Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is celebrated on January 9th every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indian community to the development of India. The day commemorates the return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to Mumbai on January 9, 1915. Gandhi had spent over two decades in South Africa, building the foundations of Satyagraha and working to ease discrimination against the Indian community there. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas was established in 2003 by the Government of India Ministry of External Affairs to connect the Indian diaspora community more closely to India. Various events and award ceremonies take place on this day celebrating outstanding overseas Indians.

Notes:
General Dong Jun has been appointed as China’s new defence minister, replacing General Li Shangfu who mysteriously disappeared from public view four months ago without any explanation. 62-year old Dong Jun has a Navy background and was previously the deputy commander of the Southern Military Command, overseeing the sensitive South China Sea region. His appointment is seen as a significant move by President Xi Jinping to place a loyalist in charge of the 2.3 million-strong People’s Liberation Army, particularly amidst rising tensions with the US and Taiwan.

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Telangana government has introduced a new common application form named ‘Praja Palana Guarantee Darakasthu’ to enable access to schemes under its flagship ‘six guarantees’ program to support disadvantaged sections. The one-page form is designed for basic details regarding identity, address, contacts etc., while the second page collects relevant information and documentation for specific welfare measures like financial aid, subsidized ration, electricity, housing etc. Applications under this standardized format will be open from Jan 1st across the state to extend direct benefit transfers under mass outreach initiatives.

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Senior IPS officer Nina Singh has taken charge as Director General of the CISF in a first for the 1.65 lakh strong force tasked with securing vital infrastructure. A Rajasthan cadre officer of the 1989 batch, she has served over 3 decades in diverse policing roles like counterinsurgency, VVIP security, training and vigilance. Her pioneering stint is expected to usher a new era of professionalism and welfare initiatives for lower rank personnel. With specialized experience across domains like technology driven systems, HR and industrial security, Singh is well equipped to lead the CISF.

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The primary objectives of the recently launched XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) by ISRO are to investigate the polarization of intense X-Ray sources and study the enigmatic world of black holes. This satellite is India’s first dedicated scientific satellite for conducting research in space-based polarization measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. It carries two scientific payloads: POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) for measuring polarimetry parameters in the medium X-ray energy range of 8-30 keV photons and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) for providing spectroscopic information in the energy range of 0.8-15 keV. These instruments will help in gaining a deeper understanding of X-ray sources in space, including neutron stars and black holes.

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China launched its first homegrown cruise ship, Adora Magic City, from Shanghai port in January 2024 on its maiden commercial voyage. With amenities like mahjong rooms and hotpot restaurants, the 16-deck luxury ship targets China’s expanding domestic tourism market as national pride in indigenous manufacturing grows. Its success is seen as showcasing China’s shipbuilding prowess and attempt to rival foreign cruise liners.

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As per RBI’s revised dividend distribution policy, banks with net NPA less than 6% and meeting capital adequacy norms can declare up to 50% dividend from profits, up from 40% earlier. Banks with zero net NPA can pay up to 50% dividend while those with over 4% NPA can only pay up to 15% dividend. The higher payout will benefit govt which holds majority stake in PSBs.

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A new species of see-through green frog named Gracixalus patkaiensis has been discovered in the biodiverse Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. The tiny 2.2 cm frog inhabits dense undergrowth in evergreen forests at the foothills of the Patkai range, and has a distinct insect-like call. It has been named after the Patkai hills of the Eastern Himalayas.

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The European Union designated Russia’s state-run diamond producer Alrosa under sanctions by adding the world’s largest diamond mining firm and its CEO to a blacklist banning trade and freezing EU-based assets. This tightened restrictions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

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‘Bharat Park,’ a project announced by India’s Commerce and Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal, is intended to facilitate the trade of Indian goods in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This initiative, involving the establishment of a goods showroom and warehouses in the UAE, aims to create a dedicated platform for showcasing and selling Indian products to other countries. Announced during an event organized by the Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC), the creation of Bharat Park is a strategic move to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Indian goods in international markets.