Manthan Weekly - July 1-7, 2024

· ___1() p”3zzzZ MANTHAN A General Awareness Weekly 1st July to 7th July, 2024 1 a A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 1 PREFACE Dear Students, The ‘Current Affairs’ section is an...

· ___1() p”3zzzZ MANTHAN A General Awareness Weekly 1st July to 7th July, 2024 1 a A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 1 PREFACE Dear Students, The ‘Current Affairs’ section is an integral part of any examination. This edition of Manthan has been developed by our team to help you cover all the important events of the Week. This comprehensive bulletin will help you prepare the section in a vivid manner. We hope that our sincere efforts will serve you in a better way to fulfill aspirations. Happy Reading Team CL Page : 2 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  POLITY AND GOVERNANCE National Indian Navy participates in RIMPAC naval exercise · The Indian Navy has joined the world’s largest naval military wargame Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in Hawaii. Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel are going to train and operate in and around the Hawaiian Islands during the exercise. · This exercise is the world’s biggest international maritime warfare exercise, and it takes place in Hawaii with a huge group of troops from around the world. The Hawaiian Islands are the focus of this huge show of military power and cooperation, which runs until August 01. RIMP began with a phase in the harbor that lasted from June 27 to July 7. This was followed by a carefully planned phase at sea. The last phase is split into three smaller phases. During these phases, the naval forces that are taking part will carry out some complicated maritime activities. An aircraft carrier battle group, submarines, maritime reconnaissance planes, and remotely piloted surface ships will all be moving around, and amphibious force landing operations will also be shown. Commander of the US 3rd Fleet and the RIMPAC 2024 Combined Task Force, Vice Admiral John Wade, talked about the exercise’s two goals: to strengthen ties between countries and make it easier for allied forces to work together. The main objective is to improve everyone’s skills in maritime operations, which will help keep the Indo-Pacific area peaceful and stable. In a nutshell, this is what this year’s RIMPAC theme, “Partners: Integrated and Prepared,” means. · The INS Shivalik, a guided missile stealth frigate that was planned and built in India, shows how technically advanced and flexible the Indian Navy is. The frigate was sent to Pearl Harbor to take part in different parts of RIMPAC 2024. It had been sent to key areas like the South China Sea and the North Pacific Ocean before. That the ship traveled 9000 Nautical Miles to take part in the drill shows how far the Indian Navy can go”. Indian Navy said that INS Shivalik, mission deployed to the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, departed Singapore on May 30 for onward passage to Yokosuka, Japan to participate in Japan-India maritime exercise JIMEX-24 scheduled to be held mid-June and then onward to RIMPAC-24. · 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel participated in the exercise. This year’s participants in RIMPAC include forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, U.K. and the U.S. The Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. RIMPAC is held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu, Hawaii, with the exception of 2020 where it was held in August. It is hosted and administered by the United States Navy’s Indo-Pacific Command, headquartered at Pearl Harbor, in conjunction with the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the Governor of Hawaii. The first RIMPAC, held in 1971, involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). India first participated in RIMPAC in 2014 when the indigenously built Shivalik class stealth frigate INS Sahyadri took part in the exercise. A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 3 India takes first steps to meet 2070 net-zero goal, NITI Aayog forms panels · Three years after India declared its goal to become a net-zero economy by 2070, the policy design for achieving the target has begun, with the NITI Aayog forming dedicated multi-sectoral committees to prepare a transition plan. In 2021, India joined a select group of nations that set a target year for becoming net-zero carbon economy. At COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a five-pronged ‘Panchamitra’ climate action target for India and committed to a net-zero target by 2070, joining nations like the US, the UK, and China. The National Institution for Transforming India, also called NITI Aayog, was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on January 1, 2015. It was established to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model. The Planning Commission was an institution in the Government of India, which formulated India’s Five-Year Plans, among other functions. After India achieved independence, a formal model of planning was adopted, and accordingly the Planning Commission, reporting directly to the Prime Minister of India, was established on 15 March 1950, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru as the Chairman. Authority for creation of the Planning Commission was not derived from the Constitution of India or statute; it is an arm of the Central Government of India. The first Five-Year Plan was launched in 1951, focusing mainly on development of the agricultural sector. NITI Aayog is the premier policy ‘Think Tank’ of the Government of India, providing both directional and policy inputs. The current Chairman of NITI Aayog is Shri Narendra Modi, current Vice Chairman is Suman Bery and the current Chief Executive Officer is Sh. BVR Subrahmanyam. Uttar Pradesh to set up Bioplastic Park in Lakhimpur Kheri at Rs. 2,000 crore · The Uttar Pradesh government will set up a bioplastic park in Gola Gokarnnath of Lakhimpur Kheri district at an investment of Rs. 2,000 crore. The park will be developed by the Balrampur Sugar Mills Firm over 1,000 hectares in Kumbhi village of the district on pubic private partnership (PPP) model. The Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) will serve as the nodal agency for the park’s development. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was created on 1 April 1937 as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh during British rule, and was renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950, giving the acronym UP. The state is divided into 18 divisions and 75 districts with the capital being Lucknow. On 9 November 2000, a new state, Uttarakhand, was carved out from the state’s Himalayan hill region. The two major rivers of the state, the Ganges and Yamuna, join at Allahabad and flow further east as Ganges. The state contributes 80 seats to the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha and 31 seats to the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel is serving as the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She also served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. She has served as the first female Chief Minister of Gujarat. Yogi Adityanath is serving as the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Maharashtra announces pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens from all religions · Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’, a pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens from all religions. “The scheme titled ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’ will be for the senior citizens of all religions”. Rules will be framed for the scheme and the government will facilitate the pilgrimage of senior citizens from all religions who are unable to do it on their own. Maharashtra is India’s second-most populous state and third-largest state by area. Nagpur is Maharashtra’s second capital and hosts the winter session of the state legislature. Pune is its cultural capital. Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray was former Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Uddhav Thackeray was the first of his family to be the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. His father Bal Thackeray founded the Shiv Sena over five decades ago. Eknath Sambhaji Shinde is serving as the Current Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi is Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice · Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi was appointed as the chief justice of the Jharkhand High Court, the law ministry said. Justice Sarangi is at present a judge of the Orissa High Court. His name was recommended by the Supreme Court collegium in December last year. Page : 4 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  Article 124(2) of the Indian Constitution provides that the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President after consultation with such a number of the Judges of the Supreme Court and of the High Courts in the States as the President may deem necessary for the purpose. As per Article 217, the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the CJI and the State Governor, and, in the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court. The names are recommended by the Collegium. Collegium System is the system of appointment and transfer of judges that has evolved through judgments of the Supreme Court, and not by an Act of Parliament or by a provision of the Constitution. The Supreme Court collegium is headed by the CJI and comprises four other senior most judges of the court. A HC collegium is led by its Chief Justice and four other senior most judges of that court. The collegium sends its final recommendation to the President of India for approval. The President can either accept it or reject it. In the case it is rejected, the recommendation comes back to the collegium. If the collegium reiterates its recommendation to the President, then he/she is bound by that recommendation. Hemant Soren to become Jharkhand CM once again · Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) supremo Hemant Soren has become the Chief Minister of Jharkhand once again. Soren was released from jail after nearly five months, following the high court’s decision to grant him bail in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. This comes after a meeting of INDIA bloc legislators held in Ranchi convened by the former CM. Jharkhand (meaning ‘the land of forests’) is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the states of Bihar to the north, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Chhattisgarh to the west, Odisha to the south and West Bengal to the east. The city of Ranchi is its capital and Dumka its sub-capital. Hemant Soren is the current Chief Minister of Jharkhand. C. P. Radhakrishnan is serving as the current Governor of Jharkhand. The state was formed on 15 November 2000, from the territory that had previously been part of Bihar. Chhattisgarh launches ‘single window system 2.0’ for ease of industrialists · Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched the second edition of the ‘single window system’ (SWS) to facilitate speedy approvals of various clearances required for setting up industries. Sai said the state government would extend all possible assistance to entrepreneurs interested in investing in the state. The Commerce and Industry Department already operates a ‘single window system’ portal which has been updated and re-launched. Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000 by partitioning 10 Chhattisgarhi and 6 Gondi speaking southeastern districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is a land locked state of India. The capital city is Raipur. Biswabhusan Harichandan is present Governor of Chhattisgarh. Awadhesh Prasad among Lok Sabha panel of chairpersons · Amidst speculation that he may be the Opposition’s candidate for the post of Deputy Speaker, Samajwadi Party MP from Faizabad Awadhesh Prasad was named as one of the nine members of the panel of chairpersons to help Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Birla said he had selected Jagdambika Pal (BJP), P C Mohan (BJP), Sandhya Ray (BJP), Dilip Saikia (BJP), Kumari Selja (Congress), A Raja (DMK), Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar (TMC), Krishna Prasad Tenneti (TDP) and Awadhesh Prasad (SP) as members of the panel of chairpersons. In the context of the Parliamentary System, the Presiding Officers refer to the officials who oversee and regulate the proceedings of the Houses of Legislative Body such as Parliament in the case of India. The Presiding Officers are responsible for upholding parliamentary rules, maintaining order, managing debates, and conducting the legislative process as per the established procedures within their respective houses of the legislative body. Overall, their role is to ensure that the legislative body functions smoothly and efficiently. The Presiding Officers of Lok Sabha primarily include – the Speaker of Lok Sabha and the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha. Additionally, the Lok Sabha also has a Panel of Chairpersons, any members of which assume the role of Presiding Officer in the absence of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, ensuring the continuity of parliamentary proceedings. A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 5 Uttar Pradesh cabinet passes draft of UP NIRMAN Bill-2024 to attract investors · In a bid to make Uttar Pradesh a one trillion dollar economy, the Uttar Pradesh government passed draft of Uttar Pradesh Nodal Investment Region for Manufacturing (Construction) Area Bill (NIRMAN)-2024. This draft of the Bill to make a Special Investment Region (SIR) was approved in the cabinet meeting held in Lok Bhavan under chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Through this, the big investors of the country and the world can be attracted to invest in UP. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India as well as the most populous country subdivision in the world. It was created on 1 April 1937 as the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh during British rule, and was renamed Uttar Pradesh in 1950, giving the acronym UP. The state is divided into 18 divisions and 75 districts with the capital being Lucknow. On 9 November 2000, a new state, Uttarakhand, was carved out from the state’s Himalayan hill region. The two major rivers of the state, the Ganges and Yamuna, join at Allahabad and flow further east as Ganges. The state contributes 80 seats to the lower house of the Indian Parliament, Lok Sabha and 31 seats to the upper house of the Indian Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel is serving as the current Governor of Uttar Pradesh. She also served as Governor of Madhya Pradesh. She has served as the first female Chief Minister of Gujarat. Yogi Adityanath is serving as the current Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ launched by NITI Aayog · NITI Aayog launched the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ witnessing significant participation from citizens across the country. The launch events were organised across all the 112 Aspirational Districts and 500 Aspirational Blocks. This comprehensive three-month campaign, running from 4th July to 30th September 2024, aims to achieve 100% saturation of 12 key social sector indicators across all Aspirational Districts and Blocks. · The first day of the campaign witnessed the enthusiastic participation of lakhs of district and block-level officials, frontline workers, community leaders, local artists, students, and local representatives (Block Pramukhs/Sarpanchs) from Jammu and Kashmir to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. · The Aspirational Districts and Blocks pledged their commitment to the ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’ by reiterating its principles through the ‘Sampoornata Pledge’ committing to fulfil the campaign’s goals and accelerating progress towards full saturation of the identified indicators. The programme also included organising camps emphasizing on the key indicators of the campaign as in Ratlam and Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, the programme was launched amid fanfare and local participation at the district headquarters of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand and Nuh, Haryana. Justice Sheel Nagu appointed Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court · The Centre notified the appointment of Justice Sheel Nagu as the Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana High Court. Justice Nagu was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court after Chief Justice Ravi Malimath demitted the office on May 24, 2024. Now, Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva has been appointed as the new Acting Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Justice Nagu’s name was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium — comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna and BR Gavai — on December 28, 2023 after the retirement of Chief Justice Ravi Shankar Jha. Chief Justice Jha retired on October 13, 2023. First-ever India-Belarus Consular Dialogue held in Minsk · The first ever India-Belarus Consular Dialogue was held on 28 June 2024 in Minsk. The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Aman Puri, JS (CPV), while the Belarusian delegation was led by Mr. Andrei Kozhan, Head of General Directorate for Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus. A wide gamut of consular issues ranging from welfare of the Indian students in Belarus to enhancing tourism between the two countries was discussed during the first-ever India-Belarus Consular Dialogue. Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Minsk is the capital and largest city. The ruble, rouble or rubel is the currency of Belarus. Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko has been the President of Belarus since the office’s establishment in 1994. This makes him the longest-serving European president. Page : 6 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 India-Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE · The opening ceremony of the 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise MAITREE was held at Tak Province in Thailand. Exercise MAITREE is an annual training event held in India and Thailand alternatively. However, the current edition is being held after a gap of 4 years (12th edition held in Umroi, Meghalaya in 2019) due to Covid- 19 pandemic. Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. Bangkok is the nation’s capital and largest city. The baht is the official currency of Thailand. Vajiralongkorn is the King of Thailand. Srettha Thavisin, nicknamed Nid, is a Thai businessman and politician currently serving as the Prime Minister of Thailand since 22 August 2023. India’s first ‘inclusive sports manual’ for differently-abled kids designed in Kerala · The Kerala General Education Department has designed an unique “inclusive sports manual” with the objective of promoting the sports talents of differently-abled schoolchildren and ensuring their participation in the field. Another programme, titled “Healthy Kids,” envisaged to ensure the physical and mental health of children by initiating them to sports and games, would be implemented for primary students of the state-run schools. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be first Indian PM to visit Vienna in 41 years · Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Austria on July 9 and 10 becoming the first Indian leader to travel to the country in 41 years. PM Modi would first travel to Russia and from there he is expected to depart for Austria. The last Indian prime minister to visit Austria was Indira Gandhi in 1983. She had also visited the country in 1971. Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Indian leader to visit Austria in 1955. In November 1999, the then Indian President KR Narayanan made India’s first state visit to Austria after which in 2011, ex-President Pratibha Patil travelled to the country. Ministry of Culture initiates Project PARI for the 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting · India has long been a vibrant centre of artistic expression, with its rich history of public art reflecting the country’s cultural and spiritual diversity. From ancient rock-cut temples and intricate frescoes to grand public sculptures and vibrant street art, Bharat’s landscapes have always been adorned with artistic marvels. Historically, art has been deeply intertwined with daily life, religious practices, and social customs, manifesting through various modalities such as dance, music, theatre, and visual arts. · Project PARI (Public Art of India), an initiative by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, being executed by Lalit Kala Akademi and National Gallery of Modern Art seeks to bring forth public art that draws inspiration from millennia of artistic heritage (lok kala/lok sanskriti) while incorporating modern themes and techniques. These expressions underscore the intrinsic value that art holds in Indian society, serving as a testament to the nation’s enduring commitment to creativity and artistic expression. The first intervention under Project PARI is taking place in Delhi. · It coincides with the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India between 21-31 July 2024. The representation of art in public spaces is particularly significant, reflecting the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. The democratization of art through public installations transforms urban landscapes into accessible galleries, where art transcends the confines of traditional venues such as museums and galleries. By integrating art into streets, parks, and transit hubs, these initiatives ensure that artistic experiences are available to one and all. The World Heritage Committee is a committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties. It comprises representatives from 21 state parties that are elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a four-year term. These parties vote on decisions and proposals related to the World Heritage Convention and World Heritage List. ------------- A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 7  International Mongolia ruling party wins reduced majority in vote dominated by graft · Mongolia’s ruling party emerged from this week’s polls with its parliamentary majority significantly diminished, after a campaign dominated by graft fears and the state of the economy. Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene declared victory in the previous day’s polls, in which millions of Mongolians turned out to elect 126 members of the State Great Khural, the country’s unicameral parliament. The new parliament will see the MPP hold 54% of the seats, compared to around 80% in 2020. Mongolia is a landlocked unitary sovereign state in East Asia. Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh is currently serving as the President of Mongolia. Luvsannamsrain Oyun- Erdene is currently serving as Prime Minister of Mongolia since October, 2017. The togrog or tugrik is the official currency of Mongolia. A centre-right coalition in Bulgaria is tapped to form a new government · Bulgarian President Rumen Radev tapped the largest group in parliament, the centre-right GERB-UDF coalition, to form the country’s new government. Accepting the mandate, Prime Minister-designate Rosen Zhelyazkov presented a proposal for a Cabinet and asked the president to send it to parliament for approval. The 56-year-old lawyer and former parliament speaker, who has served in different ministerial positions in previous governments, said that the new Cabinet was “a team of experts and seasoned politicians from GERB”. · The GERB-UDF coalition finished first in the June elections but only has 68 legislators in the 240-seat National Assembly. The coalition picked Zhelyazkov to head a new government over its leader, Boyko Borissov, who led three governments between 2009 and 2021, when his third Cabinet resigned following major anti- corruption protests. Bulgaria is a country in Southeast Europe. Sofia is the nation’s capital and largest city. The lev is the currency of Bulgaria. Rumen Radev has been the President of Bulgaria since 22 January 2017. Hungary takes on European Union presidency amid concerns · Hungary takes over the European Union’s (EU) rotating presidency on July 1, promising to be an “honest broker” despite widespread concerns over what critics see as an authoritarian, Russia-friendly government. Nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has run the central European country since 2010 aiming to transform it into an “illiberal democracy”, frequently clashes with Brussels over rule-of-law and human rights issues. Hungary is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Budapest is the country’s capital and largest city; it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The forint is the currency of Hungary. PM-elect Dick Schoof, Dutch government sworn-in 7 months after far-right party won elections · The Netherlands has a different Prime Minister for the first time in 14 years as Dutch King Willem-Alexander swore in the country’s new government more than seven months after elections dominated by a far-right, anti- Islam party. Page : 8 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  · Dick Schoof, former head of the Dutch intelligence agency and counterterrorism office, signed the official royal decree at Huis Ten Bosch Palace, saying he “declared and promised” to uphold his duties as the country’s prime minister. He was formally installed alongside 15 other ministers who make up the country’s right-leaning coalition. The Netherlands, informally Holland is a country located in northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Amsterdam is the country’s most populous city and the nominal capital. Mark Rutte has served as Prime Minister of the Netherlands since 2010. He was also the Leader of the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) from 2006 through 2023. He is currently acting in a demissionary capacity and will not return to politics following installation of a new cabinet. SCO chair Kazakhstan to host unique World Nomadic Games celebrating Central Asian spirit · Kazakhstan, which hosted the SCO Summit, will be hosting a series of international meets this year including ‘World Nomadic Games’ to celebrate local and unique traditions. “Under the leadership of President Tokayev, the country will continue a constructive and balanced foreign policy, taking into account the national interests of the country. In 2024, our country will host a number of representative summits and forums. Kazakhstan will chair several authoritative international organizations at once, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Kazakhstan is a country in Central Asia; it has borders with Russia in the north, China in the east, and Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan in the south. The capital is Nur-Sultan, formerly known as Astana. Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country and the ninth-largest in the world. Kassym- Jomart Kemeluly Tokayev has been serving as the President of Kazakhstan since 20 March 2019. The tenge is the currency of Kazakhstan. Egypt swears in a new Cabinet as mounting economic challenges fuel public discontent · Egypt’s new Cabinet was sworn as the country faces an ailing economy and raging conflicts in neighbouring nations. Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly — who was first appointed in 2018 — has been again tapped to form the new Cabinet which includes several technocrats. Some ministers, including those in charge of police and tourism, remain in place, but others, particularly defence, foreign affairs and economy-related portfolios, represent major challenges. The ministers have taken the oath before President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi in Cairo. Egypt is a country located in North Africa. Mostafa Madbouly is the current Prime Minister of Egypt. Cairo is the capital city of Egypt. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is the current President of Egypt since 2014. Egyptian pound is the currency of Egypt. Egypt is home to famous monuments such as the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Great Sphinx. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza are built on the banks of the Nile River. The Great Pyramid of Giza was built in 2560 BC. India and Egypt, two of the world’s oldest civilizations, have enjoyed a history of close contact from ancient times. UK elections: Kier Starmer ends 14-year rule of Conservatives · United Kingdom’s Labour Party leader Kier Starmer, who is on course to be the new prime minister, thanked British people and said the country has to “return politics to public service”. He also said the people are ready for change and ending the politics of performance. “The fight for trust is the battle that defines our age. It is why we’ve campaigned so hard on demonstrating we are fit for public service. We have to return politics to public service. Starmer’s Labour Party has won 381 seats, while Sunak’s Conservative Party had secured only 92. Out of the 650 seats in total, 562 have been declared so far. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain is a sovereign country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The United Kingdom includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many smaller islands within the British Isles. The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The capital and largest city is London, a global city and financial centre with a metropolitan area population of over 14 million. Sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom and its associated territories. Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. He was the longest-serving heir A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 9  apparent and Prince of Wales and, at age 73, became the oldest person to accede to the British throne upon the death of his mother, Elizabeth II, on 8 September 2022. Kier Starmer is the current Prime Minister. Belarus officially joins Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) · Belarus has become the 10th member state of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The announcement was made by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the SCO summit in Astana, marking a milestone for the organization that seeks to bolster regional security and cooperation. Tokayev, addressing the heads of state at the summit, expressed his congratulations to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and emphasized that Belarus had swiftly met all necessary requirements for full membership. SCO Summit 2024 concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan · Recently the 2024 Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit was concluded in Astana, Kazakhstan and brought together leaders from across the region. India played a prominent role, with the External Affairs Minister delivering the Prime Minister’s message that highlighted combating terrorism and addressing climate change as key priorities. · India’s External Affairs Minister met the Chinese Foreign Minister on the margins of the SCO Summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. Both ministers emphasised the need for “complete disengagement” of troops and restoring peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The two ministers agreed to expedite efforts through diplomatic and military channels to resolve remaining issues in Eastern Ladakh. · Make in India and Global Economic Growth: The ‘Make in India’ initiative was highlighted as it has the potential to become a significant engine for global economic growth. · The Council of Heads of State– Members of the SCO adopted the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, including resolutions on combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, anti-drug strategy, energy cooperation, economic development, and cooperation in protected areas and eco-tourism. Commitments also included signing a memorandum to combat illicit drug trafficking and an interaction plan on international information security issues. · At the SCO summit, the External Affairs Minister of India urged the global community to isolate countries that harbour terrorists and condone terrorism. He emphasised the need to counter cross-border terrorism and highlighted the importance of combating terrorism as a foundational goal of the SCO. India has been proactive in enhancing its security-related cooperation within the SCO framework, particularly through the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS), which focuses on security and defence issues. The Russian President emphasised the SCO’s role in promoting a fair, multipolar world order. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), also known as the Shanghai Pact, is a transcontinental political, economic, security, and military alliance. It is a permanent intergovernmental international organization. The creation of SCO was announced on 15 June 2001 in Shanghai (China). The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Charter was signed during the St. Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting in June 2002, and entered into force on 19 September 2003. In terms of geographic scope and population, it is the world’s largest regional organization, covering approximately 60% of the area of Eurasia, 40% of the world population, and more than 30% of global GDP. The SCO is the successor to the Shanghai Five, a mutual security agreement formed in 1996 between China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan. Its membership has since expanded to eight states, with India and Pakistan joining on 9 June 2017. Iran started accession as a full member in September 2021 at the Dushanbe Summit in Tajikistan. Iran has been accepted as the ninth full member of the organisation. Several countries are engaged as observers or partners. The SCO is governed by the Heads of State Council (HSC), its supreme decision-making body, which meets once a year. Military exercises are also regularly conducted among members to promote cooperation and coordination against terrorism and other external threats, and to maintain regional peace and stability. -------------- Page : 10 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  ECONOMY AND FINANCE GAIL says Urja Ganga gas pipeline completion delayed to March 2025 · “The construction of the Rs. 12,940-crore ‘Urja Ganga’ gas pipeline, India’s most ambitious project taking environment-friendly fuel to eastern parts of the country, has been delayed by nine months and will now be completed by March 2025,” State-owned GAIL (India) Limited said. · The 3,306 km Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline was originally targeted for completion by June 2024. But due to “delay in right of use (RoU) availability”, the completion schedule has been revised “from June 2024 to March 2025”, GAIL said in a stock exchange filing. Traditionally, natural gas was available for use as fuel to generate electricity, make fertilizer or turn into CNG and cooking gas only in the western and northern parts of the country, as pipelines taking the fuel from source to users were limited to these parts. · In October 2016, work on laying a pipeline from Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh to Haldia in West Bengal, Bokaro in Jharkhand and Dhamra in Odisha began. The line was extended to Guwahati in Assam from Barauni in Bihar, a length of 726 km, to take the fuel to hereto-unconnected States in the eastern region. The Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra Pipeline (JHBDPL), popularly called the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline, is to supply gas to the eastern States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Launched in 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Project (PMUGP) is a transformative initiative spanning a 3,400 km pipeline network connecting Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha to the existing gas grid. This project aims to address regional disparities in Eastern India by harnessing natural resources for comprehensive development. CS Setty gets FSIB approval to head SBI as next chairman · Challa Sreenivasulu Setty has been selected as the next chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) by the Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB), an arm of the central government. The two other contenders were Ashwini Tiwari and Vinay Tonse. Setty will succeed current chairman Dinesh Khara, whose term ends on August 28. The Financial Services Institutions Bureau will select the chiefs of public sector banks and insurance companies. The FSIB will have the clear mandate to issue guidelines and select general managers and directors of state-run non-life insurers, general insurers and Financial Institutions. FSIB will be the single entity for making recommendations for appointments of WTD (Whole-time Director) and NEC (Non-executive Chairman) in Public Sector Banks, India Private Limited company and Financial Institutions. The Department of Financial Services shall first carry out necessary modifications in the Nationalised Banks (Management and Miscellaneous Provisions) Scheme of 1970/1980 (as amended). Air India to set up training school in Amravati, make it operational by early 2026 · Air India announced its plans to set up a flying training organisation (FTO) in Maharashtra’s Amravati, and make it operational by early 2026. The company claims it will be South Asia’s largest such facility. The FTO’s target will be to operationalise 180 commercial pilots every year, adding that the DGCA-licensed FTO at Amravati’s Belora airport will be operational by the first quarter of FY26. A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 11  Air India is the flag carrier airline of India, headquartered at New Delhi. It is owned by Talace Private Limited, a Special-Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of Tata Sons, after Air India Limited’s former owner, the Government of India, completed the sale. Air India operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft serving 102 domestic and international destinations. The airline was founded by J. R. D. Tata as Tata Airlines in 1932; Tata himself flew its first single-engine de Havilland Puss Moth, carrying air mail from Karachi’s Drigh Road Aerodrome to Bombay’s Juhu aerodrome and later continuing to Madras (currently Chennai). After World War II, it became a public limited company and was renamed as Air India. On 21 February 1960, it took delivery of its first Boeing 707 named Gauri Shankar and became the first Asian airline to induct a jet aircraft in its fleet. Air India’s mascot is the Maharajah (Emperor) and the logo consists of a flying swan with the wheel of Konark inside it. Natarajan Chandrasekaran is the chairman of Tata Sons. He was chief operating officer (COO) and executive director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where in 2009, he became chief executive officer (CEO). New base years for national accounts, macro indicators from Jan-Feb 2026 · The updated new base year for national accounts and other macro-indicators is expected to come into effect from January-February 2026, coinciding with the first and second advance estimates of national income for FY26. It will advise on the base year for gross domestic product (GDP) and its alignment with other macro-indicators. Starting January-February 2026, the new base year for national accounts will come into effect. · The development comes at a time when the government is planning to update the base year for major macro- indicators such as GDP, wholesale price index (WPI) used for wholesale inflation, consumer price index (CPI) used to determine consumer inflation, and index of industrial production (IIP) used for calculation of industrial growth. · While the decision to choose a base year for GDP will be taken by ACNAS, the sources also indicated that 2024 is expected to be the new base year for CPI as the ministry of statistics and programme implementation (MoSPI) is currently undertaking a year-long market survey to identify changes in the prices of items over time and measure items that are consumed most frequently. India, four SE Asia countries plan instant retail cross-border payments · The central banks of India, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines are working together to start an instant cross-border retail payments platform by 2026, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) said. BIS, dubbed the central bankers’ central bank, said it aims to link each country’s instant digital payment system – like India’s United Payment Interface (UPI) and Singapore’s PayNow – as part of Project Nexus, its initiative to enhance cross-border payments. India and the other four countries will be the founding members of the platform, while Indonesia will serve as a special observer, the BIS said. RBI, ASEAN countries to create instant cross-border retail payments platform · The Reserve Bank of India and countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping will create a platform to enable instant cross-border retail payments, with the domestic central bank working with individual member states to set up the systems. · “Reserve Bank of India has been collaborating bilaterally with various countries to link India’s Fast Payments System (FPS) – the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), with their respective FPSs for cross- border Person to Person (P2P) and Person to Merchant (P2M) payments”. While bilateral connectivity of fast payment systems can benefit India and its partner countries, a multilateral approach will impart further impetus to efforts aimed at expanding the global reach of domestic payment systems. RBI appoints Arnab Kumar Chowdhury as new executive director · Arnab Kumar Chowdhury has been appointed as executive director by the Reserve Bank of India, taking charge of three key departments, including DICGC, effective immediately. · Previously serving as Chief General Manager-in-Charge of the Supervision Department, Chowdhury brings over 30 years of experience in financial entity supervision, corporate strategy, and policy formulation to his new role. He holds a master’s in economics and is a certified associate of IIBF. BMRCL’s Green Initiative: India’s First Bamboo-Themed Metro Station Coming up in Bengaluru · The proposed Bamboo Bazar Metro Station, under construction by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL), will feature a complete bamboo decor, marking a first for Indian metro stations. Construction Page : 12 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  for both projects is set to begin in the next three months, with an estimated cost of Rs. 5-6 crore. However, the final cost and bamboo requirements are still being determined. The BMRCL will use its corporate social responsibility funds to finance the metro station’s development and the greening of the medians. Japan’s 1st new banknotes in 20 years use holograms to defeat counterfeits · Japan began circulating its first new banknotes in 20 years featuring three-dimensional portraits of the founders of financial and female education institutions in an attempt to frustrate counterfeiters. The notes use printed patterns to generate holograms of the portraits facing different directions, depending on the angle of view, employing a technology that Japan’s National Printing Bureau says is the world’s first for paper money. Though existing bills stay in use, train stations, parking lots and ramen shops are scrambling to upgrade payment machines while the government pushes consumers and businesses to use less cash in its bid to digitise the economy. Mumbai is India’s costliest city, Islamabad worlds cheapest · World’s costliest cities for expats in 2024 are Hong Kong, Singapore and Zurich, as per Mercer’s Cost of Living City rankings. The cities retained their positions from last year while Islamabad, Lagos and Abuja ranked lowest in terms of living costs. In India, Mumbai ranks the highest while being on the 136th place globally- up 11 spots from last year. This makes Mumbai the costliest city in India for expats while Delhi is at 165th position in the world- moving up four points. Steve Ballmer is richer than Bill Gates, a first for Microsoft billionaires · Steve Ballmer passed Bill Gates to become the sixth-richest person in the world, the first time the former chief executive officer of Microsoft Corp. has been wealthier than the company’s co-founder. The move came as Microsoft shares rose to a fresh record, bringing their total gain this year to 21%. · The company, through its partnership with OpenAI, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the artificial