krishnan inaugurated the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors in Kerala.

About India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG): India’s first Graphene Center

  • Digital University Kerala (DUK) (formerly IIITMK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET)-Thrissur are the technical partners for setting up these centers at Makers Village Kochi. 
  • The complete full-fledged facility for R&D, incubation, innovation, skilling, capacity building, testing & certification shall be established at these centers by the experts of these agencies.
  • The creation of a complete eco-system for start-ups in the area of IoT Sensors and Graphene & 2D Materials are the main objectives for setting up these centers in the country. 
  • The complete solution with material to product/system development shall be provided at these centers in the respective areas. 

Indian Army Develops Encrypted Mobile Ecosystem “SAMBHAV”

Indian Army develops end-to-end encrypted mobile ecosystem SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version). SAMBHAV’ has been developed in collaboration with leading national centers of excellence from academia and industry.

About SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version)

  • SAMBHAV is an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem developed by the Indian Army. 
  • It operates on 5G technology and aims to provide secure communication and instant connectivity. 
  • It aims to address the information security challenges faced by the Indian Army.
  • Command Cyber Operations Support Wings enhance cyber capabilities at operational and tactical levels. 
  • SAMBHAV addresses the vulnerability of mobile networks to eavesdropping, offering end-to-end security. 

Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW)

  • The Command Cyber Operations Support Wing (CCOSW) is being established which increases cyber security capability. 
  • The CCOSWs are specialized units of the Indian Army that assist formations in carrying out mandated cyber security functions. 
  • According to a report, six CCOSWs are being established for all commands. Additionally, specialized training will be provided to personnel involved in this initiative.

Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 – Pranavjyoti Deka (Assamese), Nandeswar Daiman (Bodo) & Winners List

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Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 – Pranavjyoti Deka (Assamese), Nandeswar Daiman (Bodo) & Winners List

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Sahitya Akademi Award 2023 winners, Sahitya Akademi Award winners list, 2023 Sahitya Akademi Award ceremony.

At the Sahitya Akademi ‘Festival of Letters 2024’, Twenty-four writers. The awards were given for literary works including nine books of poetry, six novels, five of short stories, three essays and one literary study.

The awards relate to books first published during the five years immediately preceding the year of the award, i.e. between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2021.

The award ceremony coincided with the 70th anniversary celebrations of the National Academy of Letters at the ‘Sahityotsav’.

  • Pranavjyoti Deka has been selected for the award by the jury board for his work “Dr Pranavjyoti Dekar Shrestha Golpo”, which is a compilation of short stories in Assamese language.
  • Nandeswar Daimari has won the award for his work “Jiu-Safarni Dakhwn” in Bodo language, which is also a book of short stories.
  • Sorokhaibam Gambhini from Manipur  won the award for her poetry book “Yachangba Nang Hallo”.
  • Tapan Bandyopadhyay has been awarded the Sahitya Akademi award 2022 for his novel “Birbal”. The decision was taken by a three-member jury comprising Goutam Ghoshdastidar Samaresh Majumder and Himabanta Bandyopadhyay Bandyopadhyay
  • Hindi novelist Sanjeev was awarded for his novel “Mujhe Pehchaano”.
  • English author Neelum Saran Gaur for her book “Requiem in Raga Janki” received the prestigious award.
  • Swapnamay Chakrabarti (Bengali)

  • Sadiqua Nawab Saher received the award for her book “Rajdev Ki Amrai” in Urdu
  • Swarnjit Savi was awarded for his book of poetry “Mann Di Chip” in Punjabi.
  • Vijay Verma (Dogri)
  • Vinod Joshi (Gujarati)
  • Manshoor Banihali (Kashmiri)
  • Sorokkhaibam Gambhini (Manipuri)
  • Ashutosh Parida (Odia)
  • Gaje Singh Rajpurohit (Rajasthani)
  • Arun Ranjan Mishra (Sanskrit)
  • Vinod Asudani (Sindhi)
  • Krushnat Khot (Marathi)
  • Rajasekaran Devibharathi (Tamil)
  • Pranavjyoti Deka (Assamese)
  • Nandeswar Daiman (Bodo)
  • Prakash S Parienkar (Konkani)
  • Taraceen Baskey (Turia Chand Baskey) (Santali)
  • T Patanjali Sastry (Telugu)
  • Lakshmisha Tolpadi (Kannada)
  • Basukinath Jha (Maithili)
  • Judhabir Rana (Nepali)
  • EV Ramakrishnan (Malayalam)

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About Sahitya Akademi Award

  • The Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honour in India, which the Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the 8th Schedule to the Indian constitution as well as in English and Rajasthani language.
  • Established in 1954, the award comprises a plaque and a cash prize of ₹ 1,00,000.
  • The award’s purpose is to recognise and promote excellence in Indian writing and also acknowledge new trends. The annual process of selecting awardees runs for the preceding twelve months.
  • The plaque awarded by the Sahitya Akademi was designed by the Indian film-maker Satyajit Ray.
  • The awards are selected on the basis of unanimous selections made by the jurors, or the selection made on the basis of a majority vote.

