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Daily Current Affairs August 12: Check Here

Daily Current Affairs August 12

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August 12 | Daily Current Affairs 2024

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs August 12

1. What is the theme for International Youth Day 2024?
A) Youth and Sustainability: Bridging the Gap
B) Empowering Youth for Global Action
C) Youth in Action: Innovating for a Better Tomorrow
D) From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
E) Digital Futures: Youth Driving Change
Answer: D) From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development

Event and Location:

  • Event: International Youth Day 2024
  • Location: Celebrated globally

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Date: August 12, 2024
  • Theme: From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
    • Focuses on the role of youth in digital innovation and sustainable development.
    • Emphasizes the importance of digital technologies in enabling young people to contribute to sustainable progress.
  • Objective:
    • To recognize the contributions of youth to society.
    • To address the socio-economic and socio-political challenges facing young people.
    • To celebrate youth as essential partners in global development.

Important Terms Explained:

  • International Youth Day:
    • Established by the United Nations in 1999, first observed on August 12, 2000.
    • Aims to promote peace, mutual respect, and understanding among youth globally.
    • Emphasizes the importance of youth participation in addressing global challenges.
  • Sustainable Development:
    • Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
    • Involves balancing economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA):

  • Founded Year: 1945
  • Headquarters: New York, USA
  • Current President (2024): Dennis Francis

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Theme Significance
International Youth Day 2024 Global August 12, 2024 From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development Celebrates the role of youth in society and addresses their contributions to sustainable development through digital innovation.

2. Who was the Chief Guest at the 3rd International Conference on World Biofuel Day 2024 organized by SIAM in New Delhi?
A) Rohit Mathur
B) Prashant K Banerjee
C) Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega
D) Vikram S. Kasbekar
E) Mandava Prabhakar Rao
Answer: C) Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega

Event and Location:

  • Event: 3rd International Conference on World Biofuel Day 2024
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Date: August 10, 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To explore the role of biofuels in India’s transition to sustainable energy.
    • To assess the impact of biofuels on the automotive sector.
  • Key Participants:
    • Prashant K Banerjee (Executive Director, SIAM): Emphasized India’s biofuel journey focusing on collaboration, communication, and competency.
    • Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega (Ambassador of Brazil): Highlighted the synergy between Brazil and India in the ethanol sector.
    • Rohit Mathur (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas): Credited the progress in the biofuel sector to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Important Terms Explained:

  • E20 Economy:
    • Refers to a fuel blend consisting of 20% ethanol and 80% gasoline.
    • Part of India’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
  • Flex-Fuel Vehicles:
    • Vehicles that can run on more than one type of fuel, usually gasoline blended with either ethanol or methanol.
  • Ethanol Blending:
    • The process of mixing ethanol with gasoline to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. India’s ethanol blending has increased from 1.4% in 2013-14 to nearly 20% in 2024.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM):

  • Founded Year: 1959
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Current President: Vinod Aggarwal

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Chief Guest Significance
3rd International Conference on World Biofuel Day 2024 New Delhi, India August 10, 2024 Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega (Ambassador of Brazil) Discussed India’s progress in biofuels and its alignment with Brazil’s ethanol expertise.

Obituary – Daily Current Affairs August 12

3. Who was the former CEO of YouTube who passed away in 2024 after battling cancer?
A) Sheryl Sandberg
B) Susan Wojcicki
C) Marissa Mayer
D) Ruth Porat
E) Meg Whitman
Answer: B) Susan Wojcicki

Event and Location:

  • Event: Passing of Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki
  • Location: United States

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To commemorate the life and legacy of Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering leader in the tech industry.
  • Key Contributions:
    • Early Career:
      • Began her career at Google, where she was the 16th employee.
      • Played a pivotal role in developing AdSense, a significant revenue generator for Google.
    • YouTube Acquisition:
      • Instrumental in Google’s acquisition of YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion.
    • Leadership at YouTube:
      • Appointed as CEO of YouTube in 2014.
      • Led the platform through substantial growth, advocating for premium subscriptions, original content, and live streaming.
    • Advocacy for Diversity:
      • Promoted diversity and inclusion, particularly advocating for women in tech.
    • Legacy:
      • Her leadership and strategic vision left a lasting impact on the tech industry.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

