Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.

in)

MONTHLY
CURRENT
AFFAIRS
(JUNE, 2024)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

1 June 2024 Current Affair

Ireland, Norway and Spain to Recognize Palestine

Norway, Spain and Ireland became the latest nations to recognize

the State of Palestine, bringing the total to 145 Countries.

In response, Israel ordered Immediate Return of its Ambassadors

from Ireland, Norway and Spain, expressing Strong Opposition
and Dissatisfaction.

Israel’s war in Gaza since 7th October 2023 attack has reignited a
global push for Establishment of a Palestinian state.

Key Points
• On 15th Nov 1988, during 1st Palestinian Uprising, Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally
proclaimed an Independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its Capital.
• In Nov 2012, Palestinian Flag was raised at United Nations for 1st Palestinian Statehood and
Time after General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to upgrade Stand of India
Palestine's Status to "Non-Member Observer State. • India and Palestine have
• In April 2024, United States vetoed a Palestinian bid to become a had a relationship since
Full UN Member State at UN Security Council. 1974, when India became
o In May 2024, 143 of 193 Countries in United Nations General 1st Non – Arab State to
Assembly voted for Full Membership to UN for State of recognize Palestine
Palestine. Liberation Organisation.
• Algeria became 1 Country to officially recognise an Independent
st • In 1988, India was one of
Palestinian State. 1st Countries to recognize
• Only a handful of 27 EU Members have done so, mostly Former Palestinian State.
Communist Countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus. • In 1996, India opened its
o In 2014, Sweden became 1 EU Nation to recognize as a State.
st Representative Office to
Palestine in Gaza City
• Middle East, African and Asian Countries are Recognizing it as a
which was shifted to
State.
Ramallah in 2003.
• United States, Canada, Most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan • India also launched
or South Korea not recognizing it as a State. Operation Ajay to help
o United States, Britain and Other Western Countries have Indian nationals evacuate
backed the Idea of an Independent Palestinian State existing from Israel.
alongside Israel.
• Australia, Malta and Slovenia have expressed “Readiness” to recognize it as a State.
• International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor has sought Arrest Warrants for Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Israel Palestine Conflict: Ancient History

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Israel can be traced back to Biblical Figure "Abraham", who is deemed "Father of Judaism" and
"Patriarch of Islam".
• "Descendants of Abraham" were thought to have been enslaved by "Egyptians" for hundreds of years
before they settled in Canaan (Modern-day Israel).
• Around 1000 BCE, King David ruled the region.
• His son, Solomon, built 1st Temple (Solomon’s Temple) in Ancient Jerusalem around 957 BCE.
• In about 931 BCE, Region was divided into Two Kingdoms, namely, "Israel" (North) and "Judah"
(South).
• Around 722 BCE, Kingdom of Israel was invaded and destroyed by "Assyrians".
• In 6th Century BCE, Jerusalem was conquered by Babylonians, who took control of Judah.
• 1st Temple was destroyed and Jews were expelled to Babylon.
• In 538 BCE, Babylonians were conquered by Achaemenid Empire whose Emperor Cyrus allowed Jews
to go back to Judah, where they rebuilt Solomon’s Temple (2nd Temple).
• In 70 CE, Romans destroyed 2nd Temple marking End of 1st Jewish Roman War.
• Gold and Materials looted from 2nd Temple are thought to have contributed towards building of
Roman Colosseum
• Following Bar Khokba Revolt of 132-136 AD, Roman Emperor Hadrian expelled All Jews from
Jerusalem, which had from time to time been at Centre of Anti-Roman Revolts.
• Hadrian went a step further by eliminating Any Traces of Jewish Presence in Province renaming it
from Judea to Syria Palaestina.
• By destroying Association of Jews with Judea and forbidding Practice of Jewish Faith, Hadrian aimed
to root out a nation that had inflicted heavy casualties on Roman Empire.
• For Next Many Centuries, Region of Israel was conquered and ruled by many groups such as the
Persians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians, Mamluks and finally
Ottomans.

