This is the current affairs of 25 & 26 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. Scientists have discovered a new ‘sleeping giant’ black hole in our Milky Way, 33 times larger than the mass of the Sun. What is its name?
a. Cygnus X-2
b. Cygnus X-1
c. Gaia BH1
d. Gaia BH3
Answer: d. Gaia BH3 (about 33 times the mass of the Sun)
– ‘Sleeping giant’ black hole means: A sleeping giant black hole.
– This is the first time such a large black hole of stellar origin has been discovered in the Milky Way galaxy.
– Stellar means related to stars.
– Stellar black holes are small.
– Let me tell you that even the smallest black holes can be as big as a large mountain.
– According to Space.com, stellar black holes, or stellar-mass black holes, form when the fuel of a large star runs out and it collapses.
In which constellation was the discovery made?
– According to The Indian Express, this discovery was made in the Aquila constellation.
– Aquila is an important constellation in the Milky Way.
– Its name is derived from the Greek word ‘eagle’, meaning ‘hawk’
– The discovery of this giant black hole was made through the European space telescope ‘Gaia’, which tracks the movement of billions of stars in the Milky Way.
– Gaia is a space observatory of the European Space Agency (ESA), launched in 2013.
In the Milky Way, there are three stellar black holes:
– Gaia BH1: 10 times larger than the mass of the Sun
– Cygnus X-1: 21 times larger than the mass of the Sun
– Gaia BH3: 33 times larger than the mass of the Sun (newly discovered black hole)
– Two of these black holes are named after the Gaia space observatory, and one is named after the Cygnus spacecraft.
How far are black holes from Earth?
– On April 16, 2024, the European Space Agency (ESA) stated that scientists have discovered a black hole less than 2000 light-years away from our planet (Earth).
– 1 light-year is approximately 9.461 × 10^12 km.
Everyone wonders about the mass of the Sun, right?
– The mass of the Sun: Approximately 1.989 × 10^30 kilograms
– This means it’s roughly 333,000 times the mass of Earth.
– The mass of one Earth: Approximately 5.972 × 10^24 kilograms
What is a black hole?
– What is a black hole?
– A black hole is an area located in astronomy where the gravity is so strong that no light can enter it. Nor can any object come out.
– The space around it looks so dark and black that it is absolutely black.
– That is why we call it a “black hole”.
– Black holes can be both big and small.
In August 2022, NASA recorded the sound around the black hole.
– NASA recorded it from the Perseus Galaxy.
– Which is 20 crore light-years away from us.
– Scientists have edited this sound so that we can hear it.
– Scientists say that this is not the actual sound of the black hole that we are hearing.
– The sound we perceive as coming from the black hole is actually created by the energy surrounding that region.
– In reality, a black hole does not emit its own sound because nothing escapes from a black hole.
– Around the black hole, there is an area called the event horizon, which is a large group of many galaxies.
– There, the density of gas is higher, which creates pressure waves or sound waves.
– These waves travel through the gas and create pressure waves again.
– This frequency is quite low.
– But it has been raised up to 50 octaves so that humans can hear it.
European Space Agency (ESA)
– Headquarters: Paris, France
– Established: 1975
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2. Which Arab country started broadcasting radio in Hindi for the first time in April 2024?
a. Bahrain
b. Kuwait
c. Qatar
d. Saudi Arabia
Answer: b. Kuwait
– The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has announced that Hindi radio broadcasting started in Kuwait from April 21, 2024.
– Every Sunday night from 8:30 to 9:00, a Hindi program will be aired on FM 93.3 and FM 96.6 on Kuwait Radio.
– This initiative from Kuwait will strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
All India Radio
– All India Radio was established on July 23, 1927. It is also known as ‘Akashvani’.
– Its first broadcast was made from Bombay (now Mumbai).
– However, private radio clubs had started in the country since 1923.
Most Indians in Kuwait
– According to DD News, there are 1 million (10 lakh) Indians in Kuwait.
– This community is the largest expatriate community in Kuwait. Indians are considered the most preferred community here.
– Professionals such as engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, scientists, software specialists, management consultants, architects, technicians, and nurses, as well as retailers and businessmen, reside in Kuwait.
India-Kuwait Relations
– According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India and Kuwait share traditionally friendly relations.
– These relations are deeply rooted in history and have stood the test of time.
– They engage in trade with each other, where oil and gas hold significant importance.
