Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 3rd September 2024

Correct Answer:  (b) 6.7 per cent

Explanation:  The Indian gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 6.7 per cent in the first quarter (April-June) of the financial year 2024-25, compared to 8.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2023-24.  It was below the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast of 7.1 per cent for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. This is the lowest quarterly growth registered by the Indian economy in the last fifteen months.  In recent times, the lowest GDP growth was registered during January -March 2023, when the Indian GDP grew by 6.2 per cent. The Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the latest estimate on the Indian economy on 30 August 2024.

Correct Answer:  (a) Droupadi Murmu

Explanation:  President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the Supreme Court’s flag and insignia during the National Conference of the District Judiciary in New Delhi on 1 September 2024. She also addressed the conference’s valedictory session. The Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, Union Minister of State, Independent Charge for Law and  Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Attorney General of India R Venkataramani and other Judges of the Supreme Court, Supreme Court Bar Council Association etc were also present.

The National Conference of the  District Judiciary was organised by the Supreme Court of India on 31 August and 1 September 2024.  The Conference deliberated on issues of the District Judiciary, such as Infrastructure and Human Resources, Inclusive Courtrooms for all, Judicial Security and Judicial Wellness, Case Management and Judicial Training. The National Conference of the  District Judiciary was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 August 2024. PM Modi also released a commemorative postage stamp celebrating 75 years of the Supreme Court of India. On 28 January 1950, the  Supreme Court of India came into existence. The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, issued the commemorative stamp on the Supreme Court.

About the New Flag and Insignia of the Supreme Court 

• The newly unveiled flag of the Supreme Court features theAshoka Chakra, the Supreme Court building, and the Constitution of India.
• The flag is blue in colour, and the insignia has ‘Supreme Court of India’and ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’ inscribed in Devanagari script.
• The Sanskrit phrase “Yato Dharmastato Jayah” means “Where there is Dharma, there is victory.”
• This Sanskrit verse has been taken from Mahabharataand is mentioned eleven times in the Hindu epic.

Correct Answer:  (c) Dr. DK Sunil

Explanation:  Dr. D.K. Sunil, Director (Engineering, Research and Development) at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has assumed the role of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) in an additional capacity, effective September 1, 2024. Dr. Sunil joined HAL in 1987 as a Management Trainee and has since contributed significantly across various areas including design, production, quality enhancement, and customer support.

• Under his tenure, HAL developed new technologies such as Radar Power Supply, Voice Activated Control System, and Combined Interrogator Transponder.
• His leadership saw the creation of key projects like Active ESA Radar and Automatic Flight Control System for the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
• Strategic Initiatives: Dr. Sunil has played a pivotal role in forming partnerships with institutions like IIT Kanpur and IIIT Hyderabad, enhancing HAL’s technological capabilities and its position in the aerospace sector.

Correct Answer:  (d) NorthEast United FC

Explanation:  Guwahati-based NorthEast United Football Club won its first Durand Cup title, defeating the defending champion Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) 4-3 in a penalty shootout in the final. The final of the 133rd edition of Asia’s oldest football tournament was played at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata (West Bengal).  The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup was held in Kolkata, Kokrajhar (Assam), Jamshedpur (Jharkhand), and Shillong(Meghalaya) from 27 July to 31 August 2024. Jamshedpur was hosting the matches of the Durand Cup for the first time.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant football club, the most successful team in the history of the Durand Cup, having won it 17 times, failed to defend its title.  Mohun Bagan took the lead with two goals in the first half of the match. The NorthEast United Football Club equalised with two goals in the second half of the match. At the end of regulation time, both teams were 2-2. There was no provision for extra time in the final. In the penalty shootout, NorthEast United Football Club goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh made two saves to lead his team to their maiden Durand Cup victory. The NorthEast United Football Club, owned by Bollywood actor John Abraham, received three trophies: the Durand Cup, the Shimla Trophy, and the President’s Cup.  The 133rd edition of the Durand Cup was hosted by the Durand Football Tournament Society in cooperation with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Eastern Command of the Indian Army.

Correct Answer:  (a) Air Marshal Tejinder Singh

Explanation:  Air Marshal Tejinder Singh assumed the role of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) of the Indian Air Force at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan) on Sunday. He began his tenure by paying tribute to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 13 June 1987. With over 4,500 flying hours, he is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and has furthered his military education at the Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College. For his exemplary service, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and the Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 2022 by the President of India.

Correct Answer:  (d) Reliance Industries Limited

Explanation:  Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the first Indian company to surpass ₹10 lakh crore in annual revenue. For the financial year 2023-24, RIL achieved a record consolidated turnover of ₹10,00,122 crore (USD 119.9 billion).

