National Current Affairs

Air Marshal SP Dharkar has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who will become the Chief of Air Staff on 30 September 2024.

A distinguished fighter pilot with over 3,600 flying hours, Dharkar has extensive experience and impressive credentials. He is an alumnus of several prestigious military institutions and was commissioned in June 1985.

Dharkar has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment, and held important roles in military education. He has also served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training), Air Defence Commander at the Eastern Air Command, and was the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency. For the last two years, he has led the Eastern Air Command.

The India-Oman joint military exercise, AL-NAJAH 5 – 2024, is taking place at the Rabkoot Training Area in Oman from 13th to 26th September. The Indian Army is represented by 60 personnel from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.

The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability between the two armies, covering combat first aid, weapon handling, and counter-drone drills. It also includes firing drills with Assault Rifles, Snipers, and Pistols, simulating real combat situations. The training involves both armies working together on combat scenarios like hostage rescue and casualty evacuation, along with cultural exchanges to strengthen ties. The exercise will conclude with a live-fire demonstration.

Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, currently the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff. He will take over from Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on the 30 September 2024.

Commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in December 1984, Mr. Singh has served for nearly 40 years in various roles. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and National Defence College. He is also a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot with over 5,000 hours of flying experience on different aircraft.

Anurag Garg, IPS has become the new Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), taking over from Anish Dayal Singh, who held the position temporarily after S N Pradhan’s retirement in August. Garg is a 1993 batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre.

He previously served as Additional Director General in the Border Security Force (BSF) and was promoted to DGP in Himachal Pradesh police. Garg, originally from Uttar Pradesh, holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi and a PG Diploma in Public Policy. He is also an alumnus of the National Defence College, Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a three-day visit to the United States on 21 September. He will attend the 4th annual Quad leaders’ Summit in Delaware, where discussions will cover topics like climate change and emerging technologies. Modi will also hold a meeting with US President Joe Biden to strengthen India-US relations.

On 22 September, Modi will visit New York, meet with the Indian community, and hold talks with business leaders about collaboration in areas like Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.

On the final day, he will address the ‘Summit of the Future’ at the UN, focusing on global cooperation for a better future.

The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas 2024’ conducted from 9 to 22 September 2024, at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. Women soldiers from both India and the US played pivotal roles in every phase of the exercise in Yudh Abhyas 2024.

600 Indian Army personnel from the RAJPUT Regiment and a similar-sized U.S. contingent from the 1-24 Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division, Alaska, were participated.

The main goal is to improve joint military capabilities, focusing on counterterrorism operations in semi-desert environments. This year’s exercise has expanded in terms of personnel and advanced equipment, reflecting growing operational complexity. It strengthens military ties between India and the USA, aligning with India’s strategy of multi-alignment while maintaining autonomy.

World Food India 2024, a four-day global event, began on September 19, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event, organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), brings together over 90 countries, 26 Indian states and Union Territories, and 18 Central Ministries. It focuses on innovation, technology, and sustainability in the food processing sector.

Key features include exhibitions, knowledge sessions, and networking opportunities (G2B and B2B meetings). Special events like the Global Food Regulators Summit and a CEO roundtable are part of the agenda. Japan is the partner country, while Vietnam and Iran are focus countries.

The 8th India Water Week is being held from September 17 to 20, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the event on September 17, 2024.

Organized by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the event focuses on the theme “Partnership and cooperation for inclusive water development and management.” The event includes seminars, exhibitions, and thematic sessions to promote best practices in water management across India.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is a partner, showcasing successful water management practices from high-performing Panchayats. The platform facilitates discussions on strategies for conservation, preservation, and optimal use of water resources.

Exercise AIKYA is an integrated disaster management symposium and table-top exercise organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Indian Army, in Chennai from September 18, 2024. The primary objective is to bring together senior officers from the Central government, six southern states (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry), and various disaster management stakeholders to discuss contemporary disaster issues and simulate emergency scenarios.

Key topics include:

• Tsunamis, landslides, floods, forest fires, and cyclones.
• Lessons from the 2023-24 disaster relief operations.
• The role of technology in disaster management.
• Economic costs of disasters and vulnerabilities in southern states.

