Current Affairs Updation by Saurabh Kr Pandey (10th

May 2024)
 Prabowo Subianto recently appointed as the new President of
Indonesia. He is the 3rd Indonesian President from the military
after Suharto and Susilo Yudhyono. He will take office in
October 2024, succeeding the current President Joko Widodo.
 The ICC has appointed former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh as
the brand ambassador of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.
Earlier, the ICC appointed Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt as Men's
T20 World Cup 2024 brand ambassadors. It is noteworthy that
the T20 World Cup will be organized under the joint hosting of
West Indies and USA.
 In April 2024, Zimbabwe has launched a new currency called
ZiG (Zimbabwe Gold) amid the country's long-running currency
crisis. The ZiG was introduced electronically in early April
2024, but people are now able to use banknotes and coins. This
is the sixth time since 2009 that a new currency has been
launched in the country.
 Recently, DRDO develops India's lightest bulletproof jacket for
protection against highest threat level 6.
 NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international
arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has
signed an agreement with the Bank of Namibia (BoN) to support
them in developing an instant payment system like Unified
Payment Interface (UPI) for Namibia.
 Actor Randeep Hooda & Amitabh bachchan was recently
honoured with Lata Dinanath Mangeshkar Award for his
contribution to Indian cinema.
 The International Chess Federation has awarded the title of
Grandmaster to India's young chess player Vaishali Ramesh
Babu. Vaishali is the third Indian woman Grandmaster after
Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
 SJVN Limited has commissioned India’s first multipurpose
(heat and power) green hydrogen pilot project at the 1,500 MW
 Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Station at Himachal Pradesh. The
project will also generate electricity using green hydrogen and a
25 kW fuel cell. The pilot project is set to produce 14 Kg of
green hydrogen daily during eight hours of operation, which will
be stored in 6 storage tanks.
 Archery World Cup 2024 being organized in Shanghai (China).
India won eight medals - five gold, two silvers and one bronze.
 Jeremiah Manele has been appointed as the new Prime Minister
of Solomon Islands (located in the South Pacific Ocean).
 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the
schedule of the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup 2024. This
will be the ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup which
will be held in Bangladesh between 3 to 20 October, 2024. India
will be led by Captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
 Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has been appointed as
the National Brand Ambassador of UNICEF India. She has been
associated with UNICEF India since 2014 and has worked on
issues like girls' education and gender equality.
 Recently, DRDO has successfully test fired Supersonic Missile
Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) anti-submarine missile
system from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. SMART is a next
generation missile-based light weight torpedo delivery system. It
has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance the anti-
submarine warfare capability of the Indian Navy far beyond the
conventional range of lightweight torpedo.
 April 2024, World Energy Congress 2024 organized at
Rotterdam (Netherlands) bringing leaders together to explore
solutions on key topics including: the energy transition, e-
Mobility, infrastructure, public sector and alternative fuels.
 Gandhinagar-based National Defence University (RRU) and
France's Starburst Aerospace signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to promote innovation in the aerospace
defence sector. RRU and Starburst will work together to
 enhance security and build a strong defence eco-system in India.
RRU was established in the year 2009.
 Yuzvendra Chahal has become the first bowler to take 200
wickets in IPL. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore
between 2014 & 2021 and he joined Rajasthan Royals in 2022.
 Professor Naima Khatoon has been appointed as the first woman
Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University-
 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reappointed
Kristalina Georgieva as Managing Director for a second five-
year term starting October 1, 2024. Kristalina Georgieva of
Bulgaria has served as the MD of the IMF since 2019.
Note:- Gita Gopinath is an Indian-American economist who has
served as the first deputy MD of the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), since 21 January 2022. She had previously served
as chief economist of the IMF between 2019 and 2022.
 Dinesh K Tripathi has been appointed as the 26th Chief of the
Naval Staff on 30th April 2024. He Succeeded R Hari Kumar.
 Doha's Hamad International Airport (HIA) won the Best Airport
Award at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2024. Hamad
Airport beat 12-time champion, Singapore Changi Airport, to
win the award. It also won the Best Airport Award for Shopping
for the second consecutive time. India's Delhi Airport stood at
36th position in the best airport list.
 Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has become the
new Prime Minister of Kuwait
 The joint military exercise Dustlik is being organized between
India and the Uzbekistan in April 2024 at Uzbekistan.
 Recently, 16th World Future Energy Summit has commenced in
Abu Dhabi, drawing together global leaders, policymakers, and
experts in sustainable energy and climate initiatives. The summit
aims to foster dialogue on key issues like global climate action,
renewable energy, energy security, and sustainable development.
