Current Affairs 2024

Cabinet gave approval for CHANDRAYAAN-4 Mission [18 Sep 2024]

The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the mission to the moon, named Chandrayaan-4 to develop and demonstrate the technologies to come back to Earth after successfully landing on the Moon and also collect moon samples and analyze them on Earth. This Chandrayaan-4 mission will achieve the foundational technologies and capabilities eventually for an Indian landing on the moon (planned by the year 2040) and return safely back to Earth. Major technologies that are required for docking/undocking, landing, safe return to earth, and also accomplish lunar sample collection and analysis would be demonstrated.

After Moon and Mars, India sights science goals on Venus [18 Sep 2024]

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the development of Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), that will be a significant step towards the Government’s vision of exploring and studying the Venus, beyond moon and mars. Venus, the closest planet to Earth and believed to have formed in conditions similar to Earth, offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently.

Bharatiya Anthariksh Station (BAS) [18 Sep 2024]

The union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the building of the first unit of the Bharatiya Anatriksh Station by extending the scope of the Gaganyaan program. Approval by the cabinet is given for the development of the first module of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) and to undertake missions to demonstrate and validate various technologies for building and operating BAS. To revise the scope & funding of the Gaganyaan Programme to include new developments for BAS & precursor missions, and additional requirements to meet the ongoing Gaganyaan Programme.

RINL Awarded the prestigious CII-GBC National Energy Leader Award for the Sixth Consecutive Year [13 Sep 2024]

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has once again set a remarkable benchmark in energy efficiency and conservation, by bagging the prestigious National Energy Leader Award from the Confederation of Indian Industry – Green Business Centre (CII-GBC). This is the sixth consecutive year that RINL has received this accolade, underlining the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable energy practices. Receiving the National Energy Leader Award for six consecutive years is a rare and distinguished achievement. It is a testament to RINL collective’s forward-thinking approach to energy management, setting the standard for excellence within the industry and reflect RINL's focus on enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon footprints, and embracing innovative technologies for sustainable growth.

Centre changes name of Andaman & Nicobar capital Port Blair, it will now be called Sri Vijaya Puram [13 Sep 2024]

The Centre on Friday renamed Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to "Sri Vijaya Puram." Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the decision was taken to free the nation of its colonial imprint. The city of Port Blair is the entry point of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor and lieutenant in the Bombay Marine. Blair was the first officer to carry out a thorough survey of the Andaman Islands.

DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast [12 Sep 2024]

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, on September 12, 2024, at approximately 1500 hours. The flight test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher, targeting a high-speed aerial target flying at a low altitude. The missile system successfully tracked and engaged the target. This test aimed to validate multiple updated elements of the weapon system, including the Proximity Fuse and Seeker. The performance of the system was meticulously tracked and confirmed by various instruments such as the Radar Electro-Optical Tracking System and telemetry deployed at ITR Chandipur.

Ashok Raj Sigdel becomes Nepal’s new Chief of the Army Staff [10 Sep 2024]

President Ranchandra Paudel administered the oath to the newly appointed Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS), Ashok Raj Sigdel. At a special programme organized at the Office of the President, Sheetal Niwas, the newly appointed CoAS took the oath of office and secrecy as the 45th CoAS of the Nepali Army before the President, the Supreme Commander of the Nepali Army.

Paris Paralympics: Navdeep’s silver gets upgraded to gold after Iran’s Sadegh gets disqualified from men’s javelin F41 final [08 Sep 2024]

India para-athlete Navdeep’s silver has been upgraded to a gold medal after the initial winner, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sadegh Beit Sayah, got disqualified from the men’s javelin F41 final at the Paris Paralympics. Navdeep had initially finished second with a throw of 47.32 m, while Sadegh took the top honours with a Paralympic record of 47.64m.

Agni-4 ballistic missile successfully test-fired in Odisha [07 Sep 2024]

India successfully test-fired the Agni-4 Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile on Friday from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The test met all operational and technical requirements, with the launch carried out under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command. The Agni-4 is a long-range, surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 4,000 kilometers, capable of carrying nuclear warheads. This latest launch marks another milestone in India’s strategic deterrence capabilities, following the successful test of the new-generation ballistic missile, Agni-Prime, in April.

Paralympics: Praveen Kumar brings home sixth gold for India, breaks Asian high jump record [06 Sep 2024]

Indian para-athlete Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal for the country at the ongoing Paris Paralympics in the men’s high jump final. In the medal round, Praveen achieved a record-breaking jump of 2.08 meters, setting a new Asian record. The silver and bronze positions were claimed by the USA’s Derek Loccident, with a jump of 2.06 meters, and Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov, who cleared 2.03 meters, respectively. Derek also broke the previous Paralympic record set by Japan’s Toru Suzuki in 2021 (1.88 meters), while Giyazov recorded a personal best.

Kapil Parma clinches bronze in men’s -60kg J1 judo at Paris Paralympics [05 Sep 2024]

Indian judoka Kapil Parma secured a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics, defeating Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira in the men’s 60kg J1 contest. Parma executed a decisive Ippon in just 33 seconds, sealing his victory and adding another medal to India’s tally.

