Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 28th June 2024

 National News 

1. Union Territory of Ladakh achieves full functional Literacy ULLAS

•  Ladakh has become the first administrative unit to achieve full functional literacy under the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Program). 
• Lieutenant Governor Dr. BD Mishra made this announcement during a celebration at Sindhu Sanskritik Kendra in Leh. 
• The Union Territory has surpassed 97% literacy, marking a major success for the centrally sponsored scheme aimed at empowering adults aged 15 and above with foundational literacy, numeracy, and critical life skills. 

About ULLAS 

• ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram or New India Literacy Programme (NILP), is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented from 2022-2027. 
• The scheme aligns with the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country. 
• It covers five key components: foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, basic education, vocational skills, and continuing education. 
• The vision of the ULLAS Scheme is to make Bharat Jan Jan Saakshar, which is based on the spirit of Kartvya Bodh and is being implemented through volunteerism. 

2. Tata Sons to Build ₹650 Crore ‘Museum of Temples’ in Ayodhya 

• The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet has approved Tata Sons’ proposal to build a ‘museum of temples’ in Ayodhya, a project worth Rs 650 crore to be funded through Tata’s corporate social responsibility fund. 
• The plan then was to showcase the history and architecture of famous temples in the country. Also discussed was setting up a light-and-sound show at the proposed museum. 
• Additionally, the state cabinet has also sanctioned Rs 100 crore for further development works in Ayodhya and endorsed the initiation of helicopter services in Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Kapilvastu. 

About Uttar Pradesh 

•  Capital – Lucknow 
•  Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath 
• Governor – Anandiben Patel 

3. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announces 'Mini Ratna' (Category-1) status to Central Electronics Limited 

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the conferment of "Mini Ratna" (Category-1) status to Central Electronics Limited (CEL) at its Golden Jubilee function held at Ghaziabad Campus. 
• CEL has completed 50 glorious years in the service of the nation and now celebrated its Golden Jubilee on 26th June this year. Currently there are 54 "Mini Ratna" (Category-1) and 11 "Mini Ratna" (Category-2) companies. 
• In the last 5 years, the financial stability, profitability and operational excellence of CEL have touched new heights. The performance of CEL is also remarkable in terms of Turnover, Net Worth, Reserves, Net Profit etc. 
• This is the third consecutive year when CEL has paid dividend to the Government of India. It is commendable to celebrate 50 years by achieving a net profit of about Rs. 58 crores. 
• Central Electronics Limited is a Government of India Enterprise under the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science & Technology. It was established in 1974 by bringing together the national laboratories and R&D institutions in the country. 
• Miniratna Scheme was launched in the year 1997 with the policy objective of making the public sector more efficient and competitive and to provide enhanced autonomy and delegation of powers to the profit making public sector enterprises. 
• Miniratna Category-I: CPSEs which have earned profit continuously for the last 3 years having profit before tax of Rs. 30 crores or more in at least one of the three years and having positive net worth. 
• Miniratna Category-II: CPSEs which have earned profit continuously for the last 3 years and have positive net worth. 
• Miniratna CPSEs should not default in repayment of loan/interest payment on any loan of the Government. Miniratna CPSEs should not be dependent on budgetary support or Government guarantee. 

4. First International Dairy Federation Asia-Pacific summit concluded in Kochi 

• The Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and the International Dairy Federation (IDF) are jointly organised the first IDF Regional Dairy Conference Asia Pacific-2024 in Kochi. 
• Themed ‘Farmer-centric innovations in dairying’, the event featured insightful deliberations bringing together leaders and experts from the global dairy sector. 
• More than 1,000 delegates and participants from over 20 countries took part in the event. 

5. DRDO hands over Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket to Indian Navy 

• The Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) developed by the Jodhpur Laboratory of the Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was formally handed over to the Indian Navy in New Delhi. 
• The Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) developed by the DRDO will enhance the Indian Navy’s defensive capability. 
• The MR-MOCR is a niche technology that integrates a particular type of fibres having unique microwave obscuration properties. 
• This helps mask radar signals and creates a microwave shield around platforms and assets. This will reduce the chance of detection of the Indian Navy’s platforms and assets by the enemy forces. 

