On 28 August 2024, senior IPS officer Rajwinder Singh Bhatti was appointed as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) until September 30, 2025.

Senior IPS officer Daljit Singh Chaudhary was appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) until November 30, 2025.

Rajwinder Singh Bhatti and Daljit Singh Chaudhary’s appointments were approved by the Department of Personnel and Training.

The CISF, established in 1969, has grown into a premier organization with 1,71,635 personnel, providing security to 358 establishments across India. The CISF also protects 67 airports, Delhi Metro, government buildings, heritage monuments, and offers VIP security services.

Q.: Who was appointed as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on August 28, 2024?

a) Daljit Singh Chaudhary
b) Rajwinder Singh Bhatti
c) Suresh Yadav
d) Ajay Kumar

Answer: b) Rajwinder Singh Bhatti
Rajwinder Singh Bhatti, IPS was appointed as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) until September 30, 2025.

Q.: Who has been appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) on August 28, 2024?

a) Rajwinder Singh Bhatti
b) Daljit Singh Chaudhary
c) Ajit Doval
d) Anil Kumar Sharma

Answer: b) Daljit Singh Chaudhary
Daljit Singh Chaudhary, IPS was appointed as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) until November 30, 2025.

Satish Kumar, an officer of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), has been appointed as the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board. He is the first individual from the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community to hold this position.

His tenure will begin on September 1, 2024, succeeding Jaya Varma Sinha, who retires on August 31, 2024. The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Q.: Who has been appointed as the new Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board?

a) Jaya Varma Sinha
b) Satish Kumar
c) Suresh Prabhu
d) Vinod Kumar Yadav

Answer: b) Satish Kumar
Satish Kumar, an officer of the Indian Railway Management Service (IRMS), has been appointed as the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board. His tenure will begin on September 1, 2024, succeeding Jaya Varma Sinha, who retires on August 31, 2024.

On 28 August 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the 3rd batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 FM channels in 234 new cities under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy.

The estimated reserve price for the auctions is Rs. 784.87 crore. An Annual License Fee (ALF) of 4% of Gross Revenue (excluding GST) will apply to the FM channels in the 234 cities.

The rollout of Private FM Radio in these new cities will address unmet demand, promote local content, and enhance employment opportunities. The initiative will support local dialects, culture, and the “vocal for local” movement.

Q.: How many FM channels will be auctioned in the 3rd batch of e-auctions?

a) 500 channels
b) 1000 channels
c) 730 channels
d) 200 channels

Answer: c) 730 channels
On 28 August 2024, the Union Cabinet, approved the 3rd batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 FM channels in 234 new cities under the Private FM Radio Phase III Policy.

Senior IPS officer B. Srinivasan appointed as Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG). He is a 1992 batch IPS officer from the Bihar cadre. His appointment approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

B. Srinivasan is currently the director of Bihar Police Academy, Rajgir. Tenure will be from the date of joining until his superannuation on August 31, 2027.

National Security Guard (NSG)

The National Security Guard (NSG), also known as the “Black Cats,” is a special forces unit in India established in 1984. It is tasked with counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, and protection of high-risk individuals. The NSG operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and draws personnel from the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).

Q.: Who was recently appointed as the Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG)?

a) Rakesh Asthana
b) B. Srinivasan
c) Alok Verma
d) Y.C. Modi

Answer: b) B. Srinivasan
Senior IPS officer B. Srinivasan appointed as Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG) in August 2024.

Here is an MCQ based on the brief about NSG:

Q.: What is the primary role of the National Security Guard (NSG) in India?

a) Disaster relief operations
b) Border security
c) Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue
d) Cybersecurity management

Answer: c) Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue
NSG is tasked with counter-terrorism operations, hostage rescue, and protection of high-risk individuals.

The Central government on 26 August 2024, announced the formation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. Ladakh is a very large Union Territory in terms of area. At present, Ladakh has two districts; Leh and Kargil. It is one of the least populated areas of India.

Background of Article 370: The announcement follows the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which ended the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and split the region into two Union Territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Q.: How many new districts have been created in the Union Territory of Ladakh by the Central Government?

A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6

Answer: C) 5
The Central government announced the formation of five new districts in the Union Territory of Ladakh: Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang. At present, Ladakh has two districts; Leh and Kargil.

Govind Mohan, IAS assumed the charge of the new Union Home Secretary on 23 August 2024. He has succeeded Ajay Kumar Bhalla whose tenure ended on 22 August 2024. A 1989 batch IAS Officer, Mr. Mohan was earlier holding charge of Secretary in the Culture Ministry.  

Q.: Who assumed the charge as the new Union Home Secretary on 23 August 2024?

a) Ajay Kumar Bhalla
b) Rajiv Gauba
c) Govind Mohan
d) P.K. Mishra

Answer: c) Govind Mohan

The 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI took place at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. MITRA SHAKTI is an annual event, alternating between India and Sri Lanka, with the 14-day exercise concluding on August 25, 2024.

High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Defence, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, witnessed the final exercise.

The Indian contingent, comprising 106 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles and other services, trained alongside the Sri Lankan Gajaba Regiment. The exercise, focused on tactical drills in sub-conventional scenarios, aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen ties between the two forces.

Q.: Where was the 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI, which concluded on August 25, 2024, held?

a) Pune, India
b) Colombo, Sri Lanka
c) Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka
d) New Delhi, India

Answer: c) Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka
The 10th edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI took place at the Army Training School in Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka. MITRA SHAKTI is an annual event, alternating between India and Sri Lanka, with the 14-day exercise concluding on August 25, 2024.