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Assam Current Affairs – August 13-15, 2024

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Assam and North East Current Affairs & GK- August 13-15, 2024

(Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for August 13-15, 2024)

New Orchid Species Discovered in Sikkim

A unique orchid species- Gastrodia indica, was recently discovered in Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim, by botanist Madhusudan Khanal.

About Gastrodia indica: 

  • Gastrodia indica was found at an altitude of 1,950 to 2,100 meters.
  • It is the first orchid from India that never opens its flower. 
  • This is the first cleistogamous species of the genus Gastrodia discovered from India. 
  • The Gastrodia genus is known for terrestrial, herbaceous, and holomycotrophic orchids. 
  • Cleistogamous plants are highly specialized, as they do not depend on external pollinators like insects or wind for reproduction. 
  • Gastrodia indica is a holomycotrophic plant, meaning it depends entirely on fungi for its nutrients because it lacks chlorophyll.
  • It grows in moist, decaying leaf litter and is found near tree species like Magnolia doltsopa and Acer campbelli. 
  • Gastrodia indica faces potential threats due to its limited population and specific habitat requirements.

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): 2024

Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024. 

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024 were released for 16 categories this year, three more than last year, with open universities, skill universities, and State public universities being the three new categories.

 

NIRF Ranking 2024:  

  • Engineering Institutes: IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay
  • Universities: IISc, Bengaluru JNU, New Delhi, JMI New Delhi 
  • Overall Institutes: IIT Madras, IISc, Bengaluru, IIT Bombay
  • Management Institutes: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kozhikode 
  • Medical Colleges: AIIMS, New Delhi PGIMER, Chandigarh Christian Medical College, Vellore 
  • Colleges: Hindu College, Delhi Miranda House, Delhi St. Stephen’s College, Delhi 
  • State Universities: Anna University, Chennai Jadavpur University, Kolkata Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 
  • Law Institutes: National Law School of India University, Bengaluru National Law University, Delhi NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad 
  • Architecture and Planning Institutes: IIT Roorkee, IIT Kharagpur, NIT Calicut 
  • Open Universities: IGNOU, Netaji Subhash Open University, Kolkata Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University, Ahmedabad
  • Innovation: IIT Bombay IIT Madras IIT Hyderabad 
  • Agriculture and Allied Sectors: Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana 
  • Research Institutes: IISc, Bengaluru IIT Madras IIT Delhi
  • Medical: AIIMS Delhi topped the category. 
  • Dental: Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, and Manipal College of Dental Sciences retained the top two positions. Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi,  secured third position. 

 

About NIRF: 

  • Introduced by: Ministry of Education, Government of India, in 2015 
  • Aims to provide a fair and transparent assessment of higher education institutions in India. 
  • Evaluation Parameters: NIRF evaluates institutions based on five broad categories.
  1. Teaching, Learning, and Resources (TLR) 
  2. Research, Professional Practice, and Collaborative Performance (RPC) 
  3. Graduation Outcomes (GO) 
  4. Outreach and Inclusivity (OI) 
  5. Perception (PR)

Gallantry Awards 2024

President Smt Droupadi Murmu has approved 103 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of Independence Day 2024. 

These are:  four Kirti Chakras including three posthumous; 18 Shaurya Chakras including four posthumous; one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including two posthumous; 11 Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry); and six Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). 

Gallantry Awards 

Kirti Chakra 

  • Total Awards: 4 (including 3 posthumous) 
  • Instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-II, renamed Kirti Chakra in 1967. 
  • Awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. 
  • The medal is circular in shape, made of standard silver. The obverse features an embossed replica of the Ashoka Chakra surrounded by a lotus wreath. 
  • The ribbon is green, divided into three equal parts by two orange vertical lines.

 

Shaurya Chakra 

  • Total Awards: 18 (including 4 posthumous)
  • Instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-III, renamed in 1967. Awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. The medal is circular in shape with the Ashoka Chakra in the center, surrounded by a lotus wreath. 
  • Ribbon is green divided by three vertical lines. Bars are awarded for subsequent acts of gallantry. 

 

Sena Medal (Gallantry) 

  • Total Awards: 64 (including 2 posthumous and 1 Bar).
  • Awarded to personnel of the Indian Army for acts of bravery or exceptional service. 
  • The Bar recognizes additional acts of bravery. 

Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry) 

  • Total Awards: 11 
  • Gallantry award for the Indian Navy, recognizing exceptional devotion to duty or courage. 

Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) 

  • Total Awards: 6 
  • Instituted in 1960 to recognize exceptional devotion to duty or acts of courage by Air Force personnel. 
  • Includes awards for individual acts of bravery and devotion to duty.

 

Mention-in-Despatches 

The President has also approved 39 Mention-in-Despatches, including to Army Dog Kent (posthumous) for their significant contributions in different military operations. 

The operations include Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Sahayata, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid and Operation Katchal.

  • Operation Rakshak: Ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir. 
  • Operation Snow Leopard: Response to standoff with Chinese forces along the LAC in Ladakh. 
  • Operation Sahayata: Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. 
  • Operation Orchid: Counter-insurgency in the Naga Hills and Tuensang area of Nagaland. 
  • Operation Hifazat: Counter-insurgency in the Nagaland-Manipur-Arunachal Pradesh area. 

 

Police Medals President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG) 

President’s Medal for Gallantry (PMG): The highest police decoration for bravery, awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals. 

1 PMG awarded to Shri Chaduvu Yadaiah, Head Constable of Telangana Police, for his extraordinary bravery during a violent confrontation with criminals involved in chain-snatching and arms dealing. 

Medal for Gallantry (GM): 213 GMs awarded for acts of gallantry, with categories including decorations for firefighters and civil defence personnel. 

President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM): 94 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in police work. 

Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM): 729 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) were awarded for valuable service characterized by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.

Three new wetlands added to the list of Ramsar sites

The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed that three more wetlands from India have been added to the list of Ramsar sites. This makes the total Ramsar sites count in India to 85. 

The new sites are the Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and the Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, and the Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.

 

About the newly designated Ramsar Sites:

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): 

  • Nanjarayan Tank Bird Sanctuary is a protected area and bird sanctuary located in Tiruppur district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
  • It is a home to species like the Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, and various herons. 

 

Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): 

  • Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary is a protected area and bird sanctuary located in Villupuram district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
  • The sanctuary has the brakish shallow Kazhuveli lake, which is connected to the Bay of Bengal by the brackish Uppukalli creek and the Edayanthittu Estuary.

 

Tawa Reservoir (Madhya Pradesh): 

  • Tawa Reservoir is located in Itarsi of Narmadapuram District of Madhya Pradesh state, above Betul district. 
  • The reservoir was formed by the construction of the Tawa Dam. The dam provides for irrigation to several thousand hectares of farming land in Narmadapuram and Harda districts. 
  • Tawa Reservoir forms the western boundary of Satpura National Park and Bori Wildlife Sanctuary.

One India-One Ticket Initiative

Indian Railways and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) have partnered to promote the ‘One India-One Ticket’ initiative, to enhance the travel experience for passengers on Indian Railways and Namo Bharat Trains.