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Assam Current Affairs – December 07-09, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – December 07-09, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the December 07-09, 2022)

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December 07-09, 2022

Assam’s Nayanmoni Saikia receives Arjuna Award

Assam’s Nayanmoni Saikia was conferred with the Arjuna Award at Rashtrapati Bhawan by President Draupadi Murmu.

Nayanmoni Saikia was nominated for the award for her achievements in Lawn Bowl.

Apart from Nayanmoni Saikia, Shushila Devi from Manipur was also presented with the prestigious award for her remarkable contributions and achievements in the field of boxing. 

Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sharma congratulated Commonwealth Games gold medalist Nayanmoni Saikia for receiving Arjuna Award, 2022 from Hon’ble President Droupadi Murmu.

Mirabai Chanu won silver medal in World Championship 2022 

Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has won a silver medal at the weightlifting World Championships in Bogota, Colombia. 

Mirabai won a silver medal at the World Championships with a total lift of 200kg. China’s Jiang Huihua, who won the gold with a total effort of 206kg (93kg+113kg) while Tokyo Olympics champion Hou Zhihua who won the bronze with a total effort of198kg (89kg+109kg).

Mirabai had previously won gold in the 2017 world weightlifting championship. This was Mirabai’s second medal at the World Championships. 

Tripura gets its first Film and Television Institute 

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha inaugurated Tripura’s first film and television institute at Nazrul Kalakshetra in Agartala.

The institute has been set up in collaboration with Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). 

This film Institute will promote Tripura’s rich cultural heritage in the global sphere. It will help the youths of the state to nurture their cultural talents and will also help to improve the socio-economic condition of the youths.

The state government has allocated Rs 5.76 crore for the institute. Four short-term courses, including screen acting, film appreciation, production, and management along with news reporting, anchoring and newsroom automation would be started initially.

India ranked 87th in the world’s strongest passport list for 2022

India has been ranked 87 in the world’s strongest passport list for 2022, published by Arton Capital. 

Passport Index 2022 published by Arton Capital ranked the world’s strongest and weakest passports.

Key Points

  • The Passport Index is based on the 139 members of the United Nations and 6 different aspects have been considered to make this list.
  • UAE ranked first in the rating of passports for 2022 followed by Germany, Sweden, Finland, Luxembourg, Spain and France.
  • Travellers with UAE passports can travel visa-free or “visa on arrival” to 180 countries.
  • Countries with the weakest passports are Afghanistan (38) Syria (39), Iraq (40), Pakistan (44).
  • The data for this list has been given by the governments of different countries. 

Indian-American Krishna Vavilala receives US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award

Indian-American Krishna Vavilala receives the US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to his community and the country.

The Presidential Lifetime Achievement (PLA) Awards, led by AmeriCorps, is an annual event held to honour citizens, who exhibit outstanding character, worth ethic, and dedication to their communities.

Krishna Vavilala is from Andhra Pradesh and is a retired Electrical Engineer. Currently, he is the founder and Chairman of the Foundation for India Studies (FIS), a non-profit organization whose major project, the Indo-American Oral History Project, won the Mary Fay Barnes Award for Excellence.

He has also received several awards and accolades from various organizations, such as the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, the Indo-American Press Club, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the India Culture Centre.

Oxford dictionary announces ‘goblin mode’ as word of the year 2022

The Oxford English Dictionary recently announces ‘goblin mode’ as word of the year 2022 that was selected by public votes – Goblin mode.

It’s the first time Oxford Languages opened up its annual word of the year listing to a public vote. 

Goblin mode is a slang term that describes a type of behavior that is unapologetically self-indulgent, lazy, slovenly, or greedy, generally rejecting social norms and expectations.

The word goblin mode is used to acknowledge that individuals are not always idealized, curated selves that they force themselves to present in social media platforms.

The term speaks to the current times when people are embracing their inner goblin and choosing to reject the accepted social customs.

American dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster has chosen “gaslighting” as its word of the year for 2022.

Assam Current Affairs – December 04-06, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – December 04-06, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the December 04-06, 2022)

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December 04-06, 2022

Silchar-Sylhet Festival 

The first ever  Silchar-Sylhet Festival, organized to celebrate the cultural ties between the Barak Valley region of Assam and the Sylhet segment of Bangladesh.

Key Points

  • Assam’s Silchar town is hosting the two-day Silchar-Sylhet Festival, to celebrate the linguistic and cultural ties between the Barak Valley region of Assam and the Sylhet segment of Bangladesh. 
  • Silchar-Sylhet Festival is organised by the India Foundation.
  • The Festival coincides with the 75th year of India’s independence and the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan.
  • The festival underlines the commonalities between India and Bangladesh, specifically the Sylheti variant of the Bengali language and the Sylheti culture. 
  • The festival will showcase tribal culture, cuisine, arts, crafts and local produce, entertainment and bring together eminent people from both sides to discuss and deliberate on issues of mutual growth and opportunity.

Indo-French Partnership on Kaziranga Project

India and France are collaborating under the Kaziranga Project in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

The Kaziranga project is a part of a larger Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) for which the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has committed funding of €80.2 million for a 10-year period, between 2014-2024.