Israel Palestine Conflict: Modern History

• From 1517 to 1917, Ottoman Empire ruled over much of West Asia including Region of Israel.
• In 19th century, Population in Region of Israel/Palestine was almost 87% Muslim, 10% Christian and
3% Jewish.
• In City of Jerusalem, Population of 3 Communities was roughly Equal.
• In 19th Century, an Austro-Hungarian Jewish Journalist "Theodor Herzl" propagated Idea of a Jewish
Homeland in Palestine for Jews.
• Theodor Herzl convened 1st Zionist Congress (1897) in Basel (Switzerland).
• Proposed Movement of Jews towards Palestine and Buying of Land from Local Population.
• This idea came to be known as "Zionism".
• In 1917, British Government announced Balfour Declaration, hoping to gain Jewish Support for World
War I, which promised: “Establishment in Palestine a National Home for Jewish People”.
• By 1916, Palestine came under British Control after Sykes-Picot Agreement (Great Britain and
France).
• This led to Division of Old Ottoman Turkish Empire.
• After 1st World War, League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine and
implement Balfour Declaration.

Israel Palestine Conflict: Mandatory Palestine

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• The British, after 1st World War, established a Colony in Palestine maintaining that they would rule
the area until Palestinians were ready to govern themselves.
o This was called "Mandatory Palestine" as it was according to League of Nations mandate.
• Meanwhile, in 1920s and 1930s, Jewish Population in Palestine increased by hundreds of thousands,
facilitated by British (who were honouring Balfour Declaration).
o During this time, Tensions between Growing Jewish Communities and Arabs were increasing.
• In 1936, Palestinian Arabs revolted against British as a Result of Palestinian Arabs viewing themselves
increasingly as a Nation.
o This revolt was suppressed by British with help from Jewish Militias.
• After revolt, British issued a White Paper that Limited Jewish Immigration into Palestine and called
for Establishment of a Joint Jewish-Arab State in Palestine within 10 years.
• During World War II, Many Jews escaping Europe from Holocaust were brought to Palestine illegally
(because of Immigration Permit) by Jewish Organisations.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Unable to contain Arab and Jewish Violence, Britain withdrew its forces from Palestine in 1948,
leaving responsibility for resolving competing claims to newly created United Nations.
• UN presented a Partition Plan to create Independent Jewish and Arab States in Palestine which was
Not Accepted by Most of Arab Nations.
• In 1947, UN voted to establish separate Palestinian and Jewish States in the region dividing Palestine.
This plan was rejected by Arabs.
• As per the Plan, Jordan controlled West Bank and Jerusalem's Holy Sites, Egypt controlled Gaza Strip.
• But it fell short of solving Palestinian Crisis which led to Formation of Palestinian Liberation
Organisation in 1964.
• Formation of State of Israel: On 14 May 1948, Israel was declared an Independent State with David
Ben Gurion as Prime Minister.

