Current Affairs Quiz 23rd February 2024 Quiz

Exp. Govt allows 100% FDI in space sector to realize the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat

The Centre has approved an amendment in the Foreign Direct Investment, FDI policy, allowing 100% foreign investment in the space sector.

The liberalized entry routes under the amended policy are aimed to attract potential investors to invest in Indian companies in space.

FDI up to 100% under the Automatic route will be allowed for the manufacturing of components and systems or sub-systems for satellites, ground segments, and user segments.

Exp. Centre decides to continue Women’s safety scheme till 2025-26

Union Government has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the continuation of the implementation of the Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’ at a total cost of around 1,180 crore rupees during the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Besides, every year 5000 police personnel will be imparted training for effective investigation and prosecution to curb crime.

Under it, 24-hour emergency helpline service 112 will be scaled up. He also informed that for scientific and timely investigation, six cyber forensic science laboratories are being set up at Pune, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Delhi, Kamrup, and Bhopal.

Women’s help desks and 827 antihuman trafficking units have been set up at 13,557 police stations across the country so far and women’s help desks will also be established in the remaining 3,329 police stations.

Besides, every year 5000 police personnel will be imparted training for effective investigation and prosecution to curb the crime against women and children.

Exp. NTPC to set up India’s largest green hydrogen production facility in Andhra Pradesh

Power sector PSU and India’s largest integrated power company NTPC Limited has signed a Land Lease Agreement in order to realize its green energy and green hydrogen objectives.

The agreement between NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), is for the development of an “Integrated Green Hydrogen Hub”.

The hub will come up on 1,200 acres of land near Pudimadaka village of Atchutapuram Mandal in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The Pudimadaka Green Hydrogen Hub aims to create a world-class ecosystem for technologies in the new energy paradigm, such as electrolyser and fuel cell manufacturing, related ancillary industries, and start-up, incubation, testing facilities, production and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives such as green ammonia and green methanol.

The project includes construction of India’s largest green hydrogen production facility (1,200 tons per day), which will enable further conversion of green hydrogen to derivatives such as green ammonia and green methanol, primarily catering to various export markets.

Exp. Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates 211 PM SHRI Schools In Chhattisgarh

Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai have inaugurated 211 PM SHRI schools in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

Pradhan also inaugurated a Digital Library for Kendriya Vidyalaya and Virtual Reality labs for Navodaya Vidyalaya of the State.

The dignitaries also visited an exhibition set up by the school students. Three short films on the PM SHRI Yojana, Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya were also shown during the event.

Exp. Scientists discover world’s largest snake in Amazon rainforest

Scientists have unveiled the existence of a colossal serpent lurking within the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This is the world’s largest snake discovered to date.

Measuring a staggering 26 feet in length and weighing a hefty 440 pounds, this mammoth anaconda possesses a head comparable in size to that of a human.

Its magnitude has earned it the title of the largest and heaviest snake species on the planet.

Exp. Morgan Stanley projects India’s GDP growth for FY25 to 6.5%

Morgan Stanley Research projects India’s GDP growth for FY25 to moderate to 6.5%, down from the 6.9% projected for FY24.

Despite this moderation, the report maintains a constructive outlook on the Indian economy, citing improvements in domestic demand and macro stability.

ICRA, meanwhile, has projected the year-on-year (Y-o-Y) GDP growth to moderate sequentially to 6 per cent in Q3 FY24 from 7.6 per cent, led by agriculture and industry sectors.

Updated GDP List 

• Morgan Stanley – 6.9%(FY24), 6.5% (FY25)
• IMF – 6.7% (FY24), 6.5% (FY25), 6.5% (FY26)
• World Bank – 6.3% (FY24), 6.4% (FY25), 6.5% (FY26)
• Goldman Sachs – 6.2% (FY24)
• Fitch Rating – 6.9% (FY24), 6.5% (FY25)
• ICRA –6.5% (FY24)
• Kotak Mahindra Bank – 6.8% (FY24)
• Citigroup – 6.7%
• DBS – 6.8%
• ADB –6.7% (FY24), 6.7% (FY25)

Exp. Goa Collaborated with World Bank for Blended Finance Facility

The Goa government will set up a blended finance facility in partnership with the World Bank that will enable the coastal state to access and mobilise concessional finance to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient investments.

This will be the first of its kind, climate-focused, multi-regional facility at the subnational level. This will help Goa to access and mobilize concessional finance to implement low-carbon and climate-resilient investments.

Blended finance – encompassing public, private, international and domestic climate finance – has the potential to help Goa and other coastal states in India build greater resilience to rapidly increasing climate impacts.

About Goa

• Formation – 30 May 1987
• Capital – Panaji
• Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant
• Governor – S. Sreedharan Pillai

Exp. Pakistan’s Babar Azam becomes quickest to 10,000 runs in T20s

Pakistan’s Babar Azam has become the fastest batter to notch 10,000 runs in T20 cricket.

Babar achieved this feat during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 match between Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Babar scored 72 runs off 51 deliveries to reach the milestone in 271 innings.

The star Pakistan batter surpassed the previous record held by West Indies’ Chris Gayle (285 innings). Virat Kohli claims the third spot on this elite list of batters having breached the 10,000 run-mark in 299 T20 innings.  

Exp. Aeronautical Development Agency Signs MoU with Indian Air Force

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for integration of futuristic Weapons and Sensors for LCA Tejas aircraft.

This will facilitate the IAF to independently carry out sensors, weapon integration and flight testing to enhance the operational capabililty of Tejas-LCA fighter.

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is a premier organization under the aegis of the Department of Defence R&D with mandate to Design and Develop Tejas-LCA and its Variants.

ADA has successfully developed and type certified Tejas LCA with a credit of more than 10000 sorties of incident free flying.

IAF has already formed two squadrons of this fighter aircraft and twin seater aircraft are also being inducted.

Exp. 22 February – World Scout Day

World Scout Day, which is observed on 22 February every year, is significant as it commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts Movement.

The day is also known as Scouts Founder’s Day.

Theme 2024 – Scouts for a Better World

This day is dedicated to the community service and is observed by the Boy Scouts organizations across the world. It is celebrated with various activities such as fundraising, food drives, and other community service projects.

Exp. 22 February – World Thinking Day

World Thinking Day is also known as Thinking Day and is observed on 22 February annually by Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across 150 countries.

The day also raises funds for the development of 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts across the globe.

Theme 2024 – Our World, Our Thriving Future

The history of World Thinking Day dates back to 1926 when delegates from around the world met at Camp Edith Macy in New York for the fourth World Conference of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

Exp. Ameen Sayani passed away at 91

Mumbai-based radio personality Ameen Sayani, 91, who hosted that iconic hit parade of film songs from Dec 1952 to April 1994, passed away.

Sayani’s journey began in a Gujarati household, far from the world of Hindi radio. However, destiny intervened, leading him to his first Hindi commercial in 1951.

Ameen Sayani was a renowned radio host. His iconic opening line, “Namaskar bhaiyon aur behno, main aapka dost Ameen Sayani bol raha hoon,” continues to echo in the ears of those who have been listening to radio since the 1950s.