– Kuwait exports petroleum products to India.
– There are also cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
– The Indian business community in Kuwait has carved out a good position in the retail and distribution sectors.
– In the year 2021-2022, both countries celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
About Kuwait:
– Emir: ‘Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’
– Prime Minister: Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
– Capital: Kuwait City
– Currency: Kuwaiti Dinar
– Population: Approximately 4.2 million
– Neighboring Countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia (with maritime borders adjacent to Iran)
– Sea: Persian Gulf
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3. Thrissur Pooram festival is celebrated in which state?
a. Odisha
b. Tamil Nadu
c. Kerala
d. Karnataka
Answer: c. Kerala
– This year, this festival was celebrated on April 20, 2024.
Thrissur Pooram Festival:
– Thrissur means: It is a city in Kerala.
Pooram means: Enthusiasm or fervor in Malayalam language.
– Thrissur Pooram is a major Hindu festival celebrated in the Indian state of Kerala.
– This festival is annually held in the Malayalam month of Medam (April-May).
– The festival takes place at the Vadakkunnathan Temple (Shiva Temple) situated on the Thekkinkadu Maidan hill.
– In this festival, elephants are decorated and paraded in front of each other.
– The elephants participating in the parade are given fitness certificates by the authorities.
– Thousands of people participate in this festival.
– The history of this festival dates back over 200 years.
Note: There is also a film named ‘Trishur Pooram’ in Indian Malayalam language, which was released in 2019.
Kerala:
Capital – Thiruvananthapuram
Chief Minister – Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor – Arif Mohammed Khan
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4. What is the estimated population of India as per the World Population Status Report 2024 of United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA)?
a. 141.17 Crore
b. 144.17 Crore
c. 140.17 Crore
d. 145.17 Crore
Answer: b. 144.17 Crore
Name of the report
– ‘Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Eliminating Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’.
– UNFPA report estimates that India leads the world with an estimated population of 144.17 crores.
– After this, China is in second place with Rs 142.5 crores.
– During the 2011 census, India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion.
Of which, 24% of the population is aged 0 to 14 years.
– The report indicates that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
– According to the report, progress in sexual and reproductive health over 30 years has overlooked communities that are the most marginalized globally.
– Between 2006 and 2023, the percentage of child marriages in India was 23%, according to the report.
How many people of what age
– The report states that 24% of India’s population is aged 0-14 years.
– While 17% of the population falls within the 10-19 age group.
– The age group of 10-24 years comprises 26%, and the 15-64 age group comprises 68%.
– Additionally, 7% of India’s population is aged 65 years and above.
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5. What is the average life expectancy of men and women in India according to the World Population Status Report 2024?
a. 70 and 72 years
b. 71 and 77 years
c. 71 and 74 years
d. 73 and 75 years
Answer: c. 71 and 74 years
– The life expectancy for men is 71 years, and for women, it is 74 years.
– The report states, “India’s success is often credited to efforts aimed at eliminating gender disparities in health outcomes, including improved access to affordable, quality maternal health services.”
– Life expectancy is calculated based on the current age of children being born.
– Meaning: It estimates the average lifespan of a child being born today.
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6. According to the World Population Status Report 2024, what percentage of total maternal deaths in the world were recorded in India?
a. 11%
b. 10%
c. 9%
d. 8%
Answer: d. 8%
– The report states that there has been a significant reduction in maternal deaths in India, which accounts for 8 percent of such deaths worldwide.
– Referring to a report titled “Estimates and associations of district-level maternal mortality ratio in India” by PLOS Global Public Health, UNFPA mentioned that surveys across 640 districts in India revealed that nearly three-quarters have achieved the goal of reducing the maternal mortality ratio.
– In 70,114 districts per 100,000 live births, the ratio is still 210 or higher.
The highest rate per 100,000 live births is 1,671 in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a rural area where the indigenous population has a higher ratio.
– The report indicates that since 2016, approximately 800 women die every day while giving birth.
– Three-quarters of women cannot refuse sexual intercourse with their partners.
– About one in ten women cannot make their own decisions about contraception.
– The report highlights that physical autonomy of women is decreasing in 40 percent of countries with available data.
these are also the points
– The report mentions that disabled women are ten times more likely to experience gender-based violence compared to their non-disabled counterparts.
– Wealthy women and those belonging to certain ethnic groups who already had better access to healthcare have benefited from improved healthcare access.
