This is the current affairs of 30 & 31 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. Name India’s second nuclear submarine, which became part of the Strategic Force Command (SFC)?
a. INS Arighat
b. INS Sariyat
c. INS Suraksha
d. INS Takat
Answer: a. INS Arighat (meaning ‘destroyer of enemies’)
– According to The Hindu newspaper, it has been kept secret, and the launch has been conducted secretly.
– It is the second submarine of its class after INS Arihant, which was inducted into the Navy in August 2016.
About INS Arighat:
– It is classified as a Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN) submarine.
– It is an upgraded version of INS Arihant.
– It was built at the Indian Navy’s Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.
– It weighs approximately 6,000 tons (60,000 quintals).
– It is about 112 meters long.
– It is equipped with K-15 missiles with a range of 750 KM.
– The submarine has a nuclear reactor, enabling it to travel at speeds of 12 to 15 knots (22 to 28 km/h) on the surface and 20 to 24 knots (37 to 44 km/h) underwater.
– It is equipped with four vertical launch tubes.
– It can carry about 10 to 12 K-15 nuclear-armed Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM).
– It can carry ballistic missiles with a range of more than 3,000 kilometers.
India’s Nuclear Submarines:
1. INS Arihant [S-2]
2. INS Arighat [S-3]
3. INS Aridaman [S-4] (Proposed for 2025)
4. S-4* (Proposed for 2025)
What is the difference between nuclear submarines and diesel submarines?
– Diesel-powered submarines need oxygen for their engines, which requires them to come to the surface of the sea. Because of this, they cannot remain hidden for long periods.
– In contrast, the reactor of a nuclear submarine does not need oxygen, allowing it to remain hidden underwater for extended periods. Enemies cannot easily detect it. – However, the submarine still needs to surface occasionally for food supplies and oxygen for the crew, but nuclear submarines are equipped to store these essentials for a longer duration.
What is the Strategic Forces Command (SFC)?
– The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is responsible for nuclear weapons and submarines.
– It was established on January 4, 2003, by the Vajpayee government.
– SFC is a command of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
– It is sometimes referred to as the Strategic Nuclear Command.
– SFC is a part of India’s Nuclear Command Authority (NCA).
– It is responsible for the management and administration of the country’s stockpile of non-strategic and strategic nuclear weapons.
– Indian Navy Chief: Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
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2. Who has become the new Chairman of State Bank of India (SBI)?
a. Manoj Mukherjee
b. Ajay Shravasti
c. Challa Srinivasulu Shetty
d. Dinesh Kumar Khara
Answer: c. Challa Srinivasulu Shetty
– He assumed the position of Chairman of the country’s largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), on August 28, 2024.
– He succeeded Dinesh Khara.
– Challa Srinivasulu Setty has over 36 years of experience with SBI.
– He was appointed as Managing Director (MD) in January 2020.
– He began his career at SBI in 1988 as a Probationary Officer (PO).
– SBI Establishment Year: July 1, 1955
– Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
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3. Which player won the first medal in the Paris Paralympic Games?
a. Preeti Pal
b. Sheetal Devi
c. Avani Lekhara
d. Manasi Joshi
Answer: c. Avani Lekhara
– Avani Lekhara won India’s first medal at the Paralympic Games.
– She won the gold medal in the Women’s 10-meter Air Rifle Shooting SH1 category, setting a new Paralympic record.
– The previous Paralympic record of 249.6 also belonged to Avani, which she set in Tokyo.
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4. In which sport category did Avani Lekhara set a record score and won the gold medal at the Paris Paralympic Games?
a. Swimming
b. Shooting
c. Football
d. Badminton
Answer: b. Shooting
– She won the gold medal in the Women’s 10-meter Air Rifle Shooting SH1 category, setting a new Paralympic record.
– The previous Paralympic record of 249.6 also belonged to Avani, which she set in Tokyo.
– Korea’s Yunri Lee won the silver medal with a score of 246.8.
– India’s Mona Agarwal won the bronze medal with a score of 228.7.
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5. Phase 3 clinical trial of the first dengue vaccine started in India, name it?
a. Dengaction
b. Dengiall
c. Qiudenga
d. M Dengix
Answer: b. Dengiall
– Information about the third phase of clinical trials for the dengue vaccine was provided by ICMR and Panacea on August 28, 2024.