The project conceptualised the reforestation of 33,500 hectares of land and the training of 10,000 community members in alternate livelihoods by 2024. 

The Assam government, with the support of AFD, launched the APFBC in 2012, to restore forest ecosystems, protect wildlife and enhance the livelihood of the forest-dependent communities.

About Kaziranga National Park

  • Kaziranga National Park is a national park in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of the state of Assam.
  • It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. 
  • It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1950, and notified as Kaziranga National Park in 1974.
  • It is the home of the world’s most one-horned rhinos. 
  • In 1985, Kaziranga was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its unique natural environment.
  • It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International for conservation of avifaunal species.

India ranked 48th position in the global aviation safety ranking

India ranked 48th position in the global aviation safety ranking by the International Civil Aviation Organization. 

India was in the 102nd position four years ago in the ranking.The position is the highest-ever spot attained by the country. 

Key Points

  • In the ranking, Singapore is at the top, followed by the UAE and South Korea at the second and third positions.
  • As per Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the audit was conducted in the areas of legislation, organisation, personal licensing, operations, airworthiness and aerodromes.
  • India’s score in terms of effective implementation of key safety elements has improved to 85.49%.
  • India’s score for civil aviation organizations increased from 63.64% to 72.73 %, aircraft operations from 80.34% to 97.44%, personnel licensing and training from 25.58% to 84.71%, and aerodrome and ground aid from 72.36% to 92.68%.

‘Millets-Smart Nutritive Food’ Conclave 

‘Millets-Smart Nutritive Food’ Conclave is being organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry through its apex agricultural export promotion body, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The Conclave is to be a pre-launch event of the ‘International Year of Millets – 2023’ (IYoM-2023). It is organised with the objective of promoting the export of millets.

Key Points

  • At the Millets Smart Nutritive Conclave, stakeholders of the supply chain such as Farmer Producer Organisations, Start-ups, exporters, producers of millet-based value-added products are key participants. 
  • At the Conclave, exhibition and B2B meetings will also be organized to showcase Indian millets and millet-based products.
  • At the first-of-its-kind Millets Conclave, the government will release e-catalogue on 30 potential importing countries and 21 millet producing states of India. 
  • India is one of the leading producers of millets in the world with an estimated share of around 41 percent in the global production. 
  • India recorded 27 percent growth in millet production in 2021-22 as compared to millet production in the previous year was 15.92 MMT. 
  • India’s top five millet producing states are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Share of export of millets is nearly 1% of the total millet production. 
  • Exports of millets from India include mainly whole grain and the export of value-added products of millets from India is negligible.

First G20 Sherpa Meeting under India’s Presidency begins at Udaipur

The first G20 Sherpa Meeting under India’s Presidency begins at Udaipur. Representatives of 19 countries including the European Union and nine unique invitee countries will take part in the discussion. 

The G20 Sherpa Meeting will be presided by Amitabh Kant.

Key Points

  • The Sherpa meeting of G20 will be held in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan from 4 December to 7 December.
  • Important conversations on some of the most pressing issues of recent times will be discussed. 
  • India will have the opportunity to convene discussions on shared global priorities with G20 Members and guests.
  • India formally assumed the year-long Presidency of the G-20 on 1st of December. 
  • During the course of its Presidency, India will be holding about 200 meetings in 32 different sectors in multiple locations across the country.
  • As a host, New Delhi will set the agenda for the G-20 summit meeting to be organized in September 2023.

Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Statistical Commission

Rajeeva Laxman Karandikar has been appointed as part-time chairperson of National Statistical Commission of India (NSCI) for three years.

Karandikar will take up this role as an additional responsibility while continuing as Professor Emeritus at Chennai Mathematical Institute (CMI). 

He is widely known for his work on probability theory as well as applications of mathematics and statistics to real world questions. 

He has designed, supervised and analysed nationwide opinion polls for the Indian parliamentary elections as well State assemblies since 1998. 

He is also known for developing a new model and methodology for seat prediction, which has been quite successful for over the last 20 years. 

About National Statistical Commission (NSC) of India

  • The National Statistical Commission (NSC) of India is an autonomous body which was formed in June 2005 under the recommendation of Rangarajan commission.
  • The objective of its constitution is to reduce the problems faced by statistical agencies in the country in relation to collection of data.
  • The Chairperson of the Commission enjoys the status of a Minister of State and the Members of the Commission have the status equivalent to the Secretary to the Government of India. 

Shekhar Pathak has won the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Award for the book based on the Chipko Movement

A book on the Chipko Movement, written by historian-activist Shekhar Pathak, was named the winner of the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize 2022. 

Translated from Hindi by Manisha Chaudhry, “The Chipko Movement: A People’s History” was selected from a diverse shortlist of five books covering a wide expanse of modern Indian history and encompassing distinct topics and perspectives. 

About Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize

  • The Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay NIF Book Prize recognises and celebrates excellence in non-fiction writings on modern or contemporary India by writers from all nationalities. 
  • The Prize was established in 2018 by the New India Foundation, a charitable organisation which also awards research fellowships and book grants for Indian writers.
  • The foundation provides grants for scholars and writers who are writing non-fiction and fiction books about India, and also provides translation grants for works translated from Indian languages.
  • The award carries a cash award of Rs 15 lakh, a trophy and a citation. 

 

Assam Current Affairs – November 28-30, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 28-30, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 28-30, 2022)

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November 28-30, 2022

Meghalaya cabinet approved mental health and social care policy

Meghalaya announced the first-ever draft state mental health and social care policy. The aim of the policy is to promote overall mental health and well-being and facilitate appropriate access and care pathways.

With this, Meghalaya has become the first state in the Northeast and the third state in India to have ‘Mental Health and Social Care Policy’.

According to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma this policy will ensure proper attention to mental health, especially for children, adolescents, and youths. This policy will ensure that proper attention is given to mental health, particularly for our youth and adolescents.

FSSAI approves Himalayan Yak as a ‘food animal’

The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved the Himalayan Yak as a ‘food animal’. 

The move is expected to help slow the decline in the population of the high-altitude bovine animal by making it a part of the conventional milk and meat industry. This was proposed by the National Research Centre (NRC) on Yak at Dirang in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. 

About Himalayan Yak 

  • The Yak is found throughout the Himalayan region – Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, North Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Yaks are highly valued by Himalayan peoples. They are endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions. 
  • They belong to the Bovini tribe, which also includes bison, buffaloes, and cattle. 
  • They are the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian Himalayan region.
  • Traditionally, yaks are reared through a primitive, unorganized, complex transhumance system.

India, Australia wargames “Austra Hind 22” begins

The bilateral training exercise “AUSTRA HIND 22” between contingents of the Indian Army and the Australian Army is scheduled to take place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan).

Key Points

  • This is the first exercise in the series of AUSTRA HIND with participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies. 
  • The exercise “AUSTRA HIND” will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
  • The purpose of the exercise is to build positive military relations, and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking multi-domain operations in Semi deserts terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate. 
  • This exercise will further help in strengthening ties between India and Australia.

NITI Aayog releases study report on ‘Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Policy Framework 

NITI Aayog has recently released a study report on Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) Policy Framework and its Deployment Mechanism in India. 

Key Points

  • The report explores the importance of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage as an emission reduction strategy to achieve deep decarbonization from the hard-to-abate sectors. 
  • The report outlines broad level policy interventions needed across various sectors for its application.
  • As, India has updated its NDC targets for achieving 50% of its total installed capacity from non-fossil-based energy sources, 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 and taking steps towards achieving Net Zero by 2070.
  • The role of Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) becomes important as a reduction strategy to achieve decarbonization from the hard-to abate sectors.
  • CCUS can enable the production of clean products while still utilizing our rich endowments of coal, reducing imports and thus leading to an Atmanirbhar Indian economy. 
  • CCUS projects will also lead to a significant employment generation. It estimates that about 750 mtpa of carbon capture by 2050 can create employment opportunities of about 8-10 million on full time equivalent (FTE) basis in a phased manner. 
  • The report indicates that CCUS can provide a wide variety of opportunities to convert the captured CO2 to different value-added products like green urea, food and beverage form application, building materials and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) with wide market opportunities in India, thus contributing substantially to a circular economy.

Global Technology Summit 2022

The 7th edition of the Global Technology Summit will be held from November 29, 2022 till the 1st of December in New Delhi in a hybrid format.

Key Points

  • The Global Technology Summit is India’s flagship annual event on geotechnology and is co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India.
  • The theme for this year’s Summit is ‘Geopolitics of Technology’.
  • Its main purpose is to develop new ways to address various concerns of all parties without hindering technological growth and new ideas. 
  • During the summit, the world’s leading experts in technology, government, security, space, startups, data, law, public health, climate change, academics, and the economy will discuss technological progress and its future opportunities.
  • They will discuss the advantages and challenges of technologies, sustainability, emerging geopolitics in the technology sector, and data for development and ideas for India’s G20 Presidency.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya wins UNESCO Award for cultural heritage conservation

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai has won the Award of Excellence in the 2022 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.

The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation is supported by a partnership between UNESCO and Ng Teng Fong Charitable Foundation since 2021.

Key Points

  • 13 projects from six countries- India, China, Afghanistan, Nepal, Iran, and Thailand- have been acknowledged for awards by the jury in 2022. 
  • Jury deliberations were carried out in November when members reviewed 50 entries from 11 countries from the Asia-Pacific region.
  • The Domakonda Fort of Telangana and Byculla station of Mumbai are among the winners in the ‘Award of Merit’ category.
  • The step-wells of Golconda in Hyderabad have won an award in the ‘Award of Distinction’ category.
  • Topdara Stupa, Charikar, Afghanistan, and Nantian Buddhist Temple, Fujian, China have also received the ‘Award of Merit’.

India-Malaysia joint military exercise ‘Harimau Shakti-2022’

India–Malaysia joint military exercise “Harimau Shakti 2022” commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia.

The exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army which in turn will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.