Creation Of Palestine and State of Israel

• 1st Arab – Israeli War (1948 – 1949)
o Following this declaration, in 1948, 1st Arab – Israeli War broke out with 5 Arab States (Iraq, Syria,
Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt) invading Israel.
o A Ceasefire was announced in 1949 and as part Territorial Disputes of Israel
of agreement, West Bank was given to Jordan • West Bank: Between Israel and Jordan.
and Gaza Strip became part of Egypt. • One of its major cities is Ramallah, De
▪ Armistice Agreements (1949): Separate Facto Administrative Capital of Palestine.
Armistice Agreements were signed between • Gaza: Between Israel and Egypt.
Israel and Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. • Golan Heights: Between Israel and Syria.
▪ Agreements established Armistice • USA has officially recognized Jerusalem
Demarcation Lines, often referred to as and Golan Heights as a part of Israel.
Green Line.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Israel, having won the war, though, now controlled more area than they would have under UN
plan. East Jerusalem was under Control of Jordan.
o The Palestinians call this war "Nakba" (Catastrophe) as they became Stateless.
• 2nd Arab–Israeli War / Suez Crisis (1962)
o Also referred to as Tripartite Aggression in Arab World and as Sinai War in Israel.
o Tensions escalated again in 1956 when Gamal Abdel
Aftermath Nasser
of 1948 Hezbollah
of Egypt nationalised Suez Canal. This led to Suez Crisis. Lebanese Shia Islamist Political
o Israel attacked Sinai Peninsula and retook Canal with British Party and Militant Group.
and French Support.
• Six – Day War / 3rd Arab – Israeli War (1967) Palestinian Liberation Organisation
o Fought between Israel and Coalition of Arab • Established in 1964 during 1st Palestinian
States (Egypt, Syria and Jordan). Congress, convened by Arab States.
o Israel won Control of West Bank and East • Aim: Freeing Palestine from Clutches of
Jerusalem (Jordan), Golan Heights (Syria), Israel and Jewish Domination and setting up
Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula (Egypt). Dominance of Muslim Brotherhood in Arab
• Yom Kippur War / 4th Arab–Israeli War (1973) World.
o On 6 Oct 1973, Syria and Egypt launched o Liberation of Palestine through Armed
Airstrikes against Israel on Jewish Holy Day Struggle (Through Fatah using Guerrilla
of Yom Kippur. Operations)
o Meanwhile, Israel was creating Jewish o Establishment of Independent Palestinian
Settlements in areas that were considered State within 1947 UN Partition Plan
Palestinian Territory including in East Borders.
o Rejection of Balfour Declaration, which
Jerusalem.
facilitated Establishment of Israel.
• Camp David Accords (1978)
• 1 Chairman of PLO: Ahmed Shukeiri
st
o Both Egypt and Israel, encouraged by US,
• Yasser Arafat: Most Recognisable Leader
were considering possibility of Peace
who headed Fatah and become Chairman of
Negotiations PLO's Executive Committee in 1969.
▪ 5 – year transitional period of Limited • United Nations granted PLO Observer Status
Palestinian Self-Rule in West Bank and in 1975 and recognizes Palestinians' Right to
Gaza. Self – Determination.
▪ Egypt officially recognizing Israel
▪ Normalisation of Diplomatic and Economic Relations Formation of Hamas (1987)
▪ Return of Sinai Peninsula to Egypt. • Founding of Hamas, a Violent
o This however remained Unfulfilled. Offshoot of Egypt's Muslim
• 1st Lebanon War (1982 – 1985) Brotherhood seeking to fulfill
o Escalation of Cross – Border Attacks between Israel and its agenda through Violent
Palestine Liberation Organization based in Southern Jihad.
Lebanon. • Sunni Islamist Militant Group
o Israel invaded Lebanon and ejected Palestinian Liberation won Elections in Palestine in
Organisation. 2006.
o Invasion disrupted PLO's Operations but inadvertently • In 2007, Hamas defeated Fatah
facilitated Rise of More Radical Groups like Hezbollah. (Political Group that controlled
• st
1 Palestinian Intifada (1987 – 1993) PLO).
o Uprising of Palestinians against Israeli Occupation of Gaza • Goal: Complete Liberation of
and West Bank. Palestine and Establishment of
o This is called 1 Palestinian Intifada (Arabic word meaning
st Islamic State in place of Israel.
"Shaking Off").
• Oslo Peace Accords

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Intifada came to an end with Oslo Peace Accords signed in 1993 and a 2nd Accord signed in 1995
between the then Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat (Leader of PLO).
o After this, Palestinian Authority formed and took control over some territories in Israel.
• 2nd Palestinian Intifada (2000 – 2005)
o Israeli Army withdrew from parts of West Bank in 1997.
o However, Accords could not bring Permanent Peace to the region and 2nd Palestinian Intifada was
launched in 2000.
o Trigger of Violence was a visit to Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by Israeli Politician Ariel Sharon.
o A Ceasefire was finally announced and Israel planned to withdraw All Troops and Jewish
Settlements from Gaza Strip by 2005 end.
• 2 Lebanon War (2006)
nd

o Between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, Golan Heights and Northern Israel.
o It ended after a couple of months through a UN-brokered Ceasefire.

