Daily Current Affairs August 30

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs August 30. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing  Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly  current affairs pdf.

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August 30 | Daily Current Affairs 2024

Sports – Daily Current Affairs August 30

1. What historic achievement did Avani Lekhara accomplish at the Paris Paralympics?
A) Became the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in archery
B) Set a new world record in long jump
C) Became the first Indian to win successive Paralympic gold medals in shooting
D) Clinched India’s first Paralympic medal in swimming
E) Won a gold medal in wheelchair racing
Answer: C) Became the first Indian to win successive Paralympic gold medals in shooting

Event and Location:

• Event: Avani Lekhara’s performance at the Paris Paralympics
• Location: Paris, France

Mandates and Objectives:

• Gold Medal Achievement: Avani Lekhara won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1) shooting competition at the Paris Paralympics, setting a new Paralympic record with a score of 249.7, surpassing her own record of 249.6 set in Tokyo.
• Historic Achievement: Avani became the first Indian to win successive Paralympic gold medals in shooting.
• Additional Achievement: Mona Agarwal won the bronze medal in the same event, marking a historic double podium finish for India.

Important Terms Explained:

• 10m Air Rifle (SH1): A shooting event for athletes with physical impairments affecting the lower limbs, using a rifle at a distance of 10 meters.
• Paralympic Record: The best performance recorded in a particular event at the Paralympic Games.

Static GK Information:

• Paralympic Games: A major international multi-sport event involving athletes with a range of disabilities, held after the Olympic Games.
• Tokyo Paralympics: The previous Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan in 2021.

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs August 30

2. What is the primary feature of HDFC Bank’s newly launched DigiPassBook on the SmartWealth app?
A) Allows users to apply for personal loans instantly
B) Enables users to view and manage all equity investments, ETFs, and demat accounts in one place
C) Provides real-time foreign exchange rates
D) Offers a platform for online shopping
E) Facilitates direct payments for utility bills
Answer: B) Enables users to view and manage all equity investments, ETFs, and demat accounts in one place

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of DigiPassBook by HDFC Bank
• Location: Mumbai, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• DigiPassBook Feature: HDFC Bank’s DigiPassBook, available on the SmartWealth app, allows users to consolidate and manage all their equity investments, ETFs, and demat accounts under one platform.
• Account Aggregator Framework: The feature is supported by the account aggregator framework, enabling users to aggregate their financial assets from different institutions after providing one-time consent.
• Future Expansion: HDFC Bank plans to expand DigiPassBook to include investments in insurance and bonds, further enhancing the SmartWealth app’s capabilities.
• Comprehensive View: The feature also allows users to view bank account balances, track income and expenses, and access detailed investment analytics, all in one place.

Important Terms Explained:

• Equity Investments: Investments made in the stock market where users buy shares of companies.
• ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): A type of investment fund that is traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks.
• Account Aggregator: A service regulated by the RBI that consolidates financial information across institutions, allowing users to view all their financial holdings in one place.

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3. What unique service is Karnataka Bank offering on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)?
A) Credit card applications
B) Home loans
C) Personal loans
D) Fixed deposit services
E) Mutual fund investments
Answer: C) Personal loans

Event and Location:

• Event: Karnataka Bank’s announcement to offer personal loans on ONDC
• Location: Mangaluru, Karnataka

Mandates and Objectives:

• Service Offered: Karnataka Bank will offer personal loans through buyer apps on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), initially available for its existing customers.
• Pioneering Initiative: This move makes Karnataka Bank the first bank to provide personal loans through the ONDC platform, integrating traditional banking services with digital commerce.

Important Terms Explained:

• ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce): An initiative by the Government of India to democratize digital commerce, providing an open platform where buyers and sellers can interact, similar to an open-source e-commerce network.
• Personal Loans: A type of unsecured loan provided by banks to individuals based on their creditworthiness, typically used for personal financial needs.

