This is the current affairs of 20 June 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. How many nuclear weapons has India’s arsenal increased to, according to SIPRI’s annual report 2024?
a. 476
b. 172
c. 160
d. 164
Answer: b. 172
SIPRI : Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
– This organization releases data on weapons at an international level. Its statistics are considered reliable worldwide.
– SIPRI Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
– Report Release Date: June 17, 2024
Nuclear Weapons in India
– Year 2024: 172 (8 new nuclear weapons in the past year)
– Year 2023: 164
– Year 2022: 160
– Year 2021: 156
– However, India has not deployed any nuclear weapons.
– This means that the number of nuclear weapons has increased, but they have not been deployed.
– In terms of nuclear weapons, India follows a no-first-use policy. This means that we will not use them first.
Nuclear Weapons of Neighboring Countries
Pakistan
– Pakistan has a total of 170 nuclear weapons, the same number as last year.
– Pakistan lags behind India in this regard. India has 172 nuclear weapons.
China
– China has increased its nuclear arsenal the fastest. It has a total of 500 nuclear weapons, of which 24 are deployed.
– In 2023, China had 410 nuclear weapons, but in 2024, it has increased to 500.
Who is Responsible for Nuclear Weapons in India
– The responsibility for nuclear weapons lies with the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
– It was established on January 4, 2003, by the Vajpayee government.
– It is a command of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
– The Strategic Forces Command (SFC), sometimes referred to as the Strategic Nuclear Command.
– It is a part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
– It is responsible for the management and administration of the country’s non-strategic and strategic nuclear weapons arsenal.
India’s Capability to Launch Nuclear Weapons
Aircraft and Range
– Mirage 2000H (1850 km)
– Jaguar IS (1600 km)
– Rafale (2000 km)
Surface-Based Missiles and Range
– Prithvi II (250 km)
– Agni – I (>700 km)
– Agni – II (>2000 km)
– Agni – III (>3200 km)
– Agni – IV (3500 km)
– Agni – V (5000 km)
– Agni – P (6000 km)
Sea-Based Missiles and Range
– Dhanush (400 km)
– K15 (700 km)
– K-4 (3500 km)
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2. According to SIPRI’s Annual Report 2024, which country has the maximum number of nuclear weapons in the world?
a. America
b. Russia
c. Britain
d. India
Answer: b. Russia (5580)
– A total of 9 countries possess nuclear weapons.
– There are now 12,121 nuclear weapons in the world.
– Of these, Russia has the most with 5,580 nuclear weapons.
– Following that, the USA has 5,044 nuclear weapons.
– China is in third place with 500 nuclear weapons.
World Nuclear Powers 2024
Country : 2023 : 2024
Russia : 5889 : 5580 (decrease in total number)
USA : 5244 : 5044 (decrease in total number)
China : 410 : 500
France : 290 : 290
UK : 225 : 225
India : 164 : 172
Pakistan : 170 : 170
Israel : 90 : 90
North Korea : 30 : 50
Total : 12512 : 12121
Note:
– The 2024 report shows a decrease in nuclear weapons for Russia and the USA.
– Some countries among these 9 have not changed their numbers, while others have increased.
Total number of nuclear weapons deployed
Country: 2023: 2024
– Russia: 1674: 1710
– America: 1770: 1770
– France: 280: 280
– UK: 120: 120
– China: 0: 24
– All these countries have a total of 3904 nuclear weapons deployed in missiles or aircraft.
Note – Russia has increased its deployment of nuclear weapons. However, it has reduced the total number of nuclear weapons. America has also reduced its total number.
About Nuclear Weapons
– Nuclear weapons, also known as nuclear arms, are considered the most destructive weapons in the world, utilizing nuclear energy for devastation.
– America’s Robert Oppenheimer is called the ‘Father of the Nuclear Bomb.’
– The world’s first nuclear test took place on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico, USA.
– Nuclear weapons are of two types – strategic and tactical.
– Strategic nuclear weapons are heavy and can cause devastation over long distances, such as from Moscow to Washington.
– Tactical nuclear weapons, on the other hand, are lightweight and cause devastation over shorter distances.
– Tactical nuclear weapons are used within a few kilometers radius to cause devastation.
– The use of nuclear bombs in warfare has been done only once, by the United States on Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki).
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3. When is World Refugee Day observed?
a. 20 June
b. 19 June
c. 18 June
d. 17 June
Answer: a. 20 June
Theme 2024
– Solidarity with Refugees
– This day is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of refugees worldwide.
– It has been proclaimed by the United Nations.
Status of Refugees Worldwide
– According to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), by mid-2023, more than 110 million (11 crore) people worldwide were forcibly displaced, of which 40% were children.
– Among these displaced persons, 75% have sought refuge in low and middle-income countries.
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4. Which country ranks first in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024?
a. Estonia
b. Luxembourg
c. Germany
d. Finland
Answer: a. Estonia
Estonia
– Capital – Tallinn
– President – Alar Karis
– Prime Minister – Kaja Kallas
– Currency – Euro
– Sea – Baltic Sea
– Neighbouring countries – Russia and Latvia
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) is:
– It is a biennial index.
– It was initially launched in 2002 by the World Economic Forum under the name Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI).
– Later, it was taken over by the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy and the Columbia Center for International Earth Science Information Network, who began issuing new reports under these organizations.
– Released on: June 5, 2024
Evaluation Objectives:
– It evaluates nations’ efforts towards achieving international environmental policy objectives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement (2015), and global biodiversity frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Protocol.
Top 10 countries
1. Estonia
2. Luxembourg
3. Germany
4. Finland
5. United Kingdom
6. Sweden
7. Norway
8. Austria
9. Switzerland
10. Denmark
– The report indicates that only five countries – Estonia, Finland, Greece, Timor-Leste, and the United Kingdom – have made sufficient reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero by 2050.
