INDEX

Page No.

1 Rajasthan Affairs 1 – 22

2 National Affairs 23 – 31

3 Economy 32 – 38

4 International Affairs 39 – 48

5 Science and Technology 49 – 57

6 Sports 58 – 61

7 Awards and Honors 62 – 65

8 Person in news 66 – 71

9 Places in news 72 – 74

10 Important Facts 75

11 Index and reports 76 – 81

12 Important days & weeks 82 – 87

13 Yojana-Kurukshetra (Gist) 88 – 100

14 Editorials 101 – 104

15 Terms in news 105 – 110

Model questions 111 – 120

MONTHLY CURRENT AFFAIRS

JUNE : 2024

Near Riddhi-Siddhi Circle, Gopalpura Bypass, Jaipur

 Current Affairs : June : 2024 1

1. RAJASTHAN AFFAIRS
Rajasthan in 18th Lok Sabha 1. Mrs. Sanjana Jatav (Bharatpur)
(Indian National Congress)
Political Party Seats 2. Mrs. Manju Sharma (Jaipur)
Bharatiya Janata Party 14 (Bharatiya Janata Party)
Indian National Congress 8 3. Mrs. Mahima Kumari Mewar
(Rajsamand) (Bharatiya Janata Party)
Communist Party of India Marxist 1 • Biggest victory: Mrs. Mahima Kumar
Rashtriya Loktantrik Party 1 Mewar, Rajsamand (BJP) 3,92,223 votes
Bharatiya Adivasi Party 1 • Smallest victory: Mr. Rao Rajendra Singh,
Jaipur Rural (BJP) 1615 votes
Total 25 • Youngest MP from Rajasthan: Mrs.
• Rajasthan currently has 3 women MPs in Sanjana Jatav (Bharatpur) 26 years
the 18th Lok Sabha- • Oldest MP from Rajasthan: Mr. Brijendra
Singh Ola (Jhunjhunu) 72 years

[Link]. Parliamentary MP Political Party

Constituency
1. Ajmer Mr. Bhagirath Chaudhary Bharatiya Janata Party
2. Alwar Mr. Bhupendra Yadav Bharatiya Janata Party
3. Banswara (ST) Mr. Rajkumar Roat Bharatiya Adivasi Party
4. Barmer Mr. Umedaram Beniwal Indian National Congress
5. Bhilwara Mr. Damodar Agarwal Bharatiya Janata Party
6. Bhilwara Mr. Damodar Agarwal Bharatiya Janata Party
7. Bikaner (SC) Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal Bharatiya Janata Party
8. Chittorgarh Mr. Chandra Prakash Joshi Bharatiya Janata Party
9. Churu Mr. Rahul Kaswan Indian National Congress
10. Dausa (ST) Mr. Murari Lal Meena Indian National Congress
11. Sriganganagar (SC) Mr. Kuldeep Indora Indian National Congress
12. Jaipur Mrs. Manju Sharma Bharatiya Janata Party
13. Jaipur Rural Mr. Rao Rajendra Singh Bharatiya Janata Party
14. Jalore Mr. Lumbaram Bharatiya Janata Party
15. Jhalawar-Baran Mr. Dushyant Singh Bharatiya Janata Party
16. Jhunjhunu Mr. Brijendra Singh Ola Indian National Congress
17. Jodhpur Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Bharatiya Janata Party
18. Karauli-Dholpur (SC) Mr. Bhajan Lal Jatav Indian National Congress
19. Kota Mr. Om Birla Bharatiya Janata Party
20. Nagaur Mr. Hanuman Beniwal Rashtriya Loktantrik Party
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 2

21. Pali Mr. P.P. Chaudhary Bharatiya Janata Party

22. Rajsamand Mrs. Mahima Kumari Mewar Bharatiya Janata Party
23. Sikar Mr. Amararam Communist Party of India
Marxist
24. Tonk - Sawai Madhopur Mr. Harish Chandra Meena Indian National Congress
25. Udaipur (ST) Mr. Manna Lal Rawat Bharatiya Janata Party

• The number of Lok Sabha seats in • Kota MP from Rajasthan, Shri Om Birla
Rajasthan at present is 25. of Bharatiya Janata Party is currently the
• The number of Rajya Sabha seats in Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Rajasthan is 10. • Om Birla is the first MP from Rajasthan
• A total of 35 MPs are elected from to become the Speaker of Lok Sabha for
Rajasthan. the second consecutive time.
• In Rajasthan, 4 Lok Sabha seats are • Note: Shri Balram Jakhar became the
reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC), which Speaker of Lok Sabha while being a Lok
are as follows- Sabha MP from Ferozepur (Punjab) and
1. Bharatpur 2. Bikaner Sikar (Rajasthan).
3. Sri Ganganagar 4. Karauli-Dholpur • Till now two persons have become the
Speaker of Lok Sabha from Rajasthan-
• In Rajasthan, 3 Lok Sabha seats are
reserved for Scheduled Tribe (ST) 1. Balram Jakhar (Sikar)
category, which are as follows- 2. Om Birla (Kota)
1. Banswara 2. Dausa • Balram Jakhar has had the longest
3. Udaipur tenure as Speaker of Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan

S. No. MP Party Term

1. Shri Neeraj Dangi Indian National Congress 22.06.2020 - 21.06.2026
2. Shri Rajendra Gehlot Bharatiya Janata Party 22.06.2020 - 21.06.2026
3. Shri Ghanshyam Tiwari Bharatiya Janata Party 05.07.2022 - 04.07.2028
4. Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala Indian National Congress 05.07.2022 - 04.07.2028
5. Shri Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik Indian National Congress 05.07.2022 - 04.07.2028
6. Shri Pramod Kumar Indian National Congress 05.07.2022 - 04.07.2028
7. Shri Chunnilal Garasiya Bharatiya Janata Party 04.04.2024 - 03.04.2030
8. Mr. Madan Rathore Bharatiya Janata Party 04.04.2024 - 03.04.2030
9. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi Indian National Congress 04.04.2024 - 03.04.2030
10. -

• Rajasthan currently has 4 MPs of Vice President of India and ex-officio

Bharatiya Janata Party and 5 MPs of Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
Indian National Congress in Rajya Sabha.
• Currently, only Sonia Gandhi is the Representation of Rajasthan in the Union
elected woman MP from Rajasthan in Council of Ministers
Rajya Sabha, thus out of total 35 elected • Rajasthan currently has 4 ministers in
MPs from Rajasthan, the number of the Central Government, including 2
women MPs is 4. Cabinet Ministers, 1 Minister of State
• Mr. Jagdeep Dhankar of Jhunjhunu with Independent Charge and 1 Minister
district of Rajasthan is currently the of State.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 3

1. Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat MP, First full budget in the 16th Legislative
Jodhpur - Minister for the third time Assembly of Rajasthan on July 10, session
in a row Union Ministry of Culture and started from 3
Tourism Cabinet Minister
• The budget session of the Rajasthan
2. Shri Bhupendra Yadav MP, Alwar - Legislative Assembly began on July 3.
Minister for the second time in a row The Rajasthan government will present
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest its first full budget on July 10.
and Climate Change Cabinet Minister
• After the election of the 16th Legislative
3. Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal MP, Bikaner - Assembly, Finance Minister and Deputy
Minister for the third time in a row Union Chief Minister Diya Kumari presented
Minister of State for Law and Justice the interim budget on 8 February 2024.
Ministry with Independent Charge
• At present, there are only 195 elected
Parliamentary Affairs Ministry - Minister
MLAs in the Rajasthan Legislative
of State
Assembly as 5 MLAs have been elected
4. Shri Bhagirath Chaudhary MP, Ajmer - as Lok Sabha MPs.
Minister for the first time in a row Union
Minister of State for Agriculture and Constitutional provisions
Farmers Welfare Ministry • At the state level, the session is
• Note: Ashwini Vaishnav, originally from summoned by the Governor on the
Jeevand Kalan village, Pali in Rajasthan, recommendation of the State Council
is also a Union Cabinet Minister for the of Ministers.
second time in a row, but he is a Rajya • Under Article 174, the Governor can
Sabha MP from Odisha. convene the session of the State
Legislature, adjourn it and can also
• Note: There are 4 ministers in the Union
dissolve the Assembly.
Council of Ministers from among the
• Article 175 mentions the right of
MPs elected from Rajasthan, while there the Governor to address and send
are 5 ministers in the Union Council of messages in the Legislature.
Ministers who are natives of Rajasthan.
• Article 176 mentions the special
Representation of Rajasthan at the Centre address of the Governor.
• In the first general election in 1952, Rai • The special address of the Governor
Bahadur from Rajasthan was deputy is the first session after the formation
minister and then cabinet minister in of the new government and the first
the first Lok Sabha. session of the year is the budget
session.
• The leaders from the state who were
ministers at the Centre three or more
times include Ramniwas Mirdha, Rajasthan Advocate Protection Bill, 2023
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Arjunram sent for reconsideration by the President
Meghwal, Jagannath Pahadia, Ashok • The Rajasthan Advocate Protection Bill
Gehlot, Buta Singh and Sheeshram 2023 passed by the Rajasthan Legislative
Ola.
Assembly did not get the approval of the
• Ramniwas Mirdha was minister President and it has been returned for
maximum four times, in which he reconsideration.
was minister of state three times and
cabinet minister once. • Note: The then Ashok Gehlot government
• Jagannath Pahadia was deputy passed this bill in 2023 and sent it to the
minister twice and minister of state Governor and the Governor sent it to
once. the President for approval.
• Gehlot was deputy minister once and • Recently, President Draupadi Murmu
minister of state twice. has directed the Governor to reconsider
• Buta Singh was a cabinet minister in this bill in the Assembly.
1984-1989, 1995-1996 and 1998. • After being passed again by the State
• Shishram Ola was a Minister of State Assembly within 6 months, this bill can
one and a Cabinet Minister in both the now become a law after the approval of
tenures of the UPA government. the President.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 4

• Recently, the state of Karnataka officially • There is also a provision of 7 years

implemented the Prohibition of Violence imprisonment and fine of Rs 50,000
against Lawyers Act 2023. for causing serious injury to the lawyer
• Rajasthan is the first state in the country • In case of a suicide attack, there will be
to pass a bill towards the protection of 7 years imprisonment.
advocates, while Karnataka is the first • There is a provision of punishment up
state in the country to implement the to 2 years for misuse of law by lawyers.
Act for the protection of advocates.
• This law has been made with the aim Rajasthan government will withdraw the
of protecting lawyers from violence, ‘Rajasthan Dharma Swatantra Bill-2008’
so that they can perform legal duties related to religious conversion
without any fear or harassment.
• Under the ‘Rajasthan Dharma Swatantra
Constitutional provision of Governor's Bill-2008’, there was a provision of
assent to the bill not converting religion without the
• Article 200 mentions that in the context approval of the collector and 5 years
of a bill passed by the Legislature of imprisonment for the guilty.
a State, the Governor can either give • It was passed by the Rajasthan
assent, withhold assent or reserve the Legislative Assembly in the year 2008,
bill for consideration by the President. but the Governor had reserved this bill
• The Governor can send a Bill back to for the President, which has not been
the Legislature for reconsideration. approved yet.
• Under Article 201 when a Bill is reserved
• Rajasthan government will withdraw
for the President's consideration, the
the bill passed 16 years ago during the
President can either assent to the Bill
or withhold it. Vasundhara government to curb cases
like love jihad and religious conversion.
• The President can also direct the
Governor to send the Bill back to • Cases of religious conversion are
the House or Houses of the State increasing in Rajasthan. A new bill will
Legislature for reconsideration. be brought in this regard.
• He can reserve a Bill for the President's • At present, the state government
consideration, but this can be done has only guidelines to curb religious
only if the Governor is of the opinion conversion, there is no law in this regard.
that the Bill may curtail the power of
the High Court or is not in conformity Draft of the new bill related to religious
with the Constitution. conversion
• In the new bill, there will be a
Rajasthan Advocate Protection Bill 2023 punishment of up to 3 years and a fine
• It was passed by the Rajasthan of Rs 25 thousand in cases of greed,
Legislative Assembly on 21 March fraud or forced religious conversion.
2023. • There is a provision of 5 years
• This bill is to prevent attack, grievous imprisonment and fine up to 50
hurt and criminal force and criminal thousand for converting the religion
intimidation against the advocate of children below 18 years of age,
during the discharge of duty. women or people of Scheduled Caste
• If the property of an advocate is and Tribe.
damaged, its compensation will be • If someone converts religion, then
recovered from the culprit. information has to be given to the
• Prompt recovery of this amount will Collector 30 days in advance in this
be done on the lines of arrears of land regard and it will also be necessary
revenue. to inform the Collector about the
• The attack will be investigated by an returning to the religion.
officer of the rank of Deputy SP.
• The accused of the attack will be Committee formed for investigation and
imprisoned for 2 years and fined Rs reorganization of new districts in Rajasthan
25,000.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 5

• The Rajasthan government has elections came into force. Kuchaman,

constituted a cabinet level committee Malpura and Sujangarh will not be made
on 12 June 2024 for the review of new districts.
districts, whose convener is Deputy Chief • Recently, the state government has
Minister Premchand Bairwa. Industry dissolved the high level committee
Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, constituted for the reorganization/
Water Supply Minister Kanhaiyalal creation of new districts.
Choudhary, Revenue Minister Hemant
Meena and Water Resources Minister Important facts regarding districts in
Suresh Singh Rawat have been made Rajasthan
members of this committee. • Rajasthan currently has 50 districts
• A committee has been formed under and 10 divisions.
the chairmanship of retired IAS Lalit • Uttar Pradesh has the highest number
K-Panwar to assist this committee. of districts in India with 75 districts.
After this, Madhya Pradesh comes
• This committee will investigate the
second with 53 districts. Rajasthan
status of the newly formed districts and ranks third in the country on the basis
submit its report to the cabinet level sub- of number of districts with 50 districts.
committee. The previous government
• Jaipur Rural is the district with the most
had created new districts and divisions number of tehsils in Rajasthan. It has
before the elections, but apart from 18 tehsils, while Dudu is the district
the appointment of collectors and with the least number of tehsils in
superintendents of police, nothing Rajasthan. It has only 3 tehsils.
happened at the ground level. • Dudu is the smallest district in the
• This committee will report on the country in terms of number of
functioning of these districts and assembly constituencies. It has only 1
divisions, administrative requirements assembly constituency.
and availability of financial resources • Jaisalmer is the largest district in
etc. in the current circumstances. Rajasthan in terms of area.
• The administrative department of • The divisions with the most number
this committee will be the Revenue of districts in Rajasthan are Jaipur and
Department. Ajmer, while the division with the least
• This committee will take feedback number of districts is Banswara.
from MPs, MLAs as well as other public
Citizenship Amendment Act implemented
representatives, district administration
in Rajasthan
as well as officials of other departments.
• Under the Citizenship Amendment Act
• Note: During the previous Gehlot
(CAA) in Rajasthan, for the first time on
government, a committee was formed
7 June 2024, 17 people were granted
under the chairmanship of retired
citizenship.
IAS Ramlubhaya to recommend new
districts. • These people came from Pakistan 15-
20 years ago and were living illegally in
• These new districts will be reviewed:-
Anupgarh, Sirohi and Jodhpur districts.
The new districts include Anupgarh,
Gangapur City, Kotputli, Balotra, Jaipur
Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
Rural, Khairthal, Beawar, Neemkathana,
Deeg, Jodhpur Rural, Phalodi, Didwana, • Citizenship Amendment Act came into
Salumber, Dudu, Kekri, Sanchore and force in the country on 11 March 2024.
Shahpura. • Under this Act, the Citizenship Act,
1955 was amended.
Kuchaman, Malpura and Sujangarh will not • This Act provides for granting Indian
be formed as districts. citizenship to migrants of Hindu, Sikh,
Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian
• The 19 new districts were formed by communities who came to India from
the then government in Rajasthan Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan
before the code of conduct of assembly before 31 December 2014.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 6

• This is a law to grant Indian citizenship • According to this bill, master plan can be
to refugees who came to India after made in Rajasthan under a single Act.
being persecuted on religious grounds • In this, Regional Plan, Master Plan,
from three neighboring countries of Development Plan of new cities, Special
India. Area Plan can be prepared under a
• Before CAA 2019, it was mandatory single Act.
for any person to live in India for at
least 11 years to get Indian citizenship, Rajasthani Development Board will be
but now this time period has been formed for the development of Rajasthani
reduced to 5 years for minorities from language
neighboring countries. • The state government will constitute
‘Rajasthani Bhasha Vikas Board’ for the
No-confidence motion passed against Mu- development of Rajasthani language,
nicipal Chairman
in which there will be the post of
• Recently, in Pilibanga, Hanumangarh, Chairman, Member, Language Experts
a no-confidence motion was passed and Secretary.
against Pilibanga Municipal Chairman • Separate budget will be allocated to this
Sukhchain Singh Ramana despite board by the state government.
Congress having a majority in the
• Note: Postgraduate courses in Rajasthani
municipality.
language are being conducted in many
• In the board of total 35 councilors, a universities of Rajasthan.
total of 28 councilors of Congress and
• This board will underline the importance
BJP voted in favor of the no-confidence
of Rajasthani language and dialects.
motion through secret ballot system.
• In this, research will be done on the
Method of removing the Municipal Chairman mythological connection of the language
• No-confidence motion: The Municipal and the development of various dialects.
Chairman and Vice Chairman can be
removed by a no-confidence motion. 50 percent reservation for women in third
• A no-confidence motion cannot be grade teacher recruitment in Rajasthan
brought for the first 2 years of the • On June 14, the Rajasthan government
formation of the municipality. has increased the women reservation
• A minimum of 1/3 support is required from 30 percent to 50 percent in
to bring a no-confidence motion. third grade teacher recruitment
• Support of 3/4 members is required to examinations.
pass the motion. If the proposal is not • Its purpose is to encourage women
passed, then no no-confidence motion
empowerment in the state.
will be brought for the next 1 year.
• For this, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma
Approval of Rajasthan’s first Regional and has approved the proposal to amend
Urban Planning Bill Draft the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act.
• This will provide more employment
• The draft of the state’s first Regional and opportunities to women in the state
Urban Planning Bill has been approved and they will be coming self-reliant and
by the Urban Development Ministry. empowered.
• Under this, integrated development
plan for cities and rural areas will be Justice Gangaram Mulchandani
ensured.
• Recently retired Justice Gangaram
• Currently, in Rajasthan, Vikas
Mulchandani has been appointed as the
Pradhikaran and Nagar Vikas Nyas
Chairman of Rajasthan State Human
prepare master plans according to their
Rights Commission.
Act.
• The Chairman and Member of Rajasthan
• Due to this, different provisions have
State Human Rights Commission are
been made in cities despite the same
appointed by the Governor of the State.
need.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 7

• Apart from this, retired IPS officer Ashok Commission is to conduct elections
Gupta has been appointed as a member of Panchayati Raj institutions and
of the State Human Rights Commission. municipalities in the state.
• Ramchandra Singh Jhala is currently
Important facts
a member of the State Human Rights
• The only woman Chief Election Officer
Commission.
of Rajasthan was CEO Sangeeta
Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission Gairola.
• Notification issued by the Rajasthan • Till now no woman has held the post
Government on January 18, 1999. of State Election Commissioner.
• Establishment: On March 20, 2000. • State Election Commission is a one-
• Formation: Under Section 21 of the member constitutional body.
Protection of Human Rights Act 1993. • Mention: Article 243K and Article
• Currently there is a provision of 1 243ZA.
Chairman and 2 members. • It was established under the 73rd and
• Appointment: On the recommendation 74th Constitutional Amendment.
of the committee constituted by the • Presently the State Election
Governor under the chairmanship of Commissioner of Rajasthan is
the Chief Minister. Madhukar Gupta.
• Members of the Committee:- Chief • Presently the Chief Election
Minister, Speaker of the Legislative Commissioner of India is Shri Rajiv
Assembly, Leader of the Opposition Kumar.
• Qualification for the post of Chairman: • V.S. Ramadevi has been the only
Retired Judge or Chief Justice of the woman Chief Election Commissioner
State High Court (CEC) in the country.
• Tenure: 3 years or 70 years of age,
whichever is earlier Jaswant Singh Rathi
• Resignation: To the Governor. • Member and former acting chairman
• First Chairman: Kanta Bhatnagar of Rajasthan Public Service Commission
Jaswant Singh Rathi passed away on 2
Naveen Mahajan June.
• Naveen Mahajan has been appointed as • Jaswant Singh Rathi was a commission
the Chief Electoral Officer of Rajasthan. member from 14 October 2020. His
tenure was till 13 October 2026.
• His appointment is done by the Election
Commission of India. A notification was Rajasthan Public Service Commission
issued in this regard by the Election • Sanjay Kumar Shrotriya is currently the
Commission of India Secretariat. Chairman of Rajasthan Public Service
• Naveen Mahajan replaced Praveen Commission.
Gupta. • Currently, only 5 out of 7 members are
• Earlier, 1997 batch IAS officer Naveen working in RPSC.
Mahajan was the Chairman and • RPSC member Babulal Katara has been
Managing Director of Rajasthan State suspended in the paper leak case.
Warehousing Corporation. Members of RPSC
• The Chief Electoral Officer in the state is 1. Dr. Sangeeta Arya
appointed by the Election Commission 2. Dr. Manju Sharma
of India on the recommendation of the 3. Lt. Col. Kesari Singh
State Government.
4. Kailashchand Meena
• He is an officer of the Indian
5. Prof. Ayub Khan
Administrative Service in the state.
• Its main function is to conduct elections Rajasthan government appoints 8 new addi-
for Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, MLA, tional Advocates General in High Court
President etc. • Law and Legal Affairs Department has
• The function of the State Election appointed eight Additional Advocates
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 8

General (AAG) to plead on behalf of the Shri Annapurna Rasoi Yojana

state government in the High Court.
• Advocates Manoj Sharma, Kapil Prakash • This scheme was previously known as
Mathur and Mahi Yadav have been ‘Indira Rasoi Yojana’.
appointed as AAG in Jaipur bench. • This scheme is being implemented by the
While Sajjan Singh Rathore, Narendra Department of Local Self Governance of
Rajpurohit, Shyam Sundar Ladrecha, Rajasthan.
Indra Raj Chaudhary and Nathu Singh • Recently, in June 2024, by amending this
Rathore have been appointed as AAG in scheme, now provision has been made
Jodhpur main bench. for only one food coupon at a time to a
beneficiary.
Jai Krishna Patel
• The reason for this is that the amount
• Jai Krishna Patel won the assembly by- of food in the plate has been increased
election from Bagidora in Banswara from 450 grams to 600 grams.
• This seat was vacant due to the • In January 2024, the name of ‘Indira
resignation of former Congress MLA Rasoi Yojana’ was changed to ‘Shri
Mahendrajit Singh Malviya. Jaikrishna Annapurna Rasoi Yojana’.
Patel is from Bharat Adivasi Party. He • Currently, under this scheme, food is
won Won by 51434 votes. being given for Rs 8.
Mukhyamantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana • Its menu includes 300 grams of
chapati, 100 grams of dal, 100 grams of
• This scheme was started from Tonk on vegetable, 100 grams of rice and coarse
June 30, 2024. grain khichdi and pickle.
• Its motto is ‘Prosperous Farmer - Happy
Chief Minister Fellowship Program
Rajasthan’.
• Under this, an amount of Rs 6000 of Prime • This scheme will replace Rajiv Gandhi
Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi along with Yuva Mitra Internship Program.
additional assistance of Rs 2000 will be • Under this, youth will be attached
given by the state government. with bureaucrats holding important
• Under this scheme, Rs 1000 will government posts in the state.
be provided to the farmers in two • In this, 200 youth will be attached
installments by the state government. with District Collector, Additional Chief
• Its objective is to make the farmers em- Secretary ACS and Principal Secretaries.
powered, prosperous and progressive. • Out of these, 50 youth will be linked with
District Collectors and the other 150 will
Mukhyamantri Vriksharopan Mahabhiyan
be linked with Additional Chief Secretary,
• This Mahabhiyan was started from Principal Secretary and Secretary rank
Jaipur on 5 June 2024. officers.
• Its objective is to promote environmental • 200 youths, who have passed class 10th
conservation and tree plantation in the or graduation-post graduation in first
state. division and have creativity in their work
• 7 crore plants will be planted in this will be selected.
campaign. Out of which 3 crore will be • Under this, the creativity and ideas of
made available to the general public the youth will be included in how the
at concessional rates. Apart from this, work and schemes of the government
3 crore will be planted on government can be made better.
land and 1 crore on forest and pasture • The eligibility age of the youth for this
land. scheme will be between 21 to 30. Under
• This has been started under the joint this program, the youth will work for
aegis of Rajasthan State Pollution 2 years initially and then it can be
Control Board and Forest, Environment extended for one more year.
and Climate Change Department.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 9

Naunera Dam Project MGNREGA Lokpal appointed in 15 districts

of Rajasthan
• This is the biggest water scheme of
Hadoti region. Through this project, • MNREGA Lokpal have been appointed
Water will be supplied from Naunera in 15 districts of Rajasthan, Alwar,
Dam. Bikaner, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Bikaner,
• Under this project, river water will be Bharatpur, Banswara, Dungarpur,
supplied to 749 villages of Kota and Hanumangarh, Jalore, Sri Ganganagar,
Bundi district. Bhilwara, Jaisalmer and Rajsamand.
• Under this, water is to be supplied to the • In the coming year, the state government
houses of Etawah, Sultanpur, Ladpura, will deploy MNREGA Lokpal in all the
Keshavrayapatan, Kapren, Khatauli and districts.
other places through pipeline by making • Lokpal appointed in these districts
intake well at Naunera Dam under under MNREGA will work to resolve
Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal PKC-ERCP. complaints, deficiencies and charges
• This project will be completed in 2 years. related to MNREGA.
In this, filter plants will be built at three • The appointment of MNREGA Lokpal will
places in Etawah, Sultanpur and Kapren. be for 2 years.
• It is worth noting that district wise
Increase in Social Security Pension in
Lokpal will be given Rs 2250 per sitting
Rajasthan
or maximum Rs 45 thousand.
• In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajanlal • It is mandatory for them to settle the
Sharma distributed the increased complaint within 15 days.
amount under the Social Security
Pension Scheme in Jhunjhunu on 27 Qualifications for MNREGA Lokpal
June 2024. • At least 10 years of experience in
• In the interim budget of Rajasthan 2024- public, administration, law, education,
social work, and management. Must
25, a provision was made to increase
be honourable, honest, fo absolute
the pension amount from Rs 1000 to Rs
integrity without controversy.
1150.
• The age of the applicant should not be
• Its objective is to provide economic social more than 66 years.
security to the elderly and the needy by • Educational qualification should be at
giving them pension and to connect the least graduation.
deprived and backward classes of the
society with the mainstream. Dr. Saumya Gurjar
• This increase came into effect in
• She is the Mayor of Jaipur Nagar Nigam
Rajasthan from 1 April 2024. The
(Greater).
following schemes are being operated
by the Social Justice and Empowerment • She represented India at the World
Department of the state- Cities Summit (WCS) 2024 in Singapore
on 2-4 June 2024.
o Chief Minister Old Age Pension
Scheme • Dr. Saumya addressed various
o Chief Minister Ekal Nari Pension workshops on urban development,
Scheme Smart City Mission, innovations, heritage
o Chief Minister Vishesh Yogyajan and culture on the global platform in the
Samman Pension Scheme three-day summit.
o Small and Marginal Old Age Farmers’ • This is the 9th edition of the World Cities
Honor Pension Scheme Summit.
o “Indira Gandhi National Old Age • Mayors, industrialists and international
Pension Scheme organizations from more than 250 cities
o Indira Gandhi National Widow of the world participated in it.
Pension Scheme • Discussions were held on improving life
o Indira Gandhi National Disabled in urban areas in the future.
Pension Scheme
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 10

Herbal Park Dhanvantari Upvan • Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure

Development Project (RUIDP) has
• It is being established in Jaipur, installed a small STP with new technology
Rajasthan. Here medicinal plants of in the Stone Park of Mansarovar.
many species will be grown.
• This technology will be provided free of
• This park is being developed by the cost by RUIDP to improve the conditions
National Institute of Ayurveda in 21 of the parks. It has been named as Waste
acres near Jagga ki Bawdi among the Water Treatment Plant WWTP. It has the
hills of Galta. capacity of 50 kilolitres
• 2000 medicinal plants of 250 species • The WWTP project will be able to supply
have been planted here. And in the next
water to every part and all the plants and
1 year, 8000 more of 400 species will be
trees in the park through drip irrigation
planted.
system.
• 21 Vatikas have been built in Dhanvantari
• RUIDP has also got this technology
Upvan for different medicines used in
patented from the Government of India
the treatment of diseases.
for 20 years.
• Along with Ayurveda, Astrology has also
• Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Devel-
been taken care of in these vatikas.
opment Project (RUIDP) has become the
• In this park, Jyotish Vatikas have also been
first engineering department of Rajas-
made according to the effect of planets
than to have got an invention patented
on zodiac signs and constellations.
in its own name.
• In this, a nursery of special species
of plants found in Rajasthan is being MOU between Rajasthan Government and
prepared. National Stock Exchange
• These plants are useful for the
• Recently, the Industry and Commerce
environment along with medicine.
Department of Rajasthan has signed
These will be conserved in Dhanvantari
an MoU with National Stock Exchange
Upvan.
(NSE) to bring Initial Public Offering IPO
• The main objective of Dhanvantari and explain the process of fund raising.
Upvan is to conserve the environment
• Under this, Micro, Small and Medium
and medicinal plants.
Enterprises of Rajasthan will be able to
Queue Management System will be imple- bring their IPO to raise MSME funds.
mented in the state hospitals • Due to the presence of IPO platform
• Queue Management System will be for MSME in Maharashtra and Gujarat,
developed in Rajasthan to manage the the MSME traders there are getting its
crowd on the lines of AIIMS, New Delhi. benefit.
• Health services in Rajasthan will be made • In this, MSME will be taken to the capital
more robust and patient friendly with market using NSE Emerge platform and
innovations and artificial intelligence funds will be raised through IPO.
based technologies. • Under this agreement, the Industry
• For this, a team of officials of the Department and NSE will organize
Medical Education Department will MSME camps, knowledge sessions, road
study the latest work, innovations and shows, workshops, seminars, awareness
technologies being done in the field of programs in the state, which will help
medicine. in listing MSMEs on the National Stock
Exchange platform.
Rajasthan’s first waste water treatment
plant First Forest Division of Rajasthan to provide
pockets for Green Credit
• This has been set up in Mansarovar
Stone Park, Jaipur. • Ajmer Forest Division has become the
• Under this, sewerage water will be first Forest Division of Rajasthan to
cleaned and supplied to the plants. provide pockets for Green Credit.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 11

• Work will be done under Green Credit initiatives in some areas of the country,
on 265 hectares of forest land in Ajmer the condition of groundwater has
and Bhilwara area of ​​the Forest Division. improved. Rajasthan has the worst
• State Forest Department has given condition of groundwater in the country.
approval for 165 hectares of land in There are 203 dark zones here.
Ajmer for Industry Green Credit. • Out of 6,533 blocks in the country,
• Industry has reserved a pocket in groundwater has reached a dangerous
Bhilwara but its approval is pending. level in 27 blocks of the country’s
• 7 pockets have been created for this in groundwater. Out of this, 11 blocks are
Ajmer. in the category of dark zone.
• Industries across the country have to • In this, some parts of Rajasthan and
spend two percent of their net profit in Gujarat come under highly exploited
social responsibilities and environmental water areas of ​​the country.
sector. • According to this survey, the southern
part of peninsular India including parts
Green Credit of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and
• Under Green Credit, voluntary Andhra Pradesh have low groundwater
environmental work is encouraged in availability due to hard surface.
various fields by various stakeholders
like individuals, communities, private IIT Jodhpur developed smart charging
sector industries and companies. adapter for e-vehicles
• Earlier, industries used to get green • IIT Jodhpur has developed a charging
credit by getting work done in the field adapter to charge electronic vehicles
of environment through NGOs. (EV) in emergency situations.
• To work in the field of environmental • With this, if the vehicle stops working
conservation, the Central Government anywhere on the way, then the vehicle
has changed the rules in 2019 and can be easily charged with solar panels.
directed to give the amount directly to • Currently, the battery of EV is charged
the Central Government. from the grid. Solar panels are also
• Note: Every industry has a CSR connected to the grid through inverter-
Corporate Social Responsibility converter, but cannot take electricity
Fund. From this fund, the company directly from the solar panel.
has to spend 2% of the net profit for • Dr. Nishant Kumar of the Electrical
environmental conservation and Engineering Department of IIT Jodhpur
human welfare. has developed this adapter.
• In return, green credit is given to the • This adapter will be able to take
industry by the government. electricity directly from the solar panel.
• Under this, Ajmer Forest Department • This adapter has a special algorithm,
had sent a proposal for Green Credit which works on maximum power point
Pocket. tracking.
• This amount is given to the Forest • It will charge the battery of EV in
Department of the concerned State emergency with the electricity of solar
or District through the Indian Council panel at any voltage.
of Forestry Research, Dehradun, after • Under this, single solar panels can
the pocket is booked. be installed in villages, forests and
Rajasthan has the highest dark zone of expressways, which will only have
groundwater in the country sockets.
• This adapter has to be connected to
• According to the report released by the socket of the solar panel, which will
Ground Water Survey, 2023, some parts take electricity from the solar panel and
of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Western charge the car for 5 to 10 minutes as per
Uttar Pradesh are over-exploited areas. the need.
• Due to good rains and recharge
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 12

DRDO Jodhpur developed Microwave Obscu- • Jaipur’s chef Tejaswi Chandela was
rant Chaff Rocket honored with the ‘Gran Gala de la
Pasticceria Catalana’ Award in Barcelona,​​
• Jodhpur DRDO has developed Microwave Spain.
Obscurant Chaff Rocket using a new • She has obtained a Master’s degree in
technology to protect the rocket from Chocolate and Pastry from EPGB Escuela
enemy radar. o de Pasteleria del Gremio de Barcelona,​​
• It was handed over to the Indian Navy at Barcelona.
a program held in Delhi on 26 June 2024. • Tejaswi teaches as a visiting professor.
• This technology obscures radar signals • Note: Tejaswi has won the ‘Pastry Talent
and creates a microwave shield around of the Year’ Award in 2023.
platforms and assets.
• She has been honored with the ‘Young
• Due to which the rocket is less likely to Pastry Chef of the Year’ Excellence
be caught by the radar. Award in Mumbai.
• When this rocket is fired, it creates a
microwave cloud in space spread over Thermal plants will be set up in Kota-Jhala-
a sufficient area for a specified time. It war-Baran
forms an effective shield against threats • Rajasthan has signed MoUs to increase
that capture radio frequencies. the production by 18000 MW in the state
• The medium-range Chaff rocket uses to reduce electricity dependence on
a special type of fiber with a diameter other states.
of a few microns and microwave • Under this, 3 thermal plants will be set
implantation properties. up in Kota, Jhalawar, Baran.
Phase-1C of Jaipur Metro Loan will be available from the World Bank
• Under this, a metro line will be for the development of infrastructure in
established in Jaipur between Badi cities
Chaupad and Transport Nagar. • Under the Rajasthan Urban
• In this project, two metro stations will Infrastructure Development Project
be built within a radius of 2.85 km. RUIDP, a loan of Rs 3674 crore will be
• The first station will be at Ramganj and available from the World Bank for the
the second at Transport Nagar. development of infrastructure in the
• The metro line will be elevated from cities of Rajasthan.
0.59 km, while the 2.26 km line will be • Development work will be done in the
established underground. 5th phase of RUIDP.
• Rs 980 crore will be spent on this project • With the help of the World Bank, solid
and it is targeted to be completed in waste management, urban mobility,
2027. green energy, livelihood and market
development, institutional capacity of
The country’s first trans LGBT India’s Got urban bodies will be increased.
Talent Show and Beauty Contest
ECH Incubation Center of Rajasthan Univer-
• It was organized in Jaipur on 28 June.
sity will become ‘Center of Excellence’
• It was organized by Shri Hari Vaishvik
Vaishnav Sansthan. • ECH Incubation Center of Rajasthan
• The objective of this program is to University will be made ‘Center of
provide a platform to the hidden art and Excellence’.
culture of transgenders. • This center has advanced machines to
• 40 participants from the LGBT promote startups.
community from all over the country • Along with state-of-the-art machines,
participated in this program. research facilities are also available here.
• With the help of these facilities, startups
Tejaswi Chandela awarded ‘Gran Gala de la can test and research their products and
Pasticceria Catalana’ Award develop them as a new product.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 13

‘Nazar Citizen’ App • This scheme will support bus

• Jaipur Police Administration has launched operations for 10 years.
‘Nazar Citizen’ App for monitoring vacant • The propulsion and auxiliary systems
houses and verification of servants and of e-buses are powered exclusively by
tenants. zero-emission power source.
• This scheme will cover cities with a
• Through this app, monitoring of vacant
population of three lakh and above as
houses, tenants and servants will be
per the 2011 census, including all the
done.
capitals of Union Territories, North-
• With this, the police will also have a Eastern region and hilly states. Under
record of migrants. this scheme, priority will be given to
• Details of servants, tenants, employees those cities where no well-organized
can be uploaded on this app. Name, bus service is available.
mobile number, valid ID and photo have Parts of the scheme-
to be uploaded. • This scheme has two sections-
23 child scientists selected in Inspire Award Section A
Exhibition • In this, 10,000 e-buses will be run
• The state level INSPIRE-Award-MANAK in 169 cities on the public-private
partnership model.
Exhibition was organized by the
Education Department on 12 June 2024. • Through this, city bus operations will
be expanded with 10,000 e-buses on
• In this exhibition, 23 child scientists of
the Public-Private Partnership PPP
Rajasthan were selected at the national model.
level.
Section B -
• Many working models related to living
• In this, infrastructure will be upgraded
a comfortable life in the society were
in 181 cities under the Green Urban
displayed. Mobility initiative.
Rajasthan will get air-conditioned electric • This scheme envisages green initiatives
buses under Pradhan Mantri e-Bus Service like bus priority, infrastructure,
• Under this scheme, 150 air-conditioned multimodal interchange facilities,
NCMC-based automatic fare collection
electric buses will be made available for
system, charging infrastructure, etc.
Jaipur.
• Apart from this, 50 electric buses each Statue of Colonel Kirori Bainsla
will also be run for Kota, Ajmer, Jodhpur,
Udaipur, Alwar, Bhilwara, Bikaner city. • The statue of Colonel Kirori Bainsla was
• According to the guidelines of this unveiled at Mundia village Karauli.
scheme, 60% central assistance will be • This statue is 7.5 feet tall.
received for the new depot and 100% for • Colonel Bainsala was the convener
meter infrastructure. of the Gurjar Reservation Struggle
Committee, which got 5% reservation
PM-e-Bus Service for the extremely backward class MBC.
• This scheme was approved by the
• Apart from this, an educational institute
Central Government on 16 August
will be opened in the name of Colonel
2023.
Kirori Singh Bainsala.
• Under this, city bus operations will be
expanded based on the Public-Private Colonel Kirori Singh Bainsala
Partnership (PPP) model. • He was born on 12 September 1940 in
• 10,000 e-buses will be run through Mundiya village of Karauli district of
this. Rajasthan.
• The estimated cost of this scheme • Kirori Singh Bainsala was a colonel in
will be Rs 57,613 crore, out of which the army.
support of Rs 20,000 crore will be • Colonel Bainsala also participated in
provided by the Central Government. the 1962 India-China and 1965 India-
Pakistan wars.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 14

• He was in the Rajputana Rifles and selected for police service abroad for
was also a prisoner of war of Pakistan. the United Nations Peace Mission.
• He is also called the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ • Additional SP Sushila Yadav, Sub
and ‘Indian Rambo’. Inspector Aarti Singh Tanwar, Deputy SP
• After coming into public life, he headed Deepak Joshi and ASI Ratnadeep posted
the Gurjar Reservation Committee. at Rajasthan Police Academy have been
Colonel Bainsala took command of the selected.
reservation movement in his hands • Officers from various police
since 2004, demanding separate organizations, paramilitary forces and
reservation for the Gurjar community. state police of India take part in the
• In 2007, under the leadership of examination conducted for this purpose.
Bainsala, the president of Gurjar • They have been selected for the next 2
Reservation Struggle Committee, the years.
Gurjars organized a big movement in
Rajasthan. 4 solar projects will be installed in Pogal,
• He played an important role in getting Chhattargarh and Bhadla
5% reservation in government jobs
• 4 solar projects will be installed in Pogal
for the Gurjars of Rajasthan under the
of Bikaner, Chhattargarh and Bhadla of
Other Backward Classes (MBC).
Phalodi in Western Rajasthan.
Two students from Rajasthan will participate • These solar projects will produce 2,950
in Science Sakura Program in Tokyo MW of electricity.
• Students Preeti Swami of Kasturba • Recently, the government in Rajasthan
Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya, has approved the proposal for land
Karanpura, Hanumangarh and Ayushi allocation for 4 solar projects.
Paliwal of Vivekanand Model School, • In this, 3 solar parks of 2450 MW will be
Pokaran, Jaisalmer from Rajasthan have established in Pugal and Chhattargarh
been selected to participate in Sakura tehsils of Bikaner. A 500 MW solar project
Science Program organized from 16 will be established in Bhadla of Phalodi.
June to 22 June in Tokyo, Japan. • This will fulfill the resolution of making
• This selection has been done by Japan the state a surplus energy state in the
Science and Technology Agency as per field of energy.
the guidelines of School Education • These projects will bring an investment
and Literacy Department of Rajasthan, of Rs 10,000 crore in the state.
Ministry of Education and Government • With these solar projects, Rajasthan will
of India. be self-sufficient in the field of energy.
These projects will create employment
MoU for India Stone Mart
opportunities at the local level.
• MoU was signed on 14 June 2024 for the • Along with this, economic activities in
13th edition of India Stonemart. the region will get a new impetus.
• It was signed by RIICO, Laghu Udyog • These solar projects will also play
Bharati Rajasthan and CIDOS. an important role in environmental
• India Stonemart will be organized from protection and will reduce carbon
5 to 8 February in the year 2026 at emissions by about 2 lakh tonnes
JECC, Sitapura Jaipur. Its objective is to annually.
develop markets for the Indian stone • State-of-the-art solar panels and grid
industry and provide a platform to all technology will be used in these solar
the stakeholders of the industry. parks, which will increase the capacity
of energy production.
4 officers of Rajasthan Police selected for UN
Mission • Note: On 10 March 2024, Rajasthan
signed MoUs with Rajya Vidyut Utpadan
• 4 officers including 2 women officers Nigam Limited, NTPC Limited, NTPC
from Rajasthan Police have been Green Energy Limited, Coal India
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 15