YouTube:

  • Founded: February 14, 2005
  • Headquarters: San Bruno, California, USA
  • Current CEO (2024): Neal Mohan

Google:

  • Founded: September 4, 1998
  • Headquarters: Mountain View, California, USA
  • CEO (2024): Sundar Pichai

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Figure Significance
Passing of Susan Wojcicki United States 2024 Former YouTube CEO Pioneering leader who was instrumental in Google’s acquisition of YouTube and led the platform for nearly a decade.

4. Which former External Affairs Minister of India passed away at the age of 93 in 2024?
A) Pranab Mukherjee
B) Sushma Swaraj
C) Natwar Singh
D) Jaswant Singh
E) Yashwant Sinha
Answer: C) Natwar Singh

Event and Location:

  • Event: Passing of Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh
  • Location: Gurugram, India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To commemorate the life and contributions of Natwar Singh, a veteran diplomat and politician.
  • Key Contributions:
    • Born: 1931 in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.
    • Diplomatic Career: Served as India’s Ambassador to Pakistan and held various senior diplomatic positions.
    • Political Career:
      • Joined Congress in the 1980s and became a minister in the Rajiv Gandhi Cabinet.
      • Served as India’s External Affairs Minister from 2004 to 2005 under the UPA-I government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
    • Resignation: Resigned from the UPA-I government and quit Congress in 2008 following his implication in the Iraqi food-for-oil scandal.
    • Author: Wrote several books, including ‘The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute’, ‘My China Diary 1956-88’, and his autobiography ‘One Life is Not Enough’.
    • Awards: Awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1984 for his contributions to the nation.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Iraqi Oil-for-Food Scandal:
    • A United Nations humanitarian program that was marred by corruption, where certain individuals and entities were implicated in receiving kickbacks and unauthorized benefits from the regime of Saddam Hussein.
  • Padma Bhushan:
    • The third-highest civilian award in India, recognizing distinguished service of a high order to the nation in any field.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Ministry of External Affairs, India:

  • Founded: 1948
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Current External Affairs Minister (2024): S. Jaishankar

Rajasthan:

  • Capital: Jaipur
  • Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
  • Governor: Kalraj Mishra

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Figure Significance
Passing of Natwar Singh Gurugram, India August 10, 2024 Former External Affairs Minister Veteran diplomat and politician, served as India’s Foreign Minister and held key diplomatic roles.

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs August 12

5. Which institution topped the NIRF 2024 rankings in the ‘Overall’ category for the sixth consecutive year?
A) IIT Delhi
B) IIT Bombay
C) IISc Bengaluru
D) IIT Madras
E) Jawaharlal Nehru University
Answer: D) IIT Madras

Event and Location:

  • Event: NIRF 2024 Rankings Announcement
  • Location: New Delhi, India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To rank Indian higher education institutions based on various performance metrics under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
    • IIT Madras secured the top spot in the ‘Overall’ category for the sixth consecutive year and also ranked first in the ‘Engineering’ category for the ninth consecutive year.
  • Key Highlights:
    • IISc Bengaluru was ranked first in the ‘University’ category for the ninth year in a row.
    • Hindu College, Delhi University claimed the top spot in the ‘College’ category, ending Miranda House’s seven-year reign.
    • AIIMS New Delhi topped the ‘Medical College’ category.
    • IIM Ahmedabad maintained its position as the top ‘Management Institution’.

Important Terms Explained:

  • NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework):
    • Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Education, India, it ranks institutions based on various parameters like teaching, learning, research, graduation outcomes, and outreach.
  • NEP 2020 (National Education Policy 2020):
    • A comprehensive policy aimed at transforming India’s education system by emphasizing flexibility, skills development, and a holistic approach to learning.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras):

  • Founded: 1959
  • Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Director: Prof. V. Kamakoti

National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF):

  • Launched: 2016
  • Objective: To rank higher educational institutions in India based on a range of parameters, fostering quality and competitive spirit among institutions.

