This is the current affairs of 19 & 20 March 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. According to IQ Air’s World Air Quality Report 2023, name the capital with the most polluted air in the world?
a. Washington D.C.
b. Beijing
c. New Delhi
d. Dhaka
Answer: c. New Delhi
– According to the report, New Delhi remained the most polluted capital.
– This fact came to light in the World Air Quality Report 2023 by the Swiss organization IQ Air.
– The report ranks countries, capitals, and cities based on PM 2.5 particles.
India, the world’s third most polluted country
– Bangladesh remained the most polluted country in the world.
– In this list of 134 countries, Pakistan is ranked second.
– India remained the third most polluted country in 2023.
The world’s most polluted megacity
– Begusarai in Bihar is the world’s most polluted megacity.
– Whereas Begusarai’s name was not on this list in 2022. In 2022, India ranked eighth among countries with polluted air.
96% of people in India are breathing air 7 times worse
– According to the report, in India, 1.33 billion people, that is, 96% of the population, are living in air where the level of PM 2.5 is 7 times higher than the WHO annual standard.
– Meanwhile, in 66% of the cities in the country, the annual level of PM 2.5 exceeded 35 micrograms per cubic meter.
70 lakh people are losing their lives every year due to polluted air
– According to the WHO, every year, 70 lakh people lose their lives due to polluted air.
– Meanwhile, the death of every 1 in 9 people is due to polluted air.
– IQ Air stated that this year’s data has been released by collecting data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations, research institutions, universities, and government agencies.
What is PM 2.5 micron?
– It is a type of particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less.
– These are very small particles that deteriorate air quality.
– Some particles are so small that they can only be detected using an electron microscope.
– In India, last year, the average level of PM 2.5 was 54.4 micrograms per cubic meter. This was 10 times higher than the WHO standard.
Capital Delhi or New Delhi
– Officially, the city is called the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. It is a city and a union territory of India that includes the capital of India, New Delhi.
Delhi is a mega city, a large metropolitan area, comprising several districts, neighborhoods, and historic sites. New Delhi is the administrative center, where the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, and Supreme Court are located. It is important to note that New Delhi, the National Capital Territory, is a small area within Delhi.
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2. The joint military exercise ‘LAMITIYE-2024’ between India and which country was organized in March 2024?
a. Somalia
b. Seychelles
c. Tanzania
d. Maldives
Answer: b. Seychelles
– In Seychellois Creole, ‘lamitiye’ means ‘friendship’.
– This biennial military exercise holds significant importance in enhancing cooperation between both countries.
Lamitiye-2024
– It is a biennial training event.
– It has been organized in Seychelles since 2001.
– The 10th edition was held in Seychelles in 2024.
– The event took place from March 18th to 27th, 2024.
– 45 soldiers from the Indian Gurkha Rifles participated in it.
– 45 military personnel from the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) also took part.
– The objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in the conduct of sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Seychelles
– Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, far from eastern Africa.
– President: Ramkalawan
– Capital: Victoria
– Languages: French, Seychellois Creole, English
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3. Name the tourism capital of Nepal, which was announced by the government there?
a. Bhojpur
b. Janakpur
c. Pokhara
d. Amargadhi
Answer: c. Pokhara
– Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda made this announcement on March 17, 2024.
Pokhara:
– This is a city situated on the Feva Lake in central Nepal.
– It is known as the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular route in the Himalayas.
– The Nepali word “Pokhari” means “pond” or “lake”.
Pokhara is itself a form of Pokhari. The city has several lakes.
Did Nepal urge commercial flights from China?
– Prime Minister Prachanda said he would seek China’s assistance for development.
– Prachanda will urge China to recognize the Pokhara International Airport as a ‘grant project’ and operate regular commercial flights to and from China.
Why approach China?
– The Pokhara International Airport, built by China, was prepared for commercial operation in January 2022.
– However, it has not been utilized since then due to disputes between Nepal and China.
– The dispute is whether it is a project under the Belt and Road Initiative or not.
Nepal:
– President: Ram Chandra Poudel
– Prime Minister: Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda
– Capital: Kathmandu
– Currency: Nepalese Rupee
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4. Who became the champion team of Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023)?
a. Delhi Capitals
b. Gujarat Titans
c. Royal Challengers Bangalore
d. Mumbai Indians
Answer: c. Royal Challengers Bangalore
WPL 2024 Final Match
– Date: March 17, 2024
– Venue: Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
– Teams: Delhi Capitals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
– Edition: Second (2024)
– Winner: RCB (by 8 wickets)
– Runner-up: Delhi Capitals
– Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore: Smriti Mandhana
– Captain of Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning
WPL 2024 Title Winners
– Player of the Tournament: Deepti Sharma (UP Warriors)
– Player of the Match (Final): Sophie Molineux (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
– Catch of the Season: S Sajana (Mumbai Indians)
– Most Sixes Award: Shafali Verma (Delhi Capitals)
– Most Valuable Player: Deepti Sharma (UP Warriors)
– Emerging Player: Shreyanka Patil (RCB)
– Orange Cap: Ellyse Perry (RCB)
– Purple Cap: Shreyanka Patil (RCB)
WPL 2023
– Mumbai Indians won the inaugural edition of Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023).
– They defeated Delhi Capitals in the final.
– Captain of Mumbai Indians: Harmanpreet Kaur.
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5. For which time did Vladimir Putin become the President of Russia?
a. Second time
b. Third time
c. Fourth time
d. Fifth time
Answer: d. Fifth time
– In the elections held in March 2024, they received nearly 88% of the votes.
– Their opponent Nikolai Kharitonov received about 4% of the votes. The rest of the votes went to others.
When Putin became President:
– Year 2000 (received 53.4% of the votes)
– Year 2004 (received 71.9% of the votes)
– Year 2012 (received 63.6% of the votes)
– Year 2018 (received 76.66% of the votes)
– Year 2024 (received approximately 88% of the votes)
When Putin became Prime Minister:
– From 1999 to 2000
– From 2008 to 2012
What Putin said about the Russia-NATO conflict:
– After the election results were announced in Russia, he said that now Russia will become even more powerful and influential.
– Regarding the Russia-NATO conflict, he said that if NATO and Russia confront each other, the world will be one step away from a third world war. I don’t think anyone wants that.
Political system in Russia:
– The Russian parliament is called the Federal Assembly.
– There are also two chambers there.
– The upper chamber is called the Council of Federation.
– The lower chamber is called the State Duma.
– The most powerful position in Russia is that of the President.
– The second most powerful position is that of the Prime Minister, who works under the direction of the President.
Vladimir Putin:
– He is 71 years old and he likes a luxurious lifestyle very much.
– He has been the President of Russia for the fifth time.
– Putin is counted among the richest politicians in the world.
– Putin’s wealth is around $200 billion.
– He owns several luxury homes.
– He has around 700 cars, 58 planes, and helicopters.
– He has a collection of luxury watches.
Note: According to Forbes magazine, Vladimir Putin has been the most powerful person in the world for four consecutive times from 2013 to 2016.
Russia-Ukraine War:
– The Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for more than two years, but it’s not showing signs of ending.
– In March 2024, after winning the election, Vladimir Putin addressed the nation.
– He said Ukraine is living on the crumbs of Western countries. Western countries are continuously sending it help, providing weapons, but this supply will stop one day.
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6. When is the Global Recycling Day celebrated?
a. 16 March
b. 17 March
c. 18 March
d. 19 March
Answer: c. 18 March
Theme of 2024:
– Recycling Heroes
What is Recycling:
– It is primarily the process of reusing used items or modifying them into eco-friendly elements.
– Under this, recyclable waste materials are transformed back into raw materials that can be used.
– It aims to fulfill the goal of keeping waste out of landfills. Used to make new items or products. Recycling has three main stages: gathering waste materials, transforming them into new products, and purchasing those products so they can be recycled later.
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7. When is Ordnance Factories’ Day celebrated?
a. 16 March
b. 17 March
c. 18 March
d. 19 March
Answer: c. 18 March
– India’s oldest weapon manufacturing factory is located in Kossipoor, Kolkata.
– Its production began on March 18, 1802.
– This is why this day is celebrated.
Note – The Central Government has dissolved the Ordnance Factory Board (Indian Ordnance Factories) and formed seven new PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) companies.
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8. When is World Sparrow Day celebrated?
a. 17 March
b. 18 March
c. 19 March
d. 20 March
Answer: d. 20 March
– This day is celebrated to raise awareness among people about the Gauriya (sparrow) and for its conservation.
– The population of sparrows has decreased due to several reasons, including increasing pollution.
– World Sparrow Day is an initiative started by the Nature Forever Society of India along with France’s Eco-Sys Action Foundation.
– World Sparrow Day was first celebrated on March 20, 2010.
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9. When is International Happiness Day celebrated?
a. 19 March
b. 20 March
c. 21 March
d. 22 March
Answer: b. 20 March
Theme of 2024:
– Reconnecting for Happiness: Building Resilient Communities.
– Recognizing the importance of happiness and well-being in promoting sustainable development and global peace, the United Nations declared this day.
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