This is the current affairs of 10 to 12 February 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. How many former Indian marines, who were earlier pardoned from death sentence, were released by Qatar?
a. 7
b. 8
c. 9
d. 10
Answer: b. 8
– Qatar has released 8 former Indian sailors. Most of them returned to India on February 12, 2024.
– They were serving sentences for espionage in Qatar. Initially, they were sentenced to death by hanging. Later, the court there reduced it.
– Qatar’s State Security Bureau of the intelligence agency arrested 8 former sailors on August 30, 2022, in a case of alleged espionage.
What did the Ministry of External Affairs say
The Ministry of External Affairs said on February 12 – The Government of India welcomes the release of 8 Indians arrested in Qatar for working for the Doha-based global company. We appreciate Qatar’s decision for their return home.
Modi Met Qatar’s Amir
– During the COP28 summit in Dubai on December 1, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Qatar’s Amir (Chief Ruler) Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
– This meeting garnered global attention. A picture of Modi and Sheikh Hamad’s meeting went viral on social media.
Regarding Former Naval Officers
– Commander Purnendu Tiwari
– Commander Sugnakar Pakala
– Commander Sanjeev Gupta
– Commander Amit Nagpal
– Captain Navtej Singh Gill
– Captain Sourabh Vashisht
– Captain Beirendra Kumar Verma
– Sailor Ragesh
Note: Many of these individuals have served as commanders in the Indian Navy’s warships.
What Former Naval Officers Were Doing
– According to media reports, the 8 former Indian naval officers went to Qatar after taking early retirement.
– Before their arrest in August 2022, they were working in a private company named Doha Global Technologies and Consultancy in Qatar.
– This company provides defense services. It is primarily led by retired Squadron Leader Khamees Al Ajmi from the Oman Air Force.
– He was also among the 8 Indian citizens arrested but was released in November.
– This company provides training and other services to the Qatar Emiri Naval Forces (QENF).
– The company claims expertise in operating defense equipment and their repair and maintenance.
Commander Purnendu Honored in Qatar
– Commander Purnendu Tiwari was serving as the Managing Director in the Doha company.
– For his services in advancing bilateral relations between India and Qatar, he was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2019.
– He is the only person from the Armed Forces to receive this award.
– At that time, then Indian Ambassador to Doha, P Kumaran, and former Chief of Qatar Defense Forces International Military Corporation also welcomed Purnendu.
About Qatar:
– Capital: Doha
– Amir: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Qatar is ruled by the Thani dynasty)
– The ruler is the head and chief executive of the country.
– Prime Minister: Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani (He is the head of the government).
– Qatar has one of the world’s largest reserves of petroleum and natural gas.
– Neighbor country: Saudi Arabia
– Sea: Persian Gulf
Indians in Qatar:
– There are 8 million Indians living and working in this country.
– Indians form the largest expatriate community in Qatar.
—————-
2. With which country did India sign an agreement to buy 7.5 million tonnes of gas from 2028 to 2048?
a. Saudi Arab
b. Qatar
c. Oman
d. UAE
Answer: b. Qatar
– During the India Energy Week 2024 program held in Goa, an agreement was reached on February 6.
– Central Energy Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and CEO of Qatar Energy, Saad Al-Kaabi, were present during this agreement.
– Under this agreement, India will purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar from 2028 to 2048.
– This agreement is for the next 20 years and has a total cost of 78 billion dollars.
– Petronet LNG Limited (PLL), India’s largest LNG importer, has entered into this agreement with Qatar’s government-owned company Qatar Energy.
– Under this agreement, Qatar will export 7.5 million tons of gas to India annually.
– This gas is used for generating electricity, manufacturing fertilizers, and converting it into compressed natural gas (CNG).
Another Agreement in 2015:
– Prior to this, another agreement was made with Qatar in 2015. Petronet imports a total of 8.5 million tons of LNG annually from Qatar.
– 35% of India’s LNG consumption comes from Qatar. Given India’s energy security concerns, the importance of this Gulf country has increased significantly.