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs August 30

4. What was the GDP growth rate of India in the April-June quarter of 2024, and how does it compare to the previous quarter?
A) 5.3%, lower than the previous quarter
B) 6.7%, the slowest pace in five quarters
C) 7.9%, higher than the previous quarter
D) 8.1%, matching the previous quarter
E) 6.9%, a slight increase from the previous quarter
Answer: B) 6.7%, the slowest pace in five quarters

Event and Location:

• Event: Reporting of India’s GDP growth rate for the April-June quarter of 2024
• Location: New Delhi, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• GDP Growth Rate: India’s GDP grew at 6.7% in the April-June quarter of 2024, marking the slowest pace in five quarters.
• Comparison to Previous Quarter: This growth rate is lower compared to the previous quarter, where manufacturing growth was at 8.9%.
• Government’s Estimate: Despite the slowdown, the government remains optimistic about achieving a 6.5-7% growth rate for the entire fiscal year.

Important Terms Explained:

• GDP (Gross Domestic Product): The total value of goods produced and services provided in a country during one year.
• Quarter: A three-month period on a company’s financial calendar that acts as a basis for periodic financial reports and the paying of dividends.

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5. What is the main goal of the partnership between Visa and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) in India?
A) To promote digital payments in the tourism industry
B) To train 20,000 youth with tourism-relevant skill sets
C) To boost India’s global tourism ranking
D) To increase Visa’s market share in India
E) To establish new tourism infrastructure
Answer: B) To train 20,000 youth with tourism-relevant skill sets

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Visa and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC).
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Up skilling Youth: The partnership aims to up skill at least 20,000 Indian youth across 10 states in tourism-relevant skills.
• Focus Areas: The program will concentrate on essential roles within the domestic tourism industry, such as tour guides, customer service executives, naturalists, and paragliding tandem pilots.
• Tourism Enhancement: The initiative is designed to elevate the tourism service experience for tourists in India.
• Economic Growth: The collaboration is expected to contribute to India’s economic growth by enhancing the employability of youth in the tourism sector.

Important Terms Explained:

• Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC): A council under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, focused on skill development in the tourism and hospitality sector.
• Visa: A global leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions across 200+ countries and territories, and committed to enhancing tourism in India through strategic initiatives.

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6. What is the primary focus of the partnership between Mahindra Group and Sentrycs Ltd?
A) Development of new electric vehicles
B) Manufacturing of commercial aircraft
C) Creation of anti-drone solutions for civilian and military applications
D) Establishment of a new automobile plant in India
E) Development of smart city infrastructure
Answer: C) Creation of anti-drone solutions for civilian and military applications

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Mahindra Group and Sentrycs Ltd
• Date: August 30, 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

• Primary Objective: The partnership focuses on developing and providing anti-drone solutions for both civilian and military applications in India, under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• Technology and Manufacturing: The collaboration will involve the transfer of technology and manufacturing of radio frequency-based counter-drone systems. These systems will detect, track, identify, and mitigate incoming drone threats, distinguishing between friendly and hostile drones.
• Key Applications: The solutions will be used to protect military bases, military forces, borders, and critical infrastructure against drone threats.

Important Terms Explained:

• Anti-Drone Solutions: Technologies designed to detect, identify, track, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile drones, particularly in sensitive areas like military bases and critical infrastructure.
• Make in India: A government initiative aimed at encouraging companies to manufacture products in India to enhance investment, foster innovation, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure.

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7. What is the main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Amazon India and the Indian Railways?
A) To develop new railway stations
B) To introduce luxury train services
C) To scale up e-commerce deliveries by leveraging the rail network
D) To build warehouses across India
E) To reduce ticket prices for passengers
Answer: C) To scale up e-commerce deliveries by leveraging the rail network

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Amazon India and Indian Railways
• Location: India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Primary Objective: The MoU aims to scale up e-commerce deliveries by utilizing the vast rail network of Indian Railways, enhancing the speed and reliability of Amazon India’s package transportation.
• Hub and Spoke Model: Amazon India will collaborate with Indian Railways to establish a hub and spoke model for one origin-destination pair, with plans to scale it up across the network based on the learnings from this initial implementation.
• Partnership Scope: The partnership includes exploring first and last-mile delivery requirements, optimizing transit times, and providing recommendations to improve parcel logistics through Indian Railways.

Important Terms Explained:

• Hub and Spoke Model: A distribution method in which a central hub (warehouse or distribution center) feeds smaller locations (spokes) with goods, optimizing logistics efficiency.
• Dedicated Freight Corridor: A specialized railway corridor focused on transporting freight, offering faster and more efficient services compared to mixed-traffic lines.