Who is conducting the trial?
– The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Panacea Biotec have started this phase-3 clinical trial for India’s first indigenous dengue vaccine.
– This historic trial will evaluate the efficacy of Dengivac, India’s indigenous tetravalent dengue vaccine developed by Panacea Biotec.
Note: Tetravalent means that this vaccine works simultaneously against four different strains of the virus.
– The first and second phase clinical trials of the Indian dengue vaccine were completed in 2018-19, with promising results.
In how many states is the clinical trial being conducted?
– In collaboration with ICMR, Panacea Biotec is conducting the third phase of clinical trials at 19 locations across 18 states and union territories of India.
– The trial will involve more than 10,335 healthy adult participants.
The Four Serotypes of Dengue:
– Dengue has four serotypes (DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4), which are different types of viruses.
– Since the four viruses are distinct, a person can get dengue up to four times, each time from a new type.
– Developing an effective vaccine is challenging because it is essential to achieve good efficacy against all four serotypes.
– In India, all four serotypes of the dengue virus can spread infections in various regions.
What is Dengue?
– Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease.
– It spreads through the bite of an Aedes mosquito.
– There is no specific treatment for it.
– Only supportive medicines are given to help the body’s immune system recover from dengue.
Symptoms of Dengue:
– High fever
– Severe headache
– Pain behind the eyes
– Muscle and joint pain
– Fatigue
– Vomiting and nausea
– Skin rash
– Bleeding (from gums or nose)
Dengue Vaccines in Some Countries:
– Currently, India does not have a safe and effective vaccine against dengue virus disease.
– Some Western countries, such as Mexico and France, have developed dengue vaccines, but they are not yet approved in our country.
Dengue as a Concern in India:
– According to PIB, dengue is a major public health concern in India.
– India is one of the 30 countries most affected by this disease.
– As of August 18, 2024, there were 76,033 cases and 82 deaths in the country.
– According to WHO, by the year 2023, more than 80 countries and territories had reported approximately 6 million cases of dengue and over 7,000 dengue-related deaths.
Ongoing Increase in Global Dengue Cases:
– According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been a continuous increase in global cases of dengue over the past two decades.
– By the end of 2023, dengue viral disease was reported in over 129 countries.
– In India, approximately 75-80% of infections are asymptomatic, yet these individuals can still spread the infection through Aedes mosquito bites.
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6. Which Union Minister of India visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center in the US in August 2024?
a. Amit Shah
b. Nitin Gadkari
c. Rajnath Singh
d. Anurag Thakur
Answer: c. Rajnath Singh
– Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Memphis, USA, on August 25, 2024. He was on an official visit to the United States from August 23 to 26.
William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel (LCC):
– The LCC is one of the world’s largest and most technologically advanced water tunnel facilities, where submarines, torpedoes, naval surface ships, and propellers are tested.
– The Defense Minister was briefed about the facility and observed the actual use of the tunnel.
What is the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC)?
– The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) is a major research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) institution of the United States Navy.
– It is responsible for the design, development, engineering, and support of naval combat systems.
– Its goal is to ensure the safety and effectiveness of warships, weapon systems, and surface-based maritime platforms.
Agreements Between India and the USA:
– Two agreements were made between the two countries:
1. Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA): This is a bilateral and non-binding agreement under which both countries will prioritize each other for the supply of goods and services necessary for national defense. The USA has signed this agreement with 18 countries so far.
2. Agreement on the Appointment of Liaison Officers: This agreement will lead to the appointment of officers to enhance cooperation between the two countries.
About the USA:
– The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States (US) or America.
– Capital: Washington, D.C.
– Population: 333.3 million (2022)
– President: Joe Biden
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7. Which new pension scheme was launched by the Union Cabinet for government employees?
a. Latest Pension Scheme (LPS)
b. Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
c. United Pension Scheme (UPS)
d. All of the above
Answer: b. Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
The Unified Pension Scheme is set to be implemented from April 1, 2025.
– Its main features are as follows:
1. Full Pension for 25 Years or More of Service: Employees will receive a pension equivalent to 50% of the average of their basic salary of the last 12 months before retirement. Under the UPS, 10% of the basic salary + DA must be deposited.
2. Minimum Pension of ₹10,000: If an employee has served for more than 10 years but less than 25 years, they will receive a minimum pension of ₹10,000, regardless of their basic salary.
3. 60% Family Pension: If an employee dies during the service period, their family will receive a pension equal to 60% of what the employee would have received at retirement (if they had retired instead of dying) plus DA, as family pension.
Note:
– The government will provide Dearness Relief (DR), which is an inflation allowance, along with all three types of pensions.
– Inflation Index: For service employees, the dearness relief on assured pension, assured family pension, and assured minimum pension will be based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW).
Why are employees still demanding the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) from before 2004?
– The Old Pension Scheme was discontinued in December 2003, and the New Pension Scheme (NPS) was implemented.
– Unlike NPS and UPS, the OPS did not require employees to contribute any amount for their pension. Instead, employees had to contribute 10% of their basic salary + DA under NPS and UPS.
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8. Who took over as Director General of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)?
a. Vinit Singh
b. Sunil Sharma
c. Anil Prakash
d. Ashok Kumar Singh
Answer: d. Ashok Kumar Singh
– On August 19, 2024, Ashok Kumar Singh assumed the role of Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour and Employment at its headquarters in New Delhi.
Ashok Kumar Singh:
– He is a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre.
– Previously, he served as Principal Secretary in the Water Resources Department of the Kerala Government.
– At the central level, he was the Executive Director of the National Mission for Clean Ganga.
– He has worked as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Director in the Ministry of Finance.
– He holds an M.Phil. from the National Defence College, New Delhi.
– He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kanpur.
– He has considerable experience.
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9. During PM Modi’s visit to Ukraine, India gave four ‘Bhishma Cubes’ to Ukraine, what is this?
a. Missile
b. Gun for war
c. Portable Hospital
d. Ship for war
Answer: c. Portable Hospital
– The ‘Bhishma Cube,’ developed under the Arogya Maitri Project, is a mobile or portable hospital.
– The ‘Bhishma Cubes’ will greatly aid in the immediate treatment of injured individuals.
– The ‘Bhishma Cube’ has the capacity to treat approximately 200 patients with various emergency medical conditions such as trauma, bleeding, burns, fractures, etc.
BHISHM stands for: Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri
About the ‘Bhishma Cubes’ Hospital:
– This hospital can be transported from one location to another via aircraft or helicopter.
– In case of emergencies or natural disasters, treatment can be initiated within just 12 minutes after the cubes are unloaded from the aircraft.
– It has the capacity to treat approximately 200 patients simultaneously.
– The cube is strong, waterproof, and equipped with solar energy and batteries.
– It is assembled from 36 cubes or boxes.
– The cost of each unit is ₹1.50 crore.
– All 36 boxes are housed within a metal frame.
– It is fully equipped with all necessary medical supplies.
– Each frame includes a small generator and two stretchers.
– The facility will provide treatment for various injuries including gunshot wounds, burns, head, spine, and chest injuries, and severe bleeding.
– The Bhishma project was announced in February 2022.
Where has this hospital been used?
– Previously, on August 17, 2024, the central government, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, conducted a unique para-drop operation of the Arogya Maitri Health Cube at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet.
– It was also deployed on January 22 for the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Temple, ‘Pran Pratishtha,’ in Ayodhya.
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10. In which country did Prime Minister Narendra Modi pay tribute to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in August 2024?
a. Russia
b. Ukraine
c. Japan
d. America
Answer: b. Ukraine
– On August 23, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
– He emphasized the importance of Gandhi’s message of peace for creating a peaceful society.
– The statue of Mahatma Gandhi, located in the ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv, serves as a beacon of hope and peace for humanity.
– Additionally, he visited the country’s Memorial Exhibition with President Volodymyr Zelensky and honored the memory of the children who had fallen in conflict.
About Ukraine:
– Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe.
– It is the second-largest European country after Russia.
– It shares borders with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova.
– President: Volodymyr Zelensky
– Capital: Kyiv
– Language: Ukrainian
– Currency: Ukrainian Hryvnia
– Population: 38 million (2022)
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11. When is National Small Scale Industries Day celebrated?
a. 30 August
b. 29 August
c. 28 August
d. 27 August
Answer: a. 30 August
– National Small Industries Day is celebrated across the country every year on August 30.
– This day is observed to celebrate the contribution of small industries to the development of India.
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