intelligence rally that has powered the US stock market higher. More than 90% of Ballmer’s $157.2 billion net worth is in Microsoft shares, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. · Gates founded Microsoft with his friend Paul Allen in 1975 and led it until 2000, when Ballmer — one of the company’s earliest employees — replaced him as CEO. Ballmer retired in 2014 and became Microsoft’s largest shareholder that same year. He bought the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014, an investment that is estimated to be worth $4.6 billion. · Gates, meanwhile, has diversified his $156.7 billion fortune: About half his wealth is held through Cascade Investment, which was created with the proceeds of Microsoft stock sales and dividends. He also owns a $21 billion stake in waste-management company Republic Services Inc. through Cascade. Conformity to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Mandatory for Stainless Steel and Aluminium Utensils · In a significant move to enhance kitchen safety, quality, and efficiency, the Government of India has mandated conformity to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for stainless steel and aluminium utensils. According to the Quality Control Order issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on March 14, 2024, the ISI mark would be compulsory for such utensils. Non-compliance is punishable, emphasising the government’s commitment to consumer safety and product integrity. Recently, the BIS has developed a range of standards covering essential kitchen items. · These standards reflect the BIS’s commitment to ensuring that all kitchen utensils meet stringent criteria and adhere to the quality and safety benchmarks. Stainless steel utensils have long been favoured in kitchens worldwide for their durability, versatility, and sleek appearance. · By introducing these standards, the BIS aims to uphold cultural diversity in culinary practices while promoting superior product performance and consumer safety. Comprising an alloy of steel with chromium and other metals such as nickel, molybdenum, and manganese, stainless steel is renowned for its enhanced corrosion resistance and robust mechanical properties. · The BIS has codified these attributes in the Indian Standard IS 14756:2022, which specifies the requirements for various types of utensils used in cooking, serving, dining, and storage. Aluminium utensils are another A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 13  cornerstone of both household and professional kitchens, valued for their lightweight nature, excellent heat conductivity, affordability, and durability. The BIS has developed the Indian Standard IS 1660:2024, which outlines the specifications for wrought and cast aluminium utensils up to 30 litres in capacity including hard anodized and non-stick unreinforced plastic coating. This standard ensures that aluminium utensils meet the highest material quality and performance standards. Bajaj Launches World’s First CNG Bike · Bajaj Auto has launched its much-awaited Freedom motorcycle, which runs on petrol but also has the option of CNG (compressed natural gas). Prices of the Freedom 125 start at Rs. 95,000 for the NGO4 Drum, while the mid-spec NGO4 Drum LED retails for Rs. 1.05 lakh, and the top-spec NGO4 Disc LED is priced at Rs. 1.10 lakh (all ex-showroom prices). India launches UPI payments at world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Paris · India has launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Paris’ historic department store Galeries Lafayette after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower. This significant step is towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of globalising UPI, which is an Indian instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016. The UPI became live at the flagship store of the world-renowned Galeries Lafayette in Haussmann, Paris. This expands the acceptance of UPI in Paris after a successful launch at the iconic Eiffel Tower”. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is an advanced version of Immediate Payment Service (IMPS)- round–the- clock funds transfer service to make cashless payments faster, easier and smoother. UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. UPI is currently the biggest among the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) operated systems including National Automated Clearing House (NACH), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS), Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), RuPay etc. The top UPI apps today include PhonePe, Paytm, Google Pay, Amazon Pay and BHIM, the latter being the Government offering. As part of an agreement, India’s UPI will be linked to Singapore’s PayNow. NPCI launched UPI with 21 member banks in 2016. Bandhan Bank appoints Ratan Kumar Kesh as interim MD & CEO · Ratan Kumar Kesh, executive director and chief operating officer of Bandhan Bank, has been appointed interim MD & CEO of the private lender since July 10. The present MD & CEO and founder of the bank will retire on July 9. EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism a trade barrier for India · The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is not a restrictive trade barrier, and is only for dealing with carbon emissions, said Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, who had visited New Delhi along with other to discuss the implementation and effects of the CBAM for both India and Europe. · The CBAM is the European Union’s planned tax on carbon emissions caused due to manufacturing of goods imported to the EU from countries like China and India. It especially focuses on energy-intensive products like iron, steel, cement, fertiliser and aluminum. The CBAM has been controversial due to concerns among poorer countries that it can lead to inability to export goods and cause harm to their economies and livelihoods. ------------- Page : 14 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Inventions/Discoveries World’s first floating wind power-fishery integrated platform now operational in SE China’s Fujian · The world’s first floating wind power-fishery integrated platform started official operation at the Nanri Island offshore wind farm in Putian, southeast China’s Fujian Province, as part of China’s efforts to support oceanic green development through an innovative model to produce marine green products and clean energy. · Located at the center of the platform is a hexagonal water pool, beneath which lies a double-layered aquaculture net cage capable of accommodating 50,000 deep-sea fish. This innovative design enables the platform to simultaneously generate power on water and facilitate fish farming underwater. According to the staff, the development and construction of the wind power-fishery integrated platform is a multifaceted interdisciplinary project, involving research in energy and power as well as fish farming. India becomes world’s first country to prepare list of its entire animal species · In a major milestone, India has managed to prepare a comprehensive list of animal species that exist in India. With this, India has become the only country to make a checklist of entire national fauna. The list covers 1,04,561 species. The faunal checklist will be an invaluable reference for taxonomists, academicians, researchers, conservation managers and policymakers. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav also launched the Fauna of India Checklist Portal on the occasion of the 109th Foundation Day of the ZSI in Kolkata. He emphasized that India is a global leader in biodiversity conservation, highlighting that the country’s tradition, ethos, and values respect nature and promote biodiversity conservation. IIT Madras Launches World’s First MBA in Digital Maritime And Supply Chain · IIT Madras has launched world’s first MBA in Digital Maritime and Supply Chain to cater to the needs of working professionals worldwide. The 24-month programme has been designed to equip global professionals with the skills necessary to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape of maritime trade and supply chain management. · The programme offers a unique blend of online learning and on-campus immersion modules, providing flexibility while ensuring a comprehensive educational experience. Over two years, the participants will engage with cutting-edge digital technologies such as IoT, AI, ML, and Blockchain, enhancing their ability to tackle modern maritime challenges and drive career advancement. SERA, Blue Origin announce India partner nation for human space flight programme · The Space Exploration and Research Agency and Blue Origin announced India as a partner nation in their human spaceflight programme for citizens from countries who have sent a few or no astronauts to space. SERA, a US-based agency, will offer citizens from across the world six seats on a future mission of New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital rocket. New Shepard will fly the selected astronauts on an 11-minute journey past the Kármán line (100 km), the internationally recognised boundary of space. Astronauts will experience several minutes of weightlessness before making a controlled descent back to the landing pad. A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 15 India’s Aditya-L1 completes first Halo orbit · Isro said that India’s first space-based solar observatory, Aditya-L1, has successfully completed its first halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrangian point. The solar observatory launched and inserted into its targeted halo orbit has now demonstrated its ability to maintain its complex trajectory. “The Aditya-L1 mission, designed to study the Sun, takes approximately 178 days to complete one revolution around the L1 point. · This achievement validates the sophisticated flight dynamics software developed in-house at the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru. “The mission’s success hinges on the precise modelling of complex dynamics and the accurate understanding of perturbing forces acting on the spacecraft. These factors are crucial in determining the trajectory and planning orbit manoeuvres with high precision,” Isro said. Aditya-L1 was launched aboard the PSLV C57 on 2 September 2023, It successfully achieved its intended orbit nearly an hour later, and separated from its fourth stage. It was inserted at the L1 point on 6 January 2024. Aditya-L1 is the India’s first spacecraft to study solar atmosphere developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and various other Indian research institutes. In celestial mechanics, the Lagrange points (also Lagrangian points, L-points, or libration points) are points near two large orbiting bodies. Normally, the two objects exert an unbalanced gravitational force at a point, altering the orbit of whatever is at that point. At the Lagrange points, the gravitational forces of the two large bodies and the centrifugal force balance each other. Aditya-L1 will be able to provide observations of Sun’s photosphere, chromosphere and corona. In addition, an instrument will study the solar energetic particles’ flux reaching the L1 orbit, while a magnetometer payload will measure the variation in magnetic field strength at the halo orbit around L1. ISRO will launch first dedicated SSLV commercial mission in 2026 · ISRO’s commercial arm NSIL said on June 26 that its newest rocket, the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), will have its first dedicated commercial launch when it puts into orbit the Optimus – a satellite built by Australia-based Space Machines Company. The announcement was made jointly by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Space Machines Company at the India Space Congress, organised by the Satcom Industry Association-India. · This pioneering collaboration sets the stage for the launch of Space Machines Company’s second Optimus spacecraft, weighing 450 kg, the largest Australian-designed and built spacecraft so far. “This will be the first dedicated commercial launch for SSLV. The first commercial launch was Janus, a 10-kilogramme nanosatellite on board the SSLV-D2 mission. This mission, named Space MAITRI (Mission for Australia- India’s Technology, Research and Innovation), marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Australia and India in the space domain, fostering closer ties between commercial, institutional and government space organisations from both nation. ISRO is the space agency of India headquartered in the city of Bangalore. ISRO was formed in 1969. ISRO built India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19 April 1975. S Somanath is current the chairperson of the ISRO. Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) or Sriharikota Range (SHAR) is a rocket launch centre operated by ISRO. It is located in Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath from Kerala is an Indian aerospace engineer serving as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Under his chairmanship, ISRO carried out the third Indian lunar exploration mission named Chandrayaan-3. Somanath served as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. World’s oldest cave painting in Indonesia shows a pig and people · On the ceiling of a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, scientists have discovered artwork depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig in what they have determined is the world’s oldest-known confidently dated cave painting - created at least 51,200 years ago. · The researchers used a new scientific approach to determine the minimum age of the newly disclosed painting inside the Leang Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi province by using a laser to date a type of crystal called calcium carbonate that formed naturally on top of the painting. 41,000-year-old Ostrich nest found in Andhra Pradesh · Archaeologists have uncovered a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest in Andhra Pradesh, making it the oldest known nest of its kind globally. This significant find was made by a collaborative team from Vadodara’s MS Page : 16 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  University and researchers from Germany, Australia, and the US while examining a fossil-rich site in Prakasam district. The nest originally housed 9-11 ostrich eggs, offering new insights into the region’s prehistoric fauna. An ostrich nest typically spans 9-10 feet and can hold 30-40 eggs. The discovery of nearly 3,500 ostrich eggshell fragments within a 1x1.5 meter area marks the first evidence of ostriches in South India and provides crucial data on the extinction of megafauna—large animals over 40 kg, such as horses, elephants, cattle, and hippopotamuses—in India around 40,000 years ago. World to witness 1st Indian in Space and other Indian in Deep Sea by 2025 · World to witness 1st Indian in Space and other Indian in Deep Sea by 2025, says Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. Four astronauts-three Group Captains and one Wing Commander have been selected for India’s 1st Human Space Mission- Gaganyaan. Similarly, he also shared that India’s Deep-Sea mission will send three Indians to deep sea in 2025. ISRO to organise hackathon to celebrate first National Space Day on Aug 23 · For the first National Space Day, which will fall on August 23, to commemorate the safe landing of the Vikram Lander near the southern polar region of the moon, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be organising Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon. Following the Vikram landing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that “National Space Day” will be celebrated on August 23 every year. NATO completes 75 years since formation · NATO’s 75th anniversary summit was meant to showcase the triumph of a larger, stronger alliance. Instead, leaders are coming together in Washington in the shadow of setbacks in Ukraine and electoral headwinds on both sides of the Atlantic. · US President Joe Biden, fighting for his political life after a disastrous debate against NATO skeptic Donald Trump, will turn his attention away from campaigning to welcome leaders of the 32-nation transatlantic alliance for three days. Biden has also invited the leaders of Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, a sign of NATO’s growing role in Asia in the face of a rising China. Two Gaganyaan astronauts shortlisted, one to travel to International Space Station on NASA mission this year · The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has shortlisted two of its four trained Gaganyaan astronauts for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with United States’ NASA later this year. Only one of the shortlisted astronauts will go on the mission which is supposed to take place “no earlier than October 2024. · The Axiom-4 mission, which will take the Indian astronauts to the ISS, is the fourth private astronaut mission of NASA and a private US company Axiom Space. The mission is expected to dock with the ISS for fourteen days. At the time when the Axiom-4 mission was announced last year: “The Ax-4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX for their flight. Axiom Space has contracted SpaceX as launch provider for transportation to and from the space station, and to familiarize the private astronauts with systems, procedures, and emergency preparedness for the Dragon spacecraft.” Gaganyaan is an Indian crewed orbital spacecraft intended to be the formative spacecraft of the Indian Human Spaceflight Programme. It is ISRO’s first human space flight programme. The spacecraft is being designed to carry three people, and a planned upgraded version will be equipped with rendezvous and docking capabilities. In its maiden crewed mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s largely autonomous 5.3-metric ton capsule will orbit the Earth at 400 km altitude for up to seven days with a two- or three-person crew on board. The first crewed mission was originally planned to be launched on ISRO’s LVM3 in December 2021, But this has since been delayed to no earlier than 2025. --------------- A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 17  SPORTS Sports Personalities in News IND end over a decade of pain, with 2024 T20 World Cup · BCCI secretary Jay Shah praised India’s title win in the T20 World Cup, stating that the team has “silenced their critics” with an outstanding performance. Shah also announced a substantial prize of Rs. 125 crore for the World Cup-winning team led by Rohit Sharma. · India clinched their second T20 World Cup title with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in a tense final held in Barbados. Jasprit Bumrah had a tournament to remember, collecting 15 wickets at an average of 8.26. The pacer ended the T20 World Cup 2024 with an economy rate of just 4.17, by far and away the best rate of those to bowl a minimum of 20 overs at the tournament. Fittingly, he was declared as the Player of the Tournament. · The 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was the ninth edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It was co- hosted by the West Indies and the United States from 1 to 29 June 2024; the tournament being hosted by the West Indies for the second time, while this was also the first major ICC tournament to feature matches played in the United States. · The tournament field expanded from 16 to 20 teams, including the two hosts, the top eight teams from the 2022 edition, the best placed two teams in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings not already qualified, and eight other teams determined by regional qualifiers. Canada and Uganda qualified for the men’s T20 World Cup for the first time, while the United States participated for the first time by virtue of being co-hosts. · England were the defending champions and were beaten in the semi-finals by India, who went on to win their second T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 7 runs and equalling England and West Indies with the most titles in the T20 World Cup. Mercedes driver George Russell wins Formula 1’s Austrian GP after Verstappen, Norris clash at front · George Russell clinched Mercedes’ first win of the season at Formula 1’s Austrian GP after taking advantage of a late clash between McLaren driver Lando Norris and championship leader Max Verstappen in a Red Bull. It was Russell’s second F1 win. Hat-trick of Test wins: How Harmanpreet Kaur’s India dug deep to break the South African resistance in Chennai · Harmanpreet Kaur & Co had to send down 154.4 overs in the second innings to dismiss South Africa for 373. Chasing 37 for their win, India made it in 9.4 overs. South Africa’s remarkable fightback continued well into the last session of the final day before India won the one-off Test by a 10-wicket margin. Hardik Pandya becomes first India player to be ranked No.1 in ICC allrounders list · After his consistent performances, Hardik Pandya became the first Indian player to become No.1 in the ICC men’s T20I allrounder rankings. He is now tied with Sri Lanka skipper Wanindu Hasaranga. Pandya played a pivotal part in India’s T20 World Cup triumph when he picked up the wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the final. He finished the tournament with 144 runs at a batting strike-rate of over 150 and 11 wickets. Page : 18 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Mark Cavendish breaks Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with 35th victory · Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter of Tour de France history in what is expected to be his last appearance at cycling’s biggest race. The veteran Isle of Man sprinter broke Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory. Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who had crashed earlier, finished third. Vishy Anand Wins 10th Leon Masters Title · Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has won his 10th Leon Masters title after defeating GM Jaime Santos 3-1 in the final match. Anand took over to win the last two games after a shaky start and has now won the event in northwest Spain in 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2016, and 2024. · Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster, a former five-time World Chess Champion and a record two-time Chess World Cup Champion. He became the first grandmaster from India in 1988, and he has the eighth-highest peak FIDE rating of all time. In 2022, he was elected the deputy president of FIDE. · Anand defeated Alexei Shirov in a six-game match to win the 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship, a title he held until 2002. He became the undisputed world champion in 2007 and defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik in 2008, Veselin Topalov in 2010, and Boris Gelfand in 2012. In 2013, he lost the title to challenger Magnus Carlsen, and he lost a rematch to Carlsen in 2014 after winning the 2014 Candidates Tournament. In April 2006, Anand became the fourth player in history to pass the 2800 Elo mark on the FIDE rating list, after Kramnik, Topalov, and Garry Kasparov. He occupied the number one position for 21 months, the sixth-longest period on record. Vinesh gets title boost ahead of Paris Olympics with gold medal in 50 kg category at Grand Prix of Spain · Vinesh Phogat made a desperate plea to government authorities, seeking their intervention in getting a visa. Turns out those were the only moments of stress the Indian wrestler had to grapple with. For, once the visa came through and she made the journey to Spain, Vinesh remained largely untroubled on the mat. · Vinesh’s final stretch of preparation for the Paris Olympics kick-started in the best possible way after the former Asian Games champion and world championship bronze medallist won the 50 kg category at the Grand Prix of Spain. -------------- A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 19  MISCELLANEOUS Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Odisha Police to use AI for traffic, crowd management · Odisha Police will use AI technology on a pilot basis for effective traffic and crowd management during the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra. The Rath Yatra, also known as the Chariot festival, is believed to be as old as the Jagannath Temple in Puri. This year, Lord Jagannath Yatra will take place on July 7. · Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, curated eco-friendly chariots of the holy trinity Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra using papers and incense sticks ahead of the world-famous Rath Yatra. The deities sitting inside the holy chariots have been made out of tamarind seeds, and completed in seven days. The chariots are two inches tall from bottom to top. First case under new penal code Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita registered in Delhi · The first FIR under Section Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered on July 1 at Kamla Market Police Station in Delhi. The case has been registered against a street vendor under Section 285 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for obstruction under foot over bridge of New Delhi Railway Station and making sales. Tripura to launch Vidya Pravesh scheme to boost elementary education · Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that the Centre has been working to improve the education system and that the state government is working in tandem with it to introduce the ambitious Vidya Pravesh scheme. The Vidya Pravesh scheme is a three-month play-based school preparation module, and Rs. 128 crore was sanctioned for it recently to boost the quality of elementary education. Assam to introduce first-ever witness protection scheme for better justice delivery · Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma gave approval to the state’s first-ever witness protection scheme for ensuring fair justice delivery system. Announcing the cabinet meeting resolutions held at Nalbari, CM Biswa Sarma said the cabinet has approved the Assam Witness Protection Scheme, 2024 to ensure adherence to Section 398 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to ensure protection of witnesses against imminent threats during the course of the investigation and trial of any cases. According to the scheme, a witness in any case could apply for Witness Protection in prescribed form before a competent authority through its member secretary for seeking Witness Protection Order. --------------- Page : 20 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  PERSONS IN NEWS Rachel Reeves, UK’s first female Chancellor of Exchequer · Labour Party leader Rachel Reeves created history after she was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, the UK’s new Prime Minister, as his Chancellor of the Exchequer (equivalent to a finance minister), making Reeves the first woman to hold the coveted post. The 45-year-old, who succeeds Jeremy Hunt of the Conservatives as the Chancellor of the Exchequer, studied at New College, Oxford, and the London School of Economics (LSE). From Kerala to UK Parliament, nurse from Kottayam scripts history · A nurse from Kerala, who migrated to the United Kingdom two decades ago, is set to be elected to the British Parliament after he contested as a Labour Party candidate in the recently concluded UK elections and won. Sojan Joseph, who contested from the Conservative Party’s stronghold of Ashford, will be the first Keralite to get elected to the British Parliament. He defeated the veteran politician Damien Green. Hailing from Kaipuzha in Kottayam – a hub of nursing professionals in Kerala – Sojan scripted victory for the Labour Party in Ashford for the first time in the last 139 years. British Indian ex-MP Alok Sharma made peer in House of Lords · Indian-origin former Conservative Party member of Parliament Alok Sharma, who had chosen not to seek re-election in general election, will now take his seat in the House of Lords after being conferred a peerage by King Charles III. The Agra-born MP, who was knighted as Sir Alok in the King’s New Year’s Honours list last year for his contribution to tackling climate change through his leadership as president of the COP26 climate summit over two years ago, now becomes Lord Sharma. Sharma was among seven nominations made by outgoing prime minister Rishi Sunak for his customary “Dissolution Peerages,” which also saw former Prime Minister Theresa May become a peer in the Upper House of the UK Parliament. Gen Upendra Dwivedi becomes chief of 1.3 million-strong Army · Gen Upendra Dwivedi, who has vast operational experience along the frontiers with China and Pakistan assumed charge as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff at a time India is facing myriad security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Gen Dwivedi succeeds Gen Manoj Pande who superannuated after more than four decades of service. Gen Dwivedi has taken charge of the 1.3 million-strong Army at a time India is facing various security challenges including along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. PM releases three books on life of former vice president Venkaiah Naidu · Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a ceremony released three books on the life and journey of former vice president of India, Venkaiah Naidu. The three books – a biography, a photo chronicle, and a pictorial biography – were released by the PM on the eve of Naidu’s 75th birthday via a video conference. · The books are titled “Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service”, “Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice President of India”, and a photo chronicle and pictorial biography in Telugu titled “Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu.” These books will be released on the occasion of Naidu’s 75th birthday on July 1. Manoj Bajpayee: The Definitive Biography · Manoj Bajpayee in ‘The Definitive Biography’, pointing out why despite portraying numerous unforgettable characters in his career: Bhiku Mhatre (Satya), Sardar Khan (Gangs of Wasseypur), Ganpat Bhonsale (Bhonsale) or Shrikant Tiwari (Family Man), to name a few, he is still not considered a star. · The author, journalist Piyush Pandey, was inspired to write Bajpayee’s biography when he learnt that, like him, Manoj also grew up in a small village, couldn’t speak English, dreamt of a career in films, attempted many times to get into film school and failed. But, unlike him, Manoj went on to carve an admirable career in Bollywood. --------------- A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 21  AWARDS Captain Anshuman Singh’s widow Smriti Singh receives Kirti Chakra · President Droupadi Murmu conferred Kirti Chakra (posthumously) upon Captain Anshuman Singh for his courageous actions that saved the life of a fellow Army personnel during a fire incident. Captain Anshuman Singh, a doctor with the Army Medical Corps, 26th Battalion, the Punjab Regiment, was awarded for exhibiting “exceptional bravery and resolve to rescue many people in a major fire incident”. · President Murmu conferred 10 Kirti Chakras, including seven posthumously, to personnel of the Army and paramilitary forces for displaying indomitable courage and extraordinary valour in the line of duty. President Murmu, who is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, also presented 26 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, to the personnel of the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces and state/Union Territory police during a defence investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Shah Rukh Khan to be felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award at Locarno Film Festival · Superstar Shah Rukh Khan will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the upcoming Locarno Film Festival. The Jawan star will be feted for proving his versatility as an actor in over 100 films cutting across various genres. · The Bollywood star will be honored with the award on August 10 in the festival’s Piazza Grande. He will engage in a public conversation. Additionally, the festival will showcase the 2002 hit costume drama “Devdas,” where Khan portrays a melancholic aristocrat whose life spirals down after his family prevents him from marrying his childhood love. Dan David Prize names 9 historians as winners of prestigious award · The Dan David Prize named nine historians as the 2024 winners of the prestigious award, with each of them receiving $300,000 to advance their research. Past winners of the prize, which David set up in 2001 and is headquartered at Tel Aviv University, have included Canadian author Margaret Atwood, the cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert. · The award has since shifted to focus on historians in the early and middle stages of their career with the idea that the prize will greatly enhance their research abilities. The prize was also awarded this year to Benjamin Brose from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Cécile Fromont from Harvard University and Daniel Jütte from New York University, as well as Stuart McManus from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. P. Geetha Receives Inaugural K. Saraswathi Amma Award · In a significant recognition of feminist literature and studies, writer, critic, and feminist activist P. Geetha has been awarded the first K. Saraswathi Amma Award. This prestigious accolade, instituted by WINGS (Women’s Integration and Growth Through Sports) Kerala, marks a pivotal moment in the acknowledgment of feminist contributions to literature and social discourse. · P. Geetha’s groundbreaking work “Aan Thachukal” (male creations), an analysis of M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s scripts, earned her this distinguished award. The book exemplifies the critical examination of gender representations in literature, a theme that resonates deeply with the award’s namesake, K. Saraswathi Amma. --------------- Page : 22 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024  IMPORTANT DAYS International Asteroid Day 30 June · In December 2016 the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution declaring 30 June International Asteroid Day in order to “observe each year at the international level the anniversary of the Tunguska impact over Siberia, Russian Federation, on 30 June 1908, and to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard.” International Asteroid Day aims to raise public awareness about the asteroid impact hazard and to inform the public about the crisis communication actions to be taken at the global level in case of a credible near-Earth object threat. National Doctor’s Day · National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on July 1st every year to honor the significant role physician’s play in our lives. This day commemorates Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, the second chief minister of West Bengal and a renowned physician, who was born and passed away on this day. The theme for the celebration of National Doctor’s Day in 2024 is “Healing Hands, Caring Hearts.”