Key Points

  • Exercise Harimau Shakti is an annual training event between the Indian and Malaysian Army which has been conducted since 2012.
  • The scope of this exercise involves a Command Planning Exercise (CPX) at the Battalion level and Company level Field Training Exercise (FTX) on sub-conventional operations.
  • Combat-experienced troops of the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army are participating in the exercise.
  • The joint exercise schedule includes the establishment of a joint command post, joint surveillance centre, sharing expertise in employment of aerial assets, technical demonstrations, casualty management & casualty evacuation apart from planning logistics at the Battalion level.

Assam Current Affairs – November 25-27, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 25-27, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 25-27, 2022)

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November 25-27, 2022

Assam Cabinet approves Rs 500 crore for building 2,000 Anganwadi centres

The Assam Cabinet approved Rs 500 crore to construct 2,000 new Anganwadi centres across the state in order to improve childcare services.

The cost of each Anganwadi centre will be Rs 25 lakh, and the total cost of all the centres will be Rs 500 crore.

The Assam Cabinet, which held a special sitting at New Delhi, sanctioned Rs 332.59 crore for building a trumpet interchange at Gauripur in North Guwahati to connect NH-17 with the under-construction six-lane road of the bridge on the Brahmaputra. 

To boost the handloom sector, administrative approval was granted to start up the College of Sericulture at Titabar in Jorhat. An amount of Rs 22.14 crore has been approved to set up the institution.

India celebrates 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan

The 3-day long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Ahom commander Lachit Barphukan began in New Delhi. 

Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the exhibition on the occasion highlighting the life and achievement of the Ahom dynasty and Lachit Barphukan among others.

About Lachit Barphukan

  • Lachit Barphukan was born on November 24, 1622, was a commander and Bophukan in the Ahom Kingdom.
  • He is remembered throughout the country for his foresight and outstanding leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat.
  • He was an excellent military leader who was given administrative, judicial, and military duties as one of the five Borphukans of the Ahom kingdom by king Charadhwaj Singha. 
  • He has long been a symbol of the Assamese people’s courage, bravery, and intelligence.

Manipur celebrates Sangai Festival 

Manipur Sangai Festival is organized every year to showcase the uniqueness of Manipur. The festival helps in promoting Manipur as a world-class tourism destination.

The festival is named after the state animal, Sangai, the brow-antlered deer found only in Manipur.

The festival is being organized from November 21 to 30.The 10-day festival promotes the northeastern state’s tourism sector. 

This festival showcases the tourism potential of the state in the areas of arts and culture, handloom, handicraft, indigenous sports, cuisine, music, adventure sports etc.

The Sangai Festival was held at Sangai Ethnic Park located at Moirang Khunou of Bishnupur district. The festival is being celebrated across 13 venues in six districts of Manipur. The theme of the festival is the ‘festival of oneness’.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards announced

The Sangeet Natak Akademi has announced the list of 10 Akademi fellows and 128 artists who will receive the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award For the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. 

The awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts and puppetry, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi has also announced the names of 102 artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021.These artists are below the age of 40 years. 

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar identifies and encourages outstanding young talents in diverse fields of performing arts and gives them national recognition so that they may work with greater commitment and dedication in their chosen fields. 

The North-eastern States of the country have also been adequately represented with 19 artists from the North-east selected for the Award  from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and  Tripura.

The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar carries a purse money of Rs. 25,000/- . The Yuva Puraskar will be presented at a special ceremony by the Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi.

About Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 

  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards are the highest national recognition conferred on practicing artists. 
  • The awards are given in the categories of music, dance, theatre, other traditional arts and puppetry, and for contribution/scholarship in performing arts.
  • The Akademi Awards carries purse money of Rs. 1.00 lakh, a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram. 

Khalid Jawed’s ‘The Paradise of Food’ won the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature

Author Khalid Jawed’s “The Paradise of Food”,  won the fifth JCB Prize for Literature.The book has been translated by Baran Farooqi from Urdu. 

Khalid Jawed’s book ‘The Paradise of Food’ which was originally published as ‘Ne’mat Khana’ 2014, is the fourth translation to win the award and the first work in Urdu. 

The book tells the story of a middle-class joint Muslim family over a span of fifty years where the narrator struggles to find a place for himself, at odds in his home and the world outside.

Urdu writer Khalid Jawed received the prize money of Rs. 25 lakh along with a trophy- a sculpture by Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra, “Mirror Melting”. Baroon Farooqi also received an additional Rs. 10 lakh for the award.

The shortlisted books, which only included translation, also featured the International Booker-winning Novel ‘Tomb of Sand’ by Geetanjali Shree and Imaan by Manoranjan Byapari. 

It was also the first time that the titles in Hindi and Nepali made it to the shortlist of the Literary Award. 

The shortlist also included the debut books- Song of the Soil by Chuden Kabimo and ‘Valli’ by Sheela Tomy and each of the shortlisted authors also received Rs. 1 lakh, and the translators Rs. 50,000.