 Uttar Pradesh Plans to build India’s first AI city in Lucknow to
house and promote the AI ecosystem.
 Karbi Youth Festival 2024 was recently organized by Assam. It
is a dazzling celebration of culture, unity, and the effervescent
spirit of North-East India. Nestled in the pristine landscapes of
Karbi Anglong district of Assam, this vibrant extravaganza
stands tall as the region’s largest ethnic festival.
 Atmanirbhar Bharat Utsav 2024 to showcase and celebrate the
self-reliance in India was organized from 3rd January to
10th January, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New
Delhi.
 India’s first submarine tourism will start in Dwarka, Gujarat, the
aim is to make the project operational by Diwali 2024. This
innovative venture, facilitated by an MoU (Memorandum of
Understanding) between the Gujarat Government and Mazgaon
Dockyard Limited (MDL), aims to provide tourists options to
explore the beautiful world of underwater, showcasing the
diverse marine wonders around Bet Dwarka.
 On January 01, 2024, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh
inaugurated Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School at
Vrindavan (Mathura). It is first all-girls Sainik School, with a
strength of approx. 870 students, has been inaugurated under the
initiative of establishing 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership
mode with NGOs/Private/State Government Schools in all
State/Union Territories, of which 42 have been set up. The
objective of setting up 100 Sainik schools is to provide quality
education to the students in tune with the National Education
Policy 2020 and give them better career opportunities, including
joining the Armed Forces.
 The 10th Edition of the ‘Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024’
was organized at the GIFT City, Gandhinagar, till January 12,
2024. It is nation’s ‘largest-ever’ global trade show, which
witnessed the participation of 100 countries as visiting nations
and 33 countries as partners, marks the celebration of ’20 Years
of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success’. The exhibition
further commemorates the PM’s vision of a self-reliant India
 and a ‘Viksit Bharat @ 2047’. Centred around the theme of
‘Gateway to the Future’, the summit has proved to be pivotal in
bringing the best and most innovative solutions from across the
globe to the forefront. This year chief guest was Mohammed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan (President of UAE)
 The third offshore campus of the Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT) is likely to be set up in Kandy (Sri Lanka) & it will be IIT
Madras' second international campus. The institute had last year
announced the setting up of an offshore campus in Tanzania's
Zanzibar with Preeti Aghalyam being appointed the director-in-
charge, the first woman IIT Director.
IIT Delhi also signed a formal agreement with the UAE
government to set up a campus in Abu Dhabi. Several IITs have
been receiving requests from the Middle East and South Asian
countries to set up their campuses.
 27th National Youth Festival be organized – Nashik
 In January 2024, Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina wins fourth
straight term (5th Overall) as her party secures two-thirds
majority in polls
 In Feb 2024, MILAN 2024, the 12th edition of Multilateral
Naval Exercise, conducted at Visakhapatnam, ‘the City of
Destiny’, under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command. The
central aim of MILAN 2024 is to enhance professional
interaction between friendly navies and gain experience in
multilateral large force operations at sea. Indian Navy ships,
aircraft and submarines led by Indigenous aircraft carrier INS
Vikrant and 20-25 Foreign Naval Units participated in large
force manoeuvres advanced air defence operations, Anti
Submarine warfare, Anti Surface warfare operation and War at
Sea.
 Recently, the Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra has become
India's first Dark Sky park and is the fifth in Asia. The park
earned the title for protecting the night sky and preventing light
pollution. The escalating global threat of light pollution poses a
 substantial risk to this invaluable resource. It is one of India's
top reserves housing the population of the Bengal tigers and is
often acknowledged for its management and efficiency
practices. The reserve is located covering the two states of
Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and is managed jointly by
them.
 The 'Cleanest Ganga City' award in the Swachh Survekshan-
2023 - Varanasi secured the top spot and Prayagraj was second
 'International Camel Festival' organized – Bikaner
 'Ayutthaya' maritime exercise conducted between the Navy of
India and Thailand
 Best FIFA Men's Player Award 2023 - Lionel Messi
 Recently, India’s Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) &
Argentina signed an agreement for exploration and mining of
Lithium. The agreement will allow KABIL to evaluate,
prospect, explore. Upon subsequent discovery of lithium
minerals, exploitation rights for commercial production have
also been granted. This is the first-ever lithium exploration and
mining project undertaken by a government company in India.
Lithium, often called ‘white gold’, forms the cornerstone of the
country’s transition to green energy options. It is used across
various categories, including energy storage solutions, batteries for
mobile phones, and in Electric Vehicles (EVs).