Ministry of Education, India:

  • Founded: 1947
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Minister: Dharmendra Pradhan

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Institution Significance
NIRF 2024 Rankings New Delhi, India August 2024 IIT Madras Ranked first in the ‘Overall’ category for the sixth consecutive year and first in ‘Engineering’ for the ninth consecutive year.

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs August 12

6. Which organization surpassed 100,000 cross-border UPI Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions in Nepal?
A) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
B) National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
C) NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL)
D) Fonepay
E) Nepal SBI Bank Limited (NSBL)
Answer: C) NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL)

Event and Location:

  • Event: UPI Merchant Transactions in Nepal Surpass 100,000 Milestone
  • Location: Nepal and India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To highlight the achievement of NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) in surpassing 100,000 cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions in Nepal.
    • To underscore the growing adoption of UPI as a cross-border payment platform.
  • Key Details:
    • NIPL: International arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
    • Collaboration: NIPL partnered with Fonepay, Nepal’s largest payment network, to launch cross-border P2M UPI acceptance in March 2024.
    • UPI Growth: UPI is widely accepted in several countries, making it one of the largest real-time payment platforms globally.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Unified Payments Interface (UPI):
    • A real-time payment system developed by NPCI that facilitates inter-bank transactions through mobile platforms.
    • UPI enables instant money transfers between bank accounts using a mobile number or UPI ID.
  • Person-to-Merchant (P2M) Transactions:
    • Transactions where individuals make payments to merchants using UPI for goods and services.
  • Fonepay:
    • Nepal’s largest payment network, which has collaborated with NIPL to facilitate UPI transactions in Nepal.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL):

  • Parent Organization: National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
  • Founded: 2020
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, India
  • Purpose: To take NPCI’s flagship products like UPI and RuPay to global markets.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI):

  • Founded: 2008
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, India
  • MD & CEO: Dilip Asbe

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Organization Significance
UPI Merchant Transactions in Nepal Surpass 100,000 Nepal August 11, 2024 NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) Marks a major milestone in the cross-border adoption of UPI, highlighting its growth as a global payment platform.

7. What recent regulatory change has the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)?
A) Increased deposit limits for HFCs
B) Extended maximum deposit period for HFCs
C) Halved the ceiling on deposits and deposit period for HFCs
D) Reduced interest rates on HFC deposits
E) Exempted HFCs from regulatory scrutiny
Answer: C) Halved the ceiling on deposits and deposit period for HFCs

Event and Location:

  • Event: RBI Tightens Norms for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)
  • Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To bring Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) under stricter regulatory norms, aligning them with Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs).
    • Key Change:
      • Ceiling on Deposits: The maximum amount of public deposits that HFCs can accept has been halved.
      • Maximum Deposit Period: The maximum period for which HFCs can accept deposits has also been halved.
    • Rationale:
      • These changes are aimed at increasing regulatory parity between HFCs and NBFCs, ensuring that deposit-taking HFCs are subject to similar regulatory scrutiny and limits as NBFCs.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Housing Finance Companies (HFCs):
    • Specialized financial institutions that primarily offer housing loans. They are regulated by the National Housing Bank (NHB) and the RBI.
  • Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs):
    • Financial institutions that provide banking services without holding a banking license. They are regulated by the RBI and are subject to certain regulatory norms similar to banks.
  • Public Deposits:
    • Deposits collected by financial institutions from the public, usually at a fixed rate of interest, which are repayable after a specified period.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

  • Founded: April 1, 1935
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das

National Housing Bank (NHB):

  • Founded: July 9, 1988
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • MD & CEO: Sarada Kumar Hota

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Change Significance
RBI Tightens Norms for HFCs India August 2024 Ceiling and period for public deposits halved Aligns HFC regulations with NBFCs, increasing regulatory scrutiny and ensuring greater financial stability.

