Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
World Hydrography Day, observed on June 21, is led by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) since 1921. The IHO coordinates global efforts to survey and chart seas, oceans, and navigable waters. With 100 member states, it promotes uniformity in nautical charts and best practices. India, a member since 1955, operates the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department in Kolkata, central to hydrographic surveys with a modern fleet. The 2024 theme focuses on enhancing marine safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Notes:
The Ele-fence project, India’s first AI-based smart fence, is being deployed in Wayanad, Kerala, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, primarily involving elephants. Implemented by White Elephant Technologies and the Kerala Forest Department, it aims to prevent crop loss and casualties caused by elephants encroaching on human habitats. Human-wildlife conflicts escalate as human populations grow and encroach into animal habitats, affecting biodiversity and local economies. The Ele-fence seeks to protect both wildlife and human livelihoods in affected areas.

Notes:
Kozhikode in Kerala has been declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, joining the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Established in 2004, UCCN promotes urban development through creativity, encompassing nearly 300 cities globally in fields such as literature, crafts, and music. Other Indian cities in UCCN include Srinagar and Jaipur (crafts and folk arts), Mumbai (film), Chennai, Gwalior, and Varanasi (music), and Hyderabad (gastronomy).

Notes:
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase in the annual income limit for the creamy layer of Other Backward Classes (OBC) from ₹6 lakh to ₹8 lakh. The reservation quota for OBCs in Group-A and Group-B positions will rise from 15% to 27%, aligning with Central government policy. This aims to enhance the welfare of the OBC community and benefit the youth in government jobs.

Notes:
In Ladakh, the Indian Army opened the Khalubar War Memorial to tourists as a tribute to Kargil War heroes, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26. Located in Aryan Valley, Ladakh the memorial honors the bravery of soldiers like Captain Manoj Pandey. Local residents also played a crucial role in the war. Pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations included a “Trek to Battle Site” led by Brig OP Yadav (Retd).

Notes:
On June 25, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet decided that state ministers must pay their own income tax, reversing a 1972 rule where the state government covered these taxes. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced the decision, emphasizing the end of the state’s financial responsibility for ministers’ income tax on salaries and perks.

Notes:
Ladakh is the first administrative unit to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Announced by Lieutenant Governor Dr. BD Mishra, this milestone surpasses 97% literacy. The program, aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, empowers adults with literacy, numeracy, and life skills through volunteerism. Over 77 lakh people nationwide have benefited, with 1.29 crore learners and 35 lakh volunteer teachers engaged via the ULLAS Mobile App.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is testing eSakshya, a mobile app developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. It aids police in recording crime scenes and uploading evidence to a cloud-based platform. Each recording can be up to four minutes long, with multiple files per First Information Report (FIR). The app aims to ensure digital evidence integrity, crucial for new criminal laws to prevent potential legal loopholes.

Notes:
Paraguay has become the 100th full member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) by officially handing over its Instrument of Ratification in New Delhi. The ISA, co-founded by India and France during the 2015 COP21, promotes global solar energy deployment. The alliance now has 119 signatories, with 100 ratified members. The ISA aims to implement the Paris Climate Agreement through extensive solar energy adoption.

Notes:
India participated in the CLGF Annual Board meeting in Sri Lanka, focusing on “Reinforcing Social Resilience through Women’s Political Representation.” CLGF, headquartered in London since 1995, unites local governments and ministries across 56 Commonwealth nations, including India. It advocates for gender equality in local governance to support women’s active participation in public life, aligning with SDG 5 goals.