India’s first privately-built rocket Vikram-S has been successfully launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre

ISRO has successfully launched the country’s first private rocket, Vikram-S suborbital vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The launch vehicle, Vikram-S (VKS), developed by aerospace startup Skyroot Aerospace is the first-ever launch of a privately developed and built rocket in India.

Vikram launch vehicle consists of the Vikram II and Vikram III series. The Vikram-S launch vehicle can be assembled and launched within 24 hours from any launch site. 

VKS is a single-stage solid fuelled rocket,  built using advanced technologies including carbon composite structures and 3D-printed components.

Skyroot launched its maiden rocket under the launch mission, ‘PRARAMBH’, which was unveiled by ISRO Chairman, Dr. S. Somanath in Bangalore in November 2022.

Skyroot’s launch vehicles are named ‘Vikram’ as a tribute to the founder of the Indian space programme and renowned scientist Vikram Sarabhai.

Network Readiness Index 2022

India has improved its position by six slots and is now placed at 61st rank as per the Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022). 

The report is prepared by a US-based Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research and educational institute.

Key Points

  • The NRI 2022 report ranks a total of 131 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.
  • India has not only improved its ranking in the Network Readiness Index 2022 but has also improved its score from 49.74 in 2021 to 51.19 in 2022. 
  • As per the Network Readiness Index 2022, India secured 1st rank in “AI talent concentration”. second in ‘Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country,’ third in ‘Annual investment in telecommunication services,’ fourth in ‘ICT Services exports,’ fifth in ‘FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions,’ and sixth in ‘AI scientific publications.’
  • India is ranked out of 36 in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Ukraine and Indonesia. 4. Notably, the country has a score higher than the income group average in all the pillars and sub-pillars.
  • The United States tops the list followed by Singapore and Sweden. 

Assam Current Affairs – November 22-24, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 22-24, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 22-24, 2022)

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November 22-24, 2022

Usha Mangeshkar will be conferred with Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award

Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi will present Bishwaratna  Dr. Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award to renowned singer Usha Mangeshkar.

Usha Mangeshkar was chosen for her contributions to the music industries of Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati, and Assamese.

The award consists of a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh, an angavastra, a commendation and a collection of books.

A committee is set up by the Assam Sahitya Sabha to carry out the selection process for the award. Notably, the Asam Sahitya Sabha has been presenting this award in collaboration with Numaligarh Refinery Limited since 2013. 

Lubna Marium, a renowned Bangladeshi dancer, art director, researcher, and cultural activist, received the first Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award.

Kokrajhar wins National e-Governance Award

Assam’s Kokrajhar district received a national award for successfully implementing an e-governance project for an effective service delivery system. 

The initiative ‘Infrastructure Snapshot Kokrajhar’ won the award for e-Governance for 2021-2022 under the category ‘Excellence in District Level Initiative in e-Governance’. 

The award was given by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions of the Government of India.

The ‘Infrastructure Snapshot Kokrajhar’ app is a convergence application developed specifically for grievance redressal, supervision and monitoring.

The app was conceptualised by deputy commissioner of Kokrajhar, Varnali Deka, as a 24×7 configurable mobile based application for effective monitoring of all government schemes and public institutions with both offline and online status update facility.

Purnima Devi Barman honoured with the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award 2022

Assam’s Purnima Devi Barman is one of the five ‘Champions of the Earth’ for this year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) announced.

Dr Purnima Devi has won the award this year in the ‘Entrepreneurial Vision’ category, for her trail-blazing work in protecting the greater adjutant stork, called ‘hargila’ in Assamese. 

Hargilas are five-foot-tall birds that dwell in wetlands in some parts of southeast Asia including India and Cambodia..

Purnima Devi Barman is a wildlife biologist who won the award along with four others from different countries for their transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. 

She dedicated the award to Mother Earth and all the mothers of the planet as the best education begins at home on the mother’s lap.

The other recipients include Lebanon’s environmental enterprise Arceniel, Peru’s Constantino (Tino) Aucca Chuta for pioneering a community reforestation model driven by a local community. Sir Partha Dasgupta of the UK in the Science and Innovation Category. Cameroon’s Cecile Bibian Ndjebet for advocating the rights of women in Africa to secure land tenure.

About the award

  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established Champions of the Earth in 2005 as an annual awards programme to recognize outstanding environmental leaders from the public and private sectors, and from civil society.
  • It is an annual award accorded for transformative action to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation. 
  • In 2017, the program was expanded to include Young Champions of the Earth.

Two new dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice has been developed

Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI) successfully tested two new dwarf varieties of Kalanamak rice i.e., Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1638 and Pusa Narendra Kalanamak 1652 in Uttar Pradesh . 

About Kalanamak rice

  • Kalanamak is a traditional variety of paddy with black husk and strong fragrance. 
  • It is considered a gift from Lord Buddha to the people of Sravasti when he visited the region after enlightenment. 
  • It is grown in 11 districts of the Terai region of northeastern Uttar Pradesh and in Nepal.
  • It is grown mainly without using fertilizer or pesticide residues, making it perfect for crop production.
  • It is protected under the Geographical Indication (GI) tag system.
  • It has been awarded under ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme as an ODOP product of Siddharthnagar which is an aspirational district located in Terai belt of Uttar Pradesh.