Tensions and Peace Attempts

• 2010 Peace Talks Current Situation
o United States initiated the talks. • Hamas rules over Gaza.
o Objectives: Borders of Israel and a Future • West Bank is still occupied by Israel.
Palestinian State. • Whole of Jerusalem is claimed by
▪ Status of Jerusalem. Israel as its Capital.
▪ Right of Return of Palestinian Refugees and • Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as
Security Arrangements Capital of a Future Palestinian State.
o Outcomes: They effectively collapsed within weeks, • Israel is Only Jewish State in the
mainly over Issue of Israeli Settlement Construction. world.
o Palestinian Side wanted a Freeze on Settlements as • Though Israel does Not Recognise
a Precondition to continuing the talks, which was Palestine as a State, over 135 UN
opposed by Israeli Settlement Construction. member countries do
• US Embassy Move to Jerusalem (2018) • 1991 Madrid Peace Conference,
o Announcement: In Dec 2017, US President Donald mediated by US, endorsed the Two-
Trump announced US would recognize Jerusalem as State Solution.
Israel's Capital and move its embassy from Tel Aviv • In 2012, UN upgrades Palestinian
to Jerusalem. Representation to that of "Non –
• Peace to Prosperity Plan (2020) Member Observer State".
o US, under President Trump, unveiled a New Peace Proposal in Jan 2020, often referred to as "Deal
of the Century.
o Plan favoured many Israeli positions such as Annexing Parts of West Bank, recognising Jerusalem
as Israel's Undivided Capital and Not allowing Right of Return for Palestinian Refugees.
o Palestinians rejected it outright, stating it denied them a Viable State.
• Abraham Accords (2020)
o Brokered by US, Abraham Accords led to Normalisation of Relations between Israel and Several
Arab States, including UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
• Gaza Conflict (2021) Related Facts
o Tensions around potential eviction of Palestinian Families in • 2008 – 2009: Gaza War
East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah Neighbourhood and Israeli (Operation Cast Lead)
Police Actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan • 2012: Gaza War (Operation
culminated in Rocket Fire from Gaza and Israeli Airstrikes in Pillar of Defense)
May 2021 • 2014: Gaza War (Operation
Protective Edge)
• 2023: Gaza War (Operation
Month June 2024
Al – Aqsa Flood)
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o 11 – day War resulted in Deaths of over 200 Palestinians and 12 Israelis.

o Egypt – brokered Ceasefire took effect on May 21, 2021.

2023 Hamas Attack

• On October 7, 2023, Hamas leader Mohammed Deif
announced the start of Operation Al – Aqsa Flood, a
large-scale offensive against Israel.
• Genesis of Present Conflict lies in Attack of Militants
from Hamas on Israeli Forces and Citizens &
Subsequent Capture of Numerous Civilians, leading
to an emergency in the Nation.
• Hamas described Assault as Retaliation for Israel's
Military operations in West Bank and incidents at
Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• In response to Unexpected Assault by Hamas, Israel
Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation "Iron
Swords".

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Joint Parliamentary Committee

India's Main Opposition Party has called for setting up a Joint Parliamentary Committee to investigate
claims that Adani Group sold Low-Grade Coal to a State-Run Company in Tamil Nadu, pretending it
was of Higher Quality.

Joint Parliamentary Committee

• Type: Ad – Hoc Committee
• Established by Parliament to conduct a thorough Examination Some of Cases in which JPC
of a Specific Subject or Bill. were Formed
• Consists of Members from Both Houses as well as from Ruling • Bofors Scandal (1987)
and Opposition Parties. • Harshad Mehta Stock
o Parliament determines Composition of JPC Market Scam (1992)
o No Set Limit on Number of Members. • Ketan Parekh Share Market
• Chaired By: Member of Lok Sabha (Appointed by Speaker of Scam (2001)
Lok Sabha). • National Register of Citizens
(NRC, 2016)
Month June 2024 • Personal Data Protection Bill
(2019)
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Committee is Dissolved After Completing its Term or Task.