Limited and NLC India Limited to set up ‘Constitution Park’ on 19 June 2024 at
3325 MW thermal projects and 28500 Rajasthan University Campus, Jaipur.
MW renewable energy projects under • The height of the pillar in this newly built
joint venture. Constitution Park is 75 feet.
3 Solar Projects in Bikaner • The Constitution Pillar consists of three
• 4780 hectares have been allotted to pillars, the first is based on fundamental
Rajasthan Solar Park Development rights, the second on duties and the
Company for setting up 3 solar parks third on fundamental principles.
of 2450 MW in Bikaner district. • The students coming to the University will
• Two solar parks of 1000 MW each and be made aware about the Constitution
one of 450 MW will be set up in Bikan- through these artworks.
er district. • It has been designed by architect Anoop
• For the first solar park, about 1881 Bartaria.
hectares of land will be allotted in vil-
Main features
lage Surasar of Pugal tehsil.
• The sacrifice and struggle of freedom
• Two thousand hectares of land will be
fighter Mahatma Gandhi is depicted
allotted for the second solar park of
through Dandi Yatra.
one thousand megawatt, out of which
1194 hectares of land is located in vil- • There are pictures of Father of the
lage Surasar and about 807 hectares Nation Mahatma Gandhi, the country's
of land is located in village Bhanava- first President Rajendra Prasad and the
tawala. first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal
Nehru.
• For the third solar park of 450 mega-
watt, 900 hectares of land will be allot- • Through the artworks on the
ted in village Sardarpura of Chhatar- Constitution Pillar, you will be able to
garh tehsil. see the entire story of the making of
the Constitution from 1946 to 1950.
1 solar project in Phalodi
• NTPC Renewable Energy Limited will IPD Tower renamed as Ayushman Tower
set up a 500 megawatt solar project
• The IPD Tower being built in Sawai
in Phalodi. 910 hectares of land will be
allotted in village Bhadla in Bap tehsil. Mansingh Hospital, Jaipur has now been
renamed as Ayushman Tower.
Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat maintenance
Ayushman Tower
depot
• This is the tallest hospital in the
• Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat country. The height of this hospital will
maintenance depot will be set up in be 116 meters.
Khatipura Jaipur. • This is the tallest building in Rajasthan
• Due to this, trains from other railways till date. A two-storey basement and a
and divisions will also be able to come helipad will be built on its roof.
to Khatipura Jaipur for maintenance. • It will have about 24 floors. This
The cost of this project being developed hospital will have all the facilities from
in the second phase of Khatipura is Rs helipad to state-of-the-art OT, to super
180 crore. luxury cottages.
• This is the first depot of Rajasthan and • This tower will have 1200 beds - 792
Railways, which will be built by the general, 150 cottages, 166 ICU and 92
Railways itself. premium rooms.
• Apart from this, there will be double
• Earlier, such maintenance depots were
basement parking, two large waiting
built by Railway’s PSU WPO Patna.
halls for patient's family, medical
Inauguration of ‘Constitution Park’ at science gallery, 20 operation theatres,
Rajasthan University food court as well as advanced labs
related to radio and microbiology
• Governor Kalraj Mishra inaugurated the tests.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 16

Rajasthan Government will sign MoU with • Books for Yuva Puraskar are selected
Tata Technologies Limited on the basis of the recommendation
of the respective language selection
• To prepare skilled workers in the
committees.
industries of Rajasthan, the state
government will sign MoU with Tata • This award is given to the published
Technologies Limited. books of young writers up to the age of
• Under this, Tata Technologies will 35 years or below on 1 January.
operate and maintain 150 ITI and 48 • The award consists of a Copper Plaque
polytechnic colleges. and a sum of Rs 50,000/-.
• The students will be trained by Tata
Technologies. Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2024
• Tata will open 6 high skilled Common • Sahitya Akademi announced the winners
Engineering Facility Centres (CEFC) for of the Yuva Puraskar Bal Sahitya Award
these institutions. for the year 2024 on 15 June 2024.
• With this, polytechnic colleges and • The names of 24 winners were
ITIs will be equipped with heavy and
announced for the Sahitya Akademi Bal
upgraded machinery.
Sahitya Award.
• Tata will also provide highly trained
trainers for these machines. Bal Sahitya Puraskar for Rajasthani
Language
ML Garg
Year Work Winner
• ML Garg has become the new IG of BSF
Rajasthan Frontier. 2024 ‘Mhari Dhani’ Prahlad
Poetry Collection Singh
“Jiman” 2024 'Jhorda'
• It is the biggest festival of expatriate 2023 ‘Tabra Ri Duniya’ Kiran Badal
Rajasthanis organized in London Memoir
• It was organized by Rajasthan
Association UK on 30 June 2024. 2011 (First ‘Bulbul Ra Bol’ Damyanti
• It is a cultural festival that connects Prize) Story Collection Jadawat
people with Rajasthani culture and 'Chanchal'
people with each other in the UK. • Sahitya Akademi started the Bal Sahitya
Puraskar from 2010 to encourage
Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2024 children’s literature in 24 Indian
• Sahitya Akademi announced the winners languages ​​recognized by it.
of Yuva Puraskar Bal Sahitya Puraskar • Books for Bal Sahitya are selected
for the year 2024 on 15 June 2024. on the basis of recommendations
• The names of 23 writers were announced of the respective language selection
for the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar. committees.
• The award consists of a Copper Plaque
Yuva Puraskar for Rajasthani language
and a sum of Rs 50,000/-.
Year Work Winner
Diya Kumari will be honored with ‘Woman
Sudh Sodhun Jag Sonali Tourism Minister of the Year Award’
2024
Angne Poem Suthar
• Rajasthan’s Deputy Chief Minister and
Devilal
2023 Antas Ro Olmo Poem Tourism Minister Diya Kumari will be
Mahiya
honored with the ‘Woman Tourism
2011 Minister of the Year India’ honor at ITB
Dularam
(First Peed Kahani Sangrah Berlin, Germany.
Saharan
Prize)
• Apart from this, Rajasthan will also be
• Sahitya Akademi started Yuva Puraskar honored with the ‘PATWA International
from the year 2011 to encourage Travel Award’ for ‘Destination of the
youth writing in 24 Indian languages​​
Year’. These awards will be given by
recognized by it.
PATWA in 2025.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 17

8 New academies will be formed in Rajasthan • Methane emissions are leading

to climate change and increase in
• 8 new academies will be established by temperature.
Rajasthan Government in various fields
• This has been revealed in a study by the
in the state.
Indian Space Research Organization
New Academies- (ISRO).
1. Jaipur: Sawai Jaisingh, Dhundhar • Under this study, the landfill sites
Academy of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Taranagar and
2. Bharatpur: Maha- Surajmal Braj Chirawa were found to be among the
Academy top 22 methane hotspots in the country.
3. Kota: Sardar Bunda Meena Hadaut • Among these, Barmer is at fourth,
Academy Jaisalmer at sixth, Taranagar at eighth
4. Udaipur: Rana Sanga Mewar Academy and Chirawa at eleventh place.
5. Jodhpur: Rao Jodha Rathore Academy • Researchers identified different
6. Ajmer: Prithviraj Chauhan Academy methane plumes emanating from solid
7. Bikaner: Jilai Bai Mand Academy waste landfill sites, dumping yards,
8. Sikar: Maharao Shekhaji Shekhawat sewerage treatment plants, wetlands,
Academy oil and gas fields, oil refineries and
textile industries.
• Thus, the number of major academies
and centers in Rajasthan will increase • The main reason for the increase in
from 18 to 26. methane in this was considered to be
improper disposal of waste.
• Earlier, the previous Gehlot government
had approved the establishment of • The methane gas heats the atmosphere.
Rajasthan Prakrit Bhasha and Sahitya This causes global warming and
Academy. increases the temperature.
• This academy is for the publication of Santosh Khedar got National Award for
folk literature of Jainism and renovation innovations in organic farming
and preservation of temples.
• Santosh Khedar, a farmer of Beri village
• The first academy of Rajasthan was
of Sikar, has been awarded the National
Rajasthan School of Arts Crafts, Award on 8 June 2024 for innovations
established in Jaipur in 1866. Later its made in organic farming.
name was changed to School of Art.
• This honor was given at the Indian
Jhakhrada Sanctuary Agricultural Research Institute, New
Delhi.
• It is located in Barmer.
• Santosh Khedar has been doing organic
• It has been in the news due to Greater
farming for the last 16 years.
Flamingo. It is also called ‘Island of the
Desert’. • She herself prepares dozens of varieties
of plants through organic method in the
• This species of flamingo is found in
nursery of her garden.
European countries as well as South
Asia, but in winters it migrates to various Jaipur: Country’s first city with maximum
places in India. wildlife safaris
• The Greater Flamingo is the tallest of the • With the support of Rajasthan
six species, ranging from 3.9 to 4.7 feet Government, Jaipur has become the city
(1.2 to 1.4 meters) in height. It weighs with the maximum number of wildlife
3-5 kg. safaris in the country.
4 worst methane hot spots of Rajasthan • Currently, there are 3 panther safaris in
Jaipur-
• The 4 worst methane hot spots of
Rajasthan are Barmer, Jaisalmer, 1. Jhalana Panther Safari
Taranagar and Chirawa. Excessive 2. Aamagarh Panther Safari
methane emissions are occurring from 3. Nahargarh Panther Safari
the garbage dumps at these hot spots.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 18

• Apart from this, lion safari is available in Udaipur, Pali, Sikar and Banswara.
Nahargarh, elephant safari in Amer. • 4 Medium population cities- Churu,
• Note: Jaipur is also the center of breeding Sriganganagar, Jhunjhunu and Tonk.
of wildlife.
Provisions for development of infrastructure
• Tiger safari will start in Nahargarh
in cities
Biological Park by August 2024.
• 24 hours drinking water supply on the
• Nahargarh Biological Park will be the basis of public private partnership.
first such biological park in Rajasthan, • Providing sewerage facilities,
where tourists will get both lion and availability of treated water for
tiger safari facilities. industries and agriculture.
• Tiger safari has been developed on 30 • Work will be done on zero waste
square kilometers of land in Nahargarh model by effectively implementing
Biological Park. solid waste management.
• Bio medical waste management and
Infrastructure will be developed for invest- hazardous waste management will be
ment in 40 cities of Rajasthan improved.
• Rajasthan Government will develop 40 • Heritage will be preserved,
cities of the state, on which about Rs recreational facilities will be developed,
18500 crore will be spent. beautification and medical facilities
• 70% of this amount i.e. Rs 13,000 crore will be increased.
will be taken as loan from World Bank • Promoting solar energy for road
and Asian Development Bank and the lights, setting up charging stations for
remaining Rs 5,500 crore will be borne electric vehicles.
by the state government. • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Under this, the development of the • Relieving traffic jams, re-modeling of
roads, construction of parking spaces.
cities of the state will be linked with
investment. • Bus stand development, improvement
in city transport system and inter city
• Development work in these cities will
transport system.
be done in the fifth phase of Rajasthan
Urban Infrastructure Development Jodhpur: Remote Pilot Training Center will
Project (RUIDP). be opened
• It will be sent to the Department • Western Rajasthan’s first Remote
of Economic Affairs of the Central Pilot Training Organization Center will
Government for approval by the state be opened in Jodhpur’s Agricultural
government. University.
These include the following cities- • Its objective is to promote the use of
• 12 satellite towns of Jaipur- Dudu, technology in the agricultural sector, so
Chaumu, Bassi, Bagru, Chaksu, that the income of farmers increases
Jobner, Phulera, Shahpura, Ringas, with better yield.
Shrimadhopur, Khatushyamji, Dausa
The proposal includes the cities of Sikar Maharao Shekhaji Military Academy
and Dausa in the Jaipur zone. • It is located in Mohanpura village of Sikar.
• 4 satellite towns of Jodhpur- Pipar City, • It is the first military academy of Rajas-
Bilada, Sojat, Balesar Satan than.
• 3 satellite towns of Ajmer- Pushkar, • The construction of this academy has
Kishangarh, Beawar been completed, but its inauguration is
• 3 satellite towns of Kota- Bundi, Kaithun, yet to be done.
Keshoraipatan • In the first year, 100 youth will be
• 4 satellite towns of Bharatpur- Kumher, admitted in the academy.
Nagar, Nadbai, Deeg • Students will get facilities for studies,
• 10 divisional headquarters- Jaipur, sports and accommodation in this
Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Kota, Ajmer, Bikaner, academy campus itself.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 19

Key points old.

• Announcement of the project: 2017 • Till now only 2 evidences of the time
• Start of the work on the military period of Lord Krishna are available
academy: 2019 after excavation, which include Yamuna
• Project cost: Rs 31 crore river and Govardhan mountain.
• Area: 10 hectares • Evidence of Mesolithic culture has also
been found in the Bahaj excavation.
Rajasthan’s military station’s first road • The Archaeological Survey of India ASI
made from plastic waste started excavation work in Bahaj village
• The Indian Army has built a road from from 10 January 2024 onwards.
plastic waste in Jaipur’s military station. • Tools made of bones have also been
• It has become the second military found here, which include unique
station in the country to do so. needle-shaped tools, which have been
found for the first time in the country.
• The Indian Army has built a 100 meter
long plastic waste road from Sagat Singh • During excavation, remains of Kushan
Road Under Bridge to Cubs Corner period, followed by Shunga period,
Complex in the military station. Maurya period, Mahajanapada period
culture have also been found.
• This is the first plastic waste road of a
military station located in Rajasthan • As per the excavation done from 1973
and the second plastic waste road of a to 1977, the antiquity of Mathura was
military station in the country. estimated to be 2600 to 2700 years ago
according to the archaeological date of
• Earlier in the year 2019, a plastic waste
it.
road has been built in Narangi Military
Station of Assam. • After excavation in Bahaj village,
evidence of the ancientness of Mathura
• This plastic waste road has been
being 5100 years old has been found.
constructed in accordance with the
Indian Army’s policy of making green Red Cross Society will be formed in the new-
military stations under the aegis of ly formed districts of Rajasthan
Garrison Engineer South, Chief Engineer
Jaipur Zone. • Governor Mishra directed to form Red
Cross Society in 17 new districts on 24
Bahaj village Deeg: Utensils and tools from June 2024.
the time of Shri Krishna found along the • Apart from this, an initiative will be taken
extinct river to provide one-day free training to the
• Recently, evidence of the pottery culture students regarding first aid.
of Mahabharata period Hastinapur • This work will be done in coordination
has been found along the extinct river with the Department of Medical and
in Bahaj village of Deeg district, just Health, Department of Education and
6 kilometers away from Govardhan Red Cross Society.
Girirajji. • For this, 10 master trainers will be
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) arranged from every district with the
has found a 2 meter thick deposit of cooperation of the Health Department.
grit-sand of the river 24 meters below
the ground. 9 industrial parks will be developed in Ra-
jasthan
• Apart from this, utensils and tools of
the time of Lord Krishna have also been • 9 industrial parks will be developed in
found. Rajasthan for industrial development
• It also has a 9 meter thick deposit of and employment generation.
pottery culture. • Recently, the state government has
• The evidence found in this excavation approved the allotment of land for a
will be helpful in proving the antiquity textile park in Bhilwara.
of the Braj region as well as the time • This will increase the opportunities
period of Lord Krishna. for investment as well as employment
• Here different clay idols of Lord Shiva generation in the state. 9 industrial
and Mother Parvati have been found, parks will be developed in the following
which are more than 3 thousand years sectors in Rajasthan-
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 20

1. Textile In Rajasthan, a green corridor will be built

2. Toys manufacturing cluster along with the development area in the
3. Pharmaceutical
Amritsar-Jamnagar Bharatmala project
4. Gems-Jewellery
5. Defence manufacturing • Along with the Amritsar-Jamnagar
6. Stone carving Bharatmala project, a green corridor will
7. Software technology be established in the related area.
8. Electronics
9. IT sector • Under this project, lakhs of plants are
being planted in place of the trees and
Status of tap connection in Rajasthan bushes that were cut down, and they are
• District with the highest number also being irrigated with drip irrigation.
of houses with tap connections in • Under the Bharatmala project, the road
Rajasthan: Dudu 93.51%. construction work is in its final stage and
• District with the lowest number the establishment of a green corridor
of houses with tap connections in has already begun in Rajasthan.
Rajasthan: Barmer 13.55%. • Under the Amritsar-Jamnagar project,
• Out of a total of 1,07,06,941 houses in access controlled 6 lane green field
Rajasthan, tap connections have been national highway number 754-A is being
provided to 54,22,489 (50.64%) houses constructed in Rajasthan.
till now. • Lakhs of plants are being planted on
both sides of this highway and on the
Har Ghar Jal notified districts
divider portion in the middle of the
highway.
• A water tank of 5000 litres will be
installed at every 5 km distance, which
will be connected to the drip irrigation
system.

Har Ghar Jal certified districts

Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway
• Under this, Amritsar-Jamnagar
Expressway (NH 754A) will be a 1,257
km long 6 lane access controlled
greenfield project. Which will cost
around Rs 22,500 crore.
• It will connect Amritsar Punjab to the
port city of Jamnagar Gujarat.
• It is a part of Bharatmala and Amritsar-
Jamnagar Economic Corridor.
• It will pass through four states of
Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and
Gujarat.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 21

Plastic bottle flaking machines will be Sanjay Kumar won gold medal in 20 km walk
installed in Rajasthan
• Sanjay Kumar performed brilliantly in 20
• Plastic bottle flaking machines will be in- km walk and won the gold medal with a
stalled at 50 places in Rajasthan. time of 1 hour 26 minutes 13 seconds.
• Its objective is to improve the environ-
Pawan Kumawat
ment, eliminate pollution and plastic.
• For this, flaking machines will be • Pawan Kumawat of Rajasthan has been
installed at public places including tour- selected in the Indian team in the 76 kg
ist places to destroy plastic bottles in the weight category for the World Strength
state. Lifting Kazakhstan.
• Under this, when people put bottles in • Pawan has been selected on the basis of
the machine, points will be given by pri- the recently held Senior Strength Lifting
vate companies. Competition Udaipur trials.
• On the basis of these points, discounts Anil Joshi coach Shyam Sundar selected in
will be given on shopping from shop- Indian team
ping malls.
• These machines will be installed by Ra- • Indian Para team has been announced
jasthan State Pollution Control Board. for the World Para Ranking Archery
Competition to be held in Czech
Air quality early warning system will be Republic, Europe.
installed in Jaipur and Alwar • Experienced coach of Rajasthan Anil
• Air quality early warning system was Joshi has been appointed as the coach
launched by the Rajasthan government of the Indian Para Archery team.
for Jaipur on 5 June 2024. • Bikaner archer Shyam Sundar has been
• Through this, warnings about air quality selected in the Indian team.
can also be issued in advance on the Nitika Bansal won silver and Jahnavi Mehra
lines of weather predictions. won bronze medal in BRICS Games 2024
• On the lines of Jaipur, Early Warning and
Decision Support System for Air Quality • Nitika Bansal of Rajasthan won silver
Management will be developed for air and Jahnavi Mehra won bronze medal in
quality management in Alwar. Wushu sport in BRICS Games 2024 held
in Kazan, Russia.
• Note: The highest level of air pollution
in Rajasthan is highest in Alwar, Bhiwadi • Nitika Bansal of Sriganganagar won
and nearby places. silver medal in 65 kg weight category
while Jahnavi Mehra of Jaipur won
Maya Bishnoi won silver medal in Asia Cup bronze medal in 56 kg weight category.
in compound team competition
19th National Youth Athletics Championship
• The Indian archery women’s compound
team has won the silver medal in the • The 19th National Youth Athletics
Junior Asia Cup held in South Korea. Championship was organized in
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh under the aegis
• Maya Bishnoi of Bikaner performed
of Athletics Federation of India.
brilliantly for the Indian team and
played a big role in taking the team to • In this, Khushboo Yadav of Rajasthan
the finals. won gold medal in 3000 meter racewalk
(Girls category) while Muskan won gold
Manju Bala won gold medal in hammer throw medal in 1000 meter race.
• In the 63rd National Inter State Anantjit Singh Naruka and Maheshwari
Senior Athletics Championship held in Chauhan will participate in Paris Olympics
Panchkula, Haryana, Rajasthan athlete
Manju Bala won the gold medal by • The pair of Anantjit Singh Naruka and
throwing hammer to a distance of 63.66 Maheshwari Chauhan of Jaipur will
meters in hammer throw. represent the country in shooting at the
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 22

Paris Olympics 2024. event along with Sweety Chaudhary and

• They were selected in the Skeet Mixed Monica Jakhar.
Team event. • Manini has also won an individual
• Apart from this, Naruka will also bronze and a team silver medal in the
participate in Clay Pigeon Trap Men 50m rifle event.
Individual and Maheshwari Chauhan in • In this championship, Anuya Prasad of
Clay Pigeon Trap Women Individual. Rajasthan won silver and Vedika Sharma
won bronze medal in 25 meter pistol
Manini Kaushik won gold medal in shooting women’s competition.
• In the 22nd Kumar Surendra Singh
Ashwini and Kashish won gold medals in
Memorial Shooting Championship
Under-17 Asian Wrestling Championship
organized by the National Rifle
Association in Bhopal, on 8 June, Manini • The Under-17 Asian Wrestling
Kaushik of Jaipur won her fourth medal Championship was organized in
of the competition by winning an Amman, Jordan.
individual gold medal in the 50m rifle • In this, Kashish Gurjar of Rajasthan won
prone event. gold medal in 43 kg weight category
• Earlier, Manini had won the silver medal and Ashwini Bishnoi won gold medal in
in the 50m rifle prone women’s team the 65 kg weight category.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 23

2. National Affairs
(Polity and Governance)

Indian General Election 2024: BJP-led NDA in 2019 and 52 more than in India's first
wins absolute majority elections in 1952 .
•• The counting of votes for the recently • These 74 women constitute only
held elections for the 18th Lok Sabha was 13.63% of the elected members of the
held on June 4. In this election, the BJP-led Lower House, which is much less than
NDA alliance won an absolute majority by the prescribed 33% reserved seats
winning 292 seats. for women after the next delimitation
commission.
General Elections 2024: Key Points
• The BJP leads the list with 31 women
• This general election was for the 18th
MPs,followed by Congress (13), TMC
Lok Sabha. The term of the current 17th
(11), SP (5), DMK(3) and Chirag Paswan-
Lok Sabha is ended on 16 June.
led LJP and JDU with two women MPs
• In this election, voting was held in seven each.
phases for 543 Lok Sabha seats across
• The 17th Lok Sabha had the highest
the country. The election process began
number of women MPs at 78. The first
on April 19 and continued till June 1.
and second Lok Sabhas had 24 women
• In this election, the BJP-led NDA alliance MPs each.
won an absolute majority by winning
292 seats. The BJP won the maximum Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister
number of 240 seats. Telugu Desam got for the third consecutive time
16 seats and Janata Dal United got 12
• Narendra Modi took oath of office
seats.
and secrecy as the Prime Minister
• The INDIAlliance has got 233 seats while
for the third consecutive term on
Others secured18 seats. Congress got 9 June. President Draupadi Murmu
99 seats whereas Samajwadi Party got administered the oath of office and
37 seats and Trinamool Congress got 29 secrecy to Mr Modi and members of the
seats and DMK has managed to win 22 new Council of Ministers at a ceremony
seats. held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 30
• According to the Election Commission,the Cabinet Ministers, 5 Ministers of State
number of registered voters in the Lok (Independent Charge) and 36 Ministers
Sabha elections 2024 was 96.86 crores. of State were sworn in at the ceremony.
Among these, the number of male • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the
voters mere49.72 crores and female second person after Pandit Jawaharlal
voters were 47.15 crores . While a otal Nehru to be sworn in as the Prime
of 48,044 third gender voters also voted. Minister of India for the third consecutive
• 1.82 crore voters voted for the first time. time. Indira Gandhi holds the record of
The number of voters above 100 years being the Prime Minister of India for
of age also was more than 2 lakh. More the maximum number of times, i.e. four
than 10.5 lakh polling booths were set times .
up across the country and elections KeyPoints:
were conducted with the help of more
• The swearing-in ceremony was
than 55 lakh Electronic Voting Machines
attended by top leaders from India's
(EVMs) .
neighbouring countries and the Indian
74 women MPs were elected in the 18th Lok Ocean region, including Maldives
Sabha. President Mohammed Muizzo,Nepal
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal '
• India has elected 74 women MPs to the Prachanda ' and Sri Lankan President
18th Lok Sabha this year,four fewer than Ranil Wickremesinghe.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 24

• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Sarbananda Ministry of Shipping and

Hasina,Mauritius Prime Minister Sonowal Waterways
Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Bhutan's
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and K. Rammohan Ministry of Civil Aviation
Seychelles Vice President Ahmed Ajij Naidu
also attended the ceremony. Dr. Virendra Ministry of Social Welfare
• The Prime Minister reiterated India's Kumar and Empowerment
commitment to the 'Neighbourhood
First' policy and the 'SAGAR Approach'. Jual Oran Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Shri Modi said that India will continue to Pralhad Joshi Ministry of Consumer
raise the voice of the Global South in the Affairs and Ministry of
international arena. Renewable Energy
The Prime Minister distributed ministries Ashwini Vaishnav Ministry of Railways,
for his third term Ministry of Information
and Broadcasting,
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Ministry of IT
distributed ministries for his third term
on June 10. Senior ministers have been Giriraj Singh Ministry of Textiles
given the same positions as last time.
Jyotiraditya Minister of
Ministers and their Ministries (10 June 2024) Scindia Telecommunications and
Ministry of Development
Cabinet Minister Ministry of North Eastern Region

Rajnath Singh Ministry of Defence Bhupendra Yadav Ministry of Environment

and Forests
Amit Shah Ministry of Home
Affairs,Ministry of Gajendra Singh Ministry of Tourism and
Cooperation Shekhawat Culture

Nitin Gadkari Ministry of Road Annapurna Devi Ministry of Women and

Transport Child Development

JP Nadda Ministry of Kiren Rijiju Ministry of Parliamentary

Health,Ministry of Affairs and Department
Chemicals and Fertilizers of Minority Welfare

Shivraj Singh Ministry of Agriculture Mansukh Ministry of

Chauhan and Rural Development Mandaviya Labour,Ministry of Youth
and Sports
Nirmala Ministry of Finance and
Sitharaman Corporate Affairs Hardeep Singh Petroleum and Natural
Puri Gas
S Jaishankar foreign Ministry
G. Kishan Reddy Ministry of Coal and
Manohar Lal Ministry of Power and Mines
Khattar Urban Development
Chirag Paswan ministry of food
HD Ministry of Heavy processing
Kumaraswamy Industries and Steel
CR Patil Ministry of Jal Shakti
Piyush Goyal Ministry of Commerce
Minister of State Ministry
Dharmendra Ministry of Education with Independent
Pradhan Charge
Jitan Ram Manjhi Ministry of Small Scale Rao Inderjeet for Statistics and Plan
Industries Singh Implementation,Ministry
Rajiv Ranjan alias Ministry of Panchayati of Culture
Lallan Singh Raj,Department of Jitendra Singh Ministry of Science &
Fisheries and Animal Technology and Earth
Husbandry Sciences
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 25

Arjun Ram Minister of Law and Kirti Vardhan Minister of State for
Meghwal Justice and Minister of Singh External Affairs,Minister
State for Parliamentary of State for Forests and
Affairs Environment
Prataprao Jadhav Minister of BL Verma Minister of State for
AYUSH,Minister of State Consumer Affairs
for Health and Family
Shantanu Thakur Minister of State for
Welfare
Shipping and Waterways
Jayant Chaudhary Minister of State for
Kamlesh Paswan Minister of State for
Education,Ministry of
Rural Development
Skill Development
Bandi Sanjay State Home Minister
State Minister Ministry
Kumar
Jitin Prasad Minister of State for Steel
Ajay Tamta Minister of State for
and Commerce,Minister
Road Transport
of State for IT
Dr. L Murugan Minister of State
Shripad Naik Minister of State for
for Information and
Power and Minister of
Broadcasting and
State for Renewable
Minister of State for
Energy
Parliamentary Affairs
Pankaj Minister of State for
Suresh Gopi Minister of State for
Chowdhary Finance
Petroleum and Natural
Krishan Pal Gurjar Minister of State for Gas
Cooperation
Ravneet Singh Minister of State for
Ramdas Athawale Minister of State for Bittu Food Processing and
Social Justice and Railways
Empowerment
Sanjay Seth Secretary of State for
Ramnath Thakur Minister of State for Defence
Agriculture and Farmers
Raksha Khadse Minister of State for
Welfare
Youth Affairs and Sports
Nityanand Rai State home Minister
Bhagirath Minister of State for
Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Chowdhary Agriculture and Farmers
Health and Family Welfare
Welfare,Ministry of
Satish Chandra Minister of State for Coal
Chemicals and Fertilizers
Dubey and Mines
V. Somanna Minister of State for
Durgadas Uikey Minister of State for
Jalshakti and Railways
Tribal Affairs
Chandrasekar Minister of
Sukanta Minister of State
Pemmasan State for Rural
Majumdar for Education and
Development,Minister
Development of North
of State for
Eastern Region
Communications
Savitri Thakur Minister of State for
SP Singh Baghel Minister of State for
Women and Child
Panchayati Raj and
Development
Fisheries and Animal
Husbandry Tokhan Sahu Minister of State for
Urban Development
Shobha Minister of State for
Karandlaje Small Scale Industries Rajbhushan Minister of State for
and Labour Chowdhary Jalshakti
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 26

Bhupati Raju Minister of State for • Being the presiding officer of the Lok
Srinivas Varma Heavy Industries and Sabha,the Speaker has to perform
Steel certain key duties related to its day-to-
day proceedings.
Harsh Malhotra Minister of State for • Article 94 of the Indian Constitution
Road Transport states: Whenever the House of the
Nimuben Minister of State for People is dissolved,the Speaker
Bambhaniya Consumer Affairs thereof shall not vacate his office until
immediately before the first meeting of
Murlidhar Mohol Minister of State for the House after the dissolution of the
Cooperation and Civil House.
Aviation
• Pro tem means ' temporarily ' . The post
George Kurien Minister of State for of Pro tem Speaker is not mentioned
Minority Welfare and in the Constitution. However,the
Animal Husbandry official handbook on the functioning
of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Pabitra Minister of State for
mentions the ' Appointment and
Margherita External Affairs and
Swearing-in of Pro tem Speaker ' .
Textiles
• The most senior member of the Lok
Sabha (number of years in parliament)
The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha
is usually chosen to assist the Pro tem
began on June 24
Speaker.
• The 1st session of 18th Lok Sabha held • The primary duty of the Protem Speaker
from June 24 to July 7 for the swearing- is to administer the oath to the new MPs.
in of the newly elected members or
confirmation of their offices . Om Birla elected speaker of 18th Lok Sabha
• The 264th session of the Rajya Sabha • Mr Om Birla was elected Speaker of the
will begin on June 27 and ended on July 18th Lok Sabha on 26 June 2024. An NDA
3. candidate and an MP from Kota.
• In the first three days of the first • The motion, moved by Prime Minister
session, the newly elected leaders took Narendra Modi and supported by
oath or confirm their membership in the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, was
Lok Sabha and elect the Speaker of the accepted by the House by voice vote.
House. • The opposition party India Bloc,which
• President Draupadi Murmu addressed had declared K. Suresh as its candidate
a joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and for the post of Lok Sabha Speaker,did
Rajya Sabha on June 27 and outline the not press for a division of votes.
roadmap of the new government for the • He became the 17th person to be elected
next five years. Speaker of the Lok Sabha . Om Birla was
• The Indian Constitution,particularly also the speaker in the 17th Lok Sabha .
Article 87, gives the President the power • Om Birla, a three-time Lok Sabha
to address the Rajya Sabha and the Lok member, has been elected from the Kota
Sabha at the commencement of the constituency of Rajasthan in the 2014,
first session after each general election 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
and at the commencement of the first • This was the fourth contest for the
session of the year. post of Lok Sabha Speaker after the
contests held in 1952, 1967 and 1976.
MP Bhartruhari Mahtab appointed as the However,this time there was no division
Protem Speaker of Lok Sabha of votes.
• President Murmu appointed MP Mahtab • Elections to elect the Speaker were held
as the Pro tem Speaker under Article in 1952,when the first Lok Sabha Speaker
95(1) of the Constitution to perform the contested between G.V. Mavalankar and
duties of the presiding officer of the Lok Shankar Shantaram More,who was then
Sabha until the election of the Speaker. with the Peasants and Workers Party
of India ; and again in 1976, during the
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 27

Emergency, between Baliram Bhagat sitting in the absence of one-tenth of

and Jagannath Rao. the total strength of the House,known
• Birla will be the second Speaker after as quorum.
Balram Jakhar (1980-89) to get two full • If during voting on any proposal in the
terms. Other Lok Sabha Speakers M.A. House, there are equal votes in favour
Ayyangar and Gurdial Singh Dhillon had and against, then he casts the deciding
got this post twice,but the second term vote,which is known as the 'casting vote'.
of both the leaders did not last more • The Speaker has the exclusive power to
than one and a half years. decide whether a Bill is a “ Money Bill ” or
• Ganesh Vasudev Mavalankar was the not,and this decision is final and cannot
first Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Five be challenged.
people have been Speaker of the • The Speaker of the Lok Sabha serves as
Lok Sabha twice: Dr. Neelam Sanjiva the ex-officio Chairman of the Indian
Reddy,Gurdial Singh Dhillon,Balram Parliamentary Group (IPG),which acts as
Jakhar,G.M.C. Balayogi and Om Birla. a link between the Parliament of India
• The first person to be elected and various parliaments of the world.
unanimously as president was
Madabhushi Ananthasayanam Iyengar. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi became the
P.R. Sangma was the first opposition leader of opposition in Lok Sabha
party candidate to be elected Speaker of • After a gap of 10 years from 2014, the
the Lok Sabha . lower house will again have an official
• Congress' Meera Kumar is the first opposition leader.
woman to become the Speaker of • This announcement was made by
the Lok Sabha. The longest tenure as Congress General Secretary KC
Speaker has been of 9 years by Balram Venugopal. Rahul Gandhi is an MP from
Jakhar. Rae Bareli.
Speaker of Lok Sabha: An Overview • As no opposition party had the minimum
• According to Article 93 of the 10% of total Lok Sabha seats,the post of
Constitution,the members of the Lok LoP was vacant for the last ten years.
Sabha have to elect a Speaker and • The leader of the largest opposition
a Deputy Speaker from among the party having more than one-tenth of
members of the House. the total number of seats in the Lok
• The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are Sabha is considered the Leader of the
elected by a simple majority. Simple Opposition.
majority means the majority of the • They will serve on various committees
members present in the House at the like Public Accounts Committee,Public
time of voting. There is no provision Undertakings,Estimates and several
for any oath for the office of Speaker or Joint Parliamentary Committees.
Deputy Speaker. • He is empowered to serve on several
selection committees that select the
Powers of the Speaker of Lok Sabha
heads of statutory organisations such as
• He is the final authority to interpret the the NHRC,Lokpal,CBI, Central Vigilance
provisions of the Constitution of India, Commission and Central Information
the rules of procedure and conduct Commission.
of business of the Lok Sabha, and
• The Salary and Allowances of the Leader
parliamentary precedents within the
of the Opposition is drawn as per the
House.
Parliament Act, 1977 and gave statutory
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha presides status to the Leader of the Opposition in
over joint sittings of the two Houses each House.
of Parliament,called by the President
• He is eligible for benefits like salary,
to resolve a deadlock between the
allowances and other benefits of a
Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on a
Cabinet Minister .
particular bill.
• There is no mention of the post of Leader
• The Lok Sabha speaker has the power
of the Opposition in the Constitution.
to adjourn the House or suspend a
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 28

The Kerala Assembly passed a resolution to • Pawan Chamling, five-time Chief

change the name of the state to ' Keralam '. Minister of Sikkim and eight-time MLA,
lost the elections from both Poklok
• The Kerala Assembly unanimously Kamrang and Namcheybung assembly
passed a second resolution to officially constituencies.
change the name of ' Kerala ' to ' • Pawan Chamling was the Chief Minister
Keralam' . of Sikkim from 1994 to 2019. Pawan
• The Kerala government urged the Chamling is the longest-serving Chief
Central government to change the name Minister of India. Naveen Patnaik of the
of the state in all languages listed in the Biju Janata Dal and the outgoing Chief
Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. Minister of Odisha is the second longest-
• The proposal will be sent to Parliament serving Chief Minister of India.
for approval. Odisha
• The state was called ' Keralam ' in • In Odisha, BJP won 78 assembly seats.
Malayalam,and the demand for creating Ruling BJD won 51, Congress won 14 and
a united Kerala for the Malayalam- others won 4 seats. There are a total of
speaking communities had been 147 seats in Odisha Assembly. Any party
strongly raised since the national needs 74 seats to form the government.
independence struggle. • Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
• Under Article 3 of the Constitution, also lost the election from his assembly
Parliament is empowered to create new seat. CM Patnaik, who has been in power
boundaries for states or change the in Odisha for the last 24 years, had not
lost the election even once till now.
names of existing states.
Andhra Pradesh
• A constitutional amendment is required
• In Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam Party
to change the name of an official
became the largest party and NDA won
language.
135 seats. Jansena Partygot 21 seats
Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and BJP got 8 seats. Ruling YSRCP got 11
and Sikkim seats.
• There are 175 seats in the Andhra
Along with the recently concluded 18th Lok Pradesh Assembly and Any party needs
Sabha elections, Assembly elections were 88 seats to form the government.
also held in Andhra Pradesh,Arunachal
Pradesh,Odisha and Sikkim . New assemblies to be formed in Andhra
Arunachal Pradesh Pradesh,Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and
Sikkim
• Arunachal Pradesh has a 60 -member
Legislative Assembly. However,the • Recently, new assemblies have been
election was held for 50 seats as BJP formed in four states of India. These
candidates were elected unopposed in states are - Andhra Pradesh,Arunachal
10 seats,including Pema Khandu . Pradesh,Odisha and Sikkim. Assembly
• 50 seats where the polling was held, BJP elections were also held in these states
won 36 seats, taking its total number of along with the recently concluded 18th
seats in the Legislative Assembly to 46 . Lok Sabha elections. Counting of votes
in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim took
• Pema Khandu was earlier in the
place on June 2, while in Andhra Pradesh
Congress party and in 2016 he left the
and Odisha, counting of votes took place
Congress party along with his 43 MLAs
on June 4 .
and joined the BJP,since then BJP is in
power in the state. Sikkim
• The 11th Legislative Assembly has been
Sikkim formed in Sikkim . Prem Singh Tamang
• Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by took oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang won for the second consecutive time on 10
a landslide victory in the 2024 Sikkim June 2024. Sikkim Governor Laxman
Legislative Assembly election. SKM won Acharya administered the oath of office
31 out of 32 assembly seats. and secrecy to him.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 29

Arunachal Pradesh Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014,the

• The 11th Legislative Assembly has Union Home Ministry appointed
been formed in Arunachal Pradesh . K. Chandrasekhar to study options
Pema Khandu took oath as the Chief for the new capital for the state of
Minister of Arunachal Pradesh for Andhra Pradesh.A committee was
the third consecutive time on 13 June appointed under the chairmanship of
2024. Arunachal Pradesh Governor Sivaramakrishnan.
Lieutenant General (Retired) KT Parnaik
Patna High Court struck down Bihar
administered the oath of office and
government's 65% reservation in jobs and
secrecy to him.
education.
Andhra Pradesh
• The Patna High Court struck
• The 17th Legislative Assembly has
down Bihar government's laws
been formed in Andhra Pradesh . Here
increasing reservation for Scheduled
on 12 June 2024, Nara Chandrababu
Castes,Scheduled Tribes, Backward
Naidu took oath as the Chief Minister
Classes and Extremely Backward Classes
of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time.
from 50% to 65% .
Governor S Abdul Nazir administered
the oath of office and secrecy to him • On November 9,the Bihar Assembly
at the swearing-in ceremony held in approved the Bihar Reservation in
Vijayawada. He is the 18th Chief Minister Admission to Educational Institutions
of Andhra Pradesh. (Amendment) Act, 2023, and the Bihar
Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and
Odisha Services (Amendment) Act, 2023 .
• The 17th Legislative Assembly has been • With these laws,Bihar provided the
formed in Odisha . Here Mohan Charan second largest percentage of reservation
Majhi took oath as the new Chief Minister to backward classes after Tamil Nadu.
of the state on 12 June 2024. Governor
• The High Court said that these laws
Raghubar Das administered the oath of
violate the equality clause under Articles
office and secrecy to him.
14, 15 and 16 .
• Hyderabad will no longer be the joint
• Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and
capital of Telangana and Andhra
Justice Harish Kumar delivered the
Pradesh from 2 June 2024. As per the
verdict.
Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act,
2014,Hyderabad will be the capital • According to the PIL,reservation was
of Telangana only from 2 June 2024 provided in the Constitution to provide
onwards. adequate representation to socially and
educationally disadvantaged groups.
Key Points
• However,there was no provision to
• Hyderabad was made the joint capital provide reservation on the basis of
of both states for 10 years when population size.
Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014.
Telangana came into existence on 2 Post Office Act, 2023 comes into force
June 2014
• Post Office Act, 2023 came into force on
• The state of Telangana was formed on
18 June 2023. It has repealed the Indian
2 June 2014 after the Andhra Pradesh Post Office Act, 1898 .
Reorganisation Bill was passed in
• The “Post Office Bill, 2023” was
Parliament in February 2014. The
introduced in Rajya Sabha on 10.08.2023
demand for the formation of Telangana
and passed in Rajya Sabha on 04.12.2023.
state had been there for decades.
The Bill was subsequently considered
• Till now Andhra Pradesh has not been
and passed in Lok Sabha on 13.12.2023
able to get its own capital. There and 18.12.2023 .
is a fight between Amaravati and
• It’s aim is to provide a simple legislative
Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
framework for delivering the benefits of
There are movements going on in both
citizen centric services, banking services
the cities to make the capital there.
and Government schemes to the last
• Following the passing of the Andhra
mile of the country.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 30

• It abolishes provisions such as special unauthorized persons from entering

privileges for collection, processing and the examination centres and causing
delivery of letters in order to ensure ease disruption.
of doing business and smooth living. • The offence is punishable with
• In this Act, the provision of punishment imprisonment of three to five years and
in case of any default in service has been a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
abolished. • All offences under the law will be
• The provisions of this Act give the cognizable,non -bailable, and non-
government the power to stop goods compoundable.
being sent through India Post for • According to the Act, any service
various reasons including public order provider appointed by the public
and security of the country. examination authority for conducting
• In case of public emergency or to the examination can also be fined up to
maintain peace and security,material Rs 1 crore and “ shall also be charged
being sent through post may be proportionate cost of the examination ” .
stopped.
A law has come into force to curb
• There will be no accountability in
irregularities in competitive examinations.
respect of the service provided by the
post office except for certain prescribed • The law provides for a maximum prison
responsibilities. No officer of the post sentence of 10 years.
office will take any kind of responsibility • There is also a provision for a fine of up
in respect of the service provided by the to Rs 1 crore on the offenders .
post office. • The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha passed
Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair the Public Examinations (Prevention of
Means) Act, 2024 came into force Unfair Means) Bill, 2024 on February 6
and 9 respectively.
• The Public Examinations (Prevention • The bill was approved by President
of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which aims Draupadi Murmu on 12 February and
to prevent the use of unfair means in became a law.
government examinations and common
• This act is brought to prevent unfair
entrance tests conducted across the
means in public examinations conducted
country, came into force on June 21,
by UPSC,SSC,National Testing Agency
2024 .
(NTA), Railway Recruitment Boards
• On February 13,President Draupadi and banking recruitment examination
Murmu gave her assent to the Public bodies.
Examinations (Prevention of Unfair
• The Act provides for a minimum
Means) Bill, 2024 .
imprisonment of three to five years to
• This act is brought to prevent the use curb fraud.
of “unfair means” and bring “greater
• In case of organised crimes of fraud,the
transparency, fairness and credibility” in
Act provides for imprisonment of five
examinations conducted by government
to 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs 1
agencies. The examinations mentioned
crore.
in the Act include those conducted by
central government organisations. • According to the notification issued
by the Department of Personnel and
• The Act identifies 15 acts of unfair
Training (DoPT),the Act has come into
conduct, including paper leak, creating
effect from June 21, 2024 .
fake websites and conducting fake
examinations for monetary gains. • The Act also provides for punishing
the service providers appointed by
• Importantly, the law keeps students/
the Public Examinations Authority for
candidates outside the purview of
conducting the examinations.
the Act. Administrative control over
candidates will continue. • The culprits will be punished with a fine
of up to Rs 1 crore. The proportionate
• The Act also prohibits premature
cost of the examination will also be
disclosure of confidential information
recovered from the service providers.
relating to the examination and
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 31

• The culprits will also be barred from • The money in these funds cannot be used
conducting any public examination for for any purpose other than combating
four years. and managing notified disasters.