Key Points

  • This initiative will enable a unified booking system, allowing commuters to seamlessly travel between Indian Railways and RRTS services.
  • It will allow passengers to book Namo Bharat tickets through IRCTC platform with flexible cancellation and payment.
  • RRTS ticket booking options will appear on the PNR confirmation page and within the user’s booking history.
  • Passengers can generate Unique QR code for Namo Bharat train ticket. The code will be valid for 4 days around the journey date options. 
  • Namo Bharat tickets can be booked up to 120 days in advance, aligning with the current Railway reservation window.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra assumes charge as Indian Ambassador to US

Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra assumed charge as the Ambassador of India to the United States. Kwatra succeeds Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Kwatra has held various positions in many of India’s missions abroad and in India, bringing with him nearly 32 years of experience across a range of assignments. 

Kwatra has previously served at the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office as Joint Secretary. He also served as Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., from May 2010 to July 2013. 

He headed the Policy Planning & Research Division of the Ministry of External Affairs between July 2013 and October 2015, and later served as the head of the Americas Division in the Foreign Ministry, where he managed India’s relations with the United States and Canada.

Huge reservoir of water under Mars, seismic data indicates

Scientists have discovered a reservoir of liquid water deep under Mars’ surface, based on seismic data from NASA’s InSight mission.

The study, ‘Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust’, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). It was conducted by a team from the University of California San Diego, led by scientists Vashan Wright, Matthias Morzfeld, and Michael Manga.

 

Key Points

  • This finding has big implications for understanding how water cycles and climate on Mars have changed over time.
  • Water is located 10-20 km deep, believed to have seeped from the surface billions of years ago. If widespread, this water could fill an ocean 1-2 km deep across Mars.
  • The existence of liquid water raises the tantalizing possibility of discovering a habitable environment on Mars.
  • This discovery could redefine the search for life on Mars, shifting the focus to deep underground environments. It also suggests that Mars may have vast reservoirs of water that could have shaped its geological history.

Australia, U.S., U.K. Sign Nuclear Transfer Deal for AUKUS Submarines

Australia has signed an important deal with the US and the UK to share nuclear secrets and materials. This agreement is a key step toward giving Australia nuclear-powered submarines, as part of the AUKUS security pact.

 

About AUKUS 

It is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, US and UK signed in 2021 to strengthen security and defence interests. 

It aims to build nuclear-powered submarines for Australia

and to develop new military technologies together.

 

Key highlights of the deal 

  • Under the deal, the United States intends to sell Australia three US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarines, in the early 2030s, with an option for Australia to buy two more if needed. 
  • The multi-stage project would culminate with British and Australian production and operation of a new submarine class – SSN-AUKUS. 
  • SSN-AUKUS will be a trilaterally developed vessel based on Britain’s next-generation design. It would be built in Britain and Australia and include cutting edge U.S. technologies. 
  • Britain would take delivery of its first SSN-AUKUS submarine in the late 2030s, and Australia would receive its first in the early 2040s.

 

Impact of this deal

For Australia: Australia will join a small group of countries with nuclear-powered submarines, improving its naval power in the Pacific. 

Australia is committed to not using these submarines for nuclear weapons. 

For U.S.: This is only the second time the U.S. has shared nuclear submarine technology, the first being with the U.K. in 1958. 

For U.K.: The SSN-AUKUS will be built in the U.K. and Australia, using advanced U.S. technology. 

First units will be delivered to the U.K. in the late 2030s and to Australia in the early 2040s.

For India: It can be a tool in strengthening India’s idea of ‘strategic autonomy’ in Indo-Pacific and can complement Quad grouping.

For France: France is not happy with the deal and has termed this deal a “stab in the back” because Australia canceled a previous contract for French submarines.

For Indo-Pacific Region: Under this partnership, technology, scientists, industries and defence forces of these three countries will work together to deliver a safer and more secure region. Some analysts feel that this partnership will lead to intensified arms race in the region.

Govt Issues Guidelines for Model Solar Village Scheme 

The Government has issued operational guidelines for the implementation of Model Solar Village under PM-Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana.

Key Highlights of the Draft Guidelines

  • Under the scheme component ‘Model Solar Village’, emphasis has been made on creating one Model Solar Village per district across India, with the goal of promoting solar energy adoption and enabling village communities to become self-reliant in meeting their energy needs. 
  • Funding: A total financial outlay of ₹800 crore has been allocated for this component, providing ₹1 crore per selected Model Solar Village.

Criteria: 

  • In order to be considered a village under the competition mode, a village must be a revenue village with a population size above 5,000 (or 2,000 for special category states). 
  • The selection process involves a competitive mode where villages are assessed on their overall distributed renewable energy (RE) capacity installed 6 months after the declaration of the potential candidate by District Level Committee (DLC). 

The winning village in each district, with the highest RE capacity, will receive a central financial assistance grant of ₹1 crore. 

Implementation: The implementation of this scheme will be done by State/UT Renewable Energy Development Agency under the supervision of District Level Committee (DLC).

About PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana 

  • It is a central scheme to promote the adoption of solar rooftop systems by providing substantial financial subsidies and ensuring ease of installation.
  • It aims to provide free electricity to one crore households in India, who opt to install roof top solar electricity units. 
  • The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is to be implemented till FY 2026-27.

Release of Publication “Women and Men in India 2023

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Government of India, released the 25th issue of its publication titled “Women and Men in India 2023”.

The publication is a comprehensive and insightful document that attempts to bring a holistic view of the situation of women and men in India and provides data on a wide range of topics such as Population, Education, Health, Participation in Economy, Participation in Decision making etc. among others. 

Key Highlights of the Publication

  • Population: By 2036, population of India is expected to reach 152.2 Crore, with a slightly improved female percentage of 48.8% as compared to 48.5 percent in 2011. 
  • Age Demographics: The proportion of individuals under 15 years is projected to decrease from 2011 to 2036, likely due to declining fertility. Conversely, the proportion of the population aged 60 years and above is anticipated to substantially increase during this period.
  • Sex Ratio: India’s population in 2036 is expected to be more feminine compared to the 2011 population, as reflected in the sex ratio which is projected to increase from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036, highlighting a positive trend in gender equality.
  • Age-Specific Fertility Rates: It is evident that from 2016 to 2020, Age Specific Fertility Rate in the age group of 20-24 and 25-29 has reduced from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6 respectively. 

The ASFR for the age 35-39 for the above period has increased from 32.7 to 35.6 which shows that after settling in the life, women are thinking of expansion of family. 

  • Adolescent Fertility Rate was 33.9 for illiterate population whereas 11.0 for the literate in 2020. This rate considerably lower for even those who are literate but without any formal education (20.0) as compared to illiterate women reemphasizing the importance of imparting education to women.
  • Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): India has made notable progress in reducing MMR, achieving a rate of 97 per lakh live births for the period 2018-20. This is a significant step towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 by 2030.
  • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has decreased for both genders, with the rate for females equalizing with that of males at 28 per 1,000 live births in 2020. The Under-5 Mortality Rate has also reduced, indicating improvements in child health. Infant mortality rate (IMR) measures the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births.
  • Labour Force Participation: The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for both genders has increased. 

For men, it rose from 75.8% to 78.5% between 2017-18 and 2022-23, while for women, it increased from 23.3% to 37% during the same period. This indicates greater female involvement in the workforce. Voter Turnout 

  • Election Participation: Women’s voter turnout has increased over the years. In the 2019 elections, women’s participation reached 67.2%, surpassing men’s turnout for the first time. This reflects growing political engagement among women. 
  • Women Entrepreneurs: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognized a total of 1,17,254 start-ups between 2016 and 2023. 

Among these, 55,816 start-ups are led by women, constituting 47.6% of the total recognized start-ups.