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs August 30

8. What is the primary purpose of Future Generali India Insurance’s newly launched GenAI-enabled chatbot ‘LEO’ on WhatsApp?
A) To provide real-time stock market updates
B) To offer personalized and real-time assistance throughout the entire insurance policy cycle
C) To facilitate online shopping
D) To enable instant loan approvals
E) To track fitness and health data
Answer: B) To offer personalized and real-time assistance throughout the entire insurance policy cycle

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of GenAI-enabled chatbot ‘LEO’ by Future Generali India Insurance (FGII)
• Location: Hyderabad, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• LEO Chatbot: The GenAI-enabled LEO chatbot on WhatsApp is designed to provide personalized and real-time assistance to customers throughout the entire insurance policy cycle.
• Customer Experience: LEO aims to enhance the customer experience by offering an engaging and superior level of service, making the insurance process more accessible and efficient.
• Technology Integration: The integration of GenAI (Generative AI) into the chatbot allows it to handle customer queries and provide information in a more intuitive and responsive manner.

Important Terms Explained:

• GenAI (Generative AI): A type of artificial intelligence that can generate text, images, or other media in response to prompts, providing personalized and context-aware interactions.
• Chatbot: An AI-powered tool that can simulate conversation with users, often used for customer service and support.

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs August 30

9. What is the main focus of the Joint Commanders’ Conference (JCC) set to be held in Lucknow on September 4-5, 2024?
A) Enhancing bilateral military relations with neighboring countries
B) Discussing economic reforms in the defense sector
C) Undertaking internal ‘process reforms’ within the armed forces
D) Expanding India’s military presence globally
E) Promoting defense exports
Answer: C) Undertaking internal ‘process reforms’ within the armed forces

Event and Location:

• Event: The first Joint Commanders’ Conference (JCC)
• Location: Headquarters Central Command, Lucknow
• Date: September 4-5, 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

• Theme: The conference is themed ‘Sashakt aur Surakshit Bharat: Transforming the Armed Forces,’ focusing on strengthening and securing India.
• Primary Focus: The JCC will concentrate on undertaking internal ‘process reforms’ within the armed forces to better prepare for future conflicts.
• Key Topics:
  • Geo-Political Impact: Analyzing regional and global geo-political disruptions and their impact on military reforms.
  • Future Wars: Preparing the armed forces for future conflicts.
  • Jointness & Integration: Emphasizing jointness and integration among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • Technology Absorption: Focusing on technology absorption, leveraging the government’s ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) initiative to achieve self-reliance in defense.

Important Terms Explained:

• Atmanirbharta: A government initiative aimed at promoting self-reliance in various sectors, including defense, to reduce dependency on foreign technology and resources.
• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): The highest-ranking military officer, responsible for coordinating between the three services (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and implementing reforms within the armed forces.

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10. What was the primary purpose of the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between the Indian Navy’s INS Tabar and the Spanish Navy’s Ship Atalaya?
A) To conduct anti-piracy operations
B) To demonstrate naval superiority in the Mediterranean Sea
C) To enhance maritime cooperation and bilateral naval ties between India and Spain
D) To engage in humanitarian missions
E) To carry out weapon testing and trials
Answer: C) To enhance maritime cooperation and bilateral naval ties between India and Spain

Event and Location:

• Event: Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) between Indian Navy’s INS Tabar and Spanish Navy’s Ship Atalaya
• Location: Mediterranean Sea, following a visit to Malaga, Spain from August 25-27, 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

• Bilateral Relations: The MPX aimed to enhance the existing bilateral relations between India and Spain, particularly in the maritime domain.
• Advanced Exercises: The exercise included advanced maneuvers such as Station Keeping, Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPs), Flying Exercise (FYEX), Steam Past, and PHOTOEX serials.
• Professionalism and Commitment: Both navies demonstrated high levels of professionalism and commitment, focusing on collaboration and enhancing maritime cooperation.
• Significance: The exercise is a testament to the Indian Navy’s outreach and commitment to fostering partnerships with navies worldwide, further reinforcing strong bilateral naval ties with Spain.

