1.What is the theme of New Delhi World Book Fair 2024?
- Literary Exchange Across Borders
- Books: Bridges of Cultures
- Literature: Shaping a Multipolar World Order
- Multi-Lingual India, A Living Tradition
The correct answer is Multi-Lingual India, A Living Tradition. 
In News
- Saudi Arabia became a guest of honour at the New Delhi World Book Fair.
Key Points
- Saudi Arabia has been selected as the guest of honour at the New Delhi World Book Fair, which commenced on 10 February.
- The fair, themed ‘Multi-Lingual India, A Living Tradition’, is organized annually by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the national capital.
- Yuvraj Malik, the director of the National Book Trust, announced Saudi Arabia’s participation as the guest of honour for this year’s event.
- The World Book Fair took place from 10 February to 18 February at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, welcoming book enthusiasts from around the world.
- This selection reflects the efforts to promote cultural exchange and literary collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia on a global platform.
2.Which country has been chosen as the guest of honour at the New Delhi World Book Fair 2024?
- United States
- France
- Saudi Arabia
- United Kingdom
The correct answer is Saudi Arabia. In News
- Saudi Arabia became guest of honour at New Delhi World Book Fair.
Key Points
- Saudi Arabia has been selected as the guest of honour at the New Delhi World Book Fair, which commenced on 10 February.
- The fair, themed ‘Multi-Lingual India, A Living Tradition’, is organized annually by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the national capital.
- Yuvraj Malik, the director of the National Book Trust, announced Saudi Arabia’s participation as the guest of honour for this year’s event.
- The World Book Fair took place from 10 February to 18 February at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, welcoming book enthusiasts from around the world.
- This selection reflects the efforts to promote cultural exchange and literary collaboration between India and Saudi Arabia on a global platform.
3. What is the name of the satellite launched by NASA to survey oceans and atmosphere?
- PRIMUS
- PRIMAL
- PACE
- PASSEX
The correct answer is PACE. In News
- NASA’s PACE Satellite launched to study climate change.
Key Points
- The climate satellite launched by NASA to survey oceans and atmosphere is named PACE.
- PACE stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem.
- It was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral.
- PACE’s mission is to study the world’s oceans and atmosphere in unprecedented detail from a polar orbit.
- The satellite will spend at least three years observing the oceans from a distance of 420 miles above the Earth’s surface.
- PACE will provide valuable insights into atmospheric aerosols, sea life, and their interactions, aiding in weather forecasting and understanding climate change impacts.
- This mission demonstrates NASA’s commitment to advancing Earth observation capabilities to better understand and address climate change.
4.What is the name of the initiative launched by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to revolutionize the LPG delivery experience?
- Pure for Sure
- Quality First
- Trustworthy Delivery
- Reliable Delivery
The correct answer is Pure for Sure. In News
- Bharatgas revolutionizes LPG delivery with “Pure for Sure” initiative.
Key Points
- The initiative launched by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to transform the LPG delivery experience is named “Pure for Sure.”
- “Pure for Sure” aims to eradicate last-mile delivery inefficiencies and enhance customer satisfaction levels.
- It provides Quality & Quantity assurance in LPG cylinders directly at the customer’s doorstep, ensuring transparency and trust.
- The initiative features an innovative tamper-proof seal equipped with QR codes to ensure the integrity of the cylinder from the production plant to the customer’s possession.
- Customers can authenticate their cylinder before accepting delivery by scanning the intact QR code, ensuring the purity of the product.
- With advanced features like Delivery Notifications, Real-time Tracking, OTP-based Delivery, and Preferred Slot Booking, “Pure for Sure” promises an unparalleled service experience.
5.Which industrialist is behind the upcoming launch of the country’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital in Mumbai?
- Ratan Tata
- Anand Mahindra
- Pawan Munjal
- Azim Premji
The correct answer is Ratan Tata. In News
- Industrialist Ratan Tata’s pet project of animals’ hospital to come up in Mumbai.
Key Points
- Industrialist Ratan Tata is renowned for his love for animals, particularly dogs, and his advocacy for their rights.
- Tata Trusts recently announced the upcoming launch of the country’s first state-of-the-art Small Animal Hospital in South Mumbai, a project initiated by Ratan Tata.
- The hospital, spanning 98,000 square feet over 5 floors, will have a capacity of over 200 beds and will offer specialized treatments by globally renowned veterinarians.
- The initiative aims to address the lack of infrastructure for pets in India and provide quality care with a human approach to every pet.
- Ratan Tata emphasized the importance of pets as family members and expressed his vision for the hospital to save lives and improve the well-being of pets across the country.
6.The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a ___________ loan agreement to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
- $200 million
- $300 million
- $400 million
- $450 million
The correct answer is $200 million
In News
- The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $200 million loan agreement to strengthen flood and riverbank erosion risk management along the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
Key Points
- The project, named Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project, aims to build on the success and lessons learned from previous ADB-financed projects in the region.
- Key interventions of the project include stabilizing 60 km of riverbanks, installing 32 km of pro-siltation measures, and building 4 km of climate-resilient flood embankments in five high-priority districts.
- The project will benefit about 1 million people, increase crop production by over 50,000 hectares, and enhance the navigability of the Brahmaputra river.
- It will also focus on capacity building, flood forecasting, modern surveys, erosion modeling, flood risk mapping, and implementing nature-based solutions.