About DRDO Jodhpur Laboratory 

•  The Jodhpur Laboratory of the DRDO was established in May 1959. 
•  It was initially established to conduct research and trials of weapons developed for desert warfare. 
•  Later, the laboratory’s mandate was extended to include research in camouflage, electronics and communications, water and quality management, transportation and navigation systems, weapons, ammunition, and storage areas of activity. 
•  Director of the Jodhpur Laboratory of the DRDO – RV Hara Prasad 

International News

 

6.Antelope-like mammal from Bhutan recorded at lowest = elevation in western Assam · 

• The mainland serow, a mammal that looks like a 1 cross between a goat and an antelope, has been recorded at the lowest elevation beyond Bhutan, its natural home, in Assam. · 
• A team of scientists recorded a lone mainland serow (Capricornis suma1 traensis thar) at 96 metres above the mean sea level at the Raimona National Park in western Assam. Also, the elusive animal has e been found for the first time within a radius of 1 km from a human habitation. · 
• The finding with photo- graphic proof was published as a scientific paper in the latest issue of the Journal of Threatened Taxa. The paper was authored by M. Firoz Ahmed senior scientist at biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak; senior conservation biologist Dipankar Lahkar; Nibir Medhi; Nitul Kalita: Bhanu Sinha, Divisional Forest Officer, Kachugaon; forest officials Pranjal Talukdar, Biswajit Basumatary, and Tunu Basumatary; Ramie H. Begum, Associate Professor, Assam University; and Abhishek Harihar, the di- rector of Tiger programme, Panthera. · 
• According to the Inter- national Union for Conservation of Nature, the main- land serow inhabits areas at altitudes of 200 metres to 3,000 metres. Its habitat is across the border in the Phibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary and the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan. 

7.South Korea, USA and Japan launch first trilateral multidomain exercise ‘Freedom Edge’ 

• South Korea, USA and Japan launched their first trilateral multidomain exercise ‘Freedom Edge’. The three-day exercise called Freedom Edge began on South Korea's southern island of Jeju. 
• The exercise is taking place amid efforts to deepen security cooperation against threats from North Korea by strengthening its ties with Russia. The exercise will focus on ballistic missile defence, air defence, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, maritime interception and defensive cyber training. The inaugural "annual, designated, multi-domain" trilateral exercise was agreed upon during the Camp David summit of US President Joe Biden, his South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida last August. 
• The US Navy's nuclear-powered USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, the South's ROKS Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong destroyer and Japan's JS Ise helicopter destroyer are participating in the military exercise. 
• The US warship arrived in South Korea on June 22, the first arrival of a US aircraft carrier in South Korea in seven months since the USS Carl Vinson's visit in November. 
• Earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a summit in Pyongyang where they signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty that calls for military assistance if either of them is attacked. 
• The United States and its two East Asian allies are also concerned about China's growing military activities, especially near Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing views as a breakaway province that will eventually be reintegrated with the mainland. 
• The Dubai Art Centre, one of the oldest art institutions in the UAE city of Dubai, is currently hosting the "Hunar" exhibition, an eye 

8. Australia's explosive batsman David Warner retires from international cricket 

• Australia's explosive batsman David Warner has officially retired from international cricket. Warner's 15-year illustrious career with the Australian national team came to an end after Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight stage. 
•  He played his last ODI during Australia's victorious 2023 campaign in India, his final Test against Pakistan in early 2024 and was set to retire completely after the 2024 T20 World Cup. 
•  His brilliant 89 off 43 balls on his T20I debut against South Africa introduced the world to his talent. In 110 matches, he scored 3277 runs, including a century against Pakistan in 2019 - the third Australian to score a century in all three formats of the game - and 28 half-centuries. 
•  Away from international cricket, he has had a stellar franchise T20 career, particularly in the IPL, and in 2021 he became the fourth batsman to score 10,000 runs in T20s. 
•  After his debut in January 2009, Warner has scored 22 centuries and 6,932 runs in 161 ODIs at an average of 45.30 and won two World Cups in the format. 
•  Warner has played 111 Tests for Australia, scoring 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, including 26 centuries and 36 half-centuries. New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult retires from international cricket 
•  New Zealand left-arm fast bowler Trent Boult has announced his retirement from international cricket after New Zealand's final Group C match against Papua New Guinea in the 2024 T20 ICC Cricket World Cup. The match was played at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. 
•  Trent Boult made his international debut for New Zealand in 2011. Trent Boult took 317 wickets in 78 Tests he played for the Black Caps. He is the fourth-highest wickettaker for New Zealand in the Test format behind Richard Hadlee (431 wickets), long-time new-ball partner Tim Southee (380 Test wickets) and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori (361). 
•  Boult's last Test was against England at Headingley in 2022. He has played 114 One-Day Internationals and has taken 211 wickets in the format. His last ODI was the semi-final against India in the 2023 World Cup, which India won by 70 runs. 

