Current Affairs 10 July 2024

Current Affairs 10 July 2024

01. Who has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team? (July 2024)
(a) Rahul Dravid
(b) Sourav Ganguly
(c) Anil Kumble
(d) Gautam Gambhir

Ans : D

• Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team.
• He succeeded the legendary Rahul Dravid in this role.
• Gambhir signed a three-year contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• He was selected over W.V. Raman by the Cricket Advisory Committee headed by Ashok Malhotra.
• Gambhir will serve as the head coach until December 31, 2027.
• His tenure coincides with the year of the next ODI World Cup.
• Jay Shah, BCCI secretary, welcomed Gambhir on social media, expressing confidence in his ability to lead the team.
• Gambhir’s appointment reflects his vast experience and modern outlook on cricket.

02. Which company has been named the principal sponsor for Team India at the Paris Olympics 2024?
(a) Tata Group
(b) Reliance Industries
(c) Adani Group
(d) Infosys

Ans : C

• Sponsorship Announcement: Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, announced that the conglomerate will sponsor the Indian team for the 2024 Olympics Games in Paris.
• Support Commitment: Adani Group pledges full support to Indian athletes, emphasizing their rigorous training and preparation ahead of the Olympics.
• Social Media Campaign: The campaign includes an inspiring film showcasing Indian athletes preparing for the Olympics, aiming to surpass the medal tally of the previous Tokyo Olympics.
• Previous Support: Since 2016, the Adani Group has supported over 28 athletes in various sports like boxing, wrestling, tennis, javelin throw, and more.
• Athlete Success: Athletes supported by Adani Group include Commonwealth Games gold medalists Ravi Kumar Dahiya, Deepak Punia, and boxer Amit Panghal.
• Ongoing Contributions: The Adani Group aims to develop India’s sporting ecosystem further, nurturing future champions for international events like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and Olympics.

03. Who has been appointed as the Principal Advisor at the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program?
(a) Dr. Harsh Vardhan
(b) Dr. Balram Bhargava
(c) Dr. Soumya Swaminathan
(d) Dr. Randeep Guleria

Ans : C

• Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Advisor at the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme.
• She will provide technical advice on the overall strategy to achieve program goals and suggest policy directions for optimal outcomes.
• Dr. Swaminathan will also assist in forming expert groups with top global talent and support the ministry, state officials, and development partners in assessing the programme’s impact.
• She is the former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization and has also served as the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

04. Name the mission in which one of the shortlisted Gaganyaan astronauts will travel to the International Space Station?
(a) Artemis
(b) Voyager
(c) Axiom-4
(d) Apollo-11

Ans : C

• The Axiom-4 mission will take an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The mission is a collaboration between NASA and the private US company Axiom Space.
• The mission is expected to dock with the ISS for fourteen days.
• The launch is scheduled for no earlier than October 2024.
• The Axiom-4 mission is the fourth private astronaut mission organized by NASA and Axiom Space.
• The mission aims to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts for ISS modules and protocols.
• The training and mission will enhance India’s capabilities in human spaceflight and international collaboration.
• This mission precedes India’s own human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan program, expected no earlier than 2025.

05. Who has been appointed as the Principal Advisor for India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme on a pro bono basis?
(a) Soumya Swaminathan
(b) Harsh Vardhan
(c) Randeep Guleria
(d) N. K. Arora

Ans : A

• Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has been appointed as the Principal Advisor to the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, serving on a pro bono basis. 
• She brings extensive experience, having previously served as the Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO) and as the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
• In her new role, Dr. Swaminathan will provide technical advice on strategy, policy directions, and research strategies aimed at achieving the goals of the TB elimination programme.
• Her responsibilities include advising on necessary course corrections for optimal outcomes and supporting the formation of expert groups comprising top global talent.
• Dr. Swaminathan will collaborate with the Union Health Ministry, state officials, and development partners to assess the impact of the TB elimination programme.
• This appointment underscores India’s commitment to tackling tuberculosis comprehensively through strategic leadership and expert guidance.
• Dr. Swaminathan’s expertise and leadership are expected to enhance India’s efforts in combating tuberculosis, a significant public health challenge in the country.

06. What is the total amount allocated for health in the Rajasthan state budget for 2024-25?
(a) Rs 25,000 crore
(b) Rs 27,660 crore
(c) Rs 28,560 crore
(d) Rs 30,000 crore

Ans : B

•  Deputy Chief Minister and state Finance Minister Diya Kumari is presenting Rajasthan budget 2024-25.
• Health budget: Rs 27,660 cr.
• Water supply projects: Rs 20,370 cr.
• Khatu Shyam Ji Temple Corridor: 100 cr.
• 9 greenfield expressways of more than 2,750 km
• Amrit Global Technology and Application Center: 200 cr.
• Amrut 2.0 scheme: Rs 5,180 crore
• Sports Policy: 25 lakh insurance.