CSIR-NPL Launches Certification Process for Continuous Emission Monitoring 

The Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) is crucial for tracking pollution in India’s industries. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) made it mandatory to install CEMS in 2014.

To address concerns over the reliability of these systems, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) launched a certification process to ensure CEMS meet national and international standards.

The certification process includes four levels of quality assurance (QAL-1 to QAL-3) along with yearly checks to keep CEMS functioning well. QAL-1 focuses on proving the equipment’s suitability through thorough testing and audits. 

To further improve the quality of CEMS data, CSIR-NPL is working with the CPCB to develop additional quality assurance procedures, aiming to create a complete framework.

About CSIR-NPL 

  • The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) was set up in 1947. 
  • It focuses on measuring and setting standards. 
  • It helps industries by making sure their measurements are correct. 
  • The lab has advanced research facilities for many  scientific areas.

 

Assam Current Affairs – August 04-06, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – August 04-06, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for August 04-06, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

August 04-06, 2024 

Om Prakash Mathur sworn in as 18th Governor of Sikkim

Om Prakash Mathur was sworn in as the 18th Governor of Sikkim. 

He was administered the oath of office by Sikkim High Court Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder during a function held at the Raj Bhavan.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, State Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, and senior officials of state civil and police administration were present on the occasion. 

Om Prakash Mathur is a former member of Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan state in India and is a senior politician from Bharatiya Janata Party. 

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera Assumes Charge as Assam Rifles Director General

Lt General Vikas Lakhera assumed charge as the new Director General of the Assam Rifles. He succeeds Lieutenant General P C Nair.

Lt General Vikas Lakhera is often referred to as the “Sentinels of the Northeast“. Lt Gen Lakhera has held various command and staff appointments Served as the Additional Director General Military Operations, handling information warfare Gained extensive experience in planning and executing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeastern region 

Lt Gen Lakhera has been awarded several honors, including the Ati Vishist Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and multiple commendation cards, reflecting his commitment to excellence and significant contributions to the Army.

Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta has been appointed as the 18th Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University

Dr. Nani Gopal Mahanta, a noted academician and political scientist, has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of Guwahati University. 

Dr. Mahanta, who previously served as the academic advisor to the Assam government from 2021 to February 2024, is widely recognized for his extensive work in political science. 

Before his advisory role with the government, he was a professor in the Political Science department at Guwahati University. 

Holding an MA in Political Science from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and a PhD from Guwahati University, Dr. Mahanta’s academic journey also included a two-year course on Peace, Conflict Resolution, and Policy Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, as a Rotary World Peace Fellow. 

Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze Medal in 50m Rifle 3 Position 

Swapnil Kusale has become the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position (3P) event at the Paris Olympics.

Swapnil steadily climbed the ranks to finish 3rd with a total score of 451.4 points, securing a Bronze medal for the nation. This is India’s third medal at the Paris Olympics, with all three coming from shooting events.

Achievements: 

Swapnil Kusale’s journey to this historic Olympic medal has been decorated with numerous achievements: 

  • World Championship, Cairo (2022): Finished 4th, winning an Olympic quota place for India. 
  • Asian Games 2022: Gold medal in the Team event. 
  • World Cup, Baku (2023): Gold in mixed team event and two silver medals in individual & team events. 
  • World Championship, Cairo (2022): Bronze medal in the team event. 
  • World Cup, New Delhi (2021): Gold medal in the team event.

Swapnil won gold in 50m rifle prone 3 in the junior category in 2015 Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait. 

He also won the 59th National Shooting Championship held in Tughlakabad ahead of Gagan Narang and Chain Singh in the 50m rifle prone event. 

He repeated the same performance in 61st National Championship in Thiruvananthapuram by winning a gold in 50m rifle 3 position.

President Murmu conferred with Fiji’s Highest Civilian Award 

President Droupadi Murmu has been awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji, the highest civilian honour from Fiji recognising the strong India-Fiji ties. President Murmu is the first Indian President to visit the South Pacific island nation of Fiji.

President Murmu’s visit aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and build on shared historical and regional interests in the Indo-Pacific. The cultural exchanges and recognition during the visit show mutual respect and a commitment to supporting smaller island nations in the Pacific.

During the meeting, President Murmu was awarded the Companion of the Order of Fiji, the highest honour in Fiji. This award signifies deep respect and strong connections between India and Fiji. 

VIRAASAT:  Handloom Expo

VIRAASAT”, a fortnight long exhibition dedicated to celebrating 10th National Handloom Day began at Handloom Haat in Janpath New Delhi, on 3rd August 2024. 

The event was organized by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, will conclude on 16th August 2024.

The exhibition aims to celebrate the rich tradition of handloom and handicrafts in India and to provide a platform for handloom weavers and artisans to connect with buyers.

About VIRAASAT: 

  • It is organized by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the Ministry of Textiles. 
  • The series “VIRAASAT”- the “Exclusive Handloom Expo” is a continuation of celebrations held during previous years around the National Handloom Day. 
  • The event focuses on the glorious tradition of Handloom and Handicrafts. 
  • It also provides a market connected to the handloom weavers and artisans. 
  • The unique products such as Banarasi, Jamdani, Baluchari, Madhubani, Kosa, Ikkat, Patola, Tussar Silk, Maheshwari, Moirang Phee, Baluchari, Phulkari, Laheriya, Khandua and Tangaliya will be featured in this exhibition.

Significance of National Handloom Day: 

The first National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7th August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai. 

The National Handloom Day highlights the socio-economic contribution of the handloom sector and reaffirms the Government’s resolve to protect handloom heritage and empower weavers with better opportunities.

Srinagar Designated as World Craft City

Srinagar has become the fourth Indian city to be recognized as a ‘World Craft City’ by the World Craft Council (WCC).

Jaipur, Malappuram and Mysore are the other Indian cities that have previously been recognised as World Craft Cities.

In the year 2021, Srinagar was designated as a creative city as a part of the UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN). Craft products like paper pulp, walnut wood carvings, carpets, Sozni embroidery, pashmina and Kani shawls are made here.

About About World Craft Council (WCC): 

  • It was founded in 1964 to promote the preservation, protection, and development of traditional crafts and foster economic development through crafts.
  • The World Craft Council (WCC) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization affiliated with UNESCO.
  • Mrs. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay of India, one of the founding members of WCC-International, attended the first WCC General Assembly.
  • This program helps in opening up new markets for the artisans and new opportunities for the craft products made by them and they get the benefit of advanced training programs and workshops

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) : 

  • UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) was launched in 2004. 
  • It is primarily aimed at cities that recognize creativity as a key factor in their urban development. 
  • The seven creative sectors under this network include crafts and folk arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature and music.

Bhoj Wetland

The Union Government denied that the international Ramsar site, Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal faces no threat of delisting from Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of International importance.

About Bhoj Wetland 

  • Bhoj Wetland is located in the center of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The wetland includes two man-made lakes: the upper lake and the lower lake. 
  • Since August 2002, they have been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. 
  • The Upper lake is called Bhojtal (Bada Talaab) and the Lower Lake is known as Chhota Talaab. 
  • The Upper Lake is surrounded by Van Vihar National Park on the south, human settlements on the east and north, and agriculture fields on the west. The Upper Lake is a major source of potable water for Bhopal.
  • The Bhoj Wetland, recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention since August 2002, supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, including numerous waterbirds.

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 – January 19-21, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 19-21, 2024

( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 19-21, 2024)

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 19-21, 2024 

Arunachal Pradesh celebrated the 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival

The 9th edition of the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF) celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the region’s commitment to wildlife conservation, with a special focus on hornbills. 

The festival took place at Seijosa in the Pakke Kessang district from January 18-20, 2024. 

About Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival

  • The first-ever Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival was held in 2015. 
  • It aims to recognise the role played by the Nyishi tribal group in conserving hornbills in Pakke Tiger Reserve (PTR). 
  • The festival also aims to establish alternative income sources, steering away from harmful practices like hunting and logging. 
  • It serves as a platform for creating national awareness about the natural wonders of the Pakke Tiger Reserve and its surroundings.
  • The festival brings together diverse communities to unite in their efforts to protect these iconic birds and promote environmental awareness.
  • This year, the festival’s theme is Domutoh Domutoh, Paga hum Domutoh. It translates to ‘Let Our Hornbills Remain’ in the Nyishi language. 
  • This year’s festival aims to underscore the critical need for preserving these iconic birds.

India Inc lauds establishment of gender equity Alliance at WEF meet 2024

Indian industry lauded the government for establishing the ‘Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality’ announced on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting 2024.

Highlights of the Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality

  • It seeks to build on the initiatives of the Engagement Group and frameworks like Business 20, Women 20, and G20 EMPOWER. 
  • The idea of this alliance emerged from the G20 Leaders’ Declaration and India’s abiding commitment to the cause of women-led development as propounded by Prime Minister  Shri Narendra Modi.
  • The primary and stated objective of this new Alliance is to bring together global best practices, knowledge sharing and investments in the identified areas  of women’s health, education, and enterprise.
  • Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the alliance will be housed and anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership. 
  • The alliance aims to champion women-led development, leveraging India’s spectacular inclusive growth story and its philosophy of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, Development for all and Effort for all).

Union Ayush Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal lays foundation stone for State-of-the-Art ‘Ayush Diksha’ centre at Bhubaneswar

The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for ‘Ayush Diksha’,a groundbreaking center at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Bhubaneswar.

Key Points

  • The ‘Ayush Diksha’ center is set to become a hub for the advancement of human resources in Ayush, with a primary focus on Ayurveda professionals. 
  • The institution aims to foster collaboration with prominent national institutes to enhance capacity, strengthen human resources, facilitate research and development, and achieve self-sustainability for revenue generation.
  • The institution will offer training programmes for Ayush professionals, especially those from Ayurveda, as it aims to collaborate with national institutes of prominence for capacity development, strengthening human resources, facilitate research and development, achieve self-sustainability with an objective to generate revenue. 
  • The Ayush Diksha centre is being built with a budget of ₹30 crores. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including two auditoriums, 40 modern rooms with all amenities, suites for VIPs, dedicated space for a natural library, discussion rooms, modular kitchen, dining lounge, among other amenities. 
  • The CARI, Bhubaneswar is a unit under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. This ground breaking initiative marks a significant step towards promoting and advancing research in Ayurveda on scientific lines.

WHO Releases Guidelines for Multi-Modal Generative AI in Healthcare

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released comprehensive guidance on the ethical use and governance of large multi-modal models (LMM) in healthcare.

About the Guidelines

  • The guiding document identified five broad applications of LMMs in healthcare: Diagnosis and clinical care, such as responding to patients’ written queries; patient-guided use for investigating symptoms and treatments; clerical and administrative tasks in electronic health records; medical and nursing education with simulated patient encounters; and scientific research and drug development. 
  • It also recommends designing LMMs for well-defined tasks with the necessary accuracy and understanding of potential secondary outcomes. 
  • It offers a roadmap for harnessing the power of LMMs in healthcare while navigating their complexities and ethical considerations. 
  • This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring that AI technologies serve the public interest, particularly in the health sector
  • WHO’s six core principles for AI in health: protect autonomy, promote well-being, ensure transparency, foster responsibility, ensure inclusiveness, and promote sustainability.

Risks Associated with LMMs in Healthcare Generation of False or Biased Information: 

  • LMMs may produce inaccurate or biased information due to biases present in the training data, potentially leading to misguided health decisions. 
  • LMMs might perpetuate healthcare disparities based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and age, reflecting the biases present in their training data. 
  • There is a risk of automation bias, where healthcare professionals and patients may overly trust the output of LMMs, leading to the oversight of potential errors. 
  • As LMMs rely on trustworthy algorithms, any compromise in these algorithms could result in the release of sensitive patient information, posing cybersecurity risks.

The WHO Recommendations for Mitigating Risks 

  • Encourages investment in public infrastructure, such as computing power and datasets, adhering to ethical principles. 
  • Stressed on the need for global cooperative leadership to regulate AI technologies effectively. 
  • Governments from all countries must cooperatively lead efforts to effectively regulate the development and use of AI technologies, such as LMMs.
  • Calls for the implementation of mandatory post-release audits and impact assessments.
  • Advises developers to engage a diverse range of stakeholders, including potential users and healthcare professionals, from the early stages of AI development. 
  • Emphasizes designing LMMs for well-defined tasks with the necessary accuracy while understanding potential secondary outcomes.

President Droupadi Murmu confers Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred the “Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar” instituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India to 19 children at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

This year’s awardees include one child each in the categories of Bravery, Science & Technology and Innovation, four in the category of Social Service, five in the category of Sports, and seven in the category of Art & Culture. 

Every year, the Government of India acknowledges the exceptional achievements of children in the age group of 5 to 18 years by conferring the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) upon them. Each awardee received a medal and a certificate from the President.

Saiyam Mazumdar from Assam has been awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar Award, 2024 in the field of social service. 

He is a wildlife conservationist who started off by saving and taking care of stray animals, exhibiting incredible compassion. 

He bravely saved snakes and informed others about their ecological significance. 

President of India inaugurates the 5th edition of the Meghalaya Games

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 5th Edition of the Meghalaya Games in Tura, Meghalaya on January 15, 2024. 

The President said that the North East region has a tremendous potential for the development of sports and sportspersons

She emphasized the need to support the talent from the tribal areas and groom them to become professional sportspersons. 

With Government’s new initiatives and encouragement to the athletes, Indian sportspersons are now winning more medals than ever in global events. 

Programmes such as Khelo India are helping in identifying and nurturing future sports champions.

Assam Current Affairs – January 04-06, 2024

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Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 04-06, 2024

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Current Affairs Assamexam

January 04-06, 2024 

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) sanctions over ₹750 crores for 5,300 Northeast Projects

North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has sanctioned Rs 766.47 crore and disbursed Rs 547.11 crore for 5338 projects in the NorthEast region, in diverse sectors – education & training food processing, handlooms & handicrafts, healthcare, hotels & tourism, microfinance etc.

Important Initiatives of NEDFI

  • NEDFi in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in setting up ₹100 crore North East Venture Fund to promote regional startups.
  • It also partners with banks, microcredit organisations and NGOs for last-mile delivery to remote areas.
  • North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) plays an important role in facilitating setting up of new industrial and service sector projects in the NE Region.
  • ₹547 crore disbursed at concessional interest rates to micro and small businesses 
  • ₹41 crore credit extended via microfinance institutions ₹53 crore direct micro lending to benefit over 9 lakh individuals.
  • ₹98 crore venture capital commitments to 67 startups.