9. Indian folk and tribal art exhibition 'Hunar' opens in Dubai, UAE 

•  The Dubai Art Centre, one of the oldest art institutions in the UAE city of Dubai, is currently hosting the "Hunar" exhibition, an eyecatching display of Indian folk and tribal art. 
•  The exhibition highlights the rich cultural heritage of India's folk and tribal art forms. Visitors to the exhibition can explore various artistic styles from across India, including Aipan art from Uttarakhand, Madhubani art from Bihar and Warli art from Maharashtra. 
•  The exhibition also features vibrant murals from Kerala, intricate Muria art from Chhattisgarh, each of which captures the soul of Indian traditions. 
•  The "Hunar" exhibition offers art lovers in Dubai a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the diverse world of Indian folk and tribal art and experience first-hand India's cultural richness and artistic heritage. 
•  The exhibition showcases the rich cultural heritage of India's folk and tribal art forms. Folk art, which is often associated with rural communities, covers a wide range of themes, while tribal art is particularly associated with indigenous communities, reflecting their unique customs, rituals and deep connection to nature. 
•  Organised by Videsh Pandey, an advocate of under-represented Indian art forms, the exhibition showcases a diverse range of works, including a Ramayana painting depicting all seven chapters of the epic. 

10. India received $120 billion remittances in 2023: World Bank 

•  According to the World Bank report, India has received USD 120 billion remittances in 2023. 
•  China (USD 50 billion), the Philippines (USD 39 billion), and Pakistan (USD 27 billion) figure in top five countries list of remittances recipients. 
•  Remittance flows to India from the United Arab Emirates, which account for 18 per cent and are the second largest source of India’s remittances after the United States. 
•  In addition to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar account for 11 per cent of India’s total remittances. 

About World Bank 

•  Founded – 1944 
•  Headquarters – Washington Dc 
• President – Ajay Banga 
• MD & CFO – Anshula Kant 
•  Chief Economist – Indermit Gill
•   Executive Director – Rajesh Khullar 
• Member Countries -189 

State News 

11 Sri Sri University of Odisha to set up India's first Global Enterprise Risk Management Centre 

• The world's leading certification body, the Institute of Risk Management (IRM), London has granted Sri Sri University (SSU), Odisha the license to set up India's first and East India's only Global Enterprise Risk Management Centre ERM Centre. 
•  SSU is one of only four elite universities to receive accreditation and support from the IRM India Affiliate. By providing access to IRM's world-class resources and training, the centre will empower thousands of students to become skilled riskinformed business leaders, entrepreneurs and corporate managers. 
•  The signing ceremony was held at the Art of Living International Centre in Bangalore, attended by global humanitarian, spiritual leader and peace ambassador Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar, and other dignitaries. 
•  Sri Sri University has been at the forefront of preparing students for IRM's global ERM exams since 2021. With IRM's gold standard curriculum and well-trained, certified faculty at SSU, the university has started offering Level 1 course training to young leaders studying on campus. 
•  The global centre will be a state-ofthe-art facility designed to provide unique resources and opportunities for learning and development to students and professionals from the states of eastern India, including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam and the northeastern states. 
•  The centre will also address critical areas such as disaster risk, security risk, cyber risk management, women and child safety risk and financial risk. 

12.Comptroller and Auditor General's first museum 'Chadwick House' inaugurated in Shimla 

•  The Comptroller and Auditor General of India inaugurated the 'Chadwick House: Navigating Audit Heritage' museum in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh on 24 June 2024. 
•  After 164 years of its existence, the Comptroller and Auditor General has got its first museum.
•   CAG G C Murmu opened the historic Chadwick House in Shimla to the public. Its historical significance increases further when Mahatma Gandhi stayed here during his visit to Shimla for the Cabinet Mission in 1946. 
•  After independence, a training school for the Indian Accounts and Audit Service was started here in 1950. After the training institute shifted, Chadwick House gradually fell prey to neglect. 
•  Without proper care and maintenance, it was on the verge of collapse in 2018. At the same time, India's apex audit institution took steps to safeguard its heritage. 
•  One of the items on display at Chadwick is the Arthashastra by Chanakya, which was the first written document on the principles of accounting. One of the biggest attractions is the 1907 table and chair used by Sir C V Raman, who served a brief stint as Assistant Accountant General at the Kolkata office of the CAG. 
•  The museum is a treasure trove of artefacts, including Remington typewriters, British-era franking machines, clocks and trophies from the regional offices of the CAG. 
•  One of the most modern museums available in India, Chadwick House offers audio-video interactive displays of artefacts with graphic panels and QR codes, providing information that gives a glimpse of the audit institution from 1860 when it was not during the British rule. 
•  Chadwick was built in the 1880s by a British citizen and was later bought by Maharaja Sardar Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala in 1904. 