—————-
3. Which countries implemented the Indian payment system UPI and RuPay card in February 2024?
a. China and USA
b. France and Seychelles
c. Sri Lanka and Mauritius
d. United Kingdom and Chad
Answer: c. Sri Lanka and Mauritius
– During a virtual event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and RuPay cards in Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
– During this event, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth were also present.
– UPI and RuPay cards will facilitate seamless digital transactions for Indian citizens traveling to these countries and for citizens of Mauritius and Sri Lanka traveling to India.
Note: UPI and RuPay cards are operated by NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India).
Sri Lanka:
– President: Ranil Wickremesinghe
– Prime Minister: Dinesh Gunawardena
– Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative) and Colombo (executive and judicial)
– Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee
Mauritius:
– President: Prithvirajsing Roopun
– Prime Minister: Pravind Jugnauth
– Capital: Port Louis
– Currency: Mauritian Rupee
—————
4. Famous litterateur Usha Kiran Khan passed away on 11 February 2024, which of the following awards did she receive?
a. Bharat Ratna
b. Padma Vibhushan
c. Padma Bhushan
d. Padma Shri
Answer: d. Padma Shri (Year 2015)
– She was awarded the Padma Shri Award in the year 2015.
– In addition to this, she has received prestigious honors such as the Sahitya Akademi Award, Mahadevi Varma Award, Dinakar National Award, and Bharat-Bharati.
Usha Kiran Khan:
– She was born on October 25, 1945.
– She passed away on February 11, 2024.
– She was 78 years old. She hailed from Bihar.
– Usha Kiran Khan was an Indian writer.
– She was also an academic historian.
– She had written many novels in Hindi and Maithili.
—————
5. Name the winning team of ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024?
a. India
b. England
c. Australia
d. New Zealand
Answer: c. Australia
– Australia won the final match of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup for the fourth time.
—————
6. Which team did Australia defeat in the final of the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024?
a. India
b. England
c. South Africa
d. New Zealand
Answer: a. India
– India and Australia faced each other for the third time in the final match of the Under-19 World Cup.
– Prior to this, both times the Indian team emerged victorious.
– In 2012, India won by 8 wickets.
– In 2018, India won by 6 wickets.
– In 2024, India lost by 79 runs.
– Date of the final match: February 11, 2024
– Venue: Willowmoore Park, Benoni, South Africa
– Teams in the final: India and Australia
– Australia’s captain: Hugh Weibgen
– India’s captain: Uday Saharan
Final Match Score:
– Australia: 253/7 in 50 overs
– India: All out for 174 runs in 43.5 overs
– Australia won by 79 runs.
Australia has won the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the following years:
– In 1988, they defeated Pakistan.
– In 2002, they defeated South Africa.
– In 2010, they defeated Pakistan.
– In 2024, they defeated India.
India has won the ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in the following years:
– In 2000, they defeated Sri Lanka.
– In 2008, they defeated South Africa.
– In 2012, they defeated Australia.
– In 2018, they defeated Australia.
– In 2022, they defeated England.
ICC (International Cricket Council):
– Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
– Founded: June 15, 1909
– CEO: Geoff Allardice
– Chairman: Greg Barclay
Achievements in ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2024:
– Player of the Match: Mahli Birdman
– Player of the Tournament: Kweza Mafaka (South African fast bowler)
– Most Runs in the Tournament: Uday Saharan (India) with a total of 397 runs
– Most Wickets in the Tournament: Kweza Mafaka (South Africa) with 21 wickets
– Highest Individual Score in the Tournament: Snehith Reddy (New Zealand) with 147* against Nepal.
—————
7. Space agency NASA discovered a new planet ‘Super Earth’, (Name – TOI-715b) how far is it from Earth?
a. 150 light years
b. 145 light years
c. 137 light years
d. 127 light years
Answer: c. 137 light years
– One light-year = approximately 9.5 trillion kilometers.
– Who identified the planet? – TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite)
– It is being called ‘Super Earth.’
What name did NASA give to the planet?
– It is located 137 light-years away from Earth. – Astronomers have named it TOI-715b.