About North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) 

  • It is a public limited company registered under the Companies Act 1956 on August 9, 1995.
  • It provides financial assistance to MSMEs in the NE region for setting up industrial, infrastructure and agriculture-related projects. 
  • It also provides micro financing through MFIs/NGOS. It also provides consultancy and advisory services to state governments, private sectors and other agencies.

Three New Frogs Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

The Scientists have reported three new frog species belonging to new genera from Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha-Kamlang protected area network along the Myanmar border.

About the discovery 

  • Gracixalus patkaiensis – A translucent green tree frog with jelly-like appearance and insect-like call
  • Alcalus fontinalis – A tiny brown frog inhabiting fast-flowing hill streams with unique trickling vocalization 
  • Nidirana noadihing – A marsh-dwelling “music frog” named after the Noa-Dihing river

About Namdapha Tiger Reserve: 

  • It is located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the international border with Myanmar.
  • It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 on 2nd Oct.’1972. 
  • In the 1983 year it was declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger Scheme of the Govt. of India on 15th March 1983.

India, Nepal hold Seventh Joint Commission Meeting

The Seventh Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission was held in Kathmandu. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Nepal counterpart NP Saud recently attended the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission.

 

Key Points

  • Nepal and India signed a long-term agreement for the export of 10,000 MW of power to India for the next 10 years. 
  • Inauguration of Cross-Border Inauguration of 3 cross-border transmission lines which was completed with the help of India (132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur, 132 kV Kushaha-Kataiya and New Nautanwa-Mainahiya lines). 
  • An agreement for the launch of Nepali satellites was formalized between the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and NewSpace India Limited under the Indian Space Research Organisation.
  • Inaugurated 3 132-kV cross-border transmission strains, which include the second circuits of the Raxaul-Parwanipur line and the Kataiya-Kusaha line, and the New Nautanwa-Mahiya line.

About India-Nepal Joint Commission: 

It was established in 1987 as a platform for the Foreign Ministers of both countries to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.

Raghuram Iyer appointed as CEO of Indian Olympic Association 

Raghuram Iyer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

His appointment follows a meticulous selection process conducted by the nomination committee of the IOA.

The appointment comes after a significant delay and repeated reminders from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). 

Raghuram Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position.

XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the PSLV-C58 XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission.

About XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)

  • XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band, offering insights into celestial sources’ radiation mechanisms and geometry. 
  • This study is crucial for understanding the physics behind these celestial bodies.
  • The satellite carries two main payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
  • It is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources.
  • It is designated for observation from low earth orbit.
  • After this launch, India became the second nation after the US to send an observatory to study astronomical sources, such as black holes, and neutron stars, among others.

Wetland City Accreditation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).

The nominated cities include Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).

 These are the first three Indian cities for which nominations have been submitted for WCA based on the proposals received from respective State Wetlands Authorities in collaboration with the Municipal Corporations.

About Wetland City Accreditation:

  • The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system.
  • The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
  • It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands and also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
  • This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.

About the cities nominated for WCA

  1. Indore: Founded by Holkars. Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in the city has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary. 

A strong network of wetland mitras is engaged in bird conservation and sensitising the local community to protect Sarus Crane. 

  1. Bhopal: Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is the city’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang. Additionally, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has a dedicated Lake Conservation Cell. 
  2. Udaipur: The city is surrounded by five major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate, and provide a buffer from extreme events.

Union Cabinet approves overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)”

The Union Cabinet recently approved the comprehensive scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This overarching initiative, with an allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for the period 2021-26.

About PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) Scheme

Objectives:

The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are: 

  • Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change 
  • Development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change 
  • Exploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources; 
  • Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications ·
  • Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.

The Prithvi scheme integrates five existing sub-schemes: 

  1. Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS) 
  2. Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) 
  3. Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER) 
  4. Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE) 
  5. Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).

Additionally, the scheme focuses on providing advanced warning services for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and earthquakes, facilitating prompt and effective disaster management. 

The scheme ensures precise weather forecasts for both land and oceans, enhancing safety and minimizing property damages in adverse weather conditions.

‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme  for Solar Power Expansion

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is prioritizing the ‘Clean and Green Village’ theme as part of its Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). 

About ‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme

  • Clean and Green Village’ is the fifth theme under the GPDP.
  • The programme aims to install solar power capacities on a commercial basis. 
  • It aims to develop sustainable business models for solar initiatives at the grassroots level. 
  • The programme focuses on access to safe water, sanitation, and low pollution environments for healthier lives. 
  • It emphasizes sustainable natural resource management for better livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection.
  • It aims to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG13 (climate action). 

Areas of Action: Includes 10 specific areas like Open Defecation Free (ODF) Village, Clean and Green School, promotion of Organic Farming, and more.

Initiatives and Schemes for Clean and Green Village: 

  • Organic and natural farming initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana. 
  • Reducing chemical fertilizers through schemes like PM-PRANAM. Waste to wealth initiatives like GOBARdhan and SATAT.

Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have observed a significant shift in the habitat of numerous bird species in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary due to the escalating temperatures in the region.

About Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is a protected area of India in the Himalayan foothills of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh. 
  • It conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast and Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng river to the east. 
  • It is situated in the biodiversity hotspot of Eastern Himalayas and home to over 500 bird species.
  • It is also a part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve. 
  • It derives its name from the Red Eagle Division of the Indian army The temperate cloud forest is intermixed with dense bamboo patches and broadleaved evergreen forest across a wide altitudinal range, with conifers and rhododendrons at the higher elevations.

Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 351: January 2024, Week 3

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Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz for APSC 2024 – Set 351: January 2024, Week 3

(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 among the following Tiger Reserve has got the title of India’s first ‘Dark Sky Park’?

  1. Pench Tiger Reserve
  2. Manas Tiger Reserve
  3. Pakke Tiger Reserve
  4. Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve

Pench Tiger Reserve

The Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first Dark Sky Park and the fifth Dark Sky Park in Asia for protecting the night sky and preventing light pollution.

The reserve’s certification recognizes its commitment to protecting the night sky, reducing light pollution, and creating an ideal environment for astronomy enthusiasts and stargazers.

 

Q2. Which bank signed a MoU with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to provide loans to rural Self-Help Groups (SHGs)?

  1. Canara Bank
  2. Punjab National Bank
  3. State Bank of India
  4. Union Bank of India

State Bank of India

State Bank of India introduced a specialized financial product, “Svyam Siddha”, exclusively tailored for SHG women entrepreneurs seeking loans up to Rs. 5 lakhs. 

This initiative is uniquely designed to alleviate the challenges associated with extensive documentation requirements for bank loan applications and reduce the Turn Around Time (TAT).

 

Q3. Which state government has launched the MukhyaMantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan aimed at empowering rural women entrepreneurs?

  1. Gujarat
  2. Uttar Pradesh
  3. Bihar
  4. Assam

Assam

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

This financial assistance scheme targets women beyond Self-Help Groups, emphasizing family planning for eligibility. The goal is to transform participants into “Rural Micro Entrepreneurs” with a ₹1 lakh annual income target.

 

Q4. India and which country has partnered to launch Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI)?

  1. USA
  2. Denmark
  3. UAE
  4. Germany

Denmark

  • Green Fuels Alliance India (GFAI) is an alliance between Denmark and India to boost collaborative efforts in the sustainable energy solutions sector.
  • It aims to advance the green fuels sector, including green hydrogen, through innovation and partnerships.
  • The new alliance is a strategic initiative led by the Danish Embassy and Consulate General of Denmark in India.

