Daily Current Affairs Quiz: January 9 2024

Ans (A)
Defence Ministry inks contracts worth 802 crores for equipment.
Two contracts were signed, totaling 802 crores, for military equipment acquisition in New Delhi.
Includes procurement of 697 Bogie Open Military Wagons (cost: 473 crores) and 56 Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment (cost: 329 crores).
Contracts emphasize the Buy Indian category, promoting indigenous manufacturing and private sector participation in defense production.
The Defense Ministry has signed a contract worth Rs 802 crore with Jupiter Wagons Limited for the procurement of 697 bogie open military wagons.

Ans (C)
S Jaishankar announced that India will provide a financial package of $75 million for the construction of infrastructure in Nepal’s western districts affected by the earthquake.
The announcement was made during the joint inauguration with Nepalese counterpart N P Saud of the Tribhuvan University Central Library.
The financial package aims to support the rebuilding efforts in Nepal.

Ans (D)
France issued Digital Schengen Visas for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The “Olympic Consulate” system, launched on January 1, will process visa applications for approximately 15,000 international athletes, 9,000 journalists, and foreign delegations participating in the Games.
Around 70,000 visas will be issued completely online through the France-Visas platform.

Ans (B)
Kyrgyzstan has officially, symbolized the country’s dedication to conservation and ecological balance.
The leopard holds cultural significance, featuring in the story of Manas, a Kyrgyz folk hero, where it is revered as a symbol of greatness, courage, and resilience.
Recognized as vital for ecological balance, snow leopards inhabit approximately one-third of the global territory.

Ans (A)
The National Statistical Office predicted that India’s economy will grow by a strong 7.3% in the Financial Year 2023-24, building on last year’s growth rate of 7.2%.
The construction sector is projected to experience double-digit growth of 10.7%, with all sectors estimated to grow over 6%, barring Agriculture and Allied areas at 1.8%.

Ans (B)
The Union Cabinet has approved an MoU between Indian Railways and USAID for achieving Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2030.
The MoU promotes advanced energy solutions, renewable energy deployment, and fuel import reduction, boosting local ecosystems and product development.
This agreement also enables technical support for clean energy procurement, e-mobility promotion, etc.
The primary objective of the MoU between India and USAID/India is to assist the Indian Railways in achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Ans (C)
RECPDCL has signed a MoU with Gujarat for a smart metering project valued at Rs 2,094.28 crores.
The project is part of the RDSS Scheme’s Phase 1 and will be implemented in Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL).
The MoU involves GUVNL’s Managing Director Jai Prakash Shivahare (IAS) and RECPDCL’s CEO Rajesh Kumar Gupta, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

Ans (E)
Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Puducherry, and State/Union Territories have achieved 100 percent coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission according to the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ initiative aims to provide tap water supply in households, particularly focusing on women and young girls.
Over 2 lakh villages and 161 districts are now under this initiative, helping save time and energy for women who previously had to fetch water daily.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti highlighted this effort as part of the Jal Jeevan Mission’s broader goal of providing tap water connections to rural households.

Ans (C)
Professor Adrian Michael Cruise has been honored in the New Year Honours for his contributions to space services.
Professor Cruise, as Professor Emeritus at the University of Birmingham, led the Gravitational Wave Research Group to affirm the university’s leadership in space science.
His groundbreaking 2015 detection of gravitational waves validated Einstein’s prediction.
Dame Maggie Aderin Pocock is honored for her services to Science Education and Diversity.
Professor Emma Bunce for services to Astronomy and Science Education.
Professor Philip Diamond for services to Global Radio Astronomy.

Ans (A)
He brings valuable experience from his current role as Additional Secretary and Mission Director of Jal Jeevan Mission and contributes to India’s representation in this prestigious institution.
India has appointed seven accomplished civil servants to crucial positions abroad.
Mr Vikas Sheel, a seasoned bureaucrat, is now the Executive Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila.
Smita Sarangi has been appointed as Adviser to the Executive Director at ADB in Manila, Philippines.
Kalyan Revella, a senior bureaucrat, takes on the role of Counsellor (Economic) at the Embassy of India in Beijing.
Senthil Pandian C, a 2002-batch IAS officer, is now the Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva.
M Balaji, a 2005-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India in Brussels.
Parveen Kumar, a 2004 batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer, is now the Adviser to the Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington DC, USA.