Important Terms Explained:

• INS Tabar: A frontline frigate of the Indian Navy, actively involved in various international naval exercises and operations.
• Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX): Naval exercises conducted between two or more countries to enhance cooperation, understanding, and operational readiness.
• Replenishment at Sea Approaches (RASAPs): Maneuvers conducted to practice the safe transfer of fuel, munitions, and supplies from one ship to another while underway.

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11. What is the main objective of Project NAMAN launched by the Indian Army?
A) To enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Army
B) To provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans, and their families
C) To train new recruits in modern warfare techniques
D) To promote digital literacy among military personnel
E) To establish new military bases across India
Answer: B) To provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans, and their families

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Project NAMAN by the Indian Army
• Location: Across various key locations in India, with the first phase including 14 centres

Mandates and Objectives:

• Project NAMAN: A project designed to provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans, and their families, centering around the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha) digital pension system.
• SPARSH Integration: The project streamlines pension-related processes, making them more accessible to Veterans and Next of Kin (NOK) through Common Service Centres (CSCs).
• Common Service Centres (CSCs): These centres offer SPARSH-enabled pension services, Government to Citizen (G2C) services, and Business to Consumer (B2C) services, all in one place.
• Expansion Plans: Starting with 14 centres, the project aims to expand to approximately 200 centres nationwide over the next 2-3 years.
• Support Structure: The CSCs are managed by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), who are veterans or NOKs, and are supported by HDFC Bank with IT infrastructure and a monthly monetary grant.

Important Terms Explained:

• SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha): A digital pension administration system developed by the Ministry of Defence to facilitate pension-related processes for Defence Pensioners.
• Common Service Centres (CSCs): Service delivery points established in rural and remote areas to provide access to various digital services, now extended to Defence Pensioners under Project NAMAN.
• Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE): A person selected to manage the CSCs, typically a veteran or NOK, trained to deliver essential services.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 30

12. What was the main purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Malaysia on August 20, 2024?
A) To boost political relations between India and Malaysia
B) To strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism
C) To enhance military cooperation
D) To promote joint economic investments
E) To establish a free trade agreement
Answer: B) To strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Tourism Cooperation
• Location: The MoU was signed between India and Malaysia on August 20, 2024.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Promotion and Marketing: Enhance the promotion and marketing of tourism products and services between India and Malaysia.
• Tourism Research and Training: Expand tourism research, training, and development, including exchange programs.
• Investment in Tourism: Encourage investment in tourism infrastructure, facilities, products, and services.
• Medical Tourism: Exchange information in the field of medical tourism and promote related products.
• Business Tourism (MICE): Develop business tourism, focusing on meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions.
• Cooperation among Stakeholders: Promote cooperation between tourism stakeholders, including tour operators and travel agents.
• Community-Based Tourism: Promote and develop community-based tourism, eco-tourism, and responsible tourism.

Important Terms Explained:

• Medical Tourism: Traveling to another country to receive medical care; the MoU focuses on promoting this sector.
• Business Tourism (MICE): Tourism related to meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, aimed at boosting business interactions.
• Community-Based Tourism: Tourism managed and owned by local communities, ensuring that benefits stay within those communities.
• Eco-Tourism: Responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and sustaining local communities.

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13. What is the primary objective of the e-Dispute Resolution Scheme (e-DRS) 2022 launched by CBDT?
A) To increase tax revenue collection
B) To simplify the tax filing process
C) To reduce litigation and provide relief to taxpayers
D) To introduce new tax penalties
E) To improve the efficiency of tax audits
Answer: C) To reduce litigation and provide relief to taxpayers

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of the e-Dispute Resolution Scheme (e-DRS) 2022 by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
• Location: Across all 18 jurisdictional Principal Chief Commissioner of Income-tax (Pr. CCIT) regions in India.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Minimize Litigation: The primary goal of e-DRS 2022 is to reduce litigation and provide relief to eligible taxpayers by enabling an electronic dispute resolution process.
• Eligibility Criteria: Taxpayers can opt for e-Dispute Resolution against a ‘specified order’ where the proposed variations do not exceed ₹10 lakh, and the returned income does not exceed ₹50 lakh.
• DRC’s Role: The Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) can modify the variations, grant reductions or waivers of penalties, and decide on prosecution in accordance with the Income-tax Rules, 1962.
• Application Process: The application for e-DRS must be filed electronically within one month from the date of receipt of the specified order or by September 30, 2024, if an appeal is already pending.

