National Current Affairs

On July 26, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the construction of the world’s highest tunnel in Kargil, Ladakh, by initiating the first blast.

The Shinkun La Tunnel will be 4.1 kilometers long, with twin tubes, and is located at an altitude of about 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road.

This tunnel will provide year-round connectivity to Leh, improve the movement of armed forces and their equipment, and promote economic and social development in Ladakh.

Q.: Where is the World’s highest tunnel, Shinkun La Tunnel being constructed?

a) Sikkim
b) Arunachal Pradesh
c) Ladakh
d) Himachal Pradesh

Ans : c) Ladakh
On July 26, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the construction of the world’s highest tunnel in Kargil, Ladakh, by initiating the first blast. The Shinkun La Tunnel will be 4.1 kilometers long, with twin tubes, and is located at an altitude of about 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road.

The Indian Army contingent departed for the Multinational Military Exercise ‘Khaan Quest’ in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia scheduled from July 27th to August 9th, 2024.

Contingent Composition: The Indian contingent consists of 40 personnel, mainly from a Battalion of the Madras Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services. It includes one woman officer and two women soldiers.

Exercise Objective: The exercise aims to prepare the Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions, with training on tactical drills such as establishing checkpoints, cordon and search operations, patrolling, evacuation of civilians from hostile areas, counter-improvised explosive device drills, combat first aid, and casualty evacuation.

History: ‘Khaan Quest’ started in 2003 as a bilateral event between the USA and Mongolian Armed Forces and became a multinational peacekeeping exercise in 2006. The current year marks the 21st iteration.

Q.: What is the name of the military exercise in which the Indian Army is participating in Mongolia?

A) Desert Storm
B) Khaan Quest
C) Red Flag
D) Cobra Gold

Ans : B) Khaan Quest
The Indian Army contingent is participating in the Multinational Military Exercise ‘Khaan Quest’ in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from July 27th to August 9th, 2024.

The Supreme Court has refused to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 examination or order a re-test. This decision allows the counselling process for admission to undergraduate medical courses in government and private colleges across India to begin on July 24, 2024.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud determined that there was no evidence of a systemic leak of the exam paper from May 5 that would disrupt the exam’s integrity. The bench, also including Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that canceling the entire exam would adversely affect over 20 lakh students and disrupt the admission schedule.

The court highlighted that canceling NEET-UG 2024 could have significant negative impacts on medical education, the future availability of qualified medical professionals, and marginalized groups benefiting from seat reservations. Additionally, the Supreme Court has instructed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to re-tally the NEET-UG results based on a specific correct answer in the physics section.

Q.: What decision did the Supreme Court make regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination?

A) Ordered a re-test
B) Cancelled the examination
C) Refused to cancel the examination and allowed the counselling process to commence
D) Postponed the examination date

Ans : C) Refused to cancel the examination and allowed the counselling process to commence
The Supreme Court has refused to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 examination or order a re-test. This decision allows the counselling process for admission to undergraduate medical courses in government and private colleges across India to begin on July 24, 2024.

Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States of America. A 1988 batch IFS officer, Mr. Kwatra is expected to take up the assignment shortly. The post was vacant after the retirement of  the then Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Source : Press Release – Ministry of External Affairs Press Release – Dated 19 July 2024

Question: Who has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States of America?

Ans : B) Vinay Mohan Kwatra
Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the United States of America.

• A) Taranjit Singh Sandhu
• B) Vinay Mohan Kwatra
• C) S. Jaishankar
• D) Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan took oaths as judges of the Supreme Court on 18 July 2024. The Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, administered the oath to both judges.

Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh was the Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court before his elevation.

Justice R. Mahadevan was a judge of the Madras High Court before his elevation.

Question: Who administered the oath to Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan as judges of the Supreme Court on 18 July 2024?

• A. Justice Ranjan Gogoi
• B. Justice SA Bobde
• C. Justice NV Ramana
• D. Justice DY Chandrachud

Answer: D. Justice DY Chandrachud
Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R. Mahadevan took oaths as judges of the Supreme Court on 18 July 2024. The Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, administered the oath to both judges.