 

Q5. ‘Sinomicrurus Gorei’ a new species of coral snake was discovered in

  1. Arunachal Pradesh
  2. Mizoram
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. West Bengal

Mizoram

Researchers from Mizoram University’s zoology department have discovered a new species of coral snake in the state.  It has been named Sinomicrurus Gorei after British India doctor Gore.

The reptile is locally known as ‘Rulṭhihna’ due to its striking resemblance to a Mizo traditional amber necklace called ‘Ṭhihna’.

 

Q6. “Panchayats Free From Gender-Based Violence – A Handbook for Elected Representatives” is released by

  1. Narendra Modi
  2. Amit Shah Shri
  3. Giriraj Singh
  4. Dharmendra Pradhan

Giriraj Singh

 

Q7. Who among the following has become France’s youngest prime minister

  1. Gabriel Attal
  2. Hassanal Bolkiah
  3. Robert Fico
  4. Srettha Thavisin

Gabriel Attal

 

Q8. The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal laid the foundation stone for ‘Ayush Diksha’, centre in 

  1. Guwahati
  2. Prayagraj
  3. Bhubaneswar
  4. Agra

Bhubaneswar

  • Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated ‘Ayush Diksha,’ a groundbreaking center at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute in Bhubaneswar.
  • The ‘Ayush Diksha’ center is set to become a hub for the advancement of human resources in Ayush, with a primary focus on Ayurveda professionals. 
  • The institution aims to foster collaboration with prominent national institutes to enhance capacity, strengthen human resources, facilitate research and development, and achieve self-sustainability for revenue generation.

 

Q9. Lanjia Saura paintings, which recently got GI tag, belong to which state?

  1. Assam
  2. Gujarat
  3. Maharashtra
  4. Odisha

Odisha

Lanjia Saura paintings, also known as ekons or iditals, are a unique style of wall mural art from Odisha. The art form belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district. These paintings are in the form of exterior murals painted on the mud walls of homes.

Q10. Who has become the second Indian to win a gold medal in the Asian Marathon Championship?

  1. Balraj Kaushik
  2. Gaurav Karjee
  3. Man Singh
  4. Dheeraj Singha

Man Singh

  • Man Singh has become only the second Indian male athlete to win a gold medal in the Asian Marathon Championships. 
  • He won the gold medal by timing 2 hours, 14 minutes and 19 seconds. 
  • Gopi Thonakal was the first Indian male athlete to win the Asian Marathon Championship title in the year 2017.

 

Q11. Who among the following is the Chief architect of the Ram Temple?

  1. Chandrakant Bhai Sompura
  2. Ashok Singhal
  3. Arun Yogiraj
  4. Ashok Bhushan

Chandrakant Bhai Sompura

Chandrakant Sompura, the chief architect of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, hails from a distinguished lineage of temple architects based in Ahmedabad.

Notable among their creations are iconic structures like the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, the Swaminarayan temple in Mumbai, the Akshardham temple complex in Gujarat, and the Birla Temple in Kolkata.

 

Q12. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) inaugurated the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) and a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors in

  1. Maharashtra
  2. Kerala
  3. Arunachal Pradesh
  4. Rajasthan

Kerala

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched two flagship programs – “Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors” and India’s first Graphene Centre “India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG)” today at Maker Village, Kochi, Kerala.

 

Q13. Which airport was the venue for the Wings India 2024 event?

  1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
  2. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
  3. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
  4. Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad

Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad

  • Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurated Wings India 2024, Asia’s largest aviation expo, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
  • The Airports Authority of India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and FICCI, is organizing the biennial (after every two years) event. 
  • Wings India 2024 showcases a collection of new-generation aircraft displays, allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and advancements in the tourism sector. 
  • The theme of Wings India 2024 is “Connecting India to the World in Amrit Kaal: Setting the Stage for India Civil Aviation @2047”.

 

Q14. Which state government has the Yuva Nidhi Scheme for Unemployed Youth?

  1. Uttar Pradesh
  2. Assam
  3. Karnataka
  4. West Bengal

Karnataka

  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated Yuva Nidhi, a scheme providing financial aid to unemployed graduates and diploma holders for two years.
  • Under the scheme, the government has committed to providing Rs 3,000 per month to degree holders and Rs 1,500 per month to diploma holders who have been unable to secure employment in the last six months and are not pursuing higher studies.

 

Q15. Who has been selected for Assam’s highest civilian award ‘Assam Vaibhav’ for 2023?

  1. Ranjan Gogoi
  2. Pranabjyoti Deka
  3. Pranjal Saikia
  4. Ratan Tata

Ranjan Gogoi

Former Chief Justice of India and current Rajya Sabha MP, Ranjan Gogoi, is set to be honored with the prestigious ‘Assam Baibhav’ award, the highest civilian award in Assam.

Ranjan Gogoi, the 46th Chief Justice of India and a Rajya Sabha MP, is the first from Northeast India to hold the CJI post. 

The Chief Minister also credited Ranjan Gogoi for his role in the establishment of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, emphasizing the significant impact of Gogoi’s Assamese roots on this historic development.

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Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 343: September 2023, Week 5

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Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 343: September 2023, Week 5

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

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Q1. Assam Govt. has launched the “Mukhyamantrir Atmanirbharshil Asom Abhiyan” to provide financial grant of what amount to the deserving young individuals, to improve job opportunities in the state?

  1. Rs. 2 Lakh to 5 Lakh
  2. Rs. 3 Lakh to 5 Lakh
  3. Rs. 5 Lakh to 10 Lakh
  4. Rs. 10 Lakh

Rs. 2 Lakh to 5 Lakh

 

Q2. Which village in Assam has been chosen as the Best Tourism Village of India for the year 2023?

  1. Biswanath Ghat
  2. Chunbari Gaon
  3. Ranthali
  4. Sarthebari

Biswanath Ghat

Biswanath Ghat in Assam has been chosen as the Best Tourism Village of India in 2023 by the Ministry of Tourism.

 

Q3. Which is the oldest paramilitary force in the country?

  1. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
  2. Border Security Force (BSF)
  3. Assam Rifles
  4. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)

Assam Rifles

 

Q4. Which country has become Bangladesh’s leading export partner?

  1. China
  2. India
  3. United States
  4. England

India

  • India has become Bangladesh’s leading export partner, surpassing Japan and China.

 

Q5. When is Engineers’ Day celebrated in India?

  1. February 28
  2. September 15
  3. July 31
  4. December 13

September 15

 

Q6. How many elephant corridors are there in India, as per the “Elephant Corridors of India” report released by the Union Environment Ministry?

  1. 92
  2. 106
  3. 129
  4. 150

150

The “Elephant Corridors of India” report released by the Union Environment Ministry states that there are 150 elephant corridors in India.

 

Q7. India’s rank in the Global Innovation Index 2023 is

  1. 24th
  2. 29th
  3. 36th
  4. 40th

40th

India retains 40th rank out of 132 economies in the Global Innovation Index 2023 rankings published by the World Intellectual Property Organization. India’s improved significantly from its rank of 81 in 2015.

 

Q8. Who has been honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2023?

  1. Dilip Kumar
  2. Dharmendra
  3. Amitabh Bachchan
  4. Waheeda Rehman

Waheeda Rehman

 

Q9. When is the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation celebrated?

