Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 13th September 2024

Correct Answer:  (b) 70

Explanation:  The central government has extended the benefits of the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY), to all senior citizens 70 years of age or above in the country. This was decided at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. According to the government, as of 9 September 2024, over 35.4 crore Ayushman cards have been issued under the AB-PMJAY across the country.  The scheme is operational in 33 States and Union Territories except Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha.

Key features of the Decision

• The inclusion of 70 years and above senior citizens in the scheme is expected to benefit
• 6 crore senior citizens.
• They will get Rs 5 lakh health insurance annually, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
• If a senior citizen aged 70 or above belongs to a family covered under the scheme, then the family health insurance coverage will be increased to Rs 10 lakh. The extra Rs 5 lakh benefit will be exclusively for the senior citizen.
• Those already enrolled under various public health insurance schemes can continue with their existing health scheme or opt for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• Senior citizens 70 years of age or older enrolled under the private health insurance scheme or the Employees’ State Insurance scheme will be eligible to receive benefits under AB PM-JAY.
• They will be issued separate Ayushman cards.

Correct Answer:  (c) 2027

Explanation: According to an Informa Connect Academy report titled “2024 Trillion Dollar Club” , Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tesla Motors and SpaceX , is most likely to become the world’s 1st trillionaire by 2027.  As per the report, Elon Musk who is currently, the richest man in the world with total net worth of USD 248 billion(as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index on September 12, 2024) to become the world’s 1st trillionaire requires his wealth to grow at an average annual growth rate of nearly 110%.

The report estimated that Gautam Adani (USD 111 billion), Chairman of Adani Group (India) will become the 2nd trillionaire by 2028, if his ports-to-power conglomerate continues to grow at an average annual rate of approximately 123%. Among 3 women billionaire who are likely to become trillionaire by 2050, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, grand-daughter of Eugène Schueller, founder of L’Oreal, who holds total net worth of USD 85.9 billion, is expected to become a trillionaire by 2040.

Correct Answer:  (a) 132nd

Explanation:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the 132nd anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s landmark speech at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago, delivered in 1893. Modi highlighted that Vivekananda’s address introduced India’s timeless message of unity, peace, and brotherhood to the global audience. He praised the enduring impact of Vivekananda’s words, noting their continued inspiration across generations.

• Anniversary Commemoration:PM Modi marked the 132nd anniversary of Vivekananda’s Chicago speech.
• Global Message:Vivekananda’s speech emphasized unity, peace, and brotherhood.
• Enduring Inspiration:Modi underscored the lasting influence of Vivekananda’s message on fostering togetherness and harmony.
• Public Sharing:Modi shared the speech on X and provided a link to Belur Math’s official website for further reading.

Correct Answer:  (c) Mexico

Explanation:  Mexico became the first country in the world to allow voters to elect judges at all levels on 11 September. The decision came after protesters stormed the Upper House and debate on the issue was postponed. Outgoing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador had pushed hard for reform and criticized the current judicial system for serving the interests of political and economic elites. With 41 votes against and 86 in favour, the reform was approved by the upper chamber, which is dominated by the ruling MORENA party and its allies.

Correct Answer:  (c) Nashik

Explanation:  The governor of Maharashtra Shri. C. P. Radhakrishnan has announced in the event that Maharashtra state will establish the tribal university for the development of tribal students and for their better future. This university will be established in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.

Details of University

• It will be established in Nashik.
• An important quality education to Kindergarten level to the Post-graduation level.
• In this University, a total 80% of the seats will be reserved for the tribal students.

Power of Governor to University

• As governor of a state is chancellor of the state run universities.
• According to the Maharashtra University Act 1984, he draws the power of chancellor of the university in state universities.
• Also he can announce the institute’s foundations for the development of education.

Purpose 

• It is not to let tribals remain tribals but train them to compete in the world. We need to give modern education to the tribals living in isolation to make them competent.
• The proposed varsity would help tribal students pursue their higher studies.
• The university will be established for the social development of area.
• This university will have the best facilities for engineering.
• As Nashik is developing industrially, this university will enhance the employability of tribal students.

