This is the current affairs of 25 to 27 August 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 new districts did the central government create in Ladakh?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
Answer: c. 5
– Union Home Minister Amit Shah gave this information from his ex handle on 26 August 2024.
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2. Name the five new districts of Ladakh, taking the number of districts here to 7?
a. Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang
b. Nobra, Zoma, Sham, Nubra and Changthang
c. Zanskar, Drass, Nobra, Zoma
d. All of the above
Answer: a. Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang
– Union Home Minister Amit Shah shared this information on his X handle on August 26, 2024.
– The new districts include Zanskar, Dras, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.
– Earlier, there were two districts in Ladakh—Leh and Kargil.
– Now, the total number of districts has increased to 7.
– The government stated that the purpose of creating five new districts is to increase the government’s reach to the general public and bring administrative benefits closer to the people of Ladakh.
Ladakh Became a Union Territory in 2019
– In August 2019, Article 370 was revoked from Jammu and Kashmir. Under this article, the former and then-state of Jammu and Kashmir had special status.
– After the revocation of the article, Jammu and Kashmir were divided into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
– Ladakh became a new Union Territory in 2019 after delimitation.
– Currently, it has two districts, Leh and Kargil.
Capital: Leh
Lieutenant Governor: B.D. Mishra
Neighboring States: Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir
Language: Ladakhi
Population: 274,000 (2011)
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3. The Union Cabinet approved the ‘Bio E3’ policy to promote biotechnology manufacturing, what does 3 mean in it?
a. Biotechnology for economy, education and employment
b. Economy, environment and development
c. Biotechnology for economy, environment and employment
d. Biotechnology for space, education and employment
Answer: c. Biotechnology for economy, environment and employment
– This decision was made on August 22, 2024, during a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi.
– According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the ‘Bio E 3’ policy emphasizes innovation-driven support for research and development and entrepreneurship in thematic areas.
– According to the official statement, this policy will further strengthen initiatives like the government’s ‘Net Zero’ carbon economy and ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ (LiFE).
– By promoting a ‘circular bio-economy,’ it will propel India further along the path of rapid ‘green growth.’
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4. Which schemes were merged into the ‘Science Stream’ scheme by the Union Cabinet?
a. Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building
b. Research and Development
c. Innovation, Technology Development and Growth
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building; Research and Development; Innovation, Technology Development and Sustainability)
“(Science and Technology (S&T) Institutional and Human Capacity Building; Research and Development; Innovation, Technology Development, and Sustainability)”
What is Vigyan Dhara?
– This decision was made on August 22, 2024, during a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi.
– The primary objective of the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme is to strengthen the ecosystem related to science, technology, research, and innovation in the country.
– Additionally, it aims to enhance the scientific and technological infrastructure of the country by supporting the establishment of well-equipped research and development laboratories in educational institutions.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explained that the Vigyan Dhara scheme is built on five pillars:
i) Providing internships in research and innovation to students in classes 11 and 12, as well as offering more fellowship and doctoral opportunities at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
ii) Strengthening international collaboration in research and innovation, working together with other countries in this field.
iii) Approving more joint research and projects to allow the country’s scientists to collaborate and work together within the country.
iv) Initiating new research and projects on issues related to societal needs.
v) Advancing research. He noted that, currently, research often occurs but doesn’t translate into practical applications. As a result, people do not benefit from it. Under this scheme, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that research work is delivered to people as quickly as possible.
Who Will Operate It?
– The Department of Science and Technology (DST) operates under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology. The department is a nodal body responsible for organizing, coordinating, and promoting activities related to science and technology in the country.
Duration and Outlay of the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Scheme
– The ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme is set to run from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
– The proposed outlay for the five-year Vigyan Dhara scheme is ₹10,579.84 crore.
– This outlay aligns with the 15th Finance Commission’s period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
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5. Kunwar Natwar Singh passed away on 10 August 2024, he had been the Foreign Minister during the tenure of which Prime Minister?
a. Narendra Modi
b. Manmohan Singh
c. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
d. PV Narasimha Rao
Answer: b. Manmohan Singh
– Kunwar Natwar Singh was a former Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
– He left his IFS job in 1984 to join the Congress party.
– He served as the Minister of External Affairs from May 22, 2004, to December 6, 2005.
– Before that, he also served as the Union Minister of State in 1985.
– In 2014, he wrote his autobiography titled “One Life Is Not Enough.”
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6. In which categories did President Draupadi Murmu present the National Science Awards-2024 to 33 scientists?
