This is the current affairs of 23 & 24 April 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 the latest report of SIPRI, what position did India rank in global military expenditure in the year 2023 (to be released in the year 2024)?
a. First
b. Second
c. Third
d. Fourth
Answer: d. Fourth
– “In the year 2023, India’s military expenditure was 83.6 billion dollars (approximately 6.9 lakh crore).”
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2. According to the latest report of SIPRI, which country will rank first in global military expenditure in the year 2023?
a. China
b. India
c. Russia
d. America
Answer: d. America
America – $916 billion (approximately 76 lakh crore)
– SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) released a report on military expenditure worldwide in April 2024.
– Report name: Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2023
Increasing Military Expenditure in the World
– The world spent approximately $2.443 trillion on defense and weapons in 2023, roughly equivalent to around 203 lakh crore rupees.
– There was a real increase of 6.8 percent in total global military expenditure in 2023.
– This is the highest military expenditure globally to date.
– Information on military spending is provided in SIPRI’s annual report.
Reasons for the Increase in Military Expenditure
– According to the report, the main reasons for the increase in global military spending in 2023 could be attributed to the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing geopolitical conflicts in Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East.
– In 2023, there was an increase in military spending in all five geographical regions for the first time since 2009.
– Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East.
Military Expenditure of India
– In 2023, India’s military expenditure was $83.6 billion (approximately 6.9 lakh crore).
– In 2022, India’s military expenditure was $81.4 billion (approximately 6 lakh crore).
– India’s expenditure was 4.2% higher compared to the previous year.
How much more is China’s military expenditure than India’s?
– China’s military expenditure is approximately four times higher than India’s.
– China – $296 billion (approximately 24 lakh crore)
– India – $83.6 billion (approximately 6.9 lakh crore)
Top 5 Countries in Military Expenditure in 2023
Country – Expenditure
(1) America – $916 billion (approximately 76 lakh crore), increased by 2.3% this time.
(2) China – $296 billion (approximately 24 lakh crore), increased by 6% this time.
(3) Russia – $109 billion (approximately 9 lakh crore), increased by 24% this time.
(4) India – $83.6 billion (approximately 6.9 lakh crore), increased by 4.2% this time.
(5) Saudi Arabia – $75.8 billion (approximately 6.3 lakh crore), increased by 4.3% this time.
SIPRI
Established: May 6, 1966
Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden
Chairman: Stefan Löfven
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3. In which district of Arunachal Pradesh was 100 percent voting recorded at a polling station with a single voter casting his vote?
a. Kurung Kumey district
b. Anjaw district
c. Changlang district
d. Lohit district
Answer: b. Anjaw district (Arunachal Pradesh)
– Polling Station: Solely for Women Voters
– This woman cast her vote on April 19, 2024.
– On April 18, 2024, a team of polling officers established a polling station by walking approximately 40 kilometers. This polling station was set up in the Malogam village of Anjaw district in Arunachal Pradesh.
– It was done for the sake of a 44-year-old woman voter.
– The name of this woman is Sokela Tayang. She is the only voter at this polling station.
How did this polling station achieve 100% voter turnout?
– According to Election Commission officials, there are very few families living in this village.
– Except for Sokela Tayang, all other voters are registered at other polling stations. However, they are not willing to travel to another polling station to cast their votes.
– Therefore, with the sole voter casting her vote in Malogam village, the voter turnout reached 100%.
Note: Along with the Lok Sabha elections, legislative assembly elections also took place in Arunachal Pradesh on April 19.
Arunachal Pradesh
– Capital: Itanagar
– Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
– Governor: Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
– Neighbor Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, China, and Myanmar
– Neighbor State: Assam
– Arunachal Pradesh became a full-fledged state on February 20, 1987.
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4. Which tribal group of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands exercised its franchise for the first time in the Lok Sabha elections 2024?
a. Birjia
b. Birhor
c. Shompen
d. Korwa
Answer: c. Shompen (vulnerable tribal group)
– According to The Hindu newspaper, the Chief Electoral Officer of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, B.S. Jaglan, stated that seven members of this indigenous tribe exercised their voting rights.
– Elections for a Lok Sabha seat were held here on April 19, 2024.
– As per the 2011 census, the estimated population of the Shompen tribe is 229.
– In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there was a voter turnout of 63.99% here.
– In 2019, the voter turnout was 65.09%.
About the Shompen Tribe:
– The Shompen or Shom Pen are indigenous people of the Great Nicobar Island, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
– The Shompen are specifically identified as a particularly vulnerable tribal group in the Scheduled Tribes list.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands:
– The Andaman Islands group is an Indian archipelago in the Bay of Bengal.
– It comprises several small and large islands, some of which are popular tourist destinations while others are uninhabited.
– Many of these island groups are known for their palm-fringed, white sandy beaches, mangroves, and tropical rainforests.
– Lieutenant Governor: Admiral D.K. Joshi (Retired)
– Capital: Port Blair
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5. When is National Panchayati Raj Day celebrated?
a. 21 April
b. 22 April
c. 23 April
d. 24 April
Answer: d. 24 April
– Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the first National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2010.
Panchayati Raj:
– This day is celebrated in memory of the enactment of the 73rd Amendment Act of the Constitution, which came into effect in 1993.
– This act grants constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and empowers them to function as self-governing institutions at the grassroots level.
– The Panchayati Raj system was first implemented in Rajasthan on October 2, 1959.
– Subsequently, Andhra Pradesh also adopted this system.
– The Indian Constitution recognizes Panchayats as institutions of self-governance.
– Currently, there are approximately 2.63 lakh Panchayats and around 31.47 lakh elected representatives (ERs) in PRIs.
– Of these, 14.54 lakh (approximately 46.20%) are women.
– This day also highlights the significance of decentralization of power.
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6. Whom did Papua New Guinea appoint as the first Defense Advisor to India?
a. Philip Polevara
b. Rachel Marape
c. Michael Somare
d. Colonel Edison Napyo
Answer: d. Colonel Edison Napyo
– They will work as defense advisors.
– On April 17, 2024, Papua New Guinea’s Acting Chief of Defence Force, Commodore Philip Polewara bid farewell to them.
– During the farewell, Philip Polewara presented the flag of Papua New Guinea to Colonel Edison Nepyo.
– He urged them to represent the country well.
Note: – According to The Hindu newspaper, India and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations in 1976.
– This appointment will strengthen the relationship between both countries.
India’s PM Visit to Papua New Guinea
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Papua New Guinea on May 21, 2023.
– He is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.
– The government there welcomed PM Modi, breaking their tradition.
– Actually, no foreign guest is welcomed with official honors after sunset in this country.
– However, considering India’s importance, the government there made this decision.
Papua New Guinea:
– It is a country located in the South Pacific Ocean.
– It shares a land border with Indonesia.
– PM: James Marape
– Capital: Port Moresby
– Currency: Papua New Guinean kina
– Population: Approximately 7 million.
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7. Who inaugurated the global headquarters of Indian space sector start-up ‘Digantara’ in Bengaluru in April 2024?
a. Narendra Modi (Prime Minister)
b. S. Somanath (ISRO Chief)
c. Amit Shah (Home Minister)
d. Siddaramaiah (Karnataka CM)
Answer: b. S. Somanath (ISRO Chief)
– The space tech startup Digantra focuses on space situational awareness.
– ISRO Chief S. Somanath inaugurated the global headquarters in Bengaluru on April 19, 2024.
– It includes a command and control center along with a clean room.
– It spans 25,000 square feet in Bengaluru’s Hebbal area.
– It features a satellite assembly, integration, and testing (AIT) facility.
Its Current Plan:
– Currently, its plan is to launch a group of space-based space surveillance satellites.
About Digantra:
– Digantra Research and Technology Private Limited is a company.
– Its mission is to focus on space debris caused by satellites and provide solutions.
– It was established in the year 2018.
– CEO: Anirudh Sharma
ISRO:
– Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
– Established: August 15, 1969
– Chairman: S. Somanath
– First Chairman: Vikram Sarabhai
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8. Who has been appointed by OpenAI company as its first official in India to handle government relations?
a. Kiran Sharma
b. Pragya Mishra
c. Anandi Thakur
d. Shivani Srivastava
Answer: b. Pragya Mishra (39 year old)
– Bloomberg reported on April 19, 2024, citing an unidentified source, that OpenAI has appointed its first officer, Prajna Mishra, to manage government relations in India.
– According to The Hindu newspaper, OpenAI has not issued any official statement regarding her appointment.
Note: According to some news reports, Ms. Mishra had previously worked at Truecaller AB and Meta.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
– AI stands for Artificial Intelligence.
– It’s a machine that can be intelligent, analyze data on its own, converse, speak languages, and comprehend. It can seek answers to difficult questions and accomplish tasks given.
– Examples of AI include OpenAI’s chat-GPT and Google’s Assistant.
– These are just examples; AI is now being used in various more effective ways.
OpenAI
– OpenAI is an American company.
– It develops excellence-centered technical products and services.
– Its main objective is to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) useful for human welfare.
– Its headquarters are located in San Francisco, California, United States.
– It was founded on December 11, 2015.
– Its founders are Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Piue Khosla, Reid Hoffman, Jessica Livingston, Peter Thiel.
– CEO of OpenAI: Sam Altman
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9. When is English Language Day celebrated?
a. 24 April
b. 23 April
c. 22 April
d. 21 April
Answer: b. 23 April
– The United Nations (UN) observes English Language Day every year on April 23.
– This day is celebrated as the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare.
– Shakespeare was the most famous playwright in the English language, and he had a significant influence on modern English.
– English is the most widely spoken language in the world.
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10. When is Spanish Language Day celebrated?
a. 24 April
b. 23 April
c. 22 April
d. 21 April
Answer: b. 23 April
– This day has been declared by the United Nations.
– After English and Chinese, Spanish is now the third most popular language on the internet.
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11. When is Chinese Language (Mandarin) Day celebrated?
a. 24 April
b. 23 April
c. 22 April
d. 20 अApril
Answer: d. 20 April
– The United Nations has six official languages, namely Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
– The second most widely spoken language in the world is Chinese.
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