Russia  becomes India’s biggest supplier of fertilizers 

Russia has become India’s biggest fertilizer supplier in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year, overtaking China. 

Key Points

  • Russian exporters reportedly grabbed a 21% share of the Indian fertilizer market in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year.
  • Russian exports reportedly surged 371%, to a record 2.15 million tons from April to October. 
  • In monetary terms, India’s imports over this period increased by 765%, to $1.6 billion. 
  • Russia’s share of Indian fertilizer imports was hovering around 6% during the last fiscal year, while China’s stood at 24%. 
  • In the first half of 2022-23, China’s exports to India halved to 1.78 million tons amid growing Russian supplies.

Arittapatti Village in Madurai notified as Tamil Nadu’s first biodiversity heritage site

The Tamil Nadu Government issued a notification declaring Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage site the first biodiversity heritage site in the State. The declaration was made under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Key Points

  • The state government notified 193.215 hectares of area spread across Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram villages in Madurai district as ‘Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site’. 
  • Arittapatti village, known for its ecological and historical significance, houses around 250 species of birds including three flagship raptor species – Laggar Falcon , Shaheen Falcon, and Bonelli’s Eagle.
  • It also has Indian pangolin, python, and slender loris. 
  • The area is surrounded by a chain of seven hillocks or inselbergs that serve as a watershed, charging ‘72 lakes, 200 natural springs and three check dams.’
  • The Anaikondan Lake, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century is one among them.
  • Several megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions and Jain beds add to the historical significance of the region.

Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards 2021

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India announced “Tenzing Norgay Adventure Award” (TNNAA) for the year 2021.

The award is given in four categories which are Land Adventure, Water Adventure, Air Adventure, and Life Time Achievement.

Key Points

  • Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Awards are given every year to recognize the achievements of persons in the field of adventure.
  • The award aims to encourage young people to develop the spirit of endurance, risk-taking, cooperative teamwork, and quick, ready, and effective reflexes in challenging situations.
  • Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and award money of Rs. 15 lakh each.
  • This year, the National Selection Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Secretary (Youth Affairs). 
  • Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has decided to confer awards upon the following: 
  1. Ms. Naina Dhakad  in the Land Adventure category.  
  2. Shri Shubham Dhananjay Vanmali in the Water Adventure category. 
  3. Group     Captain      Kunwar     Bhawani Singh Samyal  in the Life Time Achievement category. 

Assam Current Affairs – November 19-21, 2022

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – November 19-21, 2022

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the November 19-21, 2022)

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November 19-21, 2022

Assam Tourism Policy 2022

The Assam government has launched a new tourism policy. The new policy was launched by Jayanta Malla Baruah, state minister of public health engineering, skill development Employment & entrepreneurship and tourism Jayanta Malla Baruah, in New Delhi and was prepared fter consultations with the World Bank, stakeholders and industry experts.

Key Points

  • The policy aims to improve the tourism sector in Assam and support the private sector engaged in tourism in the state.
  • It aims to guarantee and safeguard the effective standardisation of processes and practices to foster uniformity, which can result in sustainability and an overall improvement in the quality of tourism products.
  • It will promote sustainability by limiting the negative effects of tourism on social, environmental, and economic sectors while ensuring the positive effects.
  • The policy will aim to advance women for management and leadership positions in their companies and encourage employers to provide childcare support and safe transport for female workers. Particular efforts will be made to train women in male-dominated positions such as guides, cooks, waiters, and drivers, and provide recognition to firms that encourage women in these positions.

Mission Basundhara 2.0 

Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mission Basundhara 2.0 initiative to ascertain the concept of ‘mor maati, mor adhikaar’ (my land, my rights). 

It has been developed to make land revenue services more efficient and accessible to citizens. The services under Mission Basundhara 2.0 are ownership rights to occupancy tenants, settlement of transferred annual Patta land among others.

Mission Basundhara initiative was started by the Government of Assam on 2nd October 2021. 

About Mission Basundhara 2.0

  • Mission Basundhara includes land-related services like land mutation, updating of land records and delivery of these services to the people at their homes without visiting Circle offices through a completely digital process.
  • Settlement of Government ‘khas’ land and ‘ceiling surplus’ land to eligible persons.
  • Settlement of Annual Patta (AP) lands that have already been transferred from the original AP Holder to eligible occupant by granting Periodic Patta (PP) with a view to confer permanent, heritable and transferable rights to the PP Holder. 
  • Settlement of Village Grazing Reserve (VGR) and Professional Grazing Reserve (PGR)
  • Settlement of hereditairy land to tribal communities. 
  • Settlement of land for special cultivation (tea, coffee, rubber etc.) to indigenous growers.

Northeast Green Summit begins in Umsaw

The 7th edition of the Northeast Green Summit begins in Umsaw, Meghalaya with the theme ‘Balancing People, Planet, Profit: Sustainable Northeast India and BIMSTEC region’.

The event is organised by Vibgyor NE Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in green issues of Northeast India.

According to the organiser the event will bring together policy makers, green professionals and budding entrepreneurs.