• Committee's Recommendations are Advisory and Not Mandatory for Government to Follow.

Parliamentary Committee
• A Parliamentary Committee is a panel of MPs that is appointed or elected by the House or nominated
by the Speaker / Chairman.
• The Committee works under the direction of the Speaker / Chairman and it presents its report to the
House or to the Speaker / Chairman.
• Parliamentary Committees have their origins in the British Parliament.

Types of Parliamentary Committees

• Standing Committees
o Permanent (constituted every year or periodically) and work on a continuous basis.
o Classified into the following six categories:
▪ Financial Committees
▪ Departmental Standing Committees
▪ Committees to Enquire
▪ Committees to Scrutinise and Control
▪ Committees Relating to the Day-to-Day Business of the House
▪ House-Keeping Committees or Service Committees
• Ad Hoc Committees
o Temporary and cease to exist on completion of the task assigned to them.
o Subdivided into Inquiry Committees and Advisory Committees.
▪ Inquiry Committees: These are constituted from time to time, either by two houses moving on a
motion or by the speaker or chairman to inquire about a report on a specific subject.
▪ Advisory Committees: These committees are select or joint committees on bills, which are
appointed to consider and report on particular bills.

Public Accounts Committee

• Examines Government's Yearly Reports and Comptroller and Auditor General's Reports, which are
brought before Parliament by the President.
• Set up in 1921.
• Consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha).
o Members are elected by the Parliament every year from amongst its members.
o A Minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee.
• Term of Office of the Members is one year.
• Chairman of the committee is appointed from amongst its members by the Speaker.
o Chairman of the Committee is selected invariably from the Opposition.

Estimates Committee
• Evaluates Government's Planned Expenditure Estimates in the Budget.
• 1st Estimates Committee in the post-independence era was constituted in 1950 on the recommendation
of John Mathai, the then finance minister.
• All 30 Members are from Lok Sabha only.
o A Minister cannot be elected as a Member of the Committee.
• Chairman is appointed by Speaker from amongst its members and he is invariably from Ruling Party.
• Term of Office is One Year.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Committee on Public Undertakings

• Evaluates Public Undertakings' Reports and Accounts.
• Created in 1964 on the recommendation of Krishna Menon Committee.
• Consists of 22 Members (15 from Lok Sabha and 7 from Rajya Sabha).
o A Minister cannot be elected as a Member of the Committee.
• Term of Office is One Year.
• Chairman of the Committee is appointed by the Speaker from amongst its members who are drawn
from the Lok Sabha only.

IMD’s Forecast for El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

India Meteorological Department said that El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Neutral Conditions
would emerge in June and during July – September, ENSO would transition into La Nina.

South Peninsular and Central India is expected to receive "Above Normal Rainfall", North-West India
would receive "Normal Rainfall" whereas East and North-East India is expected to receive "Below
Average Rainfall" during June – September Period.

Warming Phase known as El Nino is generally known to Suppress Monsoon Rainfall while Cooling
Phase known as La Nina generally Enhances Monsoon Rainfall.

El Niño-Southern Oscillation
• Recurring Climate Pattern involving Changes in Temperature of Waters in Central and Eastern Tropical
Pacific Ocean.
• In periods ranging from about 3 to 7 years, Surface Waters across a Large Swath of Tropical Pacific
Ocean Warm or Cool by Anywhere from 1°C to 3°C, compared to Normal.
• This Oscillating Warming and Cooling Pattern, referred to as ENSO Cycle.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Directly affects Rainfall Distribution in Tropics and can have a Strong Influence on Weather across
different parts of the world.
• One of Most Important Climate Phenomena on Earth due to its ability to change Global Atmospheric
Circulation, which in turn, influences Temperature and Precipitation across the globe.

