Daily Current Affairs 24 July 2024, OPSC Exam Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs for OPSC Exam

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Amit Shah chairs 7th NCORD top-level meeting

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah chaired the 7th Apex Level Meeting of Narco-Coordination Center (NCORD) in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• On this occasion, the Home Minister launched National Narcotics Helpline ‘MANAS’ (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) and virtually inaugurated Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Office at Srinagar.
• Shah also released NCB ‘Annual Report 2023’ and Compendium on ‘Nasha Mukt Bharat’.
• MANAS will have a toll-free number 1933, a web portal, a mobile app, and a UMANG app so that citizens of the country can anonymously connect with NCB 24×7 to seek advice on deaddiction and rehabilitation and share information on drug trafficking. And informed that, for capacity-building, the “Centre of Excellence for Narcotics Control” has been founded and ‘Mission Spandhan’ has been initiated to create awareness among the public regarding issues relating to drugs.

GC Murmu inaugurates ‘International Centre for Audit of Local Governance’ in Rajkot

• The Comptroller and Auditor General of India Girish Chandra Murmu inaugurated the International Centre for Audit of Local Governance (iCAL) at Rajkot in Gujarat.
• The centre will serve as a think tank for addressing governance issues at the grassroots level across the nations.
• The centre will also serve as a platform for information sharing and play a key role in strengthening local selfinstitutions.
• CAG Girish Chandra Murmu also stressed on the transparency and accountability in the local self-governance and capacity building of local government auditors.

Airbus to launch first ‘Made in India’ H 125 helicopter in 2026

• Airbus and Tata are joining forces to manufacture India’s first FAL (Final Assembely Line) H125 helicopter, which is set to roll out by 2026.

• This partnership aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and reflects Airbus’s commitment to investing in the Indian aerospace market despite regulatory challenges.
• The initial production capacity will be 10 helicopters per year, with the potential to scale up to 50 helicopters annually in subsequent years.

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia releases ‘The Future is Now’ as the theme for India Mobile Congress 2024

• The theme of the India Mobile Congress 2024, ‘The Future is Now’ , was unveiled today by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region.

• The theme signifies how India stands at the heart of the technological evolution and IMC 2024 bringing together global leaders – visionaries, pioneers, and innovators – to collaborate and actively shape the technologies transforming our world today, where the future isn’t just a concept – it’s happening.

• The eighth edition of Asia’s premier digital technology exhibition, India Mobile Congress (IMC), co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will be held from 15th October at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi this year.
• Concurrent to IMC 2024, India is also hosting the prestigious international conferences – World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly New Delhi 2024 (WTSA 2024) and Global Standards Symposium (GSS 2024) from 14-24 Oct, 2024 at the same venue.

Assam’s Charaideo Maidam nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Charaideo Maidam, an ancient burial ground in Assam, is poised to become Northeast India’s first cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• This prestigious nomination was announced during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi.
• Charaideo Maidam’s nomination fills a significant gap, recognising Assam’s rich cultural heritage. Previously, Northeast India boasted two natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites — Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one-horned rhinoceroses, and Manas National Park, a renowned tiger reserve.

• Located in Assam’s Charaideo district, Charaideo Maidam is the ancient burial ground of the Ahom dynasty. These impressive structures, similar to Egypt’s pyramids, house the remains of Ahom’s kings, nobles, and precious artefacts.

• The tradition of royal burials at Charaideo began with the first Ahom king, Chau-lung Siu-ka-pha, and continued for over 600 years in Assam.
• Dedicated to kings, queens, princes, and princesses, these Maidams hold deep significance for the Ahom community, symbolising their rich history and culture.

Shikhar Dhawan announced brand ambassador of MotoGP India

• Star India opener Shikhar Dhawan has been appointed the brand ambassador for MotoGP in India. Dhawan, known for his dynamic presence on the cricket field, will ignite his passion for racing through the latest campaign, ‘Face Kar Race Kar’.
• This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in the promotion of motorcycle racing in a country traditionally dominated by cricket fandom.
• The ‘Face Kar Race Kar’ campaign encapsulates the indomitable spirit of MotoGP,celebrating resilience and inspiring fan

Mysuru’s Capt. Supreetha becomes first woman officer to be deployed at Siachen Glacier

• Captain Supreetha C.T., who hails from Mysuru, has become the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence, to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier.

• The Siachen Glacier, which is also known as the world’s highest battlefield located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas.
• India launched Operation Meghdoot in 1984 to capture the Siachen Glacier in Kashmir from Pakistan, successfully gaining control of the strategically important glacier.
• It is the second-longest glacier in the world’s non-polar areas and lies south of the drainage divide separating the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent. The Nubra River originates from the Siachen Glacier.