– Disabled women and girls, refugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, HIV-affected and marginalized communities face greater sexual and reproductive health risks.
– Their vulnerability has increased due to climate change, humanitarian crises, and large-scale migrations.
– The report states that Dalit activists in India have advocated for legal protection against caste-based discrimination in education for women facing such discrimination.
– Half of Dalit women receive no antenatal care.
Secured laws against domestic violence
– Dr. Natalia, Executive Director of UNFPA, stated, “Within a generation, we have reduced maternal mortality rates by a third and secured laws against domestic violence in more than 160 countries.
– She remarked, “Despite this progress, inequalities are increasing within our societies and healthcare systems.”
About UNFPA
– It is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly and serves as a sexual and reproductive health agency.
– It was established in 1967 as a trust fund and began operating in 1969.
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7. Which organization in India has installed and operated the country’s largest climate clock in its headquarters building?
a. ISRO
b. CSIR
c. DRDO
d. NABARD
Answer: b. CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
– The event showcases CSIR’s aim to spread awareness about climate change and its ill effects.
– CSIR installed the clock on the occasion of Earth Day at CSIR Headquarters Research Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi.
What is Climate Clock?
– Climate Clock is a graphic showing how fast the planet is approaching 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming, given current emissions trends.
– It also shows the amount of CO2 already emitted and the global warming so far.
CSIR
– Director General: Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
– Founded: 1942
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8. Who became the first woman Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)?
a. Professor Naima Khatun
b. Professor Nasreen Begum
c. Maliana Khatun
d. Professor Siddika Akram
Answer: a. Professor Naima Khatun
– Professor Naima Khatoon has been elected as the first female Vice-Chancellor in the 100-year history of AMU.
– She assumed office on April 22, 2024.
– She is the wife of AMU’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mohammad Gule Rizvi, who has now handed over the charge to Naima.
Took education from AMU itself
– Professor Naima Khatoon completed her high school education from the Odisha Board in 1977 and intermediate from the school affiliated with AMU.
– She pursued her graduation, post-graduation, M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees from AMU itself.
– She was appointed as a lecturer in the Psychology Department of AMU in August 1988.
– She became an Associate Professor in April 1998 and a Professor in July 2006.
In July 2014, she became the Principal of Women’s College.
– She has authored, co-authored, and edited six books.
She also became the first woman Vice Chancellor in JNU
– Shantishree Dhulipudi was also made the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in the year 2022.
– For the first time a woman has been made the Vice Chancellor of JNU.
On April 29, there will be a hearing in the High Court:
– Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, but the case regarding the Chancellor Panel is in the High Court, with a hearing scheduled for April 29.
– Afzal Murtaza Rizvi, the Secretary of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, had filed a petition against the Chancellor Panel of AMU.
– On November 6, 2023, during the AMU Court meeting, a panel of Chancellor was formed with the names of Prof. – Rabbani, Prof. Faijan Mustafa, and Prof. Naima endorsed.
– A hearing was held on April 15 in this case, where Prof. Faijan Mustafa and Naima Khatoon were issued notices, demanding a response within 24 hours.
– Now, on April 29, there will be a hearing in this case.
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9. Who became the first bowler to take 200 wickets in Indian Premier League (IPL) history?
a. Piyush Chawla
b. Cameron Green
c. Yuzvendra Chahal
d. Mustafizur Rahman
Answer: c. Yuzvendra Chahal (33 years old)
– In the year 2024, Yuzvendra Chahal is a player for the Rajasthan Royals team.
– He set this record against the Mumbai Indians on April 22, 2024.
– So far, he has played 153 matches and has 200 wickets to his name.
– He is the first bowler to achieve this feat.
Chahal made his debut in the IPL in 2013.
– Before this, he has also played for the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore teams.
Most wickets in IPL:
– Yuzvendra Chahal – 200 wickets
– Dwayne Bravo – 183 wickets
– Piyush Chawla – 182 wickets
– Bhuvneshwar Kumar – 174 wickets
– Amit Mishra – 173 wickets
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10. Which player won the title of Shanghai Grand Prix 2024?
a. Lewis Hamilton
b. Max Verstappen
c. Carlos Sainz
d. Fernando Alonso
Answer: b. Max Verstappen
– World champion Max Verstappen won the first sprint race of the season at the Shanghai International Circuit, securing pole position.
– Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton finished second, with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez coming in third.
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