Participants also include officials from relevant Central Ministries and disaster management agencies like the India Meteorological Department and National Remote Sensing Centre.

The government has authorized the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) to conduct Aadhaar authentication voluntarily for candidates’ identity verification during various stages of the examination process.

The Department of Personnel and Training has approved SSC to perform Aadhaar authentication at the time of candidates’ registration on the One Time Registration portal and during different stages of the recruitment process.

A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Personnel mandates that SSC must follow all relevant provisions, rules, and regulations set by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).

This step has been taken in response to several cases of fraud, malpractices, and unfair means employed by candidates to clear competitive exams.

India’s first Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, also known as the Vande Metro, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 16, 2024. This service connects Ahmedabad and Bhuj, covering a distance of 360 kilometers in approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes. The train operates at a top speed of 110 km/h and stops at nine stations along the route.

The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail is designed to offer a comfortable and efficient travel experience. It features 12 air-conditioned coaches with cushioned seating, phone charging stations, CCTV, automatic sliding doors, and panoramic windows. The train can accommodate up to 2,058 standing passengers and 1,150 seated passengers.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed preliminary trials of the Indian Light Tank, Zorawar, which demonstrated excellent performance in high-altitude and desert terrain.

The tank’s firing accuracy was also tested and met all objectives. Developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Zorawar’s creation involved contributions from several Indian industries, including MSMEs, highlighting India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on 13 September that the name symbolises victory in the freedom struggle. The decision was made to remove colonial influences.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold a significant place in India’s freedom struggle and history. The islands were once the naval base of the Chola Empire and are now crucial for strategic development.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled the Indian flag (Tiranga) here. The islands also house the cellular jail where Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters were imprisoned.

The fifth edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise, Al Najah, will take place from September 13 to 26 at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman. Held biennially since 2015, the exercise alternates between India and Oman, with the previous edition held in Rajasthan.

Both nations will deploy 60 personnel each, focusing on desert operations to enhance joint capabilities for counter-terrorism under the UN’s Chapter VII. The exercise will include tactical drills such as joint planning, search operations, counter-drone measures, and real-world counter-terrorism simulations.

A dedicated lane will be created for vehicles with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) On-Board units. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has amended the National Highways Fee Rules, 2008.

Vehicles entering the GNSS lane without a valid GNSS unit will be charged double the toll fee. Non-National Permit vehicles can use up to 20 km of a national highway, bridge, or tunnel for free under GNSS. If the distance exceeds 20 km, a fee will be charged based on the actual distance traveled.

The first International Solar Festival is being held in New Delhi on September 5-6, 2024, organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote international cooperation for a solar-powered future.

The event features immersive activities, such as a solar city tour and virtual reality experiences, and showcases advancements in solar technology. It emphasizes sustainable energy sources, encourages domestic manufacturing, and aims to accelerate global solar energy adoption.

In his virtual address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s commitment to a green future and the importance of raising awareness about sustainable energy.

Q.: Where is the first International Solar Festival being held in 2024?

a) Mumbai
b) New Delhi
c) Paris
d) Tokyo

Answer: b) New Delhi
The first International Solar Festival held in New Delhi on September 5-6, 2024, organized by the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

Siddhartha Agarwal, a 49-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru, became the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel on August 29, 2024. He completed the 42-km stretch in 15 hours and six minutes. This achievement surpasses the previous record set by Srikaanth Viswanathan at age 46 in 2018.

Agarwal, who was not a swimmer in his youth, described the rigorous training with coach Satish Kumar as a key to his success. Training involved increasing distances and strict targets, with any failure leading to a complete reset of the session. His success is seen as an inspiration for amateur swimmers, showing that age is not a barrier to taking on endurance sports like open water swimming.

Q.: Who recently became the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel?

a) Srikaanth Viswanathan
b) Satish Kumar
c) Siddhartha Agarwal
d) Neeraj Chopra

Answer: c) Siddhartha Agarwal
Siddhartha Agarwal, a 49-year-old swimmer from Bengaluru, became the oldest Indian to swim across the English Channel on August 29, 2024.