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1. What is the rank of India in the category of flawed democracy in The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index-2023?
- 41st
- 43rd
- 42nd
- 40th
Show The Answer
2. Chief Minister Vishwakarma Pension Scheme is related to which state?
- Gujrat
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Rajasthan
Show The Answer 4. Rajasthan
3. Recently, ISRO has launched ‘INSAT-3DS’ satellite through GSLV-F14 rocket from Satish Dhawan Center in Sri Hari Kota. What type of satellite is this?
- Earth Observation Satellite
- Navigation Satellite
- Meteorological Satellite
- Communication Satellite
Show The Answer 3. Meteorological Satellite
4. The 9th Raisina Dialogue event has been organized in New Delhi in which Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis will be the chief guest. What is its theme this time?
- Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create
- Global Harmony and Unity
- Sustainable Tourism and Innovation
- Digital Transformation in Agriculture
Show The Answer
5. Which is the latest continent to join G 20?
- African Union
- Antarctica
- Atlantis
- Pangaea
Show The Answer 1. African Union
6. Recently, it has been announced to honor Jagatguru Rambhadracharya and lyricist Gulzar with the 58th Jnanpith Award. What type of award is this?
- Grammy Award for Album of the Year
- Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Highest award in the field of literature
- Nobel Prize in Physics
Show The Answer 3. Highest award in the field of literature
7. Which medal has the Indian women’s team won for the first time in the Asia Championship in the Asian Women’s Badminton Games hosted by Malaysia recently?
- Silver Medal
- Gold Medal
- Bronze Medal
- No Medal
Show The Answer 2. Gold Medal
8. Who has recently been awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Award?
- Manohar and Chaitanya
- Ramveer and Virat Kohli
- Satvik and Chirag
- Srinivas and Sachin Tendulkar
Show The Answer 3. Satvik and Chirag
9. What was the mascot of Khelo India Para Games?
- Your Identity
- Ujjwala
- New Direction of Progress
- Motion
Show The Answer 2. Ujjwala
10. Recently, ICC has banned cricketer Rizwan Javed of which country for 17.5 years for match fixing?
- South Africa
- UK
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
Show The Answer 2. UK
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Some lines of current affairs 27 February 2024 news
NATIONAL
Narendra Modi opened the 9th Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi
- The 9th Raisina Dialogue occurred from February 21-23, 2024, in New Delhi, India, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The theme was ‘Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create’.
- Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis served as the Chief Guest during the opening session.
- The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and various institutions and individuals, hosted the event.
- During the Dialogue, Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar introduced a logo in New Delhi, marking the 75th anniversary of India’s diplomatic relations with Finland and Denmark.
Regarding Finland:
- Capital: Helsinki
- Currency: Euro
- President: Alexander Stubb (as of March 1, 2024)
The 5th edition of the India-Japan annual military exercise, Dharma Guardian, has started in Rajasthan
- The 5th edition of the India-Japan joint military training, known as “Dharma Guardian,” began on February 25, 2024, at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. It will run until March 9, 2024, aiming to enhance military cooperation between India and Japan and improve joint operational capabilities in semi-urban environments as per Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
- Participants include the Indian Army (IA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (JGSDF). The IA contingent, a battalion from the Rajputana Rifles, comprises 40 personnel, while the Japanese contingent, troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment, also consists of 40 personnel.
Key points of the 5th Dharma Guardian exercise:
- Conducted alternately in India and Japan.
- Aims to enhance interoperability and camaraderie between IA & JGSDF.
- Focuses on physical fitness, joint planning, tactical drills, and special arms skills.
- Tactical drills involve establishing a Temporary Operating Base, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Grid, Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon and Search Operations, Heliborne operations, and House Intervention Drills.
- ‘A Weapon and Equipment Display’ planned to showcase India’s defense capabilities.
- Strengthens bilateral relations and defense cooperation between India and Japan.
Additional Information:
- Lieutenant General Togashi Yuichi, Commanding General of Eastern Army, JGSDF, will visit Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on March 3, 2024, to observe Combat Shooting demonstration, Special Heliborne Operation (SHBO), and House Intervention Drills.
- The 4th edition of Dharma Guardian took place at Camp Imazu in the Shiga province of Japan in 2023.
About the Indian Army (IA):
- Chief of the Army Staff: General Manoj Pande
- Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
- Established on: April 01, 1895
Narendra Modi opened two Ministry of Ayush institutes in Jhajjar and Pune
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated two institutes under the Ministry of AYUSH: the Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy in Jhajjar, Haryana, and the National Institute of Naturopathy titled ‘NISARG GRAM’ in Pune, Maharashtra. These institutes aim to enhance holistic healthcare in India.
- Central Research Institute of Yoga & Naturopathy (CRIYN) in Jhajjar, Haryana:
- It’s a top-tier research and education center for Yoga and Naturopathy.
- It will establish advanced healthcare infrastructure for Yoga and Naturopathy.
- Facilities include a 200-bed hospital, outpatient department, academic block, hostels, and more.
- Cost: Rs. 63.88 crore for the 19-acre project.
- National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) – ‘NISARG GRAM’ in Pune, Maharashtra:
- It’s a 250-bed hospital with a research and extension service center.
- It hosts a Naturopathy Medical College offering various courses.
- The college provides residential facilities, an auditorium, and more.
- Cost: Rs. 213.55 crore for the 25-acre project.
- Significance:
- These institutes promote holistic healthcare through traditional systems.
- They offer diverse treatments like hydrotherapy, massage, clinical nutrition, and yoga therapy.
- They address the rise of non-communicable diseases.
- With state-of-the-art infrastructure and educational programs, they encourage individuals to prioritize health and well-being.
India and Bangladesh worked together through the ITHCP to conserve tigers in the Sunderbans region
The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program (ITHCP) facilitated a collaborative effort between India and Bangladesh in Joymoni, Bagerhat District, Bangladesh, from February 4th to 8th, 2024. This initiative seeks to enhance mutual understanding of tiger conservation efforts in the Sunderbans region, which spans both countries and is recognized for its significant tiger population. The Sunderbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, encompasses the world’s largest mangrove forest formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna Rivers.
Key Points
- The initiative represents a unique cross-border endeavor aimed at preserving biodiversity in the Sunderbans through harmonious coexistence with tigers.
- It is jointly led by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission, Joynagar (West Bengal), and WildTeam of Bangladesh.
- Participants include WTI’s primary response team (PRT), “Bagh Bondh” (friends of the tiger), as well as teachers and students from both India and Bangladesh.
- Experiences were shared, such as strategies to prevent human intrusion into tiger habitats for firewood collection.
- Initiatives on the Indian side include the distribution of smokeless cooking stoves and support for livelihoods like poultry and goat farming.
- In Bangladesh, efforts focus on educating communities on cultivating paddy resilient to high water salinity.
About ITHCP:
- Supported by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Germany’s KfW Development Bank.
- Launched in 2014, the program is scheduled to continue until 2027.
- It comprises four phases aimed at funding high-quality projects in key Tiger Conservation Landscapes across several countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal, and Myanmar.
INTERNATIONAL
Results from FATF’s 5th Plenary in Paris, France, held from February 21st to 23rd, 2024
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently wrapped up its 5th Plenary session in Paris, France, on February 23, 2024. T Raja Kumar from Singapore presided over the three-day event, which began on February 21, 2024. The discussions primarily focused on significant issues related to money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.
During the same week, known as FATF Week (February 19-23, 2024), Ms. Elisa de Anda Madrazo of Mexico was appointed as the next President of the FATF for a fixed two-year term starting from July 1, 2024. The membership of the Russian Federation was suspended by FATF on February 24, 2023. It’s worth noting that Ukraine is not a member of FATF.
As of February 24, 2024, the countries blacklisted by FATF include the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Iran, and Myanmar. Additionally, Kenya and Namibia have been newly added to the Grey List, which already includes 23 other countries.
FATF, established in 1989, serves as the global watchdog for money laundering and terrorist financing. This inter-governmental body sets international standards aimed at preventing these illegal activities. T Raja Kumar from Singapore currently serves as the President. The headquarters of FATF is located in Paris, France. It comprises 39 member countries.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Power Finance Corporation partnered with Italy’s SACE to secure financing supported by Export Credit Agency (ECA)
Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has teamed up with Italy’s Export Credit Agency (ECA), Servizi Assicurativi del Commercio Estero (SACE), to secure a new financing deal backed by ECA support.
This collaboration marks PFC as the first Indian government-owned entity to participate in SACE’s “Push Strategy” initiative. Under the agreement, PFC will receive an 80% guarantee from SACE for financing of up to 200 million euros. HSBC will act as the coordinating bank, lead arranger, and facility agent.
The financing will benefit Indian companies in the power and infrastructure sectors by providing access to advanced Italian technology and fostering partnerships with Italian firms.
Note: Export credit agencies provide loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to help domestic companies mitigate the risks associated with selling goods and services in international markets.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Feleti Teo is set to become the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu
Feleti Penitala Teo has won the 2024 Tuvaluan General Election and is set to become the 14th Prime Minister of Tuvalu, an island nation in the South Pacific. This marks the first time in Tuvalu’s history that a Prime Minister has been nominated unopposed. Teo will succeed Kausea Natano, who has held the position since 2019.
Background on Feleti Penitala Teo:
- In 1991, Teo was appointed as Tuvalu’s first attorney general.
- He has held positions such as Director General at the Forum Fisheries Agency and Interim Secretary General & Deputy Secretary General at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
- Teo served as the Executive Director of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) from 2015 to 2023.
Details about the 2024 Tuvaluan General Election:
- The election took place on January 26, 2024.
- Its purpose was to elect 16 Members of Parliament (MPs) from eight constituencies.
- Tuvalu does not have political parties; all candidates run as independents.
- PM Kausea Natano lost his seat in this election.
- Teo, representing the Niutao constituency, secured 581 votes.
- Paulson Panapa, from the Vaitupu constituency, received the highest number of votes (585).
Key facts about Tuvalu:
- Prime Minister: Kausea Natano
- Capital: Funafuti Atoll
- Currency: Australian Dollar
A S Rajeev, who previously served as the MD & CEO of Bank of Maharashtra, has been appointed as the Vigilance Commissioner
Aeratu S. Rajeev, formerly the MD and CEO of the Bank of Maharashtra (BoM), now serves as a Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).
He led BoM as MD and CEO from December 2018 until his voluntary retirement in February 2024. The CVC is headed by a Central Vigilance Commissioner and can have up to two Vigilance Commissioners.
As of February 2024, Praveen Kumar Srivastava serves as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, with Arvinda Kumar as the other Vigilance Commissioner. The CVC, established in 1964 based on the recommendations of the Santhanam Committee, is India’s apex governmental body promoting integrity, transparency, and accountability in public administration.
Samir Shah, of Indian descent, is poised to become the BBC Chairman
Samir Shah, of Indian descent, will become the new chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) starting March 4, 2024. He will serve in this role for four years until March 2028. Born in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, in 1952, Shah relocated to England in 1960. He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 for his contributions to television and heritage. Shah will succeed acting BBC chairwoman Dame Elan Closs Stephens.
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
CCI has approved INSCO’s acquisition of HNGIL through its Green Channel
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has granted INSCO (Independent Sugar Corporation), a company affiliated with the Madhvani Group in Africa, approval through the green channel for its proposed acquisition of Hindusthan National Glass & Industries Limited (HNGIL).
INSCO received this approval despite a complaint filed by AGI Greenpac, another bidder, challenging the green channel approval.
HNGIL, established by C.K. Somany in 1946, is India’s pioneer in fully automated glass manufacturing.
The ‘Green Channel’ enables automatic approval for specific acquisitions, eliminating the need for formal approval from the commission.
SPORTS
India secures 18 medals at the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships 2024
India clinched 18 medals at the 2024 BWF Para-Badminton World Championships held in Pattaya, Thailand from February 20th to 25th. The haul included 3 gold, 4 silver, and 11 bronze medals. The event, hosted biannually, was organized by the BWF PARA in collaboration with the Badminton Association of Thailand.
The gold medalists from India were:
- Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, who secured victory in the men’s singles SL 4 category, defeating Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan.
- Krishna Nagar, who emerged victorious in the men’s singles SH 6 category, triumphing over China’s Naili Lin.
- Pramod Bhagat, who claimed the gold medal in the men’s singles SL 3 category, defeating England’s Daniel Bethell.
Pramod Bhagat, notably, became the first Indian to clinch a gold medal in badminton at the Paralympic Games, achieving the feat in the men’s singles SL3 class at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
OBITUARY
Indian filmmaker Kumar Shahani, who won a National Award, has passed away
Renowned Indian filmmaker and screenwriter Kumar Shahani, who received 3 National Awards, passed away at 83 in Kolkata, West Bengal. Born on December 7, 1940, in the Larkana district in Sindh, British India (now Pakistan).
Kumar Shahani’s National Awards:
- His first feature film, “Maya Darpan” in 1972, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi in 1973.
- In 1984, he directed “Tarang,” earning a Special Mention at the National Awards.
- His film “Bhavantarana” in 1991 won the National Award for Best Biographical Film.
International Recognition:
- Shahani’s work was acclaimed at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in the Netherlands. Films like “Var Var Vari” (1988) and “Char Adhyay” (1998) were recognized.
- “Khayal Gatha” (1989) won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) prize at IFFR in 1990.
- He received the 1998 Prince Claus Award for his innovative cinematic style.
- His early works were showcased at the Pingyao International Film Festival in 2019.
Other Works:
- Notable works include “A Ship Aground” (1988), “Kasba” (1990), and “As The Crow Flies” (2004), his only digital film.
- He served as a key member of the advisory council of the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF).
STATE
Bihar Government announces a budget of Rs 2.79 trillion for the fiscal year 2024-25
Samrat Chaudhary, serving as both Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister of Bihar, unveiled a budget of Rs 2,78,725 crore for the fiscal year 2024-2025 in the Bihar Assembly.
The budget expenditure has risen by Rs 16,840.32 crore from the previous fiscal year, reaching Rs 2,61,885.40 crore in FY24.
Highlights:
- Bihar’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to grow by 15.5%.
- Estimated expenditure (excluding debt repayment) for 2024-25 is Rs 2,56,333 crore.
About Bihar:
- Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
- Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
- Tiger Reserve: Valmiki Tiger Reserve
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary
The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh has introduced a budget of Rs 58,444 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25
- On February 24, 2024, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh (HP), who also manages finances, proposed a budget of Rs 58,444 crore for the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
- This budget is 9.1% higher than last year’s, which was Rs 53,413 crore in FY24.
- No new taxes were suggested for FY25.
- The budget focuses on rural development, particularly in farming and animal husbandry, aiming to boost self-reliance in Himachal Pradesh.
- The total estimated income for FY25 is Rs 61,438.71 crore.
About Himachal Pradesh (HP):
- Chief Minister: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
- Governor: Shiv Pratap Shukla
- National Parks: Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park
- Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bandli Wildlife Sanctuary, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
BSTF and SIDBI inked an MoU to boost Bihar’s startup ecosystem
The Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT), along with the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), signed an agreement to manage the Rs. 50 crore Bihar Startup Scale-up Financing Fund (BSSFF), aiming to turn Bihar into a startup hub.
This collaboration seeks to create a supportive environment for startups, fostering economic growth through innovation to address societal and economic challenges.
Signing Parties:
Pankaj Dixit, Director Industries at the Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, and Arijit Dutt, General Manager representing SIDBI, formally signed the agreement.
Fund Structure:
The BSSFF, operating as a Fund of Funds managed by SIDBI, invests in venture capital funds that, in turn, invest directly in startups.
Bihar Startup Fund Trust (BSFT):
- BSFT, established by the Government of Bihar, implements Bihar’s Startup Policy to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, facilitating startup growth in the state.
- This policy aims to create an ecosystem conducive to startup development.
Impressive Fund:
- Under Bihar’s startup policy, BSFT was set up with an initial corpus of Rs. 500 crores to support startups.
- Out of this, BSSFF was established with Rs. 50 crores to enhance funding support for startups.
UGC Grants Category 1 Status to CUSB, a First for Bihar:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) granted Category-I University status to the Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), marking the first time for a Bihar university.
This decision was made at the 577th meeting of the UGC on February 13, 2024, aligning with the UGC (Categorisation of Universities (only) for Grant of Graded Autonomy) Regulations, 2018.
Objective:
The categorization recognizes and rewards high-quality institutions, promoting a culture of excellence and granting greater autonomy for independent resource generation.
Benefits of Category-1 Status:
- Section 12B Inclusion: CUSB is automatically included under Section 12B of the UGC Act, 1956.
- Research Grants Eligibility: The university is eligible for research grants, fostering academic research.
- Autonomy for New Initiatives: CUSB can introduce new courses, programs, schools, or centers without additional approvals.
- Global Collaborations: CUSB can establish off-campus centers and offer skill courses, among other benefits.