. International Day of Parliamentarism 30 June · The International Day of Parliamentarism is celebrated every year on 30 June, the date in 1889 on which the IPU was founded. The Day was established in 2018 through a United Nations General Assembly Resolution. In 2024, the focus is on “Parliamentary diplomacy: Building bridges for peace and understanding.” This theme emphasizes how parliamentarians can contribute to international cooperation and conflict resolution. USA Independence Day · Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America. · The Founding Father delegates of the Second Continental Congress declared that the Thirteen Colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states. The Congress voted to approve independence by passing the Lee Resolution on July 2 and adopted the Declaration of Independence two days later, on July 4. Thomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. International Day of Cooperatives 6 July · This year on July 6, cooperatives around the world will celebrate the International Day of Cooperatives with the theme “Cooperatives Building a Better Future for All”. Cooperatives will have the opportunity to showcase their current and historical contributions to building a sustainable future, accelerating efforts to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030. The theme aligns well with the objectives of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future whose theme is “Multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow”. World Kiswahili Language Day · The celebrations for the 3rd World Kiswahili Language Day, chaired by the Permanent Delegation of the Democratic Republic of Congo, took place on 5 July 2024 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, under the theme: “Kiswahili: Education and Culture of Peace”. · World Swahili Language Day is observed annually on 7 July. Kiswahili is one of the most widely used languages of the African family, and the most widely spoken in sub-Saharan Africa. It is among the 10 most widely spoken languages in the world, with more than 230 million speakers. -------------- A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 23  QUESTIONS 1. Where will the Bioplastic Park in Uttar Pradesh set up? (a) Unnao (b) Lakhimpur Kheri (c) Sant Kabir Nagar (d) Maharajganj 2. Who has been selected as the next chairman of State Bank of India (SBI) by the Financial Services Institution Bureau (FSIB)? (a) Dinesh Khara (b) Ashwini Tiwari (c) Challa Sreenivasulu Setty (d) Vinay Tonse 3. Which of the following Institutes has recently launched world’s first MBA in Digital Maritime and Supply Chain to cater to the needs of working professionals worldwide? (a) IIT Delhi (b) IIT Madras (c) IIT Kanpur (d) IIT Kharagpur 4. Asteroid Day is an annual global event which is held on _________, the anniversary of the Tunguska event in 1908 when a meteor air burst levelled about 2,150 km² of forest in Siberia, Russia. (a) June 21 (b) June 25 (c) June 28 (d) June 30 5. How much prize money did BCCI announce for the Indian cricket team following their T20 World Cup victory in 2024? (a) Rs. 50 crore (b) Rs. 75 crore (c) Rs. 100 crore (d) Rs. 125 crore 6. What accolade did Jasprit Bumrah receive at the end of the T20 World Cup 2024? (a) Best Batsman of the Tournament (b) Player of the Tournament (c) Best Fielder of the Tournament (d) Best Bowler of the Tournament 7. Which of the following states recently announced ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’, a pilgrimage scheme for senior citizens from all religions? (a) Gujarat (b) Maharashtra (c) Madhya Pradesh (d) Uttar Pradesh 8. Recently, Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene was declared victorious in _________. (a) Belarus (b) Finland (c) Bulgaria (d) Mongolia 9. Which of the following Indian warships has been deployed for the RIMPAC exercise? (a) INS Vikrant (b) INS Shivalik (c) INS Chakra (d) INS Viraat 10. Which of the following states is NOT among the primary beneficiaries of the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline project? (a) Bihar (b) Assam (c) Gujarat (d) Odisha 11. When is National Doctor’s Day celebrated in India? (a) January 1st (b) April 1st (c) July 1st (d) October 1st 12. What initiative did Prime Minister Narendra Modi outline at COP26 in Glasgow to support India’s net-zero target? (a) Five-Year Plan (b) Panchamitra Climate Action (c) Green India Mission (d) National Solar Mission 13. Which of the following countries took over the European Union’s rotating presidency on July 1? (a) Poland (b) Hungary (c) Austria (d) Italy 14. Recently, Which of the following countries has managed to prepare a comprehensive list of animal species and has become the only country to make a checklist of entire national fauna? (a) India (b) China (c) USA (d) Japan Page : 24 A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 15. Recently, Air India announced its plans to set up a flying training organisation (FTO) in _________ and claims it will be South Asia’s largest such facility. (a) Jabalpur (b) Shimoga (c) Amravati (d) Jalore 16. Recently, the first FIR under Section Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered on July 1 in _________. (a) Goa (b) Delhi (c) Sikkim (d) Haryana 17. What is the significance of the Kármán line in the context of the New Shepard mission? (a) It is the point where the rocket lands. (b) It is the boundary where astronauts begin to experience gravity. (c) It is the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 km above sea level. (d) It is the maximum altitude the New Shepard can reach. 18. Who won Mercedes’ first race of the Formula 1 season at the Austrian GP? (a) Lewis Hamilton (b) George Russell (c) Lando Norris (d) Max Verstappen 19. When is the updated new base year for national accounts and other macro-indicators expected to come into effect? (a) January-February 2024 (b) January-February 2025 (c) January-February 2026 (d) January-February 2027 20. Who did Bulgarian President Rumen Radev recently tap to form the new government? (a) Boyko Borissov (b) Rosen Zhelyazkov (c) Korneliya Ninova (d) Plamen Oresharski 21. Which of the following Indian states is to introduce the ambitious “Vidya Pravesh scheme”? (a) Tripura (b) Madhya Pradesh (c) Sikkim (d) Rajasthan 22. Who is the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands, succeeding the previous tenure of 14 years? (a) Willem-Alexander (b) Dick Schoof (c) Nathan Sciver (d) Thomas Alexander 23. What event will Kazakhstan host to celebrate local and unique traditions in 2024? (a) World Wildlife Fund (b) World Nomadic Games (c) International Film Festival (d) World Economic Forum 24. Which of the following countries is not a founding member of the instant cross-border retail payments platform initiated by the central banks and the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)? (a) India (b) Malaysia (c) Indonesia (d) Philippines 25. The Reserve Bank of India and countries in the _________ grouping will create a platform to enable instant cross- border retail payments, with the domestic central bank working with individual member states to set up the systems. (a) South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (b) BRICS (c) G-20 (d) Association of Southeast Asian Nations 26. Who has been appointed as the executive director of the Reserve Bank of India, effective immediately? (a) Rajesh Kumar Singh (b) Arnab Kumar Chowdhury (c) Suresh Chandra Gupta (d) Piyush Jain Mehta 27. Which of the following centers developed the sophisticated flight dynamics software that contributed to the success of the Aditya-L1 mission? (a) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) (b) Indian Space Research Organisation Satellite Centre (ISRO SC) (c) UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) (d) Space Applications Centre (SAC) A General Awareness Weekly, 2024 Page : 25 28. Which of the following satellites will be launched during the first dedicated commercial launch of ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)? (a) Janus (b) Optimus (c) Cartosat-3 (d) GSAT-11 29. When is the International Day of Parliamentarism celebrated each year? (a) June 1 (b) June 15 (c) June 30 (d) July 1 30. Which of the following books is not one of the three books released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the life and journey of former Vice President of India, Venkaiah Naidu? (a) Venkaiah Naidu – Life in Service (b) Celebrating Bharat – The Mission and Message of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu as 13th Vice President of India (c) Mahaneta – Life and Journey of Shri M Venkaiah Naidu (d) Journey of a Patriot – The Life and Legacy of Venkaiah Naidu 31. Who has become the Chief Minister of Jharkhand? (a) Hemant Soren (b) Sita Soren (c) Shibu Soren (d) Champai Soren 32. Which of the following states recently launched the second edition of the ‘single window system’ (SWS) to facilitate speedy approvals of various clearances required for setting up industries? (a) Madhya Pradesh (b) Odisha (c) Chhattisgarh (d) Haryana 33. Who was named as one of the nine members of the panel of chairpersons to help Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla from the Samajwadi Party? (a) Jagdambika Pal (b) Awadhesh Prasad (c) P C Mohan (d) Sandhya Ray 34. Who was appointed as the chief justice of the Jharkhand High Court according to the law ministry’s announcement? (a) Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (b) Justice Shashi Shekhar Sharma (c) Justice Jyoti Shankar Tewari (d) Justice Abhay Kumar Sinha 35. In a bid to make _________ a one trillion dollar economy, who passed draft of Nodal Investment Region for Manufacturing (Construction) Area Bill (NIRMAN)-2024. (a) Uttar Pradesh (b) Maharashtra (c) Bihar (d) Haryana 36. Who was reappointed as the Prime Minister of Egypt in the new Cabinet? (a) Abdel Fattah el-Sissi (b) Mustafa Madbouly (c) Mohamed Morsi (d) Hosni Mubarak 37. Th