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, inaugurated Asia’s first health research-related “Pre-clinical Network facility” at the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad on July 16, 2024.

This facility is the 9th such network laboratory globally and the first in Asia.

Dr. Singh also inaugurated the Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) facility, which will serve as a repository providing microbial cultures to research institutes, universities, and industries for Research and Development.

The Minister signed more than a dozen agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the private sector for vaccine development, facilitated by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Q.: Where is the Asia’s first health research-related “Pre-clinical Network facility” located?

A) New Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Bangalore
D) Faridabad

Ans : D) Faridabad
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, inaugurated Asia’s first health research-related “Pre-clinical Network facility” at the Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI) in Faridabad on July 16, 2024.

Mr. Vikram Misri, a 1989 batch IFS officer assumed charge as the new Foreign Secretary of India on 15 July 2024. He has succeeded Vinay Mohan Kwatra whose tenure ended on July 14, 2024.

He was serving as Deputy National Security Advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat. He has served as Indian Envoy in China, Myanmar and Spain. Mr. Misri has the rare distinction of serving as Private Secretary to three Prime Ministers, Inder Kumar Gujral in 1997, Manmohan Singh in 2012 and Narendra Modi in 2014.

Q: Who became the new Foreign Secretary of India on 15 July 2024?

a) S. Jaishankar
b) Vinay Mohan Kwatra
c) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
d) Vikram Misri

Ans : d) Vikram Misri
Mr. Vikram Misri, a 1989 batch IFS officer assumed charge as the new Foreign Secretary of India on 15 July 2024.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) have reserved 10% of constable jobs for ex-Agniveers. Both forces play critical roles in safeguarding national security and maintaining law and order. By setting aside these positions, they recognize the contributions of ex-Agniveers and promote inclusivity in recruitment.

Director General, CISF, Nina Singh  and Director General, Border Security Force, Nitin Agrawal confirmed that as per the direction of Home Ministry, 10% of constable positions have been reserved for Agniveers .

Details of the Agniveer Scheme: Introduced in 2022, the scheme allows candidates to enroll in the Indian Armed Forces for four years. Up to 25% of Agniveers may be offered permanent positions based on performance and organizational needs.

Q: What percentage of constable jobs have been reserved for ex-Agniveers by CISF and BSF?

A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%

Answer: B) 10%
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) have reserved 10% of constable jobs for ex-Agniveers.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has arrived at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2024. The IAF contingent includes 150+ personnel and Su-30 MKI fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster and IL-78 refueling aircraft. This is IAF’s third participation, following 2018 and 2022.

Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the largest in its 43-year history, runs from July 12 to August 2. This biennial exercise includes 20 countries, 140+ aircraft, and 4,400 military personnel. Focuses on nighttime flying over vast, unpopulated areas.

Q: Where is Exercise Pitch Black 2024 being conducted from July 12 to August 2, 2024?

A) RAF Base Waddington, United Kingdom
B) RAAF Base Darwin, Australia
C) Naval Air Station Fallon, USA
D) Nellis Air Force Base, USA

Ans : B) RAAF Base Darwin, Australia
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has arrived at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin for Exercise Pitch Black 2024. Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the largest in its 43-year history, runs from July 12 to August 2.

The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant began on July 3, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. The exercise is scheduled from July 3 to July 16, 2024.

It involves 45 Indian personnel from the Sikkim Scouts and other arms, and personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army. This annual training event alternates between India and Mongolia; the previous edition was held in Mongolia in July 2023.

The exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations under the UN mandate, focusing on semi-urban and mountainous terrain. The exercise fosters interoperability, camaraderie, and defense cooperation between India and Mongolia.

Q: What is the name of the joint military exercise between India and Mongolia, the 16th edition of which was conducted in July 2024??

a) Operation Desert Storm
b) Exercise Nomadic Elephant
c) Exercise Yudh Abhyas
d) Operation Blue Star

Answer: b) Exercise Nomadic Elephant
The 16th edition of the India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant began on July 3, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya. The exercise is scheduled from July 3 to July 16, 2024.

Dr. B.N. Gangadhar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission for a period of 4 years. He was previously the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.