Correct Answer:  (d) CPI(M)

Explanation:  Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Shri. Sitaram Yechury passed away. He died at the age of 72 at AIMS hospital in New Delhi. From India most of the political leaders have offered condolence to him. He was born in Chennai in 1952 and is a prominent figure in Indian Politics. He had also played a critical role in the talks with the government on the Indo-US nuclear deal that led to the Left parties withdrawing support to the UPA-I government because of Karat’s stubborn stand.

Political career

• He started his journey by joining the Student Federation of India in 1974.
• He was also arrested during emergency when he was still in the JNU, Delhi.
• He was elected to Rajya Sabha from the state of West Bengal and served 12 years.
• Succeeded Prakash Karat as General Secretary of CPI(M) in 2015.

Correct Answer:  (c) Ornamental fisheries sector

Explanation:  In a significant development for India’s ornamental fisheries sector, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh Alias Lalan Singh, unveiled the “Rangeen Machhli” mobile application. The launch event took place at the prestigious ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA) in Bhubaneswar, marking a new era in the dissemination of knowledge and resources for ornamental fish enthusiasts and professionals alike.The “Rangeen Machhli” app is a result of collaborative efforts:

• Developed by: ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA)
• Supported by: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

Correct Answer:  (b) Telangana

Explanation:  Telangana government will celebrate September 17 as Telangana Praja Palana Day, marking Hyderabad’s 1948 integration into India. Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari issued orders for national flag hoisting at government offices, urban local bodies, and gram panchayats. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy will hoist the flag in Hyderabad, while ministers will do the same at district headquarters. In 2023, the BRS government marked it as National Integration Day. The Union government celebrates it as Hyderabad Liberation Day, commemorating the 1948 police action under Operation Polo that merged Hyderabad with India.

Correct Answer:  (d) Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO)

Explanation:  The Indian Navy, in partnership with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully tested the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). The test was carried out on 12 September 2024 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur island off the coast of Odisha.  This is the second successful missile test by the DRDO in the past week. On 6 September 2024, the DRDO successfully conducted the user trial of its nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM Agni-4). During the test, the missile equipped with an advanced radio frequency seeker was launched from a land-based vertical launcher, which successfully intercepted a high-speed aerial target flying at a low altitude.  DRDO is developing the VL-SRAM, which will be manufactured by the central government-owned Bharat Dynamic Limited. The DRDO-developed missile is likely to replace the Israeli Barak-1 missile currently deployed by the Indian Navy.

About the VL-SRSAM 

• The VL-SRSAM is a short-range surface-to-air ballistic missile that can be launched from an Indian Naval warship.
• The missile is an all-weather, next-generation, quick-reaction missile that will provide defence against supersonic sea-skimming targets like aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and missiles.
• VL-SRSAM is 3,931 mm long, 178 mm in diameter, and 170 kg in weight.
• The strike range of the missile is up to 50 km.
• The next-generation missile has a smokeless propulsion system and is equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) features.
• A single pulse rocket motor solid propellant powers the missile. The missile is fitted with a high a  high-explosive) pre‐formed fragmentation warhead, which is detonated by an active radar proximity fuze.

Correct Answer:  (b) Tayyab Ikram

Explanation:  Mohammad Tayyab Ikram is set to become the President of Fédération Internationale de Hockey(FIH- International Hockey Federation) for the second term. He has been serving as the 13thPresident of FIH since 2022. Ikram, representing Hong Kong and Macau, is the sole candidate for the post of President, For the first time in the history of FIH, Ikram is set to be re-elected as the President of FIH unopposed. The election for the post of FIH President; FIH Ordinary Executive Board Member female and male will be elected during the 49th FIH Statutory Congres in Muscat, Oman on 9th November 2024.