ENSO Phases and Impacts

• El Niño
o Warming of Ocean Surface or Above-Average Sea Surface Temperatures
o Region: Central and Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.
o Over Indonesia, Rainfall tends to become Reduced while Rainfall increases over Central and
Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.
o Low – level Surface Winds, which Normally blow from East to West along Equator (Easterly
Winds), instead Weaken or, in some cases, start blowing Other Direction (from West to East or
Westerly Winds).
o In general, Warmer the Ocean Temperature Anomalies, Repercussions for India
the stronger the El Niño (and vice-versa). • Greater Impact on Northern
• La Niña Parts of India
o Cooling of Ocean Surface, or Below-Average Sea Surface • Lesser Impact on Central Parts
Temperatures (SST) • Relatively Constant Impact on
Southern Parts
o In Central and Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean.
o Over Indonesia, Rainfall tends to Increase while Rainfall Decreases over Central and Eastern
Tropical Pacific Ocean.
o Normal Easterly Winds along Equator become even Stronger.
o In general, the Cooler the Ocean Temperature anomalies, the stronger the La Niña (and vice-
versa).
• Neutral
o Neither El Niño or La Niña.
o Often Tropical Pacific SSTs are generally close to Average.

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Transnational Organised Cyber Crimes in India

According to Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), with 46% of Scammed Money being Lost
to Cybercrimes originating in South – East Asian Nations, Jamtara and Mewat have been
overshadowed as Centres of Financial Cyber Fraud in India.

Organised Cybercrime Gangs in Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao PDR are hiring Indian Job – Seekers and
then compelling them to Defraud Fellow Citizens in India.

Findings of I4C
• I4C found that 46% of such frauds reported between January - April 2024 originated in these 3
Countries, in which the victims cumulatively lost an estimated Rs 1,776 Crores.
• Large Number of Indians are falling prey to Financial Indian Cyber Crime Coordination
Fraud carried out over Internet, allegedly by Criminals Centre (I4C)
based in 3 Contiguous South-East Asian Countries: • Established under Ministry of
Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. Home Affairs.
• Types of Cybercrimes Originating from these South-East • Approved by MHA in Oct 2018.
Asian Countries • Inaugurated in Jan 2020.
o Trading Scams: Between Jan – April 2024, Indians lost • To act as a Nodal Point at National
Rs 222 Crore to 20,043 Trading Scams Level in fight against Cybercrime.
o Digital Arrest: Between Jan – April 2024, Indians lost • Aim: To provide a platform to deal
Rs 120 Crore to 4,600 Digital Arrest Scams. with Cybercrimes by improving
o Investment/Task-based Scams: Between Jan-April coordination between various Law
2024, Indians lost Rs 1,420 Crore to 62,587 Investment Enforcement Agencies and
Scams. Stakeholders.
o Dating Scams: Between Jan-April 2024, Indians lost Rs 13 Crore to 1,725 Romance/Dating Scams.
Cyber Surakshit Bharat
• To enhance India's vision of Digital India, Cyber Surakshit Bharat was launched by MeitY to
ensure More Awareness about Latest Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Challenges of India.
Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT – In)
• Formed in 2004 under Information Technology Act 2000.
• Functional Organisation of MeitY
• Objective: Raising Security Awareness among Indian Cyber Community and to provide
Technical Assistance and advise them to help them recover from Computer Security Incidents.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Magellan Mission

After analyzing the archived data from NASA’s Magellan Mission, scientists say they observed New
Lava Flows on Venus, suggesting that the Planet was Volcanically Active between 1990 and 1992.

Magellan Mission
• Type: Deep Space Mission
• Launched by NASA on May 4, 1989.
• Launched from Cape Canaveral aboard Space Shuttle
Atlantis.
• Aim: To explore Planet Venus.
• 1st Inter – Planetary Mission launched from Space
Shuttle and 1st Spacecraft to use Inertial Upper
Stage Booster.
• Named after the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan, who was 1st to Circum-Navigate the Earth.
• Goal: To map Surface of Venus using Radar Imaging, as Thick Atmosphere of Planet made Visual
Observation Difficult.
• Arrived at Venus in 1990, made 1st Global Map of Surface of Venus as well as Global Maps of Planet's
Gravity Field.
• In Oct 1994, Magellan Spacecraft intentionally plunged to Surface of Venus to gather data on Planet's
Atmosphere before it ceased operations.
• It marked 1st Time an operating Planetary Spacecraft had been intentionally crashed.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

India's 1st Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager

India's 1st Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager to be developed.