Notified Disasters Approval to change the name of Joshimath

tehsil to Jyotirmath
• The severe heat wave prevailing in many
parts of the country has once again • The Government of India has approved
started the discussion on including the proposal of the Uttarakhand
heatwave in the notified disasters under government to change the name of
the Disaster Management (DM) Act, Joshimath tehsil in Chamoli district to
2005 . Jyotirmath and Kosiyakutoli tehsil in
• If the heat wave is included as a notified Nainital district to Pargana Shri Kainchi
disaster,states will be allowed to use Dham Tehsil, named after the ashram of
their disaster response funds to provide Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj.
compensation and relief. • The Union Ministry of Science and
• Currently,states have to use their own Technology has also given a no objection
funds for these activities. certificate. This is necessary because
• At present, there are 12 categories of the Survey of India, the institution
disasters that have been notified under responsible for preparing maps in India,
the Disaster Management Act, 2005. comes under the Union Ministry of
Science and Technology.
• These are cyclone, drought, earthquake,
fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, • Jyotirmath (also known as Jyotir Peetha)
avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack and is one of the four major monastic
frost and cold waves. institutions (monasteries) believed to
have been established by the 8th -century
• The provisions of the Disaster
philosopher Adi Shankaracharya to
Management Act allow states to
spread Advaita Vedanta philosophy
withdraw funds from two funds
across India .
established under this law – the National
Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar
State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) at Singh Dhami had announced the name
the state level . change last year. It was a long-standing
demand of local residents,who had
• States first use the funds available
raised the issue with the CM, citing the
in the SDRF,and only when the SDRF
historical and spiritual importance of
funds prove inadequate to deal with the
Joshimath.
magnitude of the disaster, do they seek
funds from the NDRF . • It is believed that the Joshimath area
was originally called Jyotirmath,as Adi
• NDRF comes from the Central
Guru Shankaracharya came here in the
Government,states contribute 25% of
8th century to meditate under the Amar
the funds to SDRF (10% in case of special
Kalpa tree and attained enlightenment.
category states), the rest comes from
However,over time,it became popular
the Centre.
as Joshimath.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 32

3. ECONOMY
• To meet this increased demand,
Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)
significant investment and enhancement
• Indian Government has given a one- in the national forensic infrastructure is
year extension to the Digital Health necessary.
Incentive Scheme (DHIS) to digitise the
health records of patients and link them Union Cabinet approves setting up of
to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Vadhavan Greenfield Port in Maharashtra
Account (ABHA ID) . • The Union Cabinet on June 19 approved
• The scheme will now be effective till June setting up of a Major Port at Vadhavan
30, 2025. The Centre has also sought near Dahanu in Maharashtra .
details from states and union territories • The project will be constructed by
on the utilisation of funds received Vadhawan Port Project Limited (VPPL),a
through the scheme. special purpose vehicle formed by the
• Under the scheme,government and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)
private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and Maharashtra Maritime Board
diagnostic labs and pharmacies are (MMB).
paid Rs 20 for every additional record • Vadhavan Port will be developed as an
digitised by them beyond the limit of all-weather Greenfield Deep Draft Major
100 transactions per month. Port at Vadhawan in Palghar district of
• The scheme is applicable to both Maharashtra.
public and private hospitals and Digital • The port will consist of nine container
Solution Companies (DSCs) that create terminals.
digital health records. Under this,each • The project is in line with the objectives
facility or digital solution company can of the PM Gati Shakti program.
earn incentives up to Rs 4 crore. • The capacities created at the port will
National Forensic Infrastructure assist EXIM trade flows through IMEEC
Augmentation Scheme (NFIES) (India Middle East Europe Economic
Corridor) and INSTC (International
• The Union Cabinet on June 19 approved North South Transport Corridor).
the proposal for the Central Sector
Scheme of the Ministry of Home Affairs Virtual Orientation Programme for
“National Forensic Infrastructure Teachers of “ PM SHRI Schools ”
Enhancement Scheme (NFIES)” with a •• Organised a five-day virtual orientation
total financial outlay of Rs 2254.43 crore programme on National Mentoring Mission
for the period 2024-25 to 2028-29. (NMM) and National Professional Standards
• The financial outlay for the Central for Teachers (NPST) for teachers of PM SHRI
Sector Scheme will be provided by the Schools.
Home Ministry from its budget.
PM SHRI School: Key Features
• This Scheme includes establishment of
• PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising
campuses of National Forensic Sciences
India) is a centrally sponsored scheme
University (NFSU) in the country.
by the Government of India.
• With the enactment of new criminal
• The aim of this initiatve to develop
laws, which mandates forensic
over 14500 PM SHRI Schools managed
investigation for crimes punishable with
by Central Government/State/UT
imprisonment of 7 years or more, the
Government/Local bodies including
workload of forensic science laboratories
Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya
is expected to increase significantly.
Vidyalayas.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 33

• PM SHRI Schools will provide leadership Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi launched
by providing mentorship to other two new initiatives on World MSME Day.
schools in their respective areas.
• PM Shri schools will be developed • Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi
as Green Schools,incorporating eco- launched two new initiatives to boost the
friendly aspects like solar panels and business of micro and small enterprises
LED lights, nutrition gardens with using e-commerce.
natural farming, waste management, • The MSME Trade Enablement and
plastic free, water conservation, study Marketing Team initiative has been
of traditions/practices related to launched to promote small businesses
environmental protection etc. to participate in online trade using the
• It will nurture students in such a way that Open Network for Digital Commerce
they become engaged, productive and (ONDC) platform.
contributing citizens towards building
an equitable, inclusive and pluralistic • This will help over 5 lakh micro and small
society as envisioned by the National businesses and half of the beneficiaries
Education Policy 2020 . of this initiative will be women-led
businesses.
PM gives away Krishi Sakhi certificates to • 'Yashaswini' initiative is a public
over 30,000 self-help groups awareness campaign to support
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi informal women-led businesses by
on 18th June 2024 released the 17th providing them capital and more
instalment of about Rs 20,000 crore under business opportunities.
PM-KISAN and distributed certificates to • Government is focusing on access to
over 30,000 self-help groups known as credit,increasing access to markets and
Krishi Sakhi in Varanasi. e-commerce, enhancing digitalisation,
• Under the ' Lakhpati Didi ' programme, and empowerment of women and
there is a target to create 3 crore artisans.
Lakhpati Didi,one dimension of which is
Krishi Sakhi. Netherlands will emerge as India's third
largest export destination in 2023-24 .
Agriculture friend (Krishi Sakhi)
• During 2023-24,the Netherlands has
• Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program
emerged as India's third largest export
(KSCP) aims to transform rural India
by empowering rural women as Krishi destination after the US and the UAE.
Sakhis and by providing training and • India mainly exported petroleum
certification to Krishi Sakhis as para- products ($14.29 billion), electrical
extension workers. goods, chemicals and pharmaceuticals
• This certification course is in line with the to the Netherlands.
objectives of “ Lakpati Didi ” programme. • In the last fiscal year,India's trade
• Krishi Sakhis are selected as agricultural surplus with the Netherlands increased
para-extension workers because they from $13 billion to $17.4 billion.
are trusted community resource persons • Netherlands has overtaken major export
and experienced farmers themselves. destinations for India like the UK,Hong
• Krishi Sakhi Training Programme has Kong, Bangladesh and Germany.
been launched in 12 States in Phase- I. • In 2023-24,India's exports to the
• After training, Krishi Sakhis will take Netherlands are expected to grow by
a proficiency test. Those who pass will about 3.5 per cent to $22.36 billion from
be certified as para-extension workers
$ 21.61 billion in 2022-23 .
and will be able to undertake activities
under the schemes of the Ministry of • In 2021–22,the Netherlands was the fifth
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. In largest destination for Indian exports.
return, they will be paid a fixed resource • India and the Netherlands established
fee. diplomatic relations in 1947 .
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 34

According to government data,India Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 14 Kharif

received the highest FDI from Singapore in crops for the year 2024-25 . This decision
2023-24 . was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting
held on June 17 under the chairmanship
• Singapore has been the largest source of the Prime Minister. The new MSP will
of FDI investment for India since 2018-
cost Rs 2 lakh crore.
19 .
• The MSP of Normal category Paddy has
• However, FDI from Singapore is
been increased by Rs 117 to Rs 2300 per
projected to decline by 31.55% to $11.77
quintal for the crop year 2023-24 .
billion in 2023-24 .
• MSP for cotton has been approved at Rs
• FDI inflows into India have declined
7121 and for another variety at Rs 7521,
by about 3.5% due to global economic
which is Rs 501 more than the previous
uncertainties.
MSP.
• FDI equities from Singapore, USA,
• In the recently announced MSP for
the UK, the UAE, the Cayman Islands,
2024-25 Kharif, the highest margin over
Germany, and Cyprus has declined in
production cost to farmers is on bajra
FY24.
(77 per cent), followed by tur (59 per
• Investment from the Netherlands and cent), maize (54 per cent)and urad (52
Japan increased. per cent).
• India received the highest FDI from
Mauritius in 2017-18 . Main Kharif Crops
• FDI equity inflows into India dropped • Paddy (rice),maize,jowar,bajra, green
3.49% to $ 44.42 billion in 2023-24 . gram, groundnut, sugarcane, soybean,
• During 2023-24 total FDI reduced by 1 urad, tuar, horse gram, jute, flax, cotton
percent to to $70.95 billion. etc. Kharif crops are sown in June-July
• Total FDI includes equity inflows, and harvested in September-October.
reinvested earnings and other capital.
In 2021-22, India received the highest What is MSP (Minimum Support Price) ?
ever FDI inflow of $84.83 billion . • MSP (Minimum Support Price) means
• FDI inflows have declined in sectors the minimum support price is the price
such as services, computer software at which the government buys grains
and hardware, trading, telecom, from farmers. It can also be called
automobiles, pharma and chemicals. government price.
• An increase in inflows was recorded in • The Government fixes MSP of crops
construction (infrastructure) activities, every year so that farmers can get a
development and power sectors. fair price for their produce. Under this,
• During previous financial year FDI from the government purchases crops from
Mauitius dcreased to the sum of 7.95 bn farmers with the help of government
USD. agencies like Food Corporation of India,
• Mauritius was the second largest NAFED.
investor. The US was the third largest
RBI Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Review:
investor in India in 2023-24 . It was
Repo rate unchanged at 6.5%
followed by the Netherlands, Japan,
UAE, UK, Cyprus, Germany and the • The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC)
Cayman Islands . of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) met
• 25% share in the total FDI received by in Mumbai on 5-7 June. The meeting
India during April 2000 to March 2024. was chaired by the bank's governor
Singapore's share is 24%,while the US's Shaktikanta Das. This was the second
share is 10% . bi-monthly June-July monetary policy
review meeting of the current financial
Announcement of Minimum Support Price year 2024-25 . The Monetary Policy
for Kharif Crops for Marketing Year 2024-25 Committee (MPC) consists of three RBI
• The Economic Affairs Committee of the officials and three external members.
Cabinet has decided to increase the The MPC took the decision on the policy
rate by a 4:2 majority.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 35

MPC Meeting, June 2024: Key highlights • In its second advance estimate, the
NSO had projected the GDP growth rate
• In this meeting, RBI decided to keep the for the financial year 2023-24 to be 7.7
repo rate unchanged at 6.5 percent . percent. On the economic front, India's
This is the seventh consecutive time in main rival China's economic growth rate
which RBI has not made any change in was 5.3 percent in the January-March
the main rates. The reverse repo rate quarter.
is at 3.35 percent and the bank rate
• Gross domestic product (GDP), a basic
has been kept stable at 6.75 percent.
The MPC last increased the repo rate measure of an economy's economic
in February 2023 and it was increased performance, is the market value of
from 6.25 percent to 6.5 percent . all final goods and services produced
within a nation's borders in a given year.
• The expected growth rate of GDP (gross
domestic product) for 2024-25 has been In agriculture and allied sectors, the share
increased to 7.2 percent. According to of crops declined while the share of fishing
the RBI, the Indian economy will grow at increased
a rate of 8.2 percent in 2023-24 .
• The RBI governor said that on 29 March •• The National Statistical Office (NSO ) of
2024, India's foreign exchange reserves the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
reached an all-time high of $645.6 Implementation (MoSPI ) has released the
billion. publication - ' Statistical Report on Gross
Value of Output from Agriculture and Allied
NSO provisional estimates: GDP growth rate Sectors 2024'.
in last financial year was 8.2 percent
Key findings of the report
• The National Statistical Organization
• GVO of Agriculture and Allied Sectors
(NSO) released provisional estimates
declined from 62.4 per cent to 54.3 per
of the Indian Gross Domestic Product
cent between 2011-12 and 2022-23.
(GDP) growth rate for the last financial
year 2023-24 on 31 May. According to • The share of livestock has increased
this, GDP grew by 8.2 percent in the from 25.6 percent to 30.9 percent, while
financial year 2023-24. In the previous the share of fishing and aquaculture
financial year 2022-23,the GDP growth has increased from 4.2 percent to 6.9
rate was recorded at 7 percent. The percent.
GDP based on constant prices in the • Thus, the share of crop, livestock,
last financial year is also estimated to be forestry and fishing sub-sectors in the
more than Rs 173 lakh crore. value of production of agriculture and
Salient Features allied sector was 54.3%, 30.9%, 7.9% and
6.9% respectively in 2022-23 .
• In the January-March quarter of the
financial year 2023-24, the GDP growth • The production of the livestock sub-
rate increased by 7.8 percent on an sector is expected to increase from
annual basis . With this, the GDP growth ₹487.8 thousand crore in 2011-12 to
rate increased to 8.2 percent in the ₹878.5 thousand crore in 2022-23 .
entire financial year. • Rajasthan (12.5%) and Uttar Pradesh
• This is the ninth time since 1960–61 that (12.3%) together accounted for nearly a
Indian GDP has grown at 8 per cent or quarter of the production of the livestock
more in a financial year. sub-sector at constant prices in 2022-23.
• The GDP growth rate in the January- • The production of the fishing and
March quarter of the financial year aquaculture sub-sector is expected to
2023-24 was 6.2 percent on an annual increase from about ₹80 thousand crore
basis . However, the growth rate in the in 2011-12 to about ₹195 thousand crore
March quarter has slowed down as in 2022-23. The share of fisheries and
compared to October-December, 2023. aquaculture in the value of production of
The country's economy grew at a high agriculture and allied sector is expected
rate of 8.6 percent in the December to increase from 4.2 percent in FY12 to
quarter . 6.9 percent in FY23 .
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 36

• Andhra Pradesh remained the largest Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of

producer of fishing and aquaculture Science and Technology.
during the period 2015-16 to 2022-23 . • It is the country's leading company in
• West Bengal still remains the largest the manufacturing of Solar Photovoltaic
fruit and vegetable producing state. (SPV).
• CEL has developed several critical
The Department of Public Enterprises
components for tactical use and is
granted "Navratna" status to Mazagon
supplying these items to defence forces.
Dock Shipbuilders.
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has become announced granting of ' Mini Ratna
the 18th public sector undertaking in 'Category- I status to Central Electronics
the country to receive this status. Limited (CEL).
• With this, Mazagon Dock Engineers
India has joined the companies like Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh attended
Concor, Bharat Electronics, Hindustan the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Central
Aeronautics, RCF, NALCO, NMDC, RVNL, Electronics Limited (CEL) at Ghaziabad
IRCON and IREDA. Campus.
• Being a Navratna company,Mazagon • He said CEL has transformed from a
Dock does not require central loss-making PSU to a dividend-paying
government approval for investments PSU. CEL has paid dividend for the third
up to ₹ 1,000 crore. consecutive year.
• These companies also have the freedom • The net profit of Central Electronics
to invest up to 30% of their total assets Limited (CEL) has reached about Rs 58
within a year,provided it remains within crore.
Rs 1,000 crore. • Central Electronics Limited has achieved
• Navaratna companies are also permitted all the performance parameters required
to form joint ventures,alliances and set for granting Mini Ratna Category–I status.
up subsidiaries abroad.
Central Electronics Limited:
• To become a Navaratna company, the
• It is an enterprise under the Department
PSU must first be a Miniratna company.
of Scientific and Industrial Research
• Additionally,the company will have to (DSIR).
register a net profit of Rs 5,000 crore for
• It was established in 1974 to commercially
three consecutive years and maintain
exploit indigenous technologies
an average annual turnover of over Rs
developed by national laboratories and
25,000 crore for three years.
research and development institutions
• Also, its average annual net worth in the country.
should be more than Rs 15,000 crore for
• It is a leader in the country in the field of
three years .
Solar Photovoltaic (SPV).
• Mazagon Dock recorded an annual
• CEL has developed a number of critical
turnover of ₹9,466 crore for FY24 .
components for strategic applications
• In April 2024,IREDA was granted and is supplying these items to the
Navaratna status by the Department of defence sector.
Public Enterprises.
The Indian Army recommended major
Central Electronics Limited (CEL) has been changes to the Agneepath plan.
accorded “ Mini Ratna ” Category- I status • The Indian Army has reviewed the
• The Union Ministry of Science and Agnipath plan and made several
Technology has announced the recommendations.
conferment of “ Mini Ratna ” Category- • The Indian Army has suggested
I status to Central Electronics Limited increasing the service period from 4 to
(CEL) . 7-8 years.
• Central Electronics Limited is a • It has also recommended increasing the
Government of India enterprise under entry age for Agniveers in technical field
the Department of Scientific and to 23 years.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 37

• It has also been recommended that ex- Committee formed to prevent digital
gratia be provided for disability during payment fraud
training and exit management should
be handled by a professional agency. • The Reserve Bank of India has
• It has recommended that if any constituted a committee headed by
Agniveer dies in war,his family should A.P. Hota, Managing Director and
get subsistence allowance. Chief Executive Officer of National
Payment Corporation of India (NPCI),
Agneepath Scheme:
to examine various aspects of public
• It was launched to promote the digital infrastructure for digital payment
recruitment of youth in the armed forces platforms. Currently, various digital
and reduce the pension bill. payment platforms, banks, NPCI, card
• Under this scheme,both male and networks and payment apps take
female candidates are recruited as various measures to avoid fraud.
Agniveers for a period of four years in
the ' Below Officer Rank ' cadre of all NSE Indices Limited launches Nifty EV and
three services of the country. New Age Automotive Index
• The government launched the Agnipath
scheme on June 15, 2022 . • This index will monitor the performance
of businesses in the electric vehicle (EV)
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister appointed as sector.
convener of GST Rate Rationalisation Panel • The index is also designed to monitor the
• Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat performance of businesses engaged in
Choudhary has been appointed the the development of new-age automotive
convener of the Group of Ministers (GoM) vehicles and related technology.
on GST rate rationalization . Samrat • This is a new thematic index. The base
Choudhary will replace Uttar Pradesh date of the index is April 2, 2018. Its
Finance Minister Suresh Khanna. base value is 1000 .
• The seven-member GoM is tasked • It will be reconstituted semi-anually and
with suggesting necessary rate rebalanced on a quarterly basis.
rationalisation and improvements in • This will be the country's first electric
the inverted duty structure, aimed at vehicle (EV) index.
simplifying the GST rate framework, • The new index will act as a benchmark
reviewing the GST exemption list and
for asset managers.
enhancing revenue from Goods and
Services Tax (GST Rate). • It will be a reference index based on
passive funds in the form of exchange
• This is the second time the GST
traded funds (ETFs), index funds and
Rate Rationalisation Panel has been
reconstituted. The GoM was originally structured products.
set up in September 2021 under then • As of now,NSE hosts 17 thematic indices.
Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj These include Nifty Commodities, Nifty
Bommai. India Consumption, Nifty CPSE, Nifty
• Currently, the GST regime has five broad Energy and Nifty Infrastructure.
tax slabs of zero, 5, 12, 18 and 28 per
RBI launches PRAVAAH portal, Retail Direct
cent.
mobile app and Fintech repository
• Luxury and demerit goods are subject
to a cess in addition to the highest GST • Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
rate of 28 per cent . has launched three new initiatives to
enhance the regulatory process, ease
Demerit goods
retail investment and provide large
• Demerit goods are defined as items
amounts of data to the fintech sector.
that may have a negative impact on the
These are; PRAVAAH portal, Retail Direct
consumer – but these harmful effects
mobile app and Fintech repository.
are either not known to the consumer
or are ignored. • The PRAVAAH portal is a centralized,
• Examples of these are; tobacco,
secure web-based platform that allows
alcoholic beverages, recreational drugs, individuals or entities to apply online
gambling, junk food. for regulatory approvals, licenses
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 38

and authorizations from the RBI. 60 • To address the persistent problem of

applications from various regulatory childhood diarrhoea and to completely
and supervisory departments of the RBI prevent child mortality due to it, the
can be found on this portal. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Retail Direct Mobile App is a retail (MoHFW) has rebranded its long-running
investment app that allows investors Intensive Diarrhoea Control Fortnight
to buy and sell government securities (IDCF) as Stop Diarrhoea Campaign.
(G-Sec) on their smartphones. Some • Launched in 2014, the initiative
time ago, RBI launched the Retail Direct focuses on disseminating a prevention,
portal to open an account with RBI to protection and treatment (PPT) strat-
allow retail investors to invest directly in egy and increasing the use of oral
government securities i.e. bonds. Now rehydration solutions (ORS) and zinc.
its app has been launched. The STOP Diarrhoea campaign will be
• The FinTech Repository will provide implemented in two phases.
comprehensive information on FinTech
NCLT approves merger of Air India and
firms,their activities and technology
Vistara.
uses. This repository is designed to
support policymakers and industry • The National Company Law Tribunal,
participants by providing insights on Chandigarh Bench has approved the
FinTech. merger of Tata Sons-owned Air India
with Vistara.
National Stop Diarrhoea Campaign 2024
• Both airlines may start integrating their
launched
networks, human resources and fleet
• The Union Ministry of Health and Family deployment.
Welfare launched the National Stop • This merger has resulted in the creation
Diarrhoea Campaign on 24 June 2024. of one of the world's largest airline
• The National Stop Diarrhoea Campaign groups.
2024 aims to prevent child deaths due • As per the deal,Singapore Airlines will
to childhood diarrhoea. have 25.1% stake in Air India .
• The earlier diarrhoea strategy involved • The Competition Commission of India
providing ORS packages and information (CCI) had approved the merger in
to children under 5 years of age and It September 2023 itself.
was a 2- week campaign. • Vistara is a joint venture between Tata
• The new strategy involves providing Sons Private Limited and Singapore
Zinc packing along with 2 ORS packets Airlines Limited (SIA) .
for children below 5 years of age and It
is a 2 month campaign.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 39

4. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
S. Korea,India, USA, Japan and EU launched Salient Features
“Biopharmaceutical Alliance”
• the G7 summit,member countries
• South Korea,India,the United States, supported Ukraine in its fight against
Japan and the European Union (EU) Russian aggression. During the summit,
have launched the Biopharmaceutical US President Joe Biden signed a 10-
Alliance to make a joint effort to build year security agreement with Ukrainian
a resilience to supply chain in the President Volodymyr Zelensky.
biopharmaceutical sector. • Under the agreement the United States
• The first meeting of the will provide Ukraine with modern
Biopharmaceutical Alliance was held in weapons and ammunition,but it will
San Diego during the Bio International not help Ukraine in a war with Russia by
Convention 2024. sending American troops to Ukraine.
• The Biopharmaceutical Alliance has • The G7 countries also agreed to provide
been launched to address future drug Ukraine with $ 50 billion loanusing
supply disruptions experienced during interest from Russian assets seized after
the COVID- 19 pandemic. Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• At its first meeting, members • The next (51st)summit will be held in
acknowledged that production of Kananaskis,Alberta, Canada in 2025.
essential raw materials and ingredients
is concentrated in a few countries and PM Modi participates in outreach session
agreed to work together to expand a • Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended
pharmaceutical supply chain. the summit. This was India's 11th and
Mr Modi's fifth consecutive participation
BIO International Conference 2024 held in
in the summit.
USA
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was
• India,the United States,South invited by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia
Korea,Japan, and the European Union Meloni to participate in outreach sessions
have launched a Biopharmaceuticals on Artificial Intelligence,Energy,Africa
Alliance. The first meeting of the and the Mediterranean.
alliance was held in San Diego, United • Apart from the summit, Mr Modi also
States, during the Bio International held bilateral meetings with the leaders
Conference 2024. Biopharmaceuticals of the G- 7 countries.
are a type of medical drug made • Prime Minister Modi held discussions
using organs and tissues of a living with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia
being,microorganisms,animal fluids,or Meloni,French President Emmanuel
genetically modified cells and organisms. Macron, President of Ukraine Volodymyr
50th G -7 summit held in Italy, IMEC project Zelensky and Prime Minister of the
agreed United Kingdom Rishi Sunak.
What is an outreach session ?
• The 50th G7 summit was held in
Apulia, Italy, from 13 to 15 June 2024. • The G7 host country has the right to
The meeting was attended by the G7 invite other countries or multilateral
member states - President of the United institutions to participate in outreach
States Joe Biden,President of France sessions where a particular issue or a
Emmanuel Macron,Prime Minister of range of global and regional issues are
Canada Justin Trudeau,Prime Minister of discussed.
the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak,German • The first Indian Prime Minister to be
Chancellor Olaf Scholz,and Prime invited to attend a G7 outreach session
Minister of the host Italy Giorgia Meloni. was Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2003).
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 40

• This time in 2024,Italy had invited Alge • OnMarch 27, 2014, Russia was
ria,Argentina,Brazil,India,Jordan,Kenya, suspended from this organization
Mauritania,Tunisia,Turkey and the UAE. indefinitely. Now this group is again
Apart from these countries, the heads known as 'G7'.
of the African Development Bank,the • 'G7' is an informal organization which
International Monetary Fund,the has no headquarters or secretariat. Its
Organisation for Economic Co-operation president is selected on the basis of
and Development,the United Nations rotation system.
and the World Bank were also invited. • 10.3% of the world's population lives in
Consent for IMEC project 'G7' [Link] GDP of the member
• At the summit, the G-7 countries agreed countries is 32.2%of the world's GDP,
to support specific infrastructure while its share in world exports is
projects like the India-Middle East- 34.1%and in imports it is 36.7%.
Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). G7 Leaders Summit to be held in Canada in
• The IMEC framework was finalised 2025
during the G20 summit hosted by India • The next G7 Leaders Summit will be held
in Delhi. The initiative aims to promote in Kananaskis, in the Canadian province
integration among Asian,Middle East of Alberta, in 2025.
and Western countries. • In a post on X,Canadian PM Justin
• IMEC plans to establish an extensive Trudeau said,“Just announced: The next
network of roads, railways, and shipping @G7 Leaders Summit will be held in
routes linking Saudi Arabia,India, the Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, in 2025.”
United States, and Europe. • G7 countries pledged to support
• IMEC is also seen as an attempt by infrastructure projects
partner countries to increase their • Key projects include coordination and
strategic influence, particularly in financing efforts for corridors such as
response to China's Belt and Road the Lobito,Luzon, Central, and India-
Initiative (BRI). Middle East-Europe.
• The BRI is a major infrastructure project • They also plan to advance existing
of China that links Southeast Asia,Central initiatives such as the European Union's
Asia, Russia and Europe with China. Global Gateway (Lobito Corridor), the
G7 Organization: A Look at the Facts African Union's Great Green Wall Initia-
• The G7 is an informal group of the tive and Italy's Mattei Plan for Africa.
seven most industrialized democratic • The leaders supported promoting
countries. The G7 group was formed concrete efforts under the “Partnership
on the initiative of France after the Arab for Global Infrastructure and Investment
countries increased the prices of crude (PGII) initiatives, flagship projects and
petroleum oil after the 1973 Arab Israeli complementary initiatives to develop
War. The member countries of the G7 transformational economic corridors for
are Britain,Canada,France,Germany,Ital quality infrastructure and investment.
y,Japan and the United States. • It includes increasing coordination
• In the year 1975, on the call of the and financing for the Lobito Corridor
then President of France, Valery (Africa), Luzon Corridor (Philippines),
Giscard d'Estaing, the world's six most Central Corridor, and the India-Middle
industrialized,democratic and non- East-Europe Economic Corridor.
socialist nations - France,America,Britai
n,Italy,Germany and Japan organized a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and
meeting in the French capital, Paris, in Investment (PGII) Initiative
which this group was formed. • Recently, G7 leaders gave strong support
• Canada was included in this group in the to further advance the Partnership for
year 1976. After Canada's participation, Global Infrastructure and Investment
this group came to be known as 'G7'. (PGII) initiative.
• With the inclusion of Russia in 'G7' in the • The PGII scheme was first announced
year 1994, this group came to be known in June 2021 during the G7 (Group of
as 'G8'. Seven) summit in the UK.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 41

• In 2022, during the G7 summit in Malta and Switzerland. Their term will
Germany, the PGII was officially end on 31 December 2024. The two-year
launched as a joint initiative to help fund term of the five new members will begin
infrastructure projects in developing from January 1, 2025.
countries through public and private • The other non-permanent
investment. members currently in the UNSC are
• The India–Middle East–Europe Algeria,Guyana,the Republic of Korea
Economic Corridor (IMEC) is part of the (South Korea),Sierra Leone, and Slovenia.
Partnership for Global Infrastructure United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
and Investment (PGII). • The United Nations Security Council
Great Green Wall initiative (UNSC) is the most important body
• Launched in 2007 by the African of the United Nations which is
Union,the African-led Great Green Wall primarily responsible for maintaining
initiative aims to restore degraded international peace and security. The
landscapes across the continent of UNSC has 15 members,of which 5 are
Africa and transform the lives of millions permanent and 10 are temporary.
of people in the Sahel region. • 5 permanent members of the
United Nations Security Council-
European Union's Global Gateway the United States,the United
• The European Commission and the Kingdom,France,Russia, and China. They
EU High Representative have outlined have veto power,and if they vote against
the Global Gateway,a new European any resolution in the United Nations
strategy to promote smart, clean and Security Council,then that resolution
safe connectivity in the digital,energy cannot be passed.
and transport sectors, and to strengthen • The 10 non-permanent members of
health,education and research systems the UN Security Council are elected for
around the world. a two-year terms and do not have veto
power.
Pakistan,Denmark,Greece,Panama and • The 10 non-permanent seats are
Somalia elected members of UNSC distributed among four regional
• Pakistan,Denmark,Greece,Panama and groups: African and Asia-Pacific,Eastern
Somalia have been elected as temporary Europe,Latin America and the
members of the United Nations Security Caribbean,and Western Europe and
Council (UNSC). The 193 -member UN Other States. Members can only be
General Assembly held elections for candidates from their regional groups
five vacant seats through secret ballot • India has been elected as a non-
on June 6. The 2- year term of these permanent member of the United
countries will begin from 2025. Nations Security Council eight times.
Salient Points India was a member in 1950–1951,
1967–1968, 1972–1973, 1977–1978,
• 6 June for the five vacant seats of
1984–1985, 1991–1992, 2011–2012 and
temporary members in the UNSC.
2021–2022.
Pakistan,Somalia,Denmark,Greece and
Panama were elected as temporary United Nations
members in the election. • The United Nations is an international
• Pakistan and Somalia were elected to the organization formed on 24 October
two seats from African and Asia-Pacific 1945 following the failure of the League
countries. Panama was elected from of Nations to prevent World War II.
the Latin America and Caribbean group. • Initially, it consisted of 51 member
Denmark and Greece were elected from countries including India,but now,it
the Western Europe and Other States has 193 member countries. The
group. headquarters of the United Nations is
• These newly elected members will in New York,and the current Secretary-
replace Japan,Mozambique,Ecuador, General is Antonio Guterres.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 42

First IPEF Clean Economy Investor Forum • They took stock of the significant steps
meets in Singapore taken by India and the United States
towards strengthening and enhancing
• Singapore hosted the first IPEF (Indo- strategic cooperation in key technology
Pacific Economic Framework for areas, including Space, Semiconductors,
Prosperity) Clean Economy Investor Advanced Telecommunications,
Forum meeting on 5 and 6 June 2024. Artificial Intelligence, Quantum, STEM,
The Indian delegation was led by Sunil Biotechnology, Critical Minerals and
Barthwal, Secretary, Department of Clean Energy.
Commerce. IPEF comprises 14 member • iCET was launched in January 2023.
countries – the United States, India, • iCET enables India and the US to
Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Indonesia , Japan, support each other, promote greater
Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New cooperation in the technology sector,
Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, innovate jointly and find solutions to
Thailand, and Vietnam. challenges.
BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting held in Important Points
Russia • The two NSAs resolved to enhance
cooperation on semiconductor
• The BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting
technology and manufacturing, sustain-
was held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia on
able agriculture and food security.
June 10. Global and regional issues were
discussed in the meeting. • They also agreed to enhance cooperation
in the areas of clean energy, pandemic
• The BRICS foreign ministers expressed
preparedness and other critical and
concern over the ongoing conflicts in
emerging technologies.
many parts of the world. They expressed
commitment to peaceful resolution • India and US will provide $ 90 million
of disputes through diplomacy and each to the US-India Global Challenges
inclusive discussions. Institute for the next five years.
• In a point statement, the Foreign • US-based General Atomics Company
Ministers stressed the need for full and Indian company 3rd iTech will
respect for international humanitarian jointly focus on co-development
law in situations of conflict and for of semiconductor design and
humanitarian assistance in accordance manufacturing.
with fundamental principles of India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging
humanity. Technology (ICET) Initiative
• Dr. Subramanyam Jaishankar was
reappointed as Foreign Minister on June • ICETinitiative was agreed upon during
10,that is why he could not attend the the visit of Prime Minister Narendra
meeting. Modi to the US in May 2022.
• India warmly welcomed the • The ICET initiative was aimed at
representatives of the new member expanding bilateral strategic technology
countries - Egypt, Iran,United Arab partnerships, defense and industrial
Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia - cooperation between academic
participating for the first time in the institutions and businesses of the two
BRICS meeting. These countries were countries.
included BRICS in 2023. • The ICET initiative focuses on expanding
strategic cooperation between the two
Initiative on Critical and Emerging countries in Space, Semiconductors,
Technology (iCET) Advanced Telecommunications, Artificial
• National Security Advisor (NSA) of India Intelligence, Quantum, Biotechnology
Shri Ajit Doval and National Security and Clean Energy.
Advisor of the United States of America • The first ICET meeting was held in
Jake Sullivan chaired the review meeting January 2023 in Washington DC, USA.
of India-US “Initiative on Critical and • The Indian Space Research Organisation
Emerging Technologies (iCET)” on June and US space agency NASA (National
17, 2024 at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. Aeronautics and Space Administration)
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 43

will jointly develop and launch the • Thailand is the third country in Asia, after
Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite. Nepal and Taiwan,to enact marriage
• NASA will provide training to ISRO equality law.
astronauts in space flights and human • Thailand,one of Asia's most popular
space missions. tourist destinations,is already known for
its vibrant LGBT culture and tolerance.
Paraguay becomes International Solar
Alliance (ISA)' 100th full member Elections to the European Parliament
• Elections held on 6-9 June for the
• Paraguay has become the 100th country European Parliament have shown that
to join the International Solar Alliance right-wing and far-right parties have got
(ISA) as a full member. The South more success than left-wing and liberal
American nation Paraguay officially parties. In these elections, about 51%of
submitted its letter of ratification to the the 37 crore voters of the 27 member
ISA on 26 June 2024 in New Delhi. countries of the European Union (EU)
International Solar Alliance voted.
• India and France launched the ISA • The members of the European Parliament
during the 2015 United Nations Climate are directly elected by the citizens of
Change Conference (COP21) in Paris. It the 27 member countries. Therefore,it
aims to promote the adoption of solar provides a certain democratic legitimacy
energy worldwide. to all the activities of the EU.
• It serves as a collaborative platform for • 720 seats in Parliament are allocated
member countries to enhance energy on the principle of 'degressive
access,ensure energy security and proportionality', meaning that smaller
adopt sustainable energy sources. countries elect more Members of
• ISA’s main objectiveis to contribute to European Parliament (MEPs) in
the implementation of the Paris Climate proportion to their population.
Agreement through the rapid and • MEPs are elected by proportional
large-scale adoption of solar energy representation, ensuring that the
technologies. number of MEPs elected is proportional
• This collaborative effort is seen as vital to to the votes they receive.
the global fight against climate change • In European Parliament elections, voters
and for moving towards renewable choose from their national political
energy sources. parties. Winning candidates then
• With the amendment of its Framework become part of Europe-wide political
Agreement in 2020,all UN Member groups in the European Parliament.
States are now eligible to join the ISA. • These groups are formed on the basis
• ISA is guided by its ' Towards 1000' of political ideologies (e.g., European
strategy, which aims to mobilize US$ People's Party (EPP). According to the
1,000 billion of investment in solar rules of procedure of the parliament.
energy solutions by 2030, while • A political group of the European
providing energy access to 1,000 million Parliament shall consist of at least 23
people using clean energy solutions members elected from at least seven
and resulting in the installation of 1,000 Member States.
gigawatts of solar power capacity. • The Parliament has three major
• Its headquarter is in Gurugram, Haryana. functions. First,it adopts and amends
EU law together with the Council
Thailand became the first South Asian of the European Union. Second, it
country to recognise same-sex marriage. monitors the functioning of all other EU
institutions and bodies, particularly the
• Thailand's Senate passes the final
European Commission. It approves or
reading of the Marriage Equality Law.
rejects appointments to the European
• This paved the way for Thailand to Commission. Third,the Parliament
become the first South Asian country to shares powers with the Council over the
recognise same-sex marriage. EU budget,which allows it to influence
• This law will come into force after 120 EU spending.
days. It also requires royal assent.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 44

• The European Parliament also ratifies • The Russia–Ukraine War began on 24

international agreements, including February 2022 when Russian President
agreements on trade and investment. Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine
to prevent Ukraine from joining the
Summit on Peace in Ukraine 2024 Western military alliance North Atlantic
• The two-day Ukraine Peace Summit titled Treaty Organization (NATO).
“Summit on Peace in Ukraine”was held
US grants Kenya “Major Non-NATO Ally”
on 15-16 June 2024 at the Bürgenstock
(MNNA) status
resort in Switzerland.
• 90 countries and global institutions • The United States has granted Kenya
participated in the event. It was the the status of a “Major Non- NATO Ally
largest summit on peace in Ukraine (MNNA)”. A memorandum published by
after the Full scale attack on Ukraine. the US White House states that MNNA
• Russia was not invited,and China did not status is a designation under US law that
attend the summit. US Vice President provides foreign partners with certain
Kamala Harris represented the United benefits in the areas of defense trade
States. and security cooperation.
• India was represented by Secretary • President Biden had pledged to
of the Ministry of External Affairs, designate Kenya as a Major Non-NATO
Ambassador Pawan Kapoor. Ally during Kenyan President William
Ruto’s three-day visit to the US.
• A draft declaration was issued at
the summit that reaffirms Ukraine's • According to the US Department of
territorial integrity and explicitly rejects State, MNNA status is a powerful symbol
any nuclear threat against the country. of the United States' close ties with those
countries.
Summit on peace in Ukraine, India refuses
• Although MNNA status confers military
to support the communiqué
and economic privileges,it does not
• A summit was held in the Swiss city of pledge any collective security to
Bürgenstock on June 15-16 regarding countries.
peace in Ukraine. More than 90
• This commitment is only available to
countries from Europe,Asia,Africa and
NATO member states. Countries with
Latin America and four international
MNNA status are eligible to receive
organizations participated in the
loans of material, logistics or equipment
conference. Russia refused to participate
for collaborative research,development,
in the conference.
testing or evaluation purposes.
Important Points
• These countries have been able to
• At this summit, many countries provide space in their territory to store
supported the territorial integrity of US-owned war reserve stockpiles.
Ukraine and called on all parties to find
• Currently 19 countries are accorded
a lasting solution to the conflict.
the status of “Major Non-NATO Allies”
• India said that if the peaceful solution (MNNAs). These are: Argentina, Australia,
is acceptable to both the parties then Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel,
there can be lasting peace in the region. Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New-
• India's stance was that there could be Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar,
no peace in the region without Russia's South Korea, Thailand and Tunisia.
participation and since the communiqué
was issued without taking Russia's point 21st ' Shangri -La Dialogue ' held in Singapore
of view into account,India refused to • The international defense and security
sign the communiqué. conference Shangri-La Dialogue
• Apart from India,Saudi Arabia,South Af was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in
rica,Thailand,Indonesia,Mexico and the Singapore from 31 May to 2 June 2024.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) were among It was attended by more than a hundred
the major countries that did not sign the delegates from the Asia-Pacific region
final communique. and other parts of the world.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 45

21st Shangri-La Dialogue: Key Points Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania. Adani
• It was the 21st edition of the Shangri- International Ports Holdings Private
La Dialogue,which was inaugurated by Limited is a subsidiary of Adani Ports
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The and Special Economic Zone Limited
dialogue also involved defense ministers (APSEZ).
from China,Indonesia,Maldives,France, • Adani Ports signed a 30 -year deal to
South Korea and other countries. operate the Dar es Salaam Port Terminal
• The Dialogue was also attended by in Tanzania.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, • Adani International Ports Holdings Pvt.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Ltd. (AIPH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Jr and Timor Leste President Dr Jose Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone
Horta. India was not represented this (APSEZ), signed a 30 -year concession
time. agreement with the Tanzania Ports
• This year China was represented by Authority.
its Defense Minister Admiral Dong • The agreement will enable AIPH to
Jun. Addressing the event, he called operate and manage Container Terminal
for firm action to prevent Taiwan's 2 at the Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania.
independence. • Dar es Salaam Port is a gateway port,with
Shangri-La Dialogue a well-connected network of roads and
• The Shangri-La Dialogue or Asian railways.
Security Summit seeks to provide an • APSEZ will be the controlling shareholder
environment for countries in the Asia and will consolidate EAGL in its accounts.
Pacific to discuss and find solutions to • East Africa Gateway Limited (EAGL) has
the region's security problems. been incorporated as a joint venture of
• It was organized by International AIPH,AD Ports Group and East Harbour
Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Terminals Limited (EHTL).
London in collaboration with the • Container Terminal 2 has an annual
Government of Singapore. cargo handling capacity of 1 million
• The permanent venue of the meeting is twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).
the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. The
US Congress passed the “Resolve Tibet Act”
meeting is now more popularly known
as the Shangri-La Dialogue. • The United States Congress (US
• The Shangri-La Dialogue is credited to Parliament) passed an Act Promoting
British strategist Sir John Chipman. Sir resolution of the Tibet-China Conflict
Chipman approached former Singapore Act,known as the Resolve Tibet Act, on
Prime Minister Lee Koun Yew in the June 12.
1990s to discuss issues related to the • The bipartisan legislation now awaits
region's security. approval from President Joe Biden,after
• First Asian Security Summitor Shangri- which it will be become law.
La Dialogue, was held in 2002, in • This Act is the third notable legislation
collaboration with Lee Koun Yew. taken by the US with regards to Tibet
• It is always inagurated by the United after the Tibet Policy Act or TPA (2002),
States Secretary of Defense. The Chinese and the Tibetan Policy and Support Act
Defense Minister always inagurates the or TPSA (2020).
next day's session. • The Resolve Tibet Act authorizes
• In 2018,Prime Minister Narendra Modi the use of funds to counter Chinese
was the first Indian Prime Minister to disinformation about Tibet.
address the Shangri-La Dialogue. • The Act also challenges the Chinese claim
that Tibet has been part of China since
Adani Group bags 30 -year lease for Dar es ancient times. It urges China to hold
Salaam port meaningful and direct dialogue with the
• Gautam Adani-owned Adani Group has Dalai Lama or his representatives, as
entered the port business in the African well as democratically elected leaders
country Tanzania by securing a 30-year of the Tibetan community, to resolve
lease of Container Terminal 2 at the differences and reach an agreement
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 46

without any preconditions. • The region is located in the Kavango and

• The Resolve Tibet Act seeks to recognize Zambezi river valleys,where the borders
and address the multidimensional of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia
socio-cultural identity of the Tibetan and Zimbabwe meet.
people,particularly their “distinct • The region is home to the Okavango
historical,cultural,religious, and Delta (the world's largest inland delta)
linguistic identity.” and the Victoria Falls (a World Heritage
• Finally,it amends the Tibet Policy Act to Site and one of the Seven Natural
define the exact geographical areas of Wonders of the World).
the Tibet Autonomous Region. • These five countriesalong with South
Africa, have a population of African
Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier elephants of approximately 450,000.
Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) • These countries are part of the 19
African elephant range states, of which
Botswana alone has a population
of 132,000 elephants, followed by
Zimbabwe with 100,000, while other
large numbers are in South Africa,
Zambia, Namibia and Angola.