Important Terms Explained:

• Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT): The apex body under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, responsible for framing policies related to direct taxes in India.
• e-Dispute Resolution Scheme (e-DRS): A scheme under Section 245MA of the Income-tax Act, 1961, aimed at reducing tax-related disputes by enabling electronic submission and processing of disputes.
• Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs): Committees constituted across all 18 jurisdictional Pr. CCIT regions to handle applications filed under e-DRS.

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14. What is the primary aim of the recently approved 12 new industrial cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)?
A) To develop new tourist destinations
B) To boost India’s global manufacturing and economic competitiveness
C) To promote agricultural development
D) To create new educational hubs
E) To enhance defense infrastructure
Answer: B) To boost India’s global manufacturing and economic competitiveness

Event and Location:

• Event: Approval of 12 new industrial cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)
• Location: Across 10 states in India

Mandates and Objectives:

• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP): India’s most ambitious infrastructure initiative aimed at creating “Smart Cities” and integrated industrial corridors to enhance the country’s manufacturing capabilities and global competitiveness.
• Strategic Investments: The NICDP focuses on cultivating a dynamic industrial ecosystem, attracting investments from large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure: Development of new industrial cities as greenfield smart cities with advanced infrastructure, incorporating ‘plug-n-play’ and ‘walk-to-work’ concepts.
• Employment Generation: NICDP is expected to create 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs, contributing to regional socio-economic upliftment.
• Sustainability: Emphasis on ICT-enabled utilities and green technologies to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Important Terms Explained:

• National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP): A comprehensive program aimed at developing industrial cities across India, integrating advanced infrastructure to enhance the country’s manufacturing sector and global competitiveness.
• Greenfield Smart Cities: Newly developed cities built from scratch with advanced infrastructure and technologies, focusing on sustainability and efficiency.
• PM GatiShakti: A national master plan aimed at ensuring multi-modal connectivity, enabling seamless movement of people, goods, and services.

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15. What was one of the key points highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024 in Mumbai?
A) The challenges of FinTech regulation in India
B) The decline of digital transactions in rural areas
C) The role of FinTech in democratizing financial services and improving financial inclusion
D) The need for more cash-based transactions
E) The negative impact of FinTech on traditional banking
Answer: C) The role of FinTech in democratizing financial services and improving financial inclusion

Event and Location:

• Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2024
• Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mandates and Objectives:

• FinTech Revolution: The Prime Minister highlighted the FinTech revolution in India as a transformative force improving financial inclusion and driving innovation.
• Key Achievements: He emphasized that India’s Jan Dhan Yojana and UPI have been pivotal in boosting financial inclusion and revolutionizing the financial landscape.
• Financial Empowerment: The Jan Dhan Program has laid strong foundations for the financial empowerment of women, with over 29 crore bank accounts opened for women.
• Social Impact: The Prime Minister underlined the far-reaching social impact of FinTech, including democratizing financial services, making access to credit easier, and enhancing the ease of living.
• Global Influence: India’s FinTech ecosystem, driven by innovation and adoption, is expected to play a significant role in enhancing the ease of living globally.

Important Terms Explained:

• Jan Dhan Yojana: A financial inclusion program launched by the Indian government to provide affordable access to financial services like banking, credit, and insurance.
• UPI (Unified Payments Interface): A real-time payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) facilitating inter-bank transactions.

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16. What was one of the major projects launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Palghar, Maharashtra?
A) Construction of a new international airport
B) Launch of a national housing scheme
C) Laying the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port
D) Inauguration of a new metro line in Mumbai
E) Development of a national highway
Answer: C) Laying the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port

Event and Location:

• Event: Laying the foundation stone of Vadhvan Port and multiple fisheries projects
• Location: Palghar, Maharashtra

Mandates and Objectives:

• Vadhvan Port: A significant project worth around ₹76,000 crore, Vadhvan Port is set to become one of India’s largest deep-water ports, enhancing the country’s maritime connectivity and trade.
• Strategic Importance: The port will cater to large container vessels, offer deeper drafts, and accommodate ultra-large cargo ships, making it a key maritime gateway for international shipping routes.
• Fisheries Projects: The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 218 fisheries projects worth ₹1,560 crore, aimed at improving the sector’s infrastructure and productivity across the country.
• Vessel Communication System: Launched the national rollout of a Vessel Communication and Support system, costing ₹360 crore, which will improve communication and safety for fishermen.