a. Vigyan Ratna
b. Vigyan Shri and Vigyan Team
c. Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award
d. All of the above
Answer: d. All of the above (Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and Science Team Category)
Vigyan Ratna
– Prof. Govindarajan Padmanabhan
Vigyan Shri
– Agricultural Science: Dr. Anandaramakrishnan C
– Nuclear Energy: Dr. Avesh Kumar Tyagi
– Biological Science: Prof. Umesh Varshney and Prof. Jayant Bhalechandra Udgavkar
– Earth Science: Prof. Syed Wajih Ahmad Naqvi
– Engineering Science: Prof. Bhim Singh
– Medicine: Dr. Sanjay Bihari
– Mathematics and Computer Science: Prof. Adimurthi Adi and Prof. Rahul Mukherjee
– Physical Science: Prof. Laxmanan Muthuswami and Prof. Naba Kumar Mandal
– Space Science and Technology: Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam
– Technology and Innovation: Prof. Rohit Srivastava
Vigyan Yuva – Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar
– Agricultural Science: Dr. Krishnamurthy S L, Dr. Swaroop Kumar Parida
– Biological Science: Prof. Radhakrishnan Mahalakshmi, Prof. Aravind Penmatsa
– Chemistry: Prof. Vivek Polshettiwar, Prof. Vishal Rai
– Earth Science: Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll
– Engineering Science: Dr. Abhilash, Dr. Radha Krishna Ganti
– Environmental Science: Dr. Poorabi Saikia, Dr. Bappi Paul
– Mathematics and Computer Science: Prof. Mahesh Ramesh Kakde
– Medicine: Prof. Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Dr. Pragya Dhruv Yadav
– Physical Science: Prof. Urvashi Sinha
– Space Science and Technology: Dr. Digendranath Swain, Dr. Prashant Kumar
– Technology and Innovation: Prof. Prabhu Rajgopal
Vigyan Team:
– Team Chandrayaan-3
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7. When is World Lion Day celebrated?
a. 08 August
b. 09 August
c. 10 August
d. 11 August
Answer: c. 10 August
– This day also seeks to gather support for lion conservation.
– This day has been observed annually since 2013.
– The Government of India established the International Big Cat Alliance in February 2024. This initiative aims to secure the future of big cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, pumas, jaguars, and cheetahs.
– A large population of lions resides in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India.
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8. When is World Elephant Day celebrated?
a. 12 August
b. 10 August
c. 09 August
d. 08 August
Answer: a. 12 August
Theme 2024
– Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance.
– The purpose of this day is to inform about and raise awareness regarding Asian and African elephants.
– It was first observed as International Elephant Day on August 12, 2012.
– Among Asian elephants worldwide, the largest population, approximately 60%, is found in India.
– The first census of elephants in the country was conducted in 2017, revealing that 30,000 elephants were living in the forests.
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9. When is International Youth Day celebrated?
a. 14 August
b. 12 August
c. 17 August
d. 22 August
Answer: b. 12 August
Theme 2024
– From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
– International Youth Day is celebrated worldwide on August 12 to focus on the development and protection of youth in society.
– This day was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1999.
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10. When is International Left-Handers Day celebrated?
a. 13 August
b. 12 August
c. 11 August
d. 10 August
Answer: a. 13 August
– International Left-Handers Day is celebrated every year on August 13.
– It is observed to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals.
– This day was first celebrated in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, the founder of Left-Handers International, Inc.
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11. When is World Organ Donation Day celebrated?
a. 14 August
b. 13 August
c. 12 August
d. 11 August
Answer: b. 13 August
Theme 2024
– Be the Reason for Someone’s Smile Today!
– World Organ Donation Day is celebrated on August 13 to raise awareness about the importance of organ donation.
Organ Donation Day 2024: History and Significance
– The history of organ transplantation dates back to the early 20th century, with significant milestones in its development.
– The first successful kidney transplant occurred in 1954 when Ronald Lee Herrick donated a kidney to his identical twin brother, a groundbreaking procedure performed by Dr. Joseph Murray.
Note: In India, National Organ Donation Day is observed on November 27.
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12. When is ‘Partition Horrors Remembrance Day’ celebrated?
a. 15 August
b. 14 August
c. 13 August
d. 12 August
Answer: b. 14 August
– This day was first declared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021.
– It is observed to remember the suffering and hardships of people during the partition of India.
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13. On August 15, 2027, which Independence Day did the citizens celebrate?
a. 75th
b. 76th
c. 77th
d. 78th
Answer: d. 78th
– India gained independence on August 15, 1947.
– In 2024, the citizens celebrated the 78th Independence Day.
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14. When is World Senior Citizen Day celebrated?
a. 21 August
b. 22 August
c. 23 August
d. 24 August
Answer: a. 21 August
– This day is observed by the United Nations General Assembly.
– It is celebrated to raise awareness about issues affecting older adults, such as declining health with age, elder abuse, and to honor and recognize the support, respect, and achievements of senior citizens.
– International Day of Older Persons was first observed on August 21, 1988, in the United States.
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15. When is World Gujarati Language Day celebrated?
a. 24 August
b. 23 August
c. 22 August
d. 21 August
Answer: a. 24 August
– This day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Gujarat’s great writer, ‘Veer Narmad.’
– Poet Veer Narmad is considered the creator of the Gujarati language.
– Veer Narmad was born on August 24, 1833, in Surat, Gujarat.
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16. महिला समानता दिवस (Women’s Equality Day) कब मनाया जाता है?
When is Women’s Equality Day celebrated?
a. 26 August
b. 27 August
c. 28 August
d. 29 August
Answer: a. 26 August
Theme 2024
– Inspire Inclusion
– This day symbolizes the passage of women’s suffrage in the United States in 1920.
– The purpose of celebrating this day is to provide equal rights to women around the world so that they can contribute maximally to the development of society, the country, and the world.
– Women’s Equality Day helps us appreciate the courageous women who, despite facing discrimination and violence, led the women’s movement to success.
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