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs August 12

8. What was the retail inflation rate in India for July 2024, marking a 5-year low?
A) 4.2%
B) 5.08%
C) 3.5%
D) 5.42%
E) 7.44%
Answer: C) 3.5%

Event and Location:

  • Event: Retail Inflation Eases to 5-Year Low in India
  • Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To report the reduction in retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2024.
    • Retail Inflation Rate: Dropped to 3.5%, the lowest since August 2019.
    • Food Inflation: Decreased to 5.1%, a 13-month low.
  • Key Details:
    • The significant drop in inflation is largely attributed to the base effect from high inflation in the previous year.
    • Previous Rates:
      • July 2023: Retail inflation was 7.44%.
      • June 2024: Retail inflation was 5.08%.
    • RBI Target Rate: Inflation fell below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) target rate of 4% for the first time since September 2019.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI):
    • A measure that examines the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services, often used to assess inflation.
  • Base Effect:
    • The impact of the previous year’s data on the current year’s inflation rate. High inflation in the base year can make current inflation appear lower by comparison.
  • Retail Inflation:
    • Inflation as experienced by consumers, which measures the change in the price of goods and services purchased by households.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Reserve Bank of India (RBI):

  • Founded: April 1, 1935
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • Governor: Shaktikanta Das

HDFC Bank:

  • Founded: August 1994
  • Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
  • MD & CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Statistic Significance
Retail Inflation Eases to 5-Year Low India July 2024 Retail Inflation: 3.5% Inflation falls to its lowest level since August 2019, driven by a decline in food inflation and a favorable base effect.

Awards – Daily Current Affairs August 12

9. Which Bollywood icon was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival?
A) Amitabh Bachchan
B) Shah Rukh Khan
C) Salman Khan
D) Aamir Khan
E) Ranbir Kapoor
Answer: B) Shah Rukh Khan

Event and Location:

  • Event: 77th Locarno Film Festival
  • Location: Locarno, Switzerland

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To honor Shah Rukh Khan with the Lifetime Achievement Award (Pardo alla Carriera) for his remarkable contributions to Indian cinema.
  • Key Details:
    • Date: August 2024
    • Award: Golden Leopard for Lifetime Achievement.
    • Significance:
      • Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as “King Khan,” is celebrated for his impactful career in Bollywood, spanning over 35 years and including more than 100 films across various genres.
      • The festival also screened his 2002 hit film Devdas as part of the tribute.
      • Khan entertained the crowd with his wit and charm, reflecting on his career and the significance of cinema.

Important Terms Explained:

  • Pardo alla Carriera:
    • The Career Leopard award is given at the Locarno Film Festival to honor outstanding achievements in cinema.
  • Locarno Film Festival:
    • An annual film festival held in Locarno, Switzerland, known for its prestigious awards and focus on artistic and auteur cinema.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Locarno Film Festival:

  • Founded: 1946
  • Location: Locarno, Switzerland
  • Notable Award: Golden Leopard (for the best film in competition)

Shah Rukh Khan:

  • Born: November 2, 1965
  • Known For: Iconic roles in Bollywood, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, My Name Is Khan, and Pathaan.
  • Awards: Numerous including Padma Shri (2005).

Switzerland:

  • Capital: Bern
  • Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
  • President: Alain Berset

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Figure Significance
Shah Rukh Khan Honored at Locarno Film Festival Locarno, Switzerland August 2024 Shah Rukh Khan Awarded the Golden Leopard for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian cinema.

 

Defence – Daily Current Affairs August 12

10. Which aircraft did the Indian Air Force use during Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia?
A) MiG-29
B) Rafale
C) Su-30MKI
D) Tejas
E) Mirage 2000
Answer: C) Su-30MKI

Event and Location:

  • Event: Exercise Udara Shakti 2024
  • Location: Kuantan, Malaysia

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To enhance interoperability and operational efficiency between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
    • To engage in air combat missions and exchange maintenance practices.
  • Duration: August 05 to August 09, 2024

Key Highlights:

  • Aircraft Involved:
    • IAF: Su-30MKI fighter jets.
    • RMAF: Su-30MKM fighter jets.
  • Purpose:
    • The exercise allowed both air forces to familiarize themselves with each other’s operational protocols.
    • The goal was to enhance the interoperability, commonality, and overall effectiveness of Su-30 aircraft operations.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Indian Air Force (IAF):