Appointment 

13.Aksha Mohit Kamboj appointed VP of India Bullion Jewellers Association 

•  The India Bullion Jewellers Association (IBJA) has appointed Aksha Mohit Kamboj as its Vice President. 
•  Kamboj brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise in the field of bullion and jewellery, and her appointment is poised to further strengthen IBJA’s leadership in the industry. 
•  Aksha Mohit Kamboj is the Executive Chairman of Aspect Global Ventures Pvt Ltd and is also the co-owner of Cricket ISPL team Tiigers of Kolkata. She is the first and the only woman appointed on such a prestigious post in Gold & Jewellery Sector. 

14.Kapil Dev becomes new Chief of India Golf 

•  World Cup-winning former India cricket captain Kapil Dev has taken over as the new President of the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI). 
•  The 65-year-old, who was already a member of the PGTI Board as its Vice President, was chosen unanimously and would be taking over from incumbent H R Srinivasan, whose tenure has come to an end. 
•  Kapil played cricket for India from 1978 to 1994. One of the greatest all-rounders of all time, he played 131 Test matches and 225 one-day and led India to the 1983 World Cup win. His 175 not out in 1983 World Cup is considered one of the finest innings in the annals of the game. 
• In Tests, He scored 5248 runs, including eight centuries, and took 434 wickets, which was then a world record. He also scored 3783 runs in ODIs and took 253 wickets in the format. 

Recent Appointment 

• VP of India Bullion Jewellers Association – Aksha Mohit Kamboj 
• Director in the Department of Consumer Affairs – Mrinal Kumar Das 
• Secretary of TRAI – Atul Kumar Chaudhary (replace V Raghunandan) 
• Director (Enterprise) in BSNL -Sudhakararao Papa 
• Chairman of Global Wind Energy Council India (GWEC India) – Girish Tanti 

Defence News 

15.India and U.S. in talks for Stryker infantry vehicles · 

• Deals for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and GE-414 jet engines are making progress along with defence industrial collaborations under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. ·
•  India has expressed interest in co-producing the Stryker infantry vehicles and it is in "relatively" early stages of talks with the U.S. on the Stryker and the Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM), says the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell. · 
• At the same time, deals for MQ-9B unmanned ae- rial vehicles and GE-414 jet engines are making progress along with defence industrial collaborations under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (ICET) framework. 
• · Discussions on Stryker have been going on for several months now, and officials said the deal could potentially see local manufacture of several hundred variants of the vehicle un- der licence with some customisations for the Indian Army, including one with Javelin mounted on them. · 
• However, several de fence officials expressed reservations on going for Stryker given that several such vehicles have been developed and demonstrated by Indian companies in recent years. · 
• "India has expressed an interest in the co-production of Stryker, and I think we're still in relatively early stages and the U.S. Army plans to demonstrate the capabilities of the Stryker to the Indian Army at an early opportunity," Mr. Campbell stated. · 
• "We've had some discussions around the co- production of Javelin and Stryker. We're exploring a number of avenues for both co-production and engagement around technological areas where we could collaborate together on development more generally in R&D." 
• · Mr. Campbell was speaking in a virtual brief ing on Wednesday on the second India-U.S. ICET dialogue that was chaired by the two National Security Advisers last week. The U.S. has in the past demonstrated both Stryker as well as Javelin for the Indian Army during bilateral exercises. Javelin was extensively evaluated by the Indian Army, though the deal did not go through. · 
• On the MQ-9B deal, Mr. Campbell noted that the letter of and acceptance was delivered to India in early March, and they are awaiting signature to move forward. “General Atomics is negotiating details of the sale with the Ministry of Defence and we are prepared, obviously, to work with them in addressing any outstanding questions,” he stated. · 
• The deal is in advanced stages and expected to go for approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the next few months. Similarly, the deal for licence manufacture of the GE-414 engines by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)- Mk1A is also in advanced stages. 