07. What is the bilateral trade goal set by India and Russia to achieve by 2030?
(a) $50 billion
(b) $100 billion
(c) $150 billion
(d) $200 billion

Ans : B

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin have set an ambitious target of achieving $100 billion in bilateral trade between India and Russia by 2030.
• Bilateral trade between the two countries surged to $65.7 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24, largely driven by India’s increased imports of Russian crude oil amid Western sanctions.
• The focus of the trade discussions centered on ensuring predictable and assured supplies of Russian crude oil, fertilizers, and nuclear fuel for India’s Kudankulam power plant.
• Modi emphasized that cooperation with Russia in energy supplies played a crucial role in stabilizing global markets amidst a global fuel crisis.
• Russia has become a significant supplier of energy resources to India, providing over 80 million metric tons of crude oil annually.
• Discussions also highlighted Russia’s role as a major supplier of fertilizers to India, crucial for agricultural seasons like Kharif and Ravi.
• Both leaders discussed measures to balance the current skewed trade favoring Russia, including broadening India’s trade basket and seeking greater market access for Indian agricultural and industrial goods.

08. Which satellite, monitored by NASA since 2018, detected unusual X- and C-shaped ionospheric structures, potentially impacting GPS and radio communication?
(a) Hubble Space Telescope
(b) Spitzer Space Telescope
(c) James Webb Space Telescope
(d) GOLD Satellite

Ans : D

• NASA’s GOLD satellite has made a startling discovery in Earth’s ionosphere, a crucial layer for radio transmission formed by solar radiation ionizing molecules.
• Recent observations revealed unexpected X- and C-shaped formations in the ionosphere, usually associated with geomagnetic disturbances but appearing even during quiet periods.
• The GOLD mission, launched in October 2018, orbits over the Western Hemisphere to measure temperatures and ionospheric densities.
• Thick X-shaped particle crests were observed after sunset, potentially disrupting GPS and radio signals.
• Researchers, including Fazlul Laskar from the University of Colorado, noted these formations during geomagnetic quiet periods, suggesting lower atmospheric dynamics influence the ionosphere.
• Curious C-shaped bubbles were also observed, bending possibly due to wind direction variations, closer together than typical atmospheric behavior.
• NASA’s ongoing missions, such as APEP, continue to explore ionospheric variations during events like solar eclipses, challenging current beliefs and emphasizing the need for further study.

09. Who will lead the Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the tenth BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia?
(a) Om Birla
(b) Harivansh
(c) Shambhu Sharan Patel
(d) Utpal Kumar Singh

Ans : A

• Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker, will lead the Indian Parliamentary Delegation to the tenth BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, scheduled for July 11-12, 2024.
• The delegation includes Harivansh, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and other members such as Shambhu Sharan Patel, Utpal Kumar Singh, and P.C. Mody, who hold key positions in Indian Parliament.
• Anjani Kumar from the Lok Sabha Secretariat will serve as the Secretary to the Delegation, overseeing logistical and administrative aspects.
• The forum’s overarching theme is ‘The Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security’.
• Participants will include Speakers and Members of Parliament from BRICS nations and invitee countries like Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazhakstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
• The President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Tulia Ackson, will also attend, emphasizing broader international parliamentary cooperation.
• Discussions during the plenary sessions will cover topics such as inter-parliamentary cooperation, multilateral trade systems, global crises, and humanitarian and cultural spheres.
• Om Birla is expected to engage in bilateral meetings with counterparts from other participating Parliaments and interact with the Indian Diaspora in Moscow during his visit to Russia.

10. Which IIT will offer BTech programs in both Hindi and English for its new batch of students?
(a) IIT Bombay
(b) IIT Delhi
(c) IIT Jodhpur
(d) IIT Kanpur

Ans : C

• IIT Jodhpur Initiates Hindi Medium BTech Courses: Starting from the upcoming academic session, IIT Jodhpur has introduced BTech courses in Hindi, aiming to support students who face challenges with English proficiency.
• Inclusive Education Approach: This initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on making higher education more accessible by offering instruction in native languages.
• Dual-Language Instruction: First-year BTech students will have the option to choose between Hindi and English sections. The institute will divide students accordingly to facilitate effective learning based on language preference.
• Approval and Implementation: The Ministry of Education has approved this move, allowing aspiring engineers to pursue their degrees at IIT Jodhpur in Hindi, alongside the traditional English medium courses.
• Admission Criteria: Admission to the BTech program will continue to be based on the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced (JEE Advanced 2024) results, with students selecting their preferred language during the application process.
• Consistent Teaching Quality: Despite the language division, both Hindi and English sections will be taught by the same instructors to ensure uniformity in teaching standards and quality.
• Broader NEP Alignment: This step by IIT Jodhpur is part of a broader national trend where various states are enhancing educational accessibility by offering technical and medical education in regional languages.