  • Founded: October 8, 1932
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Chief of Air Staff (2024): Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari
  • Motto: “Touch the Sky with Glory”

Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF):

  • Founded: June 2, 1958
  • Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Chief of Air Force (2024): General Tan Sri Ackbal Abdul Samad

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Aircraft Used Significance
Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 Kuantan, Malaysia August 05-09, 2024 IAF: Su-30MKI
RMAF: Su-30MKM
Enhanced interoperability and operational efficiency between Indian and Malaysian Air Forces.

11. Which nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine is India set to commission next?
A) INS Arihant
B) INS Chakra
C) INS Arighat
D) INS Sindhurakshak
E) INS Vikrant
Answer: C) INS Arighat

Event and Location:

  • Event: Commissioning of INS Arighat and Expansion of India’s Nuclear Submarine Capabilities
  • Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To enhance India’s maritime defense capabilities through the commissioning of INS Arighat, its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN).
    • To expand the Indian Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet with the construction of six additional nuclear submarines (SSNs).

Key Details:

  • INS Arighat:
    • The second SSBN, following INS Arihant, which was inducted in 2016.
  • Capabilities:
    • Equipped with four launch tubes, capable of carrying either four K-4 missiles (range over 3,500 km) or twelve K-15 missiles (range approximately 750 km).
    • Speed: 12-15 knots on the surface, 24 knots underwater.
    • Commissioning Timeline: Expected to enter service within the next two months.
  • Expansion:
    • Approval to construct six additional SSNs at an estimated cost of over Rs 1 lakh crore (~$12 billion).
    • Technological Integration: Advanced stealth technology and autonomous drones for enhanced maritime warfare capabilities.
  • Strategic Importance:
    • SSNs offer superior underwater speed and endurance, crucial for countering regional threats, especially in the Indo-Pacific.

Important Terms Explained:

  • SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear):
    • A submarine equipped with ballistic missiles, forming a critical component of a nation’s nuclear deterrent force.
  • SSN (Ship Submersible Nuclear):
    • A nuclear-powered submarine designed for longer underwater endurance and higher speed compared to conventional submarines.
  • K-4 and K-15 Missiles:
    • K-4 Missile: Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of over 3,500 km.
    • K-15 Missile: SLBM with a shorter range of approximately 750 km.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Indian Navy:

  • Founded: 1612 (as East India Company’s Marine)
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Chief of Naval Staff (2024): Admiral R. Hari Kumar
  • Motto: “Sham No Varunah” (May the Lord of Water be auspicious unto us)

Make in India:

  • Launched: 2014
  • Objective: To encourage companies to manufacture their products in India and to increase investment in Indian manufacturing.

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Submarine Significance
Commissioning of INS Arighat India Expected in 2024 INS Arighat India’s second nuclear-powered SSBN; strengthens India’s maritime defense capabilities.
Approval for six additional SSNs India 2024 Six new SSNs Part of India’s effort to enhance naval capabilities, including advanced stealth and autonomous drone integration.

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 12

12. Which countries signed a customs cooperation arrangement to ease trade in 2024?
A) India and Australia
B) India and Japan
C) India and New Zealand
D) India and Canada
E) India and Singapore
Answer: C) India and New Zealand

Event and Location:

  • Event: Signing of Customs Cooperation Arrangement
  • Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To facilitate and ease trade between India and New Zealand through enhanced customs cooperation.
    • The agreement aims to streamline customs procedures, reduce trade barriers, and boost bilateral trade.
  • Key Details:
    • Bilateral Discussions: Held between President Droupadi Murmu of India and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Vinston Peters of New Zealand.
    • Areas of Cooperation:
      • Customs Cooperation: The primary focus of the agreement to enhance trade facilitation.
      • Traditional Medicine: Exchange of best practices through the Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, India.
      • Renewable Energy: New Zealand ratified the International Solar Alliance (ISA), opening avenues for joint research and development in solar energy.

Important Terms Explained:

  • International Solar Alliance (ISA):
    • An alliance of 124 countries initiated by India, aimed at promoting solar energy and reducing dependency on fossil fuels.
  • Global Centre for Traditional Medicine:
    • A WHO-backed center located in Jamnagar, India, focused on traditional medicine research, practices, and policies.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

India:

  • Capital: New Delhi
  • Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
  • President: Droupadi Murmu
  • Prime Minister: Narendra Modi

New Zealand:

  • Capital: Wellington
  • Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
  • Prime Minister: Christopher Luxon
  • Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister: Vinston Peters

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Participants Significance
India-New Zealand Customs Cooperation Wellington, New Zealand 2024 India: President Droupadi Murmu
New Zealand: PM Christopher Luxon
Eases trade by enhancing customs cooperation; also involves cooperation in traditional medicine and renewable energy.

13. Which satellite, developed in Nepal, is set to be launched by India’s NSIL?
A) Sagarmatha
B) Pashupatinath
C) Munal
D) Himalaya
E) Lumbini
Answer: C) Munal

Event and Location:

  • Event: Signing of MoU for Launching Nepalese Munal Satellite
  • Location: India and Nepal

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Objective:
    • To facilitate the launch of Nepal’s Munal satellite using India’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

Key Details:

  • MoU Signatories:
    • Anurag Srivastava: Joint Secretary (North), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India.
    • Arunachalam A: Director, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO.
  • Satellite Details:
    • Munal Satellite:
      • Developed by the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) with assistance from Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN).
      • Purpose: To create a vegetation density database of Earth’s surface using AI-supported imagery functions.
      • Launch Vehicle: NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
  • Significance:
    • Marks a milestone in space collaboration between India and Nepal.
    • Strengthens Nepal-India relations, particularly in the field of space research.

Important Terms Explained:

  • NewSpace India Limited (NSIL):
    • The commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) responsible for providing launch services and promoting space technology.
  • Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
    • A highly reliable launch vehicle developed by ISRO, used to deploy satellites into polar orbits.

Static GK Information:

Titbits

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India:

  • Founded: 1948
  • Headquarters: New Delhi, India
  • Current Minister (2024): S. Jaishankar

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):

  • Founded: 1969
  • Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
  • Chairman: S. Somanath

Nepal:

  • Capital: Kathmandu
  • Currency: Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
  • President: Ram Chandra Poudel
  • Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal

Tabular Summary:

Event Location Date Key Participants Significance
MoU Signing for Munal Satellite Launch India and Nepal August 2024 Anurag Srivastava (MEA), Arunachalam A (NSIL) Facilitates the launch of Nepal’s Munal satellite, marking a milestone in Nepal-India space collaboration.


Over All Review

Important Days

  • International Youth Day 2024 will be celebrated globally on August 12 to highlight the role of youth in sustainable development through digital innovation.
  • Kenneth Félix Haczynski da Nóbrega, Ambassador of Brazil, was the Chief Guest at the 3rd International Conference on World Biofuel Day 2024.

Obituary

  • Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube, passed away in 2024 after battling cancer.
  • Natwar Singh, former External Affairs Minister of India, passed away at the age of 93 in Gurugram.

Ranking 

  • IIT Madras topped the NIRF 2024 rankings in the ‘Overall’ category for the sixth consecutive year.

Banking and Finance 

  • NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) surpassed 100,000 cross-border UPI Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions in Nepal.
  • RBI has tightened norms for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) by halving the ceiling on public deposits and the maximum deposit period.

Business And Economy

  • India’s retail inflation in July 2024 dropped to a 5-year low of 3.5%, driven by a sharp decline in food inflation.

Awards 

  • Shah Rukh Khan received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival for his contributions to Indian cinema.

Defence

  • Indian Air Force successfully participated in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 in Malaysia using Su-30MKI fighter jets.
  • INS Arighat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, is set to be commissioned in 2024.

International Affairs

  • India and New Zealand signed a customs cooperation arrangement to ease trade and enhance bilateral relations.
  • India’s NSIL will launch Nepal’s Munal satellite, developed under the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

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