  1. September 5
  2. September 12
  3. September 19
  4. September 30

September 12

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is celebrated to recognize and promote economic, social, and political developments in regions and countries in the South and highlight UN efforts for technical cooperation among developing nations.

 

Q10. Who is regarded as the ‘Father of Green Revolution in India’?

  1. M.S. Swaminathan
  2. C. V. Raman
  3. Verghese Kurien
  4. Amartya Sen

M.S. Swaminathan

 

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Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4

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APSC Assam Current Affairs MCQ Quiz July 2022

Assam/APSC Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 316: July 2022, Week 4

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

Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022 | Quiz Home Page Current Affairs Assam Quiz - Assam exam

Q1. Pala wetlands was recently designated as ‘Ramsar sites’, it is located in which state?

  1. Mizoram
  2. Odisha
  3. Rajasthan
  4. Tamil Nadu

Mizoram

  • India now has 54 Ramsar sites.
  • The new sites include three wetlands (Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Pichavaram Mangrove) in Tamil Nadu, one (Pala wetland) in Mizoram and one wetland (Sakhya Sagar) in Madhya Pradesh.

 

Q2. The ‘World Day for International Justice’ was observed on

  1. July 05
  2. July 09
  3. July 15
  4. July 17

July 17

  • The Day is observed to sensitise on international justice and to promote the rights of the victims.
  • It celebrates the approval of the Rome Statute and the formation of the new international criminal justice system in 1998.
  • Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Adopted in 1998 and entered into force on 1 July 2002.
  • Four core international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression

 

Q3. Recently India signed a MoU with which country for the reintroduction of Cheetah and wildlife conservation?

  1. South Africa
  2. Australia
  3. Brazil
  4. Namibia

Namibia

  • MoU paves way for reintroduction of eight cheetahs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
  • It covers cooperation on wildlife conservation and sustainable biodiversity utilisation. India will train Namibian candidates in wildlife management courses at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun.

 

Q4. The ‘National Flag Day’ is celebrated on which day in India?

  1. August 15
  2. January 26
  3. July 18
  4. July 22

July 22

  • Every year, India celebrates the National Flag Day on July 22. On the same day in 1947, the Constituent Assembly of India adopted the National Flag.
  • When the members of the Indian Constituent Assembly met in the Constitution Hall in Delhi on July 22, 1947, the first thing the Assembly discussed was a motion by Jawaharlal Nehru to adopt the national flag for free India.

 

Q5. Who are the eligible beneficiaries of ‘Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana’?

  1. Senior Citizens
  2. Below-Poverty-Line populations
  3. MSME sectors
  4. Micro lenders & cooperative society

Senior Citizens

  • Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana was launched on July 21, 2017.
  • Under the scheme, senior citizens above the age of 60 can make a lump sum investment and can monthly or a yearly pension.
  • PMVVY has been extended up to 31st March, 2023. The amendment in 2020 allowed an assured rate of return of 7.40 % per annum for the year 2020-21 per annum and thereafter to be reset every year.




Q6. WHO has recently declared which outbreak as a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC)?

  1. Malaria
  2. Bird-Flu
  3. Monkeypox
  4. Tomato Flu

Monkeypox

  • This classification is one step below that of a ‘pandemic.’ WHO says the expanding monkeypox outbreak in over 70 countries is now qualified as a global emergency.
  • Established on 7 April 1948.
  • Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

Q7. Which movie was declared as the ‘Best Feature Film’ in the 68th National Film Awards?

  1. Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
  2. Soorarai Pottru
  3. Ayyappanum Koshiyum
  4. Mandela

Soorarai Pottru

  • Suriya and Ajay Devgn shared the Best Actor award
  • Aparna Balamurali won Best Actoress awards.
  • Sachidanandan KR was awarded Best Director.




Q8. Best Actor in the 68th National Film Awards

  1. Suriya and Ajay Devgn
  2. Ayushmann Khurrana
  3. Akash Andhadhun
  4. Vicky Kaushal

Suriya and Ajay Devgn



Q9. Which state has signed MoU with Telangana to set up an all women-run cooperative bank?

  1. Maharashtra
  2. Karnataka
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Rajasthan

Rajasthan

  • Rajasthan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government’s Stree Nidhi Credit Cooperative Federation.
  • The aim is to set up the first all women-run cooperative bank in Rajasthan, on the lines of the Stree Nidhi model of Telangana.
  • ‘Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi’ fund would be operated by the women Self Help Groups for the women of SHG only.

 

Q10. The 2022 National Games of India is about to be held in which state?

  1. Assam
  2. Kerala
  3. Mahashtra
  4. Gujarat

Gujarat

  • The 2022 National Games of India will be the 36th edition of the National Games of India and will be held in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar in the state of Gujarat between 27 September and 10 October 2022.

 

Q11. Which Indian economist has been appointed the chief economist of the World Bank?

  1. Indermit Gill
  2. Kaushik Basu
  3. Raghuram Rajan
  4. Urjit Patel

Indermit Gill

  • World Bank has appointed Indermit Gill as the Chief Economist and senior vice president for development economics.
  • Indermit Gill is the second Indian, after, to become the chief economist of the World Bank. It is an international financial institution that grants loans to middle and lower-income countries.




Q12. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Pichavaram Mangrove, which were recently designated as ‘Ramsar sites’ are located in

  1. Odisha
  2. Arunachal Pradesh
  3. Tamil Nadu
  4. Rajasthan

Tamil Nadu

  • India now has 54 Ramsar sites.
  • The new sites include three wetlands (Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest and Pichavaram Mangrove) in Tamil Nadu, one (Pala wetland) in Mizoram and one wetland (Sakhya Sagar) in Madhya Pradesh.

 

Q13. Which organisation/institution has recently released India Innovation Index (2021)?

  1. Ministry of Science and Technology
  2. Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru
  3. NITI Aayog
  4. IIT Madras

NITI Aayog

  • Karnataka ranked first in the NITI Aayog’s India Innovation Index (2021) for third time in a row.
  • Since 2019 India Innovation Index ranks states and union territories on the basis of innovation capabilities.

 

Q14. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be held in

  1. Bangladesh
  2. India
  3. England
  4. Sri Lanka

India

  • ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will be hosted by Bangladesh for the second time
  • The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 edition goes to England
  • The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025 will be hosted by India
  • Sri Lanka will host the Women’s T20 Champions Trophy 2027


Q15. ‘International Tiger Day’ observed on

  1. July 21
  2. July 27
  3. July 29
  4. July 31

July 29

  • ‘International Tiger Day’ is observed every year across the world on July 29.
    The objective is to raise awareness among individuals, organisations, and governments about the importance of the conservation of tigers.
  • International Tiger Day was introduced in 2010 after it was discovered that 97% of tigers disappeared in the past century.
  • According to the WWF, the current population of tigers is 3,900.
  • India is home to around 70% of the world’s tiger population. Tiger population of India has increased to almost 3,000.

Current Affairs GK & Quiz Monthly – July 2022

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APSC Prelim 2018 GS Paper – Analysis of Current Affairs & GK Section Questions

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APSC Prelim 2018 GS Paper – Current Affairs & GK Section Questions Analysis

Current Affairs & GK is very important sections in any General Studies papers and in APSC GS Paper too, a significant number of Questions are asked from these sections. So, analyzing the previous year’s Qs from this section can be very helpful to understand Focus Areas to study more extensively.

Q39. Which organisation was the lead agency for the BIMSTEC DMEx-2017?

