Current Affairs Quiz 1st February 2024 Quiz

Exp. India home to 718 snow leopards: SPAI report

India is home to around 718 snow leopards, according to the first-ever population estimation exercise conducted by the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Programme.

The highest number of snow leopards were recorded in Ladakh (477), followed by Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) was the National Coordinator for the exercise that was carried out with the support of all snow leopard range states and two conservation partners, the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru, and WWF-India.

Until recent years, the snow leopard range in India was undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species. Before 2016, approximately one-third of the range (around ca. 100,347 square kilometres) received minimal research attention, reduced to just 5 per cent in pockets like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.

The recent status surveys have significantly increased understanding, providing preliminary information for 80 per cent of the range (about 79,745 square kilometres), compared to 56 per cent in 2016.

To gather robust information on snow leopard numbers, the SPAI exercise surveyed habitats using a substantial network of camera traps.

Exp. Punjab CM Flagged Off Sadak Suraksha Force

The Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann has launched a new initiative called the ‘Sadak Suraksha Force’ to improve traffic movement and reduce road accidents in the state.

The force aims to protect people and streamline traffic movements in the state.

The ‘Sadak Suraksha Force’ will comprise 144 vehicles and 5,000 employees who will be deployed every 30 kilometers on the roads to ensure the safety of the people.

According to available data, 17-18 people lose their lives in road accidents in Punjab every day, which amounts to more than 500 deaths per month and nearly 6,000 deaths per year.

About Punjab

• Capital – Chandigarh
• Chief Minister – Bhagwant Mann
• Governor – Banwarilal Purohit

Exp. Toyota keeps crown as world’s top-selling automaker in 2023

Toyota Motor sold a record 11.2 million vehicles in 2023, taking the crown as the world’s top-selling automaker for a fourth straight year.

The Japanese automaker reported a 7.2% jump in global group sales last year, including those of truck unit Hino Motors and small-car maker Daihatsu, helped by record overseas sales of 8.9 million vehicles.

Sales of Toyota’s parent-only vehicles, which include those of its namesake and Lexus brands, hit a record of 10.3 million vehicles in 2023.

Second-ranked German rival Volkswagen Group earlier this month reported a 12% rise in deliveries last year to 9.2 million cars, marking a post-pandemic recovery as supply chain bottlenecks eased.

Exp. RBI Imposes Major Restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed Paytm Payments Bank to cease all deposits and credit transactions after February 29, 2024.

This action stems from persistent non-compliances and ongoing supervisory concerns within the bank, raising questions about the impact on its customers.

In exercise of its powers under section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, RBI has directed that no further deposits and credit transactions or top-ups shall be allowed in any customer accounts, prepaid instruments, wallets, and FASTags after the 29th of February, other than any interest, cashbacks, or refunds which may be credited anytime.

Withdrawal or utilisation of balances by its customers from their accounts including savings bank accounts, current accounts, prepaid instruments, FASTags, and National Common Mobility Cards, are to be permitted without any restrictions, up to their available balance.

RBI added that the Nodal Accounts of One97 Communications Ltd and Paytm Payments Services Ltd. are to be terminated at the earliest, in any case not later than the 29th of February.

Statements

(i) The index prepared by Economist Intelligence Unit. (Incorrect)

(ii) On a scale of 0 to 100 on which countries are judged, 0 is very clean and 100 is highly corrupt. (Incorrect)

(iii) India is at 93rd spot. (Correct)

(iv) India’s overall score was 49 in 2023. (Incorrect)

(v) Denmark is the first place. (Correct)

(vi) Sudan is the most corrupt country. (Incorrect)

Exp. India slips 8 places on Transparency International’s corruption perception index

Transparency International (TI) released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2023. India slipped 8 places to 93rd in CPI, as India’s rank in 2022 was 85th.

The index prepared by Transparency International ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption drawn from experts and business people.

