March 2024

On March 30, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Bharat Ratna Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former Prime Ministers Chaudhary Charan Singh and P V Narasimha Rao, Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur, and Eminent Scientist M. S. Swaminathan were given Bharat Ratna posthumously. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Veteran BJP leader L K Advani was also given the top civilian award of the country.

Q: Which former Prime Ministers were awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously on March 30, 2024?

a) Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi
b) Rajiv Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee
c) Chaudhary Charan Singh and P V Narasimha Rao
d) Morarji Desai and V P Singh

Ans : c) Chaudhary Charan Singh and P V Narasimha Rao

On March 28, 2024, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A had its maiden flight from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru.

1. The first aircraft in the Tejas Mk1A series, with registration number LA5033, completed the flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Group Captain K K Venugopal (Retired), lasting 18 minutes.
2. This achievement marks a significant milestone for India’s indigenous aerospace and defense industry, showcasing the capability of concurrent design and development despite global supply chain challenges.
3. The contract for Tejas Mk1A was signed in February 2021, demonstrating India’s commitment to advanced indigenous fighter aircraft.
4. Tejas Mk1A features advanced electronic radar, enhanced combat capabilities, improved maintenance features, and robust communication systems.
5. The Indian Air Force (IAF) can expect early induction of Tejas Mk1A, with production lines established at HAL to meet demand.
6. HAL’s collaboration with CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) through a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement aims to manufacture the BMI Engine Bay Door for Tejas Mk1A.
7. Tejas Mk1A is described as an indigenous 4.5-generation, all-weather, and multi-role fighter aircraft, poised to strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

Q: What is the significance of the Tejas Mk1A’s recent maiden flight?

A) It marked the first flight of an indigenous fighter aircraft.
B) It achieved a world record for altitude.
C) It demonstrated the feasibility of supersonic travel.
D) It showcased a new stealth technology.

Answer: A) It marked the first flight of an indigenous fighter aircraft.

Sadanand Vasant Date, a senior IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

1. Date, a 1990-batch Indian Police Service officer, currently serves as the Chief of Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
2. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved Date’s appointment for a tenure up to his superannuation on December 31, 2026.
3. Rajeev Kumar Sharma, a 1990 batch Rajasthan Cadre IPS officer, has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D).
4. Piyush Anand, an IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Anand is currently serving as the Special DG of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Q: Who has been appointed as the Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA)?

a) Sadanand Vasant Date
b) Rajeev Kumar Sharma
c) Piyush Anand
d) Nina Singh

Ans : Sadanand Vasant Date

Q: Who has been appointed as the Director General of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D)?

a) Sadanand Vasant Date
b) Rajeev Kumar Sharma
c) Piyush Anand
d) Nina Singh

Ans : b) Rajeev Kumar Sharma

Q: Who has been appointed as the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?

a) Sadanand Vasant Date
b) Rajeev Kumar Sharma
c) Piyush Anand
d) Nina Singh

Ans : c) Piyush Anand