National News
Govt Makes ISI Mark Mandatory For Stainless Steel And Aluminium Utensils
The government has mandated conformity to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminium utensils to enhance kitchen safety, quality and efficiency. According to an order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the ISI mark will be compulsory for such utensils. Consumer Affairs Ministry said, non-compliance to this order is punishable. Recently, the BIS has developed a range of standards covering essential kitchen items.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. Here are some key points about BIS:
- Role: BIS is responsible for the development of standards and certification of products across various sectors to ensure quality, safety, and reliability.
- Functions: It formulates Indian Standards (IS) across a wide range of products and services, covering materials, processes, systems, and services.
- Certification: BIS operates a certification scheme known as the ISI mark, which signifies conformity to Indian Standards. This mark is widely recognized and trusted by consumers and industries.
- Regulation: BIS also works with regulatory authorities to enforce standards and ensure consumer protection.
- International Engagement: BIS is a member of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and actively participates in international standardization efforts.
- Headquarters: The headquarters of BIS is located in New Delhi, and it operates regional offices across India to facilitate standards development and certification processes.
Head Of BIS: Pramod Kumar Tiwari
Modi government reconstitutes 8 Cabinet Committees. Know the members
- The Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government reconstituted the eight subcommittees of the Union Cabinet on 3 July 2024 after being sworn in for the record third consecutive time.
- Of the 72 members of the Union Council Minister, including the Prime Minister Modi, 31 are of Cabinet rank. These Cabinet ministers are part of the newly reconstituted Cabinet sub-committee. The Prime Minister is the head of the Union Council of Ministers and chairs its meetings.
- The cabinet sub-committee of which the Prime Minister is a part will always be chaired by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is not a member of two subcommittees: the Cabinet Committee on Skill, Employment and Livelihood and the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs. Following are the reconstituted Union Cabinet Committee and its members.
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet consists of two members,
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
- Union Home Minister & Ministry of Cooperation – Amit Shah.
Cabinet Committee on Security
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
- Minister of Defence -Rajnath Singh,
- Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation- Amit Shah,
- Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs- Nirmala Sitharaman,
- Minister of External Affairs- Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
- Minister of Defence -Rajnath Singh,
- Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation- Amit Shah,
- Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs- Nirmala Sitharaman,
- Minister of Road Transport and Highways- Nitin Gadkari,
- Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Minister of Rural Development- Shivraj Singh Chouhan,
- Minister of Heavy Industries and Minister of Steel- H. D. Kumaraswamy,
- Minister of Commerce and Industry- Piyush Goyal,
- Minister of Education- Dharmendra Pradhan,
- Minister of Panchayati Raj; and Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying- Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh,
Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
- Minister of Defence -Rajnath Singh,
- Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation- Amit Shah,
- Minister of Road Transport and Highways.-Nitin Gadkari,
- Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers- Jagat Prakash Nadda,
- Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs- Nirmala Sitharaman,
- Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.-Jitan Ram Manjhi,
- Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways- Sarbananda Sonowal,
- Minister of Civil Aviation- Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu,
- Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change- Bhupender Yadav,
- Minister of Women and Child Development- Annapurna Devi,
- Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of Minority Affairs-Kiren Rijiju,
- Minister of Coal and Minister of Mines- G. Kishan Reddy.
Cabinet Committee on Investment and Growth
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
- Minister of Defence -Rajnath Singh,
- Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation- Amit Shah,
- Minister of Road Transport and Highways.-Nitin Gadkari,
- Minister of Finance and Minister of Corporate Affairs- Nirmala Sitharaman,
- Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution; and Minister of New and Renewable Energy- Pralhad Joshi,
- Minister of Textiles- Giriraj Singh,
- Minister of Railways; Minister of lnformation and Broadcasting; and Minister of Electronics and lnformation Technology- Ashwini Vaishnaw,
- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas- Hardeep Singh Puri,
- Minister of Food Processing lndustries- Chirag Paswan,
IGNOU Launches MA Programme in Bhagavad Gita Studies
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced the launch of a new MA programme in Bhagavad Gita Studies for the academic session 2024-2025. The course will begin in July 2024 and will be offered through open and distance learning (ODL).
Programme Highlights
- Course Duration: 2 to 4 years
- Seats Available: 500
- Credits: 80
- Medium of Instruction: Hindi (with plans to introduce English)
- Course Fee: Rs 12,600 for the entire two-year course or Rs 6,300 annually
- Study Material: Available in print and digital forms
Educational Qualifications: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent from a recognised university in any field.
International News
Keir Starmer appointed 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Sir Keir Starmer has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Monarch King Charles III on 5 July 2024 at Buckingham Palace in London. Sir Keir Starmer is the 58th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Buckingham Palace is the official residence and office of the United Kingdom monarch.
- Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party won a landslide victory in the recently held parliamentary election. He replaced the Conservative Party leader, Rishi Sunak, whose party badly lost the election.