The event aims to celebrate the rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage of Northeast India, showcase their inter-linkages and focus on the need for an integrated approach for sustaining this heritage. 

The summit will showcase the region’s achievements in adopting green practices, products and services. It is striving towards preserving, maximising and developing the potential of the unique biodiversity zone of Northeast India through various awareness programmes. 

Shri Arun Goel appointed as new Election Commissioner

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed retired IAS Arun Goel as Election Commissioner of India with effect from the date he assumes the office. 

Goel will join Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey in the poll panel.

The post of Election Commissioner in the three-member Election Commission of India had been vacant since May when Rajiv Kumar was elevated from the post of Election Commissioner to CEC upon the retirement of Sushil Chandra.

Arun Goel is an IAS officer from the Punjab cadre. Even though he was scheduled to retire on December 31 at age 60, he took voluntary retirement. Until his voluntary retirement, he was the secretary for heavy industries. He previously worked for the union ministry of culture.

Gandhi Mandela Award 2022

The 14th Dalai Lama conferred the Gandhi Mandela Award 2022 at Thekchen Choeling in Dharamshala’s McleodGanj by the governor of Himachal Pradesh Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar.

Key Points

  • The Gandhi Mandela Foundation is a non-profit organisation and a government of India registered Trust.
  • The foundation is formed with the motive to promote Mahatma Gandhi’s and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela’s values of non-violence. 
  • It has constituted an international prize, the Gandhi Mandela Award. 
  • The foundation instituted the award on the 150th birth anniversary of MK Gandhi. 
  • The award is given to the personalities who have carried forward the legacies of Gandhi and Mandela by making significant contributions in the fields of Peace, Social Welfare, Culture, Environment, Education, Healthcare, Sports and Innovation.
  • This time, the awardee, Dalai Lama, was selected by a jury including former Chief Justice of India, former Chief Justice of Nepal and former Chief Justice of Bangladesh.
  • The Dalai Lama is the recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize.

National Sports Awards 2022

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2022. The President of India will present the awards to the recipients at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on November 30, 2022.

Key Points

Major Dhyaan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Shri Sharath Kamal Achanta Table Tennis

Arjuna Awards For Sports and Games 2022: 

  1. Ms Seema Punia Athletics 
  2. Shri Eldhose Paul Athletics 
  3. Shri Avinash Mukund Sable Athletics 
  4. Shri Lakshya Sen Badminton 
  5. Shri Prannoy HS Badminton 
  6. Shri Amit Boxing 
  7. Ms Nikhat Zareen Boxing 
  8. Ms Bhakti Pradip Kulkarni Chess 
  9. Shri R Praggnanandhaa Chess 
  10. Ms Deep Grace Ekka Hockey 
  11. Ms Shushila Devi Judo 
  12. Ms Sakshi Kumari Kabaddi 
  13. Ms Nayan Moni Saikia Lawn Bowl 
  14. Shri Sagar Kailas Ovhalkar Mallakhamb 
  15. Ms ElavenilValarivan Shooting 
  16. Shri Omprakash Mitharval Shooting 
  17. Ms Sreeja Akula Table Tennis 
  18. Shri Vikas Thakur Weightlifting 
  19. Ms Anshu Wrestling 
  20. Ms Sarita Wrestling 
  21. Shri Parveen Wushu 
  22. Ms Manasi Girishchandra Joshi Para Badminton 
  23. Shri Tarun Dhillon Para Badminton 
  24. Shri Swapnil Sanjay Patil Para Swimming 
  25. Ms Jerlin Anika J Deaf Badminton

Dronacharya Award for Coaches in Sports and Games: Regular Category: 

  1. Shri Jiwanjot Singh Teja Archery 
  2. Shri Mohammad Ali Qamar Boxing 
  3. Ms Suma Siddharth Shirur Para Shooting 
  4. Shri Sujeet Maan Wrestling

Dronacharya Award for Coaches in Sports and Games: Lifetime Category 

  1. Shri Dinesh Jawahar Lad Cricket 
  2. Shri Bimal Prafulla Ghosh Football 
  3. Shri Raj Singh Wrestling

Dhyanchand Award For Lifetime Achivement: 

  1. Ms Ashwini Akkunji C. Athletics 
  2. Shri Dharamvir Singh Hockey 
  3. Shri B.C Suresh Kabaddi 
  4. Shri Nir Bahadur Gurung Para Athletics

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2022: Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar

Awards 

Dhyan Chand Award: It was instituted in 2002. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the most spectacular and outstanding performance by the sportsperson over the period of the previous four years.

Arjuna awards: It was instituted in 1961. The “Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games” is granted in recognition of exemplary performance over the course of the previous four years as well as leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline-related attributes.

Dronacharya Awards: It was instituted in 1985 to honour eminent Coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious International sports events. 

The “Dronacharya Award for exceptional coaches in Sports and Games” is granted to coaches who consistently perform excellent and meritorious work and help athletes succeed in international competitions.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy: It was instituted in 1956-57. It is given to the overall Top performing University in inter-university tournaments.

Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar: It was instituted from 2009 to recognize the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development.