LAW AND AMENDMENTS

Supreme Court Allows SC/ST Sub-Classification by States

• The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, ruled that state governments can sub-classify SCs and STs for reservations.

• This verdict overrules a 2004 decision which deemed such sub-classification impermissible.

• The court's ruling requires that sub-classification be based on sufficient data showing inadequate representation and varying levels of social backwardness.

• In 1975, Punjab's circular dividing its 25% SC reservation into two categories was an early example of sub-classification.

• Article 14 of the Constitution allows for sub-classification of groups that are not similarly situated under the law.

• The court affirmed that sub-classification must not provide exclusive benefits to specific castes to comply with Article 341(2).

• The seven-judge bench clarified that sub-classification must reflect different levels of social backwardness within SCs and STs.

• State governments are now empowered to adjust reservations to better address disparities within SC and ST communities.

APPOINTMENTS

Sadhna Saxena Nair has become the first woman to be appointed as Director General Medical Services (Army).

• Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman appointed as Director General Medical Services (Army).

• She previously served as the first woman Director General of Hospital Services (Armed Forces).

• Nair graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune.

• She also holds the distinction of being the first woman Principal Medical Officer in both the Western Air Command and the Training Command of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Lt Gen Nair was nominated as an expert member of the Dr. Kasturirangan Committee.

• The Dr. Kasturirangan Committee was tasked with drafting the medical education component of the National Education Policy.

• Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the history of the Indian Army's medical services.

SPORTS

Swapnil Kusale won a bronze medal at 50-metre rifle 3-position shooting

• Swapnil Kusale won a bronze medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

• Kusale's performance at the National Shooting Center in Châteauroux on August 1 earned him a total score of 451.4 points.

• He achieved scores of 156.8 in the prone position, 153.3 in kneeling, and 195 in the standing position.

• This victory marks the first time an Indian shooter has won an Olympic medal in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions event.

• With this win, India has now secured its third medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics.

• China's Y.K. Liu claimed the gold with a score of 463.6 points, while Ukraine's S. Kulish took the silver with 461.3 points.

• Swapnil Kusale’s achievement has set a historic milestone for Indian shooting at the Olympics.

INDEX AND RANKINGS

India is ranked 39th in Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024

• India is ranked 39th in the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, which evaluates 119 countries.

• The index report is published by the World Economic Forum.

• In 2022, India accounted for 14.3 million international tourist arrivals, making up 1.47% of the global market.

• India’s share of international arrivals in Asia and the Pacific was 15.66% in 2022.

• The UN Tourism Barometer reported 975 million global international tourist arrivals in 2022.

• Minister of Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted improvements in India’s travel and tourism scores.

• India’s progress was noted in areas such as prioritization of travel and tourism, safety and security, and health and hygiene.

• The Travel & Tourism Development Index assesses countries based on various factors related to tourism growth and infrastructure.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Nine agreements were signed by India and Vietnam.

• India and Vietnam signed nine agreements to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

• The agreements cover areas including customs, agriculture, law, broadcasting, culture, and tourism.

• Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

• Both leaders agreed to bolster economic, strategic, and cultural ties between the two nations.

• India-Vietnam bilateral trade has reached $15 billion, with both countries aiming to increase this figure.

• An action plan was established for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership from 2024 to 2028.

• A memorandum of understanding was signed between Central Agricultural University, Manipur, and Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences for agricultural research and education.

• Another MoU was signed between Prasar Bharati and Voice of Vietnam for collaboration on radio and television.

STATE NEWS

Ramanagara district has been renamed as Bengaluru South

• The Karnataka Government has renamed Ramanagara district to Bengaluru South.

• Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led the Cabinet meeting where the renaming decision was made.

• Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who first proposed the renaming in October 2023, is also the minister-in-charge of Ramanagara.

• The renaming aims to enhance the benefits associated with Bengaluru's prestige for Ramanagara residents.

• Ramanagara district was formed in 2007 after splitting from Bangalore Rural district.

• It includes the taluks of Ramanagara, Channapatna, Harohalli, Kanakapura, and Magadi.

• Karnataka now has a total of 31 districts.

• The change is intended to align Ramanagara more closely with Bengaluru's development and opportunities.

BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

India's April-June fiscal deficit stood at Rs 1.36 lakh crore

• India's fiscal deficit for April-June 2024 reached Rs 1.36 lakh crore, representing 8.1% of the annual estimate.

• Total receipts for the period were Rs 8.34 lakh crore, while expenditures amounted to Rs 9.70 lakh crore.

• The previous year's total receipts were 22.1% of the estimate, while expenditures were 23.3%.

• Revenue receipts were approximately Rs 8.30 lakh crore, including Rs 5.50 lakh crore from tax revenue and Rs 2.80 lakh crore from non-tax revenue.

• Tax revenue was 21.1% of the budgeted estimate, and non-tax revenue was 70.1%.

• Tax revenue last year was higher at 18.6% of the budgeted figure.

• Expenditure in the current period is slightly lower compared to the previous year's percentage.

• The fiscal deficit reflects the shortfall between total receipts and expenditure for the first quarter.

MISCELLANEOUS

‘State Museum Conclave on the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum’ has been inaugurated.

• The State Museum Conclave for the upcoming Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum has been inaugurated.

• Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, the Minister for Culture and Tourism, launched the three-day conclave at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

• The primary aim of the conclave is to enhance discussions among stakeholders about various aspects of the new museum.

• Shekhawat emphasized that India is working towards establishing the largest museum in the world.

• Over 150 stakeholders are attending the conclave, including 80 representatives from state museums and universities across India.

• The Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum will be a key component of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project in New Delhi.

• The museum is planned to cover an area of 154,000 square meters, making it the largest museum globally.