Paris Paralympics: Harvinder Singh won historic gold in archery [05 Sep 2024]

Para-athlete Harvinder Singh claimed a historic gold medal in the men’s individual recurve open final at the Paris Paralympics. Harvinder got his hands on India’s first-ever gold medal in para archery at the Paralympics. In a one-sided final, Harvinder ousted Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek with a straight-set win, 6-0.

Paris Paralympics: Sachin Khilari secures silver medal in men’s shot put F46 final [04 Sep 2024]

Para-athlete Sachin Khilari clinched the silver medal in the men’s shot put F46 final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics. Sachin secured the second spot with a 16.32-meter throw, which is also an area best (AB). However, the Indian athlete narrowly missed the top spot by just 0.06 meters. Canada’s Greg Stewart claimed the gold medal with a throw of 16.38 meters, marking his season-best (SB) performance. Meanwhile, Croatia’s Luka Bakovic took the bronze medal with a 16.27-meter throw.

Dr. Dasari Radhika of RINL receives the prestigious ‘Gender Diversity’ National award at the Indian Steel Association (ISA) Steel Conclave 2024 [04 Sep 2024]

At the Indian Steel Conclave 2024 held in New Delhi, the Indian Steel Association (ISA) has presented the prestigious ‘Gender Diversity Award’ to Dr. Dasari Radhika, DGM (HR), RINL, the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam steel plant for demonstrating excellence in commitment. The award was presented by Sri Nagendra Nath Sinha, former secretary, the Ministry of Steel, Govt of India in the presence of several luminaries from the steel industry.

World Bank raises India’s growth forecast to 7% from 6.6% for FY25 [03 Sep 2024]

The World Bank has raised its growth forecast for India to 7% for the fiscal year 2024-2025, up from its previous estimate of 6.6%, according to the latest India Development Update (IDU) released. This revision highlights India’s economic resilience amidst challenging global conditions.

Paris Paralympics: Nitesh Kumar secures second gold for India [02 Sep 2024]

India’s badminton star, Nitesh Kumar, added another gold to the nation’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics by defeating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles SL3 category.

Preeti Pal, Nishad Kumar for winning medals at Paris Paralympics [02 Sep 2024]

Nishad Kumar secured a silver medal in the Men’s High Jump T47 event, while Preeti Pal won bronze in the 200m T-35 race, becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals in track and field events at either the Paralympics or the Olympics. She achieved this remarkable feat with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds.

Rubina Francis Makes History with Bronze at Paris 2024 Paralympics [02 Sep 2024]

Indian para-shooter Rubina Francis has made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics by winning the bronze medal in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event, which is for athletes with upper and/or lower limb impairments who can hold their gun without difficulty and shoot from a standing or sitting position. With a remarkable score of 211.1, Rubina not only clinched the bronze but also became the first-ever Indian woman shooter to secure a medal in the pistol category at the Paralympics.

Manish Narwal Wins Silver at Paris 2024 Paralympics [02 Sep 2024]

Manish Narwal’s success at the Paris 2024 Paralympics of winning a Silver Medal is more than just a personal victory; it is an inspiration to countless others who face similar challenges. His story is a powerful reminder that with determination and the right support, it is possible to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness.

Preeti Pal Secures Two Bronze Medals at Paris 2024 Paralympics [02 Sep 2024]

Preeti Pal stood out with her exceptional performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Competing in the Women’s T35 category, she secured two bronze medals—one in the 100m and another in the 200m events. Her achievements not only marked a significant milestone in her career but also made her the first Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals at a single Paralympic Games. Preeti’s success at Paris 2024 is a testament to her relentless determination and the culmination of years of hard work.

Nishad Kumar Shines Again: Silver at Paris 2024 Paralympics [02 Sep 2024]

Indian para-athlete Nishad Kumar has once again demonstrated his exceptional talent by securing a silver medal in the men's high jump T47 event, which includes athletes with upper limb impairments, muscle power deficiencies, or restricted passive range of movement, at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This remarkable achievement marks India's seventh medal at the Games and adds to Nishad's impressive record as he replicates his silver medal performance from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. With a season-best leap of 2.04 meters, Nishad's consistency and dedication continue to inspire the nation, showcasing his determination to excel on the global stage.

Mona Agarwal wins Bronze [01 Sep 2024]

Mona Agarwal is a name that has swiftly become synonymous with excellence in para shooting. She has asserted her dominance on the global sports scene by winning a Bronze medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event at the Paralympics 2024.

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) [01 Sep 2024]

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (DCAS) of the Indian Air Force, at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan). An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Tejinder was commissioned in the fighter stream of the IAF on 13 June 1987. He is a Category 'A' Qualified Flying Instructor with over 4500 hours of flying, an alumnus of Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College. He has commanded a Fighter Squadron, a Radar Station, and a premier Fighter Base, and was Air Officer Commanding, Jammu and Kashmir. His varied staff appointments include Operational Staff at a Command HQ, Air Commodore (Personnel Officers-1) at Air HQ, Deputy Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Financial (Planning) at HQ IDS, Air Commodore (Aerospace Safety), Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Offensive) and ACAS Ops (Strategy) at Air HQ. Before his appointment, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer, HQ Eastern Air Command of IAF at Shillong, Meghalaya. In recognition of his meritorious services he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2007 and Ati Vishist Seva Medal in 2022, by the Hon'ble President of India.