Argentina is part of the world’s “Lithium Triangle”, along
with Chile and Bolivia. These three nations together have more than
half of the world’s total lithium resources.
Note: Maximum Lithium Reserves: Chile
Maximum Lithium Production: Australia
 On 12 Jan 2024, Indian Navy Ships Cheetah, Guldar and
Kumbhir were decommissioned after rendering four decades of
glorious service.
 16th Jan 2024, R Praggnanandhaa became the No. 1-ranked
Indian Chess player for the first time in his career.
 12th General Assembly of the Asian Buddhist Conference for
Peace being organized - New Delhi
 'Global Peace Summit' on Ukraine Proposed to be hosted
by Switzerland. The summit aims to convene world
leaders with the primary agenda of discussing strategies to halt
Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. It will help
to demonstrate global unity to advocate for a resolution to the
conflict
 Maharashtra government signed an agreement with Inox Air
Products for the state's first green ammonia plant
 NTPC Green Energy Limited has signed an agreement with
Maharashtra government for green hydrogen and derivatives
projects, including green ammonia and green methanol, with a
capacity of up to 1 million tons per annum.
 World Economic Forum (WEF) established a center based on
'Health Care and Life Sciences' in Telangana
 Recently, Asia's largest aviation expo, Wings India 2024
organized in Hyderabad
 For the first time in India, a solar-power-enabled boat will be
launched in the Saryu River, Ayodhya. The step will be taken to
transform the city into a model solar city. The outline for the
regular operation of this boat service has been prepared by the
Uttar Pradesh New and Renewable Energy Agency (UPNEDA),
which has developed the boat. The boat can be operated by solar
energy as well as electric energy.
Note:- Aditya is a solar-powered ferry operating
between Vaikkom and Thavanakkadavu, Kerala. It is India's first
solar-powered ferry and the largest solar-powered boat in
India. The vessel was designed and built by Navalt Solar and
Electric Boats in Kochi.
 Recently, India International Science Festival organized
in Haryana by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The aim of this science festival is to celebrate the achievements
 of India in the frontier areas of science and technology. The
festival also aims to acknowledge the achievements of science
enthusiasts and inculcate scientific temper among young
students. The central theme of IISF 2023 is “Science and
Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaal”.
 President of the 78th session of the United Nations General
Assembly who recently visited India - Dennis Francis
 ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year Award- Suryakumar
Yadav
 ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year for the year
2023- Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
 Recently, Microsoft became the second company in the world to
cross the market capitalization of Rs 3 trillion, after Apple.
 Union Cabinet recently approved the MoU for cooperation in
the information technology sector with Oman. It was signed
between India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MeitY) and Oman’s Ministry of Transport,
Communications and Information Technology. The MoU
intends to promote comprehensive cooperation between the
Parties through mutual support, sharing of technologies,
information and investments in the field of IT.
 On 26th Jan 2024, Tata signed an agreement with France’s
Airbus to set up India's first private helicopter assembly line.
Under this partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Limited
(TASL), a subsidiary of Tata Group, will set up the FAL (Final
Assembly Line) facility along with Airbus Helicopters. The FAL
will produce Airbus’ best-selling H125 single-engine civil
helicopter for India and export to some of the neighbouring
countries.
 Australian Open 2024
Men's Singles title Winner- Janik Sinner
Women's singles title Winner- Arina Sabalenka
Men's doubles title Winner- Rohan Bopanna (India) and
Matthew Ebden (Australia)
 Recently, Northeast region’s First yoga and naturopathy hospital
foundation laid in Dibrugarh. About ₹100 crore would be
invested in this Central Research Institute of Yoga and
Naturopathy (CRIYN). The institute, along with a 100-bed
hospital, would be spread across 15 acres.
 New Chief Minister of Jharkhand- Champai Soren
 On February 17, 2024, Exercise Vayu Shakti conducted by the
Indian Air Force (IAF) to showcase its combat capabilities. It
was the 24th edition of the exercise held near Jaisalmer.
 First woman Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court- Ritu
Bahri
 Recently, France became first European country to accept
Unified Payment Interface (UPI). The National Payments
Corporation of India (NPCI) has partnered with Lyra, a French
e-commerce and proximity company, through its international
arm, NPCI International Payments (NIPL), to ensure the
acceptance of unified payments interface payments in the
country.
