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Current Affairs Quiz:20 August 2024

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AffairsCloud brings you the complete and important daily Current Affairs Quiz 20 August 2024 to achieve more marks in Banking, Insurance, UPSC, SSC, CLAT, Railways and all other competitive Exams. We have prepared the current affairs quiz question from our daily current affairs 2024 updates.

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  1. Which organisation’s recent(August ‘24) report stated that India lost 33.9 million hectares (ha) of crops due to excess rains and an additional 35 million ha due to drought during 2015 to 2021?
    1) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
    2) United Nations Environment Programme
    3) United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
    4) World Economic Forum
    5) Food and Agriculture Organisation
    Answer-4) World Economic Forum
    Explanation:
    According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), India lost 33.9 million hectares (ha) of crops due to excess rains and an additional 35 million ha due to drought during 2015 to 2021.
    i.India has seen unparalleled growth and development in recent decades, but this growth is expected to hinder due to increased exposure to climate extremities including heat waves, floods and earthquakes.
    ii.The report highlighted that extreme climate events in India has impacted every aspect of its economy and society, but is more pronounced in particularly exposed sectors such as: agriculture, which comprises 15% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 40% of its population, of which 70% are rural households.iii.Several Indian sectors including, agriculture suffered economic losses of nearly USD 160 billion in 2021 due to lost working hours from extreme climate impacts.

  2. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), the Unemployment Rate (UR) in urban areas among persons aged 15 years and above was ______ (%) in April-June quarter of FY25.
    1) 6.2%
    2) 6.0%
    3) 6.8%
    4) 6.6%
    5) 6.4%
    Answer-4) 6.6%
    Explanation:
    According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin (April – June 2024), released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation(MoSPI), the Unemployment Rate (UR) in urban areas among persons aged 15 years and above decreased to 6.6% in April-June quarter of FY25 (1st quarter of 2024-2025), from 6.7% in January-March quarter of FY24.
     UR among males aged 15 years and above decreased to 5.8% in April – June, 2024 from 6.1% during January – March, 2024.
     UR among females aged 15 years and above increased to 9% in April – June, 2024 from 8.5% in January – March 2024.
     The UR in CWS among the urban youth aged 15-29,also declined to 16.8% in the 1st quarter of FY25 from 17% in the January to March, 2024 period.Click here to read more

  3. What was the denomination of the coin that was recently (in August ‘24) released to mark the birth centenary of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister (CM) Kalaignar Muthuvel Karunanidhi?
    1) Rs.75
    2) Rs.250
    3) Rs.100
    4) Rs.150
    5) Rs. 90
    Answer-3) Rs. 100
    Explanation:
    On 18th August 2024, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), released a commemorative Rs. 100 coin to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister (CM) of Tamil Nadu (TN) Kalaignar Muthuvel Karunanidhi.
     The coin was released at the event organised by the Government of Tamil Nadu in Kalaivanar Arangam, in Chennai (TN).
     The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Karunanidhi and Tamil slogan ‘Tamil Vellum’ (Tamil win) along with the text “Birth Centenary of Kalaingar Karunanidhi’ in Hindi and English.
     The Rs 100 denomination coin weigh 35 grams, have a diameter of 44 millimeters, with 200 serrations on its edge.
     It will be composed of an alloy comprising 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, and 5% zinc.
    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ’s new Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Chennai, TN.
     He also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre (RMPRC) in Chennai and Coast Guard Air Enclave (CGAE) in Puducherry.

  4. Which company has recently (in August ‘24) received RBI’s approval for the conversion into Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) -Investment Credit Company (ICC) from NBFC -Core Investment Company (CIC)?
    1) Sammaan Capital Limited
    2) Fusion Finance Limited
    3) Tata Capital Limited
    4) Muthoot Microfin Limited
    5) Mahindra Financial Services Limited
    Answer-3) Tata Capital Limited
    Explanation:
    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the conversion of Tata Capital Limited’s (TCL) from a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC)-Core Investment Company (CIC) to an NBFC-Investment Credit Company (ICC).
     This conversion comes after TCL’s merger with Tata Cleantech Capital Limited (TCCL) and Tata Capital Financial Services Limited(TCFSL) .
     It has also received the Certificate of Registration (CoR) as an NBFC-ICC, indicating its compliance with guidelines.

  5. Who has been recently (in August ‘24) appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited (TMB)?
    1) Kadambelil Paul Thomas
    2) Ratan Kumar Kesh
    3) Krishnan Venkat Subramanian
    4) Salee Sukumaran Nair
    5) Atul Kumar Goel
    Answer-4) Salee Sukumaran Nair
    Explanation:
    The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Salee Sukumaran Nair as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank Limited (TMB), for 3 years, from the date of assuming charge.
     Salee Sukumaran Nair will succeed Krishnan Sankarasubramaniam, who assumed charge as MD and CEO of TMB in 2022 and resigned in September 2023.

  6. Which company has recently (in August ‘24) launched Swadeshi Kamikaze Drones with a 1,000-kilometre range?
    1) Zen Technologies Limited
    2) General Atomics Aeronautical
    3) Kadet Defence Systems Limited
    4) Garuda Aerospace Limited
    5) National Aerospace Laboratories
    Answer-5) National Aerospace Laboratories
    Explanation:
    The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has launched Swadeshi (indigenous) Kamikaze Drones, do-and-die Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) with home-built engines that can power them to fly up to 1,000 kilometres (km).
     It is also known as loitering munitions which have been extensively used by Ukrainian forces to target Russian infantry and armoured vehicles.
     It will be around 2.8 metres(m) long with a wingspan of 3.5 m, weigh about 120 kilogram (kg) and be equipped with a 25 kg explosive charge.
     It will powered by 30-horsepower (hp) Wankel Engine which is designed and developed by the NAL which can fly continuously with a maximum speed of 180 kilometres per hour (km/h).

  7. Name the Indian Coast Guard(ICG) Director General(DG) who passed away in August 2024.
    1) Srinivas Hedge
    2) Rakesh Pal
    3) Moosa Raza
    4) Narayanan Vaghul
    5) Sushil Kumar
    Answer-2) Rakesh Pal
    Explanation:
    Indian Coast Guard(ICG) Director General(DG) Rakesh Pal passed away at the age of 58 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN). He was born in 1965 in Uttar Pradesh(UP).
     He has been serving as the DG of the Indian Coast Guard since July 2023.
     Rakesh Pal was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Tatrakshak Medal(TM)and the President’s Tatrakshak Medal(PTM).

  8. Who is the author of the book titled ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’?
    1) Vishal Pandey
    2) Bhavi Mehta
    3) Duvvuri Subbarao
    4) Tarun Chugh
    5) S.Ramann
    Answer-4) Tarun Chugh
    Explanation:
    On 17th August 2024, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released the book titled ‘Modi’s Governance Triumph: Reshaping India’s Path to Prosperity’, written by Tarun Chugh, General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in New Delhi, Delhi.
     The book was inspired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s decades-long public life which was always dedicated to India.
     The book provides an in-depth exploration of the innovative initiatives and changes that shaped Modi administration’s Antyodaya mission.

  9. When was World Humanitarian Day annually observed across the globe to pay tribute to humanitarian workers worldwide?
    1) May 16
    2) June 15
    3) April 18
    4) July 12
    5) August 19
    Answer-5) August 19
    Explanation:
    World Humanitarian Day (WHD) is annually observed across the globe on 19 August to pay tribute to humanitarian workers worldwide, who have been killed or injured while helping the most vulnerable.
     Aim: To recognise aid workers and mobilise people worldwide to advocate for the broader humanitarian cause.
     WHD 2024 marks the 21st anniversary of the tragic attack on the United Nation(UN) headquarters in Baghdad.
     The slogan for the 2024 WHD commemoration is “#ActForHumanity” which calls for protecting civilians and humanitarian workers, addressing impunity, and striving for peace.Click here to read more

  10. Which bank has recently (in August ’24) launched the ‘ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card’ for Visually Impaired (VI) customers?
    1) Axis Bank
    2) IndusInd Bank
    3) HDFC Bank
    4) Bank of Baroda
    5) Punjab National Bank
    Answer-5) Punjab National Bank
    Explanation:
    Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched ‘PNB ANTAH DRISHTI Braille Debit Card’, a new initiative designed for Visually Impaired (VI) customers. The contactless National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) debit card is accessible on the RuPay network.
     The launch of the new braille debit card reflects the bank’s commitment to inclusivity and financial accessibility.
     Raised Braille Dots (PNB in Braille) – The brand name ‘PNB’ is embossed on this debit card. Additionally, the welcome letter that accompanies the debit card will also be in Braille dots.
     This initiative aims to enhancing financial independence and convenience for visually impaired people, allowing them to manage their accounts more easily and confidently.