Shri Satish Kumar takes charge as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Railway Board [01 Sep 2024]

Shri. Satish Kumar took over the charge of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of, the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways). The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet had earlier approved the appointment of Shri Satish Kumar as Chairman & CEO of Railway Board. Shri Satish Kumar, a distinguished officer of the 1986 batch of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers (IRSME), has made significant contributions to Indian Railways throughout his illustrious career, spanning over 34 years. On 8th November 2022, he took charge as the General Manager of North Central Railway, Prayagraj, marking another milestone in his journey of public service. His educational background is as impressive as his professional achievements; he holds the degree of B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from the prestigious Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur, and has further enhanced his knowledge with a Post Graduate Diploma in Operation Management and Cyber Law from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

V. Satish Kumar takes additional charge as IOCL chairman [01 Sep 2024]

V. Satish Kumar, director (marketing) of Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOCL), took additional charge as chairman after Shrikant Madhav Vaidya completed his tenure as chairman of the state-run oil company.

SJVN conferred with Prestigious Navratna Status by Government of India [31 Aug 2024]

SJVN has been conferred with prestigious Navratna status by the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India. This prestigious recognition, making the company the 25th Navratna of India, marks a momentous milestone in SJVN’s 36-year journey. Sh. Sushil Sharma, Chairman & Managing Director, SJVN expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi in witnessing this historical day. He expressed gratefulness for the continuous guidance and unwavering support of Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman and Hon’ble Power Minister Sh. Manohar Lal. Sh. Sharma also extended special thanks to the Government of Himachal Pradesh for always assisting the company as an Equity Partner.

Dr. T. V. Somanathan takes over as the new Cabinet Secretary [30 Aug 2024]

Dr. T.V. Somanathan took over as the new Cabinet Secretary in the Government of India after the superannuation of Shri Rajiv Gauba. Dr. Somanathan is an IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre (1987 batch). He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Calcutta University. He has also completed the Executive Development Program of Harvard Business School, and is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, and Company Secretary. Dr. Somanathan has held important assignments at the Centre as Joint Secretary and Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office. He also served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and was deputed as Director of Corporate Affairs at the World Bank in Washington DC. Before his joining as Cabinet Secretary, he was holding the charge of Finance Secretary and Secretary, Department of Expenditure.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) attains Navratna Status [30 Aug 2024]

Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been granted the Navratna status on 30th August 2024 by the Ministry of Finance. Completing its 13 years of incorporation, SECI is a leading CPSE dedicated to the development and expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in India with a cumulative generation awarded capacity of 69.25 GW and an annual power trading volume upwards of 42 Billion Units. SECI is the foremost Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) of India which is continuously working towards fulfilling climate goals and striving for sustainable development. The company has posted a consolidated annual turnover of Rs. 13,118.68 Crore registering an increase of 20.85% over the previous year and Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs 510.92 Crore registering a growth of 34.89% in the Financial Year 2023-24. Classification as a Navratna CPSE enables SECI towards enhanced autonomy in financial and operational matters and will accelerate the company’s growth path through better agility, improved geographical presence, and technology focus. This is yet another marker of the Government’s focus on India’s transition towards sustainable energy.

NHPC Limited accorded with ‘Navratna’ company status [30 Aug 2024]

NHPC Limited has been accorded with the prestigious status of ‘Navratna’ company by the Government of India. As per the order issued by the Department of Public Enterprise (Ministry of Finance) on 30.08.2024, NHPC has been declared a ‘Navratna Company, thereby giving it greater operational and financial autonomy. The conferring of Navratna status brings forth key advantages to NHPC. It will enable faster decision-making, increase efficiency, and empower employees. It will support major CAPEX and investment plans, drive growth, expand market reach, and achieve long-term gains. NHPC will have enhanced powers to establish joint ventures and overseas offices, access new markets, and leverage local expertise. Additionally, it will foster innovation by furthering technological alliances and strengthening market positioning. It will also facilitate mergers and acquisitions leading to growth and increased market share.Currently, NHPC's total installed capacity is 7144.20 MW and the company is presently engaged in the construction of projects aggregating to 10442.70 MW. These include the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower project (Assam/ Arunachal Pradesh) and the 2880 MW Dibang Multi-purpose project (Arunachal Pradesh). At present, NHPC is working on more than 50000 MW capacity projects which are under various stages of development. NHPC is steadfastly working towards achieving an installed capacity of 23000 MW by 2032 and 50000 MW by 2047.

Paris Paralympics 2024: Avani Lekhara wins Gold, Mona Agarwal Bronze in 10m Air Rifle Standing [30 Aug 2024]

Avani Lekhara clinched the gold medal in a dramatic final to successfully defend her Tokyo title, while Mona Agarwal secured the bronze medal in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event.

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