 Russian astronaut Oleg Kononenko set a world record recently
for the most time spent in space. He spent over 878 days and 12
hours outside the Earth's atmosphere. Mr Kononenko, who is the
commander of the Russian space agency Roscosmos cosmonaut
corps, is on his fifth space mission and he began his current
mission to the International Space Station(ISS) on September
15, 2023.
 France will become the first European country to issue digital
Schengen visas to visitors for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
France has announced plans to shift entirely to online
procedures for 70,0000 French Schengen Visas, in a move that
aligns with the EU's digitalization plans. The Schengen area
includes 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with
associated neighbours Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and
Liechtenstein.
 On 7 February 2024, The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly
passed the Uniform Civil Code of Uttarakhand Act, 2024,
making Uttarakhand the first state in India to have a law on the
Uniform Civil Code.
 New Prime Minister of Kazakhstan: Olzas Bektenov
 New President of Finland- Alexander Stubb
 The fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games
(KIWG) took place in Gulmarg, Kashmir from February 25–26,
2024. The Indian Army won the competition with 10 gold, 5
silver, and 6 bronze medals, followed by Karnataka with 9 gold
and 2 silver, and Maharashtra with 7 gold, 8 silver, and 7
bronze. Snow Leopard (named Shan) has been chosen as the
mascot.
 On 6th March, 2024: India has commissioned a new naval base
"INS Jatayu" on Minicoy Islands in the Lakshadweep to
significantly upgrade its military capacity. The base will be the
nearest major military installation to the Maldives. This is the
second naval base on the island chain after INS Dweeprakshak
to be commissioned in Lakshwadeep's Kavaratti, in 2012.
 58th Jnanpith Award (2023)- Gulzar (Urdu) and Jagadguru
Rambhadracharya (Sanskrit)
57th (2022): Damodar Mauzo (Konkani)
The Jnanpith Award is the highest literary award given by the
Indian Jnanpith Trust for Indian literature. Any citizen of India
who writes in any of the 22 languages mentioned in the Eighth
Schedule is eligible for this award. The award comprises eleven
lakh rupees, a citation and a bronze statue. The first Jnanpith
Award was presented to Malayalam writer G. Shankar Kurup in
1965
 Saraswati Samman-2023- Prabha Verma ("Roudra Sathwikam"
in Malayalam)
2022: Sivasankari (Surya Vamsam in Tamil)
The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or
poetry literary works in any of the 22 languages of India listed in
Schedule VIII of the Constitution
The Saraswati Samman was instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla
Foundation. It consists of ₹15,00,000,a citation and a plaque.
 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan- Shahbaz Sharif
 14th President of Pakistan- Asif Ali Zardari
 New Prime Minister of Iceland- Bjarni Benediktsson
 New Prime Minister of Ireland- Simon Harris
 New Prime Minister of Palestine- Mohammad Mustafa
 Recently honoured with 'Miss World Humanitarian Award'- Nita
Ambani
 PV Narasimha Rao Memorial Award 2024- Ratan Tata for
Philanthropic Work
 On 9th March 2024, World's longest twin-lane Sela tunnel at an
elevation of around 13,000 ft in Arunachal Pradesh inaugurated
by PM Modi. The Sela tunnel project consists of two tunnels,
the first being a single-tube tunnel spanning 1,003 meters and
the second measuring 1,595 meters, equipped with an
emergency escape tube. This state-of-the-art tunnel also includes
an 8.6 km-long approach and link roads. It is designed to
accommodate a traffic density of 3,000 cars and 2,000 trucks per
day, with a maximum speed of 80 km per hour, the Sela tunnel
addresses the challenge posed by the closure of the Balipara-
Chariduar-Tawang road during heavy snowfall and landslides in
the region.
Sela Tunnel is built on Balipara-Charduar-Tawang (BCT) road
by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), under Project Vartak.
The Sela tunnel is being constructed at an altitude of
13,800ft(around 3000m) near the Indo-China border. It is being
built to provide all-weather connectivity between Guwahati in
Assam and Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. It will cut down the
travel time by an hour.
 PM Modi recently inaugurated Sudarshan Setu which connects
Okha mainland and Beyt Dwarka island in Gujarat. It is India’s
longest Cable-stayed bridge having length of around 2.32 Km.
 Ranji Trophy 2024- Mumbai defeated Vidarbha in the final
 The 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA
GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground
Self Defence Force commenced recently in Rajasthan from
25th February to 9th March 2024. It takes place annually,
alternating between the two countries.
 The National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur (under Ministry of
AYUSH) recently signed an agreement with Thailand for
academic collaboration in Ayurveda and Thai traditional
medicine.