This is the current affairs of 26 June 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. Which state’s cabinet decided in June 2024 that the state government will no longer deposit the income tax of the ministers, now the ministers themselves will have to deposit this tax?
a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Himachal Pradesh
d. Punjab
Answer: a. Madhya Pradesh
– The Madhya Pradesh government has changed the rule from the year 1972 (52 years old). It stated that the income tax on the allowances received by the ministers was paid by the state government, which will no longer be provided.
– Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav’s cabinet made this decision on June 25, 2024.
– Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated that now ministers will pay their own income tax.
– According to a report, for the year 2023 to 2024, the state government paid more than 7.9 million rupees in income tax for 35 public representatives, including ministers and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
– In the last five years, the government has deposited 32.4 million rupees in taxes.
Madhya Pradesh
– Capital: Bhopal
– Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
– Population: 72.6 million (2011)
– Language: Hindi
– Neighboring States: Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
————-
2. Which country’s Moon mission has become the first country to bring soil from the darkest part of the Moon?
a. Russia
b. India
c. China
d. China
Answer: c. China
– China’s moon mission has successfully brought soil from the moon’s surface back to Earth. With this achievement, China has become the first country to successfully bring samples from the moon’s far side.
– The re-entry module of Chang’e-6 landed in northern China at 11:30 AM (Indian time) on June 25, 2024. A search team reached the module within minutes.
Far Side of the Moon
– The far side of the moon is the part that is away from the Earth and is sometimes referred to as the dark side of the moon.
– This is because it is not visible from Earth, and very little is known about it.
Chang’e-6 Mission
China launched the Chang’e-6 mission on May 3, 2024.
– Its goal was to collect samples from the farthest part of the moon (where it is dark) and bring them back to Earth.
– China aims to send humans to the moon by 2030, and this mission is part of that goal.
Before this mission, all 10 lunar missions that had reached the moon had landed on the illuminated side.
– These missions include those by India and the United States.
– By bringing back samples from the far side of the moon, China has presented a significant challenge to the United States in the space race.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the success of this mission will be a milestone in realizing China’s dream.
Mission Brought Back Two Kilograms of Soil
– Research suggests that water in the form of ice may be present on this part of the moon.
– According to reports, the Chang’e-6 mission returned with two kilograms of soil from the moon’s surface.
– A drill and robotic arm were used to collect samples from the moon’s surface.
Soil was extracted from a four-billion-year-old crater on the moon.
– The samples were then transferred to a capsule and transported in a re-entry vehicle.
– Chinese scientists will now research these samples.
– This research will include studying the moon, Earth, and the formation of the solar system.
– Once China’s research is complete, the findings will be shared with other countries.
Chang’e-6 Landed at the Moon’s South Pole
– Chang’e-6 landed at the South Pole-Aitken Basin on May 3, 2024.
– This is one of the three largest and most significant areas on the moon, making it of high scientific value.
– During this mission, China also carried payloads from other countries.
– These included payloads from Pakistan, France, Italy, and the European Space Agency.
– The aim was to increase space cooperation with these countries.
China’s Chang’e-5 Brought Back 1731 Grams of Rocks and Soil
– China launched its lunar mission in 2004 and has initiated five robotic missions since 2007.
– Chang’e-5 landed on the illuminated side of the moon in December 2020, bringing back 1731 grams of rocks and soil.
– Previously, China’s Chang’e-4 mission, launched in 2019, was the first mission to reach the moon’s far side.
– China is the only country that has sent a lander to the far side of the moon.
– The rover from the Chang’e-4 mission, named Yutu-2, is the longest-operating lunar rover in the world, having been on the moon for five years.
– Chinese space officials stated earlier this year that China will launch its Chang’e-7 mission to the moon’s south pole region in 2026.
– In 2028, China plans to launch Chang’e-8, aimed at testing lunar resource utilization for preparing a lunar research station.
China
– Capital: Beijing
– President: Xi Jinping
– Currency: Chinese Yuan
– Language: Standard Chinese
– Population: 1.412 billion (2022)
– Neighboring Countries: India, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, Nepal, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam.
————–
3. India announced to open its Consulate in Rangpur of which neighboring country?
a. Pakistan
b. Bangladesh
c. Sri Lanka
d. China
Answer: b. Bangladesh
– The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was on an official visit to India on June 21 and 22, 2024.
– During this visit, bilateral talks were held with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi.
– In a joint press conference, the Prime Minister announced that India will also open a new consulate in Rangpur, Bangladesh, to facilitate services for the people of the north-western region of the country.
————-
4. How many new MoUs were signed between India and Bangladesh during the state visit of Sheikh Hasina?
a. 5
b. 8
c. 10
d. 12
Answer: c. 10
– India and Bangladesh signed 10 new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance cooperation in connectivity, energy and infrastructure, maritime sector and blue economy, disaster management, and other areas.
MoU in Space Technology Sector
– Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said that during the bilateral talks, both sides signed an MoU in the space technology sector aimed at cooperating for the launch of a jointly developed small satellite for Bangladesh using India’s launch vehicle.
Important Agreements
– A new train service will be started between Rajshahi (Bangladesh) and Kolkata (West Bengal).
– A bus service will be initiated between Kolkata and Chittagong.
– Indian assistance has been announced for the development of an inland container depot (ICD) at Sirajganj.
– The first sub-regional power trade agreement has been reached with the decision to export electricity from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian grid.
– Forty megawatts of electricity will be sent from Nepal to Bangladesh through the Indian power grid.