Dr. Sanjay Behari, the Director of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, is appointed as the new President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.

Q: Who has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission in July 2024?

a) Dr. Sanjay Behari
b) Dr. B.N. Gangadhar
c) Dr. Ramesh Kumar
d) Dr. Anil Mehta

Ans : b) Dr. B.N. Gangadhar
Dr. B.N. Gangadhar has been appointed as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission for a period of 4 years. He was previously the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board.

Exercise Details: The 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE is taking place from 1st to 15th July at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand.

Participants:

• Indian Army contingent: 76 personnel, mainly from the Ladakh Scouts and other arms and services.
• Royal Thailand Army contingent: 76 personnel, mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

Objective:

• Foster military cooperation between India and Thailand.
• Enhance combined capabilities in executing joint counter-insurgency and terrorist operations in jungle and urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• Focus on high physical fitness, joint planning, and joint tactical drills.

Activities and Drills:

• Sharing best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures for joint operations.
• Development of interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie.
• Tactical drills include creating a Joint Operation Centre, establishing an Intelligence and Surveillance Centre, using drones and counter-drone systems, securing a landing site, small team insertion and extraction, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, room intervention drills, and demolition of illegal structures.

Previous Edition: The last edition was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2019.

Q: Where is the 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE being conducted?

A) Fort Vachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand
B) Umroi, Meghalaya, India
C) Bangkok, Thailand
D) New Delhi, India

Answer: A) Fort Vachiraprakan, Tak Province, Thailand
The 13th edition of India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE is taking place from 1st to 15th July at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand.

Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 1, 2024. Prior to this, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command based at Lucknow.

• Commissioned into The Garhwal Rifles in December 1985.
• Graduated from the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy.
• Alumnus of Joint Services Command Staff College, Bracknell (UK), and National Defence College, New Delhi.
• Awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Sena Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service to the nation.

Q: Who assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 1, 2024?

A) Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh
B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani
C) Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane
D) Lieutenant General MM Naravane

Answer: B) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani
Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani assumed the appointment of Vice Chief of Army Staff on July 1, 2024. Prior to this, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command based at Lucknow.

Digital India program completed 9 years on July 1, 2024. It was officially launched by the Government of India on July 1, 2015.

The aim of the program is to transform India into a digitally empowered society. The program focuses on promoting technology adoption, improving online infrastructure, and enhancing e-governance services.

Digital India has made significant strides in:

• Bridging the digital divide.
• Empowering citizens through digital literacy.
• Providing access to digital services.

Q: When was Digital India officially launched by the Government of India?

A) August 15, 2014
B) January 26, 2015
C) July 1, 2015
D) October 2, 2015

Answer: C) July 1, 2015
Digital India program completed 9 years on July 1, 2024. It was officially launched by the Government of India on July 1, 2015.

The three new criminal laws in India—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023— come into force with effect from 1 July 2024. These laws were passed by the Parliament during the winter session in 2023.

Key provisions

• Report incidents online, file FIRs at any police station, and provide victims with a free copy of the FIR.
• Individuals arrested have the right to inform a person of their choice about their situation.
• Investigations for offenses against women and children must be completed within two months of recording information.
• Forensic experts must visit crime scenes for serious offenses to collect evidence.
• Summons can now be served electronically to expedite legal processes and reduce paperwork.

Training for police and investigating authorities has been conducted to ensure a smooth transition. Awareness programs, news bulletins, discussions, and informational websites have been utilized to inform the public. Course modules on the new laws have been included in schools and higher education institutes.

Q: When the three new criminal laws in India came into force?

A) June 30, 2024
B) July 1, 2024
C) August 1, 2024
D) January 1, 2024

Ans : B) July 1, 2024
The three new criminal laws in India—Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023— come into force with effect from 1 July 2024.

Q: Which of the following is NOT one of the three new criminal laws in India?

A) Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
B) Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
C) Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
D) Bharatiya Dand Adhiniyam, 2023

Ans : D) Bharatiya Dand Adhiniyam, 2023
The three new criminal laws in India are :
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023;
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and
Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023