Important Terms Explained:

• Vadhvan Port: A proposed deep-water port near Dahanu in Palghar district, Maharashtra, designed to enhance India’s maritime trade capabilities.
• Fisheries Projects: Initiatives aimed at developing and upgrading fishery infrastructure, including harbours, landing centers, and fish markets, to boost the fisheries sector.
• Vessel Communication and Support System: An indigenous communication system developed by ISRO to enhance safety and rescue operations for fishermen.

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17. What is the primary purpose of the MoU signed between Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) and National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL)?
A) To develop new shipbuilding technologies
B) To supply and launch Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges
C) To build new warships for the Indian Navy
D) To enhance India’s railway infrastructure
E) To manufacture defense aircraft
Answer: B) To supply and launch Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GRSE and NHIDCL
• Date: August 29, 2024

Mandates and Objectives:

• Primary Objective: The MoU focuses on the fabrication, supply, and launching of Double-Lane Class 70 modular steel and Bailey bridges. These bridges are intended to enhance connectivity in critical forward areas along India’s borders, facilitating the deployment of troops and equipment.
• Bridge Specifications: The bridges will have a 7.5-meter carriageway width, supporting two-way traffic, and are capable of handling wheeled and tracked vehicles up to 100/70 MT.
• Previous Experience: GRSE has previously supplied 44 similar bridges to the Border Roads Organization (BRO) under a similar MoU.

Important Terms Explained:

• Double-Lane Class 70 Modular Steel Bridges: These are portable, modular bridges designed for heavy loads, particularly useful in military and critical infrastructure applications.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: An initiative by the Indian government aimed at making India self-reliant in various sectors, including defense and infrastructure.

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18. What is the primary purpose of the partnership between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd?
A) To develop electric aircraft
B) To manufacture commercial helicopters
C) To design, develop, and manufacture ‘Aravalli’ engines for the Indian Armed Forces
D) To build drones for civilian use
E) To establish a new aerospace research center
Answer: C) To design, develop, and manufacture ‘Aravalli’ engines for the Indian Armed Forces

Event and Location:

• Event: Partnership between Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) and SAFHAL Helicopter Engines Pvt. Ltd
• Location: Bengaluru, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Primary Objective: The partnership aims to design, develop, manufacture, supply, and support the ‘Aravalli’ engines, which are high-power engines intended to meet the specific requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
• Strategic Importance: The development of the Aravalli engines aligns with India’s defense objectives, enhancing self-reliance in critical aerospace technologies.
• Partnership Scope: The collaboration includes joint efforts in every aspect of the engine’s lifecycle, from design to support.

Important Terms Explained:

• Aravalli Engines: High-power engines being developed for use in military applications by the Indian Armed Forces.
• HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd): An Indian state-owned aerospace and defense company involved in the design, manufacture, and assembly of aircraft, helicopters, and related equipment.

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19. What does the ‘Navratna’ status provide to the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) like NHPC and Solar Energy Corporation of India?
A) Increased foreign investment opportunities
B) Privilege to issue their own currency
C) More financial autonomy and operational flexibility
D) Ability to bypass Indian regulations
E) Exclusive rights to government contracts
Answer: C) More financial autonomy and operational flexibility

Event and Location:

• Event: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman accorded ‘Navratna’ status to four CPSEs.
• Location: New Delhi, India

Mandates and Objectives:

• Navratna Status: This status grants more financial autonomy and operational flexibility to the CPSEs, enabling them to make decisions regarding capital expenditure, technology joint ventures, strategic alliances, and organizational restructuring without a monetary ceiling.
• New Navratna CPSEs: The four companies that received Navratna status are:
  • NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation)
  • Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI)
  • Railtel Corporation of India (RCIL)
  • SJVN (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd)

Important Terms Explained:

• Navratna Status: A recognition given to well-performing Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in India, allowing them more autonomy in financial and operational matters.
• CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprises): Government-owned corporations in India, where the central government has a majority stake.

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