It will be developed by Tata Consultancy Services in partnership

with IIT – Bombay.

This Project aligns with India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM).

Quantum Diamond Microchip Imager

• Advanced Sensing Tool for Semiconductor Chip Imaging. National Quantum Mission
• Uses Defects in a Diamond’s Structure (Nitrogen-Vacancy • Launched in 2023
Centers) for detecting Anomalies in Semiconductor Chips. • Implemented by: Department
• Objectives: Reduces Chip Failures and Improve Energy of Science & Technology
Efficiency of Electronic Devices.
o Promote Development of Semiconductor Industry in India.
• Microchip Imager will facilitate 2nd Quantum Revolution.
o Refers to Contemporary Wave of Advancements and Breakthroughs in the field of QT (for e.g.
Quantum Computing).
o Successor of 1st Quantum Revolution (Early 20th century).
▪ 1st Quantum Revolution: Discovery of Quantum Mechanics and its properties has been done.
▪ Enabled Inventions such as Laser, Transistor etc.

Asia – Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2024 Report

International Labour Organisation (ILO) has released report for Asia – Pacific Region.

Key Highlights
• Employment to Population Ratio (EPR) improved in region to 58.2% (2023) from 57.4% (2022) mainly
due to growth of Employment among Indian Women.
• In India, Old Age Dependency Ratio is projected to increase from 0.10 to 0.22 by 2050.
• Major Acceleration of Productivity Growth is needed in India to achieve High Income Status by 2050.
• Around 76% of Manufacturers in India reported Skilled Labour Shortages.

WHO' 1st Investment Round to Finance its Health for All

WHO launches its 1st Investment Round to Finance its Health for World Health Assembly
All Mandate • Decision-Making Body of
th
Investment Round has been launched at 77 World Health World Health Organisation.
Assembly (WHA). • Theme: All for Health,
Health for All.
Aims to mobilize resources for WHO’s Core Work for Next 4 • Health for All Concept :
Years (2025 – 2028). Evolved in Alma – Ata
Declaration (1978) of
Under it, $ 7 Bn will be mobilized to support the Countries so WHO to promote Primary
that they can respond to health challenges. Health Care.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Djibouti releases Genetically Modified (GM) Mosquitoes to fight Malaria

Release is part of "Djibouti Friendly Mosquito Programme" Anopheles Stephensi

to stop spread of Anopheles Stephensi. • Mosquito Species that is capable
Under the project, Friendly Non-Biting Male Anopheles of transmitting both Plasmodium
Falciparum and Plasmodium
Stephensi Mosquitoes have been developed and they carry
Vivax Malaria Parasites.
Self-Limiting
• Only Female Mosquitoes bite
Genes that kills Female Offspring before they reach and transmit Malaria and Other
maturity. By reducing Female Mosquito Population, spread Viral Diseases.
of the disease can be controlled.

PRAGATI – 2024 CCRAS

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) • Autonomous Body under Union
has launched Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Ministry of Ayush
Innovation (PRAGATI-2024). • Apex Body for Formulation,
Coordination, Development and
PRAGATI-2024 offers Opportunity for Collaborative Promotion of Research on
Research between CCRAS and Industry in field of Ayurveda. Scientific Lines in Ayurveda and
SowaRigpa System of Medicine.

Proposed Timelne for Coal Phase Out

Emissions from Coal-Fired
Power Plant
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• Particulates
• Carbon Dioxide
• Mercury and Oher Heavy
Metals
• Fly Ash and Bottom Ash

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

3 June April 2024 Current Affair

India GDP Power – Surge

Indian Economy grew at a faster than-expected rate of 7.8% year on year in Jan – March (2024)
Quarter, driven by robust growth in Manufacturing Sector.

For 2023 – 24 (FY24), India’s Real GDP is estimated to have grown at a robust 8.2%.