The EPI score signifies:
– It indicates how countries have attempted to tackle environmental challenges and assesses their performance.
– It compares countries to see which ones have performed exceptionally well.
– It evaluates countries based on their adherence to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, and the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework.
Basis of the Index: The 2024 EPI includes 58 performance indicators across 11 issue categories aligned with three policy objectives:
– Environmental Health
– Ecosystem Vitality
– Climate Change
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5. What is the rank of India in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024?
a. 170th
b. 176th
c. 175th
d. 174th
Answer: b. 176th
India’s Situation:
– India ranks 176th out of 180 countries with a score of 27.6, placing it above only Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar.
– Its performance in air quality, emissions, and biodiversity conservation is poor, primarily due to heavy dependence on coal, which significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution levels.
– Specifically, India ranks 177th in air quality and is projected to rank 172nd by 2025 in estimated emissions.
– In the Climate Change Performance Index, India ranks 133rd with a score of 35.
– While there has been marginal improvement compared to 2023, India still ranks among the countries with the lowest performance globally.
– India is the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases.
India has made strides in some areas:
– The report notes India’s improved ranking in climate change (133), attributed mainly to advancements in renewable energy.
– India aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070.
– The report also highlights that “India will need an additional $160 billion annually in climate change investment to meet its targets.”
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6. Which player won the Australian Open Badminton Championship 2024 men’s singles title?
a. Akane Yamaguchi
b. Yuki Fukushima
c. Lee Zii Jia Champion
d. Kodai Naraoka
Answer: c. Lee Zii Jia Champion (Malaysia)
– On June 15, 2024, Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia defeated Japan’s Kento Momota to clinch the title.
– This was his sixth victory on the World Badminton Federation (BWF) tour.
Men’s Doubles
– In the men’s doubles final, China’s He Jiting and Ren Xiangyu emerged victorious.
– They defeated the pair from Indonesia, Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan, in this match.
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7. Which player won the Australian Open Badminton Championship 2024 women’s singles title?
a. Kenichi Tago
b. Nozomi Okuhara
c. Akane Yamaguchi
d. Aya Ohori
Answer: d. Aya Ohori (Japan)
– Japan’s Aya Ohori made a stunning comeback by defeating Indonesia’s young talent, Estelle Nuroomy Trie Wardoyo, ranked 35th.
– This was her second title on the tour, having previously won the Thailand Masters in 2024.
Women’s Doubles
– The Indonesian pair, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma and Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, secured victory.
– They came back after trailing in one game to defeat Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Lim Chiew Sien.
Mixed Doubles
– The top-seeded pair from China, Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin, defeated Guo Xinwa and Chen Fang Hui of Vietnam in two games.
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8. Harpal Singh Bedi passed away on 15 June 2024 What was he known for?
a. Cricket player
b. Writer
c. Sports journalist
d. Sports Secretary
Answer: c. Sports journalist
– Harpal Singh Bedi was a former sports editor of United News of India (UNI).
– In recent years, he had been working as the consulting editor at Statesman newspaper.
– He passed away at the age of 72 after a prolonged illness in Delhi. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
– He provided extensive coverage of Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket World Cups, Hockey World Cups, Athletics, and other major Olympic events at both national and international championships.
– He was a close friend of the late cricketer Bishan Singh Bedi, often mistaken by many as the Indian spinner Bishan Singh Bedi.
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9. When is the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict observed?
a. 21 June
b. 20 June
c. 19 June
d. 18 June
Answer: c. 19 June
– The United Nations General Assembly declared this day to be celebrated on June 19, 2015.
– This day is celebrated to raise awareness about conflict-related sexual violence.
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10. When is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day observed?
a. 18 June
b. 19 June
c. 20 June
d. 21 June
Answer: b. 19 June
Theme 2024
– Hope Through Progress: Advancing Care Globally.
– The United Nations General Assembly declared this day in the year 2008.
What is sickle cell disease?
– Sickle cell disease (SCD) or sickle cell anemia is a major inherited abnormality (genetic imbalance) of red blood cells (RBCs).
– In which the shape of these red blood cells becomes like a crescent/sickle.
– The red blood cells become stiff and sticky.
– Blood gets trapped in the veins, due to which the flow of blood and oxygen in many parts of the body is reduced or stopped.
– Body organs get disturbed.
– This causes anemia or lack of blood.
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11. Name the mission director of India’s first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1, who passed away on 14 June 2024?
a. P Veeramuthuvel
b. Srinivas Hegde
c. Rajendra Kumar
d. Anil Sharma
Answer: b. Srinivas Hegde (71 years old)
– Shrinivas Hegde passed away on June 14, 2024, at a hospital in Bengaluru.
– He is survived by his wife and two sons.
– He was associated with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for more than three decades.
– He was involved in several historic missions of the space agency.
– Notably, he played a significant role in the launch of Chandrayaan-1 in 2008.
About Chandrayaan-1:
– Launch Date: October 22, 2008
– Rocket Name: PSLV-C11
– Launch Site: Sriharikota, India
– Objectives: Mapping the Moon’s surface, studying minerals, and searching for water on the Moon
– Achievement: Chandrayaan-1 discovered water molecules on the Moon’s surface, marking its biggest success.
– Conclusion: Communication with Chandrayaan-1 was lost in August 2009, leading to the mission’s conclusion.
Key Points about Chandrayaan-3:
– Launch: July 14, 2023
– Rocket: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)
– Soft Landing: Evening of August 23
– Landing Site: South Pole of the Moon (Southern Hemisphere)
– Mission Director for Chandrayaan-3 is M. Shreekant.
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