Current Affairs Quiz 20th and 21st July 2024 Quiz

Exp. Dehradun opens state’s first Bird Gallery near Jolly Grant Airport

The state’s first bird gallery was recently opened in Dehradun near Jolly Grant airport by the research wing of the forest department.

The gallery aims to enlighten visitors about the region’s rich avian biodiversity and the critical role birds play in the delicate Himalayan ecosystem.

The gallery is a part of the Nature Education Centre, an important component of the forest department’s research efforts.

Visitors can view over 250 photographs of the state’s bird species. The gallery also features recorded chirping sounds from Uttarakhand’s forests.

About Uttarakhand

• Capital – Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer)
• Chief Minister – Pushkar Singh Dhami
• Governor – Gurmit Singh

Exp. Virat Kohli tops Celebrity Brand Valuation in 2023

Virat Kohli is India’s most valued celebrity with a brand value of USD 227.9 million marking a significant increase of nearly 29% from USD 176.9 million in 2022.

Consultancy firm Kroll shared a list ranking India’s most influential celebrity brands in which Virat Kohli featured on the top followed by Ranveer Singh who slipped to the second spot with a brand value of USD 203.1 million.

The report, titled Kroll’s Celebrity Brand Valuation Report 2023, features Shah Rukh Khan at the third spot after the success of films like “Jawaan” and “Pathaan”- with a brand value of USD 120.7 million in 2023.

Akshay Kumar is at the fourth place with a brand value of USD 111.7 million, down from third in 2022 while Alia Bhatt dropped to fifth from fourth with a valuation of USD 101.1 million. Deepika Padukone is at the sixth place with a brand value of USD 96 million.

Exp. Belarus introduces 90-Day Visa-Free Regime for 35 European Countries

Belarus has announced a new visa-free regime allowing citizens from 35 European countries to stay in the country for up to 90 days per year.

Under the new policy, citizens of the 35 listed nations – which include Germany, Britain and France – will be able to enter Belarus without a visa and stay for up to 90 days per year.

Currently, travellers from those countries can only remain in Belarus for 30 days and must fly in via Minsk airport

The visa-free entry can be utilized multiple times within a year but does not apply to holders of special passports such as diplomatic or official passports.

This visa-free regime extends the existing policy that already applies to neighboring countries Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. Additionally, it will now include 35 other European nations, allowing for greater ease of travel and personnel exchanges.

Exp. Gevra & Kusmunda coal mine included in World’s 10 largest coal mines

Two coal mines in Chhattisgarh, Gevra and Kusmunda, have been included in WorldAtlas.com’s top ten coal mines of the world.

Gevra mine has an annual production capacity of 70 MT. The mine produced 59 MT of coal in FY24. While Kusmunda produced over 50 MT of coal. Both are open-cast mine projects.

Gevra and Kusmunda coal mines have secured the 2nd and 4th spot in the list of the world’s 10 largest coal mines released by WorldAtlas.com.

Indonesia dominates the top ten coal mines list, with four mines, and the United States Black Thunder Mine has been ranked the world’s largest coal mine.

China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of coal, and India is the second largest producer.

The United States of America has the largest known coal reserves in the world.  

Exp. IRCTC upgraded as Schedule “A” CPSE

Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Mini-Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, announced that the status of the company has been upgraded from Schedule B to Schedule A.

The Ministry of Railways announced the upgrade of IRCTC from ‘Schedule B’ to ‘Schedule A’ Category, Central Public Sector Enterprises.

This recognition reflects positively on IRCTC’s management, operations, and contribution to the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors under the Ministry of Railways. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with IRCTC over its 25-year journey.

Exp. RBI imposes monetary penalty on Muthoot Finance Limited

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1,90,000 on Muthoot Finance Limited for non-compliance with certain provision of ‘Know Your Customer (KYC) Directions, 2016’ issued by RBI.

This penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

The statutory inspection of the company was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2022.

Based on supervisory findings of non-compliance with RBI directions and related correspondence in that regard, a notice was issued to the company advising it to show cause as to why penalty should not be imposed on it for its failure to comply with the said directions.

Recent Penalties imposed on Banks by RBI

• Punjab National Bank (1.31 crore) – for non-compliance with certain directions related to KYC and ‘loans and advances

• FIU imposes over Rs 1.66 crore fine on Axis Bank for failing to detect fraud NSG account
• SBM Bank India (88.70 lakh) – for non-compliance with certain regulatory norms
• HSBC (36.38 lakh) – for violating Fema regulations
• ICICI Bank (1 crore) – For non-compliance with certain directions on ‘Loans and Advances – Statutory and Other Restrictions’.
• YES Bank (91 lakh) – For violation of certain norms on ‘Customer Service in Banks’, and ‘Un-authorised Operation of lnternal/Office

Exp. RBI forms panel to review fee structure for white-label ATMs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up a committee to review the fee structure for white-label ATMs (WLAs).