On a scale of 0 to 100 on which countries are judged, 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is very clean.

India’s overall score was 39 in 2023 while it was 40 in 2022.

Seventy-one per cent of the countries across Asia and the Pacific have a CPI score below the regional average score of 45 and the global average of 43 out of 100, observed the report.

The CPI 2023 report ranks India in a better position than its neighbours. In this, except Bhutan (26) and China (76), other countries have been ranked below India. Myanmar (162), Bangladesh (149), Pakistan (133), Sri Lanka (115), China (76), Bhutan (26), Australia (14), Hong Kong (14), Japan (16), Bhutan (26), Taiwan (28) and South Korea (32).

Countries with least corruption

• Denmark is the first place where corruption is most prevalent, whereas countries like New Zealand (3) and Singapore (5) have higher scores and less corruption.

Countries with most corruption

• North Korea (172), Myanmar and Afghanistan (162) are at the bottom of the index.
• Somalia is the most corrupt country in terms of corruption. Somalia is at the bottom of the list of 180 countries in the world.

Recent index

• Henley Passport Index 2024 – Rank 1 – France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain with 194 destinations; Rank 80 – India and Uzbekistan with 62 destinations; Rank 104 – Afghanistan with 28 countries destinations
• Mercer’s Quality of Living City Index 2023 – Rank 1. Vienna (Austria), Rank 2. Zurich (Switzerland), Rank 3. Vancouver (Canada), Hyderabad (153rd), Pune (154th), Chennai (161st), Mumbai (164th), Kolkata (170th), New Delhi (172nd), Khartoum (Sudan) at the bottom-most position (241st spot).
• Climate Change Performance Index 2023 – India ranked 7th
• World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2023 – India ranked 49th; topped by US
• Global Unicorn Rankings – Rank 1. USA, Rank 2. China, Rank 3. India

Exp. Champai Soren to be next Jharkhand CM

Hemant Soren has resigned as Jharkhand’s Chief Minister while the ruling JMM-led coalition proposed the name of senior leader and State Transport Minister Champai Soren as the new Chief Minister.

Hemant Soren tendered his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan at the Raj Bhavan after about seven hours of questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to a land scam.

Champai Soren was unanimously elected as the JMM Legislature Party leader by the ruling alliance in the State.

About Jharkhand

• Capital – Ranchi
• Chief Minister – Champai Soren (replace Hemant Soren)
• Governor – P. Radhakrishnan

Exp. ACC approves Sanjay Mudaliar as ED of Bank of Baroda

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the Department of Financial Services (DFS) proposal to post Sanjay Vinayak Mudaliar as Executive Director at Bank of Baroda.

Mudaliar is currently the Executive Director at Indian Overseas Bank.

Mudaliar will serve his new post from the day he assumes charge for the remainder of his term, i.e. up to Dec 31, 2025.

Simultaneously, ACC has approved the DFS proposal to post Joydeep Dutta Roy, Executive Director, Bank of Baroda, as Executive Director in the Indian Overseas Bank.

Roy will serve his new posting from the day he took charge for the remainder of his term, i.e. up to October 20, 2024, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector

• MD & CEO of DCB Bank – Praveen Achuthan Kutty (replace Murali Natrajan) effect from 29/4/24
• Deputy Governor of RBI – Michael Patra (1 year extension)
• CEO of PhonePe For International Payments Division – Ritesh Pai
• Executive Director of SEBI – G Ram Mohan Rao (for 3 years)
• ‘Class C’ Director on Board of Directors of Federal Reserve Bank of New York – Rajiv Shah

Exp. Jay Shah reappointed as chairman of ACC

Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) secretary Jay Shah was appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council for a third consecutive term.

His reappointment as the continental body’s chief was unanimously agreed upon during the ACC Annual General Meeting in Bali on Wednesday, January 31.

Jay Shah was appointed as the president of the Asian Cricket Council for the first time in 2021 when he replaced Nazmul Hassan in January that year.

His tenure as the ACC president was extended until 2024 January. At 32 in 2021, Jay Shah had become the youngest administrator to take over the ACC chief role.

The ACC also announced the Women’s T20 Asia Cup which will be held in September 2024. The Emerging Asia Cup for men and women was brought back last year. The ACC had also announced U19 Asia Cup tournaments in 2023 and 2024.

Recent Appointment

• Chief Secretary of Puducherry – Sharat Chauhan (replace Rajeev Verma)
• Adviser to the Administrator in Chandigarh – Rajeev Verma
• Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) – Anil Kumar Lahoti (replace PD Vaghela)
• Indian Army’s 1st Woman Subedar – Preeti Rajak
• CMD for Colliers Project Leaders Middle East – Sankey Prasad

Exp. Best Republic Day tableaux: Odisha wins 1st prize

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt gave away the best marching contingents and tableaux awards for the Republic Day Parade.

He announced separate results – one by a panel of judges and other through an online public vote conducted by MyGov and congratulated all the winners.

Three panels of judges were appointed for assessing the performance of Marching Contingents from three Services, Marching Contingents from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces and tableaux from various States/Union Territories and Ministries/Departments.

• The Results are:
  • Best Marching Contingent among the three services – Sikh Regiment Contingent
  • Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces – Delhi Police Women Marching Contingent
  • Best three Tableaux (States/UTs)

First – Odisha (Woman Empowerment in Viksit Bharat)

Second – Gujrat (Dhordo : A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s Border Tourism)

Third – Tamil Nadu (Kudavolai System in ancient Tamil Nadu – Mother of Democracy)

• Best Tableau (Ministries/Departments) – Ministry of Culture – (Bharat: Mother of Democracy)
• Special Prize – Central Public Works Department (Central Vista -Viksit Bharat Ka Pratibimb)
• Special memento to ‘Vande Bharatam’ – Dance Group

• In addition to the panel of judges, a web page was created on MyGov platform for online registration of citizens for watching the Republic Day Parade and Beating the Retreat Ceremony 2024 online. An online poll was conducted by MyGov for the citizens to vote for their favourite Tableaux from States/UTs and Ministries/Departments as also amongst the Marching contingents to select the best amongst popular choice category.
• The Results are:
• Best Marching Contingent among the three services – Rajputana Rifles Regimental Marching Contingent
• Best Marching Contingent among CAPF/other auxiliary forces – CRPF Woman Marching Contingent
• Best three Tableaux (States/UTs):

First – Gujrat (Dhordo: A Global Icon Of Gujarat’s Border Tourism)

Second – Uttar Pradesh (Viksit Bharat Samradh Virasat)

Third – Andhra Pradesh (Transforming School Education in Andhra Pradesh – Making Students Globally Competitive)

• Best Tableau (Central Ministries/Departments) – Vibrant Villages (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Exp. Three Indian Scientists To Be Honored With Prestigious UK Prize In London

The UK has named nine scientists, including three researchers of Indian descent, as recipients of a prestigious award for young scientists who are advancing science and improving the world.

The UK’s Blavatnik Awards For Young Scientists honour research in three categories—Chief Sciences, Physical Sciences & Engineering, and Life Sciences—that is revolutionising technology, medicine, and our understanding of the world.

The recipients, including Professors Rahul R Nair, Mehul Malik, and Tanmay Bharat will be honoured at a black-tie gala dinner and award ceremony in London on February 27 and will receive grants totalling 480,000 pounds.

Rahul R Nair, a materials physicist at The University of Manchester, was named Laureate in Physical Sciences & Engineering for developing novel membranes based on two-dimensional (2D) materials that will enable energy-efficient separation and filtration technologies.

Mehul Malik, the award finalist, was recognised for advancing quantum communications through groundbreaking techniques that harness high-dimensional entanglement, a complex quantum physics phenomenon.

Tanmay Bharat, PhD, from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (Life Sciences), was recognised for developing cutting-edge techniques in electron cryotomography (cryo-ET) to create atomic-level pictures of cell-surface molecules produced by microscopic bacteria and archaea, as they form multicellular communities including biofilms and microbiome.

Recent Awards

• Certified as a Top Employer 2024 in India by Top Employers Institute – NTPC Limited
• Female Wushu Athlete Of The Year – Naorem Roshibina Devi (Manipur)
• Excellence Award by Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) –Thiruvananthapuram Intl. Airport
• Best Product Design at Vishwakarma Awards – Satyam (IIT Guwahati’s scholar)
• Vayu Sena Medal – Squadron Leader Nikita Malhotra

Exp. Khelo India Winter Games 2024 mascot, snow leopard ‘Sheen-e She’ (Shan) reveals

The mascot and logo of Khelo India Winter Games were launched.  The first part of the Winter Games, a mouth-watering event for winter sports athletes, will be held in Union Territory of Ladakh for the first time from February 2-6. The second portion is scheduled in Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir from February 21-25.

In keeping with the tradition and biodiversity of the region, the mascot of the Khelo India Winter Games 2024 is a snow leopard. It has been named ‘Sheen-e She’ or Shan in Ladakh region.

ABOUT KHELO INDIA WINTER GAMES 2024

• The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 is the fourth edition of the annual event in the Khelo India calendar.
• The Union Territory of Ladakh is making its debut as hosts this year alongside the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, which has organised the Games from 2020.
• Leh will be the venue for the first part of the Games from February 2-6. The Games are scheduled to move to Gulmarg between February 21-25. While Ladakh will be conducting games — ice Hockey and speed skating — Jammu and Kashmir will conduct ski mountaineering, Alpine skiing, snowboarding, Nordic ski and gandola.

Exp. ‘Ek Samandar, Mere Andar’ book written by Sanjeev Joshi

BrahMos Aerospace Deputy CEO Sanjeev Joshi’s ‘Ek Samandar, Mere Andar’ is a 75 poetic creation.

Sanjeev Joshi explores a diverse range of topics, including emotions, experiences, and reflections on life in and beyond the realm of defense.

The book launch gathered eminent figures including NSA Ajit Doval, General Anil Chauhan, and Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt.

Recent Books

• Pranab My father – Sharmistha Mukherjee
• The Cooking Books – Ramchandra Guha
• Conversations with Aurangzeb – Charu Nivedita (translated by Nandini Krishnan)
• Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan – Arup Kumar Dutta (launched by Amit Shah)
• Fertilising the Future – Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (launched by VP Jagdeep Dhankhar)
• The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma: An Acid Test for India’s Constitution – Madhav Godbole

Exp. 1-7 February – World Interfaith Harmony Week

World Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated annually in the first week of February.

The week transforms into a global platform for fostering peace and understanding.

Established in 2010 by the United Nations General Assembly, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of dialogue, respect, and collaboration across different faiths.

The story of World Interfaith Harmony Week begins with King Abdullah II of Jordan, who presented the concept to the UN in 2010.

Recognizing the need for mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue, the UNGA unanimously adopted the resolution, designating February 1-7 as a dedicated time to celebrate harmony among people of all faiths.

Exp. 1 February – Indian Coast Guard Day

Indian Coast Guard Day is observed every year on February 1.

The day aims to honour the contribution of the Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard Day is dedicated to the officers and personnel who look after maritime security.

This year, the Indian Coast Guard Day will be commemorating its 48th Raising Day.

The Indian Coast Guard was established on February 1, 1977, to prevent the sea-borne smuggling of goods that hampered the economy.

The responsibilities of the Coast Guard include offshore security, marine safety, and coastal security as well as safeguarding India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

On August 18, 1978, the Parliament announced that the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Day would be celebrated on February 1.