These current affairs are written in a easy to remember format and are useful for competitive exams like - UPSC Civil Services, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPPSC, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna
The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna stands renamed as the "Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna".
Dhyan Chand, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, is considered India's greatest hockey player.
His birthday, on August 29, marks the National Sports Day, when the National Sports Awards are presented each year.
The change of name was suggested by the Committee for Review of Sports Awards and Special (Cash) Award Scheme, constituted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in February 2019.
Social Issues
Agalega island: Mauritius
Al Jazeera reported on the construction of an airstrip and two jetties to house an Indian military base on Agalega, located about 1,000 km north of the archipelago's main island.
But the Mauritian government denied any plans to allow a military installation on the Agalega island.
Although work was under way on two projects agreed during PM Modi's 2015 visit to Mauritius - a three-kilometre air strip and a jetty - they would not be used for military purposes.
Chagos island
The report raised fears of a repeat of the 1965 decision by Britain to separate the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and set up a joint military base with the United States on Diego Garcia, the largest of the isles.Britain insists the islands belong to London and has renewed a lease agreement with the United States to use Diego Garcia until 2036.
Diego Garcia played a strategic role during the Cold War, and then as an airbase, including during the war in Afghanistan.
The Chagos Archipelago is a group of seven atolls comprising more than 60 islands in the Indian Ocean about 500 kilometres south of the Maldives archipelago.
Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1968, and has since claimed the Chagos Archipelago, still administered by the British, as Mauritian territory.
International Relations
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Health Mission (NHM).
The Yojana was launched on 12th April 2005 to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and to promote institutional delivery among pregnant women especially with weak socio-economic status i.e. women from SC/ST and BPL households.
JSY is a 100 % centrally sponsored scheme and it integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care.
Under the scheme, eligible pregnant women are entitled to cash assistance irrespective of the age of mother and number of children for giving birth in a government or accredited private health facility.
The scheme also provides performance-based incentives to women health volunteers known as ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) for promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women.
Gov. Schemes
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
The Zoological Survey of India, got its first woman Director - Dhriti Banerjee, entomologist with an expertise in Diptera.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), founded on 1 July 1916 by Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as premier Indian organisation in zoological research and studies to promote the survey, exploration and research of the fauna in the country.
Headquartered in Kolkata, the ZSI has 16 regional centres and about 300 scientists.
Environment
Who is "Dara Shikoh" ?
The final resting place of Mughal prince Dara Shikoh remains a mystery, with the Archaeological Survey of India saying it has not located the grave within the Humayun's Tomb complex over a year after a committee was formed for the job.
Dara Shikoh, who was Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's son and expected heir, was killed on the orders of his brother Aurangzeb in 1659 after losing the war of succession.
Art & Culture