Bangladesh Prime Minister's visit to

India,several MoUs signed
• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina was on a visit to India on June
22. During this visit, she met President
Draupadi Murmu and Vice President
Jagdeep Dhankhar. She held a bilateral
meeting with Prime Minister Narendra
Modi in which several agreements were
signed between the two countries in
• The KAZA 2024 Heads of State Summit various fields.
was held in Livingstone, Zambia.
Delegates at the summit called on India-Bangladesh bilateral meeting key points
member countries to withdraw from the • A bilateral meeting was held between
Convention on International Trade in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh
Flora (CITES) so that they can have the Hasina in New Delhi. In the meeting,
freedom to sell ivory and other wildlife several MoUs related to various sectors
products. were signed and several MoUs were
• It is worth noting that the number of renewed.
elephants in the Kavango-Zambezi • These agreements cover the areas of
Trans-Frontier Conservation Area is Digital and Green Partnership, maritime
quite high and these countries are cooperation, health and medicine,
troubled by them. They want to trade space cooperation, railway connectivity,
ivory but this is not possible due to the oceanography, disaster management
restrictions of CITES. and fisheries.
• India and Bangladesh shared a vision
Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier document for the future to enhance
Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) connectivity, commerce and cooperation
• The Kavango-Zambezi Trans-Frontier for prosperity of both the countries. The
Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) is document outlines India's Developed
a 520,000 square kilometre wildlife India Vision- 2047 and Bangladesh's
sanctuary spanning five SouthAfrican Smart Bangladesh Vision- 2047.
countries that share common borders • The two leaders also agreed to accelerate
along the Okavango and Zambezi river counter-terrorism activities, combat
basins. radicalism and peaceful management
of the long land border.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 47

• Prime Minister Modi said that Bangladesh • Scientists have discovered the world's
is the pillar of India's Neighbourhood oldest inhabited termite mounds along
First and Act East policies. In his address, the Buffels River in South Africa's
he said, Bangladesh is going to become Namaqualand region.
a developing country in 2026. I am • Locally,these mounds are called
confident that together we will take the heuweltjies (the word means " little hills
resolutions of Developed India 2047 and " in Afrikaans ).
Smart Bangladesh 2041 to fruition. • These termite mounds contain an
• Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh underground network of tunnels and
Hasina described India as a trusted nests of the southern harvester termite,
friend and regional partner. Later,Sheikh Microhodotermes viator.
Hasina met President Draupadi Murmu • The oldest known inhabited mounds
at Rashtrapati Bhavan. were 4,000 years old. Termites are called
China announces gift of two giant pandas ecosystem engineers.
to Australia • They modify the surrounding soil to
maintain favourable moisture and
• In June 2024,Chinese Premier Li Keqiang temperature conditions,and their food
visited Australia and focused on the supply routes extend over several tens
positive aspects of bilateral relations. of metres.
On this occasion, Li Keqiang announced
to gift two new giant pandas to an Ecosystem Engineer
Australian zoo. • Ecosystem engineers are those species
• Li's visit marks the first visit by a that modify the environment around
Chinese premier to Australia in seven them in a good way,create new habitats
years,thanks to trade partnerships. Mr or modify existing habitats according to
Li Qiang visited Adelaide Zoo,where their needs.
Chinese-born giant pandas Wang Wang • Examples of ecosystem engineers are ;
and Fu Ni have been living since 2009. corals,elephants,Gopher Tortoises,Red-
• He announced that two more pandas cockaded woodpecker, Eurasian beaver,
would be loaned to the zoo after the European native oyster,Parrotfish,kelp
pair returns to China in November. seaweed).
• Wang Wang and Fu Ni are the only India and Sri Lanka launched “Maritime
panda pair in the Southern Hemisphere Rescue Coordination Centre”
and have failed to produce offspring in
Australia. • In June 2024, India and Sri Lanka
launched the Maritime Rescue
The Giant Panda Coordination Centre (MRCC),reflecting
• The giant panda is the rarest member strong maritime security cooperation
of the bear family. Only 1,500 of these between the two sides.
black and white bears survive in the • It was inaugurated during the visit of
natural wild. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to
• Pandas eat nothing but bamboo shoots Sri Lanka.
and leaves. Pandas eat fast,they eat a • The Maritime Rescue Coordination
lot, and they spend about 12 hours a Centre consists of a main centre at the
day eating. The reason for this is that Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters in Colombo
they only digest about a fifth of what and a sub-centre at Hambantota.
they eat.
• The MRCC built from 6 million grant
• Pandas are shy ; they do not venture from India, consists of seven unmanned
into areas where humans live. Giant facilities at strategic locations along
pandas live in a few mountain ranges in the Sri Lankan coast – Galle, Arugam
Sichuan,Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces Bay, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kallarawa,
in south central China. Point Pedro and Mullikulam.
World's oldest inhabited termite mound • The MRCC, set up by state-owned Bharat
discovered in Namaqualand region of South Electronics Limited (BEL), will serve as
Africa the nodal centre for search and rescue
operations at sea.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 48

• A MoU for this centre was signed in 64th Council Meeting of the International
March 2022,and Sri Lankan Navy teams Sugar Organization (ISO)
have been trained by BEL in Bengaluru
and Colombo to operate the MRCC. • Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution inaugurated the 64th
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) included Council Meeting of the International
India in the ' Regular Follow Up ' category Sugar Organization (ISO) at Bharat
• India has been placed in the ' Regular Mandapam (New Delhi) on 25 June 2024.
Follow Up ' category in the “Mutual • This meeting was concluded on 27
Evaluation Report of India”by the June 2024. Experts from more than 30
Financial Action Task Force (FATF). countries participated in the meeting
• The report was adopted at the FATF ple- and discussed future prospects,
nary held from 26 to 28 June in Singapore. challenges and strategies in sugarcane,
sugar and allied sectors.
• Only four other G20 countries are
included in the ' regular follow up ' • Earlier,India hosted the 41st session of
category. the ISO Council meeting in 2012.
• FATF places member countries into one • The International Sugar Organization
of four categories,namely ' Regular is a unique inter-governmental body
Follow Up ', ' Enhanced Follow Up ', ' Grey dedicated to improving the conditions
List ' and ' Black List '. Regular Follow Up of the world sugar market through
is the highest of these four categories. discussion, analysis, special studies,
transparent statistics, seminars,
• Out of the 177 countries covered by FATF
conferences and workshops.
and its regional bodies FSRB, only 24
countries, including India, are in regular • The International Sugar Organization
follow up. exists to administer the 1992
International Sugar Agreement (ISA).
• FATF has recognised the efforts made
by India in reducing risks arising • ISO is the only worldwide forum for
from money laundering and terrorist the exchange of views between major
financing,promoting digital economy producing, consuming and trading
and implementation of JAM- Jan countries at the inter-governmental
Dhan,Aadhar, Mobile-Trinity. level. The International Sugar
Organization is based in London. It has
• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
87 member countries.
is an intergovernmental organization
established in 1989 as an international
watchdog to combat money laundering,
terrorist financing and other related
threats to the integrity of the
international financial system.
• India became a member of FATF in 2010.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 49

5. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Nagstra- 1: Indian Army receives first batch autonomously executed cross - range
of killer drones correction maneuvers, approached the
runway and made a precision horizontal
• Indian Army has received the first batch landing on the centre line of the runway,
of man-portable suicide drones called ISRO said.
Nagastra-1 from Economic Explosives
• The RLV LEX-03 mission reused the
Limited (EEL) a subsidiary of Nagpur-
wing structure and flight systems
based Solar Industries.
of the LEX- 02 mission without any
• Nagastra -1 is a UAV- based loitering modifications,demonstrating ISRO's
munition designed to act as an aerial capability to design reusable flight
ambush system. systems for multiple missions.
• Its primary function is to hover over
targets and deliver precision strikes India successfully test fired 'Abhyas ' system
with GPS-enabled accuracy,achieving a • India successfully test fired High Speed
remarkable accuracy of 2 metres. Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) '
• Nagastra -1 is capable of carrying out Abhyaas ' on 27 June 2024. The test was
precision strikes on enemy training conducted by Defence Research and
camps, launch pads and infiltrators. This Development Organisation (DRDO) from
drone can fly at an altitude of over 4,500 Integrated Test Range at Chandipur,
metres,making it difficult to detect by Odisha.
radar.
Abhyas
• The drones have more than 75 per cent
• This test tested the new advanced
indigenous parts. The addition of these
radar cross section, visual and infrared
drones will enhance the Indian Army's
enhancements made to the 'Abhyaas'
ability to carry out cross-border general
system.
strikes if required. Drones like the
Nagastra-1 with in-built warheads are • With this testing it is now ready for
known as kamikaze or explosive drones. production and induction into the Indian
Armed Forces.
RLV LEX-03: ISRO completes third and final • Abhyas is essentially a drone designed
test of “Pushpak” to dummy enemy aerial vehicles.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation • It is being produced by the public sector
(ISRO) completed the third Reusable undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics
Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing Experiment Limited and the private sector company
(LEX) at the Aeronautical Test Range Larsen & Toubro.
(ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka on June
Discussion on joint development of Javelin
23. This was the third and final test in
missiles
the series of LEX 03.
• Following the success of RLV LEX- • India and the US discussed joint
01 and LEX-02 missions, RLV LEX-03 production of US Javelin missiles in India
redemonstrated the autonomous for the Indian Army.
landing capability of RLV under more • The Javelin is an anti-tank missile
challenging release conditions (cross jointly developed and manufactured by
range of 500 m against 150 m for LEX- American defense companies Raytheon
02) and stronger wind conditions. and Lockheed Martin.
• During the third test,the winged vehicle • Indian Army had to acquire a limited
"Pushpak" was released from a Chinook number of Israeli Spike Anti Tank
helicopter of the Indian Air Force at an Guided Missile (ATGM) under emergency
altitude of 4.5 km. From a release point procurement to meet its requirements
4.5 km away from the runway, Pushpak of new ATGMS.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 50

• Requirement of a third generation ATGM developed with minimal material waste

has been there for a long time. and post-print machining operations.
• Adoption of additive manufacturing
Defence Ministry begins process to procure
by ISRO will result in better
156 Light Combat Helicopters from HAL
precision,minimal resource usage
• The Ministry of Defense has started the and significant reduction in material
process of purchasing 156 Light Combat wastage.
Helicopters (LCH) from the Government • Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)
Aerospace Company Hindustan is used to place earth observation and
Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Of these, scientific satellites.
90 helicopters are for the Army and 66
helicopters are for the Indian Air Force. Developmental trials of High Speed
• Request for Proposal (RFP) or preliminary Expendable Aerial Target ' Abhyaas '
tender has been issued by the Ministry successfully completed.
for the procurement project. • Six consecutive developmental trials of
• The Light Combat Helicopter, also known High Speed Expendable Aerial Target
as Prachand,is the only attack helicopter (HEAT) ' Abhyaas ' with advanced
in the world that can land and take off booster configuration were successfully
at an altitude of 5,000 metres (16,400 completed by DRDO from the Integrated
ft),making it ideal for deployment in Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha.
high altitude areas of Siachen Glacier • With this, ' Abhyas ' has successfully
and eastern Ladakh. completed 10 developmental trials
• It is also capable of firing air-to-ground demonstrating the reliability of the
and air-to-air missiles and can destroy system.
enemy air defence operations. • Trials were conducted with advanced
• It is believed that it can be deployed in radar cross section, visual and infrared
the high altitude areas of Siachen Glacier enhancement systems.
and Eastern Ladakh. This initiative is • During the trials,various mission
going to play a major role in increasing objectives covering safe discharge
the strength of our Indian Army. This is of booster, launcher clearance and
a big step towards self-reliance in the endurance demonstration were
defense sector. successfully accomplished.
Wipro 3D and ISRO join hands for • 'Abhyas' has been designed by
Sustainable Space Exploration through DRDO's Aeronautical Development
Additive Manufacturing. Establishment,Bengaluru and
developed through production agencies
• Wipro 3D in collaboration with ISRO – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and
achieved a milestone in space technology Larsen & Toubro.
with the successful fabrication of the • It provides a realistic risk combat
PS4 3D -printed rocket engine. scenario for weapon systems.
• The PS4 3D printed rocket engine • This indigenous system is designed for
powers the fourth stage of the Polar autonomous flights with the help of
Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). laptop-based ground control system for
• The PS4 engine was traditionally auto pilot,aircraft integration, pre-flight
manufactured through conventional checks.
machining and welding.
• It has been redesigned through additive CDS Anil Chauhan released India's first '
manufacturing technology. Joint Doctrine ' for cyberspace operations.
• Wipro 3D and ISRO used Design for • In modern warfare, cyber space
Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) and has emerged as an important and
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) challenging domain.
technologies to consolidate many more • 'Joint Doctrine' for Cyberspace
variants into an integrated production Operations will provide guidance to
unit. commanders, staff and practitioners in
• The 3D -printed PS4 engine has been the planning of armed forces.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 51

• Hostile actions of cyberspace can affect on the impacts of human-induced

India's economy,cohesion, political climate change and efficient water
decision-making, and ability to defend resources management through
itself. evapotranspiration monitoring.
• This doctrine emphasized on • TRISHNA's primary objectives include
understanding the military aspects of detailed monitoring of the energy
cyberspace operations. and water budgets of the continental
• Development of 'Joint Doctrine' is an biosphere to quantify terrestrial
important aspect of jointness and water stress and water use, and high-
integration. resolution observations of water quality
• Apat from traditional areas of warfare and dynamics in coastal and inland
like land,sea and air, cyberspace waters.
has emerged as an important and • Additionally, the secondary objectives of
challenging domain. Trishna will also help in comprehensive
assessment of urban heat
Indian Army receives indigenous man-port- islands,detection of thermal anomalies
able counter drone system. associated with volcanic activity and
geothermal resources.
• AxisCads Technologies Limited has
developed first of its kind Man Portable Sunita Williams: Pilot of the first flight of
Counter Drone System (MPCDS). Starliner
• AxisCads Technologies Limited had
received an MPCDS order worth Rs 100 • Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams
crore from the Indian Army. created history by becoming the first
woman to fly to the International Space
• Man Portable Counter Drone System
Station on the first mission of Boeing's
(MPCDS) will help strengthen India's
Starliner test flight
defence capabilities.
• Veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams
• The MPCDS is compact and portable and
took off for her third space mission on
operates on batteries and electricity.
June 5, 2024 aboard Boeing's Starliner,
• It can detect and intercept various types she wasaccompanied by American
of drones within a range of up to 5 astronaut Butch Wilmore.
kilometres.
• Sunita Williams (58) is the flight test
• In the man-portable category,it is pilot,while Wilmore (61) is the mission
the first counter-drone system to be commander. Williams made history by
inducted into the Indian Army. becoming the first woman to fly on the
• This system is being deployed at various first mission of the new human-rated
locations in different commands of the spacecraft.
Indian Army. • Upon arrival at the orbiting
Information about the India-France laboratory,they will dock and remain
TRISHNA mission provided by ISRO. there for about a week.
• During this period,Williams and
• On the occasion of World Environment Wilmore will conduct various tests to
Day on June 5,ISRO provided details verify the Starliner's functionality before
about its collaborative effort with the beginning a parachute-assisted landing
French National Space Agency CNES for in the western United States upon
the upcoming Trishna mission. returning to Earth.
• TRISHNA stands for "Thermal Infra-Red • As part of NASA's Commercial Crew
Imaging Satellite for High Resolution Program,this mission marks the first
Natural Resource Assessment." crewed trip for the Starliner spacecraft.
• TRISHNA is designed to monitor • Its objective is to evaluate the
biophysical and radiative variables spacecraft's capabilities from launch to
relevant to Earth's surface temperature, docking and culminating with its return
emissivity, and surface energy budget to Earth over the western United States.
from regional to global scales. • Sunita Williams has become the first
• This mission addresses critical water woman to fly a new spacecraft on a test
and food security challenges,focusing mission in space.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 52

• Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), has been • This is the first time that samples will be
launched as part of NASA's Commercial collected from a rarely explored region
Crew Program. of the Moon.
• This is a key step toward certifying • The probe will use two methods for
Starliner for regular crewed flights to sample collection: a drill to collect
the International Space Station. samples from below the surface and a
• If the mission is successful, it will make robotic spacecraft to take samples from
Starliner the second private spacecraft the surface.
to carry astronauts to and from the • In 2019, China's Chang'e-4 mission
orbiting lab, after SpaceX 's Crew Dragon. landed on the far side and explored the
• Earlier, Sunita Williams held the records Moon's Von Karman crater with the help
for most spacewalks by a woman (7) and of a rover.
maximum spacewalk time (50 hours, 40 Far side of the moon
minutes) during her missions on the • The far side of the Moon is often called
International Space Station in 2006– the dark side because it cannot be seen
2007 and 2012. from Earth,not because it receives no
• Starliner Capsule will attempt to dock sunlight.
with the International Space Station • The Moon is tidally locked with the Earth
about 26 hours after liftoff,carrying and hence,we always see only one side
Sunita Williams, Wilmore and more than or part of the Moon,also called the near
500 pounds of cargo for the orbiting side.
outpost.
• In fact, the Earth's only moon also
• In2012, Sunita Williams became the first rotates on its axis,but the Moon takes
woman to complete a triathlon in space exactly the same amount of time to
during her visit to the International rotate on its axis as it takes to complete
Space Station. its monthly orbit around the Earth. As a
• During this period, she simulated result,the Moon never turns its back to
swimming using a weight lifting us, that is, we always see only one side
machine and ran on a treadmill while of it.
tied to a harness.
Craters on Mars named after cities in Uttar
Chang'e-6: The world's first spacecraft to Pradesh and Bihar
bring back samples from the far side of the
Moon • Scientists of the Ahmedabad-based
Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) have
• China's Chang'e - 6 spacecraft on June 25, discovered three new craters on Mars.
2024 became the world's first spacecraft These have been discovered in the
to bring back samples from that side Tharsis volcanic region on Mars. Tharsis
of the Moon that is never visible from is a vast volcanic plateau centered near
Earth. Chang'e - 6 is the first mission in the equator in the western hemisphere
human history to bring back samples of Mars. This region contains the largest
from the far side of the Moon. volcanoes in our solar system.
• Examining samples from the far side • On the recommendation of the Physical
could help scientists solve mysteries Research Laboratory, the Planetary
about the moon's origin and evolution. System Nomenclature Working Group
• Chang'e - 6 spacecraft was a 53 -day of the International Astronomical Union
mission. After reaching the Moon's orbit, (IAU) approved the naming of three
the mission's orbiter orbited this natural craters on Mars.
satellite of the Earth,while its lander • These three craters are ; Lal crater,
landed on the lunar surface in the 2,500 Mursan crater and Hilsa crater.
kilometer-wide South Pole-Aitken basin. • “Red Crater”is named after Professor
• Chang'e - 6 spacecraft successfully Devendra Lal, a renowned Indian
landed on the far side of the moon to geophysicist and former director of PRL
collect samples. from 1972-1983. The entire area of Red
• Chang'e - 6 landed in the vast South Pole– Crater in the Tharsis volcanic region on
Aitken basin,one of the largest impact Mars is covered with lava.
craters known in the Solar System.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 53

• “Mursan Crater”is named after a city in Hartebestok ground station in South

Uttar Pradesh, India. Africa less than an hour after launch.
• The Hilsa Crater is named after a town • First conceived in 2004,the EarthCare
in Bihar, India. The Hilsa Crater is an Earth Cloud Aerosol and Radiation
approximately 10 km wide crater located Explorer was designed and built by
on the western edge of the rim of the Airbus with 75 sub-contracted firms.
Red Crater.
“Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM)”
Space MAITRIMission was launched to study gamma-ray bursts
• Space Machine Company, Australiahas • Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM)
signed a launch service agreement with spacecraft, jointly developed by China
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to launch and France, was launched into orbit
its second Optimus spacecraft. on June 22 from the Xichang Satellite
• It is the largest Australian-designed and Launch Center in Sichuan province.
built spacecraft. • The satellite is the most powerful
• NSIL is a Government of India company mission ever launched to study gamma-
under the Department of Space and is ray bursts (GRBs).
the commercial arm of the Indian Space • SVOM 's primary purpose is to look for
Research Organisation (ISRO). GRBs in the universe. Once found,the
• This mission has been named Space satellite will measure and study their
MAITRI (Mission for Australia-India's electromagnetic radiation properties.
Technology, Research and Innovation). Gamma-ray burst (GRB)
• The spacecraft will be launched by NSIL • Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are the result
's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) in of some of the most explosive events in
2026. the universe ; such as the birth of black
• 450 kg Optimus spacecraft will be an holes and neutron star collisions.
important milestone in Australia-India • GRBs are highly energetic gamma-ray
space cooperation. This mission reflects bursts,lasting from less than a second
the growing strategic partnership to several minutes.
between the two countries. • They are known to occur in remote
EarthCare Satellite regions of the universe.
• There are two types of GRBs,short GRBs
• Launched by ESA to study the impact of and long GRBs.
clouds on climate change. • Short GRBs are the result of the collision
• The European Space Agency's latest of either two neutron stars or a neutron
scientific mission has successfully star and a black hole,resulting in the
launched into space from the United formation of a black hole. They last for
States,carrying a satellite that could less than two seconds.
provide vital information about one of • Long GRBs are produced by the
the most serious issues facing the world explosive deaths of massive stars. They
— climate change. can last two seconds or more.
• It is a collaboration between ESA and • Scientists observe GRBs because they
the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. carry information about explosive
• The satellite will study how the events such as the end of massive stars'
formation of clouds and the density lives,the formation of black holes in
of aerosols in the atmosphere affect distant galaxies, and how they shape
Earth's temperature. the universe.
• After being hidden by low-lying clouds
over Vandenberg Space Force Base in China and France launched a satellite to
Southern California,the satellite lifted study the most distant explosions of stars.
off from the launchpad on a SpaceX • The satellite, jointly developed by China
Falcon 9 launcher. and France, was successfully launched
• The satellite separated from the on June 22.
rocket about 10 minutes after launch • This satellite is designed to study the
and established first contact with the most distant explosions of stars.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 54

• The Long March- 2C rocket carrying this Center in Florida in September 2024.
advanced astronomical satellite was Lignosat is made of magnolia wood.
launched from the Xichang Satellite • This wood has been chosen for its
Launch Center in Sichuan province. strength and functionality. The wood was
• The satellite is equipped with four obtained from the forest of Sumitomo
instruments: two French and two Forestry Company. The Lignosat project
Chinese. aims to tackle space debris and promote
• The satellite missioncalled Space environmentally friendly space activity.
Variable Objects Monitor, is the first • Current international rules require
joint venture in astronomy between satellites to re-enter the atmosphere
China and France. after their missions so that they do not
• The China-France oceanography turn into space debris.
satellite (CFO Sat) was launched in 2018. • Conventional satellites cause air
• In 2011, the United States banned any pollution due to metal particles
direct collaboration between NASA and produced during re-entry. Wooden
entities based in China. satellites burn up upon re-entry into the
Earth's atmosphere,thus reducing the
India will be the sixth country to launch its
risk of pollution and debris.
own deep-sea mission.
• India is going to become the sixth Sangam-First Networking Event of Digital
country to launch its own deep-sea Twin Initiative
mission.
• The first networking event of Sangam –
• The deep sea mission will not be limited
Digital Twin initiative of Department of
to just mineral exploration ; it aims to
Telecommunications (DoT),Government
discover new aspects of ocean science.
of India was successfully organised by
• This mission will also be very useful IIT Delhi on 18-19 June 2024.
for exploration of flora and fauna,
• It was attended by more than 100
conservation of marine biodiversity, etc.
participants including representatives
• 'National Institute of Ocean Technology' from large companies to discuss
has developed Matsyayan 6000, which innovative digital solutions in various
can go up to a depth of 6000 meters in sectors.
the sea.
• Department of Telecommunications
• For this mission, a 'Titanium Hull' has (DoT) Sangam – Digital Twin initiative
been developed in collaboration with aims to revolutionise infrastructure
ISRO to withstand the extreme pressure. planning and design through the use of
• The first phase of the mission is likely to cutting-edge technologies and collective
be completed by September 2024 and intelligence.
subsequent tests will be conducted by • Digital Twin is the presentation of any
2026. worldly object,person or process in a
• This mission will have a huge impact on live digital form.
flora and fauna,deep sea exploration, • In this, two-way data flows in real time,
commercial exploitation of rare earth that is, from the physical object to its
metals and discovery and exploration of digital form and then again from that
metals and polymetallic nodules in the digital form to the physical object.
Indian seabed.
Immersive Audio and Video Service
LignoSat: The world's first artificial satellite
made of wood • Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark made a
phone call using a new technology called
• Japan's Kyoto University and Sumitomo “immersive audio and video services”
Forestry announced the completion of (IVAS).
construction of the world's first artificial
• The new technology improves call quality
satellite made of wood, "LignoSat ".
with three dimensional sound,making
• Lignosat will launch to the International conversations more lifelike.
Space Station from the Kennedy Space
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 55

• Current smartphone calls are • Ethanol is a legal alcohol that can be

monophonic which compresses the consumed. It is produced organically. In
audio elements together making the contrast, methanol in India is produced
sound flat and less detailed,but the new from fuels like coal, which is poisonous.
technology will bring 3D audio where a • Methanol, a form of alcohol,is added to
caller will hear everything as if he or she increase the strength of moonshine. It
is sitting next to the person calling him is toxic and even a small amount can
or her. cause liver failure, blindness and death.
• Nokia made the call using a regular • Methanol is made from high ash
smartphone over a public 5G network. coal,agricultural wastes, CO2 from
• In addition to person-to-person thermal power plants and natural gas.
immersive calls,it can also be used in • While ethanol can be made edible,
conference calls, where participants' methanol is poison. Even very low
voices can be separated based on their concentrations of methanol can be
spatial locations. toxic, often fatal.
• IVAS allows consumers to hear sound
• However,methanol is essential in the
spatially in real time, rather than the
manufacture of many products. For
monophonic voice experience used in
example,paints cannot be made without
smartphones and personal computers
methanol.
today.
• Like ethanol, methanol is also a highly
Discovery of a new protein called Balon regulated substance.
• Scientists have discovered a protein • Most alcohol-related deaths in India are
called Balon that helps bacteria called caused by mixing methanol in alcohol.
Psychrobacter urativorans to suddenly Methanol can replace petrol and diesel
go inactive (hibernation) when exposed fuel in the transport sector.
to adverse climatic conditions (extreme Indian Air Force to conduct exercise Tarang
cold or heat) and then become active Shakti- 2024
again when the conditions become
normal. • The Indian Air Force's first multinational
• Ribosome hibernation results in bacteria air exercise,Tarang Shakti -2024, will be
becoming inactive. Ribosomes are the held in August 2024.
body's machines that make proteins in • Ten countries are likely to participate
cells. in it apart from some other countries
• Scientists knew that there were special as observers. The exercise is to be
proteins that would cover the ribosomes conducted in two phases.
under adverse conditions, such as • The first phase will be held in South
extremely cold weather, and interfere India in the first two weeks of August
with their activity,causing the cell to and the second phase will be held in the
become inactive. western region from late August to mid-
• The scientists found that Balon bound September.
to the active centers of the bacterial
ribosomes. "Vidyut Rakshak"
• Thus the state of hibernation prevents • "Vidyut Rakshak" was unveiled by Indian
the frozen ribosomes from making Army for better monitoring and control
new proteins. The study related to the of generators.
discovery has been published in the • "Vidyut Rakshak" has been developed
journal Nature. by Army Design Bureau (ADB).
What is methanol ? • On June 10, it was launched by Vice
• In June 2024, 58 people died after Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) Lieutenant
consuming poisonous liquor in General Upendra Dwivedi.
Kallakurichi, Tamil Nadu. According to • ' Vidyut Rakshak ' is an Internet of Things-
the post-mortem report, poisonous enabled system designed to monitor,
methanol was mixed in the illicit protect and control generators.
liquor,which caused the deaths.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 56

• This innovation reflects the Indian • The Harbour phase of the exercise was
Army's dedication towards adopting conducted at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, USA
advanced technologies for operational from 27 June to 07 July 2024. The sea
efficiency. phase of RIMPAC-24 is divided into three
• This system will be applicable to all sub-phases.
generators present in the Indian Army, • Indian stealth frigate INS Shivalik also
irrespective of their type, constutction, participated in the exercise. INS Shivalik
rating or age. is an indigenously designed and built
• Moreover,it will predict and prevent 6000 tonne guided missile stealth
errors,automate manual operations frigate.
with a user-friendly interface,thereby • RIMPAC is organised under the
saving manpower. leadership of the US Navy and this
• An MoU for innovation generation year navies of about 29 countries
was signed by the Indian Army and participated.
the Foundation for Innovation and
Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi ' JIMEX 24 ' conducted between Japan and
during Aero India 2023. India
• Vidyut Rakshak is the first innovation • The maritime exercise between Japan
launched under this MoU. and India ' JIMEX 24’ was conducted on
Red Flag Exercise 2024 11-13 June. This was the 8th edition of
JIMEX between the two countries which
• A contingent of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was held at Yokosuka, Japan.
participated in Exercise Red Flag 2024
Important Points
conducted by the United States Air Force
at Eielson Air Force Base,Alaska from 04 • The JIMEX- 24 exercise was hosted by
June to 14 June 24. the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
• It was the second edition of Red Flag (JMSDF). The Japanese navy is called the
2024,an advanced air combat training Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
exercise conducted four times a year by • The Indian Navy's indigenously built
the US Air Force. stealth frigate INS Shivalik took part in
• The exercise saw participation of the the exercise. The JMSDF was represented
Indian Air Force as well as the Republic by its guided missile destroyer JS Yugiri.
of Singapore Air Force,the United • The exercise included both harbour and
Kingdom's Royal Air Force,the Royal sea phases. The aim of this bilateral
Netherlands Air Force,the German exercise was to improve interoperability
Luftwaffe, and the US Air Force. between the maritime forces of the two
• Indian Air Force contingent participated countries.
with Rafale aircraft and its personnel. India-Japan Maritime Exercise
• Red Flag is an aerial warfare exercise, • The India-Japan maritime exercise JIMEX
conducted with multiple scenarios
is being conducted biennially between
designed to provide realistic combat settings.
the Indian Navy and the Japanese
• This was the first time when IAF Rafale Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
aircraft took part in the Red Flag since 2012. The last JIMEX was held in
exercise,where they operated alongside
the Bay of Bengal in September 2022.
RSAF and USAF F-16, F-15s and USAF
• Apart from JIMEX,India and Japan
A-10 aircraft.
conduct a joint land military exercise
Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2024 called ' Dharma Guardian ' annually. A
joint air force exercise called ' Shinyu
• The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise
Maitri ' is also conducted between the
is the world's largest naval exercise.
two countries. India and Japan are also
RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th edition of the
biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) involved in a trilateral maritime exercise
exercise. called Malabar with the US.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 57

Freedom Edge Excercise HOPEX 2024 Exercise

• South Korea,the United States and • The HOPEX 2024 exercise was a joint
Japan conducted their first trilateral exercise between India and Egypt. It
multi-domain exercise named “Exercise was the fourth joint exercise between
Freedom Edge”. the Indian Air Force and the Egyptian Air
• The three-day exercise was held in Jeju, Force.
the southern island of South Korea. • The exercise was conducted in Egypt
• The exercise comes amid efforts to between 21-26 June.
deepen security cooperation against • Rafale fighter jets, C-17 Globemaster
threats from North Korea fueled by its and IL-78 tankers of the Indian Air Force
deepening ties with Russia. (IAF) participated in the exercise.
• The exercise focused on ballistic missile • The exercise was aimed at promoting
defense, air defense, anti-submarine bilateral and regional cooperation,
warfare,search and rescue,maritime symbolizing the long-standing ties
interception, and defensive cyber between the two countries.
training.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 58

6. SPORTS
Taiwan Athletics Open 2024: Key points
India became the winner of 9th ICC T20
• D.P. Manu won the first gold medal for
World Cup
India in the javelin throw competition.
• India became the winner of the 9th ICC She won the gold medal by throwing
Men's T20 World Cup (ICC Men's T20 the javelin at 81.58 meters. Cheng Chao-
World Cup 2024). Tsun of Chinese Taipei, who holds the
• The Indian team won the tournament by Asian record of 91.36 meters,won the
defeating the South African team by 7 silver medal with 76.21 meters.
runs in the final played on 29 June 2024. • Nayana James of Kerala won the gold
• In the final match, India won the toss medal in women's long jump by jumping
and chose batting first, the Indian team a distance of 6.43 meters. Japanese
scored 176 runs at the loss of 7 wickets player Sumire Hata won the silver medal
in the stipulated 20 overs. Chasing the while Yu Jeongmi of Republic of Korea
target of 177 runs, South Africa could got the bronze medal.
only score 169 runs at the loss of 8 • Ankesh Chaudhary won the gold medal
wickets in 20 overs. in the men's 800m race while Somnath
• India won T20 World Cup for the second Chauhan won the silver medal in the
same event.
time. India had earlier won the first
ICC Men's T20 World Cup held in South Shruti Vora is the first Indian equestrian to
Africa in 2007 under the leadership of win a three-star Grand Prix competition
Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
• Rohit Sharma became the third Indian • Shruti Vora has become the first Indian
captain to win an ICC World Cup after equestrian to win a three-star Grand Prix
Kapil Dev (1983 ODI World Cup) and competition in equestrian. Shruti won
the FEI Dressage World Cup competition
Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2007 T20 World
held in Lipica city of Slovenia. Shruti
Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup).
Vora,riding her horse Magnanimous, left
• With this victory, three Indian players behind Tatiana Antonenko of Moldova
Rohit Sharma,Virat Kohli and Ravindra and Juliane Gerich of Austria.
Jadeja retired from T20 International.
• After winning the first Men's T20 World Dheeraj Bommadevara won two bronze
Cup in 2007, India is now the third team medals at Archery World Cup
to win the tournament twice. • Indian archer Dheeraj Bommadevara
• Apart from India, West Indies have won won two bronze medals for India at the
two T20 World Cup titles in 2012 and Archery World Cup 2024 Stage 3 on 23
2016 and England in 2010 and 2022. June 2024. The Indian team in Antalya
• Virat Kohli was named "Player of the won four medals - one gold, one silver
Match" and Jasprit Bumrah was named and two bronze. The Archery World Cup
"Player of the Tournament". 2024 Stage 3 was held in Antalya, Turkey
from 18 to 23 June 2024.
India won a total of seven medals in the
Taiwan Athletics Open India won gold medal in compound team
event at Antalya Archery World Cup
• The Taiwan Athletics Openwas played in
Taiwan on 1-2 June 2024. Indian athletes • India's Jyothi Surekha Vennam,Preneet
won a total of 7 medals including 3 Kaur and Aditi Swami have won the gold
gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze medal in this medal in the compound team event
tournament. The Taiwan Athletics Open at the Antalya Archery World Cup in
is a World Athletics Continental Tour Turkey. With this win, the Indian team
tournament held in Taipei, the capital of completed a clean sweep this season
Taiwan. and won all three gold medals of the
World Cup in the compound team event.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 59

June 2024. It was the 123rd edition of the

India's Tanvi Sharma won the women's singles
French Open. The men's and women's
title of the Bonn International badminton
singles titles of this tournament were
tournament in Germany on 1 June.
won by Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek
• The young Indian shuttler defeated respectively.
Wang Pei Yu of Taiwan in straight sets Important Points
21-19, 22-20.
• Spain's Carlos Alcaraz won the title by
• 15 -year-old Tanvi won her first senior defeating Tokyo Olympic champion
title. Alexander Zverev of Germany in the
• This tournament was organised for the final. This was Alcaraz's first French
first time in 2019. Open and third Grand Slam title of his
List of winners: career. Carlos Alcaraz previously won
the US Open in 2022 and Wimbledon in
2023.
Category Winner
• World number one Iga Siatek of Poland
Men's Singles Cheng Kai defeated Jasmine Paolini of Italy in the
Women's final. Iga won the French Open singles
Tanvi Sharma title for the third consecutive time. This
Singles
was Iga's fifth Grand Slam title. She also
Men's Doubles Cheng Kai and Su Wei-cheng won the US Open women's singles title
Women's Yasemen Bektas and Zehra in 2022.
Doubles Erdem List of winners and runners-up of French
Open 2024
Alden Lefilson Putra Menaki
Mixed Doubles
and Fitriani
Category Winner
Divya Deshmukh of India won the World Men's Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
Junior Girls Chess Championship defeating Singles
Beloslava Krasteva of Bulgaria. Women's
Singles Iga Swiatek (Poland)
• Divya defeated Krasteva in the
final round at the GIFT City Club in Men's Mate Pavic (Croatia) and
Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Doubles Marcelo Álvaro (El Salvador)
• Divya won her first Under- 20 title by Women's Coco Gauff (USA) and Katerina
defeating Krasteva in the tenth round in Doubles Siniakova (Czech)
just 26 moves.
Mixed Desirae Krawczyk (USA) and
• She won nine games and drew the Doubles Neil Skupski (UK)
other two to finish the championship
undefeated. French Open and Grand Slam Tennis
• Divya Deshmukh is from Nagpur, Tournaments
Maharashtra. • The French Open is an annual tennis
• Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan won tournament. It is played in late May and
the title in the open section. early June. It is the second Grand Slam
• Starting as the third seed,the highest- in the annual tennis calendar.
ranked Indian was Pranaav Anand, • The first of the four Grand Slam
ranked tenth. tournaments, Wimbledon, began in
• Mariam Mkrtchyan finished second in 1877,followed by the US Open in 1881,
the girls' category, half a point behind the French Open in 1891, and the
Divya. Ayan Allahverdiyeva of Azerbaijan Australian Open in 1905. All four Grand
was third. Slams are played annually.
• The Australian Open is the first Grand
French Open Tennis 2024: Alcaraz wins
Slam of the year (January),followed by
men's and Iga women's singles title
the French Open (May–June),Wimbledon
• The French Open Tennis 2024 (June–July) and the US Open (August–
tournament was played at Stade Roland September).
Garros in Paris, France from 26 May to 9 • Wimbledon is played on grass,which
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 60

is why it is also known as Lawn tennis. of Sutherland, who scored a double

The Australian Open and US Open are hundred in 248 balls against South
played on hard courts while the French Africa earlier this year.
Open is played on clay courts. • She hit 23 fours and eight sixes during
her aggressive innings.
Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the
• After a long gap of almost 22 years,
Paavo Nurmi Games.
Shafali also became the second Indian
• Neeraj Chopra wins his first gold medal after former captain Mithali Raj to score
at the Paavo Nurmi Games ahead of a double century in Test cricket.
Olympics 2024.
• He led the majority of the competition, India's Gulveer Singh won silver medal in
throwing 85.97 metres in his third Portland Track Festival Athletics Meet
attempt. • India's Gulveer Singh won the silver
• Tony Keranen won the silver medal with medal in the men's 5000 meter race
a personal best throw of 84.19m. at the Portland Track Festival High
• Oliver Helander finished third with a Performance Athletics Meet in the USA.
throw of 83.96m. Anderson Peters of Gulveer Singh has also become the
Grenada finished fourth with 82.58m. fastest Indian runner in the men's 5000
• In 2022,Neeraj Chopra won a silver meter race. Gulveer set a national record
medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games. with 13.189 [Link] Jacobs of the
USA won the gold medal and Eric van
Sreeja Akula became the first Indian player der Els won the bronze medal.
to win the WTT Contender Singles title
India won a total of 11 medals in the Under-
• Sreeja Akula of Hyderabad has become 17 Asian Wrestling Championships.
the first Indian table tennis player to win
the WTT World Table Tennis Contender • India concluded the championship with
singles title. Sreeja Akula won both the a stellar performance at the Under -17
women's singles and doubles titles Asian Wrestling Championship being
at the WTT Contender Lagos 2024 played in Amman, Jordan.
competition. • The young Indian contingent won a total
of 11 medals including four gold,two
WTT Contender Lagos 2024: Key highlights
silver and five bronze medals.
• The WTT Contender Lagos 2024 event,
• All four gold medals for India were won
with a prize money of US$ 80,000, was
by women wrestlers.
held from June 19 to June 23, 2024 in
Lagos, Nigeria. • Deepanshi in the 46 kg category,
Muskan in the 53 kg category, Rajnita in
• Sreeja Akula, India's number one
the 61 kg category and Mansi Lathar in
women's singles table tennis player,
the 69 kg category performed brilliantly
won her first WTT Contender title by
and won the gold medals.
defeating Yijie Ding of China in the final
of the event. • Raja Bala won the silver medal in the 40
kg category.
• Sreeja Akula had made her way to the
final by defeating fellow Indian Sutirtha • In the men's category, Samarth Gajanan
Mukherjee in the semi-finals. Makave won the silver medal in the 55
kg category.
Shafali Verma became the fastest female • Whereas, Akash in 65 kg category,
player to score a double century in Test Sachin Kumar in 71 kg, Vikas Kachhap in
cricket. 48 kg, Tushar Tukaram Patil in 60 kg and
Raunak in 110 kg weight category won
• On 28 June,India opener Shafali Verma
the bronze medal.
scored the fastest double century in
the history of women's Test cricket, Pooja Tomar created history by becoming
surpassing Australia's Annabel the first Indian to win in the UFC.
Sutherland during ony Test match
against South Africa. • Pooja Tomar created history by
• Shafali reached her double hundred becoming the first Indian to win a fight
in just 194 balls, breaking the record in the Ultimate Fighting Championship
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 61

(UFC) at UFC Louisville 2024 by defeating • On the other hand,in the women's
Ryan dos Santos of Brazil. category of Norway Chess, Ju Wenjun
• Hailing from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar won the title with 19 points,while Anna
Pradesh, Pooja created a new record Muzychuk finished second, three points
in 2023 by becoming the first Indian behind her.
woman to bag a UFC contract. • The annual chess tournament,Norway
• In her very first fight in the women's Chess, is usually held in the period from
strawweight division,she won via split May to June each year.
decision with scores of 30–27, 27–30,
Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik
and 29–28.
announced their retirement
• India has a long tradition of women
excelling in combat sports,and since • Former Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav
2013 the UFC has been a platform for has announced his retirement from all
women to shine. forms of cricket. Earlier,former Indian
Bharat Centre for Olympic Research and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik
Education (B-CORE) was inaugurated. had announced his retirement. Kedar
• Rashtriya Raksha University celebrated scored 1389 runs and took 27 wickets
Olympic Day on June 23, 2024 with the in 73 ODIs. Karthik scored 4842 runs at
inauguration of B-CORE. an average of 26.32 in his 257- match
career.
• The inauguration took place at the RRU
campus in Lavad-Dehgam, Gandhinagar. Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions
• B-CORE was inaugurated by Indian League title for the 15th time
Olympic Association President Dr. PT
Usha and others. • Spanish Football Club Real Madrid won
the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League title
• Highlights of the inauguration included
for the 15th time by defeating German
the inauguration of the first Olympic
football club Borussia Dortmund by 2-0
Research Centre.
in the final. The European Domestic
• B-CORE is designed to promote Professional Football Season 2023-24
excellence in Olympic sports across has also come to an end with the final
India. match of the UEFA Champions League.
• B-CORE is the first centre of its kind in
India and South Asia and the 71st in the Max Verstappen won the Canadian Grand
world. Prix for the third time in a row.

Magnus Carlsen won the Norway Chess • For the third consecutive year,Red
2024 tournament with 17.5 points. Bull driver Max Verstappen emerged
victorious at the Canadian Grand Prix,his
• Magnus Carlsen defeated Fabiano 60th Formula 1 victory,and sixth in nine
Caruana pieces in Armageddon. races this year.
• Hikaru Nakamura finished second • Max Verstappen has won 50 of the last
with 15.5 points, while Chennai 's 75 Formula 1 races.
Praggnanandhaa was third with 14.5 • Verstappen finished 3.879 seconds
points. ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris in
the 70-lap race on the 2.71 - mile (4.36 -
kilometer ) road course.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 62

7. AWARDS AND HONOURS

Suthar (Rajasthani) have also been
Sahitya Akademi announces Yuva Puraskar,
selected for the Yuva Puraskar.
Bal Sahitya Puraskar winners for 2024
• The other winners are Anjan Karmakar
• The Sahitya Akademi on Saturday (Santhali), Geeta Pradeep Rupani
announced the names of 23 authors, (Sindhi), Lokesh Raghuraman (Tamil),
including English writer K. Vaishali and Ramesh Karthik Nayak (Telugu) and
Hindi writer Gaurav Pandey, who will be Javed Ambar Misbahi (Urdu).
awarded the prestigious Yuva Puraskar • The young awardees will be presented
for two languages each. with a casket containing an engraved
• The National Sahitya Akademi also copper plaque and a cheque of Rs
announced the names of the 24 winners 50,000.
of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2024. • For the Bal Sahitya Puraskar, the
• The winner of the Sanskrit Yuva Puraskar Academy has selected English writer
will be announced later. Nandini Sengupta for her historical novel
• The Executive Board of the Sahitya "The Blue Horse and Other Amazing
Akademi under the chairmanship Animal Stories from Indian History" and
Madhav Kaushik, approved the selection Devendra Kumar for his collection of
of 23 writers, selected on the basis of the children's stories "51 Children's Stories".
recommendations of the Jury Committee • The Children's Literature Award has
consisting of three members each from been awarded to seven novels, six poetry
the respective languages, as per the books, four stories, five short stories,
prescribed rules and procedures. one play and one historical fiction.
• Ms Vaishali will be honoured for her • The winners of the Bal Sahitya Puraskar
memoir "Homeless: Growing Up Lesbian are Ranju Hazarika (Assamese),
and Dyslexic in India",while Gaurav Dipanwita Roy (Bengali), Birgin Jacoba
Pandey will receive the prestigious Machahari (Bodo), Bishen Singh ' Dardi '
award for his poetry collection "Smritiyon (Dogri), Gira Pinakin Bhatt (Gujarati) and
Ke Beech Ghiri Hai Prithvi". Krishnamurthy Biligere (Kannada).
• The Yuva Puraskar has been awarded • Muzaffar Hussain Dilbar (Kashmiri),
for 10 poetry books,seven story Harsha Sadguru Shetty (Konkani),
collections,two articles and one essay Narayangi (Maithili), Unni Ammayambalam
collection,one novel, one ghazal book (Malayalam), Kshetrimayun Subadani
and one memoir. (Manipuri), Bharat Sasane (Marathi), Basant
• The other winners of the Yuva Puraskar Thapa (Nepali) and Manas Ranjan Samal
are Nayanjyoti Sarma (Assamese), (Odia)are also among the winners.
Sutapa Chakraborty (Bengali), Self Made • The remaining winners are Kuldeep
Rani Baro (Bodo) and Heena Choudhury Singh Deep (Punjabi),Prahlad Singh '
(Dogri). Jhorda ' (Rajasthani), Harshdev Madhav
• Rinku Rathod (Gujarati), Shruti BR (Sanskrit), Dugal Tudu (Santhali), Lal
(Kannada), Mohammed Ashraf Zia Hotchandani ' Lachar ' (Sindhi),Yuva
(Kashmiri), Advait Salgaonkar (Konkani), Vasuki (Tamil), P. Chandrasekhar Azad
Rinki Jha Rishika (Maithili) and (Telugu) and Shamsul Islam Farooqui
Shyamkrishnan R. (Malayalam) are also (Urdu).
among the winners. • The winners of the Bal Sahitya
• Waikhom Chingkhenganba (Manipuri), Puraskarwill be presented with a box
Devidas Saudagar (Marathi), Suraj containing an engraved copper plaque
Chapagain (Nepali), Sanjay Kumar and a cheque for Rs 50,000 at a special
Panda (Odia), Randhir (Punjabi), Sonali function.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 63

Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh was • Ganatra has edited and directed over
awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal 400 documentaries and newsreels,
posthumously as well as produced 25 multilingual
television programmes for children and
• Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh, an Indian youth.
peacekeeper who sacrificed his life while
serving under the flag of the United RBI honoured with “Risk Manager of the
Nations, was on 30 May posthumously Year Award 2024”
awarded the prestigious United Nations • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has
Dag Hammarskjold Medal for his service been awarded the “Risk Manager of the
and supreme sacrifice. Year Award 2024” by Central Banking, a
• Along with him, more than 60 military, renowned London-based publication.
police and civilian peacekeepers were • Executive Director Shri Manoranjan
honoured. Mishra received the award on behalf
• Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh served of RBI. The award reflects RBI’s 's
with the United Nations Stabilization significant progress in developing
Mission in the Democratic Republic of strong risk management and enhanced
Congo (MONUSCO). awareness, reinforcing its essential role
• He was awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld in maintaining the stability of India's
Medal by the United Nations during a financial system.
ceremony marking the International • During the recent global economic
Day of UN Peacekeepers. turmoil, the RBI adopted a cautious
• India's Permanent Representative to the approach to monetary policy. The Indian
United Nations Ruchira Kamboj received central bank, unlike many other central
this medal from UN Secretary-General banks, did not raise interest rates
Antonio Guterres. drastically, which could have hampered
• On this occasion, Major Radhika Sen of economic growth in India. However,it
the Indian Army, who serves under the maintained an accommodative stance
United Nations, was honoured with the by keeping interest rates stable while
prestigious Gender Advocate Award. closely monitoring inflation.
• RBI set up a regulatory sandbox to
Vinod Ganatra became the first Indian to facilitate live testing of new financial
be awarded the ' Nelson Mandela Lifetime technology products and services in a
Achievement Award ' controlled regulatory environment.
• Globally acclaimed Indian filmmaker • On June 7, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Vinod Ganatra has been honoured eased foreign investment regulations
with South Africa's prestigious 'Nelson and clarified policies for wealthy Indians,
Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award '. business families and startups wishing
Important Points to invest in foreign securities, funds and
companies.
• He was honoured with this prestigious
award on June 17 at the 7th Nelson Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
Mandela Children's Film Festival. The Framework
honour was given for his contribution to • RBI received praise for introducing a
the world of cinema for children. new ERM framework.
• Vinod Ganatra has become the first • Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is the
Indian to be awarded the ' Nelson process of planning, organizing, directing,
Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award '. and controlling an organization's
• Ganatra has won 36 national and activities to reduce the harmful effects of
international awards,including the risk on its capital and income.
Jankinath Gour Award from Doordarshan • Enterprise risk management can include
for his children's programme ' Baingan financial, strategic, and operational
Raja '. risks, as well as risks associated with
• He is the only Indian filmmaker to receive accidental losses.
the ' Liv Ullman Peace Prize ' in Chicago • ERM is designed to manage and identify
for his Gujarati film ' Harun-Arun '. risks across an organization and its
extended network.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 64

WHO 's Nelson Mandela Award to Indian • She won the Booker Prize for his first
Institute of Health 'NIMHANS' novel, The God of Small Things.
• The jury this year included writer and
• The World Health Organization (WHO) musician Roger Robinson,actor and
has awarded the National Institute activist Khalid Abdullah, and Ruth
of Mental Health and Neurosciences Borthwick, president of English PEN.
(NIMHANS) in Bengaluru the Nelson
• She will receive the award on October 10
Mandela Award for Health Promotion
at a ceremony co-hosted by the British
2024. NIMHANS was given this award
Library.
jointly with Professor Bontle Mbongwe
of Botswana. • It is an annual award given for
outstanding literary works in English.
Important Points
• The award is given to a writer resident in
• NIMHANS Director Dr. Pratima Murthy
the UK, Ireland and the Commonwealth
received the award at a special ceremony
whose work shows a ‘fierce intellectual
at the 70th World Health Assembly in
determination’ to define the real truth of
Geneva on 31 May 2024. WHO Director-
our lives and our societies.
General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
was present on the occasion. Wildlife filmmaker Shri Subbiah NallaMuthu
• WHO selects eight winners from each honoured with V. Shantaram Lifetime
of the four regions—Africa,Eastern Achievement Award
Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and
Western Pacific. Each winner is an • Wildlife filmmaker Shri Subbiah
individual or institution that has made a NallaMuthu has been announced as the
unique contribution to public health in recipient of the V. Shantaram Lifetime
their country or globally. Achievement Award at the 18th Mumbai
International Film Festival (MIFF).
• NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental
Health and Neurosciences) was • Shri Subbiah NallaMuthu has made an
established on 27 December 1974 by outstanding contribution in the making
merging the Mental Hospital established of wildlife based films,which has earned
by the Government of Mysore and the him appreciation all over the world. Shri
All India Institute of Mental Health of Subbiah NallaMuthu is an alumnus of
the Government of India. the Film and Television Institute of India.
• NIMHANS is under the Union Ministry • She gained recognition for her work on
of Health and Family Welfare. In 2012, India's longest-running Panda Awards
NIMHANS was declared an Institute of winning environmental series called
National Importance. Living on the Edge.
• WHO is a subsidiary unit of the United • Her documentary on the Royal Bengal
Nations. It was established on 7 April Tiger has aired on the National
1948. The headquarters of WHO is Geographic Channel and the BBC. His
located in Geneva, Switzerland. India prolific filmography includes Tiger
is a member country of WHO. Director Dynasty (2012-2013 ), Tiger Queen
General of WHO: Dr. Tedros Adhanom (2010) and The World's Most Famous
Ghebreyesus (since May 2017 ). Tiger (2017).
• She has made numerous documentary
Arundhati Roy awarded the PEN Pinter films, including Earth File (2000) for
Prize for her 'Suflinching' writing. BBC World and The World Gone Wild
• On June 27,the prestigious PEN Pinter (2001) for Animal Planet, focusing
Prize 2024 was awarded to Booker on the environment as well as the
Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy for interdependence between humans and
her "unflinching and uncompromising" ecosystems.
writing. Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award
• Established in 2009 by the charity English
PEN, the award defends freedom of • Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement
expression and celebrates literature in Awardis given at each edition of
memory of Nobel Laureate playwright the Mumbai International Film
Harold Pinter. Festival to a filmmaker for his/her
significant contribution to the world of
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 65

documentary films and its circulation in • On the occasion of World Desertification

India. and Drought Day on June 17, UNCCD
• A cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a trophy and a announced the names of 10 Land
citation is given. Heroes at an event in Bonn, Germany.
• The UNCCD Land Hero campaign
Vellayan Subbiah honoured with EY World recognises and supports young
Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2024 individuals and youth organisations who
• Indian entrepreneur Vellayan Subbaiah are making a positive impact against
was awarded the EY World Entrepreneur desertification,land degradation and
Of The Year Award 2024 on June 6. He drought.
was given this honor at a ceremony held • The campaign aims to engage youth
at the Salle des Etoiles in Monaco. in the age group of 18-35 years as
• Vellayan Subbiah is the fourth Indian to agents of change for sustainable land
win this prestigious award. Before him, management and implementation of
NR Narayana Murthy of Infosys,Uday the Convention.
Kotak of Kotak Finance and Kiran
IPBES will receive the 2024 Blue Planet Prize
Mazumdar Shaw of Biocon Limited were
given this honor. • The Blue Planet Prize for the year 2024 has
• Vellayan Subbiah is the Executive Vice been awarded to Robert Costanza and an
Chairman of Tube Investments of India organization named"Intergovernmental
(TII) and Chairman of Cholamandalam Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity
Chola Investment and Finance Limited, and Ecosystem Services"(IPBES).
a non-banking finance company. Blue Planet Prize
• Vellayan Subbiah was honoured for his • The Blue Planet Prize is awarded by the
transformational leadership. He helped Asahi Glass Foundation of Japan.
Cholamandalam Chola Investment and • It is awarded annually to individuals and
Finance Ltd grow its business manifold organisations to recognise outstanding
during the time of global recession. achievements in scientific research
• EY Global Limited hosts the annual and its uses that have helped provide
World Entrepreneur of the Year event solutions to global environmental
to celebrate the achievements of problems.
visionary leaders who are transforming • The prize carries a sum of $500,000.
industries,growing the economy and
providing solutions to global challenges. IPBES
• The Intergovernmental Science-Policy
C-DOT honoured with United Nations’ WSIS Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
2024 “Champion” Award Services (IPBES) is an independent
intergovernmental body established by
• Centre for Development of Telematics
governments to strengthen the science-
(C-DOT),the premier telecom research
policy interface for biodiversity and
and development centre of the
ecosystem services, in order to promote
Government of India has won the
the conservation and sustainable use
United Nations World Summit on
of biodiversity, long-term human well-
the Information Society (WSIS) 2024 ‘
being and sustainable development.
Champion ’ Award. The award to C-DOT
• It was established on 21 April 2012 in
was announced at the WISS+ 20 Forum
High-Level Event 2024. Panama City by 94 governments.
• It is not a United Nations agency,
Siddhesh Sakore named UNCCD- Land Hero although the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Sakore, a farmer from Maharashtra
provides secretariat services to IPBES.
and founder of Agro Rangers, has
been named a Land Hero by the • The Plenary is the governing body of
United Nations Convention to Combat IPBES – composed of representatives
Desertification (UNCCD). from IPBES Member Countries and
usually meets once per year.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 66

8. PERSON IN NEWS
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi • Lieutenant General NS Rajasubramani
appointed new Army Chief joined the Indian Army in 1985 in the
Garhwal Rifles.
• Current Vice Chief of Army Staff
• He has over 37 years of experience in
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi
the Indian Army, serving in various
has been appointed as the new Chief of
positions.
Army Staff. He took charge on 30 June
2024. He replaced the current Army • He also commanded the Premier Kharga
Chief General Manoj C Pandey who Corps in North India and Ambala in
retired on 30 June. 2020.
• The government had given a one-month Ajit Doval appointed Security Advisor and
extension to Army Chief General Manoj PK Mishra appointed Principal Secretary
Pandey. Due to this, he will remained in
this post till June 30. Earlier, he was to • Ajit Doval has once again been appointed
retire on May 31. as the National Security Advisor and
• Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to
will be the 30th Chief of the Indian Army. the Prime Minister. The Appointments
Currently,he is the Deputy Chief of the Committee of the Cabinet approved
Army Staff. He has been awarded the these appointments. Both these officers
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM),Ati have been given the status of Cabinet
Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and three Minister in seniority. The Appointments
GOC-in-C commendations. Committee has also approved the
appointment of Amit Khare and Tarun
Indian Army: A Glimpse Kapoor as advisors to the Prime Minister.
• With approximately 1.46 million active
personnel, the Indian Army is the second Anamika B Rajeev is the first woman
largest army in the world after China. helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy
The Indian Army is under the Union
• Indian Navy Sub Lieutenant Anamika
Ministry of Defence,and the President
B Rajeev has become the first woman
of India is its Commander in Chief.
helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy. Now
• At the time of independence, the Indian she will fly naval helicopters like Sea
Army Chief was General Sir Robert Kings,ALH Dhruv,Chetak and MH- 60R
Lockhart. The first Indian Army Chief of Seahawks. Earlier in 2018,three women
India was KM Cariappa. He became the pilots,Avani Chaturvedi,Mohana Singh
Army Chief on 15 January 1949. and Bhawana Kanth were commissioned
• The Indian Army is headquartered in as fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force.
New Delhi, where the Army Chief sits.
The Army has six operational commands Extension of service to Intelligence Bureau
and one training command,each Director General Tapan Kumar Deka
commanded by a Lieutenant General.
• The Appointments Committee of the
Lieutenant General NS Rajasubramani will Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister
be the new Vice Army Chief. Narendra Modi, has approved a one-
year extension to the current Director
• Lieutenant General NS Rajasubramani, General of Intelligence Bureau Tapan
who is currently heading the Army's Kumar Deka. Tapan Kumar Deka will
Central Command, will replace remain in office till June 30, 2025.
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi.
• Lieutenant General Dwivedi will retire as Pradeep Singh Kharola
Vice Chief of Army Staff on June 30. • Pradeep Singh Kharola has replaced
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 67

Subodh Kumar Singh as the new • It has a Chairman and six members. It is
Director General (DG) of the National a quasi-judicial body.
Testing Agency (NTA). • The Chairperson and Members are
• Pradeep Singh Kharola is a 1985 batch appointed by the Central Government.
Indian Administrative Service (IAS) • It aims to eliminate practices which affect
officer. competition in the Indian market and to
• The Appointments Committee of the protect the interests of consumers.
Cabinet has approved giving additional Helen Mary Roberts became the first
charge of the post of Director General, female brigadier in the Pakistan Army
NTA, Ministry of Education to Pradeep from a minority community
Singh Kharola. • Dr Helen Mary Roberts, serving in
• Kharola is the Chairman and Managing the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, has
Director of India Trade Promotion created history by becoming the first
Organisation. woman from a Christian and minority
• He has been given additional charge till community to attain the rank of
the appointment of a regular incumbent Brigadier.
or till further orders,whichever is earlier. • Helen was among the officers of the
National Testing Agency: Pakistan Army who were promoted as
• It was established in November 2017. Brigadier and Colonel by the selection
Pradeep Kumar Joshi is the current board.
Chairman of NTA. • With 26 years of experience,Brigadier
• It is an autonomous agency under Dr. Helen is a senior pathologist serving
the Department of Higher Education, in the Pakistan Army.
Ministry of Education. • According to data released in 2021 by
• It has been established to conduct the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics,the
entrance examinations for admission/ country is 96.47% Muslim,followed by
fellowship in higher educational 2.14% Hindus, 1.27% Christians, 0.09%
institutions. Ahmadiyya Muslims and 0.02% others.

Kapil Dev elected as the new President of Ruchira Kamboj has retired after 35 years of
PGTI service.

• Cricketer and golfer Kapil Dev has • Ruchira Kamboj was India's Permanent
been unanimously elected as the new Representative to the United Nations.
president of the Professional Golf Tour of • She was India's first woman UN
India (PGTI). Kapil Dev was unanimously ambassador. She joined the Indian
elected as the new president after the Foreign Service in 1987.
current president H Srinivasan withdrew • She formally assumed office as
his candidature for the post of President. Permanent Representative/Ambassador
of India in New York on August 2, 2022.
Inder Pal Singh Bindra has been appointed
• She also served as Deputy Head of the
CCI Secretary. Office of the Secretary-General at the
• Inder Pal Singh Bindra has been Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
appointed as Secretary of the • She was the Chief of Protocol of India
Competition Commission of India (CCI) from 2011-2014. She is the first and only
for a term of three years. woman to have held this position in the
• He will replace Anupama Anand, who government so far.
has resigned after appointment in
September 2023. Vikram Misri appointed as 35th Foreign
Secretary of India
• Prior to the appointment,Bindra was
posted as an officer in the Income Tax • Vikram Misri has been appointed
Department. as the 35th Foreign Secretary of
Competition Commission of India (CCI): India. The Appointments Committee
of the Cabinet, headed by Prime
• It was constituted on 14 October 2003
Minister Narendra Modi, approved his
under the Competition Commission Act,
appointment on June 28.
2002.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 68

• He replaced Vinay Mohan Kwatra, whose • The Secretary-General presides over

term ended on July 14. meetings and guides often intense
• Vikram Misri, 1989 batch Indian Foreign consultations among member
Service officer, is currently serving as countries to ensure the stability of the
Deputy National Security Adviser in the organization.
National Security Council Secretariat. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
• He has served as the Indian envoy to (NATO):
China, Myanmar and Spain. Vikram • It is an intergovernmental political and
Misri is considered a China expert and military alliance of North American and
was India's ambassador to China from European countries.
January 2019 to December 2021 (during • It was created on 4 April 1949 by 12
the Galwan Valley clash). countries from Europe and North
• Vikram Misri is the 35th Foreign America.
Secretary of India. KPS Menon was the • Currently, NATO has 32 member countries.
first Foreign Secretary of India, who was
• Its headquarter is located in Brussels,
appointed by the Government of India
Belgium.
after independence in 1948.
Cyril Ramaphosa re-elected President of
Atul Kumar Chaudhary has been appointed
South Africa
Secretary of TRAI.
• Cyril Ramaphosa has been re-elected
• Atul Kumar Chaudhary has replaced V
President of South Africa. The South
Raghunandan as Secretary of Telecom
African Parliament elected Cyril
Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Ramaphosa as President at the first
• Atul Kumar Chaudhary was presently meeting of the National Assembly of the
working as Deputy Director General 7th Parliament on 14 June 2024.
(DDG) in Unique Identification Authority
• In the presidential elections in Africa, the
of India (UIDAI).
ruling African National Congress did not
• The post was vacant after the retirement get a majority for 30 years. Ramaphosa
of V Raghunandan on May 31. is the President of the African National
• He has worked in various positions in Congress.
Personnel,Human Resources,Administr • There is a broad consensus among the
ation,Licensing, Vigilance Branch of BSNL main opposition party African Congress
and Department of Telecommunication and other parties to end the political
(DOT). deadlock.
• He will be responsible for developing • African National Congress MP
guidelines and policies in collaboration Mdumeseni Ntuli proposed
with stakeholders regarding quality of Ramaphosa's name for President and
services. was supported by Inkatha Freedom
• Manoj Jain took charge as Chairman and Party leader and MP Velenkosini Hlabisa
Managing Director (CMD) of defence during the process presided over by
PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
His appointment has become effective • The African National Congress has been
from June 20. the dominant political force in South
NATO appointed Mark Rutte as its next Africa since its first democratic elections
in 1994.
Secretary General.
• Ramaphosa was first sworn in as
• Mark Rutte, the outgoing Prime Minister President of South Africa on 15 February
of the Netherlands, will be the new 2018 and again on 22 May 2019. The
Secretary General of NATO. South African President is elected for a
• His appointment was approved by term of five years.
NATO ambassadors during a meeting at
its headquarters in Brussels. Claudia Scheinbaum elected first woman
• He will take over from the current President of Mexico
Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg of • Mexico has elected a female President
Norway, on October 1. for the first time in its 200 -year history.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 69

Mexico helds elections for a new • Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the first
President and more than 20,000 political elected female President of Iceland.
positions on June 2, 2024.
Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah has been
• There were three candidates for
appointed the new Crown Prince by the
President of Mexico—Claudia
ruling Emir of Kuwait.
Schienbaum of the ruling MORENA
Party, Xochitl Gálvez, and Jorge Álvarez • Sheikh Sabah previously served as Prime
Mánez, candidate of the opposition Minister and Foreign Minister in Kuwait.
party. • Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber is the
• Claudia Scheinbaum, 61, is a climate ruling Emir of Kuwait. He appointed the
activist and former mayor of Mexico City. new Crown Prince about six months
She is the first Jew to become President after ascending the throne.
of Mexico, a predominantly Catholic city. • Sheikh Meshal recently dissolved
• Claudia Schienbaum will replace the parliament for four years. The Emir is
current President of Mexico, Andres the Head of State.
Manuel Lopez Obrador. Obrador is • Kuwait has the sixth largest known oil
a leftist leader and is considered the reserves in the world. It is located at the
second most popular leader in the world tip of the Persian Gulf.
after Narendra Modi. • It is bordered by Iraq to the north and
• Incumbent President Andrés Obrador Saudi Arabia to the south. It also shares
was unable to contest the election a maritime border with Iran. Its capital
because Mexico's Constitution states is Kuwait City.
that a person can only serve once.
Indian-American Suhas Subramanyam won
Mexico
the Democratic Congressional Primary in
• The official name of Mexico is the United
Virginia.
Mexican States. It is located in North
America,but culturally it is considered • Indian-American Suhas Subramanyan
part of Latin America. The capital of defeated eleven other candidates,
Mexico is Mexico City. It has the largest including fellow Indian-American Crystal
Spanish-speaking population in the Kaul, to win the Democratic Primary for
world. The currency of Mexico is Mexican a Virginia Congressional seat.
peso. • Subramanyam was the first Indian-
American,South Asian, and Hindu to be
Halla Tomasdottir elected as the 7th
elected to the Virginia General Assembly
President of Iceland
in 2019 and to the Virginia State Senate
• Businesswoman and investor Halla in 2023.
Tomasdottir has been elected as the • Subramanian was contesting for the US
seventh President of Iceland. House of Representatives from Virginia's
• She will replace Guðna Johansson on 10th congressional district,which has a
August 1, 2024. large Indian-American population.
• The President of Iceland serves a term • In 2023,its representative,Democratic
of four years. The presidential election Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton,
in Iceland was held on 1 June 2024. announced she will not run for the seat.
• Iceland is a parliamentary democracy • Subramanyam was born in Houston
and the position of the President is to Indian-American parents who had
largely ceremonial. Actual executive immigrated to the United States from
power rests with the Council of Ministers Bengaluru.
headed by the Prime Minister. • He was appointed to the position of
• Iceland is a Nordic island nation located White House Technology Policy Advisor
in the North Atlantic,with a population by then-President Barack Obama in
of 384,000. 2015.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 70

Lieutenant General Waker-uz-Zaman has September 15, 2023, when he flew into
been appointed as the new Army Chief of space alongside NASA astronaut Loral
Bangladesh. O'Hara and her compatriot Nikolai Chub.
• In February 2024,Kononenko set the
• Lieutenant General Waker-uz-Zaman is total space time record for the first
the new Army Chief of Bangladesh. time when he surpassed the record of
• He took charge on June 23 for a term of 878 days, 11 hours, 29 minutes and 48
three years. seconds set by fellow Russian Gennady
• Zaman was currently serving as the Chief Padalka in 2015.
of General Staff of the Bangladesh Army. • On September 23, 2024,if Kononenko's
He replaced General SM Shafiuddin mission ends as scheduled, he will have
Ahmed. spent a total of 1,110 days in orbit.
• Wakar-uz-Zaman was commissioned as • The International Space Station is one of
an Infantry Corps officer in 1985. the few areas in which the United States
• Zaman will oversee military operations, and Russia are still cooperating closely,
military intelligence, UN peacekeeping even after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine
affairs and the budget, as well as other in February 2022.
military-related issues. • In December,Roscosmos announced
• He also headed the Bangladesh National that its cross-flight programme with
Authority for Chemical Weapons NASA to ferry astronauts to the ISS had
Convention as Chairman. been extended to 2025.
• He is an alumnus of Bangladesh Defence
Chandrayaan- 1 mission director Srinivas
Services Command.
Hegde passed away
Jyoti Vij has been appointed Director
• Srinivas Hegde, mission director of
General of FICCI.
India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan
• Jyoti Vij has assumed charge as the -1, passed away in Bengaluru.
Director General of the Federation of • Mr Hegde was associated with the Indian
Indian Chambers of Commerce and Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for
Industry (FICCI) with immediate effect. over three decades. He was associated
• Vij is currently the Additional Director with several landmark missions
General at FICCI. He has worked in undertaken by ISRO and notable among
various sectors. them was Chandrayaan -1 launched in
• Shailesh Pathak has resigned from the 2008.
post of Secretary General of FICCI due Chandrayaan- 1 Mission
to personal reasons. • India's first lunar mission Chandrayaan-
Federation of Indian Chambers of 1 made the pioneering discovery of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI): water molecules on the Moon.
• It was established in 1927 on the advice • India's first Moon Mission Chandrayaan-
of G.D. Birla and Purushottamdas 1 was successfully launched by PSLV-C11
Thakurdas. launch vehicle on October 22, 2008 from
• Its primary goal is to promote and SHAR, Sriharikota.
protect the interests of Indian businesses • This spacecraft was orbiting the Moon
domestically and internationally. at an altitude of 100 km from the lunar
• Its headquarters is in New Delhi. surface.
• It is India's largest,oldest and apex non- • The spacecraft also carried 11 scientific
governmental trade association. instruments made in India,the
US,Britain,Germany,Sweden and
The Russian cosmonaut became the first Bulgaria.
person to spend 1,000 days in space. • This mission made more than 3,400
• Oleg Kononenko, who has made five orbits around the Moon and ended on
trips to the International Space Station August 29, 2009 when communications
since 2008, achieved this feat on June 4. with the spacecraft were lost.
• His current journey to the ISS began on
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 71

Ramoji Film City founder Ramoji Rao passes Sarod player Pandit Rajeev Taranath passed
away away on June 11 in Mysore at the age of 92.
• Ramoji Rao, founder of Ramoji Film • Pandit Rajeev Taranath received music
City, died on June 8. He was 87 years lessons from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and
old. Ramoji Rao's full name was dedicated his life to music.
Cherukuri Ramoji Rao. He was born on • He was also the music director for several
16 November 1936 in a farmer family in Kannada films, including Samskara,
Pedaparupudi village of Krishna district Pallavi, Anurupa, Paper Boats and
of Andhra Pradesh. Agunthaka, apart from Malayalam films
• Ramoji Rao founded the Ramoji Group such as Kadavu and Kanchanseetha.
in 1962, which includes Ramoji Film • Pandit Taranath, an eminent artist of the
City, the world's largest film studio in Senia Maihar Gharana, was awarded the
Hyderabad, Usha Kiran Movies, Mayuri Padma Shri by the Government of India
Film Distributors, Margdarshi Chit Funds in 2019 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi
and Dolphin Group of Hotels. Award in 2000.
• Ramoji was awarded the Padma
Vibhushan, the country's second Wildlife Conservationist AJT John Singh
highest civilian award, in 2016 for his passes away
contributions to journalism, literature • Eminent Indian Wildlife Conservationist
and education. and Biologist Asir Jawahar Thomas John
• Ramoji Film City is listed in the Guinness Singh (AJT John Singh) passed away on 7
Book of World Records as the world's June 2024 in Bengaluru. He was 78 years
largest film studio complex. old. He was awarded India's fourth
• He also started the ETV Network,with highest civilian award - Padma Shri.
multiple channels broadcasting in eight
languages: Telugu, Bengali, Marathi,
Kannada, Odia, Gujarati, Urdu, and Hindi.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 72

9. PLACE IN NEWS
Smritivan Bhuj selected for the World plant,domestic and drinking water
Selection 2024 of the Prix Versailles treatment plant,water recycling plant
Museum for reuse of waste water, 100 acres of
water body and many other eco-friendly
• Smritivan Earthquake Memorial
features.
Museum located in Bhuj, Gujarat has
been included in the World Selection for • The new university has a deep
the Prix Versailles Museums 2024. connection with history.
• Smritivan has been selected by UNESCO Original Nalanda University
as one of the seven most beautiful • Nalanda University established around
museums for the prestigious Prix 1600 years ago, is believed to be one of
Versailles award. the world's first residential universities.
• Smritivan located in Kutch is built in • It consists of the archaeological remains
memory of those who died in the 2001 of a vihara or monk dwelling and
earthquake educational institution dating from the
• Smritivan is built in a vast area of more 3rd century BCE to the 13th century CE.
than 470 acres. • The ruins of Nalanda were declared a
• It is located on a small hill – Bhujiyo United Nations Heritage Site in 2016.
Dungar – in Bhuj. More than 3 lakh
Train trial conducted on world's highest
plants have been planted here. In this
Chenab Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir
way, it is also the largest Miyawaki forest
in the world. • Indian Railways on June 17 completed a
About the Prix Versailles successful trial run of an electric engine
from Sangaldan to Reasi crossing the
• The Prix Versailles Architecture,
world's tallest steel arch rail bridge, the
announced annually by UNESCO since
Chenab Bridge.
2015, is a type of competition that
highlights the best contemporary • The Chenab Bridge built in Jammu and
projects around the world. Kashmir is taller than the Eiffel Tower in
Paris.
• Twenty-four of the selected destinations
are awarded World Titles. These • This bridge is part of the Udhampur
awards are given in the categories of Srinagar Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL)
airports,campuses,passenger stations,s project.
ports,museums,emporiums, hotels and • It is built 359 m (about 1,178 ft) above
restaurants. the Chenab River stream, which is 35
metres higher than the Eiffel Tower.
PM inaugurates new campus of Nalanda • Once completed,the bridge will be able
University in Rajgir to withstand winds of up to 260 kmph
• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and will have a lifespan of 120 years.
inaugurated the new campus of Nalanda
'PM Shri Tourism Air Service' inaugurated in
University in Rajgir, Bihar on June 19.
Madhya Pradesh
• The university is envisioned as a
collaboration between India and the • Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan
East Asia Summit (EAS) countries. The Yadav inaugurated the inter-state air
Nalanda University campus has two service facility 'PM Shri Tourism Air
academic blocks with 40 classrooms,with Service '. PM Shri Tourism Air Service is
a total seating capacity of about 1900. an inter-state air service that connects
• The new campus is a ' Net Zero ' green religious and tourist places of the state
campus. It is self-sufficient with a solar by air.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 73

Popular Hemis festival begins in Ladakh such as the Persians, Arabs, Chinese,
and eventually the Europeans.
• In Ladakh,the popular Hemis Festival • It was called the "City of Spices" for its
is started from June 16. This festival is role as a major trading point of eastern
organized on the birth anniversary of spices.
Guru Padmasambhava. Prayers are
• The Portuguese navigator Vasco da
offered on this occasion, Mukhota
Gama anchored at Kozhikode on
danceisperformed. A large number of
20 May 1498, thus opening a trade
people from India and abroad reach
route between Europe and Malabar. A
Ladakh to see the festival.
Portuguese factory and fort operated at
Kozhikode declared India's first UNESCO' Kozhikode for a short time (1511–1525,
City of Literature ' until the fall of Calicut).
• On 7 June 2012,Kozhikode was
• Kozhikode in Kerala was formally given the tag of "City of Sculptures"
declared India's first UNESCO 'City of (Shilpa Nagaram) due to the various
Literature ' on June 23. architectural sculptures located in
• On this occasion, the Kerala Government various parts of the city.
also announced that 23 June every year • Indian cities included in the UNESCO
will be celebrated as ' City of Literature Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Day '.
o Kozhikode: City of Literates
• In October 2023, Kozhikode made it to
o Gwalior: City of Music
the ' Literature ' category of the UNESCO
Creative Cities Network (UCCN). o Srinagar: City of Crafts and Folk Art
• On this occasion, Kerala Tourism Minister o Hyderabad: City of Culinary Art (City
P A Mohammed Riyas unveiled the logo of Gastronomy)
of ' City of Literature ' by UNESCO. o Mumbai: The Film City
• Kozhikode is a city that has more than o Chennai: City of Music
500 libraries, and has been the base o Varanasi: City of Music
of literary activities of the renowned o Jaipur: The City of Crafts and Folk Art
Malayalam writer M. T. Vasudevan Nair
for many decades. World Craft Council (WCC) gave Srinagar the
• Gwalior and Kozhikode are among the status of ' World Crafts City '
55 new cities from India that have joined • The World Craft Council (WCC) has
UCCN. Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh has given the status of ' World Craft City '
made it to the list in the 'Music' category. to Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Kashmir. Srinagar is the fourth Indian
• The UNESCO Creative Cities Network city to receive such status.
(UCCN) was established in 2004 to • Jaipur, Malappuram and Mysore are
promote cooperation among cities that other Indian cities that have been earlier
have adopted creativity as an approach recognised as the World Crafts Cities.
to sustainable urban development. • The Jammu and Kashmir administration
• With the addition of the new cities, applied for recognition of Srinagar as a
UCCN now comprises 350 cities from World City of Crafts in 2021, as well as
over a hundred countries. These cities for its recognition as a UNESCO Creative
represent seven creative sectors : Crafts Cities Network.
and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, • To date,at least 10 different forms of
Literature, Media arts and Music. craftsmanship exist in Srinagar and its
Kozhikode suburbs,including papier-mâché,walnut
• Earlier, Kozhikode was known as wood carving, carpets,Sozni embroidery
Zamorin's City. It was also known as and Pashmina and Kani shawls.
Calicut during British rule. • In 2021,Srinagar also earned the title
• The city served as the gateway to the of UNESCO Creative City under Crafts
coast for many foreigners centuries ago, and Folk Arts i.e. it was included in the
UNESCO City of Crafts and Folk Arts.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 74

Coal Ministry launches India’s first pilot • Ammonia can be produced through
project for Underground Coal Gasification coal gasification as China produces
in Jharkhand more than 90% of its ammonia through
coal gasification. Methanol can be
• Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) has produced from coal through gasification
launched a pilot project for Underground technology.
Coal Gasification (UCG) in Kasta coal
block in Jamtara district of Jharkhand. Ladakh achieves full functional literacy
• This is India's first pilot project for under ULLAS Scheme
Underground Coal Gasification in • Ladakh has become the first
Jharkhand. administrative unit to achieve full
• The project aims to revolutionize functional literacy under ULLAS- Nav
the coal industry by using coal Bharat Saksharta [Link] Union
gasification (in-situ) near the mine to Territory of Ladakh has crossed 97%
convert it into valuable gases such as literacy.
methane,hydrogen, carbon monoxide • ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saksharta Karyakram
and carbon dioxide. or New India Literacy Programme
• These gases can be used to produce (NILP), is a centrally sponsored scheme
synthetic natural gas, fuels, fertilizers, implemented from 2022-2027.
explosives, and chemical feedstocks for • The scheme is in line with the
other industrial activities. recommendations of the National
• Underground coal gasification process Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to
can also utilise coal resources that empower underprivileged children of 15
are not profitable to exploit using years and above from all backgrounds
conventional mining techniques. who have not been able to receive
• In December 2015, the Ministry of proper schooling and bring them into
Coal approved a comprehensive policy the mainstream of society so that they
framework for underground coal can contribute more to the development
gasification in coal and lignite bearing journey of the country.
areas. • It consists of five major components:
• The Indian government aims to foundational literacy and numeracy,
achieve 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal critical life skills, basic education,
gasification by 2030, with an investment vocational skills and sustainable
of over Rs 4 trillion. education.
• Adoption of Gasification Technology in • The slogan of the Ullas scheme is “Jan
India will revolutionize the coal sector, Jan Sakshar”. More than 77 lakh people
reducing dependence on import of have benefited from this program
natural gas, methanol, ammonia and across the country, and more than 1.29
other essential products. crore learners and 35 lakh volunteer
teachers have been connected with the
Ullas mobile app.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 75

10. IMPORTANT FACTS

The Ministry of Education has notified a Nvidia becomes the most valuable company
seven-member panel to reform the process in the world
of competitive examinations.
• Nvidia has replaced Microsoft as the
• Former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan world's most valuable company.
will head the high-level committee of • Its market capitalization rose to $3.335
experts. trillion. Microsoft's stock market value
• The committee has been formed to was $3.317 trillion.
ensure transparent, smooth and fair • Earlier,it surpassed iPhone producer
conduct of examinations through Apple to become the second most
National Testing Agency (NTA). valuable company. Apple's stock market
• The Committee will give value was $ 3.286 trillion.
recommendations on improving the • Additionally,Nvidia has emerged as Wall
mechanism of the examination process, Street's most traded company.
structure and functioning of NTA and • According to LSEG data,its average daily
improving data security protocols. turnover recently was $50 billion.
• The committee will submit its report • Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla had average
to the Education Ministry within two daily turnover of around $10 billion.
months.
• Currently, 16% of all trades in S &P 500
o The other six members of the companies are made by Nvidia.
committee are:
• In just nine months,the company's
o Former director of AIIMS-Delhi market value grew from $1 trillion to
Randeep Guleria $2 trillion in February,and it took a little
o Hyderabad University Vice Chancellor more than three months to reach $3
B.J. Rao trillion in June.
o K. Ramamurthy, professor emeritus at • Nvidia is an American multinational
the Department of Civil Engineering, corporation and technology company.
IIT-Madras
o Pankaj Bansal, co-founder of People
Strong and member of the board of
Karmayogi Bharat
o Aditya Mittal, Dean of Student
Affairs, IIT-Delhi
o Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary,
Ministry of Education
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 76

11. INDEX AND REPORTS

Global Gender Gap Index 2024: • The rankings show that emissions in the
world's largest economies are falling too
• The World Economic Forum (WEF)
slowly and even rising. For example,the
released the Global Gender Gap Index
US ranks 34th. The Russian Federation
2024 on June 12. India has slipped two
ranks 84th. China and India rank 154th
places to 129th position in the Global
and 176th, respectively.
Gender Gap Index 2024. In 2023, India
was ranked 127th. • The Yale Center for Environmental Law
and Policy at Yale University and the
• Iceland has retained its top position in
Center for International Earth Science
this ranking.
Information Network at Columbia
• In South Asia, India was ranked fifth University have developed the
after Bangladesh,Nepal, Sri Lanka Environmental Performance Index (EPI)
and Bhutan,while Pakistan was last. 2024 in collaboration with the McCall
Globally,Sudan ranked last in the index MacBain Foundation.
of 146 countries.
• India ranked 63rd in the Global Energy
• India showed the best gender equality Transition Index 2024
in terms of enrolment in secondary
• India has been ranked 63rd in the Global
education,and performed well on
Energy Transition Index 2024 (GETI)
women's political empowerment
released by the World Economic Forum
globally, ranking 65th.
on June 19.
• India was ranked 10th in terms of
• Sweden topped the index,followed
the number of female heads of state/
by Denmark,Finland,Switzerland and
government for the last 50 years. With
France.
a population of over 1.4 billion,India has
closed its gender gap by 64.1% in 2024. • China ranked 20th.
• Global Gender Gap Index measures the • The Global Energy Transition Index
current state and progress of gender measures 120 countries based on the
equality across four key dimensions: performance of their current energy
Economic Participation and Opportunity systems and their readiness to adopt
; Educational Attainment ; Health and green energy.
Survival ; and Political Empowerment. • Renewable Energy and Biomass account
The World Economic Forum has been for 42% of India's electricity generation
publishing it since 2006. capacity,making India the fourth largest
renewable market globally.
Environmental Performance Index 2024
India's per capita emissions, at 1.7 tonnes
• Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of CO2, are already 60% lower than the
2024 tracks progress towards the SDGs, global average of 4.4 tonnes of CO2 per
the goals of the Paris Agreement on capita.
climate change and the targets of the
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity • India Slipped will slip from 8th position
Framework (GBF). in 2022 to 15th position in 2023 in terms
• The EPI 2024 ranks 180 countries of FDI inflows.
based on progress in mitigating climate • Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows
change,protecting ecosystems and into India fell43% to $ 28 billion in 2023.
promoting environmental health across • India remained in the top five for both
58 indicators across 11 issue categories. types of FDI – Greenfield Projects and
• Estonia leads this year's ranking,largely International Project Finance Deals.
due to the replacement of oil shale power • In 2022,India's FDI inflows grew by 10
plants with cleaner energy sources. percent to $ $49 billion.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 77

• India emerged as the fourth largest • The report emphasises that trade
host country for Greenfield Project facilitation and digital government
Announcements in 2023. solutions can address the problem of lack
• France, Australia, China, the United of investment by creating a transparent
States and India recorded the biggest and streamlined environment.
declines in FDI inflows.
SIPRI Year Book 2024: India has more
• According to UNCTAD, developed
nuclear weapons than Pakistan
countries have been greatly affected
by the financial transactions of • According to the Stockholm
multinational enterprises. International Peace Research Institute
• In Asia, FDI fell 8 percent to $ 621 billion. (SIPRI) Year Book 2024,India has more
China remains the second-largest FDI nuclear weapons than Pakistan,while
recipient in the world. China has increased its nuclear arsenal
• India, along with Bangladesh, China, from 410 warheads in January 2023 to
Singapore and Thailand, issued policies 500 by January 2024.
to support the banking industry. Key points of the report
• China's nuclear arsenal has grown
Rank Country FDI inflows from 410 warheads in January 2023 to
in by 2023 ($ 500 in January 2024, and is expected to
2023 billion) continue growing.
• The United States,Russia,Britain,France,
1 United States (1) 311
China, India, Pakistan, North Korea,
2 China (2) 163 and Israel, continue to modernize their
nuclear arsenals,and several of them
3 Singapore (3) 160
deployed new nuclear-capable weapon
4 Hong Kong, China (4) 113 systems in 2023.
• India's " stored " nuclear weapons stood
5 Brazil (6) 66
at 172 in January 2024,while the number
15 India (8) 28 for Pakistan was 170. India expanded
its nuclear arsenal slightly in 2023,with
World Investment Report 2024 both India and Pakistan continuing to
develop new types of nuclear delivery
• The United Nations Conference on Trade
systems in 2023.
and Development (UNCTAD) released
the “World Investment Report 2024”. • While Pakistan remains the main focus
of India's nuclear deterrent,India is
Key points of the report placing greater emphasis on long-range
• FDI in India fell by 43 percent to $ 28 weapons, including weapons capable of
billion in 2023,while globally it declined targeting all of China.
by 2 percent. • 2,100 weapons deployed in the world
• India dropped from 8th position in 2022 were placed on high operational alert
to 15th in 2023 in terms of FDI inflows, status on ballistic missiles,and nearly
but it remained in the top- 5 in terms of all of those belonged to either Russia or
both types of FDI – Greenfield Projects the United States.
and International Project Finance Deals. • Russia and the United States possess
• In 2022, FDI in India increased by 10 nearly 90 percent of all nuclear weapons.
percent to $ 49 billion. • It is estimated that Russia has deployed
• Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) approximately 36 more nuclear
fell by 2% to $1.3 trillion in 2023 amid warheads with operational forces than
an economic slowdown and rising it has as of January 2023.
geopolitical tensions.
• In FDI outflow, India's rank improved Three Indian companies in Times Magazine
from 23rd in 2022 to 20th in 2023. Global 100 most influential companies
• Among the top- 20 largest economies, • The annual Times Magazine Global
the biggest declines in FDI flows were 100 Most Influential Companies 2024
recorded in France, Australia, China, the features three Indian companies-
US and India.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 78

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), Tata and S&P Global Market Intelligence. Nine
Group and Serum Institute of India. This Indian ports have made it to the top 100
was the fourth edition of the annual ports in the world in the latest edition of
Times Magazine Global 100 Most the Container Port Performance Index.
Influential Companies. The first edition • Visakhapatnam Port has ranked 19th
was published by the American Time among the world's top 20 ports in
magazine in 2021. 2023,while Mundra Port has also moved
up to 27th position in the current
SBI is the seventh Indian company to reach
ranking.
Rs 8 lakh crore in market capitalisation
• The Global Container Port Performance
• State Bank of India (SBI) has become Index is a port benchmark that assesses
the seventh listed company in India the performance of ports on parameters
to reach Rs 8 lakh crore in market such as productivity, efficiency and
capitalisation. SBI shares hit a new reliability.
high of Rs 899.55 on June 3,2024. SBI, • It serves as a reference point for
Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy key stakeholders, including National
Services, HDFC Bank,Bharti Airtel, Governments, Port Authorities,
Infosys and ICICI Bank are among the Development Agencies, Supra-national
companies to achieve this feat. Organisations and Private Operators
of Trade, Logistics and Supply Chain
The Indian domestic equity market has
Services.
once again overtaken Hong Kong to
become the fourth largest global market. QS World University Rankings 2025
• India's market capitalisation rose by10% • IIT Bombay has moved up 31 places to
to $5.2 trillion or Rs 435 trillion (BSE- 118th position in the QS World University
listed companies). Rankings 2025.
• Hong Kong's market cap is $ 5.17 trillion, • With an overall score of 56.3 out of 100,
down 5.4% from this year 's high of $ IIT Bombay has moved up significantly
5.47 trillion. in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World
• India overtook Hong Kong's market University Rankings from 149th last year
value for the first time in January. to 118th this year.
• Hong Kong's market capitalisation rose • IIT Bombay has been ranked among
by27% from this year's low of $ 4.3 the top 150 institutions since it started
trillion. participating in these rankings.
• This year IIT Delhi has also got 150th
MCAP ($trillion) position.
World 118. 4​ • The US-based Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) has topped the
US 56. 49​ rankings for the twelfth consecutive
China 8. 84​ year.
• After MIT, there is Cambridge University
Japan 6. 30​
and Oxford University of Britain.
India 5. 20​
Global Data on Women Leaders 2024
Hong Kong 5. 17​
• According to UN Women’s “Global Data
France 3. 28​ on Women Leaders 2024” report, 113
UK 3. 23​ countries around the world have never
had a female Head of Government or
Source: Bloomberg Head of State, and only 26 countries are
currently led by women.
Container Port Performance (CPP) Index • This data report was released on June 24
2023 on the occasion of “International Day for
• ' Container Port Performance (CPP) Index Women in Diplomacy”.
2023' was released by the World Bank • According to the report, women are
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 79

still largely excluded from positions • India's seat capacity growth rate
of power and diplomacy. Globally, low increased by 6.9 percent annually.
participation of women in decision- • In India, low-cost carriers (LCCs) account
making is a reality, according to the for about 78.4 percent of total domestic
United Nations. airline capacity.
• Currently, only 23 percent of ministerial • According to the government, the
positions in the world are held by women, number of airports in India has increased
and in 141 countries, women make up from 74 to 157 in the last 10 years.
less than a third of all cabinet ministers
by January 1, 2024. Seven countries India is the second largest emitter of
have no female representation in their Nitrous Oxide Gas
cabinets. • According to the Global Assessment
Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index of N2O Emissions study by the Global
(AIPI) Dashboard 2024 Carbon Project, emissions of laughing
gas Nitrous Oxide (N2O) have increased
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) by 40 percent in the world between
has released the Artificial Intelligence 1980 and 2020. This study has been
Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard published in the journal Earth System
2024. The AI Preparedness Index Science Data.
Dashboard for 174 economies is based • The five largest emitters of Nitrous
on the readiness of countries to adopt Oxide gas are China (16.7 percent ),India
AI in four areas. (10.9 percent),the United States (5.7
• These four areas are: digital percent), Brazil (5.3 percent ), and Russia
infrastructure,human capital and (4.6 percent ).
labour market policies,innovation and • After China, India is the world's second-
economic integration,and regulation. largest source of nitrous oxide (N2O).
• India has been ranked 72nd in the However, the situation is slightly different
index,with Bangladesh (0.38) 113th,Sri in terms of per capita emissions.
Lanka (0.43) 92nd and China (0.63) at • India has the lowest per capita emissions
31st. at 0.8 kg N2O / capita, while the N2O kg /
• Singapore (0.80), Denmark (0.78), and capita figures for other top emitters are
the United States (0.77) are among the China (1.3),the United States (1.7),Brazil
highest rated AE (Advanced Economy), (2.5),and Russia (3.3).
while India is classified as an EM (Emerg-
ing Market ) with a rating of 0.49. Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
• According to the index, AI could • Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse
threaten 33 percent of jobs in developed gas that has a much greater warming
countries, 24 percent in emerging potential than carbon dioxide. N2O is
countries and 18 percent in low-income available in the atmosphere in much
countries. smaller quantities than carbon dioxide
or methane,but its global warming
India becomes the world's third largest potential is about 300 times that of
Domestic Airline Market carbon dioxide on a 100 -year time scale.
• India's position in terms of Domestic • N2O is also a strong ozone-depleting
Airline Market has moved up from fifth substance. The concentration of
to third position. atmospheric N2O in 2022 reached 336
• India has overtaken Brazil and Indonesia parts per billion, or about 25% higher
and has become the third largest market than levels seen before the industrial
with an airline capacity of 1.5 million era.
seats. • Nitrous Oxide lasts a long time in the
• Currently,the US and China are the top 2 atmosphere and is increasing rapidly
largest Domestic Airline Markets. in recent years, leading scientists to
warn that it too must be dealt with more
• About 10 years ago, India was the
urgency.
smallest Domestic Airline Market with 8
million seats.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 80

Environment grazing herbivorous animals that

chew cud. Ruminant animals such as
World's first Conservation and Breeding cows,sheep,goats and buffalos have
centre for Asian King Vultures a special type of digestive system that
helps them break down and digest food
• The Uttar Pradesh government will set that non-ruminant animals would be
up the world's first Conservation and unable to digest.
Breeding Centre for Asian King Vultures
• Ruminant animals have four stomach
or Red-Headed Vultures in the state's
compartments,one of which,the
Maharajganj.
rumen,helps them store partially
• The centre will help increase the digested food and process it.
population of the Asian King Vulture, a
Critically Endangered species listed on Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries declared as
the IUCN Red List since 2007. Ramsar sites
• The name of this centre is Jatayu • Sanctuaries of Bihar have been
Conservation and Breeding Centre. recognised as Wetlands of International
• Asian King Vultureis on the verge of Importance under the Ramsar
extinction due to loss of habitat and Convention.
excessive use of a painkiller called • Both these wetlands, located in the
diclofenac in livestock. This drug is Jamui district of Bihar, are considered
proving to be poisonous for vultures. protected areas. With their inclusion
• However, this medicine has been in the Ramsar Convention,the total
banned. number of Ramsar wetlands in India has
increased to 82.
On the occasion of World Environment
Day, 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' campaign was • Kanwar Lake in Begusarai district was
launched designated as Bihar's first Ramsar
site in 2020. The Nagi and Nakti Bird
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Sanctuaries are built on man-made
the ' Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam ' campaign wetlands and provide a natural haven
in New Delhi on the occasion of World for a variety of flora and fauna,especially
Environment Day on 5 June 2024. Earth flocks of birds.
is considered as mother in India. Ek Ped • Both the bird sanctuaries are man-made
Maa Ke Naam campaign symbolizes the wetlands that were developed primarily
protection of the earth's environment for irrigation through the construction
by afforestation to prevent land of the Nakti Dam.
degradation, soil erosion and falling
• Because of its importance for migratory
ground water levels.
bird species,the Nagi site was recognised
New Zealand Government ends Livestock ' locally as a Bird Sanctuary in 1984 and
Burp Tax ' internationally by BirdLife International
as an Important Bird and Biodiversity
• New Zealand Government has Area (IBA).
announced the end of the ' burp tax ' plan
• The Ramsar Convention is an
to tax greenhouse gas emissions from
international convention for the
livestock. The burp tax was introduced
conservation of wetlands and was
in October 2022 during the tenure of
signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of
then Prime Minister Jacinda Adern.
Ramsar.
• The introduction of the burp tax led to
protests by farmers across the country. India's largest leopard safari
The primary objective of the scheme
• Recently,India's largest leopard safari
was to reduce methane emissions from
was inaugurated at the Bannerghatta
ruminant animals.
Biological Park (BBP) in Bengaluru,
• Ruminant animals are actually hoofed Karnataka.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 81

• The Leopard Safari at BBP is spread • Rajaji Raghati Biosphere is a 35- acre
over an area of 20 hectares. It has private forest within the Rajaji National
an undulating terrain with naturally Park in Uttarakhand.
occurring rocky formations and partly • Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana
deciduous forests,and is currently home and their team conducted extensive
to 8 leopards. surveys to identify suitable native plant
• Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) was species,especially of those rare or
separated from Bannerghatta National endangered species that are found in
Park (BNP) in 2004 and was granted the the region.
status of a national park in 1974. • The first phase of plantation was started
• It is home to freely roaming leopards in 2023 with about 80 species.
(Panthera pardus). • In the upcoming monsoon season, an
• It has four sections: Zoo,Safari,Butterfly additional 35 to 40 new species will be
Park and Rescue Centre. planted in the biosphere.
• Jai and Vijay are also working on creating
India's first biosphere was created in Rajaji
another Biosphere in the Western Ghats.
National Park within a tiger reserve.
• Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana are
working on a project to create India's
first biosphere within a tiger reserve.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 82

12. IMPORTANT DAYS

Telangana State
1 June: World Milk Day
• Telangana is an Indian state located in
• Every year on June 1, World Milk Day is southern India. The word ' Telangana
celebrated. 'means-' land of Telugu speaking people'.
• This day is celebrated to spread • Telangana was formally the 29th state of
awareness among people about the India, carved out of the state of Andhra
important contribution of dairy products Pradesh in 2014 following parliamentary
to economic development, livelihood approval.
and nutrition. • At the time of partition, Hyderabad was
• The main theme of World Milk Day this made the joint capital of Telangana and
year i.e. 2024 is 'Dairy milk and other Andhra Pradesh for ten years.
milk products and its role in giving
people the nutrients they need to stay June 3, 2024: World Bicycle Day
healthy’.
• Every year on 3 June ' World Bicycle Day '
• The celebration of World Milk Day was is celebrated all over the world.
announced by the Food and Agriculture
• It is celebrated with the aim to promote
Organization of the United Nations
a simple, affordable, reliable and
(FAO). World Milk Day was celebrated for
environmentally friendly mode of
the first time all over the world in 2001.
transportation.
• India celebrates National Milk Day on 26
• This year the main theme of ' World
November on the birthday of Verghese
Bicycle Day 2024' is ' Promoting Health,
Kurien.
Equity, and Sustainability through
• Kurien is known as the Father of the Milk Cycling '.
Revolution in India.
• The first official World Bicycle Day was
• Operation Flood was started under celebrated by the United Nations on
his leadership in 1970 to increase milk June 3, 2018.
production in the country.
• Thus, the 7th World Bicycle Day was
1 June: Global Day of Parents celebrated this year i.e. in 2024.

• Global Day of Parents is celebrated 5 June 2024: World Environment Day

every year on 1 June.
• World Environment Day is celebrated
• The purpose of celebrating this day is to every year on 5 June.
show respect towards parents.
• This day is celebrated across the
• This year the main theme of Global Day world to create awareness about the
of Parents 2024 is - 'The Promise of environment so that constructive steps
Playful Parenting'. can be taken to protect Nature and the
• In the year 2012, the United Nations Earth.
General Assembly declared that this day • The year 2024 marks the 51st anniversary
would be celebrated on 1 June. of World Environment Day.
2 June 2024: Telangana Foundation Day • The theme of World Environment Day
2024 is ' Land Restoration, Desertification
• Every year on 2 June, the state of and Drought Resilience '.
Telangana celebrates its foundation day • Every year World Environment Day
(Telangana Formation day). is hosted by a different country in
• In the year 2014, Telangana became the the world,where formal celebrations
29th state of India by dividing Andhra are held. India hosted the World
Pradesh. Environment Day celebrations for the
• This year i.e. in 2024, Telangana first time in the year 2018.
celebrated its 10th Foundation Day.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 83

• The year 2024 marks the 51st anniver- (FAO).

sary of World Environment Day and this • The first World Food Safety Day was
year Saudi Arabia is hosting it. celebrated on 7 June 2019. This year
the sixth World Food Safety Day was
6 June: United Nations Russian Language Day,
celebrated.
Birthday of Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin
• Every year on 6 June the United Nations 8 June: World Oceans Day
Russian Language Day is celebrated. • World Oceans Day is celebrated every
• The purpose of celebrating Language year on 8 June.
Day is to promote multilingualism and • This day is celebrated to understand
cultural diversity. the importance of oceans and to make
Birthday of Russian poet Aleksandr Pushkin people aware about the dangers of
• Russian Language Day is celebrated on increasing pollution in the oceans and
the birthday of the great Russian poet their conservation.
Aleksandr Pushkin. • The main theme of this day in the year
• He is considered the Father of Modern 2024 is 'Awaken New Depths'.
Russian Literature. • The United Nations officially recognized
• Pushkin's most famous poem is ' Ode to the celebration of this day in the year
Liberty '. 2008.
• The United Nations Educational,Scientific • The first World Oceans Day was
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) celebrated on June 8, 2009.
chose his birthday as Russian Language 12 June: World Day Against Child Labor
Day.
• World Day Against Child Labour is
The United Nations has different days for celebrated every year on 12 June.
the six official languages • This day is celebrated with the objective
• United Nations Language Day was of spreading awareness against child
launched by UNESCO in the year 2010. labour and freeingchildren below the
• The United Nations has 6 official age of 14 from child labour and providing
languages. Different days have been set them education.
for these 6 official languages: • The theme of ' World Day Against Child
1. Arabic language: 18 December Labour ' in the year 2024 is - ' Let's act on
our commitments: End Child Labour! '
2. Chinese language: April 20
• The International Labour Organization
3. English Language: April 23
(ILO) started World Day Against Child
4. Spanish language: April 23 Labour in the year 2002.
5. French language: April 20 • According to the ILO, even today 152
6. Russian language: 6 June million children work as laborers.
Child laborers are present in every
7 June: Food Safety Day
sector,while 7 out of 10 children work in
• 'World Food Safety Day' is celebrated the fields.
every year on 7 June.
13 June: International Albinism Awareness
• This day is celebrated to draw
Day
attention and inspire to work for food
security,human health,economic • Every year on 13 June, ' International
prosperity,agriculture,market access, Albinism Awareness Day ' is celebrated
tourism and contributions to sustainable all over the world.
development. • The purpose of celebrating this day
• The theme of World Food Safety Day is to spread awareness against the
this year is - ' Food Safety: Prepare for discrimination faced by people suffering
the Unexpected'. from albinism in the world.
• The United Nations General Assembly • The theme of International Albinism
declared World Food Safety Day in Awareness Day in the year 2024 is - '10
December 2018 in collaboration with Years of IAAD : A Decade of Collective
the Food and Agriculture Organization Progress'.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 84

• The United Nations General Assembly Immunization Week (last week of April),
had announced on 18 December 2014 World No Tobacco Day (May 31 ), World
to celebrate this day every year on 13 Hepatitis Day (July 28 ) and World AIDS
June. Day (December 1 ).
• The first International Albinism
15 June: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Awareness Day was observed on 13
June 2015. • Every year on 15 June 'World Elder Abuse
Albinism​ Awareness Day' is celebrated across the
world.
• Albinism is a congenital disease caused
by lack of melanin pigment in the • This day is celebrated with the aim of
skin,hair and eyes. spreading awareness among people to
prevent abuse of the elderly.
• People affected by this have white spots
on their skin or sometimes the entire • In the year 2024, Elder Abuse Prevention
skin turns white. Awareness Day was celebrated on the
theme 'Spotlight on Older Persons in
14 June: World Blood Donation Day,Birth Emergencies'.
Anniversary of Nobel Laureate Karl • The United Nations recognized this day
Landsteiner in December 2011. The first ' World Elder
• ' World Blood Donor Day ' is celebrated Abuse Prevention Awareness Day' was
every year on 14 June. celebrated on 15 June 2012.
• The purpose of celebrating this day is to 17 June: World Day to Combat Desertification
raise awareness about the need for safe and Drought
blood and to thank blood donors while
encouraging them for donating safe • Every year on 17 June ' World Day to
life-saving blood. Combat Desertification and Drought' is
celebrated.
• The main theme of World Blood Donor
Day in the year 2024 is '20 years of • The purpose of this day is to promote
celebrating giving : Thank You Blood public awareness to combat the effects
donors! of desertification and drought through
international cooperation.
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
declared in 2004 that World Blood • The main theme of this day in the year
Donation Day will be celebrated every 2024 is – 'United for Land. Our Legacy.
year on 14 June. Our Future'.
• World Blood Donor Day was first • In the year 1994, the United Nations
celebrated on 14 June 2004. General Assembly declared World Day
to Combat Desertification and Drought
• This day is celebrated on 14 June on the
to mark the implementation of the
birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Karl
Convention to Combat Desertification.
Landsteiner.
• The first World Day to Combat
• Karl Landsteiner is credited with
Desertification (WDCD) was celebrated
discovering the Blood Group System.
in the year 1995.
• He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930
• Desertification is the process of land
for discovering blood groups.
becoming infertile. Due to many reasons
WHO has announced eight Global Health including climate change and human
Campaigns activities, the land of dry,semi-arid and
waterless semi-moist areas turns into
• The World Health Organization (WHO) desert. This leads to a decrease and
has declared eight Global Health decline in the productive capacity of the
Campaigns, including World Blood land.
Donor Day. Other health campaigns
• At present, 20 percent of the total area
are World Tuberculosis Day (March
of the world is in the form of desert land,
24 ),World Health Day (April 7 ),
While drought-prone land is one-third
World Malaria Day (April 25), World
of the total global area.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 85

17 June: World Crocodile Day about sickle cell disease, its treatment
measures and to get effective control
• World Crocodile Day was celebrated on over this disease across the world.
June 17, 2024. • The theme of World Sickle Cell Day
• In the year 2024, India's Crocodile 2024 was – Hope Through Progress:
Conservation Project will also be Advancing Sickle Cell Care Globally.
completing 50 years. • In 2008, the United Nations declared
• In 1975, India launched a Crocodile that World Sickle Cell Day would be
Conservation Project in the Bhitarkanika observed every year on 19 June.
National Park in Odisha,the former • The first World Sickle Cell Day was
hunting ground of the kings of the celebrated in the year 2009.
princely state of Kanika.
• Since all the three species of Indian Sickle cell disease
crocodiles are found in Odisha,the • Sickle cell disease (SCD) anemia is a
Gharial and Saltwater Crocodile dominant inherited abnormality of the
Conservation Programme was first red blood cells (RBCs).
implemented in Odisha in early 1975.
• In normal condition, RBCs are spherical
18 June: Autistic Pride Day and their lifespan is up to 120 days. But
in sickle cell disease, the shape of RBCs
• ' Autistic Pride Day ' is celebrated every is like a crescent/sickle and their lifespan
year on 18 June. is only up to 10-20 days.
• Its purpose is to create awareness that • These abnormally shaped RBCs become
autism is not a disease but a disorder of stiff and sticky and get trapped in blood
the nervous system due to which there vessels,reducing or stopping the flow of
is imbalance in the behavior and social blood and oxygen to many parts of the
interaction of a person. body.
• The theme of Autistic Pride Day 2024 is ' • It also reduces the life span of RBCs
Taking the Mask Off'. and causes anemia,known as sickle
• The day is symbolized by a Rainbow cell anemia. A person suffering from
Infinity Sign,representing the infinite this disease needs frequent blood
possibilities of autistic people. transfusions.
• ' World Autism Day ' is celebrated Sickle Cell Eradication Mission- 2047
every year on 2 April. It is one of the 7
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched
official health special days of the United
the Sickle Cell Elimination Mission – 2047
Nations.
at the national level on 1 July 2023 from
Autism Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh.

• It is a neurological disorder that limits 20 June: World Refugee Day

the ability to communicate and interact
• World Refugee Day is celebrated every
with other people.
year on 20 June.
• Every child has different symptoms.
• The purpose of celebrating this day is to
Some children are very genius. Some
remember the struggle and contribution
also have difficulty in learning and
of refugees.
understanding. 40 percent of autistic
children cannot speak. • The main theme of World Refugee Day
in the year 2024 is - ' For a World Where
• According to data from the World Health
Refugees Are Welcomed '.
Organization (WHO), one in 160 children
is autistic. • The United Nations General Assembly
(UNGA) declared World Refugee Day to
19 June: World Sickle Cell Awareness Day be celebrated every year in 2000.
• African Refugee Day was formally
• World Sickle Cell Day is celebrated every
celebrated in several countries on 20
year on 19 June.
June before it was declared a World
• It is celebrated to raise awareness Refugee day.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 86

Refugee • This year the tenth International Yoga

Day was celebrated across the world.
• Refugee means a person or
• The theme for International Yoga Day
a group of people who are
2024 is “Yoga for Self and Society”.
helpless,powerless,homeless and
seeking protection and shelter. • The United Nations General Assembly
• Thus, a particular person or a group (UNGA) adopted a resolution on 11
of people who for any reason leaves December 2014 to celebrate 21 June as
their home or country and takes refuge International Yoga Day.
elsewhere is called a refugee. • 21 Junewas chosen as Yoga Day because
• According to the United Nations Human it is the longest day in the Northern
Rights Council (UNHRC),the largest Hemisphere and has great significance
number of refugees in the world at 6.6 for many people around the world.
million (68%) are from Syria. • The day was first celebrated in 2015 with
• This is followed by Venezuela (3.7 the theme “Harmony and Peace”.
million),Afghanistan (2.7 million),South • Yoga is an ancient practice that deals
Sudan (2.2 million) and Myanmar (1.1 not only with physical and mental health
million). but also emotional and spiritual health.
• Yoga was declared a UNESCO intangible
21 June: World Music Day cultural heritage in 2016.
• World Music Day is celebrated every • 2024 International Yoga Day was
year on 21 June. celebrated by Prime Minister Narendra
• The purpose of this day is to make people Modi on the banks of Dal Lake in
aware about music so that people's faith Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
in music does not fade away.
23 June: United Nations Public Service Day
• World Music Day is also known as ' Fête
de la Musique '. It means Music Festival. • ' United Nations Public Service Day ' is
• World Music Day was started in France celebrated every year on 23 June.
in the year 1982, the credit for which • The purpose of celebrating this day is to
goes to the then Cultural Minister Mr. make people aware about the value and
Jacques Lo. qualities of public service.
21 June: World Hydrography Day • The United Nations General Assembly
declared in December 2002 to celebrate
• ' World Hydrography Day ' is celebrated '23 June ' every year as United Nations
every year on 21st June. Public Service Day.
• This day is celebrated with the aim to • The United Nations Public Service
promote hydrographic surveys and the Awards are presented on this day.
importance of water. • This award is an internationally
• This day was adopted by the International prestigious award given for outstanding
Hydrographic Organization as an annual contribution in the public service sector.
celebration. • In India, Civil Services Day is celebrated
Hydrography every year on 21 April.
• Hydrography gives details of the water
reserves of rivers,lakes, ponds and seas 23 June: International Olympic Day
present on the earth. Its main purpose • International Olympic Day is celebrated
is to provide data for the convenience every year on 23 June.
of navigation (operation of ships and • This day is celebrated across the world to
boats). increase participation in various sports
International Yoga Day 2024: June 21 irrespective of any discrimination.
• This year i.e. in 2024, the theme of this
• International Yoga Day is celebrated day was 'Let's Move and Celebrate'.
every year on 21st June.
• This day is celebrated to commemorate
• It is celebrated to recognize the various the beginning of the modern Olympic
benefits of yoga and to promote yoga as Games held on 23 June 1894 in Paris.
a part of life.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 87

• The International Olympic Committee • These MSMEs contribute to 30 per cent

recommended all National Olympic of India’s GDP and 40 per cent of exports
Committees (NOCs) to celebrate Olympic and have created over 110 million jobs
Day in 1978. across the country.
• Its aim is to promote Olympics.
29 June: National Statistics Day, Birth
International Olympic Committee anniversary of PC Mahalanobis
• The International Olympic Committee
• National Statistics Day is celebrated
(IOC) was founded on 23 June 1894 by
every year on 29 June.
Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios
Vikelas. • The main objective of celebrating this
day is to create awareness about the
• Its headquarter is in Lausanne,
role of Statistics in socio-economic
Switzerland.
planning and policy regulation in the
• It is a regulatory body for organizing the
development of the country, especially
Olympic Games.
among the younger generation.
23 June: International Widows Day • The 18th Statistics Day was celebrated
on 29 June 2024. The main theme of
• Every year 23 June is celebrated as Statistics Day 2024 is ' Use of Data for
International Widows Day. Decision Making '.
• This day is celebrated with the aim of
spreading awareness in the society UN declares 2025 as ' International Year of
about the problems of widowed women. Quantum Science and Technology '
• The theme of this year was ' Invisible • The United Nations has declared 2025
Women,Invisible Problems '. as the 'International Year of Quantum
• The General Assembly of the United Science and Technology'.
Nations declared 23 June as International • The year 2025 was chosen as the
Widows' Dayin 2010. International Year of Quantum Science
27 June: International Micro, Small and and Technology because 2025 marks
Medium Enterprises Day the 100th anniversary of the initial
development of quantum mechanics.
• “International Micro, Small and Medium • The UN said the initiative will be“year-
Enterprises Day” (International MSME long”, “global”and will be “celebrated
Day) was celebrated on 27 June 2024. through activities at all levels aimed
• This year the day was celebrated with at raising public awareness of the
the theme “MSME and SDG”. importance of quantum science and its
• The United Nations General Assembly uses.”
designated June 27 as International • Mexico first introduced a proposal
MSME Day to raise awareness about for this in the United Nations General
the greater contribution of MSMEs in Assembly in May 2023 and soon other
achieving the United Nations Sustainable countries also participated in it.
Development Goals (SDGs). • Quantum science and technology have
• MSMEs represent 90% of businesses, 60 been appearing more frequently in
to 70% of employment and 50% of GDP common parlance and issues lately,
worldwide. thanks to Quantum Computers.
• United Nations data shows that MSMEs Although fully operational machines of
play a vital role in the development of a this type do not yet exist,researchers
country. It connects new entrepreneurs and industry experts believe that such
at local and national levels and provides machines will soon become a reality.
income earning opportunities to • In fact, quantum mechanics is the field
youth,working class, women and others. of physics that explains how extremely
• According to the Union MSME Ministry's small objects have the properties of
annual report for FY23,India has over both particles (small pieces of matter)
63 million [Link] number is only and waves (waves that transfer energy).
second to China which has 140 million Physicists call this “wave-particle duality”
micro and small enterprises.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 88

13. GIST-YOJANA, KURUKSHETRA

Role of Forts in Indian History ♦♦ 16 Maha-Janapadas: Remains
of fort walls and bastions can
•• Forts, fortifications, and palaces are be seen at sites like Magadha's
one of the most abundant typologies in ancient hill-protected capital of
India's builte heritage. The fortifications Rajgriha, that pre-dated Pataliputra,
range from various historic periods Kausambhi, with its walls of burnt
constructed by different dynasties brick, and archaeological sites like
through centuries. Most of these show Chandraketugarh, etc.
the spread of Sultanate and Mughal
Imperial rule, the Maratha kingdom, Classification of forts as per Kautilya's 3rd
along with regional dynasties Rajput, century text, 'Arthashastra'
Sikhs, Kakatiyas, Bahmani, Qutb Shahis, 1. Jal-Durga, or Water Fort: It has the
or even the Ahom dynasty in the Assam following sub-types:
region. The coastal region of India also
♦♦ Antardvipa-Durga (island fortress):
has some Portuguese and British-era
Surrounded by natural (sea or river)
fortifications.
water bodies (like Murud-Janjira).
Fort
♦♦ Sthala-Durga (plain fortress):
•• Meaning: A strong protective building Surrounded by artificial moats or
or a place with a wall, wooden palisade, irrigated by a river (like Gagron,
or fence that is often further protected Deeg, Lohagarh, and Shergarh- all in
by a moat, deep ditch, or further lines of Rajasthan).
fortified walls, guarded by warriors.
2. Dhanvana, or Maru-Durga or Desert
•• Reason for construction: Forts add to Fort: Surrounded by an arid area of at
the defensive features used by a town, least 5 yojanas (73 km). Eg, Jaisalmer,
city, or capital of a kingdom, as well Lodrava, and Bhatner (Hanumangarh).
as the general terrain i.e., the overall
3. Giri-Durga, or Hill Fort: It has the
cultural and military landscape of a
following sub-types:
kingdom.
♦♦ Prantara-Durga: Located on a
•• Methods used for early fortifications
flat hill summit (like Chittorgarh,
and protected citadels:
Gwalior).
♦♦ Creation of earthen ramparts
♦♦ Giri-parshva-Durga: The
using the soil dug out of adjoining
fortifications and civilian structures
protective dry moats or ditches that
extend down to the hill slope, not just
flanked areas needing protection.
the summit (like Bundi's Taragarh
♦♦ Making large and tall protective and Ajmer's Taragarh forts).
ramparts using rubble and earth,
♦♦ Guha-Durga: Located in a valley
with additional earth on the outer
surrounded by hills, where the
side.
outposts and the signal towers are
♦♦ Building forts and fortifications from located.
stone and masonry
4. Vana-Durga (Forest Fort): Surrounded
•• Earliest archaeological evidences of by a dense forest over a distance
forts: of at least 4 koshas (14.6 km), like
♦♦ Proto-Historic Harappan Culture: Ranthambore, with the following sub-
At sites like Lothal, Rakhigarhi, types:
Dholavira, Kalibangan, Harappa, ♦♦ Khanjana-Durga: Built on a marsh
Banawali, baked brick and unbaked and surrounded by thorny forests.
mud bricks were used for gates,
♦♦ Sthambha-Durga: Built in the forest
bastions, and citadels with protected
among tall trees, lacks sufficient
entrances.
water sources.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 89

5. Mahi-Durga (Earthen Fort): They have Major Forts of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana
the following sub-types:
•• The earliest references to forts and
♦♦ Mrid-Durga: Surrounded by earthen
fortified towns occur in the accounts of
walls.
Megasthenes, followed by Pliny, who
♦♦ Parigha-Durga: Surrounded by mentions that there were 30 walled
earthen walls as well as stone or towns and numerous villages in Andhra
brick walls. Desa (comprising modern Andhra
♦♦ Panka-Durga: Surrounded by Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of
marshy land or quicksand. Maharashtra). This period has witnessed
6. Nri-Durga (Human Fort): Eg, fort the emergence of new forts, including
of Nagaur, which were defended by local administrative defences, in both
experienced warriors and were often Andhra and Telangana States. All these
part of a city fortress with a large forts, once centres of power, polity, and
permanent garrison. might, engulfed in the annals of time,
yet they remain a source of information
about those bygone societies.