The committee, headed by Indian Banks’ Association chief executive Sunil Mehta.

This committee will evaluate current policies and practices, aiming to recommend a fair and sustainable model that balances the interests of all stakeholders. An assessment will be done on fee structure, existing ATM infrastructure and international best practices

The committee will submit its report to deputy governor T Rabi Sankar. As per industry estimates, India’s ATM market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2024 to 2032.

Exp. AAI signs MoU with Rajasthan govt for developing greenfield airport at Kota

Airports Authority of India has signed an agreement with Urban Development Department, government of Rajasthan, and the Civil Aviation Department, for the development of Kota Greenfield Airport in Rajasthan.

As per the MoU, the government of Rajasthan will provide land for the development of the greenfield airport and AAI will be responsible for the construction, development, and operation of the airport.

The Greenfield airport at Kota will be constructed on 440.086 hectares of land for which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared by the Airports Authority of India.

About Rajasthan

• Capital – Jaipur
• Chief Minister – Bhajan Lal Sharma (replace Ashok Gehlot)
• Deputy Chief Minister – Diya Kumari and Premchand Bairwa
• Speaker of Rajasthan Assembly – Vasudev Devnani
• Governor – Kalraj Mishra

Exp. Sri Kurumba Trust wins Global CSR ESG Award 2024

Sobha Group’s CSR wing, Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust has been honoured with the “Best Child and Women Development Initiatives of the Year 2024″.

This esteemed accolade was presented at the Global CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Awards 2024, at the Hyatt Regency, Gurgaon.

The event was organised by Marketing and Brand Honchos and brought together industry leaders and champions of social responsibility.

About Global CSR & ESG Awards 2024

• The Global CSR & ESG Awards 2024 are designed to recognise and honour social and visionary leaders, organisations, and individuals involved in acts of humanity or social welfare that bring positive change or impact to society.
• The award ceremony celebrates various dignitaries, guests of honour, social activists, volunteers, corporates, institutes, organisations, and distinguished individuals from various walks of life from the global arena.

Exp. China launches new Earth observation satellite

China sent a new Earth observation satellite into space from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China’s Shanxi Province.

The Gaofen-11 05 satellite was launched by a Long March-4B carrier rocket and entered the planned orbit successfully.

The satellite will be used in a variety of fields including land surveys, urban planning, road network design, and crop yield estimation. It will also help in land ownership verification and even aid in disaster prevention and mitigation.

The launch marked the 528th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

Exp. AIFF awards 2024: Chhangte, Indumathi win top male and female awards

India and Mumbai City FC winger Lallianzuala Chhangte and national women’s team midfielder Indumathi Kathiresan won the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) male and female Player of the Award respectively.

The awards were given at a function organised by the national football federation.

The 27-year-old Chhangte recently extended his contract with Mumbai City FC until the end of the 2026/27 season.

Indumathi, 30, represents Odisha FC in the Indian Women’s League (IWL) besides marshalling the midfield for the national team.

All AIFF Award Winners for 2023-24

Exp. Central Board of Direct Taxes ropes in Bharti-Airtel for network project

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has awarded a network project to Bharti-Airtel Ltd., which will go a long way in enhancing the digital infrastructure of the income tax department.

Under the project, called Taxnet 2.0, the company will provide network connectivity, facility management services and video conferencing services.

The project seeks to revamp the department’s network system, provide enhanced security, reliability, and a “seamless user experience.

The project will also use technology to protect sensitive data and ensure privacy while delivering higher reliability. The project will also enhance the tax services for citizens and businesses alike.

Exp. 20 July – International Moon Day

International Moon Day is observed annually on 20 July.

This day is celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of the first human landing on the surface of the Moon.

Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

Theme 2024 – Illuminating the Shadows

On December 9, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly recognized a resolution submitted by the Moon Village Association and other groups.

The moon day of 2022 was the first lunar day celebrated by the global community.

The application was submitted to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) to celebrate International Moon Day.

Exp. UPSC Chairperson Manoj Soni resigns five years before term ends

Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson Manoj Soni has resigned due to “personal reasons,” almost five years before his tenure ends in 2029.

Mr. Soni, who joined the Commission as a Member in 2017, was sworn-in as the Chairperson on May 16, 2023.

Prior to his appointment to the UPSC in June 2017, Mr. Soni had served three terms as Vice-Chancellor in two universities, in his home State Gujarat.

About UPSC

• The UPSC is a constitutional body as mandated under Article 315-323 Part XIV Chapter II of the Constitution of India.
• The Commission conducts several examinations on behalf of the Union government. It also conducts civil services examinations every year and recommends candidates for appointment to the IAS, Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Central Services – Group A and Group B.
• The Commission is headed by a Chairperson and can have a maximum of 10 members.