ALL EXAM QUIZ 24.06.2024

Explanation:

• Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme for offshore wind energy projects at a total outlay of Rs 7453 crore approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi.
• This includes an outlay of Rs 6,853 crore for setting up and commissioning of 1 GW of offshore wind power projects (500 MW each off the coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu).
• Additionally, Rs 600 crore was approved for upgradation of two ports to meet the logistics requirements for offshore wind power projects.
• This VGF Scheme is a major step towards implementation of the National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015.
• It aims to harness the vast offshore wind energy potential that exists within the Exclusive Economic Zone of India.

Explanation:

• Scientists at Pune's Agharkar Research Institute have identified a new genus of diatoms.
• The genus has been found in the Eastern Ghats mountain range’s unpolluted waters.
• The genus has been given the name “Indiconema” because of its restricted distribution within the country.
• One species of Indiconema from the Eastern Ghats and another from the Western Ghats was reported by the research.
• This highlights the diverse biogeographic zones supporting various diatom species in India.
• India has a rich diatom diversity. India has an estimated 6,500 taxa.
• Thirty percent of these taxa are endemic, meaning they are restricted to a specific region.

Explanation:

• Caste-based survey has been approved by Jharkhand government in the state.
• At a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Champai Soren, this decision was taken.
• The personnel department has been instructed by the CM to draft a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for carrying out the survey.
• CM said the caste-based survey aims to study the prevalence of various communities in the state.
• It also aims to analyse the social and economic issues faced by the different components of the population.
• The caste survey in Jharkhand will follow the model of Bihar.
• In Bihar, data collection was carried out between January 7 and October 2 last year.

Explanation:

• An agreement signed between the National Highways Authority of India and the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, aimed at enhancing road safety through the deployment of Artificial Intelligence.
• This initiative will leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solutions to improve the availability of road signs on National Highways.
• Under the terms of the agreement, IIIT Delhi will carry out surveys to gather imagery and other related data related to the availability and condition of road signs on selected National Highway stretches.
• Under this project, around 25,000 km length of highways will be covered.
• IIT Delhi will process the data collected through surveys by deploying artificial intelligence to accurately identify and classify road signs.
• The survey report based on the results will contain a geo-stamped inventory of existing road signs along with their classification, comprehensive structural condition, and other supporting data.

Explanation:

• A loan of USD 170 million approved by ADB to strengthen the health system in India.
• On June 19, a USD 170 million (over Rs 1,418 crore) policy-based loan approved by multilateral development lender Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve India's health system preparedness and capacity to respond to future pandemics.
• This funding will help implement the government’s National Health Policy 2017 under Strong and Scalable Action for Resilient and Transformative Health Systems.
• The aim of the policy is to ensure universal access to high-quality healthcare services across the country.
• This policy-based loan will address gaps in policy, legislative and institutional governance and structures.
• It will contribute to India's goal of providing universal access to quality and affordable healthcare, thereby strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.
• The Indian government and ADB have been collaborating to strengthen its health system and adopt transformative solutions.

Explanation:

• Bhartruhari Mahtab has been appointed pro tem Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha.
• He has been appointed by President Droupadi Murmu. He is seven-term MP from Cuttack.
• Opposition leaders said the government ignored the convention of giving the honour to the senior-most MP Kodikunnil Suresh of the Congress. He is eight-term MP.
• President appointed him under Article 95 (1) of Constitution to carry out the duties of Speaker till election of the Speaker.
• Elected members of the 18th Lok Sabha will make oath before the pro tem Speaker.

Explanation:

• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the premier body of the United Nations, has appointed British actor Theo James as its Global Goodwill Ambassador.
• UNHCR said that James, who has starred in the television series "The Gentlemen" and "The White Lotus", has supported UNHCR since 2016, and in this connection, he has also traveled to Greece, France and Jordan.
• The tenure of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on 3 December 1949 under a resolution of the United Nations Human Rights General Assembly.
• Its objective is to provide emergency relief, rehabilitation assistance, protection and permanent solution to the problems of refugees.

Explanation:

• The Government of India has approved the construction of a new major port at Wadhavan located in Dahanu taluka of Palghar district in Maharashtra.
• The project was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 June 2024.
• The construction development of the Wadhavan port is aligned with the objectives of the PM Gatishakti program PM Gatishakti program.
• The Union Cabinet also approved the proposal to establish road connectivity between the Vadhavan port and national highways and to establish rail linkages to the existing rail network and the upcoming dedicated rail freight corridor.
• The total cost of the Wadhavan project is Rs 76,220 crore which includes the cost of land acquisition, development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure. The project will be built in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

Explanation:

• UN Public Service Day is observed every year on 23 June.
• It highlights the contribution and role of public service in the development of all regions around the world.
• On December 2002, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution 57/277 to designate 23 June per year to be observed as UN Public Service Day.
• With the aim of recognising this day, the UN established the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA) programme in 2003, which was later reviewed in 2016.
• This was done to align the day with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Explanation:

A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4