Mohammad Tayyab Ikram:

• Pakistan-born Mohammad Tayyab Ikram of Macau has coached 6 different national teams including Pakistan and China.
• Prior to becoming President of FIH in 2022, He has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Asian Hockey Federation.
• He has been an member of FIH Executive Board since 2016.
• He has also served as the member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Olympic Solidarity Commission.
• He has also served as akey Member of the Coordination and Evaluation Commission for the Asian Games 2010 to 2022.

Correct Answer:  (c) 12th September

Explanation:  The United Nations International Day of South-South Cooperation is being celebrated. “A better tomorrow through South-South Cooperation” is the theme of this year. Celebration of the day annually on September 12, provides an opportunity for member states to reaffirm the value and benefits of South-South cooperation. The South-South cooperation is a manifestation of solidarity among peoples and countries of the South that contributes to their national well-being, their national and collective self-reliance and the attainment of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Correct Answer:  (d) Sri Vijaya Puram

Explanation:  The government has decided to rename Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as Sri Vijaya Puram. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, the government decided to free the nation from the colonial imprints. He said, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in the country’s freedom struggle. The Union Home Minister said Andaman and Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in the country’s freedom struggle and history. He said the island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations. It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of the Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and also the cellular jail in which Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation.

Correct Answer:  (d) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)

Explanation:  Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has once again achieved excellence in energy efficiency and conservation by winning the prestigious National Energy Leader Award from the Confederation of Indian Industry – Green Business Centre (CII-GBC). This marks the sixth consecutive year that RINL has received this accolade, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to sustainable energy practices. On the evening of September 12th, at a ceremony in Hyderabad, the award was presented to K Sudhakar, GM of the Energy Management Department (EMD-I/c), and his team by Milind Deora, Secretary of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India.

In addition to the National Energy Leader Award, RINL also secured the “Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award” for the eighth consecutive year. These acknowledgments reflect RINL’s ongoing efforts in energy conservation through various initiatives:

• Harnessing Waste Heat Recovery Systems
• Pulverized Coal Injection (PCI) in Blast Furnaces
• Waste Recycling and Energy Benchmarking

Receiving the National Energy Leader Award for six consecutive years underscores RINL’s pioneering approach to energy management. The company’s continuous focus on enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and embracing innovative technologies for sustainable growth sets a high standard within the industry.

Correct Answer:  (d) United India Insurance

Explanation:   Jaipur (Rajasthan) based AU Small Finance Bank Limited (AU SFB) has partnered with Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based United India Insurance Company Limited (UIIC) to offer a wide range of general insurance solutions to AU SFB’s customers. The agreement was signed by Uttam Tibrewal, Executive Director (ED) and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AU SFB, and Bhupesh Sushil Rahul, Chairman and Managing Director(CMD) of UIIC.

It includes motor insurance, personal accident insurance, crop insurance, property insurance, shopkeeper insurance, cyber incident insurance. The partnership aims to provide reliable insurance options in various categories, leveraging UIIC’s broad network and AU SFB’s increasing infrastructure. Through its strategic partnership, AU SFB reiterate its commitment to serve business communities, aligning with its goals of Viksit Bharat.

Correct Answer:  (a) R. Ravindra

Explanation:  The Ministry of external affairs (MEA) has appointed Mr. R. Ravindran as the next ambassador to Iceland. He was a bureaucrat and served at many organizations and places. R. Ravindran was an Indian foreign service officer of batch 1999 and is currently serving as India’s Deputy permanent representative at the United Nations. He is expected to join soon at the office, stated by MEA. He will succeed Mr B. Shyam as an ambassador to Iceland. He served at India’s Permanent Mission at New York USA from 2010-13. After that he joined as Deputy Permanent representative at the United Nations from September 2020.

This decision to appoint a senior diplomat as the mission head, will help the Government of India’s European free trade agreement.  As India aims to ensure a smooth rollout of European free trade agreement to ensure robust investment flows into India from Scandinavian countries of which Iceland is a major part. Other countries in the group are Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway.