Daily Current Affairs Quiz: February 20, 2024

February 20, 2024

Consider the following statements:
1. Assam has become the first northeastern state to achieve 100% coverage under the Har Ghar Jal scheme.
2. The national average of the coverage is over 74%.
3. Har Ghar Jal Scheme is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission undertaken by Ministry of Rural Development.
4. The Jal Jeevan Mission is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 in rural India.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 & 2 only
(B) 2 & 3 only
(C) 2 & 4 only
(D) 1 & 4 only

Show Answer

ANSWER: C

Consider the following statements:
1. IAF recently conducted Exercise Vayushakti 2024 in Gulf of Kutch.
2. Exercise Vayu Shakti-24 is based on the theme ‘Lightning Strike from the Sky’.
3. The Apache attack helicopter demonstrated its firepower in this event for the first time.
4. Over 120 aircraft displayed the lAF's offensive capabilities by day as well as by night.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 & 2 only
(B) 1, 2 & 3 only
(C) 2, 3 & 4 only
(D) 1, 2, 3 & 4

Show Answer

ANSWER: C

Consider the following statements:
1. A rip current is a localized current that flows away from the shoreline toward the ocean.
2. ‘Van Mitra’ scheme has been recently launched by Rajasthan Government.
3. SAMAR (Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation) has been developed by Defence Research & Development Organisation.
Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

(A) 1 & 2 only
(B) 2 & 3 only
(C) 1 & 3 only
(D) 1, 2 & 3

Show Answer

ANSWER: B

Consider the following statements:
1. Rip currents are one of the most well-known coastal hazards on beaches around the world.
2. The objective of Van Mitra scheme is to directly involve the local public in increasing forest areas across the state.
3. SAMAR system can engage aerial threats with missiles operating at a supersonic speed range of 2 to 2.5 Mach.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 & 2 only
(B) 2 & 3 only
(C) 1 & 3 only
(D) 1, 2 & 3

Show Answer

ANSWER: D

Consider the following statements:
1. A rip current can pull a person down and hold him/her under the water.
2. A van mitra can choose non-forest land for tree planting in their village, town, or city.
3. The SAMAR-1 system uses the IAF's existing inventory of shelf-life-expired infrared‐guided air-to-air missiles (AAMs) for the surface-to-air role.
Which of the following statements is/are correct?

(A) 1 & 2 only
(B) 2 & 3 only
(C) 1 & 3 only
(D) 1, 2 & 3

Show Answer

ANSWER: B

Consider the following statements:
1. India recently chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development for the first time.
2. Commission for Social Development is a functional body of UN Security Council.
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?

(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

ANSWER: A

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, chaired the 62nd Session of the Commission for Social Development.
With the priority theme of “Fostering Social Development and Social Justice through Social Policies to Accelerate Progress on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to Achieve the Overarching Goal of Poverty Eradication,” the session delved into critical global social challenges.
Under India’s stewardship, four resolutions were successfully adopted. These included resolutions on
- promoting care and support systems for social development,
- the social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, and
- resolutions outlining priority themes for the 62nd and 63rd sessions of the Commission for Social Development.
India’s appointment as Chair marked a significant milestone, marking the country’s first time holding this esteemed position within the Commission for Social Development since 1975.
India welcomed Poland as the incoming Chair, entrusted with presiding over the 63rd session of the Commission for Social Development in 2025.

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The Commission is a functional body of the Economic and Social Council that serves as a vital intergovernmental platform to discuss and enhance international cooperation on social development matters.

Consider the following statements:
1. The Henley Passport Index for 2024 has been topped by USA.
2. India has been ranked at 62nd
Which of the following statements is/ are correct?

(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2

Show Answer

ANSWER: D

The Henley Passport Index for 2024 has been released.
The Henley Passport Index ranks nations based on the strength of their passports.
The Henley Passport Index derives its rankings from data spanning the past 19 years, based on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) specialized data, covering 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Rankings
- France secured the top spot with its passport granting visa-free access to 194 countries.
- Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain are the other countries that are standing alongside France on the top.
- India’s passport ranking has slipped one place from last year, moving from 84th to 85th position.
- Indian passport holders can travel visa-free to 62 countries.

The Sominsai festival, seen recently in news, is celebrated in-

(A) Japan
(B) China
(C) South Korea
(D) Indonesia

Show Answer

ANSWER: A

The Sominsai festival, an ancient tradition deeply rooted in Japanese culture, has recently concluded its final celebration after a 1000 year legacy.
At the heart of the festival was a display of fervor and tradition as hundreds of men engaged in spirited wrestling matches over wooden talismans.
The secluded Kokuseki Temple in northern Japan’s Iwate region has decided to end the popular annual rite.
- The temple opened in 729 AD.
From next year, Kokuseki Temple will replace the festival with prayer ceremonies and other ways to continue its spiritual practices.
The Sominsai festival, regarded as one of the strangest festivals in Japan, is the latest tradition impacted by the country’s ageing population crisis that has hit rural communities hard.

India’s first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) will be launched in-

(A) Himachal Pradesh
(B) Uttarakhand
(C) Gujarat
(D) Maharashtra

Show Answer

ANSWER: B

India is set to launch its first Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) in Uttarakhand.
The HEMS will be stationed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh and will be able to airlift accident victims within a radius of 150 km to the medical facility.
The HEMS is part of the government’s initiative to expand medical outreach and trauma care services using helicopters.
This service aims to provide timely transportation for accident victims and patients from hilly terrains to AIIMS, ensuring they receive critical care during the ‘golden hour’ after an accident.

‘Dabbling in Diplomacy’ book has been written by-

(A) S Jaishankar
(B) Arundhati Roy
(C) D. Muni
(D) Jhumpa Lahiri

Show Answer

ANSWER: C

Dabbling in Diplomacy: Authorised & Otherwise, Recollections of a Non-Career Diplomat, written by Professor S.D. Muni was released recently.
Professor Muni’s book details the role of diplomacy during the Vajpayee government, and the subsequent Manmohan Singh government, in bringing democracy to our neighbouring country, Nepal.

Which state has been named Most Welcoming Region in India by Booking.com?

(A) Gujarat
(B) Punjab
(C) Kerala
(D) Himachal Pradesh

Show Answer

ANSWER: D

Online travel agency com has revealed the list of Most Welcoming Regions and Cities in India according to its 12th Annual Traveller Review Awards 2024.
According to the ranking, Himachal Pradesh secured the top spot, jumping from 5th place in 2023, in the category of the ‘Most Welcoming Region in India.’
- On the second rank is Goa followed by Kerala, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
Kerala’s Mararikulam which is known for its serene backwaters, coconut trees, peaceful beaches coupled with excellent hospitality has been ranked as number 1 in the ‘Most Welcoming Indian cities list.
- Rajasthan’s desert city of Jaisalmer is at second spot.