GK & CA
Collection of weekly GK & CA since year 2016.
August, 2018
3715
Next generation influenza vaccine
EU, India to collaborate on developing next generation influenza vaccine. The EU and the Indian government's Department of Biotechnology have committed 15 million Euros each to fund this joint project. The EU is funding is under its programme for research and innovation 'Horizon 2020'.
Wed, 29 Aug, 20183714
INS Vikramaditya: marine hydraulic system
For the first time, India’s only aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya will be fitted with marine hydraulic systems “GS-1MF and GS-3” to boost the air operations of the ship. The systems would be fitted by Russia’s Rostec State Corporation through its subsidiary “Technodinamika” by May 2019.
Tue, 28 Aug, 20183713
SpiceJet: India's 1st biofuel-powered flight
3712
PM Modi launches India Post Payments Bank
IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) will focus on providing banking and financial services to people in rural areas, by linking all the 1.55 lakh post offices.
Tue, 28 Aug, 20183711
N Chopra:1st Indian to win a gold medal for India in javelin
3710
Tony award-winning U.S. playwright Neil Simon (91)
U.S. playwright Neil Simon, who became one of Broadway's most prolific and popular playwrights as he combined humor, drama and introspection in works such as The Odd Couple, The Goodbye Girl, and Lost in Yonkers.
Mon, 27 Aug, 20183709
World’s first public blockchain bond “bond-i”
The world’s first blockchain bond “bond-i” has recently launched by World Bank (WB), which is to be created, allocated, transferred and managed through its life cycle using distributed ledger technology. The “bond-I” stands for Blockchain Operated New Debt Instrument and is also has reference to Sydney’s most famous beach ‘Bondi Beach’.
Mon, 27 Aug, 20183708
Don Bradman (27 Aug 1908 - 25 Feb 2001 )
3706
Delhi-Mumbai 12-hour Expressway to come soon
3705
Fabless Chip Design Incubator (FabCI)
IIT-H has launched an exclusive incubator “FabCI) to boost chip design. It is a first of its kind in India that will focus on creating an ecosystem for start-ups in chip design. The purpose of FabCI is to incubate at least 50 ‘Make-in-India’ chip design companies that can compete globally and generate Intellectual Property Rights.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183704
Helicopter-launched, anti-tank missile Helina flight tested
India’s quest to equip itself with more short-range, tactical strike power got a boost with the testing of the helicopter-launched, anti-tank guided missile HELINA.The indigenously developed weapon system was successfully flight tested from an Army helicopter in the desert areas of Pokhran in Rajasthan. It is most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183703
Chandrayaan-I data confirms presence of ice on Moon
Scientists have found frozen water deposits in the darkest and coldest parts of the Moon’s polar regions using data from the Chandrayaan-I spacecraft, that was launched by India ten years ago.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183702
Rahi Sarnobat becomes first Indian woman to shoot Asiad gold
Rahi Sarnobat became the first Indian woman shooter to win a gold at the Asian Games, achieving the feat after a nerve-wracking 25m air pistol finals. Sarnobat became the second Indian shooter to win a gold here after 16-year-old Saurabh Chaudhary’s.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183701
New Chhattisgarh capital to be named Atal Nagar
Chhattisgarh’s proposed capital, Naya Raipur, will now be named Atal Nagar after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A memorial of Atal ji will come up in Naya Raipur. A statue of Vajpayee will also be installed at Naya Raipur as well as in all 27 district headquarters of the state and a central park will be developed.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183700
Wrestler Bajrang wins India’s 1st gold medal
3699
Agri pest Fall Armyworm spotted in Telangana
The Fall Armyworm, a feared agricultural pest that was noticed in Karnataka for the first time in the country, has now been reported in neighbouring Telangana. It is regarded as a pest and can damage and destroy a wide variety of crops, which causes large economic damage.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183698
Shardul Vihan 15, wins silver in men’s double trap
Fifteen-year-old Shardul Vihan on Thursday became the youngest Indian shooter to win a medal at the Asian Games after he finished second in the men’s double trap here, extending the sensational run of teenaged shooters from the country.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183697
Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar passes away
3696
Hi-tech drones come to the aid of Japan’s ageing farmers
The next generation farmhand in Japan's ageing rural heartland may be a drone. For several months, developers and farmers in northeast Japan have been testing a new drone that can hover above paddy fields and perform backbreaking tasks in a fraction of the time it takes for elderly farmers.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183695
DNA reveals first inter-species child
3694
Uri Avnery, was the renowned journalist
Uri Avnery (94), a trailblazing Israeli journalist & peace activist and one of the first to openly advocate for a Palestinian state.He was famous for crossing the lines during the Siege of Beirut to meet Palestinian leader Yassir Arafat on 3 July 1982. It was first time that the Palestinian leader ever met with an Israeli.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183693
August 21
The first-ever International Day of Remembrance and tribute to the Victims of Terrorism is observed by United Nations on 21st August 2018 to honour the innocent victims of terror attacks around the world, who will forever remain in our hearts.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183692
Genetic code of wheat cultivated crop for the first time
For the 1st time, the International team of scientists including 18 from India cracked the genetic code of wheat, the world’s most widely cultivated crop. The information generated will help to identify genes controlling complex agronomic traits such as yield, grain quality, resistance to diseases & pests.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183691
August 19: World Photography Day
To encourage photographers across the planet to share a single photo with the world with an aim – to share their world with the world. The idea behind the day is inspiring positive change in the world, by sharing the stories of the photographers from all around the world through their photographs.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183690
August 19: The World Humanitarian Day
To pay tribute to aid workers who risk their lives in humanitarian service, and to rally support for people affected by crises around the world. The day recognizes humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes.
