This is the current affairs of 10 & 11 March 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. Name the Miss World winner declared in the year 2024?
a. Divita Rai
b. Krystyna Pyszkova
c. Lana Nappy
d. Shannis Palacios
Answer: b. Krystyna Pyszkova
– She is from Czech Republic and is 25 years old.
– When and where was the award received: March 9, 2024, at the Famous Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai.
– This is the 71st edition of the Miss World competition.
– Contestants from 112 countries around the world participated in this competition.
Winner and runners-up?
– Winner: Kristýna Píšková (Czech Republic)
– First Runner-Up: Yasmeen Zaytoun (Lebanon)
– Previous winner (70th Miss World winner): Karolina Bielawska (Poland)
India hosted the 71st Miss World
– India hosted this event after 28 years.
– India was represented by 22-year-old Srinidhi Shetty (Femina Miss India World 2022).
– The event was held at the Famous Jio World Convention Center in Mumbai.
India’s Srinidhi Shetty reached the top 8
– India’s Srinidhi Shetty had reached the top 8 out of 112 contestants.
Some past Miss Worlds:
2023 – Kristýna Píšková – Czech Republic [announced in 2024]
2022 – The competition was not held due to delay from the previous year’s (2021) competition.
2021 – Karolina Bielawska – Poland
2020 – The competition did not take place due to COVID-19.
In Miss World from India:
1966 – Reita Faria – India’s first Miss World
1994 – Aishwarya Rai – India’s second Miss World
1997 – Diana Hayden – India’s third Miss World
1999 – Yukta Mookhey – India’s fourth Miss World
2000 – Priyanka Chopra – India’s fifth Miss World
2017 – Manushi Chhillar – India’s sixth Miss World
In Miss Universe from India:
1994 – Sushmita Sen – India’s first Miss Universe
2000 – Lara Dutta – India’s second Miss Universe
2021 – Harnaaz Sandhu – India’s third Miss Universe
—————
2. Name the world’s longest two-lane road tunnel at an altitude of 13000 feet, which was inaugurated by PM Modi in March 2024?
a. Atal Tunnel
b. Sela Tunnel
c. Pir Panjal Tunnel
d. Banihal Tunnel
Answer: b. Sela Tunnel (located in Arunachal Pradesh)
About the Sela Tunnel:
– Located in which state: Arunachal Pradesh
– Elevation from sea level: 13,000 feet
– Length of the tunnel: The first is approximately 1003 meters long single-tube tunnel, and the second tunnel is 1595 meters long twin-tube tunnel. It includes 8.6 kilometers of approach roads and link roads.
– Constructed by: Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
– Cost: 825 crore
– Constructed under which project: Project Vartak (Construction and maintenance of basic infrastructure in the adjacent districts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam)
– Inaugurated by the PM on: March 9, 2024
Capacity: Designed for a speed of 80 kilometers per hour for 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks
– Both tunnels pass through the Sela-Chabrela mountain range.
Benefits of the Sela Tunnel:
– Connectivity to Tawang, located near the border with China, will be ensured in all weather conditions. This will reduce travel time by one hour. It enhances the rapid deployment of military resources near the actual control line (LAC). This tunnel will improve connectivity in the region and boost tourism in Arunachal Pradesh.
1962 India-China Conflict:
– In the year 1962, Chinese soldiers clashed with the Indian Army in this region, and importantly, on October 24 of that year, they captured the city of Tawang.
– However, China later vacated the city.
—————–
————–
3. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the project to design and develop which generation new fighter jet (AMCA – Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)?
a. Fourth Generation
b. Fifth Generation
c. Sixth Generation
d. Seventh Generation
Answer: b. Fifth Generation
– The CCS (Cabinet Committee on Security) has approved approximately 15,000 crore rupees for this.
Countries with 5th Generation Fighter Jets:
– Only the United States, Russia, and China have developed fighter jets of this generation.
– After developing the 5th generation (AMCA) aircraft, India will be included in this select group of three countries.
– India will become the fourth country to develop a 5th generation aircraft. After its arrival, the strength of the Indian Air Force will increase.
Generations of Fighter Jets:
– First Generation – Used in the Second World War.
– Second Generation – Mig-21 aircraft.
– Third Generation – Mig-23, Sukhoi Su-17.
– Fourth Generation – Sukhoi Su-27.
4.5 Generation – Rafale, Tejas.
– Fifth Generation – F22.
Currently, 5th Generation Jets include:
– F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II from the United States.
– J-20 Mighty Dragon from China.
– Su-57 from Russia.
What makes the 5th Generation AMCA special?
– According to The Indian Express, discussions for developing the AMCA began in 2007.
– The initial plan was to develop aircraft jointly with Russia under the 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program.
– However, India withdrew from the FGFA project in 2018.
– AMCA will be India’s indigenous 5th Generation fighter aircraft.
– The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas is a 4.5th Generation single-engine multirole aircraft.
Who is manufacturing fighter jets?
– Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the production agency for the project and has commenced manufacturing activities.
– The first prototype is expected to be launched in 2025-26, with the first flight planned for 2026-27.
– About the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft):
– It is a 25-ton double-engine fighter jet.
– It can be larger than other combat aircraft in the Indian Air Force’s fleet.
– It can carry missiles and other weaponry weighing up to 1,500 kilograms and engage targets at long ranges.
– It will have advanced stealth features to evade detection by enemy radar.
– This aircraft will be comparable to or better than other 5th generation stealth combat aircraft globally (such as those from the United States, Russia, and China).
– The aircraft will feature a large, hidden internal fuel tank with a capacity of 6.5 tons.
– It will have an internal weapons bay for indigenous and other weapons.
– The AMCA Mk1 variant will be powered by the US-made GE414 engine with a class of 90 kilonewtons (kN).
– Meanwhile, the more advanced AMCA Mk2 variant will fly with a powerful 110kN engine developed domestically by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of DRDO.
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS):
– It is a Cabinet Committee of the Government of India, responsible for discussions, debates, and final decisions on all matters related to national security, senior appointments in the national security apparatus, defense policy, and expenditure, and generally on all matters concerning India’s national security.
– The CCS is chaired by the Prime Minister of India and includes other members such as the Defense Minister, Home Minister, Finance Minister, and Foreign Minister.
– Additionally, the National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary, and Defense Secretary also attend CCS meetings.
—————
4. Name the then Election Commissioner of India who suddenly resigned on 9 March 2024?
a. Sushil Chandra
b. Rajiv Kumar
c. Arun Goyal
d. Dhirendra Pratap Singh
Answer: c. Arun Goyal
Election Commission of India:
– It conducts elections for the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, President, and Vice-President in the country.
– The Election Commission comprises three members.
– One Chief Election Commissioner and two Election Commissioners.
– Chief Election Commissioner: Rajiv Kumar.
– Election Commissioner: Vacant position.
– Election Commissioner: Vacant position.
– It is expected that a meeting related to the appointments will be held on March 15th.
Arun Goyal:
– Retired IAS officer Arun Goyal was appointed as the new Chief Election Commissioner of the country on November 19, 2022.
– He resigned from his position on March 9th.
– According to sources cited by The Hindu newspaper, it is said that he resigned due to friction with the Chief Election Commissioner.
– His term was until 2027, and he was supposed to be the next Chief Election Commissioner.
Under which act will the vacant positions be filled?
– According to The Hindu newspaper, the existing vacancies in the Election Commission will have to be filled under the Election Commission (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Tenure of Office) Act, 2023, introduced by the government last December.
– The act provides for the selection of commission members by a selection committee chaired by the Prime Minister, which includes the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and a nominated Union Minister by the Prime Minister.
As the Chief Election Commissioner
– The term of the Chief Election Commissioner is six years or until the age of 65 (whichever comes first).
Who appoints and removes the Chief Election Commissioner?
– The appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners is made by the President of India.
– The honor and salary of the Chief Election Commissioner are equivalent to that of a Judge of the Supreme Court of India.
– The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed only by impeachment by the Parliament.
– So far, no Chief Election Commissioner has been removed through impeachment.
– Other Election Commissioners can be removed by the President based on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.
– However, the final decision depends on the President.
– For example, in 2009, the then Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami recommended the dismissal of the then President Pratibha Patil to appoint Election Commissioner Navin Chawla as the Chief Election Commissioner, but the President rejected this recommendation.
– Later, Navin Chawla also became the Chief Election Commissioner.
—————-
5. Who became the new President of Paralympic Committee of India (PCI)?
a. Deepa Malik
b. Devendra Jhajharia
c. Varun Singh Bhati
d. Mariyappan Thangavelu
Answer: b. Devendra Jhajharia
– She was elected to this position on March 9, 2024.
– She replaced para-athlete Deepa Malik.
Ban lifted on PCI
– The Ministry of Sports lifted the ban imposed on PCI on March 5, 2024.
– On February 2, 2024, the Ministry of Sports had canceled the recognition of PCI deliberately for delaying the elections of the new executive committee as per the National Sports Code. The ban, which has now been lifted.
– After the lifting of the ban, Devendra Jhajharia was elected as the new President of PCI.
About Devendra Jhajharia:
– He is an Indian para-athlete specializing in javelin throw.
