Daily Current Affairs Quiz: August 26 2024

Ans (B)

The Department of Post has launched the Deen Dayal SPARSH Yojana to promote research and scholarship in stamps among students.

The scheme aims to inculcate the hobby of Philately from a young age.

The Yojana is open to students of class VI, VII, VIII, and IX in recognized schools.

Only students who are members of a philately club or have a Philately Deposit Account are eligible.

920 scholarships will be awarded at the all-India level, with a maximum of 40 scholarships per postal circle.

The scholarship amount is Rs 6000 per year, paid quarterly.

Selections are for one year, and students can reapply in the following year if they meet the Yojana’s terms and conditions.

Each selected student will be assigned a Philately Mentor to guide them and form a school-level Philately Club.

Ans (C)

A meeting of Regional Rural Banks (RRB) was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan on 22 August 2024.

The meeting reviewed the performance of nine RRBs operating in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

The meeting was chaired by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Discussions included financial performance, digital technology upgrades, MSME business growth, and financial inclusion in rural areas.

RRBs were established in India in 1975 following a recommendation by the Working Group on Rural Banks, headed by M. Narasimham.

Ans (A)

Bandhan Bank launched the “Avni Savings Account” for women customers on 22 August 2023.

The launch was on the eve of the bank’s 9th foundation day, which is on 23 August.

Bandhan Bank also introduced a customer loyalty program called Bandhan Banks Delight.

The bank’s customer base includes 73% women out of 3.4 million customers.

The Avni savings account requires a minimum average quarterly balance of Rs 25,000.

The account offers an exclusive debit card with personal accident insurance of Rs 10 lakhs, free airport lounge access, and lost card liability of Rs 3.5 lakhs.

Ans (D)

India and Poland agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

Prime Minister Modi visited Poland from 21 to 23 August 2024 and will travel to Kyiv, Ukraine, on 23 August.

The last Indian Prime Minister to visit Poland before Modi was Morarji Desai in 1979, marking a 45-year gap.

India and Poland are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties in 2024.

During the meeting on 22 August 2024 in Warsaw, Prime Minister Modi and Donald Tusk agreed on a five-year Action Plan for bilateral collaboration from 2024 to 2028.

Ans (A)

India Surpasses China as Largest Importer of Russian Oil.

India imported 2.07 million barrels per day of crude in July 2024, surpassing China’s 1.76 million BPD.

Indian refiners continue to buy crude at discounted rates due to Western sanctions, leading to a 12% year-over-year increase in imports.

India’s exploration efforts are expanding, with plans to explore up to 16% of its sedimentary basins in 2024 under the Open Acreage Licensing Program.

Ans (C)

Delhi Airport Achieves Net Zero Carbon Emission Status.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport achieved Net Zero Carbon Emission status, becoming the first Indian airport with Level 5 certification by Airport Council International.

Achieved 90% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions using renewable energy, EVs, and green infrastructure.

Target set for net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2050.

Ans (D)

Himachal Launches Nutritious Food Scheme for Schoolchildren.

CM Sukhu launched Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, adding eggs/fruits weekly to the midday meal for nursery to Class 8 students across 15,181 schools.

Rs 12.75 crore allocated for additional nutrition; 17,510 teachers to get tablets for digital education.

The government targets education quality improvement with global exposure for teachers and new day boarding schools.

Ans (B)

South India’s first adivasi library, ‘Kaanu’, will open in Chamarajanagar on August 25, focusing on research and documentation of tribal cultures.

Located at the Institute of Public Health, it features 1,200 books and papers on South Indian forest tribes like Jenu Kuruba and Soliga.

‘Kaanu’ aims to support adivasi scholars and promote tribal knowledge and traditions.

Ans (A)

Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, a 1993 batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA).

She has succeeded Manoj Govil, who had assumed charge as the Expenditure Secretary.

Prior to this appointment, Mukherjee was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Health Authority.

Ans (B)

Sanjeev Raina, a senior officer from the 1987 batch of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the ITBP.

This is a significant event because he is only the second officer who is not from the Indian Police Service (IPS) to reach this high rank in the history of the ITBP.

The ITBP was created in 1962.