Oscar Piastri wins Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix

• Oscar Piastri won his first Formula One race after completing a McLaren one-two with Lando Norris at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
• Lewis Hamilton finished third behind the papaya-colored pair for his record-extending 200th career podium.
• Points leader Max Verstappen finished fifth behind Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari and has now gone three races without a victory. Verstappen leads the standings with 265 points to Norris’ 189.

India’s Kush Maini wins his first-ever Formula 2 Sprint Race at Hungarian GP

• India’s Kush Maini won his maiden Formula 2 Sprint Race at the Hungarian Grand Prix after initial winner Richard Verschoor’s was disqualified due to a technical infringement. Following the top of podium finish, the 23-year-old Invicta racing driver added 10 points to his season tally.
• This victory marks Maini’s fifth podium of the season, placing him eighth in the championship standings, just three points behind Dennis Hauger.
• With the win at the at Hungaroring on Saturday, Maini surpassed Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli in the Formula 2 Drivers Standings to P8 with 66 points under his belt.

Abhinav Bindra awarded prestigious Olympic Order by IOC

• Olympic gold medal winning shooter Abhinav Bindra was awarded with Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• The award which was presented to Bindra for his outstanding services to the Olympic Movement, will be officially handed over to him during the 142nd IOC Session in Paris on August 10.
• Bindra became India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist when he won the men’s 10m air rifle event at 2008 Beijing Games.

• The Olympic Order is the highest award of the IOC, given for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.
• It is awarded to recognize an individual who has illustrated the Olympic ideal through his/her action, has achieved remarkable merit in the sporting world, or has rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause, either through his own personal achievement or his contribution to the development of sport.
• Nominations are proposed by the Olympic Orders Council and decided upon by the Executive Board.

PM Modi announces One Million Dollar Grant to UNESCO World Heritage Centre

• Prime Minister Modi announced that India will contribute one million dollar to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
• This grant will be used for capacity building, technical assistance and conservation of the world heritage sites.
• The grant will especially be used for the countries of the Global South.
• The World Heritage Committee meets once a year and is responsible for managing all matters pertaining to World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list.

PR Sreejesh to retire from international hockey after Paris Olympics 2024

• India veteran goalkeeper PR Sreejesh is set to retire from international hockey after the Paris Olympics, starting later this month.
• Sreejesh will take part in his fourth Olympic Games in Paris and will be hoping to sign off by adding to his bronze medal from the 2020 edition in Tokyo.
• The 36-year-old, who made his debut for India in 2006. Sreejesh was conferred with the Khel Ratna award, the highest sporting honour in the country.

• Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget 2024 speech on Tuesday said the Central government would hasten loans from multilateral agencies for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, ruled by parties whose support is critical to maintain a majority in Parliament.
• She also announced an outlay of ₹ 26,000 crore for various road projects in Bihar in Budget 2024.
• In her Budget for 2024-25, the Finance Minister also said the Union government will also set up airports, medical colleges and sports infrastructure in Bihar, which is ruled by the Nitish Kumar-led Janata Dal United.
• The Centre will also formulate a plan labelled 'Purvodaya' for all-round development of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Sitharaman further said in her budget speech that the government will support the creation of an industrial corridor for development in the eastern region.

• Sitharaman also announced measures for the development of Andhra Pradesh, including arranging ₹ 15,000 crore this fiscal and in future years for the development of the capital city of the state, Amaravati.
• The Centre also allocated over ₹ 3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls and stated that it is fully committed for completion and financing of the Polavaram irrigation project In Andhra Pradesh.
• The minister also announced a backward region grant for three districts of the state, ruled by the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP).

1. Mobile Phones and Chargers: The Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on mobile phones and chargers has been reduced to 15%, making these essential gadgets more affordable.
2. Cancer Treatment Drugs: Three additional cancer treatment drugs have been exempted from customs duty, significantly reducing their cost.
3. Gold and Silver: Customs duties on gold and silver have been reduced to 6%, making these precious metals cheaper.
4. Platinum: The customs duty on platinum has been reduced to 6.5%3. Seafood: Basic customs duty on certain brood stocks, shrimps, and fish feed has been reduced to 5%.
5. Solar Energy Parts: Customs duties on solar energy-related parts will not be extended, promoting renewable energy.
6. Footwear: Customs duty on manufacturing leather and footwear has been cut, making these products more affordable.
7. Critical Minerals: Twenty-five critical minerals will be exempted from customs duties, and the basic customs duty on two of them will be reduced.
8. Seafood: Basic customs duty on certain brood stocks, shrimps, and fish feed has been reduced to 5%.

1. Telecom Equipment: The Basic Customs Duty on specified telecom equipment has been increased to 15% from 10%.
2. Ammonium Nitrate: Customs duty on ammonium nitrate has been raised to 10%.
3. Non-Biodegradable Plastics: Customs duty on non-biodegradable plastics has been raised to 10%.