- Sir Keir Starmer will be the new occupant of 10 Downing Street in London, which is the official residence and office of the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister.
About the United Kingdom
- The United Kingdom is a sovereign country that consists of four countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
- Officially, the United Kingdom came into existence in 1801 when Northern Ireland joined the Kingdom of Great Britain.
- The Kingdom of Great Britain refers to England, Wales and Scotland. It officially came into existence in 1707 when the Kingdom of Scotland Joined the Kingdom of England and Wales.
- Capital of United Kingdom: London
- Currency of United Kingdom: Pound Sterling
Belarus Joins SCO 10th member, PM Modi skips Summit Meeting in Astana
The 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held on 4 July 2024 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hosted the summit meeting.
The Eurasian country of Belarus was admitted as the 10th full member of the SCO. The Indian Prime Minister skipped the meeting, and India was represented by the External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar.
16 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, and Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also participated in the meeting.
Belarus admitted as the 10th Member of SCO
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was established on June 15, 2001, by five countries: Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. It was a regional organisation that replaced the China-led Shanghai Five Organisation.
- The SCO was first expanded in 2017 when India and Pakistan joined the organisation.
- It was further expanded in 2023, and Iran was admitted as its 9th Member.
- Belarus, which was earlier the Observer country at the SCO, was upgraded and made the 10th full member of the SCO in 2024.
Observer Status: Afghanistan and Mongolia
25th SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting
- The 25th SCO Council of Heads of State Meeting will be held in China as China has assumed the rotating Presidency of the SCO from Kazakhstan.
- The annual Presidency of the SCO rotates amongst the member states.
- The Chinese city of Qingdao has been appointed as the SCO’s tourism and cultural capital for 2024-2025.
About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is an intergovernmental organisation that was established in 2001. The group focuses on furthering regional security and cooperation among its member states.
- However, recently, there has been concern that the SCO is being turned into an anti-Western alliance led by China and Russia.
- Many analysts believe this is one of the reasons why Narendra Modi skipped the Summit meeting in Astana.
- The Council of Heads of States is the supreme decision-making body of the SCO, which meets once a year.
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Permanent Members of SCO (10 Countries): Kazakhstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, India, Pakistan, Iran and Belarus.
- Observer Members (2): Afghanistan and Mongolia
Banking news
State Bank of India (SBI) Launches New Initiatives on Its 69th Foundation Day
On the occasion of the its 69th foundation day (1st July 2024), the State Bank of India (SBI) announced 11 new initiatives to enhance the banking experience for its customers and widen the bank’s accessibility. These initiatives span digital advancements, improved customer services, and specialized products for different segments.
SBI has launched the UPI Tap-and-Pay feature on the BHIM SBI Pay app, which uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for swift and effortless digital payments.
- Transactions under Rs 500 can be completed without a PIN using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Lite.
- Transactions above Rs 500 require a UPI PIN for enhanced security.
SBI has established 35 new Agri CPCs to streamline agricultural loan processing and mitigate risks.
To better serve its NRI (Non-Resident Indian) clients, SBI’s Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara inaugurated its second Global NRI Centre (GNC) in Patiala, Punjab.
About State Bank of India (SBI):
- Chairman– Dinesh Kumar Khara
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Establishment- 1 July 1955
- Tagline- Pure Banking, Nothing Else
LIC Launches ‘Jeevan Samarth’ to Transform Agency Operations and Adapt to Changing Insurance Landscape
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched ‘Jeevan Samarth’, an agency transformation project, to future-proof its 14 lakhs (1.4 million) agents workforce to meet evolving customer needs.
- LIC has partnered A. T. Kearney, with global strategy consulting firm, to undertake the transformation project by reviewing the LIC’s existing agency framework.
About Jeevan Samarth:
- i.The project entails revamping agency operations at Branch, Division, and Zonal levels and establishing global best practices amidst the changing insurance industry and regulatory landscapes in India.
- ii.The project aims to align the agency ecosystem with the evolving needs of Indian families. iii.It will focus on providing suitable long-term savings, protection, health insurance, Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), and pension solutions.
- iv.This transformation will equip the committed LIC agents with more tools and skills individually within a more robust ecosystem, ensuring profitable growth for the Corporation.
About Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC):
- Chairperson– Siddhartha Mohanty
- Managing Directors (MDs)- M. Jagannath, Tablesh Pandey, Sat Pal Bhanoo, R. Doraiswamy
- Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established 1956
Appointment news
Hemant Soren Sworn in as the CM of Jharkhand for the third time
- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was sworn in as the chief minister of Jharkhand on 4 July 2024 for the third time. He was administered the oath of office and secrecy as the 13th chief minister of Jharkhand by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at a ceremony in the Rajbhavan in Ranchi,
- This is the third time Hemant Soren has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He was first sworn in as chief minister in 2013 and remained in office till 2014. He was again made the chief minister from 2019 till his resignation on 31 January 2024.
