Current Affairs January 2024

President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2024 to 19 exceptional children in New Delhi on January 22, 2024.

• The awardees were selected from all regions of the country and recognized for their outstanding achievements in Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service, and Sports.
• Among the 19 awardees, there are nine boys and ten girls representing 18 States and Union Territories, including two Aspirational Districts.
• The age group of the awardees ranges from 5 to 18 years.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to interact with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar awardees on January 23.
• The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day parade on January 26.

Q: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is awarded in which of the following categories?

a. Educational Excellence, Scientific Achievement, and Leadership
b. Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service, and Sports
c. Academic Achievements and Technological Advancements
d. Environmental Conservation and Community Development

Ans : b. Art and Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Social Service, and Sports

The Ministry of Education in India has issued new guidelines for the regulation of coaching centers, including a controversial clause barring students below the age of 16 from enrolling.

Key features of the new guidelines:

• Minimum Enrolment Age: No coaching center can enroll students below 16 years old.
• Prohibited Practices: Misleading promises of guaranteed ranks or good marks are banned.
• Tutor Qualifications: Tutors must be graduates or possess equivalent qualifications.
• Transparency and Accountability: Registration, renewal, and cancellation procedures are outlined for coaching centers.

Q: What is the minimum age for students to enroll in coaching centers according to the new guidelines?

A) 14 years
B) 15 years
C) 16 years
D) 18 years

Ans : C) 16 years

• Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra is a nationwide campaign by the Indian government to promote and monitor flagship central schemes.
• The campaign focuses on schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima, PM SVANidhi, etc.
• Its goal is to raise awareness through extensive outreach activities, covering Gram Panchayats, Nagar Panchayats, and Urban Local Bodies.
• The initiative is part of the government’s efforts to empower rural communities through various schemes and activities.
• It is the largest-ever outreach initiative, reaching 2.60 lakh Gram Panchayats and 4000+ urban local bodies by January 25, 2024.
• The campaign has garnered significant support from people nationwide, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce its continuation beyond February 5.

Q: What is the primary objective of Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra?

a. To promote tourism
b. To conduct political rallies
c. To create awareness and ensure public participation in development and welfare schemes
d. To organize cultural festivals

Ans : c. To create awareness and ensure public participation in development and welfare schemes

• The Wings India 2024 event commenced on January 18, 2024, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
• Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia formally inaugurated the event, which was organized by the Airports Authority of India in collaboration with the Ministry and FICCI.
• Wings India is considered one of the biggest civil aviation shows in Asia.
• The event features new-generation aircraft displays, allied aviation services, auxiliary unit industries, and advancements in the tourism sector.
• It is a four-day event aimed at bringing together stakeholders and participants from the global aviation industry to promote collaboration, showcase innovations, and explore business opportunities.
• The main theme of the biennial event is ‘Connecting India with the World in Amritkal,’ focusing on strategies and strategic frameworks for the future of the country’s aviation sector.
• Discussions at the event aim to chart out actions aligning with national aspirations, fostering connectivity, growth, and innovation in aviation up to the year 2047.
• Approximately 1500 delegates from over 100 countries, five thousand business representatives, and over one lakh visitors are expected to participate.
• The event will host about 500 Business to Business meetings.
• The Boeing 777-9 and Airbus A350, the latest widebody aircraft, will be displayed for the first time at the Wings India air show in Hyderabad.
• The Boeing 777-9 flight test aircraft is on static display for the first two days, while the Airbus A350 is expected to begin commercial operations from January 22nd, initially for domestic operations.

Q: Where did the Wings India 2024 event held in January 2024?

a. Mumbai Airport
b. Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad
c. Palam Airport, New Delhi
d. Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi

Ans: b. Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad

• Crown Prince Frederik X became the new King of Denmark on January 14, 2024.
• He succeeded his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who formally abdicated after 52 years as the monarch.
• Tens of thousands of Danes gathered in Copenhagen to witness the historic succession in freezing temperatures.
• Queen Margrethe II, at 83 years old, is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years.
• The abdication was formalized when Queen Margrethe signed the declaration during a meeting of the Council of State at Parliament at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen.
• The new King, his Australian-born wife Mary (now Queen Consort), and their 18-year-old eldest son, Crown Prince Christian, were present at the meeting.
• Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen proclaimed 55-year-old Frederik as the new king from the balcony of the Palace.
• Queen Consort Mary, an Australian-born commoner, is the first commoner to become Queen of Denmark.

Q: Who succeeded Queen Margrethe II as the new King of Denmark on January 14, 2024?

• A) Crown Prince Christian
• B) Prince Frederik X
• C) King Christian IX
• D) Prince Mette Frederiksen

Ans : B) Prince Frederik X

• DRDO conducts successful flight-test of New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile on January 12, 2024, at ITR Chandipur.
• Test targets high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude was successfully intercepted and destroyed during the flight test.
• Validation of complete AKASH-NG weapon system, including missile, Radio Frequency Seeker, Launcher, Multi-Function Radar, and Command, Control, and Communication system.
• AKASH-NG is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats.
• Successful flight test opens the way for user trials of the AKASH-NG system.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh commends DRDO, IAF, PSUs, and Industry for the successful test.
• Development of AKASH-NG system expected to enhance the country’s air defence capabilities.

Q: What is the primary capability of the AKASH-NG missile system?

• A. Submarine warfare
• B. Anti-tank warfare
• C. Interception of high-speed, agile aerial threats
• D. Long-range artillery attacks

Ans : C. Interception of high-speed, agile aerial threats

Q: Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, is located in which state?

A. Maharashtra
B. Odisha
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Gujarat

Ans : B. Odisha

• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s longest bridge, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu, on January 12, 2024.
• The 21.8 km bridge is the longest sea bridge in India and a significant infrastructure project for Mumbai.
• The 6-lane bridge, 16.5 km over the sea and 5.5 km over land, is the longest sea and overall bridge in India.
• Dignitaries present at the inauguration included Governor Ramesh Bais, CM Eknath Shinde, and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for Atal Setu in December 2016.
• Atal Setu aims to enhance connectivity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, reducing travel time between Sewri and Nhava Sheva from 2 hours to 20 minutes.
• It shortens routes from Mumbai to Pune, Goa, and South India, improving connectivity to Mumbai and Navi Mumbai International Airports, Mumbai Port, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
• Executed by MMRDA on an EPC basis with a total cost of over Rs 17,840 crore; Japan International Cooperation Agency provided a loan of approximately 30,755 million yen.

Q: What is the name of India’s longest bridge ?

• A. Rajiv Gandhi Setu
• B. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu
• C. Indira Gandhi Bridge
• D. Sardar Patel Crossing

Ans : B. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Sewri – Nhava Sheva Atal Setu