- The Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam will lead and coordinate project activities, with various government departments and agencies as partner organizations.
The ADB in a Nutshell:
Mission: Promote economic growth and cooperation in Asia & Pacific.
Founded: 1966
Members: 68, primarily from the region
Tools: Loans, grants, technical assistance, etc.
Focus: Infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, climate change
Impact: Lifted millions out of poverty, funded thousands of projects
Key Role: Driving development in Asia & Pacific
Additionally:
- Headquartered: Manila, Philippines
- President: Masatsugu Asakawa
7.What was the primary focus of the maiden Joint Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Rwanda held in Feb 2024?
- Economic Cooperation
- Cultural Exchange
- Defence Cooperation
- Environmental Sustainability
The correct answer is Defence Cooperation
In News
- Defence Cooperation is the primary focus of the maiden Joint Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Rwanda held in Feb 2024.
Key Points
- India and Rwanda held their first Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on February 8, 2024.
- The meeting aimed to discuss opportunities for enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries.
- Detailed discussions were conducted on various aspects, including training cooperation, joint military exercises, and defence industrial cooperation.
- The Indian delegation highlighted the growing capabilities of Indian defence manufacturers and their potential to export to friendly nations.
- Rwanda expressed keen interest in strengthening training cooperation and collaborating with the Indian defence industry.
- Bilateral relations between India and Rwanda have been cordial and have seen steady growth over the years.
- The JDCC meeting is expected to further bolster defence relations between the two nations.
Here’s a quick rundown of Rwanda:
- Currency: Rwandan franc (RWF)
- President: Paul Kagame
- Capital: Kigali, a modern and growing city ️
8.Which Northeastern state becomes first to restore Old Pension Scheme in Feb 2024?
- Meghalaya
- Nagaland
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Sikkim
The correct answer is Sikkim
In News
Key Points
- Sikkim government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, announced the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees appointed on or after April 1, 2006.
- This decision makes Sikkim the first state in Northeast India to restore the OPS.
- The move aims to bring employees appointed after April 1, 2006, under the provisions of Sikkim Services (Pension) Rules, 1990, similar to those appointed before March 31, 2006.
- The official notification confirming this decision was signed by the Secretary to the Government of Sikkim, Rimzing Chewang Bhutia.
Additional Information
- Old Pension Scheme (OPS):
- OPS is a defined pension scheme offering retirees half of their last drawn salary as a pension.
- Dearness Relief (DR) under OPS is revised semi-annually, mirroring the adjustments made for serving employees’ Dearness Allowance (DA).
- Employees enrolled in OPS are not obligated to make any financial contributions during their service tenure for pension benefits.
- This scheme is accessible to all government officers and employees who commenced their service on or before December 31, 2003, and also to military personnel joining presently.
- New Pension System (NPS)
- The NPS (National Pension System) operates as a defined-contribution pension scheme.
- Government officers and employees are mandated to contribute 10 percent of their salary, comprising basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA), towards the NPS.
- Additionally, the government contributes up to 14 percent towards the NPS for eligible employees.
- Pension benefits under the NPS are determined based on the funds accumulated during the individual’s service period.
- Unlike OPS, no Dearness Relief (DR) is applicable under the NPS.
9.UPSC inaugurated its dedicated exam center in Kargil in February 2024. Which group of individuals influenced the establishment of the dedicated examination center in Kargil?
- Local Government Officials
- UPSC Administrators
- UPSC Aspirants in Kargil
- Central Government
The correct answer is UPSC Aspirants in Kargil
In News
- In February 2024, UPSC inaugurated its dedicated examination center in Kargil, influenced by the aspirations of UPSC aspirants in the region.
Key Points
- UPSC has established a dedicated examination center in Kargil in response to long-standing demands from UPSC enthusiasts in the region.
- The decision addresses accessibility and logistical challenges faced by UPSC aspirants in Kargil.
- The new center is set to be operational for the upcoming Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination scheduled on May 26.
- This move is anticipated to bring relief and excitement to aspiring candidates in the Frontier District, fostering inclusivity and providing a fair platform for pursuing civil service dreams.
- The establishment of the center in Kargil reflects UPSC’s commitment to adapt to the evolving needs of its aspirant community and make prestigious examinations accessible to candidates nationwide.
10.As of February 2024 who is the new brand ambassador leading the “Fit India” Movement?
- Vishal Kumar Saxena
- Anjani Mahto
- Abhay Srivastava
- Narendra Kumar Yadav
The correct answer is Narendra Kumar Yadav
In News
- Narendra Kumar Yadav is the new brand ambassador leading the “Fit India” Movement.
Key Points
- Narendra Kumar Yadav, an Additional Director of GST and one of the youngest Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officers at the age of 22, has been appointed as the newest brand ambassador for the Fit India movement.
- Known for his dedication to public service, Narendra Yadav has inspired civil servant aspirants with his motivational talks and mentorship.
- Beyond his civil service career, Narendra Yadav is deeply involved in health and fitness, advocating for holistic wellness practices, particularly among the youth.
- He is the first-ever civil servant in India to hold the prestigious position of brand ambassador for the Fit India movement, aiming to inspire individuals nationwide to prioritize physical and mental well-being.
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Quiz available at Current Affairs_ Feb 2024- Level 12