Major Forts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Kondapalli Fort •• Location: NTR district of AP.
•• Features:
♦♦ Built on the hills of eastern ghats
♦♦ Accessed through two entry gates known as Durga Darwaza and
Golconda Darwaza
♦♦ Built in Indo-Saracenic style.
•• Early 1530s: It became a strategic coastal fort of Qutb Shahi rulers.
Kondaveedu and •• Location: Bapatla and Palnadu districts of AP
Addanki Forts •• Role: Initially served as headquarters of the Reddy kingdom during
the early 15th- century
•• Founder: A subordinate of Kaktiyas of Warangal
•• Rulers at Kondaveedu Fort: Subjugated to Qutb Shahi rule (1637
and '79 AD) followed by the Mughals (1687 AD), the French (1752 AD),
the Nizams and finally the British (1788 AD).
•• Features:
♦♦ Puttakota: A double layer of defence fortification
♦♦ Stone defence ramparts at its foothill
♦♦ Khila: Extensive and marked by high raised security Rowers,/
battlements, and ramparts
Udayagiri Fort •• Location: PSR Nellore district of AP
•• Type: Hill fort
•• Rulers: It was initially under Vijayanagara rule, briefly held by
Gajapatis. Krishnadeva Raya re-annexed it to Vijayanagara empire in
1513 AD.
•• Features:
♦♦ Total 13 fortresses: 8 on the hill and five below, which contained
bastions, gateways, water reservoirs, granaries, and watch
towers.
♦♦ Krishna temple: Krishnadeva Raya carried the Balakrishna idol to
Hampi and reinstalled it in the temple in 1515 AD
♦♦ In the latter part of the 16th-century, it came under the control
of Qutb Shahi
•• 1839 AD: The East India Company accessioned it.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 90

Gooty Fort •• Location: Anantapuramu district of AP

•• Largest fortification: It covers 11 km in circumference, has seven
fortifications, one within another, and the outermost defence stone
wall covers two hills, ensuring formidable defence.
•• Features:
♦♦ Wide battlements inside ramparts provided by a continuous parapet
wall.
♦♦ Summit of the citadel has a granary, powder magazine, store
rooms, and magazines.
♦♦ Inscriptions of Kalyana Chalukyans ( 10th-century - 12th-century)
were found here, and one of them mentions the Chola attack that
was repulsed back.
♦♦ Attained status of Rajya or province under the Vijayanagara monarchs.
•• Fall of Vijayanagra, 1665 AD: It faced attacks from the Adil Shahis of
Bijapur and Qutb Shahis of Golconda armies.
•• 1776: Haider Ali took control of Gooty fort
•• 1799: It was annexed to the East India Company.
Penugonda Fort •• Location: Satya Sai district of AP.
•• Features:
♦♦ 7 massive fortifications
♦♦ A moat
♦♦ Four gateways
♦♦ Number of temples, wells, watch towers
♦♦ Granary at the summit
•• Historical significance: It became the capital of the IV dynasty of
Vijayanagara kings after the fall of Vijayanagara in the Tallikota War
in 1565 AD. It also witnessed multiple attacks by Adil Shahi and Qutb
Shahi commanders, which were repelled.
•• 1776: Penugonda also went into control of Haider Ali
•• 1799: East India Company annexed it
Chandragiri Fort •• Location: Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh
•• Area: About a mile in circumference and covers an area of 26 acres
•• Components:
♦♦ A lower fort: It covers the plain area & contains three-story Rani
Mahal and Raja Mahal and a couple of temples
♦♦ An upper fort: Located on the hill on the northern side & except
for strong stone ramparts and the remains of Vishnu temple and
Krishna temple, no significant structures were intact on the upper
fort.
•• Late 16th-century: The capital of Vijayanagara was shifted from
Penukonda to Chandragiri.
Gandikota Fort •• Location: YSR Kadapa district of AP
•• Meaning: 'Gandikota' means 'gorge and fort' in Telugu
•• Features:
♦♦ An impregnable fort, marked by a deep gorge with the river Pennar
flowing on its north and western sides, respectively.
♦♦ Main entrance is similar to the main entrance of Golconda Fort
marked by a cyclopean wall
♦♦ Structural remains include a magazine, jail, granary, Rang
Mahal, and mini Charminar, Jama Masjid, Madhavaraya temple,
Ranganayakula temple, and Raghunatha temple, dating to the
Vijayanagara and Qutb Shahis periods.
•• 1800 AD: It was ceded tothe East India Company under a treaty by
Nizam.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 91

Warangal Fort •• Location: Warangal district of Telangana

•• Related empire: It became the capital of the Kakatiya kingdom during
the Ganapatideva Maharajas regime (1199-1261 AD)
•• Other names: Orugallu, Orumgallu, and Ekasilanagara
•• Features:
♦♦ Diameter of the fortification: 7.5 km.
♦♦ 2 concentric circular defence fortifications and two moats
♦♦ The stone fortification has rows of steps running all along its
interior to access the ramparts at any time.
♦♦ One high, raised security tower was built atop Ekasila Hill.
♦♦ Has many temples, secular structures, shrines, water tanks, and
reservoirs
•• Later rulers: After the fall of the Kakatiya Empire (1323 AD) the fort
was ruled by several governors, local chieftains, Bahamanis, Qutb
Shahis, and Nizams.
Bhongir Fort •• Location: Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana
•• Dynasty: Initially under the Kakatiya supremacy.
•• Significance:
♦♦ One of the earliest forts in Telangana, controlled by the Qutb
Shahis.
♦♦ Played an important role in the succession struggle between Daulat
Quli and Ibrahim Qutb Shah (4th Sultan).
•• Type: A Hill fort that stands on an isolated, steep hill about 500 feet
high from ground level and has one mile circumference.
•• Components: Has lower and upper forts marked by steep slopes all around.
•• Features:
♦♦ The inner walls represent the varying architectural traits of
Kakatiyas and Qutb Shahis.
♦♦ Traces of stucco decorative elements in the form of cut plaster and
niche decoration indicate Qutb Shahi style, after Qutb Shahis finally
took control of the Nizams.
Koilkonda Fort •• Location: Mahbubnagar district of Telangana
•• Significance: Served as border fort between the Vijayanagara and
Qutb Shahi kingdoms.
•• Features:
♦♦ Located on a hill covered by ravines on the western side
♦♦ A defence wall encircles the hill with curtains and bastions
♦♦ Arched gateways are decorated - 4 gateways.
♦♦ Important remains: The house of the commander, a number of
other apartments, magazines, granary, and an Idgah
Elgandal Fort / •• Location: Karimnagar district of Telangana.
Veligundala •• Construction: Said to be built during Kakatiyas and served as one of
the strongholds during Musunuri Nayakas rule.
•• Qutb Shahi rule: It was made into a circar with 21 paraganas during
Abdul Hasan Qutb Shah.
•• Other rulers: Kalyana Chalukyas, later Kakatiyas, Musunuri Nayakas,
Bahamanis, Qutb Shahis, and Nizams.
•• Major structural remains: A temple and Darga datable to the early
and late medieval periods.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 92

Forts of Gujarat •• Stone used: Red sandstone

•• Gujarat, a land steeped in history and Bhadra Fort, Ahmedabad (Aark Fort)
culture, is adorned with magnificent •• Construction: By Ahmad Shah I in 1411.
forts that stand as timeless monuments •• Indo-Islamic architecture:
to the region's rich heritage. From the ♦♦ Bhadra Kali Temple
rugged hills of Junagadh to the serene ♦♦ Jama Masjid
shores of Diu, each fort narrates a saga
of valour, conquest, resilience, and ♦♦ Teen Darwaza: Formerly an entrance
architectural brilliance. to the royal square, Maidan- Shah.
♦♦ Clock Tower: A tower clock was
Uparkot Fort, Junagadh brought from London in 1849 and
•• Construction: 319 BC by the Mauryan installed here in 1878 by the British
emperor Chandragupta. East India Company
•• Stronghold for various dynasties:
Mauryas, Guptas, and Chudasamas. Major UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India
•• Architectural marvels: A mosque, a •• The Convention Concerning the
set of millennia-old Buddhist caves, and Protection of the World Cultural and
two fine step- wells (Adi Kadi Vav and Natural Heritage, an international
Navghan Kuvo). agreement adopted by the General
•• 2 cannons: Neelam and Mani Conference of UNESCO in 1972, was
founded on the premise that certain
Pavagadh Champaner Fort places on Earth are of outstanding
•• A UNESCO World Heritage Site universal value and as such should
•• Construction: 8th century, when it form part of the common heritage
served as a fortified outpost for the of humankind. The nations or States
Chavda dynasty. Parties that adhere to the Convention
•• Other ruling dynasties: Solanki Rajputs have become part of an international
(Chalukyas of Gujarat), Khichi Chauhans community, united in a common
and the Gujarat Sultanate. mission to identify and safeguard our
•• Major architectures: world's most outstanding natural and
cultural heritage. Whilst fully respecting
♦♦ Kalika Mata Temple: A revered the national sovereignty, and without
Hindu pilgrimage site, nestled within prejudice to property rights provided by
the fort walls. national legislation, the States Parties
♦♦ Jami Masjid: Built by Mahmud to the Convention recognise that the
Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate protection of the World Heritage is the
Diu Fort duty of the international community
as a whole. A total of 42 properties
•• Location: Island of Diu off the coast of
from India are inscribed on the World
Gujarat
Heritage List.
•• Importance: One of the Seven Wonders
of Portuguese Origin in the World. Red Fort of Agra
•• Construction: Product of a strategic •• About: A powerful fortress of red
alliance between Bahadur Shah, the sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5
Sultan of Gujarat, and the Portuguese km-long enclosure walls, the imperial
against the Mughals, built in the year city of the Mughal rulers.
1535 by D Nuno da Cunha and rebuilt in •• Major architectures: Jahangir Palace
the year 1546 by D Joao de Castro. and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan;
•• Stones used: Warm red sandstone. audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-
•• Porta da Barra: The fort's entrance gate Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

Bhujiya Fort Ajanta Caves

•• Location: On Bhujiya Hill on the outskirts •• About: The first Buddhist cave
of the town of Bhuj in the district of monuments that date from the 2nd and
Kutch. 1st centuries BC
•• Construction: It began in 1715 under •• Development: During the Gupta period
Rao Godji I, the ruler of the Kutch (5th and 6th centuries AD)
Kingdom & then his son, Deshalji I.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 93

Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar Fatehpur Sikri

•• About: It is the archaeological remains •• Construction: In the second half of the
of a monastic and scholastic institution 16th century by the Emperor Akbar,
dating from the 3rd century BCE to the •• Has Jama Masjid: One of the largest
13th century CE. mosques in India.
•• Components: Stupas, shrines, viharas Great Living Chola Temples
(residential and educational buildings)
•• Includes 3 great 11th and 12th-
and important art works in stucco, stone
century Temples:
and metal.
♦♦ Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur
•• Most ancient university of the Indian
Subcontinent: It transmitted knowledge ♦♦ Brihadisvara Temple at
over an uninterrupted period of 800 Gangaikondacholisvaram: Built by
years. Rajendra I, it was completed in 1035
AD
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi ♦♦ Airavatesvara Templeat Darasuram:
•• Location: Over 40 km from Bhopal Built by Rajaraja II at Darasuram and
•• Specifications: It has a group of Buddhist features a 24-m vimana and a stone
monuments (monolithic pillars, palaces, image of Lord Shiva
temples and monasteries) dating back
to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. Monuments at Hampi
•• Significance: It is the oldest Buddhist •• Hampi: Last capital of the last great
sanctuary in existence and was a major Hindu Kingdom of Vijayanagar.
Buddhist centre in India until the 12th •• Architecture: Dravidian temples and
century AD. palaces
•• Conquered by the Deccan Muslim
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly
confederacy in 1565
Victoria Terminus), Mumbai
•• Example of Victorian Gothic Revival Monuments at Mahabalipuram
architecture in India •• Founder: Pallava kings
•• Architect: British architect FW Steven •• Specifications: Carved out of rock along
•• Construction: Started in 1878 with the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th
stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and centuries.
eccentric ground plan •• Major architectures: Known for
Dholavira: A Harappan City its rathas (temples like chariots),
mandapas , giant open-air reliefs such
•• About: An archaeological site inhabited
as the famous 'Descent of the Ganges',
over a period of 1,200 years from 3000
& temple of Rivage, with thousands of
BCE through 1800 BCE.
sculptures to the glory of Lord Shiva.
•• Location: Near the village of Dholavira,
in the Kutch District of the Indian state Monuments at Pattadakal, Karnataka
of Gujarat. •• Components: Nine Hindu temples, as
•• Significance: 5th largest site of the well as a Jain sanctuary
Indus Valley Civilization in the sub- •• Temple of Virupaksha: Built c. 740 by
continent. Queen Lokamahadevi to commemorate
•• Lies between two seasonal streams: her husband's victory over the kings
Mansar (north) and Manhar (South). from the South.
•• 2 parts: A walled city and a cemetery to Hill Forts of Rajasthan
the west of the city.
•• 6 majestic forts: Chittorgarh;
Ellora Caves Kumbhalgarh; Sawai Madhopur;
•• About: Has 34 monasteries and temples, Jhalawar; Jaipur, and Jaisalmer.
extending over more than 2 km, were •• Use the natural defences offered by
dug side by side in the wall of a high the landscape: Hills, deserts, rivers,
basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in and dense forests.
Maharashtra. •• Special Feature: Have extensive water
•• Related religions: Buddhism, Hinduism harvesting structures, largely still in use
and Jainism today.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 94

Walled City of Ahmedabad ♦♦ Darjeeling Himalayan Railway: The

•• Founder: Sultan Ahmad Shah in the first hill passenger railway opened in
15th century on the eastern bank of the 1881.
Sabarmati river ♦♦ Nilgiri Mountain Railway: A 46-
•• Major architecture: Bhadra citadel, km long metre- gauge single-
walls and gates of the Fort city & track railway in Tamil Nadu State
mosques and tombs as well as important completed in 1908.
Hindu and Jain temples of later periods. ♦♦ Kalka Shimla Railway: A 96-km
long, single track working rail link
Humayun's Tomb, Delhi
built in the mid-19th century to
•• Construction: 1570 provide a service to the highland
•• Significance: The first garden-tomb on town of Shimla.
the Indian subcontinent.
Qutub Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
Jaipur City, Rajasthan •• Construction: Early 13th century a few
•• Founded: In 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II. kilometres south of Delhi
•• Specification: Built according to a grid •• About: The red sandstone tower of
plan having large public squares called Qutub Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering
chaupars. from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to
Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, 14.32 m at its base, and alternating
Telangana angular and rounded flutings.
•• Location: In the village of Palampet •• Alai-Darwaza Gate: The masterpiece of
~ 200 km north-east of Hyderabad, Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311)
Telangana. •• Quwwatu'l-Islam Mosque: The oldest
•• About: The main Shiva temple built of in northern India.
sandstone in a walled complex built Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen's Stepwell) at Patan,
during the Kakatiyan period (1123- Gujarat
1323 CE) under rulers Rudradeva and •• Location: On the bank of Saraswati
Recharla Rudra. River
•• Construction: It began in 1213 CE and •• Construction: Initially built as a
has decorated beams and pillars of memorial to a king in the 11th century
carved granite and dolerite. AD
Khajuraho Group of Monuments •• Architecture: Maru-Gurjara architectural
•• Construction: During the Chandella style
dynasty, which reached its apogee Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
between 950 and 1050.
•• Location: Foothills of the Vindhyan
•• Only about 20 temples remain Mountains on the southern edge of the
•• 2 different religions: Hinduism and central Indian plateau.
Jainism.
Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
•• Temple of Kandariya: A shiva temple &
is among the greatest masterpieces of •• About: Has 3 Hoysala-style temple
Indian art. complexes in southern India, dating
from the 12th to 13th centuries.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
Santiniketan
•• About: One of the four holy sites
related to the life of the Lord Buddha, •• Establishment: Rural West Bengal in
and particularly to the attainment of 1901 by Rabindranath Tagore
Enlightenment. •• About: It was a residential school and
•• Temples: The first temple was built by centre for art based on ancient Indian
Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century BC, traditions and a vision of the unity of
and the present temple dates from the humanity transcending religious and
5th or 6th centuries. cultural boundaries.
•• 'World University’: It was established
Mountain Railways of India at Santiniketan in 1921, recognising the
•• 3 railways: unity of humanity or 'Visva Bharati'.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 95

Kurukshetra
Sun Temple, Konark
•• About: A monumental representation
of the sun god Surya's chariot; its 24
wheels are decorated with symbolic Theyyam
designs and it is led by a team of six
•• Other names: Kaliyattam,
horses.
Theyyamkettu, or Thirayadiyanthiram
Taj Mahal •• About: A vibrant ritualistic art form
•• About: An immense mausoleum of indigenous to the northern part of
white marble, built in Agra between Kerala, specifically Kasaragod, Kannur,
1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal Wayanad, and Kozhikode districts.
emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his •• Practise in Karnataka: The art form is
wife Mumtaz Mahal. also practised under the name 'Bhuta
Kola' in the neighbouring region of
The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Karnataka, occupying the Tulunadu
•• About: An astronomical observation region.
site built in the early 18th century that
Communities practising Theyyam
includes a set of some 20 main fixed
instruments. •• Malayar community: They habit
Kasaragod in north to Vadakara in south.
•• Importance: It is the most significant,
most comprehensive, and the •• Mavilanmar community: Inhabitants
best preserved of India's historic of the hill areas of Kannur and Kasaragod
observatories. districts, who also engage in basket
weaving.
Great Himalayan National Park •• Koppalar community: Found in
Conservation Area (GNPS) Kasaragod, it retains their Thulunad
•• Location: Himachal Pradesh culture and are known as 'Nalkedayar'
in the Thulu language meaning dance.
•• Characteristics: High alpine peaks,
alpine meadows and riverine forests. •• Kalanadikal: A matrilineal tribal society
believed to have migrated and settled in
Kaziranga National Park the hills of Wayanad.
•• About: Located in Assam, this park is Structural components of Theyyam
one of the last areas in eastern India •• Vellattam/ Thottam Paatu: Initial
undisturbed by a human presence. segment of the performance; the artist
•• Importance: Inhabited by the world's in a simple and modest red headdress
largest population of one-horned accompanied by drummers, recites and
rhinoceroses, as well as tigers, elephants, narrates the myth of the deity of the
panthers and bears, and thousands of shrine or Theyyam.
birds. •• Kaavu: Sacred grove or forest area where
Keoladeo National Park Theyyam performances traditionally
take place.
•• About: One of the major wintering
areas for large numbers of aquatic birds •• Symbolising Harvest: Theyyam
from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, China performances are commonly held
and Siberia. during the winter months, aligning with
the agricultural lull when villagers can
•• Importance: Some 364 species of birds,
actively participate without disrupting
including the rare Siberian crane, have
their farming activities.
been recorded in the park.
•• Caste based nature: Theyyam
Sundarbans National Park performances are often associated
•• About: It covers an area of 10,000 km2 with specific castes, particularly those
of land and water (more than half of it belonging to the lower strata of society.
in India, the rest in Bangladesh) in the •• Natural Makeup & Attire: The makeup
Ganges delta. transforms the artists into divine or
•• Importance: It contains the world's ancestral beings. The attire includes
largest area of mangrove forests. colourful costumes adorned with
intricate designs and ornaments.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 96

•• Traditional musical Instruments: the world, with its own relevance and
Chenda (drum) and elathalam (cymbals) rationality, since Indian tribes express
accompany the performance. their unique artistry in beautiful ways,
Types of Theyyam so factors like geographia, socio-
historic transition, transformation and
•• ~ 400 diverse forms of Theyyam but
transcreation shape the style of their
broadly classified into:
artistic approach. This art is a precious
♦♦ Forms of female deities: gem in our rich civilisation, brought
Predominantly Mother Goddesses to life with vibrant colours by talented
like Bhagawati, Kali, Chamundi, and indigenous artisans all over the country.
Bhadrakali
Warli Paintings
♦♦ Deities elevated from human
figures and history of the land: It •• About: A style of tribal art created by the
includes revered scholars and war tribes from the North Sahyadri Range in
heroes Maharashtra.
♦♦ Indigenous and tribal cultures:
Snake gods and goddesses and
those associated with curses and
blessings
♦♦ Animalistic forms of Theyyam:
Ttiger and monkey deities celebrate
the community's intricate links with
nature
♦♦ Mappilla Theyyam: It represents
the Muslim community, embodying
cultural interactions and engagement
of the region and period.
Symbolism
•• Practise: Traditionally practised by
•• Ecological Symbolism: Many Theyyam women of the Warli tribe/ Suvasinis,
performances feature deities and who decorated the Lagn Chowk or the
spirits that are closely associated with wedding square.
elements of nature, such as forests, •• Theme:
rivers, animals, and celestial bodies.
♦♦ Daily routine
•• Sacred Groves/ kaavus and
♦♦ Relationship of the tribal people
Biodiversity Conservation: By
with nature, gods, myths, traditions,
performing Theyyam in these natural customs, and festivities.
settings, tribal communities reinforce
♦♦ Employs simple designs like circle,
their spiritual connection to the land &
triangle, and square
contribute to ecosystem conservation.
♦♦ Central motif - "chauk" or "chaukat"
•• Harvest Festivities and Agrarian
Wisdom: Some Theyyam rituals are Gond Paintings
associated with harvest festivals and •• Practise: By the Gond tribal community
agrarian celebrations, highlighting of central India.
the importance of agriculture in tribal
societies.
•• Environmental Conservation and
Advocacy: By using Theyyam as a for
raising environmental consciousness,
tribal communities seek to spread
awareness and promote sustainable
stewardship of natural resources.

Role of Tribal Art

•• It is significant that the tradition and
cultural diversity of tribal India are
the most ancient and unparalleled in
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 97

•• Themes: nature for blessings. Various agricultural

♦♦ Animals activities, like sowing, caring of crops,
♦♦ Mahua tree harvesting etc., are nature or weather
dependent for their best results. Hence,
♦♦ Mythological stories
any adversity in weather conditions
♦♦ Hindu gods, Local deities posed a big challenge to ancient
♦♦ Folktales agrarian societies for their survival
•• Designs & Patterns: Dots, fine lines, and sustenance. To keep their crops
curved lines, dashes, fish scales, drops safe from any calamity, they started
of water, seed shapes, and geometrical worshipping the agricultural fields and
shapes related deities with songs, dances, and
Hornbill Festival various offerings.
•• State: Nagaland in the first week of Major tribal festivals
December
•• About: One of the largest indigenous 1- Bhagoria Haat or Bhagoria tribal
festival organised by the state festival
government of Nagaland to promote ♦♦ Celebrated by: Bhils and Bhilalas
tourism in the state. tribes
•• Naming: Named after Hornbill bird - the ♦♦ Month: March
most revered bird for the Nagas. ♦♦ Type: A harvest festival
Champa silk/ Kosa silk ♦♦ State: Celebrated in the Jhabua,
•• State: Produced exclusively in Dhar, Alirajpur, and Khargone areas
Chhattisgarh - GI Tag (2010) of MP
•• Texture: Majorly dull golden brownish 2. Karma or Karam Festival
texture but is also found in natural
shades of dark honey, fawn, orange, ♦♦ States: Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
pale golden, cream and many more. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal,
Bihar, and Assam
Phulkari Embroidery
♦♦ About: Dedicated to the worship
•• State: Punjab of Karam-Lord/ God to seek his
•• About: Embroidery of floral designs blessings for good harvest and
on light-colored cloth with contrasting health.
brilliant colors. On the back of the ♦♦ Tribes: Celebrated by Munda, Ho,
material, the stitches are embroidered. Oraon, Bagal, Baiga, Kharia, Kudmi,
Dhokra Metal Casting Lohra, and Korwa tribes
•• Dhokra Damar tribe: Traditional metal ♦♦ Month: 'Ekadashi' (11th day)
smiths of Central India. or 'Purnima' (Full Moon) in the
•• Origin: Traced back to the tribal Hindu month of 'Bhadon' (August-
communities residing in the regions September)
of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West ♦♦ Type: Sowing Festival
Bengal, and Odisha, where it evolved
3. Hareli
as an integral part of their cultural and
religious practices. ♦♦ State: Chhatisgarh
•• Metal casting system: It involves ♦♦ About: Dedicated to crop harvests,
using the lost wax casting/ cire perdue trees and greenery in general
method. ♦♦ Tribe: Celebrated mainly by Gond
•• Theme: Nature, mythology, and tribe on the new moon day in the
everyday life, incorporating motifs such month 'Shravan' (July-August)
as animals, birds, deities, and tribal ♦♦ Deity: Goddess 'Kutki Dai' is
symbols into their creations. worshipped to seek blessings for
good monsoon and bumper crops
Agricultural Festivals of India
♦♦ Major ritual: 'Pat Jatra' that
•• As a part of their culture heritage, all embraces worship of Sal tree wood
tribes celebrate various festivals to locally known as 'Thurlu Kotla' or
appease deities and revere mother 'Tika Pata'
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 98

♦♦ Other names: Hariyali and Riyali in ♦♦ Aelong festival: Celebrated after

Himachal Pradesh (Kangra, Shimla sowing of new seeds in the fields
and Sirmour) and Dakhrail in Jubbal to seek divine blessings for bumper
and Kinnaur harvest. Celebrations continue for
five days (1-6 April) every year mainly
4- Bihan Mela
by Konyak tribe.
♦♦ About: Celebrated by Kondh tribe of ♦♦ Moatsii Mong/ Moatsu festival:
Odisha since 2019 & is a celebration After sowing seeds and cleaning the
of the indigenous crops and varieties fields, people of Ao tribe celebrate
grown in the region, especially in this 3-day long festival in the first
Nayagarh district. week of May. They light a fire, called
♦♦ Literal meaning: Seed festival Sangpangtu, and sit around it.
♦♦ Objective: To promote traditional ♦♦ Bushu Dima festival: A 3-day long
varieties and conventional farming festival of Dimansa tribe on the
practices such as mixed cropping completion of January harvest &
that were abandoned after Green they offer their yield of paddy field to
Revolution. their supreme god, called Brai Sibrai
Madai.
5- Agricultural tribal festivals of Madhya
Pradesh Agricultural tribal festivals of Arunachal
♦♦ Makar Sankranthi/ Redgram Week Pradesh
Festival: Newly harvested crop of ♦♦ Myoko: One of the most important
redgram is first offered to God with festivals of the Apatani tribe
prayers, and then cooked for family. celebrated from 20th March to 19th
♦♦ Shiva Ratri/ Poola Pandaga: April every year to ensure fertility,
Celebrated in February as festival of both in the fields and its people.
flowers during which, tribals collect ♦♦ Reh festival: Celebrated by Idu
flowers of all kinds from forest for Mishmi tribe every year from 1st to
worshipping the Goddess. 3rd February to seek prosperity of
♦♦ Crop seeds and tamarind festivals: family and crops.
Celebrated in the month of March. ♦♦ Mopin: An agricultural festival
♦♦ Seeds festival: Celebrated in May celebrated by the Galo tribe on 5th
prior to sowing and cultivation. April every year & rice flour is applied
♦♦ Mokkalu festival: Celebrated in to fellow revelers' faces as rice is the
July in which tribals pluck out the main staple food of this tribe.
unwanted plants from their fields to ♦♦ Nyokum festival: Celebrated by
prevent crop diseases and increase Nyish tribe every year on the 26th
productivity. February. The festival is closely
♦♦ Nandamma Goddess festival: It linked with sowing, as during the
celebrates bringing of harvested festival, the goddess of prosperity
crops from fields. is worshipped with offerings for a
bountiful harvest.
♦♦ Kanda festival: It begins in
December and culminates in the Agricultural tribal festivals of Sikkim
January as Redgram Week.
♦♦ Losar: One of the most popular
6- Agricultural tribal festivals of Assam festivals of Sikkim celebrated by
local communities which is basically
♦♦ Ali- Aye-Ligang: Celebrated by the
praying for a good harvest in the
Mising tribe marking the beginning
current new year.
of cultivation on the first Wednesday
of the month of Phalgun ♦♦ Sakewa: Celebrated by mostly
Kirat Khamba Rai community. as
♦♦ Porag Festivals: Celebrated by the
a homage to Mother Earth for the
Mising tribe in the months of Aghan
blessings in many forms.
and Phalgun which is a post-harvest
festival. Also known as Nora Siga ♦♦ Losoong or Noomsong festival: It
Bihu, it is a 5-day long festival. celebrates the end of reaping season
of crops. It also marks Sikkimese
7- Agricultural tribal festivals of new year.
Nagaland
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 99

Tribal Folk Dances of North- east India bell in one hand and damaru in the
other and represent dakinis who are
•• Home to over two hundred tribes and
protectors of the Buddhist faith.
ethnic communities, India's North-
eastern Region is often referred to as Tribal Folk Dances of Assam
a region of festivals, music and dance. •• Bagrumba: Performed by young
Every tribe or community has its own set Bodo women in Spring to pray for the
of distinct festivals, most of which centre community's prosperity and well-being.
round sowing, harvesting and the New •• Bardwisikhla: Another spring time
Year. Folk dances are an inseparable Bodo folk dance performed to welcome
part of these festivals which not only the wind goddess.
display the culture of the tribes, but also
•• Gumrag Soman: Performed by Mising
reflect their colourful fabrics, musical
people, as a part of Ali-a-ye Ligang (the
instruments, and above all, their intrinsic
Springtime seed-sowing festival) to the
love for Nature.
rhythm of amorous Oinitom songs to
Tribal Folk Dances of Arunachal Pradesh the accompainment of drums, cymbals
•• Rikham Pada: Performed by the Nishyie and flutes.
people who follow an indigenous faith in •• Ritnong Chingdi, Lingpum Sokchon
which the dancers wear elaborate cane and Hacha Hekan: Performed by Karbi
headgears, and an antique waist-belt tribal community & are associated with
made of beaten bell metal. agriculture.
•• Ponung: Performed by the Adi tribe •• Nimso Kerung and Banjar Kekan:
which is a part of the Solung festival Associated with death rituals.
to seek a bumper crop, this dance is
Tribal Folk Dances of Meghalaya
exclusively performed by women with
one male person called Miri guiding •• Nongkrem dance: Performed by Khasis
them. during the Nongkrem festival dedicated
to the indigenous deity called U Lei
•• Delong: An all-male Adi folk dance
Shyllong by young women clad in their
performed during the Etor festival
best colourful traditional jewelry.
which depicts making or mending of
fences around village farms to protect •• Wangala/ Hundred Drums dance: Part
them from animals. of the Wangala Festival of the Garos
held to mark the end of a period of toil,
•• Daminda: Performed by the Apatani
and pray for a good harvest.
women to mark the beginning and end
of Dree festival which depicts various •• Cheraw/ Bamboo dance: Oldest Mizo
aspects of traditional agriculture. dance believed to have existed even in
the 1st century AD.
•• Cham: 22 different types of folk dances
performed by the Monpa people, who Tribal Folk Dances of Mizoram
profess Mahayana Buddhism, some of •• Khuallam/ Dance of the Guest: A
which are performed during Torgya, a Mizo folk dance generally performed
three-day monastic festival. by men which is part of Khuangchawi,
•• Pha Cham: Performed by the Monpa a ceremony comprising of community
people. It is performed by a single feasting, dance and music.
person in a monk's dress wearing a •• Chheih Lam: A dance which embodies
pha (boar) mask to pacify the gods and the spirit of joy and exhilaration. A
spirits so that perfect conditions could group of people sit in a circle and sing a
be created for the Torgya festival. song called Chheih hla which is sung to
•• Shanag cham: Performed by twelve the beats of a drum or a bamboo tube
Monpa dancers who represent Tantric or just clapping of hands.
priests, wearing phodka (a richly •• Par Lam dance: To celebrate the beauty
embroidered gown flowing to the of mountains and rivers, girls are
ankles) and pang kheb (a colourful dressed in colourful attire with flowers
embroidered apron), apart from a black, tucked in their hair sing the glory of
broad-brimmed hat called Shanag. Nature, a couple of boys play a gong
•• Gon-Nyin Cham: Performed by eleven and a string musical instrument.
Monpa dancers each holding a ritual
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 100

Manipur •• Yimdongsu Tsungsang: Performed by

•• Asharai Odo: Performed by Mao tribe, Ao tribe, it is a celebration of heritage
it is a colourful folk dance known for and spirituality, and the dancers
its vocal rhythms and mellifluous traverse the village streets in intricate
movements. movements, wearing traditional items.
•• Luivat Pheizak: Performed by Tangkhul •• Oh Hio: Performed by Chakesang men
people which depict different stages during festivals and celebrations. The
of cultivation and the simple tribal dancers imitate actions of different
lifestyle, this dance is performed during birds and animals, like rooster fights,
all traditional festivals like Luira Phanit and flapping of wings by the ducks.
(seed sowing festival), Manei Phanit Tripura
(festival of tools and equipments), and •• Hozagiri dance: Performed by Reang
Chumphu (harvest festival). tribals during Hozagiri festival or
•• Shim Lam/ Fly Dance: Performed by Lakshmi puja. A group of men sing &
Kabui tribals during the Gang-Ngai play the Kham (drum) and Sumui (flute),
festival and depicts the story of Tajuibon, 4-6 women dance during which they
a flying insect with shiny wings, which depict the entire cycle of jhum (slash-
moves around from one flower to and-burn) cultivation.
another drinking nectar. •• Garia dance: Performed by Jamatia and
•• Kit Lam: Performed by Kabui tribals, it is Kalai tribes during Garia or Shiva puja, in
a harvest festival in which the rhythmic which young men and women go from
dance imitates the movement of the house to house, place a symbol of Lord
crickets. Garia in the middle of the courtyard,
Nagaland and sing and dance in an anti- clockwise
•• Sovi Kehu: A community dance circle around it.
performed by Angami tribe in which an
elder takes the lead with an "ohh-hoo
ohh-hoo" sound, and others follow him
in a circular motion.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 101

14. EDITORIALS
1- Analysing Maharashtra’s water crisis - Way Forward
The Hindu •• Making the most of available
•• After the deficient monsoon last year, resources: They include classical
the Maharashtra government declared watershed management work (like
many parts of the State to be drought- building water-conserving structures
hit. This situation is in sharp contrast like contour trenches, earthen bunds,
with the State’s coastal areas, where gully plugs, etc.).
rainfall has often been in excess, leading •• Curbing rainwater run off of
to severe flooding. agricultural fields: Run off carries the
Rain-shadow effect very soil that doesn’t allow the water to
percolate. So many of these structures
•• Location of Marathwada in the rain- accumulate silt.
shadow region of Western Ghats:
Moist winds from Arabian Sea rise and •• Use of funds under the MGNREGS:
cool, causing heavy rainfall (2,000-4,000 Funds could be used to design silt-
mm) on the western side but upon trapping mechanisms and organise
descending into Western Maharashtra training programmes for farmers on
and Marathwada, they lose most of their periodic desilting.
moisture. •• Managing water demand in low-
•• Impact: As a result, Marathwada and rainfall region: It includes practising
North Karnataka have emerged as the water-efficient irrigation, cultivating
second driest regions in India after drought-resistant crops, and diversifying
Rajasthan. livelihoods.
Impact of crops •• Shift in agri practices: Marathwada
must also shift to other high-value, low-
•• Sugarcane cultivation: Sugarcane water-using crops, while sugarcane
requires 1,500-2,500 mm of water in its production must move to Uttar Pradesh,
growing season & consumes 61% of the Bihar, and West Bengal.
irrigation water. As a result, the average
river outflow in the upper Bhima basin 2. How well is India tapping its rooftop
has almost halved. solar potential? - The Hindu
•• Govt support: Support for sugarcane
pricing and sales has expanded Context
sugarcane irrigation, restricting the •• India’s installed rooftop solar (RTS)
irrigation of more nutritious crops. capacity increased by 2.99 GW in 2023-
Impact of soil & topography 2024, the highest growth in a year. As
of March 31, the total installed RTS
•• Type of soil: Clayey black soil, locally capacity in India was 11.87 GW. To meet
called “regur” which is fertile and retains rising energy demand, India needs to
moisture well but has a low infiltration double down on its efforts to expand its
rate; so water runs off. RTS potential.
•• Low hydraulic conductivity of soil: So,
it holds on to the water for a long time RTS programme
after rains due to which farmers face •• Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar
crop loss. Mission - 2010: Predecessor to RTS
•• Non-uniform water scarcity: The area to produce 20 GW of solar energy
has parallel tributaries of the Godavari (including RTS) in three phases: 2010-
and the Krishna flowing southeast. 2013, 2013-2017, and 2017-2022.
Each tributary flows in the valley and is •• 2015: The government revised this
separated by a gently sloping hill. The target to 100 GW by 2022, including a 40-
valleys have perennial groundwater GW RTS component, with yearly targets
while the uplands have seasonal for each State and Union Territory.
groundwater.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 102

•• December 2022: India had an installed •• Potential States: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
RTS capacity of 7.5 GW and extended the and Jharkhand, among others, are yet to
deadline for the 40-GW target to 2026. fully explore their RTS potential.
•• India’s overall RTS potential: ~ 796 GW. •• Challenges: Bureaucratic hurdles,
•• Current requirement: To meet India’s inadequate infrastructure, and lack of
target of installing 500 GW of renewable public awareness.
energy capacity, with a solar component
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
of 280 GW, by 2030, RTS alone needs to
contribute about 100 GW by 2030. •• About: A flagship initiative to fit one
crore households with RTS systems and
Performance of states help them get up to 300 units of free
•• Latest data: The RTS capacities of electricity every month.
Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan •• Impact: An average system size of 2 kW
had taken big strides. for targeted households will result in a
•• Largest potential: Rajasthan boasts of total RTS capacity addition of 20 GW.
the highest RTS potential in the country: •• Other provisions: It encourages
1,154 MW as it provides financial the adoption of advanced solar
incentives, and promotes RTS through technologies, energy storage solutions,
public–private partnerships. and smart grid infrastructure.

3. Indus Water Treaty - The Hindu

 Current Affairs : June : 2024 103

Context •• Progression:
•• With a five-member Pakistani delegation ♦♦ Almost all opposition leaders were
currently touring power projects in put in jail.
Jammu and Kashmir along with neutral ♦♦ Fundamental rights, including the
experts from the World Bank, a leader freedom of speech and expression
recently sought the termination of guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a),
India’s Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with were curtailed, which led to pre-
Pakistan. censorship of the press.
•• About: A treaty signed between India •• Impact of Emergency: It converts the
and Pakistan regulating the use and federal structure into a de facto unitary
distribution of the Indus River system.
one.
•• Agreement: Between the then-Prime
•• Extension of emergency: Parliament
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and former
may by law extend the (five-year) term
Pakistan President Ayub Khan in 1960.
of Lok Sabha one year at a time, make
•• Mediation: World Bank (It is also a laws on subjects in the State List, and
signatory to the treaty). extend the Union’s executive powers to
•• Role of World Bank: To appoint a neutral the states.
expert in case of ‘technical’ differences, •• Power to the President: He can
failing which the differences are modify constitutional provisions on
escalated to a dispute for international the allocation of financial resources
arbitration. between the Union and states.
•• Conditions: Water from three eastern Legal and constitutional sanction of
rivers, Beas, Ravi, and Sutlej, was Emergency
allocated to India, and water from the
three western rivers – Chenab, Indus, •• Article 352: The President may, on
and Jhelum were allocated to Pakistan. the advice of the Council of Ministers
headed by the PM, issue a proclamation
•• Pak’s share: Pakistan got 80% of the of emergency if the security of India or
water in the Indus drainage system. any part of the country is threatened by
•• Monitoring: The treaty is overseen by “war or external aggression or armed
the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC). rebellion”.
•• Permanent Indus Commission (PIC): •• 1975: Instead of armed rebellion,
A bilateral body with commissioners the ground of “internal disturbance”
from both countries to implement and was available to the government to
manage treaty provisions, and resolve proclaim an emergency (Only instance
any questions, differences, or disputes of proclamation of emergency due to
that may arise. “internal disturbance”).
4. The Story of the Emergency - Indian Ex- •• Other two occasions of emergency:
press October 26, 1962, and December 3,
1971, both on grounds of war.
Context •• Removal of the term “internal
•• On June 25, India entered the 50th year disturbance”: By The Constitution (44th
of the imposition of the Emergency, an Amendment) Act, 1978.
extraordinary 21-month period from •• Article 358: It frees the state of all
1975 to 1977, which saw the suspension limitations imposed by Article 19 (“Right
of civil liberties, curtailment of press to freedom”) as soon as an emergency
freedom, mass arrests, the cancellation is imposed.
of elections, and rule by decree.
Emergency in the modern political history of 5. UNESCO World Heritage Site of
India Somanathapur - The Hindu
•• Meaning: June 25, 1975 - March 21, Context
1977, during which the government of •• The Tourism Department in Karnataka is
PM Indira Gandhi used special provisions planning to promote the UNESCO World
in the Constitution to impose sweeping Heritage Site of Somanathapur as part
executive & legislative consequences on of Mysuru tourism circuit before Dasara
the country. this year. This will be through cross-
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 104

promotion of the 13th-century heritage ♦♦ Amalgamation of 3 distinctive

site at popular places of tourist interest styles (Dravidian, Vesara and the
such as the Mysuru Palace, zoo and the North Indian Nagara style).
Chamundi Hills so that visitors can plan ♦♦ Signed temples - the sculptors,
a visit. masons leave behind their names,
and sometimes a few more details.
♦♦ Vaishnava and Shaiva shrine that
were built at the time Jainism was
prominent in the region, and thus
mark a turn towards Hinduism.
3 temples selected for the UNESCO list
•• Chennakeshava temple/ Vijaya
Narayana temple: Dedicated to Lord
Vishnu - consecrated around 1117 AD by
Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to mark
victory against the Cholas.
•• Kesava temple: A Vaishnava shrine
built in 1268 by Somanatha, a general of
Hoysala King Narasimha III in the shape
of a 16-point star and has 3 shrines
dedicated to Keshava (missing now),
Janardhana and Venugopala.
•• Hoysaleswara temple: Largest Shiva
temple built by the Hoysalas, and is
dated to the 12th century.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
•• World Heritage Site (WHS): A landmark
with legal protection by an international
convention administered by the UNESCO
Hoysalas under the UNESCO World Heritage
•• About: Provincial governors under the Convention, 1972.
Western Chalukyas who held power in •• Classification: Cultural, natural and
Karnataka from the 10th century to the mixed (meeting both cultural and
14th century. natural criteria)
•• Initial capital: Belur •• Criteria: To be selected, a WHS must
•• Later capital: Halebidu (or be a somehow unique landmark which
Dwarasamudra). is geographically and historically
identifiable and has special cultural or
Hoysala Temples physical significance.
•• Features: •• Maintenance of the list: By the
♦♦ Use of soapstone, a malleable stone international World Heritage Program
that is easy to carve. administered by the UNESCO World
♦♦ Built on stellate (star-shaped) Heritage Committee.
platforms, and have several •• Country with maximum sites: Italy
structures inside the complex. (59); China is the second with 57 sites
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 105

15. TERM IN NEWS

Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) (Geography) •• Longer illnesses and delayed recoveries.
•• The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is •• Increased healthcare costs due to
a climate pattern that affects the Pacific the need for stronger or alternative
Ocean’s temperature and the weather medications.
patterns around it. It’s a long-term cycle, •• Higher risk of spreading infections.
with warm and cool phases lasting 20-30 •• Potential treatment failure and even
years [Link] PDO is similar to El Niño/ death.
La Niña, but on a much larger scale.
El Niño events last months, while PDO Sympatric Speciation (Environment)
phases last decades. As of April 2024, •• Sympatric speciation is an evolutionary
the PDO is in a cool phase. wonder where a new species emerges
from its ancestor within the same
Urban Heat Island Effect (Geography)
area, unlike allopatric speciation
•• The urban heat island (UHI) effect where geography splits a population.
refers to the phenomenon where Subgroups of the original species
cities experience significantly higher might adapt to different resources or
temperatures than surrounding rural niches in their shared habitat, causing
areas. genetic divergence over time. Changes
•• City materials trap heat: Cities are in mating behavior, like breeding
full of concrete, asphalt, and metal seasons or rituals, can also prevent
buildings. These materials absorb the interbreeding and lead to speciation.
sun’s heat all day and release it slowly at Similarly, dietary shifts towards different
night, keeping things warm for longer food sources can isolate subpopulations
durations. In contrast, trees and other reproductively. In rare cases, a genetic
natural elements in rural areas shade accident like doubling chromosomes
the ground and release water vapor (polyploidy) can instantly create a new,
through their leaves, which has a cooling reproductively isolated species. While
effect. less common than allopatric speciation,
•• Less airflow: Densely packed buildings some potential examples include apple
in cities can block wind, which would maggot flies and African cichlid fish.
normally help circulate cooler air. This Rangelands (Geography)
trapped air gets hot and stays hot,
making it feel even more stifling. •• Rangelands are vast natural or semi-
•• Urban heat sources: All the activity in a natural ecosystems grazed by livestock
city adds heat. Cars, buses, factories, and and wild animals, covering around 80
even people generate heat, contributing million sq km, making them the most
to the overall warmth of the urban extensive land cover on Earth. This
environment. diverse landscape includes grasses,
shrubs, bushes, open forests, and even
Anti-Microbial Resistance(AMR) (Science) agroforestry systems, with the exact
vegetation mix depending on rainfall,
•• Anti-Microbial Resistance(AMR) is a
temperature, and other climate factors.
growing global threat where microbes
These vital ecosystems act as carbon
like bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
sinks, freshwater storehouses, and even
parasites develop the ability to resist the
prevent desertification, with India alone
effects of medicines designed to kill or
boasting 1.21 million square kilometers
control them.
of rangelands stretching from the Thar
AMR can lead to: Desert to Himalayan meadows.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 106

