Hello, curious minds…We understand the importance of a global outlook. Our Current Affairs Digest covers news from different regions of the world, allowing you to gain a broader understanding of international affairs and their interconnectedness.
Q1.How many Vande Bharat Express trains is Prime Minister Modi set to launch on September 24th?
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Ans:-4)9
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate nine Vande Bharat Express trains on Sunday, September 24th, as confirmed by ministry officials. Out of these, two trains will be introduced for Howrah in West Bengal and Chennai in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, there will be one train each for Kerala, Odisha, Telangana, Gujarat, and the state of Rajasthan, which is heading for elections. These semi-high-speed trains are designed with eight coaches, promising to greatly enhance the nation’s railway connectivity.
Q2. Which event marked Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Varanasi?
- Inaugurating a new airport terminal
- Laying the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium
- Launching a new railway station
- Unveiling a new cultural center
Ans:-2)Laying the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Varanasi was marked by several significant events. One of the key highlights was the laying of the foundation stone for an international cricket stadium in Ganjari, Rajatalab. This stadium, estimated to cost around Rs 450 crore, is designed to meet the highest international standards.
- Drawing inspiration from Lord Shiva, the stadium features thematic elements like crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights, and seating arrangements reminiscent of traditional ghats. This venture is part of Prime Minister Modi’s broader vision to develop modern and world-class sports infrastructure.
- Additionally, he participated in the closing ceremony of the Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav at the Rudraksha International Cooperation and Convention Centre and inaugurated 16 Atal residential schools across Uttar Pradesh.
Q3.What recent announcement did China and Syria make?
- Bilateral trade agreement
- Strategic partnership
- Joint military exercise
- Cultural exchange program
Ans:-2)Strategic partnership
- In a significant diplomatic move, China and Syria have formally declared the establishment of a strategic partnership. This announcement was made during a meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar Assad in Hangzhou, China, on the eve of the Asian Games. Against the backdrop of global instability, both leaders expressed their dedication to mutual support, aiming to fortify their collaboration in order to maintain global equity and impartiality. This development reflects China’s broader strategy to assert itself as a counterweight to the prevailing international order led by the U.S.
Q4.Which of the following options best represents the countries involved in the joint space venture announced by the I2U2 Group?
- India, Israel, UAE, US
- India, Iran, UAE, UK
- Italy, Israel, Uganda, US
- Indonesia, Italy, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Ans:-1)India, Israel, UAE, US
- The I2U2 consortium, comprising India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States, has introduced an ambitious collaborative space venture. This joint initiative is poised to develop a cutting-edge space-based tool with diverse applications for policymakers, institutions, and entrepreneurs.
- This announcement follows India’s recent triumphant lunar mission, signifying a significant milestone for the quartet’s collective endeavors in space exploration. In light of India’s successful lunar soft-landing, the I2U2 consortium, encompassing four nations deeply involved in space exploration, has united to spearhead this unique space-based endeavor.
- At the heart of this initiative lies the utilization of space-based observational data and capabilities possessed by the four partner nations of I2U2. The overarching goal is to harness this wealth of data to craft a distinctive tool with applications across a multitude of domains.
Q5.What has been chosen as the Best Tourism Village of India in 2023?
- Dispur
- Guwahati
- Biswanath Ghat
- Jorhat
Ans:-3)Biswanath Ghat
- Biswanath Ghat, located south of Biswanath Chariali Town in Assam, has been designated as the Best Tourism Village of India for the year 2023. This recognition follows a thorough evaluation process that assessed 791 applications from 31 different states and union territories across the country. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his elation at this accomplishment, emphasizing the substantial endeavors undertaken by the government to advance rural tourism in the state.
- Biswanath Ghat, often referred to as ‘Gupta Kashi,’ is renowned for its ancient Biswanath temple, drawing parallels with the historical significance of Kashi during the Gupta Empire era. This charming ghat is adorned with a variety of temples dedicated to diverse deities. Notably, a Shiva temple graces the confluence of the Bridhaganga (Burigonga) River with the Brahmaputra.
