Current Affairs May 2024

Voter turnout for the 3rd phase of Lok Sabha elections on June 7, 2024, was approximately 64.58%.

• Assam recorded the highest turnout at 81.61%, while Maharashtra had the lowest at 53.95%.
• Other states’ turnout percentages: Bihar (58.18%), Chhattisgarh (71.06%), Goa (75.20%), Gujarat (58.98%), Karnataka (70.41%), Madhya Pradesh (66.05%), Maharashtra (61.44%), Uttar Pradesh (57.34%), and West Bengal (75.79%).
• Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu had a turnout of 69.87%.
• Over 1300 candidates, including about 120 women, contested in this phase.
• In the 2019 elections, BJP won 72 of the 93 seats contested in this phase.
• The elections span seven phases from April 19 to June 1, with counting scheduled for June 4.

Q: Which state recorded the highest voter turnout during the 3rd phase of Lok Sabha elections?

a) Bihar
b) Assam
c) Maharashtra
d) Uttar Pradesh

Ans : b) Assam

Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra sworn in as President of GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) on May 6, 2024, in New Delhi by Nirmala Sitharaman. Mishra, former Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court, appointed as first President of GSTAT after selection process led by Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by Chief Justice of India.

1. GSTAT serves as Appellate Authority under Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, handling appeals against orders of first appellate authority under the Act and respective State/Union Territories GST Acts.
2. Government designates Principal Bench in New Delhi and 31 State Benches. Process underway for appointing Judicial and Technical Members.

Aim of GSTAT: Provide swift, fair, and effective resolution of GST disputes, reduce burden on higher courts, enhance efficiency of GST system, promote transparency in tax environment.

Who is the first President of the GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT)?

A) Justice Sanjay Kumar Mishra
B) Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra
C) Justice Ramesh Gupta
D) Justice (Retd.) Rajesh Singh

Ans : B) Justice (Retd.) Sanjaya Kumar Mishra

The Election Commission of India (ECI) issues a new protocol on 1 May 2024 for handling and storing Symbol Loading Units (SLU) in compliance with a Supreme Court order.

• Under the new guidelines, SLUs are sealed and stored after completing the symbol loading process in VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails).
• SLUs are to be stored along with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for at least 45 days following the declaration of election results.
• The ECI directs Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) to establish infrastructure to implement the revised protocols.
• The protocols are applicable to all symbol loading processes in VVPATs from May 1, 2024, onwards.

Q: What is SLU in the context of elections?

a) Single Log Unit
b) Symbol Loading Unit
c) Security Locking Unit
d) Surveillance Logging Unit

Ans : b) Symbol Loading Unit

DRDO conducted a successful flight test of the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system on May 1, 2024,  from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

• SMART system aims to bolster the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities beyond conventional ranges.
• The system comprises advanced sub-systems like a two-stage solid propulsion system, electromechanical actuator system, and precision inertial navigation system.
• It carries an advanced light-weight torpedo as its payload with a parachute-based release mechanism.
• The missile was launched from a ground mobile launcher, and various mechanisms like symmetric separation, ejection, and velocity control were validated during the test.

Q: What is the Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system designed to enhance?

a) Airborne surveillance
b) Anti-submarine warfare capabilities
c) Ground-based missile defense
d) Cybersecurity operations

Ans : b) Anti-submarine warfare capabilities

India has strongly denied a recent report published in The Washington Post ( Newspaper of US) regarding an alleged assassination plot targeting Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States. The report claimed that a RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) official,  Vikram Yadav, was involved in the plot, with approval from the then Indian spy agency chief, Samant Goel.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said said that the report is “unwarranted and unsubstantiated”. MEA emphasized that there is an ongoing investigation by the High-Level Committee set up by the Government of India to address security concerns related to organized criminals, terrorists, and other networks. 

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement and serves as the legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice, an organization advocating for a separate Sikh state. The Indian government has designated Pannun as a terrorist.

Question: As per The Washington Post report, which terrorist was the alleged target of the assassination plot of Indian Intelligence Agency?

a) Maulana Masood Azhar
b) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
c) Talwinder Singh
d) gurbachan Singh

Ans : b) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun

Question : Who is the current chief of RAW (Research and Analysis Wing)?

A) Vikram Yadav
B) Samant Goel
C) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
D) Ajit Doval

Correct Answer: B) Samant Goel

Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi assumed the position of Chief of the Naval Staff on April 30, 2024, succeeding Admiral R Hari Kumar.

1. Admiral Tripathi’s previous roles include serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
2. He has a specialization in Communication and Electronic Warfare and has served in various capacities on frontline warships, including as Signal Communication Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, Executive Officer, and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai.
3. Admiral Tripathi has commanded several Indian naval ships, including Vinash, Kirch, and Trishul.
4. He is a distinguished recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nausena Medal for his exceptional devotion to duty.

Q: Who recently assumed the position of Chief of the Naval Staff ?

a) Admiral R Hari Kumar
b) Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
c) Admiral Sunil Lanba
d) Admiral Karambir Singh

Ans : b) Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi