Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Unveiled on Navy Day 2023, the Indian Navy’s new shoulder rank insignias (epaulettes) for senior leadership draw design elements from the Naval Ensign and legendary Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Features like the golden button and octagon shape reflect indigenization efforts and long-term strategic vision respectively. The insignia artfully integrates symbols of the sword, telescope, and ‘Rajmudra’ seal used by Shivaji in special decrees, blending India’s rich maritime heritage with its glorious history. The creative vision signifies the Navy’s cultural shift towards ‘swadeshi’ under the current government.

Notes:
The West Bengal government has declared Rabindranath Tagore’s song “Banglar Mati Banglar Jal” as the State Song. The song has an approximate playing time of 1 minute and 59 seconds. The notification mandates that the State Song must be played with due respect at the beginning of all state government functions, and the National Anthem must be played at the conclusion of these functions.

Notes:
Astronauts on the International Space Station experience 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness in each orbit. This is significantly different from the typical 12-hour day-night cycle on Earth. Thus, the crew at International Space Station witnesses 16 New Year countdowns in a row.

Notes:
The NPCI has set the daily payment limit for UPI transactions to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh starting from January 1, 2024. However, RBI raised the transaction limit for UPI payments to hospitals and educational institutions to Rs 5 lakh on December 8, 2023, to broaden the use of UPI payments.

Notes:
On January 1, 1948, the town of Kharsawan in present-day Jharkhand witnessed a massacre of Adivasis by the police. This happened during a protest against the merger of the princely state of Kharsawan into Odisha state. The protesters and locals had gathered there in thousands to hear a speech by Jai Prakash Singh Munda. However, he could not make it to the venue and the restive crowd was fired upon by the police, killing hundreds. The massacre is seen as reminiscent of the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. The exact death toll remains disputed, with estimates ranging from 35 officially to a few thousand unofficially.

Notes:
South Africa has approached the International Court of Justice urging it to declare that Israel is in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in light of its bombing campaign in Gaza. South Africa has been historically sympathetic to Palestine due to its own experience under apartheid. However, many African nations have softened their stand on Israel over the years.

Notes:
Dr. Arvind Panagariya has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Finance Commission of India. The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that gives recommendations on center-state financial relations. Dr. Panagariya is an eminent economist who has served as the first Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. He will now head the 16th Finance Commission, which will suggest the tax devolution formula between the centre and states for 5 years starting 2026-27. The appointment comes after the President established a new Finance Commission through a notification dated December 31, 2023.

Notes:
Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was introduced by the government in April 2018 with the primary aim of providing financial assistance to tuberculosis (TB) patients for their nutritional needs. Recognizing undernutrition as a significant risk factor for TB, the scheme offers ₹500 per month as direct benefit transfer (DBT) to TB patients. This monetary support is intended to help patients purchase food and maintain a nutritious diet throughout the duration of their TB treatment. The scheme has seen a gradual increase in beneficiaries over the years, indicating its growing reach and importance in supporting TB patients’ nutritional needs.

Notes:
Rajasthan will host the India-UAE joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone 2024’. The inaugural edition of this bilateral drill will be conducted from January 2nd to January 15th, 2024 in Rajasthan. The aim is to enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and UAE forces by exchanging best practices in areas like urban operations. This comes under expanding defense ties between the two nations who are strategic partners.

Notes:
Perihelion refers to the point in Earth’s elliptical orbit when it is closest to the Sun. In 2024, this event known as Perihelion Day will occur on January 3 when Earth comes within 91.4 million miles of the Sun. It occurs around two weeks after the December solstice each year. The opposite point when Earth is farthest from the Sun is called Aphelion which will occur on July 6, 2024.