1. Under the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, what is the maximum punishment for conversions under threat or conspiracy?
(A) Up to 10 Lakhs Fine
(B) 10 years imprisonment
(C) Life imprisonment
(D) Community service
(E) Both (A) and (B)
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Recently, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024. This bill provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for offenders convicted under certain conditions.
The law has strict provisions against fraudulent or forced conversions. It mandates a punishment of either 20 years’ imprisonment or a life sentence if the conversion occurred under threat, promise of marriage, or conspiracy.
The bill classifies such conversions as a serious crime.
It allows any person to register a First Information Report (FIR) for cases related to religious conversion, not just parents, victims, or siblings.
Cases under this bill will only be heard in session courts and are non-bailable.
Additionally, anyone wishing to convert for marriage must submit an application to the district magistrate two months in advance.
2. What is the primary purpose of the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme (NATS) 2.0 Portal launched by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan?
(A) Degree issuance
(B) Skill assessment
(C) Apprenticeship management
(D) Financial auditing
(E) Curriculum development
Solution: Option C.)
Ans (C)
Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the National Apprenticeship and Training Scheme 2.0 Portal and disbursed ₹100 crore stipends to apprentices through the DBT mode.
These apprentices are undergoing training in various sectors such as IT/ITes, manufacturing, automobile, etc.
This initiative aligns with the Government’s focus on skilling and the employability of youth. NATS 2.0 portal is expected to be utilized by a large number of beneficiaries to register and apply for apprenticeships.
Key facts –
It supports various industry sectors.
The portal helps bridge the skills gap for young graduates.
It enhances the efficiency of apprenticeship management.
The system aligns with the government’s skilling and employability goals.
3. Recently in Tiger Reserve a wind turbine has been installed for electricity generation.
(A) Karauli Tiger Reserve
(B) Kanha Tiger Reserve
(C) Bandipur Tiger Reserve
(D) Periyar Tiger Reserve
(E) Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
A first-of-its-kind wind turbine to generate power for real-time monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its forests has been installed in PTR.
Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in Kerala, India, and comprises approximately 925 square kilometers.
Established in 1978 as India’s tenth tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
Biodiversity- There are nearly 2,000 plant species, 76 animal species, and 338 bird species.
4. What is the theme of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists?
(A) Transformation towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
(B) Innovations in Agri-Food Security
(C) Enhancing Rural Livelihoods and Sustainability
(D) Future Directions in Agricultural Policy
(E) Advancements in Agricultural Technology
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
India will host the prestigious International Conference of Agricultural Economists after a 66-year interval.
NITI Aayog Member Prof. Ramesh Chand announced this in New Delhi on 30 July 2024.
The 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists will be held at the Pusa Institute in New Delhi from 2 to 7 August 2024.
India is hosting this important conference again after 66 years, having previously hosted it in 1958.
The International Conference on Agricultural Economics takes place every three years.
The 2021 conference was conducted in a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The theme of the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists is “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.”
5. During the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting, how many novel sites were inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage List?
(A) 24 sites
(B) 30 sites
(C) 35 sites
(D) 48 sites
(E) 11 sites
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
At the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee, which concluded in New Delhi on 30 July 2024, 24 new heritage sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This session marked the first time India hosted the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, from 21 to 31 July 2024.
During the session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $1 million grant to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
The grant is intended to support conservation projects in developing countries and enhance capacity-building initiatives.
Of the 24 new sites added, 19 are cultural, 4 are natural, and 1 is a mixed heritage site.
The total number of sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List now stands at 1,223.
Out of these, 952 are classified as cultural, 231 as natural, and 40 as mixed.
Italy leads with 60 sites on the list, followed by China with 59 sites.
India has 43 sites on the list, with the latest addition being the Moidams of Assam, part of the Mound-Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty.
6. India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of which supply chain body under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)?
(A) Supply Chain Council (SCC)
(B) Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
(C) Global Supply Chain Council (GSCC)
(D) European Supply Chain Institute (ESCI)
(E) Logistics Management Institute (LMI)
Solution: Option A.)
Ans (A)
India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of one of the three supply chain bodies established under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Agreement related to Supply Chain Resilience.
The 14-member IPEF set up these bodies during its virtual meetings.
The three supply chain bodies are the Crisis Response Network (CRN), the Supply Chain Council (SCC), and the Labor Rights Advisory Board (LRAB).
The 14 member countries of the IPEF elected a Chair and Vice-Chair for each of these three bodies.
The Chair and Vice-Chair positions will be held for a two-year term.
For the Supply Chain Council, the Chair is from the USA, and the Vice-Chair is from India.
For the Crisis Response Network, the Chair is from South Korea, and the Vice-Chair is from Japan.
For the Labor Rights Advisory Board, the Chair is from the USA, and the Vice-Chair is from Fiji.
7. Who has been designated as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) by President Droupadi Murmu?
(A) Dr. Manoj Soni
(B) Mrs. R.M. Bathew
(C) Sudhir Tripathi
(D) Preeti Sudan
(E) Arvind Kumar
Solution: Option D.)
Ans (D)
On 31 July 2024, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Preeti Sudan as the new Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
Preeti Sudan is a 1983 batch IAS officer and former Union Health Secretary.
She replaces Dr. Manoj Soni, who resigned earlier this month.
Preeti Sudan is the second woman to be appointed as UPSC Chairperson, after Mrs. R.M. Bathew (Kharbuli), who served from 1992 to 1996.
The Chairperson or a member of the UPSC holds office for a term of six years or until they reach the age of 65, whichever comes first.
8. Who represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Iranian President in July 2024?
(A) S Jaishankar
(B) Nitin Gadkari
(C) Rajnath Singh
(D) Amit Shah
(E) Narendra Modi
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari represented the government of India at Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony.
Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidential election held in Iran on 28 June 2024.
The election was held after the death of the incumbent President, Ebrahim Raisi, and foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024.
9. World Lung Cancer Day 2024 has been observed on which day recently?
(A) 02 August
(B) 01 August
(C) 31 July
(D) 30 July
(E) 29 July
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
World Lung Cancer Day 2024 has been observed on 1st August.
World Lung Cancer Day is observed to raise awareness about lung cancer, its risks, and prevention.
The theme for 2024 is “Close the care gap: Everyone deserves access to cancer care.”
Established in 2012 by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, it emphasizes the significance of early detection and lifestyle changes.
10. Which program is supported by the $200 million loan signed by the Asian Development Bank with the Indian government?
(A) Clean India Mission
(B) Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0
(C) Urban Sanitation Initiative
(D) Waste Management Program
(E) Sustainable Cities Project
Solution: Option B.)
Ans (B)
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan agreement with the Indian government on 31 July 2024.
This loan supports the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, which focuses on improving waste management and sanitation.
The loan will be used to enhance solid waste management and sanitation across 100 cities in eight states in India.
The program will establish waste processing facilities to handle and manage waste more effectively.
Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 is an extension of the original Swachh Bharat Mission, aimed at furthering improvements in cleanliness and hygiene.
The program represents a significant international investment in India’s urban infrastructure and environmental sustainability efforts.