The company reported an Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of ₹1,78,677 crore (USD 21.4 billion) for the same period. Net profit for FY 2023-24 stood at ₹79,020 crore (USD 9.5 billion). RIL’s exports amounted to ₹2,99,832 crore (USD 35.9 billion), representing 8.2% of India’s total merchandise exports. Over the last three years, the company has invested more than ₹5.28 lakh crore (USD 66.0 billion) to expand its operations.

RIL remained the largest contributor to the national exchequer, paying ₹1,86,440 crore (USD 22.4 billion) in taxes and duties during FY 2023-24. Cumulatively over the past three years, RIL’s contribution to the exchequer exceeded ₹5.5 lakh crore (USD 68.7 billion), the highest by any Indian corporate. The company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending increased by 25% in the last year, reaching ₹1,592 crore (USD 191 million). Total CSR expenditure over the past three years surpassed ₹4,000 crore (USD 502 million), making RIL the largest CSR contributor among Indian corporates.

Correct Answer:  (c) Emmanuel Macron

Explanation:  In a ceremony that underscored his exceptional contributions to the Olympic movement, President Emmanuel Macron of France was awarded the Olympic Order in gold. This prestigious distinction was bestowed upon him by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in recognition of his unwavering support for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and his commitment to the Olympic ideals championed by Pierre de Coubertin. Macron’s involvement was pivotal in making the Paris 2024 edition a resounding success, symbolizing global unity and the enduring power of sport.

Thomas Bach, President of the IOC, recalled his first meeting with Macron, noting that it quickly became clear that the French President brought a unique energy and vision to the Olympic project. “He did not just support the candidature; he embraced it wholeheartedly,” Bach said. Macron’s knowledge of the project was comprehensive, and his unwavering belief in the unifying power of sport helped rally the French nation around the Olympic Games.

Correct Answer:  (b) Preethi Pal

Explanation:   At Paris Paralympics 2024, Indian Para Athlete Preethi Pal secured yet another medal for India, clinching a Bronze medal in the Women’s 200 meters – T35 Final. She won the medal with a personal best timing of 30.01 seconds. With this win, she became the first track and field Indian Woman Para Athlete to win two medals at the Paralympics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also appreciated the historical achievement by Preethi Pal. In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that – she is an inspiration for the people of India. Her dedication is truly remarkable.

Preethi’s bronze medal on September 1, was India’s sixth medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The other four medals for India were won in para shooting. Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal won gold and bronze, respectively, in the 10m air rifle shooting standing in SH1 class. Manish Narwal (men’s 10m air pistol SH1) and Rubina Francis (women’s 10m air pistol SH1) won silver and bronze, respectively.

Correct Answer:  (a) ClearTax

Explanation:  ClearTax, one of India’s largest tax systems, has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to simplify tax filing for over 20 million gig workers in India. This project attempts to improve workers’ accessibility and convenience, particularly in fast-rising economies. ClearTax is a user-friendly solution that allows gig workers to file their taxes over WhatsApp. This innovative, frictionless, and user-friendly technique tackles a major issue for many blue-collar and gig workers in India’s informal sector.

This policy has had a significant and immediate impact. In just 5 weeks of its inception, approximately 98,000 gig workers could file their taxes using this new system. Furthermore, these folks will reap significant immediate economic gains from this simplified plan. ClearTax intends to expand this service to employers, allowing them to assist their blue-collar staff with tax filing and TDS refund requests. This extension intends to increase financial inclusion and tax compliance among a broader range of Indian employees.

Correct Answer:  (c) Mastercard

Explanation: Mastercard announced a collaboration with Gramophone, a leading agritech platform, to provide agri inputs to 2 million smallholder farmers in India via the Mastercard Community Pass platform. The collaboration will facilitate offline payments for farmers in rural and remote areas using the Community Pass financial inclusion card. Gramophone is also likely to offer offline payments and credit to its existing five lakh farmers.

• Community Pass offers a digital ecosystem for purchasers seeking sustainable sources of high-quality produce at competitive market pricing and supply chain financing and smallholder farmers seeking reliable markets, fair prices, and credit. The platform unites multiple agro-sector stakeholders in a centralised agricultural marketplace, enhancing their aggregate positive influence on farming communities.
• Community Pass services will also feature an offline payment card and input credit, which will be available in the future months. This relationship with Gramophone will ensure that farmers may get the necessary inputs at a fair price.

The program will be carried out later this year, beginning with inputs and offline payments, and credit will be available early next year. Mastercard Community Pass is a shared, interoperable digital infrastructure for rural people that has benefited over 2 million Indian farmers from 25 districts in eight states to date.