Sat, 25 Aug, 20183688
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
3687
India pitches: 2019 as International Year of Millets
It has requested inclusion of this proposal in agenda of 26th session of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) meeting, scheduled to be held in October 2018 in Rome, Italy. Adoption of this proposal by FAO with support of its member nations will enable it to be moved to United Nations General Assembly for declaration of 2019 as International Year of Millets
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183686
Tokyo 2020 Olympics to use facial recognition in security
Tokyo 2020 Olympics to use facial recognition in security first. Tokyo 2020 will be the first Olympics to deploy facial recognition technology to increase security around all venues.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183685
Aerogel: Super-insulating gel could help build Mars habitats
The "aerogel," which looks like a flattened plastic contact lens, could also be used on buildings on Earth to help make huge savings on energy costs. Scientists have developed a transparent heat-resistant gel using beer waste that may one day be used to build greenhouse-like habitats for human colonised on Mars.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183684
India to launch first manned space mission by 2022:PM
India will launch its first manned space mission by 2022 and roll out a health insurance scheme from September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Indian tricolour to space" in a manned mission that would make India the fourth nation to launch one, after the United States, Russia and China.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183683
Axis Bank introduces iris authentication
1st bank in the country to introduce Iris Scan Authentication feature for Aadhaar-based transactions through its micro ATM tablets. Customer to scan their iris on a tablet, will boost the bank's financial inclusion efforts by making Aadhaar authentication process hassle-free & offering easier access to digital banking for consumers.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183682
Viraj Madappa:youngest Indian golfer to win Asian Tour title
Twenty-year-old Viraj Madappa delighted the home crowd with a four-under-par 67 to claim a two-shot victory at the TAKE Solutions Masters here on Sunday, becoming the youngest Indian golfer to win on the Asian Tour. Madappa, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, got his big professional breakthrough at the KGA Golf Course here.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183681
NASA’s First Mission to Touch the Sun
3680
August 12: World Elephant Day
To bring the world together to help protect & honour these gentle giants and to spread awareness about the critical threats they are facing. The day is also observed to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants and to share knowledge & positive solutions for the better care and management of captive and wild elephants.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183679
India's first genetic bank for wildlife conservation
India on Sunday got its first scientific and most modern national wildlife genetic resource bank. The bank that contains genetic resources of about 250 wildlife species was dedicated to the nation by union minister of science and technology Harsh Vardhan at the Laboratory for the LaCONES, CCMB.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183678
China: test cutting-edge waverider hypersonic aircraft
The China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics announced that the first flight test of its Starry Sky 2-which it calls the nation's first hypersonic experimental waverider vehicle was conducted last week at an unidentified testing field in northwestern China.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183677
Santhali:India’s 1st language to get own Wikipedia edition
Santhali has become the first Indian tribal language to get a Wikipedia edition in its own script after the Santhali Wikipedia went live earlier this month. The Santhali Wikipedia got approval from the language committee of the Wikimedia Foundation on June 28 and went live on August 2
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183676
Pune gets first spot in Ease of Living Index
Pune ranked first on the Ease of Living Index launched by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday. Navi Mumbai followed at number two while Delhi was low at 65th rank on the list. According to the ministry, The survey was conducted on 111 cities in the country.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183675
PM Modi’s I-Day speech: streamed live on Google, YouTube
In a first-of-its-kind digital drive to increase viewership, public broadcaster Prasar Bharati has tied up with Google and YouTube to telecast live the Independence Day programme, online Google first used this to telecast the inauguration ceremony of US President Trump
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183674
August 13: World Organ Donation Day
Encourage people to donate their precious organs. Every year, about 5 lakh people die awaiting organ transplants due to non-availability of organs.Organs that can be donated are kidney, lungs, heart, eye, liver, pancreas, cornea, small intestine, skin tissues, bone tissues, heart valves and veins.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183673
Ebenezer Cobb Morley (16 Aug 1831 - 20 Nov 1924)
3671
Helium turns 150 on August 18, 2018!
Identifying helium was key in ushering in a new era in astronomy, namely astrophysics.On August 18, in 1868, helium was discovered by astronomers studying the sun during a total solar eclipse. The site of thie discovery was none other than the Andhra coast. It is the only element to have been seen in the sun before it was known to exist on earth.
Sat, 18 Aug, 20183670
Mumbai gives India its first baby penguin
3668
Carolina Marin: 1st woman to win singles WBC
3667
Indian women blitz to gold in Asian Nations Cup
3666
123rd Constitutional Amendment Bill
Which grants constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC). The bill was passed after the House repealed the NCBC Act, 1993. It will contribute to the empowerment of the OBC communities across India.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183665
Andra Pradesh: World’s first thermal battery plant
Thermal batteries being manufactured by Bharat Energy Storage Technology Private Limited (BEST). These batteries are based on alternative sources of energy production, and their presence is expected to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183664
Forty-five new exoplanets discovered
3663
World's largest furniture retailer
IKEA opens country’s first store in Hyderabad. Swedish home furnishings major IKEA sounded the bugle of its retail foray in the country by opening the first store in Hyderabad. World's largest furniture retailer since at least 2008.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183662
Indian telescope spots distant radio galaxy
Astronomers have used an Indian telescope to discover the most distant radio galaxy ever known, located at a distance of 12 billion light-years. The galaxy, from a time when the universe was only 7% of its current age was found using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183661
Karunanidhi, Tamil Nadu’s longest serving Chief Minister
Veteran politician and Dravidian movement stalwart 'Kalaignar' M Karunanidhi (1924-2018) achieved several firsts and only-s in Tamil Nadu. The five-time Chief Minister contested 13 consecutive elections since 1957, and to top it all, he won all of them.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183660
Dilip Sardesai
3659
IIT-Madras powers up a desi chip fabricated by Intel
3658
Thirty years after the 8888 uprising
Myanmar’s stability and development depend on how the issues of equality and federalism are addressed. August 8 marks the 30th anniversary of the people’s uprising in Myanmar. The ‘8888’ uprising is one of Myanmar’s most important historic days in the context of the pro-democracy movement
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183657
August 07: National Handloom Day
National Handloom Day: flaunt the warp and weft. On National Handloom Day, we talk to young fashion influencers on how to wear handlooms trendily. Smriti Rao, a sociologist who works with local weavers, “If we don’t educate our children and inculcate in them a love for home grown textiles, nobody else will.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183656
Telangana to set up hub for biotech, pharma sector
The Telangana govt will setup a state of the art “B-Hub” for biotech & biopharma sector in Genome Valley, Hyderabad. It’s a 1st-of-its-kind initiative in the country, aimed at providing much-needed support to the biopharma research & development activities, featuring a scale-up manufacturing facility along with a turnkey incubator, etc., at GLP.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183655
India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute
India elected president of Asia-Pacific Institute for broadcasting development.Servicing tries of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in the field of electronic media development, for the first time by defeating Iran in the election that took place in Sri Lanka, Information and Broadcasting Ministry officials said.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183654
Humanoid robot Rashmi, Indian version of ‘Sophia’
Ranchi man Ranjit Srivastava, has developed Indian version of ‘Sophia,’ a social humanoid robot developed by a Hong Kong based company, named Rashmi which can speak Hindi, Bhojpuri and Marathi along with English. World’s first Hindi speaking realistic humanoid robot and India’s first lip-synching robot.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183653
ECI has conducted the first-ever Orientation Workshop
Orientation Workshop on Election Management for IAS Asstt Secretaries in New Delhi. The aim of the workshop is to familiarize the Assistant Secretaries with all facets of Electoral Management before they are required to handle crucial assignments in conducting Elections in their field postings soon.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183652
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction railway station
Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction railway station (station code DDU), previously known as Mughalsarai Jn., is a famous railway station in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the fourth busiest railway junction in India. The station contains the largest railway marshaling yard in Asia.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183651
Chinese scientists create first single-chromosome yeast
Chinese scientists claimed to have created the first single-chromosome yeast while not affecting the majority of its functions, a breakthrough that could help in furthering research related to aging and diseases in humans.
Sat, 11 Aug, 20183650
Gaganjeet Bhullar: European Tour title at Fiji International
3648
Teen 1st Asian to swim UK-France channel
A city college student, Prabhat Koli (19), who crossed the English Channel when he was 16, has become the first Asian to swim the choppy water from Jersey (an Island in the UK) to France in cold weather. The long-distance sea swimmer covered 25km in 6 hours and 54 minutes.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183647
Rajasthan:1st Cow Sanctuary, As Tourist Spot
3646
First 'Nepal-India Think Tank' Summit held in Kathmandu
To foster greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the think tanks of the two countries was held in Kathmandu today. The participants including think tanks, policy makers, diplomats, academicians, businesspersons and journalists deliberated on the Indo-Nepal ties and its dimensions in different sessions.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183645
July 31: World Rangers Day
To remember and appreciate the crucial services rendered by rangers who protect, conserve and preserve the biodiversity of our forests at the cost of their lives. The day also commemorates all the selfless men and women who lost their lives protecting defenseless animals against human greed in the line of duty.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183644
NASA: first space flights on commercial spacecraft
The space agency has announced that the nine astronauts will launch on the first crewed test flights and missions of new commercial spacecraft built and operated by The Boeing Company and SpaceX. Indian-origin U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams is among the nine astronauts named by NASA
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183643
NASA’s new planet hunting probe, TESS, begins operations
3642
How Zika virus causes microcephaly
The E protein in Zika virus is mutated and very different from the envelop protein of other flaviviruses such as dengue, West Nilevirus, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis.National Brain Research Centre-led team of researchers has successfully identified the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which Zika virus causes microcephaly.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183641
High-resolution Earth observation satellite to monitor BRI
China successfully launched an optical remote sensing satellite, as part of its high-resolution Earth observation project which will also provide data for the Belt and Road Initiative, official media reported.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183640
Akshay Venkatesh gets prestigious Fields Medal
He is one of four winners of mathematics’ top honour known as the Nobel prize for math.Akshay Venkatesh, a renowned Indian-Australian mathematician, is one of four winners of mathematics’ prestigious Fields medal, known as the Nobel prize for math.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183639
Rajasthan first State to implement biofuel policy
first State in the country to implement the national policy on biofuels unveiled by the Centre in May this year. The desert State will lay emphasis on increasing production of oilseeds and establish a Centre for Excellence in Udaipur to promote research in the fields of alternative fuels and energy resources.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183638
July 29: International Tiger Day
Every year, July 29 is celebrated as the Global Tiger Day to raise awareness about the endangered big cats. It was created when 13 countries came together in 2009 and pledged to double the world’s Tiger population by 2022 -- the next "Year of the Tiger" on the Asian lunar calendar.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183637
Meena Kumari (1 August 1933– 31 March 1972)
3636
Zimbabweans vote in first post-Mugabe election
Zimbabweans voted on July 30th in the first election since former President Robert Mugabe was ousted in a de facto coup, with allegations of voter suppression raising fears of a disputed result.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183635
Mars appears closest to Earth for the first time in 15 years
Mars and Earth will be closest to each other July 31 for the first time in 15 years since their historically close approach in 2003. Mars will be at a distance of 35.8 million miles from Earth. Mars reaches its highest point around midnight -- about 35 degrees.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183634
Chennai Metro to have all-women-run station soon
Women are more efficient and much more responsible. We think this will be a great move and give a major boost to women employees. It may now seem like a trivial step, but moves like these play a great role in creating a larger impact
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183633
The citizenry test: Assam NRC explained
NRC process will address the issue of illegal migrants, specifically from Bangladesh. The National Register of Citizens was first published in 1951 to record citizens, their houses and holdings. Updating the NRC to root out foreigners was a demand during the Assam Agitation (1979-1985)
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183632
Floating islands of promise in Hauz Khas lake
3631
Identify rare bloodgroup ‘P null’ phenotype
Samples were referred to the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), Bristol, U.K., for serological test. A team of doctors, led by Shamee Shastry from the Blood Bank of Kasturba Medical College (KMC) here, has identified a rare blood group called “pp” or “P null” phenotype.
Sat, 04 Aug, 20183630
Govt. plans ‘ISRO-like’ ocean mission