Information about the planet:
– It is approximately one and a half times wider than Earth.
– The planet revolves around a red dwarf star, which is smaller and cooler than the Sun.
– It is quite close to Earth (137 light-years away).
– According to NDTV News, it completes one orbit (one year) in just 19 days.
– Its identification was made by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
What is TESS?
– TESS was launched in 2018.
– It is a mission/satellite of NASA that is searching for exoplanets orbiting the brightest stars in the sky from Earth.
What makes a planet habitable?
– A habitable planet is one where the distance from its star is such that there is neither boiling due to the presence of liquid water nor freezing due to extreme cold.
– The existence of water depends on several factors including appropriate environmental conditions.
– Based on our solar system, the necessity for life includes liquid water, energy, and nutrients.
How is technology aiding?
– Currently, scientists have tools like the James Webb Space Telescope.
– This technology helps identify distant exoplanets and can analyze their atmospheric compositions.
– Such data can provide crucial insights into the possibility of life beyond the solar system.
NASA
– Established: July 29, 1958
– Headquarters: Washington, D.C., USA
– Administrator: Bill Nelson
—————
8. Survey Ship (Large) INS Sandhyak built by which company was inducted into the Indian Navy?
a. HAL
b. GRSE
c. Mazgaon Dock
d. CSL
Answer: b. GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers)
– On February 3, 2024, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the INS Sandhayak at the Eastern Naval Command base in Visakhapatnam.
– This is the first of four large survey vessels being built in Kolkata by GRSE.
Construction process of the four survey vessels:
– The contract for these four large survey vessels was signed on October 30, 2018.
– The construction process of this vessel commenced on March 12, 2019.
– It was launched on December 5, 2021.
– Handed over to the Indian Navy on December 4, 2023.
– Inducted into the Indian Navy on February 3, 2024.
Role of INS Sandhayak:
– It will conduct hydrographic surveys of the entire coastal and deep-water routes leading to harbors.
– Its operational zone includes the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)/Extended Continental Shelf.
– The vessel will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defense and civilian applications.
– Additionally, it will provide limited security and operate as a hospital in times of war or emergencies.
About INS Sandhayak:
– It is a leading vessel in its category.
– Length: 110 meters
– Maximum speed: 18 nautical miles (approximately 33 km/h)
– Operating range: 6,500 nautical miles (approximately 12,000 km)
– It has a displacement of around 3400 tons.
– Equipped with hydrographic instruments such as data acquisition and processing systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, DGPS long-range positioning systems, digital side scan sonar, etc.
– It is powered by two diesel engines.
– More than 80% of the equipment used is indigenous.
– Chief of the Indian Navy – Admiral R. Hari Kumar
—————
9. When is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science observed?
a. 8 February
b. 9 February
c. 10 February
d. 11 February
Answer: d. 11 February
– The proclamation of this day was made by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2015.
– It was first observed in the year 2016.
– Its purpose is to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women and girls in the field of science and technology.
– Additionally, it aims to inspire women and girls to pursue careers in this field.
—————
10. When is World Radio Day celebrated?
a. 11 February
b. 12 February
c. 13 February
d. 14 February
Answer: c. 13 February
– On this day in 1945, the United Nations Radio was first broadcasted.
– Its purpose is to promote radio broadcasting.
Additionally, it aims to encourage people to utilize it.
– UNESCO declared this initiative in the year 2011.
– In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly adopted it as International Day.
—————
11. When is Indian National Women’s Day celebrated?
a. 11 February
b. 12 February
c. 13 February
d. 14 February
Answer: c. 13 February
– This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu.
– She was born on February 13, 1879.
Nicknames of Sarojini Naidu:
1. Nightingale of India
2. Bharat Kokila
– Sarojini Naidu made a significant contribution to India’s independence movement.
– In the year 1925, Sarojini Naidu became the President of the Indian National Congress.
– She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress.
– Sarojini Naidu led the Civil Disobedience Movement and the Quit India Movement.
Note: International Women’s Day is celebrated every year on March 8th.