– An agreement has also been made to expedite the construction of a 765-kilowatt high-capacity interconnection between Bihar and Assam through Bangladesh with Indian financial assistance.
– A new inland container depot will be developed at Sirajganj, Bangladesh, with Indian grants to facilitate trade between the two countries.
– A joint technical committee will be established to renew the 1996 Ganga Water Sharing Treaty, which is valid until 2026.
– India will conserve and manage the Teesta River within a mutually agreed timeframe with Indian assistance inside Bangladesh.
– India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers.
West Bengal Government Expressed Displeasure
– The two Prime Ministers discussed the conservation and management of the Teesta River and the renewal of the 1996 Ganga Water Treaty during the bilateral meeting.
– West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed displeasure, alleging that the central government did not involve the state government in discussions with the neighboring country.
– However, Bengal has very close geographical, cultural, and economic ties with Bangladesh.
The Issue of Teesta Water Sharing
– Bangladesh may also discuss the Teesta Master Plan with India. Under the Teesta Master Plan, Bangladesh aims to tackle the problem of floods and soil erosion and address the water crisis in the summer.
– It is expected that Sheikh Hasina will try to find a solution during this visit.
– The 414 km long Teesta River originates from the Himalayas and enters India via Sikkim.
It then passes through West Bengal before reaching Bangladesh, where it merges with the Brahmaputra River through Assam.
– The Teesta River travels 83% of its journey in India and 17% in Bangladesh.
– During this journey, the river meets the water needs of about 10 million people living in Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh.
– Bangladesh wants 50% of the Teesta’s water, while India wants to use 55% of the river’s water.
Experts believe that if the Teesta River water-sharing agreement is reached, West Bengal will not be able to use the river’s water as it wishes.
This is why Mamata Banerjee has been delaying it.
Bangladesh
– President: Mohammed Shahabuddin Chuppu
– Capital: Dhaka
– Currency: Bangladeshi Taka
– Language: Bengali (Bangla)
– Population: 171.2 million (2022)
– Neighboring Countries: India, Myanmar
————-
5. Haryana government announced to increase the reservation limit for Other Backward Classes (OBC) in the state from 15 percent to how much?
a. 23%
b. 20%
c. 27%
d. 28%
Answer: c. 27%
– Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced an increase in the reservation for OBCs in Group-A and B positions from 15 percent to 27 percent.
– The Chief Minister made this announcement as a guest at the OBC Morcha Sarva Samaj Samarasata Conference held in Gurugram on June 24, 2024.
– He also said that the backlog of vacant positions for the backward classes in both groups will be filled through a special recruitment drive.
– Additionally, the annual income limit for the creamy layer will be increased from 6 lakh rupees to 8 lakh rupees.
– In line with the central government, salary and agricultural income will not be included in this income, benefiting millions of people.
————–
6. Who headed the US delegation that came to India to meet Buddhist leader Dalai Lama?
a. Mike Goku
b. Michael McCaul
c. Antony John Blinken
d. Nancy Pelosi
Answer: d. Nancy Pelosi
– On June 19, 2024, a delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives, including former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, arrived in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, to meet Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
– The delegation included former Speaker of the U.S. Congress Nancy Pelosi and Republican leader from Texas and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Michael McCaul.
– During this visit, discussions were held on a recently passed bill in the U.S. Congress concerning the China-Tibet issue.
– Regarding the meeting between the U.S. delegation and the Dalai Lama, China issued a warning stating that if the U.S. does not respect its commitment by recognizing Tibet as part of China, then China will take “stern actions.”
– In 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, and following her visit, cooperation at all levels between China and the U.S. was suspended for months.
————–
7. When is MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Day celebrated?
a. 26 June
b. 27 June
c. 28 June
d. 29 June
Answer: b. 27 June
– The United Nations General Assembly adopted this day in 2017.
– The first World MSME Day was celebrated in 2018.
– Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of the global economy, accounting for 90% of businesses and 60% to 70% of employment.
– MSMEs provide financial independence to the most vulnerable sections of our society.
————–
8. Which state approved the Paper Leak Ordinance in June 2024, which provides for a fine of up to Rs 1 crore and life imprisonment?
a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Uttar Pradesh
c. Rajasthan
d. Gujarat
Answer: b. Uttar Pradesh
– On June 25, 2024, the Yogi government cabinet in Uttar Pradesh approved the Paper Leak Ordinance in response to paper leak incidents.
– Now it will be sent to the Governor for approval.
– The increasing incidents of paper leaks have caused significant anger among the youth. In Uttar Pradesh, the police recruitment paper was leaked. In protest, candidates demonstrated in Lucknow for several days.
– Following this, the government canceled the police recruitment examination.
– Similarly, after Narendra Modi’s government came to power for the third time, it faced allegations of irregularities in the NEET examination.
– Reports of NEET paper leaks are emerging from various places. Considering this, the government dismissed the head of the agency conducting the examination.
– The investigation of this matter has been handed over to the CBI.
Uttar Pradesh
– Capital: Lucknow
– Governor: Anandiben Patel
– Population: 244 million
– Language: Hindi
– Neighboring States: Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar.
————–
9. Who has been appointed by the Central Government as the CMD of New India Assurance Company?
a. Rakesh Pal
b. Girija Subramanian
c. Vinod Paswan
d. Roger Binny
Answer: b. Girija Subramanian
– New India Assurance Company Limited (NIA) is an Indian public sector insurance company owned by the Government of India and administered by the Ministry of Finance.
– Established: July 23, 1919; 104 years ago
– Founder: Dorabji Tata
PDF Download: Click here