Correct Answer:  (b) Nishad Kumar

Explanation:  India’s Nishad Kumar secured a silver medal in the men’s T47 high jump final at the Paris Paralympics. Kumar, who previously claimed silver in Tokyo, recorded his season-best jump of 2.04 meters to finish in second place. Townsend-Roberts of the United States claimed the gold medal with a season-best jump of 2.08 meters, pulling ahead of India’s Nishad Kumar.

Russia’s Georgii Margiev took home the bronze. The 2024 Paralympics features India’s largest contingent to date, with 84 athletes competing across 12 sports. This increased participation reflects heightened medal expectations, as the nation aims to surpass its record-breaking performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where India secured 19 medals.

Correct Answer:  (b) 50

Explanation:  The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, has selected 50 teachers for this year’s National Teachers’ Awards, to be conferred on 5th September 2024. They have been selected through a rigorous transparent and online three stages, i.e., District, State and National level selection process by the Department of School Education and Literacy. The 50 selected teachers are from 28 States, 3 UTs and 6 Organizations. Out of 50 selected teachers, 34 are males, 16 are female, 2 are differently abled and 1 working with CWSN. In addition, 16 teachers from the Department of Higher Education and 16 teachers from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will also be awarded. The award will be conferred to 82 teachers on 5th September 2024 at 4:15 PM onwards in a ceremony to be held at Vigyan Bhawan.

Correct Answer:  (b) Abhay Singh

Explanation:  The Indian men’s national squash champion, Abhay Singh, won the men’s singles title of the 2024 Tuanku Muhriz Trophy. In the final played on 1 September 2024, he defeated  the top seed Lau Tsz Kwan of Hong Kong, China. This was the 10 PSA(Professional Squash Association) title for Abhay Singh. The $15,000 prize money Tuanku Muhriz Trophy is a Professional Squash Association (PSA) Challenger tournament. It was held in Seremban, Malaysia, from 28 August to -01 September 2024. World no 68th ranked player Abhay Singh defeated the world no 48 ranked player Lau Tsz Kwan 3-1 (7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-4) in 41 minutes to win his 10th PSA title. Abhay Singh who won his second national title this year by defeating Velavan Senthilkumar in the final faced Senthilkumar in the semi-finals of the Tuanku Muhriz Trophy also. He defeated Senthilkumar 3-2 in a tightly contested match lasting 70 minutes .

Abhay Singh has had a very successful 2024 year so far. He has won the 2024 Goodfellow Classic and the 2024 Willingdon Masters titles. Abhay Singh, in partnership with Joshna Chinappa, won the mixed doubles title at the 2024 Asian Squash Doubles Championship, which was held in Johor, Malaysia, in July 2024. He also partnered with Velavan Senthilkumar to win the men’s doubles title at the 2024 Asian Squash Doubles Championship. Aira Azaman of Malaysia won the women’s singles title of the 2024 Tuanku Muhriz Trophy. She defeated Hong Kong China’s Chan Sin Yuk 11-9,11-9,11-9 in the final.

Correct Answer:  (c) 23rd

Explanation:  The President of India, Draoupadi Murmu, has approved the constitution of the 23rd Law Commission of India. The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued a notification to this effect on 2 September 2024. The term of the previous 22nd Law Commission ended on 31 August 2024. The Law Commission will be under the administrative control of the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. The Law Commission, like the NITI Aayog, is neither a constitutional body nor a statutory body.  This means that there is no mention of a Law Commission in the Indian Constitution, and the Parliament has not passed a law to set up the Law Commission.

The Law Commission is an executive body created by executive order of the President of India. Thus, all its recommendations are advisory in nature. The central government is not bound to accept the recommendation of the Law Commission. However Law Commission reports are widely debated in the country as they are produced by members who are the serving Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court. The 23rd  Law Commission’s tenure will be three years, from 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2027.

Correct Answer: (d) ₹1.75 lakh crore

Explanation:  In August 2024, India’s GST collections reached ₹1.75 lakh crore, marking a 10% year-on-year growth compared to ₹1.59 lakh crore in August 2023. This increase reflects robust domestic consumption and higher imports. The central government collected ₹30,862 crore, while states collected ₹38,411 crore before adjustments. IGST on imports and inter-state sales amounted to ₹93,621 crore. Domestic GST revenue grew by 9.2% to ₹1.25 lakh crore, while revenue from the import of goods increased by 12.1% to ₹49,976 crore. Refunds issued in August totaled ₹24,460 crore, a 38% increase from the previous year. After adjusting for refunds, net GST revenue saw a 6.5% increase, reaching ₹1.5 lakh crore. Experts noted that the growth in GST collections indicates strong consumption patterns, especially with the onset of the festive season. While large states like Maharashtra and Karnataka saw double-digit increases in collections, states like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu experienced single-digit growth, which may warrant further analysis.