– He is 42 years old and hails from Rajasthan.
– Devendra Jhajharia won gold medals in the F46 category at the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Paralympics.
– Additionally, he has won several other medals in various competitions.
– He is the recipient of the Padma Bhushan award in the field of sports for para-athletes (2022).
– He was honored with the Khel Ratna Award in 2017.
– He received the Padma Shri award in 2012.
– He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2004.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI):
– It is the governing body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India in Paralympic Games and other international athletic meets, as well as managing Indian teams in events.
– The organization aims to promote sports for differently-abled individuals in India.
– It was established in 1992 as the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India.
—————
6. Who became the 14th President of Pakistan?
a. Shahbaz Sharif
b. Imran Khan
c. Nawaz Sharif
d. Asif Ali Zardari
Answer: d. Asif Ali Zardari
– Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was elected as the 14th President of Pakistan on March 9, 2024. He received support from five parties.
– On March 10, 2024, he took the oath of office as the President at the Presidential Palace.
– Prior to this, he served as the 11th President of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013.
First Leader to Become President Twice:
– Asif Ali Zardari is the first Pakistani leader to become President twice.
– While Iskander Mirza and Pervez Musharraf served as President twice each, and Ayub Khan served as President three times, they were all military dictators.
Pakistan:
– Capital: Islamabad
– President: Asif Ali Zardari (Assumed office on March 10, 2024)
– Prime Minister: Shahbaz Sharif (Became the 24th Prime Minister on March 3, 2024)
– Currency: Pakistani Rupee
– Population: Approximately 240 million
– Borders of Pakistan: It shares borders with Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and India.
– Note: Arif Alvi was the 13th President of Pakistan.
——————
—————
7. Which country was awarded the ‘Measles and Rubella Champion Award’ for its tireless efforts to combat measles and rubella disease?
a. America
b. Singapore
c. India
d. Switzerland
Answer: c. India
– India received this award on March 6, 2024, at the headquarters of the Red Cross in Washington D.C., USA.
– The award was received by Shripriya Ranganathan, the Deputy Chief of Mission of India’s diplomatic mission in Washington D.C., on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India.
Which agency is working to prevent measles and rubella?
– The Measles and Rubella Partnership includes a multi-agency coordination committee involving the American Red Cross, BMGF, GAVI, CDC, UNICEF, UNF, and WHO.
– All these organizations are collectively dedicated to reducing deaths caused by measles and preventing rubella worldwide.
In India, the situation regarding measles and rubella diseases is as follows:
– Due to India’s efforts, no case of measles has been reported in 50 districts continuously, while no case of rubella has been reported in the last 12 months in 226 districts.
Note:
– Measles and rubella are two separate viral diseases. Some symptoms and signs of both are similar.
About Measles:
– It is an infectious disease caused by an extremely contagious virus belonging to the paramyxovirus family.
– The virus first attacks the respiratory system and then spreads throughout the body.
– Some common symptoms of measles include high fever, runny nose, red eyes, cough, and Koplik’s spots (small bluish-white spots) inside the mouth.
About Rubella:
– It is a viral disease also known as German measles. Its symptoms include headache, red eyes, mild fever, joint pain, red rash resembling chickenpox, and cold-like symptoms.
Vaccines for Measles and Rubella:
– The MMR vaccine can be used to correct infections of measles and rubella.
– It is effective against both of these diseases.
– Besides, other medications can also be used to treat this disease.
– The MMR vaccine is a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella.
—————
8. When is No Smoking Day celebrated?
a. fourth wednesday of march
b. third wednesday of march
c. second wednesday of march
d. first wednesday of march
Answer: c. Second Wednesday of March (13 March in 2024)
2024 Theme
– Protecting children from tobacco industry interference
– This day is observed to raise awareness about the harmful effects of smoking on individuals, society, and the world.
– Smoking affects the nervous system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, as well as hair, skin, and nails.
—————
9. Name the new 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh?
a. Bichom
b. Ahom
c. Razor
d. none of these
Answer: a. Bichom
– This district has been carved out separately from the western and eastern Kameng regions.
– Bichom has now become the 27th district of Arunachal Pradesh.
– The people of this area have been demanding a separate district for a long time.
Arunachal Pradesh:
– Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
– Capital: Itanagar
—————-
10. In which state Mahtari Vandan Yojana was started?
a. Bihar
b. Chhattisgarh
c. Jharkhand
d. Odisha
Answer: b. Chhattisgarh
– The objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to women in the state.
– The scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi during a virtual program in March 2024.
– Under Mahtari Vandan Yojana, about 70 lakh women of Chhattisgarh will get Rs 1,000 every month.
– Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai
PDF Download: Click here