  1. The National Disaster Response Force
  2. The National Disaster Management Force
  3. The National Disaster Security Force
  4. The National Disaster Rehabilitation Force
  5.  

Q40. Which Indian cartoonist won the International Award in the best caricature categoriy at the World Press Cartoon Awards 2018?

Thomas Antony

 

Q41. What does JICF stand for in the context of JICA and the NE Region?

Japan-India Coordination Forum (JICF) for Development of North-Eastern Region

 

Q42. Which country has celebrated 25th year of diplomatic ties with India in 2017?

Israel

Celebration of 25 years of India-Israel Diplomatic Relations, New Delhi (February 28, 2017)

Q43. In which city did India’s first e-court open?

Hyderabad

India’s first e-court was Sunday opened at High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad, which is the common high court for the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

 

Q44. SBI has launched a new initiative to facilitate cooperates looking to invest in India. What is it called as?

Japan Desk

State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a new initiative called ‘Japan Desk’, a first-of-its-kind initiative to facilitate Japanese corporates looking to invest in India with banking and advisory services.

 

Q45. In 103rd Indian Science Congress Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined five Es for enquiry and engineering. What do the five Es stand for?

Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy and Equity.

 

Q46. In which Chinese city, the Indian and Chinese armies launched their 5th annual anti-terrorism exercise holding hand in hand?

Kunming

 

Q47. Which social networking giant has partnered with National Commission for Women (NCW) to offer digital literacy programme for women?

Facebook

 

Q48. What is the GDP growth of India forecast for 2018, as per latest Moody’s Investors Service Report ‘Global Macro Outlook, 2018-19?

7.3%

 

Q51. Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is celebrated in which of the following venues?

Kisama

The Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival.

 

Q56. Which Indian actor is also a recipient of Jnanpith Award in literature?

Girish Karnad

 

Q74. Who among the following writers from Assam was awarded ‘Padma Shri’in 2018?

Arup Kumar Dutta

 

Q94. Which of the following in known as the Land of Midnight Sun?

  1. Finland
  2. Spain
  3. Norway
  4. Greenland

 

Q95. Which of the following numericals stands as the extent of seawater/ocean water distance from the baseline in case of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)?

  1. 200 nautical miles
  2. 250 nautical miles
  3. 300 nautical miles
  4. 500 nautical miles

Assam Current Affairs and GK Quiz – Set 293: August 07-09, 2020

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Assam Current Affairs & GK Quiz Set 293 : August 07 – 09, 2020

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

Assam 2020 Yearbook | Quiz Home Page | Quiz Monthly – July 2020 | Current Affairs Monthly – July 2020Current Affairs Assam Quiz - Assam exam

Q1. Recently, the government of India plans to set up 13th Japanese Industrial Township in which state?

  1. Assam
  2. Himachal Pradesh
  3. Mizoram
  4. Odisha
A. Assam

To promote domestic manufacturing and strengthening economic ties between the two countries, India has decided to set up the 13th Japanese industrial township in Assam.

Currently, India has 12 Japanese industrial townships and a 13th is being planned.

 

Q2. Recently, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) planned to set up the first of its kind training cum production centre of silk in which state?

  1. Karanataka
  2. Assam
  3. Arunachal Pradesh
  4. West Bengal
C. Arunachal Pradesh

KVIC is a statutory body formed in April 1957, under Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act 1956 It is an apex organisation under the Ministry of MSME, with regard to khadi and village industries within India, which seeks to – “plan, promote, facilitate, organise and development of khadi and village.It took over the work of former All India Khadi and Village Industries Board.
Its head office is in Mumbai , whereas its six zonal offices in Delhi, Bhopal, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Guwahati. It has offices in 28 states for the implementation of its various programmes

 

Q3. Government of which state has approved the policy of reserving 50% seats for women in the village level community institutions?

  1. Assam
  2. Meghalaya
  3. Manipur
  4. Arunachal Pradesh
B. Meghalaya

The policy developed with an objective to address different grassroot problems related to gender equality and developmental issues and its main intention is to involve the active participation of women.

The policy entails: (a) Position of the Secretary of VEC will be reserved for women members in all VECs on a rotational basis. Adult women who are active community workers with leadership qualities can contest for this post.  (b) The position of Chairperson will be reserved for women in VECs where the posts of Chairperson are not held by the traditional heads which will also be on a rotation basis

 

Q4. Who among the following has been recently appointed as the new Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) of India?

  1. Girish Chandra Murmu
  2. Tushar Mehta
  3. Rupinder Singh
  4. Suri Vikramjit Banerjee
A. Girish Chandra Murmu

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India is an authority, established by Article 148 of the Constitution of India. He is appointed by the President of India following a recommendation by the Prime Minister.

CAG audits all receipts and expenditure of the Government of India and the state governments, including those of bodies and authorities substantially financed by the government.

 

 

Q5. Who among the following has been recently appointed as the Chairman of UPSC?

  1. Bhim Sain Bassi
  2. Sujata Mehta
  3. Manoj Soni
  4. Pradeep Kumar Joshi

D. Pradeep Kumar Joshi

Article 315 to 323 of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of UPSC members, functions and powers of UPSC. The President of India appoints the UPSC Chairman and other members. Each member holds office for a tenure of 6 years or till he becomes the age of 65 years.

 

Q6. Recently, which Indian state has become the first state to get ‘Tsunami Ready’ tag for its two coastal villages?

  1. Odisha
  2. West Bengal
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Kerala
A. Odisha

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has approved the recognition of Venkatraipur and Noliasahi villages of Odisha as Tsunami Ready.

With this recognition, India is the first country to implement Tsunami Ready in the Indian Ocean Region and Odisha is the first state.

Tsunami Ready is a community performance-based programme initiated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. Its main aim of is to improve coastal community’s preparedness for tsunami emergencies to minimize the loss of life and property and to ensure a structural and systematic approach in building community preparedness.

 

Q7. First state to partner with Google to provide learning tools for schools?

  1. Odisha
  2. Kerala
  3. Maharashtra
  4. Uttarakhand
C. Maharashtra

Under the partnership the platform offers a teacher training and free resources around distance learning contracts for educators.

Google will deploy free online learning tools like G Suite for education, Google Classroom, Google Meet to enable remote learning for around 2.3 crore teachers and students of the state.

 

Q8. Who is the author of the book ‘Amazing Ayodha’?

  1. Neena Rai
  2. Narendra Modi
  3. Preeti Shenoy
  4. Ravinder Singh

A. Neena Rai

The book to tell history of Lord Rama’s birth place.

Ayodhya city is the administrative headquarters of Ayodhya district of UP. It is situated on the banks of river Sarayu.

 

Q9. Which company has surpassed Saudi Aramco to become world’s most valuable company (in terms of market capitalization)?

  1. Reliance Industries Limited
  2. Microsoft
  3. Apple
  4. Amazon.com, Inc
C. Apple

By the end of July 2020, Apple has a market valuation of $1.84 trillion, while Saudi Aramco’s is $1.76 trillion.

During the COVID pandemic, leading tech companies Amazon, Facebook, and Google are growing at very fast pace.

 

Q10. Which Indian company is ranked No 2 brand globally in FutureBrand Index 2020 list?

  1. Reliance Industries Limited
  2. Tata Group
  3. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
  4. HDFC
A. Reliance Industries Limited

Apple is top, Samsung is ranked third, followed by Nvidia, Moutai, Nike, Microsoft, ASML, PayPal and Netflix in the FutureBrand Index 2020 list

 

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