Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched the Sangyaan App, developed by the RPF Tech Team. It educates RPF Personnel on new criminal laws like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023. This mobile tool aims to enhance legal knowledge and operational relevance, offering comprehensive insights into legal provisions for effective RPF operations.

Notes:
Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, deployed in the South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, has arrived at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii, USA to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise, enhancing naval interoperability and trust among 29 participating countries. Led by the US Navy, the exercise includes diverse activities like symposiums, sports competitions, and integrated sea operations, crucial for global maritime security and cooperation.

Notes:
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day, observed annually on July 1, commemorates the implementation of India’s transformative tax system. The 2024 celebration marks the seventh anniversary of GST, introduced to simplify the complex tax structure previously managed by central and state governments. GST revolutionized India’s fiscal landscape, significantly impacting the economy by streamlining indirect taxes and fostering economic efficiency.

Notes:
Labor Minister Lakhan Lal Devangan launched the Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramikon Ke Bachon Hetu Nihshulk Coaching Sahaayata Yojana in Chhattisgarh. This scheme provides free coaching to economically weaker children of registered construction workers across 10 districts. It covers exams like PSC, CG Professional Examination Board, SSC, and banking and railway recruitments. Children of deceased workers since June 9, 2020, and beneficiaries of Nirman Shramik Mrtyu Evam Divyaang Sahaayata Yojana are eligible. Coaching is available in hybrid mode for flexibility.

Notes:
The World Bank approved $1.5 billion to support India’s low-carbon energy development. The funding will boost green hydrogen, electrolysers, and renewable energy. This aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and energy goals: achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2070.

Notes:
The Indian Army commenced the Maitree exercise with the Royal Thai Army at Fort Vachiraprakan, Thailand, from 1 to 15 July 2024. Initiated in 2006, this bilateral exercise enhances defense cooperation. Seventy-six personnel from both armies, including the Ladakh Scouts, participate. The exercise focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and jungle environments, joint planning, tactical drills, and physical fitness.

Notes:
The private Chinese rocket Tianlong-3 crashed after accidental launches during a test run. Developed by Beijing Tianbing (Space Pioneer), Tianlong-3 is a medium-lift orbital launch vehicle, partially reusable up to ten times, with the first stage capable of autonomous vertical landing. It can launch medium-sized payloads to low Earth orbit (LEO) and sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), and its performance is comparable to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

Notes:
Russia has initiated coal shipments to India via the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for the first time. Two trains will travel 7,200 km from St. Petersburg to Mumbai port via Iran’s Bandar Abbas port. INSTC integrates shipping, rail, and road networks, facilitating cargo movement between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe. Established in 2000, the corridor aims to enhance transportation cooperation, initially agreed upon during the Euro-Asian Conference on Transport.

Notes:
Dr. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, issued an advisory to states following reported Zika virus cases in Maharashtra. The advisory emphasizes vigilance due to Zika’s association with microcephaly and neurological issues in fetuses. States are instructed to monitor pregnant women for Zika, ensure health facilities are mosquito-free, and follow central guidelines. Zika primarily spreads via infected Aedes mosquitoes, and symptoms, when present, include fever, rash, and joint pain.

Notes:
In 2023, the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, faced unprecedented fires due to severe water loss. The area covered by water was 61% below average, leaving only 2.6% of the Pantanal wet, leading to extreme dryness and wildfires. This crisis threatens its rich biodiversity, including jaguars and capybaras. Located in South America’s Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, the Pantanal spans 68,000 square miles and is a vital, productive habitat.