Jharakhand:
- Capital: Ranchi
- Governor: C. P. Radhakrishnan
Puma India Appoints Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy as Brand Ambassadors to Target Gen Z Audience
- PUMA India, a leading sports brand, has named Indian Cricketers Riyan Parag (23 years) of Assam and Nitish Kumar Reddy (21 years) of Andhra Pradesh, as its new brand ambassadors. This move is aimed at deepening Puma’s connection with Generation Z (Gen Z) consumers in India.
- As brand ambassadors, Parag, and Reddy will promote Puma’s footwear, apparel, athleisure, and accessories through various events and initiatives.
- Riyan Parag made his debut for Assam in the 2017-18 Ranji Trophy season and was part of Indian Team that won the Under-19 (U 19) World Cup in 2018.
Dhirendra Ojha Appointed Principal Spokesperson of Government
In a significant move to strengthen the government’s communication strategy, senior Indian Information Service (IIS) officer Dhirendra K Ojha has been appointed as the principal spokesperson of the central government. This appointment marks an important day in the realm of government communications, as it brings fresh leadership to crucial information dissemination roles.
Key Responsibilities:
- Acting as the principal spokesperson for the central government
- Overseeing operations of the Press Information Bureau
- Coordinating with various ministries and departments for effective communication
RBI Appoints Charulatha S Kar as Executive Director
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Smt. Charulatha S Kar as Executive Director (ED), effective from July 1, 2024. Previously serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge in the Human Resource Management Department, she brings over three decades of experience in various roles including Payment and Settlement Systems, Information Technology, and Government Banking. Smt. Kar has represented the RBI in several international forums and committees.
Ranks and reports
Mercer’s Cost of Living City Ranking 2024 Highlights Mumbai’s Rising Expenses
According to the Mercer’s latest “Cost of Living City Ranking 2024” report, Mumbai (Maharashtra) emerged as the costliest city in India, compared to all the Indian cities featured in the report.
Overall, Mumbai has secured 136th spot in the report, up by 11spots compared to 2023.
Key Points:
- Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region (SAR) (China), Singapore (Singapore) and Zurich (Switzerland) ranked at 1st, 2nd and 3rd spot respectively, emerged as the world’s top3 Costliest Cities in 2024 for 2nd consecutive year.
- As per the report, Abuja, Nigeria (226th), Lagos, Nigeria (225th ) and Islamabad, Pakistan (224th) are the top 3 least expensive cities in the world.
- The report surveyed around 226 cities worldwide to provide information on global mobility.
- It covered over 200 expense items such as: housing, transportation, food, clothing, and entertainment, among others. It used New York City as the base city and the currency was maintained in US dollars to maintain consistency.
About Mercer:
- President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Pat Tomlinson
- Headquarters- New York, the USA
- Established- 1945
Sports news
Kolkata, Kokrajhar, Jamshedpur & Shillong to host 133rd Durand Cup
- The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup will kick off on 27 July 2024. Asia’s and India’s oldest club-based football tournament will end on 31 August 2024, with the final being played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- The 133rd Durand Cup matches will be held in Kolkata, Kokrajhar(Assam), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), and Shillong(Meghalaya). For the first time, Jamshedpur will host the Durand Cup matches.
- Mohun Bagan Super Giant is the reigning champion who defeated East Bengal last year to lift the trophy.
133rd Durand Cup Teams and Venues
- The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup will feature 24 teams drawn from the Indian Super League, I-League, and Armed Forces. In the past, foreign teams have also participated in the tournament.
- Durand Cup 2024 will feature 43 matches, played in a round-robin league-cum-knockout format, with the 24 teams divided into six groups of four.
- The tournament’s opening match, the semi-finals, and the finals will be played in Kolkata.
- Kokrajhar, Shillong, and Jamshedpur will each host one group, while matches of the remaining three groups will be played in Kolkata.
- Kokrajhar will host matches at the SAI Stadium, Jamshedpur at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Shillong at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Kolkata will host matches at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan and Kishore Bharati Krirangan stadium.
Who Organises the Durand Cup?
The Durand Cup was started by the British Armed Forces stationed in India. The first Durand Cup was held in Shimla in 1888. At present, the Durand Cup is jointly organised by the Indian Army and the All India Football Federation.
Durand cup:
- Origins: Named after Mortimer Durand, the British Foreign Secretary in India, the Durand Cup began as a football tournament restricted to British regiment teams in India.
- Inclusion of Indian Clubs: It later opened up to Indian clubs, with Mohammedan Sporting becoming the first Indian club to win the cup in 1940.
- Most Successful Teams: Mohun Bagan Super Giant, based in Kolkata, is the most successful team in the tournament’s history, winning it 17 times. East Bengal, another Kolkata-based club, follows closely with 16 titles.
- Recent Winners: Gokulam Kerala, an I-League team, won the Durand Cup most recently in 2019.
- Military Teams: Army Green was the last team from the armed forces to win the cup, achieving this in 2016.