Starlink (Science & Technology) the exact location of these thresholds

and the timing of tipping events remain
•• Starlink is a project by SpaceX that uncertain. The best way to avoid them
aims to revolutionize internet access is through climate change mitigation,
with a mega constellation of satellites requiring a global shift to clean energy
in low Earth orbit. This ambitious and sustainable practices. Even with
project targets high-speed internet to mitigation, adaptation strategies
underserved and remote areas globally are crucial to cope with the potential
while offering competitive options in consequences of tipping points that
developed regions. The key aspect here may still occur. Examples include the
lies in the network’s altitude - thousands collapse of ice sheets, coral reef die-offs,
of satellites orbit much closer to Earth and disruptions to ocean circulation
than traditional ones, enabling faster patterns.
data transfer with minimal delay. Starlink
is still under development, but with Agrivoltaics (Environment)
thousands of satellites already launched
and initial service available in select •• Agrivoltaics, or combining solar panels
regions, it represents a significant leap with agriculture, is a land-sharing
forward in global internet connectivity. approach that optimizes space by
allowing crops or livestock to coexist
Large Language Models (LLM) (Science & under or between the panels. This
Technology) shade can regulate temperature, reduce
water evaporation in hot climates,
•• Large language models (LLMs) are and potentially improve crop yields.
new-age technology in the field of AI Additionally, the structures can act as
understanding the human language. windbreaks. By generating income
Trained on massive text datasets, LLMs from solar energy, agrivoltaics can
develop a remarkable understanding boost farm profitability and contribute
of language structure, enabling them to sustainable land management,
to respond fluently. This technology renewable energy production, and
is powered by transformers, a specific economic benefits for farmers. However,
neural network architecture. Their initial investment costs can be higher
applications are vast, from intelligent due to specialized design needs, and as
chatbots for customer service to high- a relatively new concept, more research
accuracy machine translation and is required to optimize configurations
creative content generation. They and agricultural practices for different
are also used for academic research regions and crops.
purposes. However, critical evaluation
remains vital, as LLMs are still under Antimatter (Space)
development and can generate
inaccuracies. Ethical considerations •• Antimatter, the mirror image of regular
regarding bias and misuse must be matter, is composed of antiparticles
addressed as LLM technology matures. with the same mass but opposite
Examples - Bard (Google), GPT-3 electrical charges and properties as
(OpenAI), and Jurassic-1 Jumbo (A121 their counterparts. Though the Big
Labs). Bang likely produced equal parts
matter and antimatter, our universe
Climate Tipping Points (Environment) is strangely dominated by matter.
•• Climate tipping points are critical factors Antiprotons, positrons (antielectrons),
in Earth’s climate [Link] global and antineutrons make up antimatter,
warming pushes the system past these annihilating into pure energy upon
thresholds, even small changes can contact with their regular counterparts.
trigger large, irreversible shifts with While currently impractical due to
potentially catastrophic environmental its rarity and production difficulties,
and societal consequences. Each antimatter holds potential for future
tipping point has a unique threshold - applications like PET scans with superior
exceeding it due to rising temperatures image detail and highly efficient energy
can cause the climate to abruptly jump generation, though significant hurdles
into a new, potentially permanent state. remain.
While scientists confirm their existence,
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 107

Fissile Materials (Science & Technology) composed of the Tutsi minority. M23 has
been a source of instability in the eastern
•• Fissile materials, like Uranium-235 and DRC, particularly North Kivu, where
Plutonium-239, are special atomic nuclei they’ve clashed with the government
that readily undergo nuclear fission, since 2012, displacing many civilians.
a process that splits the nucleus upon Accusations of Rwandan support for
neutron impact, releasing tremendous M23 further complicate the issue, and
energy. This fission chain reaction has as of June 2024, the M23 remains active,
immense potential for both peaceful contributing to ongoing violence in the
energy generation in nuclear power region.
plants and destructive weaponization
in nuclear bombs. While some materials Initial Public Offering (IPO) (Economy)
can undergo fission (fissionable),
•• In an Initial Public Offering (IPO), a
fissile materials excel at doing so with
private company goes public by selling
slow neutrons, making them ideal for
its shares to investors for the first time.
sustaining a controlled chain reaction
This allows the company to raise capital
in nuclear reactors. However, this same
for growth by being listed on a stock
characteristic makes them dangerous in
exchange. Before the IPO, investment
nuclear weapons, where an uncontrolled
banks prepare a prospectus detailing
chain reaction creates a devastating
the company’s finances and plans to
explosion. Fissile materials are thus
attract investors. During the offering,
a double-edged sword, demanding
the company sets a share price and
international regulations to prevent
investors can apply to buy them. Based
their use in weapons while harnessing
on demand, the price may be adjusted
their potential for clean energy.
before shares are allocated and trading
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) begins. However, IPOs can be risky due
(Economy) to potential price fluctuations after the
offering and limited financial history
•• MRO, encompassing Maintenance, compared to established companies.
Repair, and Overhaul, ensures an
asset’s smooth operation throughout Direct Seeding of Rice Cultivation (DSR)
its life. It involves planned maintenance (Agriculture)
activities like inspections and
•• Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) is a water-
lubrication to prevent failures, repairs
saving alternative to transplanting.
to fix breakdowns, and overhauls for
Unlike the traditional method, DSR
comprehensive refurbishment. Effective
involves sowing seeds directly into the
MRO translates to reduced downtime,
field, skipping the nursery stage. This
increased efficiency, enhanced safety,
approach offers significant benefits like
and ultimately, extended asset life
water conservation, lower labor costs,
and improved cost management. This
faster planting and harvesting cycles,
approach is crucial across various
reduced methane emissions, and even
sectors like aviation, manufacturing,
improved soil health. There are two
and energy, where reliable machinery
main methods: dry seeding for rainfed
and infrastructure are paramount.
environments and deepwater rice, and
By implementing a well-defined MRO
wet seeding for irrigated rice, often
strategy, organizations can optimize
using pre-germinated seeds for faster
their assets and achieve their operational
establishment. However, challenges like
objectives.
weed management, ensuring proper
March 23 Movement(International seed establishment, seed quality, and
Relations) potentially needing new machinery exist.
Despite these hurdles, DSR presents a
•• The March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel promising path toward sustainable rice
group formed in 2012 by defectors from production, offering farmers potential
a previous rebel group in the Democratic water savings, reduced costs, and even
Republic of Congo (DRC), is primarily higher yields.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 108

Pro-Tem Speaker (Polity) the local development of digital health

technologies to adapt to ever-changing
•• A pro-tem Speaker, short for “pro
needs.
tempore speaker,” is a temporary
presiding officer in a legislative body, World Gold Council (WGC) (Economy)
such as the Lok Sabha in India. This
role is crucial during the initial phase •• The World Gold Council (WGC), founded
of forming a new legislative assembly in 1987 and headquartered in London,
after general elections or when the is an international trade association
sitting Speaker is unavailable. The that champions the gold industry.
pro-tem Speaker administers the oath Representing miners, investors, and
of office to newly elected members, everyone in between, the WGC strives
allowing them to officially take their to stimulate and sustain global demand
seats and participate in legislative for gold. They achieve this through
activities, oversees the election of the market development initiatives,
permanent Speaker to ensure a smooth publishing research and insights
and fair process, and presides over on gold trends, and advocating for
initial sessions until the permanent responsible practices throughout
Speaker is elected, facilitating legislative the gold supply chain. This includes
proceedings and maintaining order. promoting ethical sourcing to ensure
Additionally, the pro-tem Speaker the industry operates with integrity and
ensures the legislative body’s work minimizing the environmental impact
continues without interruption in the of gold mining. Their website, [Link],
absence of a regular Speaker. In India, serves as a comprehensive resource for
the President appoints the pro-tem all things gold, from market analysis to
Speaker from among the senior-most the history and unique properties of the
members of the Lok Sabha, and the precious metal.
appointment is formalized through Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) (Economy)
a presidential order and announced
before the first session of the newly •• ULIP, or Unit Linked Insurance Plan, is
elected assembly. The pro-tem Speaker a financial product that combines life
ensures a seamless transition from insurance protection with investment
the old assembly to the new one by potential. It offers a dual benefit: a
administering oaths and conducting the portion of your premium goes towards
election of a new Speaker and maintains life insurance coverage for your
the functionality of the legislative body beneficiaries, while the remaining
from the very beginning of its term. amount is invested in market-linked
funds like mutual funds. The investment
Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) (Health) returns you earn depend on the
•• The Global Initiative on Digital Health performance of these chosen funds.
(GIDH), a network managed by the World ULIPs typically provide flexibility to
Health Organization (WHO), aims to choose from various equity and debt
support countries in their digital health funds based on your risk tolerance,
transformation journey. Launched allowing you to balance risk and
to implement the Global Strategy on potential returns. However, due to the
Digital Health 2020-2025, GIDH works by market-linked nature, ULIPs are suited
bringing together various organizations for long-term goals as the value of
and institutions to collaborate and share your investment units can fluctuate. It’s
knowledge. Through these efforts, they important to understand the associated
aim to assess each country’s specific charges like premium allocation, policy
needs, better align resources, and administration, and fund management
ultimately achieve the goals set out in fees before investing. Additionally, ULIPs
the Global Strategy, which promotes usually come with a lock-in period of
digital health advancements for 5-6 years, restricting early withdrawals
everyone. This includes supporting without penalty.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 109

Gas Flaring (Environment) large order, ultimately harming investors

who end up buying at a higher price or
•• Gas flaring, or burning off natural selling at a lower price. Front-running
gas produced during oil extraction, undermines trust, disrupts fair market
is a common practice despite its function, and is strictly regulated by
drawbacks. While flaring helps manage financial bodies through restrictions on
pressure and prevent explosions (safety information sharing, codes of conduct,
concerns), the lack of infrastructure or and trade surveillance.
low gas prices in remote locations can
make capturing this valuable resource Cohabitation (Polity)
impractical. However, this practice has •• In France’s semi-presidential system,
significant environmental and economic cohabitation describes a unique situation
consequences. Flaring releases harmful where the President and Prime Minister
greenhouse gases like methane and CO2, belong to opposing political parties. This
worsening global warming. Additionally, arises when voters elect a President from
incomplete combustion pollutes the one party, while a different party gains a
air with black carbon, impacting public majority in the National Assembly. While
health. Most importantly, this process the President retains power in foreign
wastes a clean-burning fuel that could policy and national security, domestic
be used for generating electricity, policy becomes the domain of the Prime
heating homes, or powering industries, Minister and the opposing majority.
leading to economic losses. This power struggle can lead to political
Cloudburst (Geography) instability, but can also force cooperation
and compromise, potentially resulting in
•• A cloudburst is a short-lived but intense more balanced policies. Cohabitation is a
downpour of exceptional magnitude, rare phenomenon, occurring only three
characterized by extremely heavy rainfall times since 1958: François Mitterrand
exceeding 100 millimeters per hour over with Jacques Chirac (1986-1988 & 1993-
a small, localized area (typically 20-30 1995) and Jacques Chirac with Lionel
square kilometers) within a mountainous Jospin (1997-2002).
region. Rising warm air currents along
slopes cause this phenomenon and Leader of the Opposition (LoP) (Polity)
can have devastating consequences. •• The Leader of the Opposition (LOP)
The sudden and intense rainfall can is a crucial position in the Indian
trigger flash floods, landslides, and Parliamentary System, though not
mudflows, leading to widespread directly mentioned in the Constitution.
destruction and infrastructure damage. It is a statutory position established by
Predicting cloudbursts is challenging, the Salary and Allowances of Leaders
but early warning systems, land-use of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
planning, public awareness, stronger The leader of the largest opposition
infrastructure, and well-established party in the Lok Sabha or the Rajya
disaster response mechanisms can help Sabha is recognized as the Leader of the
mitigate their impact. Opposition in that respective house. The
Front Running (Economy) recognition is granted by the Speaker of
the Lok Sabha or the Chairman of the
•• Front-running, an illegal practice in Rajya Sabha. The party should have the
the financial world, involves exploiting highest number of seats among all the
confidential information about a large parties that are not part of the ruling
upcoming trade by a mutual fund. This alliance. In the Lok Sabha, the party
information, typically about the specific should have secured at least one-tenth
security, intended purchase, or sale size, of the total number of seats (minimum
is used by someone with insider access 54 seats in the current Lok Sabha) to
(like a fund manager or broker) to buy qualify for the LoP position. There is no
or sell the security themselves before such minimum strength requirement
the mutual fund executes its trade. This for the Rajya Sabha. A strong LoP keeps
allows them to profit from the price the government on its toes, preventing
movement caused by the mutual fund’s misuse of power and promoting
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 110

transparency. The LoP acts as a voice Dark Web (Science & Technology)
for the people who did not vote for
the ruling party, representing their •• The dark web is a hidden part of the
concerns and holding the government internet, like a secret network requiring
accountable to its promises. The LoP special software to access. Imagine the
and their party prepare themselves as internet as an iceberg: the surface web
a potential alternative government, is the tip, the deep web is the massive
presenting policy ideas and highlighting part below containing databases and
their readiness to take charge if they private web pages, and the dark web
win the next election. The LoP enjoys a is a tiny portion even deeper requiring
special status under the 1977 Act. The special software like Tor. Anonymity is
LoP receives a salary and allowances key on the dark web, making it difficult
equivalent to that of a Cabinet Minister. to track activity. This anonymity attracts
The government provides the LoP with criminals who use it to sell stolen data,
an office and staff to assist them in their malware, and illegal goods on black
duties. Security arrangements are made markets. Fake marketplaces abound,
for the LoP and their family. The LoP is and even visiting these sites can infect
entitled to be a member of important your device with malware. The dark web
parliamentary committees, such as the can also contain disturbing content.
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the To stay safe, use up-to-date security
Lok Sabha. software, avoid downloads and sharing
personal information, and consider
using a VPN for added anonymity.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 111

Model Questions
1. Who has recently won the presidential Ans.B. Only 2​
election in Iceland ? 6. For what reason has Helen Mary Roberts
A. Simon Harris been in the news recently ?
B. Peter Pellegrini A. Pakistan's first minority woman Brigadier
C. Bjarni Benediktsson B. Bangladesh's first minority woman Chief
D. halla tomasdottir Justice
Ans. D Halla Tomasdottir C. India's first minority woman Director
2. Consider the following statements with General of Police
reference to MNREGA Lokpal in Rajasthan- D. Myanmar's first female Military Chief
1. They will be appointed in 22 districts of Ans. A Pakistan's first minority woman Brigadier
Rajasthan. 7. Who has recently become the First Woman
2. They are appointed by the Governor of President of Mexico ?
the State. A. Judith Suminwa Tuluka
3. It will be mandatory for MNREGA Lokpal B. Claudia Sheinbaum
to settle the complaints within 15 days. C. Mette Frederiksen
Choose the correct option- D. Giorgia Meloni
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 3
Ans. B Claudia Sheinbaum
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. Only 1
8. Consider the following statements with
Ans.B. Only​3 reference to India's first Electric Vehicle
3. Consider the following statements with Index-
reference to Rajasthan Public Service 1. It is launched by Bombay Stock Exchange.
Commission- 2. The name of this index is “Nifty EV & New
1. Its current Chairman is Shri Sanjay Kumar Age Automotive Index”.
Shrotriya. 3. It is designed to promote the electric
2. The Commission has a total of 7 members vehicle (EV) sector and monitor the
(1+6) including the Chairman. performance of businesses engaged in
3. It is a statutory body under the state cutting-edge automotive vehicles and
government. related technology.
Choose the correct option- Choose the correct option-
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 3 A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. Only 1 C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3
Ans. [Link] 1​ Ans.D. 2 and 3
4. Which woman from Rajasthan participated 9. Who among the following is not among the
in the ' World Cities Summit 2024' held in 3 women recently elected to the 18th Lok
Singapore ? Sabha from Rajasthan ?
A. Neeru Yadav A. Sanjana Jatav
B. Dr. Soumya Gurjar B. Mahima Kumari
C. Neena Singh C. Jyoti Mirdha
D. Ruma Devi D. Manju Sharma
Ans. B Dr. Saumya Gurjar Ans. C. Jyoti Mirdha
5. Consider the following statements with
reference to Dar es Salaam port- 10. Consider the following statements with
1. It is located in the country of Djibouti. reference to the 18th Lok Sabha-
2. Recently, India's Adani Group has signed 1. Shankar Lalwani (BJP) won with the
an agreement for the operation and highest number of votes from Indore Lok
management of Container Terminal -2 at Sabha seat.
this port for 30 years. 2. Ravindra Dattaram of Shiv Sena Shinde
3. This port is located in the Gulf of Aden. group won by minimum votes from
Mumbai North West Lok Sabha seat.
Choose the correct option-
3. Jhunjhunu Lok Sabha seat received the
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 2
highest number of NOTA votes.
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. Only 1
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 112

Choose the correct option- 16. Consider the following statements with
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1 reference to 'Mukhya Mantri Vriksharopan
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3 Abhiyan' -
Ans.A. 1 and 2 1. It was launched in Rajasthan on 5 June
2024.
11. Consider the following statements with 2. This campaign has been launched in line
reference to the election of women in the with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
18th Lok Sabha- 7.
1. A total of 75 women were elected in this 3. Under this, a target has been set to plant
Lok Sabha. 7 crore trees in the state.
2. This Lok Sabha has the highest number of Choose the correct option-
women since independence.
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
Choose the correct option-
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 1 and 3
A. Only 2 B. Only 1
Ans.D. 1 and 3
C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
[Link] 1​ 17. Where has the first Waste Water Treatment
Plant been established by Rajasthan
12. With reference to the 18th Lok Sabha Urban Infrastructure Development Project
elections in Rajasthan, which one of the (RUIDP)?
following pairs is not correctly matched? A) Kota B) Ajmer
A. MP who won with the highest number of C) Jodhpur D) Jaipur
votes: Mahima Kumari (Rajsamand)
Ans.D Jaipur
B. MP who won with minimum votes: Rao
Rajendra Singh (Jaipur Rural) 18. Consider the following statements with
C. Youngest MP: Sanjana Jatav (Bharatpur) reference to QS World University Rankings-
D. Oldest MP: Bhagirath Chaudhary, Ajmer) 2025-
1. It is released by London-based higher
Ans. D. Oldest MP: Bhagirath Chaudhary, Ajmer)
education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds
13. In Which district has the Rajasthan (QS).
government launched the ' Air Quality 2. Stanford University of the United States
Early Warning System ' to issue advance ranks first in this.
warning about air quality on the lines of 3. Under this, IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi are
weather change ? included in the top 150 universities of the
A) Jaipur B) Ajmer world.
C) Jodhpur D) Alwar Choose the correct option-
Ans.A Jaipur A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
14. Consider the following statements with C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 1 and 3
reference to LignoSat- Ans.D. 1 and 3
1. It was developed by the Indian Space 19. Consider the following statements with
Research Organisation in collaboration reference to the International Shooting
with the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. Sports Federation (ISSF) 2024 World Cup-
2. It is the world's first satellite made of wood. 1. It was held in Munich, Germany.
Choose the correct option- 2. In this, Sarabjot Singh of India won the gold
A. Only 2 B. Only 1 medal in 10 meter air pistol.
C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Choose the correct option-
Ans.A. Only 2​ A. Only 2 B. Only 1
15. Recently, in which districts 'Source C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
Apportionment and Emission Inventory' Ans.C.1​And 2 Both
Report has been issued by Rajasthan
20. With whom did the Rajasthan government
Government for pollution control ?
sign an MoU to provide Micro, Small and
A) Jaipur and Jodhpur Medium Enterprises (MSME) access to the
B) Kota and Ajmer capital market and raise funds through '
C) Alwar and Kota Initial Public Offering ' (IPO) ?
D) Bharatpur and Jaipur A. National Stock Exchange (NSE)
Ans. C Alwar and Kota B. Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 113

C. Multi-Commodity Exchange (MCX) number of members of the Lok Sabha and

D. Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) the Legislative Assemblies respectively.
Ans. A) National Stock Exchange (NSE) 3. The maximum number of members in
the Council of Ministers at the Centre and
21. Recently Maya Bishnoi of Rajasthan won in the States was provided by the 91st
the silver medal in the team event in the Constitutional Amendment in 2003.
Junior Asia Cup, it is related to which sport?
Choose the correct option-
A) Shooting B) Archery
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
C) Sailing D) Badminton
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3
Ans.B. Archery​
Ans. C. 1, 2 and 3
22. Consider the following statements with
27. Consider the following statements with
reference to ' Smart Charging Adapter'-
reference to the ministers included in the
1. It is developed by BITS Pilani. Union Council of Ministers from Rajasthan-
2. Using this, e-vehicles can be charged with 1. At present, 4 MPs from Rajasthan have
the help of solar energy. been appointed to ministerial posts.
Choose the correct option- 2. It has 2 Cabinet Ministers, 1 Minister of
A. Only 2 B. Only 1 State with Independent Charge and 1
C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Minister of State.
Ans. A. Only 2​ 3. It includes 2 women ministers.
23. 'According to the report published by Choose the correct option-
Ground Water Survey 2023', which state in A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
India has the most secure ground water C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3
crisis ? Ans. A. 1 and 2
A. Rajasthan B. Maharashtra
28. How many women ministers were
C. Gujarat D. Telangana appointed in the Union Council of Ministers?
Ans. A. Rajasthan A. 7 B. 8
24. Consider the following statements with C. 12 D. 13
reference to the Starliner 'Calypso' spacecraft- Ans.A.7
1. It is designed and developed by SpaceX.
29. Which one of the following pairs is not
2. Sunita Williams has become the first correctly matched with reference to the 4
woman to fly a new spacecraft on a test ministers recently appointed to the Union
mission in space. Council of Ministers from Rajasthan ?
3. Its objective is to evaluate the capabilities A. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat - Ministry of
of the spacecraft from launch to docking. Industry and Commerce
Choose the correct option- B. Bhupendra Yadav - Ministry of Forest and
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1 Environment
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3 C. Arjun Meghwal-Ministry of Law and Justice
Ans.D. 2 and 3 D. Bhagirath Choudhary - Ministry of
25. Who has recently become the first Indian Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
female fighter to win in the "Ultimate Ans. A. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat - Ministry of
Fighting Championship (UFC)" ? Industry and Commerce
A. Nikhat Zarin B. Ritu Phogat 30. Consider the following statements with
C. Pooja Tomar D. Lovlina Borgohain reference to Prem Singh Tamang-
Ans. C Pooja Tomar 1. He has been appointed the new Chief
26. Consider the following statements with Minister of Sikkim.
reference to the Union Council of Ministers- 2. His tenure as Chief Minister has been the
1. At present the Union Council of Ministers longest in the country.
consists of a total of 72 ministers including Choose the correct option-
the Prime Minister. A. Only 2 B. Only 1
2. The maximum number of members of the C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2
Council of Ministers at the Centre and in Ans. B. Only 1​
the States cannot exceed 15% of the total
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 114

31. Consider the following statements with 2. It includes Canada, France, Germany,
reference to Household Consumption Italy, Japan, the United States of America
Expenditure Survey (HCES) in India- and India.
1. This index shows equality between income 3. Its 50th conference was held on 13-15 June
distribution and expenditure. 2024 in the city of Fasano, Apulia, Italy.
2. Under this, the highest increase in the Choose the correct option-
Gini Index between 2011-12 to 2022-23 A) 2 and 3 B) Only 1
occurred in the state of Nagaland. C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 3
3. Rajasthan ranks eighth in terms of growth
Answer: D) 1 and 3
rate in the Gini Index between 2011-12 to
2022-23. 37. Which district ranks first in terms of 'Har
Choose the correct option- Ghar Nal' connection in Rajasthan under
the Central Government's Jal Jeevan
A. 1 and 2 B. Only 1
Mission (JJM) ?
C. 1, 2 and 3 D. 2 and 3
A) Jodhpur B) Alwar
Ans.A. 1 and 2 C) Kota D) Jaipur
32. 'Trans LGBT India's Got Talent Show and Answer: D) Jaipur
Beauty Contest ' will be organized for the
first time in which district in Rajasthan ? 38. Consider the following statements with
reference to the Global Gender Gap Index-
A. Udaipur B. Jodhpur
1. This index is released by the World
C. Jaipur D. Ajmer
Economic Forum (WEF).
Ans. C. Jaipur 2. India is ranked 129th in this index.
33. Who will provide a loan of Rs 3674 crore 3. Finland is at first place in this.
under the Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Choose the correct option-
Development Project (RUIDP) for the A) 1 and 2 B) Only 1
development and upgradation of
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 3
infrastructure in the cities of Rajasthan ?
A) New Development Bank Ans. A) 1 and 2
B) Asian Development Bank 39. Consider the following statements with
C) World Bank reference to the Pardoning Power of the
D) Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank President-
1. Recently President Draupadi Murmu
Ans. C) World Bank
rejected the mercy petition of terrorist
34. Consider the following statements with Mohammad Arif alias Ashfaq.
reference to Andhra Pradesh- 2. The pardon power of the President is
1. Recently Chandrababu Naidu has been mentioned in Article 71.
appointed as the new Chief Minister. Choose the correct option-
2. Visakhapatnam has been declared as its A) Only 1 B) Only 2
new capital. C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2
Choose the correct option-
Answer: A) Only 1
A) Only 2 B) Only 1
C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 40. Who is recently appointed as the 15th Chief
Minister of Odisha ?
Answer: B) Only 1
A) Dharmendra Pradhan
35. Where will new thermal plants be set up B) Mohan Charan Majhi
to make Rajasthan self-sufficient in power C) Prem Singh Tamang
generation ?
D) Hemanand Biswal
A) Kota, Jhalawar, Baran
Ans. B) Mohan Charan Majhi
B) Kota, Sri Ganganagar, Bundi
C) Barmer, Bikaner, Ranthambore 41. Who is recently appointed as the National
D) Ranthambore, Jhalawar, Bundi Security Advisor (NSA) of India ?
A) Upendra Dwivedi B) G. Satish Reddy
Ans. A) Kota, Jhalawar, Baran
C) Ajit Doval D) KPS Gill
36. Consider the following statements with
Ans. C) Ajit Doval
reference to the G7 group-
1. It is an inter-governmental organisation 42. Consider the following statements with
established in the year 1975. reference to the Rajasthan Advocate
Protection Bill, 2023-
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 115

1. Recently President Draupadi Murmu has Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of

directed the Governor to reconsider this Nagpur-based Solar Industries.
bill in the Assembly. 3. Its man-in-loop range is 15 km and
2. This bill can become a law after being autonomous mode range is 30 km.
passed by the State Assembly and after Choose the correct option-
the approval of the Governor. A) 1 and 3 B) Only 1
3. Under Article 200 the Governor can reserve C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
a bill for the assent of the President.
Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3
Choose the correct option-
A) 1 and 2 B) Only 1 48. Consider the following statements with
reference to the 13th India Stone Mart-
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 3
1. Recently an MoU was signed between
Answer: D) 1 And 3 RIICO, Laghu Udyog Bharati Rajasthan
43. Who has been recently appointed as the and CIDOS for this purpose.
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh ? 2. It will be organized in Jodhpur in 2026.
A) Prem Singh Tamang B) N. Biren Singh Choose the correct option-
C) Manik Saha D) Pema Khandu A) Only 1 B) Only 2
Ans. D) Pema Khandu C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2
44. Consider the following statements with Answer: A) Only 1
reference to the Stop-Clock Rule- 49. In which areas of Rajasthan will 2950 MW
1. Recently America has become the first electricity be produced by solar project ?
country to receive a penalty under stop- 1. Pugal (Bikaner)
clock rule. 2. Chattargarh (Bikaner)
2. This rule is related to cricket. 3. Bhadla (Phalodi)
Choose the correct option- Choose the correct option-
A) Only 1 B) Only 2 A) 1 and 3 B) Only 1
C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
Ans. C) Both 1 and 2 Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3
45. When will 3 new criminal codes in India 50. Lovlina Borgohain won the silver medal in
- Indian Justice Code 2023, Indian Civil the women's 75 kg event at the Grand Prix
Defence Code 2023 and Indian Evidence Act Usti nad Labem recently held in the Czech
2023 be implemented ? Republic. This is related to which sport ?
A) 15 August 2024 B) 1 August 2024 A) Shooting B) Archery
C) 2 October 2024 D) 1 July 2024 C) Wrestling D) Boxing
Answer: D) July 1, 2024 Ans. D) Boxing
46. Consider the following statements- 51. Recently, the trial was conducted for the
1. Recently, 8 new Additional Advocate first time on the world's highest railway
Generals have been appointed to plead bridge ' Chenab Rail Bridge ', where is it
on behalf of the State Government in the located ?
Rajasthan High Court. A) Ladakh
2. In Rajasthan, the Additional Advocate B) Jammu and Kashmir
General is appointed by the Law and Legal
C) Himachal Pradesh
Affairs Department.
D) Uttarakhand
3. The current Advocate General of Rajasthan
is Mr. Rajendra Prasad. Answer: B) Jammu and Kashmir
Choose the correct option- 52. Consider the following statements with
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 1 reference to the officers selected from
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 Rajasthan for United Nations Peace
Mission-
Answer: A) 1 And 3
1. 5 officers from Rajasthan Police have been
47. Consider the following statements with selected for police service abroad for this
reference to India's first indigenous suicide mission.
drone- 2. This also includes two women officers of
1. Its name is ' Nagastra 1'. the state, Sushila Yadav and Aarti Singh
2. It has been developed by Economic Tanwar.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 116

Choose the correct option- 58. Consider the following statements-

A) Only 1 B) Only 2 1. Recently Pilibanga Hanumangarh
C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2 Municipal Council Chairman Sukhchain
Singh Ramana was removed by no-
Answer: B) Only 2
confidence motion.
53. Consider the following statements with 2. To pass a no-confidence motion against
reference to Leader of Opposition (LOP)- the Municipal Chairman or Vice Chairman,
1. This is a Constitutional Post. it is necessary to pass the motion with
2. It enjoys status equivalent to that of a 3/4th majority.
Cabinet Minister. Choose the correct option-
3. The first woman Leader of the Opposition A) Only 1 B) Only 2
in the Lok Sabha was Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2
Choose the correct option-
Answer: D) 1 And 2 Both
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 59. What was the position of India's javelin
thrower Neeraj Chopra in the Paavo Nurmi
Answer: B) Only 2 Games held recently in Turkey (Finland) ?
54. Recently which writer was awarded the A) First B) Second
Rajasthani language Sahitya Academy C) Third D) Fourth
Youth Award 2024 for his poetry work
Answer: A) First
"Sudh Sodhun Jag Aangane"?
A) K. Vaishali B) Sonali Suthar 60. Where has the world's largest ' net zero
C) Gaurav Pandey D) Prahlad Singh Jhorda green campus ' been established ?
A) Vikramshila University
Ans. B) Sonali Suthar
B) Jawaharlal Nehru University
55. Consider the following statements with C) Nalanda University
reference to the Cost of Living Survey 2024-
D) Vallabhi University
1. This survey was conducted by Mercer
Consultancy Firm. Ans. C) Nalanda University
2. The most expensive city in the world is 61. Consider the following statements-
Hong Kong. 1. Shri Naveen Mahajan has been appointed
3. The most expensive city in India is Gurugram. as Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of
Choose the correct option- Rajasthan.
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2 2. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 appointed by the Election Commission of
India.
Answer: D) 1 and 2
3. The current Chief Election Commissioner
56. Where is Rajasthan's first Vande Bharat of Rajasthan is Mr. Madhukar Gupta.
Maintenance Depot being established ? Choose the correct option-
A) Nawan (Didwana-Kuchaman) A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
B) Khatipura (Jaipur) C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
C) Sambhar (Jaipur Rural) Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3
D) Bhadla (Phalodi)
62. Consider the following statements with
Ans. B) Khatipura (Jaipur) reference to Minimum Support Price (MSP)-
57. Consider the following statements with 1. Recently, the MSP of 14 Kharif crops
reference to Jal Jeevan Mission- has been increased by the Central
1. Under ' Har Ghar Jal ', 11 states and union Government.
territories have achieved 100% target in 2. MSP is determined by the Commission for
rural areas. Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
2. Rajasthan is among the states that have 3. The recommendations of CACP are
achieved 100% coverage in rural areas binding on the Central Government.
under ' Har Ghar Jal '. Choose the correct option-
Choose the correct option- A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
A) Only 1 B) Only 2 C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2 Answer: D) 1 and 2
Answer: A) Only 1
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 117

63. Consider the following statements with celebrated on 21 June 2014.

reference to ' Samvidhan Park'- 3. The theme of International Yoga Day 2024
1. Recently, Constitution Park was is “Yoga for Self and Society”.
inaugurated in Rajasthan University Choose the correct option-
campus, Jaipur. A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
2. Recently, the country's first Constitution C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
Pillar has been inaugurated in Jodhpur.
Answer: A) 1 And 3
3. The country's first Constitution Park was
established in Raj Bhavan, Jaipur. 68. Recently D.P. Manu won the gold medal in
Choose the correct option- Taiwan Athletics Open 2024, he is related
to which sport ?
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
A) Javelin throw B) High jump
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
C) Shot put D) Hurdle race
Ans. A) 1 and 3
Ans.A) Javelin throw
64. Who was recently elected as the new
Secretary General of the North Atlantic 69. Recently in the G7 summit, the members
Treaty Organization (NATO) ? have agreed for the IMEC project, in this
context consider the following statements-
A) Philemon Yunji B) Mark Rutte
1. IMEC refers to India-Middle East-Europe-
C) Ursula von der Leyen D) Nawaf Salam
China Corridor.
Ans. B) Mark Rutte 2. Under this, Saudi Arabia, India, the United
65. Consider the following statements with States and Europe will be linked by a
reference to the Protem Speaker- comprehensive network of roads, railways
1. Recently, Bhartruhari Mahtab, MP from and shipping routes.
Cuttack (Odisha) was appointed as the 3. It is launched in response to China's Belt
Protem Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. and Road (BRI) initiative.
2. The Pro tem Speaker is appointed by the Choose the correct option-
President under Article 95(1). A) Only 1 B) 2 and 3
3. Under Article 99, the President or a person C) Only 2 D) 1, 2 and 3
appointed by him administers the oath to
Answer: B) 2 And 3
the MPs according to the Third Schedule.
Choose the correct option- 70. Recently Oleg Kononenko has become the
world's first astronaut to spend 1000 days
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
in space in different missions. He is from
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
which country ?
Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3 A) United States B) China
66. Consider the following statements with C) Russia D) United Kingdom
reference to reservation in educational Ans.C) Russia
institutions and government jobs-
71. Recently, the International Hockey
1. Recently, Patna High Court cancelled the
Federation (FIH) has handed over the
decision of Bihar government to give 65%
hosting of Hockey Men's Junior World Cup
reservation, calling it unconstitutional.
2025 to which country ?
2. In the Indira Sawhney case of 1992 the
A) Bhutan B) Sri Lanka
Supreme Court had fixed the limit of
reservation at 50%. C) India D) China
3. The 69% reservation given to Tamil Ans.C) India
Nadu in 2003 by the 91st Constitutional 72. India's first reusable rocket is being
Amendment was included in the 9th developed by which company ?
Schedule of the Constitution. A) Agnikul Cosmos
Choose the correct option- B) Pixel
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2 C) Skyroot Aerospace
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 D) Abyom Space Tech
Answer: D) 1 And 2 Ans. D) Abyom Space Tech
67. Consider the following statements with 73. Consider the following statements with
reference to International Yoga Day- reference to the Parliament session-
1. It is celebrated every year on 21 June. 1. Under Article 85, the President summons
2. The first International Yoga Day was and adjourns the Parliament.
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 118

2. Under Article 85, the President can A) NASA B) Roscosmos

dissolve the Parliament. C) ISRO D) JAXA
3. Under Article 87, the President addresses Answer: A) NASA
the first session of the Parliament after the
79. Consider the following statements with
Lok Sabha elections and the first session
reference to World Table Tennis (WTT)
of the year.
Contender-
Choose the correct option-
1. In this, India has won 3 gold, 1 silver and 5
A) Only 1 B) 1 and 3 bronze medals.
C) Only 2 D) 1, 2 and 3 2. In this, men's doubles Harmeet Desai and
Answer: B) 1 and 3 Manav Thakkar won the gold medal.
74. Consider the following statements with 3. This is the first Indian men's pair to win
reference to World Table Tennis (WTT) the men's doubles title.
Contender- Choose the correct option-
1. It was held in Lagos, Nigeria. A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
2. Sreeja Akula became the first Indian to C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
win the women's singles title. Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3
3. Its women's doubles title was won by 80. Recently Kashish Gurjar and Ashwini
Sreeja Akula and Archana Kamath of India. Bishnoi of Rajasthan won the gold medal in
Choose the correct option- the Under- 17 Asian Championship held in
A) Only 1 B) 1 and 3 Amman, Jordan, they are related to which
C) Only 2 D) 1, 2 and 3 sport ?
Ans.D) 1, 2 and 3 A) Archery B) Shooting
C) Wrestling D) Weightlifting
75. Where will the biggest festival of expatriate
Rajasthanis ' Jeeman ' be organized abroad? Answer: C) Wrestling
A) London (United Kingdom) 81. Consider the following statements with
B) New York (United States of America) reference to the Leader of the Opposition-
C) Paris (France) 1. This is a constitutional post.
D) Geneva (Switzerland) 2. Recently Rahul Gandhi has been elected
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
Ans.A) London (United Kingdom)
3. The first Leader of Opposition in Lok
76. Consider the following statements with Sabha was Dr. Ram Subhag Singh.
reference to the change of name of a state- Choose the correct option-
1. Recently, a proposal to change the name A) 2 and 3 B) Only 2
of the state to ' Keralam ' has been passed C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
by the Kerala Assembly.
Ans.A) 2 and 3
2. The name of a State can be changed by
the Parliament under Article 3. 82. Consider the following statements with
3. To change the name of the state, reference to the formation of the new
constitutional amendment has to be done. state-
Choose the correct option- 1. Recently, the Sunni Yuvajana Sangam
(SYS) party of Kerala has demanded the
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2
formation of a separate Malabar state
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
from Kerala.
Answer: D) 1 and 2 2. The provision regarding the formation of
77. Who has been announced to be honoured new states in the country is mentioned in
with the title of " Woman Tourism Minister Article 2.
of the Year, India " recently at ITB Berlin 3. Consent of the concerned state is
(Germany) ? mandatory for the formation of a new
A) Manju Baghmar B) Diya Kumari state.
C) Siddhi Kumari D) Deepti Maheshwari Choose the correct option-
A) 2 and 3 B) Only 2
Answer: B) Diya Kumari
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2
78. Which Space Agency will launch an artificial
Answer: D) 1 and 2
star into Earth's orbit ?
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 119

83. Consider the following statements with A) Only 1 B) Only 2

reference to the Chief Minister Ayushman C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2
Arogya Yojana- Ans. D) Both 1 and 2
1. Its earlier name was Chief Minister
Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme. 88. Consider the following statements with
reference to Rajasthan State Human Rights
2. There is a provision of health insurance of
Commission-
Rs 5 lakh under this.
1. Recently Shri Gangaram Mulchandani has
Choose the correct option-
been appointed its Chairman.
A) Only 1 B) Only 2
2. The first chairperson of this commission
C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2
was Ms. Kanta Bhatnagar.
Ans. D) Both 1 and 2 3. The tenure of its Chairman and members
84. In which district is the Jhakharda Sanctuary, is 5 years or till the age of 70 years,
which was in the news recently due to the whichever is earlier.
Greater Flamingo (a species of flamingo), Choose the correct option-
located ? A) 1 and 2 B) Only 1
A) Bikaner B) Jhalawar C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 3
C) Barmer D) Udaipur Ans. A) 1 and 2
Answer: C) Barmer 89. Which country has recently become the
85. Consider the following statements with 100th member of the International Solar
reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha- Alliance (ISA)?
1. Recently Om Birla has been elected A) Chad B) Thailand
Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha. C) Paraguay D) Egypt
2. Om Birla is the first MP from Rajasthan to Answer: C) Paraguay
become the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for
the second consecutive time. 90. How much has the pension amount been
increased from Rs 1,000 under the Social
3. The tenure of the Speaker of the Lok
Security Pension Scheme by the Rajasthan
Sabha is 5 years.
Government ?
Choose the correct option-
A) Rs 1,150 B) Rs 1,500
A) 1 and 2 B) Only 1
C) Rs. 1,250 D) Rs. 1,600
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 2 and 3
Answer: A) Rs.1,150
Ans.A) 1 and 2
91. Consider the following statements with
86. Consider the following statements with
reference to the Global Energy Transition
reference to remittance-
Index-
1. Recently India has become the highest
1. This index is released by the World
remittance receiving country in the world
Economic Forum (WEF).
in the financial year 2023-24.
2. India is ranked 67th in this index.
2. India has received the highest amount
3. Sweden is at first place in this.
in the form of remittances from Gulf
countries. Choose the correct option-
Choose the correct option- A) 1 and 2 B) Only 1
A) Only 1 B) Only 2 C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 3
C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2 Answer: D) 1 and 3
Answer: A) Only 1 92. Under Whose Chairmanship a committee
was established by the Rajasthan
87. Consider the following statements with
government to investigate and reorganize
reference to ' Microwave Obscurant Chaff
17 new districts?
Rocket'-
A) S. K. Sarin B) Ramlubhaya
1. It is developed by Defence Research
Laboratory Jodhpur of DRDO. C) Lalit K. Pawar D) Gangaram Mulchandani
2. This technology obscures radar signals Ans. C) Lalit K. Pawar
and creates a microwave shield around 93. Consider the following statements with
platforms and assets, making the rocket reference to Sahitya Akademi's Bal Sahitya
undetectable by radar. Puraskar 2024-
Choose the correct option-
 Current Affairs : June : 2024 120

1. Devendra Kumar will be honoured for his A) Vinay Mohan Kwatra

story collection '51 Bal Kahaniyaan ' in B) Vikram Misri
Hindi language. C) Rajiv Gauba
2. Nandini Sengupta will be honored for the D) Pradeep Srivastava
novel ' The Blue Horse and Other Amazing
Ans. B) Vikram Misri
Animal Stories from Indian History ' in the
English language. 95. Consider the following statements-
3. Prahlad Singh ' Jhorda ' will be honored 1. India has received the highest Foreign
for his ' Mhari Dhani ' poetry collection in Direct Investment (FDI) from Singapore in
Rajasthani language. the year 2023-24.
Choose the correct option- 2. India received the highest remittance
A) 1 and 3 B) Only 2 from the United States in the year 2023-
C) 1, 2 and 3 D) 1 and 2 24.
Choose the correct option-
Ans. C) 1, 2 and 3
A) Only 1 B) Only 2
94. Who has been recently appointed as the C) Neither 1 nor 2 D) Both 1 and 2
new Foreign Secretary of India ?
Ans. D) Both 1 and 2