ALL EXAM QUIZ 21.08.2024

Explanation:

• An MoU signed to study augmenting water supply in Faridabad through sustainable groundwater development in Yamuna floodplains.
• An MoU was signed between Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) to address the projected water supply gap for Faridabad Smart City by 2031.
• This is an important step towards augmenting the city's water supply through sustainable development of groundwater resources in the Yamuna floodplains.
• The scope of this MoU includes a comprehensive study to assess the groundwater potential and quality in the Yamuna floodplains.
• This study will result in preparation of a comprehensive groundwater management plan.
• This will include strategies for artificial recharge and further development of groundwater resources within the specified study area in Faridabad district.
• The MoU is valid till March 31, 2025, and the study is expected to be completed by this period.

Explanation:

• In July, India's merchandise imports rose to $57.48 billion.
• In July this year, India's merchandise imports rose 7.4% to $57.48 billion compared to $53.49 billion in July last year.
• According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on August 14, imports of merchandise goods have increased due to surge in imports of crude oil, silver and electronic goods.
• India's merchandise export growth fell to an eight-month low in July, with exports declining 1.47% to $33.98 billion due to sluggish global demand, geopolitical challenges and falling crude oil, commodities and metal prices.
• On the services front, services exports are estimated at $28.4 billion in July this year, up 8% from $26.2 billion in the same month last year.
• Petroleum products, which account for over 15% of India's exports, fell 22% to $5.23 billion in July.
• Imports of petroleum and crude products rose 17.4% to $13.87 billion.
• In addition, Gold imports declined 10.65% to $3.13 billion in July.

Explanation:

• The Union Government has decided to include the AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy) package under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• The package design, hospital onboarding, treatment guidelines, outcomes and financial implications are under discussion.
• AB PM-JAY provide health coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• It will benefit 55 crore beneficiaries, corresponding to 12.34 crore families.
• Ministry of Ayush launched the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Ayush Mission (NAM) in 2014.
• At present, the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) runs 110 Ayush Wellness Centers along with one Ayurvedic Hospital in India.

Explanation:

• Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan was appointed as the new Union Home Secretary.
• He will succeed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, whose tenure will end on August 22.
• His appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
• Sandeep Poundrik assumes charge as Secretary, Ministry of Steel.
• He had previously served as an advisor to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Explanation:

• Five major infrastructure projects have been approved by Union Cabinet.
• These projects include three major metro rail projects along with two new airport facilities across India.
• Phase-3 of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project has been approved the Cabinet.
• The length of Bengaluru's metro network will be 220.20 kilometres when it is finished in 2029.
• Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project has also been approved.
• With an estimated cost of Rs. 12,200 crore, this 29-km ring corridor will have 22 stations.
• Phase 1 of the Swargate to Katraj underground extension will strategically expand Pune's metro system.
• This extension is expected to be finished by 2029 and integrate with the Swargate Multimodal Hub.
• The construction of a new civic enclave at Bihta, Bihar, is expected to relieve pressure on Patna Airport.
• The project involves constructing a modern Integrated Terminal Building at a cost of Rs. 1,413 crore.
• The construction of a new civil enclave at West Bengal's Bagdogra Airport, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,549 crore, has been approved by the Cabinet.

Explanation:

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the youngest daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party.
• Paetongtarn Shinawatra is the youngest prime minister of Thailand.
• The nomination of Paetongtarn came about as a result of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's dismissal on August 14, 2024, having served for less than a year.
• He was found guilty by the Constitutional Court of a serious ethical breach related to an alleged attempt at bribery.

Explanation:

• BRICS countries launched a Centre for Industrial Competences in cooperation with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
• It will support the development of Industrial skills and capabilities.
• This centre will promote partnerships within the framework of the New Industrial Revolution (NIR).
• It will identify interests, challenges, and opportunities in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
• This centre will help in developing the industrial skills of its members.
• The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology joined its BRICS counterparts in the launch of this centre.
• Under the declaration, the members emphasized their commitment to cooperate on industrial policy in support of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Explanation:

• The central government introduced the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust Rules, 2024, to oversee mineral exploration and production in India's offshore areas.
• As per the new rules, offshore mine holders have to contribute to the Trust by paying 10 per cent of their royalty payments to the government. This amount will be deposited into India's public account.
• The regulations also set specific exploration norms for different deposits and minerals, including construction-grade silica sand, non-construction-grade calcareous sand, calcareous mud, phosphatic sediments, etc.
• The Ministry of Mines has identified 10 offshore mineral blocks for potential auction.
• As per the rules, the main objective of the trust is to promote sustainable exploration.

Explanation:

• The father of Agni missiles, RN Agarwal, died at the age of 84.
• RN Agarwal was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
• He had served as the Agni program director and also as the director of ASL (Advanced Systems Laboratory) in Hyderabad.
• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMP) was launched by Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, and Agni was a key program in it.
• Agni missile is a family of medium- to intercontinental-range ballistic missiles.
• Agni-I was developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (lGMDP) and tested in 1989.
• Agni-5 can carry nuclear warheads and hit targets more than 5,000 km away. It uses a three-stage solid-fuel engine.

Explanation:

• The Union Minister for Jal Shakti launched Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile app by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
• The app provides real-time flood information and 7-day forecasts to the public in English and Hindi, with both readable and audio formats.
• Users can monitor flood situations across the country using real-time river flow data and get flood forecasts at nearby stations.
• The app includes advanced technologies like satellite data analysis and mathematical modeling.
• Version 2.0 adds 392 more flood monitoring stations, totaling 592, and provides storage information for 150 major reservoirs to better predict downstream flood situations.