Awards 

16.Arundhati Roy honored with Prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024 

•  Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy has been honoured with the prestigious Pen Pinter Prize 2024 for her “unflinching and unswerving” 
•  The prize, established in 2009 by the charity English PEN, defends freedom of expression and celebrates literature in memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter. 

Recent Award 

•  PSU Leadership & Excellence Award 2024 – THDC India Limited (category of ‘Leadership in Digital Transformation).
•   National award for APY implementation – Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank 
•  Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award – Vinod Ganatra 
• V Shantaram, Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 – Subbiah Nallamuth 
•  Risk Manager of the Year Award by Central Banking, UK – RBI . 

17. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers wins Sustainable Governance Champion Award 

•  Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited has been awarded the “Sustainable Governance Champion Award” at the Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024. 
•  Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) is one of the premier shipyards of India, located in Kolkata. Established in 1884 as a small privately owned company on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, it was renamed as Garden Reach Workshop in 19 is the first Indian shipyard to build 100 warships. 
•  The city of Goa hosted the first Outlook Planet Sustainability Summit & Awards 2024 for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The awards were divided into four major categories: Sustainable Governance Champion, Corporate Responsibility Champion, Circularity Champion and Climate Action Champion. 
•  Each category had sub-categories for Fossil Fuel, Non-Fossil Fuel and Jury Special Recognition Award. Other Awards 
•  Sustainable Governance Champion - Coal India Limited won the award in the Fossil Fuel sub-category, while NHPC Limited won the NonFossil Fuel award. 
•  Corporate Responsibility Champion - GAIL (India) Limited bagged the Fossil Fuel honour, Power Finance Corporation Limited won the NonFossil Fuel sub-category. NLC India Limited was awarded the Jury Special Recognition. 
•  Circularity Champion Category - Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited won the Fossil Fuel award. Steel Authority of India Limited received the Non-Fossil Fuel Award, while Indian Oil Corporation Limited received the Jury Special Recognition. 
•  Climate Action Champion Category - NTPC Limited was the fossil fuel winner, Bharat Electronics Limited bagged the Non-Fossil Fuel Award. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited received the Jury Special Recognition. 
•  Individual Category - Dr. PS Gehlot of Indian Potash and Prof. Rintu Banerjee, Dean of Research and Development at IIT-Kharagpur were recognised for their contributions. 

18. Doon School Srinagar honored with Prestigious Award at Indo-Norway International Education Summit 

•  Doon School Srinagar was honored with the “Award for Transformative Education Excellence” at Mind Mingle’s Indo-Norway International Education Summit and Awards 2024, held in Stortinget, Norway. 
• This recognition celebrates the school’s outstanding contributions to education, particularly under the leadership of its Chairman, Showkat Hussain Khan.
•  The Indo-Norway Education Summit was organized by Mind Mingle, an organization dedicated to the professional development of educators and schools since 2014. 

19. Sanjana Thakur wins UK Commonwealth Short Story Prize 

•  Sanjana Thakur, a 26-year-old writer from Mumbai, won the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her story “Aishwarya Rai”. 
•  She will receive a cash prize of £5,000. 
•  Sanjana Thakur, who is currently pursuing an MFA in Fiction at UT Austin’s New Writers Project, described her story as a “Mumbai story”. 
•  Thakur is the third Indian to win the prize after Kritika Pandey won it in 2020 for her story “The Great Indian Tee and Snakes” and Parashar Kulkarni in 2016 for “Cow and Company”. 

Recent Award 

•  2024 Oscar Academy Gold Rising Program – Nethra Gururaj 
•  Best Conduct of Business Regulator award – SEBI 
•  Hindi Sahitya Bharati Award – Krishna Prakash 
•  EY World Entrepreneur of The Year 2024 – Vellayan Subbiah 
•  Dilip Bose Lifetime Achievement Award – Nar Singh & Rohini Lokhande Sports 

20. Anush Agarwalla selected by EFI to represent India in Dressage at Paris Olympics 

•  The Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) has selected Anush Agarwalla to represent the country in the dressage event at the upcoming Paris Olympics. 
•  EFI selected him over Shruti Vora based on a thorough assessment of their recent performances, where Anush demonstrated a superior average. 
• It will be India’s first ever entry at the dressage event at the Olympics as largely riders in past editions competed in eventing categories only.