Q6.What is the name of the approved indigenous missile?
- BrahMos
- Agni-V
- Dhruvastra
- Prithvi-II
Ans:-3)Dhruvastra
- India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted approval for various capital acquisition proposals, including the indigenous Dhruvastra short-range air-to-surface missile. This highly precise weapon is designed to be deployed on the domestically manufactured DHRUV MK-IV helicopters, significantly enhancing India’s combat capabilities against enemy tanks and armored vehicles. Dhruvastra is a third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system known for its versatility in engaging and neutralizing enemy tanks and armored vehicles. With an operational range of 500 meters to an impressive 7 kilometers, Dhruvastra can effectively engage targets across a wide spectrum, ensuring that enemy tanks and armored vehicles fall within its striking range.
Q7.What is the name of Israel’s latest main battle tank?
- Merkava Mark 5
- Merkava Mark 4
- Merkava Mark 3
- Merkava Mark 2
Ans:-1)Merkava Mark 5
- Israel has unveiled its highly advanced main battle tank, known as the Merkava Mark 5 or “Barak.” This marks a significant stride in military technology, achieved through collaborative efforts between the Israeli Defense Ministry, IDF’s Ground Forces, and leading defense companies like Elbit Systems, Rafael, and Elta, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries.
- The Barak tank represents a pinnacle in armored warfare, a testament to Israel’s dedication to enhancing its defense capabilities. This 5th-generation tank integrates state-of-the-art technologies and advancements, building upon the legacy of its predecessors.
- Equipped with a sophisticated array of sensors for target detection, the tank enables seamless data sharing with other military units. This enhancement greatly improves enemy identification and coordination on the battlefield.
Q8.When is the inclusion of Indian government bonds in JP Morgan’s emerging market benchmark expected to take effect?
- Early 2022
- Early 2023
- Early 2024
- Early 2025
Ans:-3)Early 2024
- JP Morgan Chase & Co. has confirmed the inclusion of Indian government bonds in its prestigious emerging-market index. This significant move is anticipated to draw substantial foreign investments into India’s debt market.
- Effective from June 28, 2024, Indian government bonds will be part of the JP Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets, with a maximum weightage of 10%.
- JP Morgan’s decision stems from India’s implementation of the Fully Accessible Route (FAR) program in 2020 and extensive market reforms aimed at facilitating foreign portfolio investments. A survey of benchmark investors demonstrated that nearly three-quarters of respondents supported India’s inclusion in the index.
Q9.Which sector of businesses is the NEO for Business platform primarily designed for?
- Large Corporations
- Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Startups
- Enterprises
Ans:-2)Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
- Axis Bank has launched a revolutionary Transaction Banking platform called ‘NEO for Business’ to cater to the dynamic needs of Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This digital offering addresses the real-time requirements of MSMEs, marking a significant milestone in the landscape of business banking in India.
- “NEO for Business” boasts a contemporary UI/UX and bank-grade security features, creating a distinctive first Transaction Banking platform for MSMEs. It will transform the Transaction Banking landscape for MSMEs by establishing a robust digital ecosystem to address all their evolving needs.
- Originally designed for corporate banking clients, ‘NEO for Business’ offers a wide range of products and services through a unified platform, delivering a comprehensive array of digital banking solutions.
Q10.What is the ambitious vision for Dharavi?
- Mukesh Ambani
- Ratan Tata
- Gautam Adani
- Azim Premji
Ans:-3)Gautam Adani
- Gautam Adani has expressed a strong commitment to modernizing Dharavi, outlining plans to support small industries, generate new employment prospects, particularly for youth and women, and establish training and research centers. As part of the redevelopment strategy, Adani envisions an organized marketplace aligned with India’s Open Network for Digital Commerce.
- Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, situated in the heart of Mumbai, has been a focal point of discussions regarding urban development and enhancing living conditions for its one million inhabitants.
- Initially, Dharavi was a hub for various trades such as pottery, leatherwork, and embroidery, with artisans and workers establishing their businesses in the late 1800s. Over time, unplanned settlements emerged, leading to the development of huts in the area.