India’s Q4 GDP Data: Key

• Takeaways
India is Fastest-growing Major Economy worldwide
o Indian Government has revised Country's Economic Growth for 2023 – 24 Fiscal Year to 8.2%.
▪ Higher than Previous Estimate of 7.6% made by National Statistical Office, despite Agricultural
Sector's Poor Performance.
o Although Real GDP remains approx 7.5% below its Pre – Pandemic Trajectory.
• Value of GDP
o Real GDP is projected to reach Rs 173.82 Lakh Crore in Fiscal Year 2023 – 24.
▪ Higher than Rs 160.71 Lakh Crore for Previous Fiscal Year 2022-23.
o Estimates for Nominal GDP show a 9.6% growth to ₹295.36 Lakh Crore in FY24 from ₹269.50 Lakh
Crore in FY23.
• Growth Rate in GVA Terms
o In comparison to 6.8% in Prior Quarter and 6% in Q4 FY23, GVA Growth in Jan – March (2024) was
6.3%.
▪ For Full FY24, GVA Growth was recorded at 7.2% as against 6.7% in FY23.
o Wide Divergence between GVA and GDP Rates are being seen on account of a sharp jump in Net
Taxes, primarily indicating Higher Taxes and Lower Subsidies Outgo in Last Quarter.
• Performance of Different Sectors
o Manufacturing Sector witnessed a significant acceleration in GVA Growth, reaching 8.9% in March
Quarter.
▪ A Notable Increase from 0.9% Growth recorded in Same Quarter of Previous Year.
o Mining GVA Growth also saw an uptick, rising to 4.3% in 4th Quarter from 2.9% in Corresponding
Quarter of Previous Fiscal.
o Construction Sector experienced robust growth, expanding by 8.7% in Quarter, surpassing 7.4%
Growth observed in Same Period of 2022-23.
o Agriculture Sector saw a deceleration in growth, slowing down to 0.6% from 7.6% in Previous
Year.
o In Services Sector; GVA Growth in Trade, Hotel, Transport, Communication and Services related to
broadcasting moderated to 5.1% in 4th Quarter, compared to a growth of 7% a year ago.
• Fiscal Deficit
o Central Government's Fiscal Deficit during 2023 – 24 at 5.6% of GDP was better than Previous
Estimates of 5.8% on account of Higher Revenue Realisation and Lower Expenditure.
▪ In actual terms, Fiscal Deficit was ₹16.53 Lakh Crore in 2023 – 24.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o As per Fiscal Responsibility & Budget Management (FRBM) Act, Government plans to achieve a
Fiscal Deficit of 4.5% in 2025 – 26.
• Investment and Expenditure Growth
o While PFCE growth remains sluggish at 4.0%, Primary Demand – side Impetus is coming from
GFCF, which has grown by 9.0%.
▪ India is expected to become 3rd Largest Economy in the world with a GDP of $5 trillion in Next
Three Years and touch $7 trillion by 2030.

Key Economic Concepts

• Gross Domestic Product
o Total Monetary or Market Value of All Finished Goods and Services Produced within a India's
Borders in a Specific Time Period.
o It measures Value of Total Output in Economy by tracking Total Demand.
• Nominal vs Real GDP
o Nominal GDP (GDP calculated using current market prices) is the Actual Observed Variable.
o Real GDP (GDP calculated using constant 2011-12 prices, after taking away the effect of inflation)
is a derived metric. Real GDP = Nominal GDP - Inflation Rate.
o From Budget – making Perspective, Nominal GDP is important.
▪ However, from Perspective of Common People, Real GDP is what matters.
• Inflation
o Rate at which Value of a Currency is Falling and consequently General Level of Prices for Goods
and Services is rising.
• Gross Value Added (GVA)
o Examines Amount of Value added (in monetary terms) in various Productive Areas of the
Economy
o It tracks Total Output in Economy by looking at Total Supply.
• GDP vs GVA
o GDP = (GVA) + (Taxes earned by the Government) - (Subsidies provided by the Government).
o GDP > GVA, if the Government generated More Money from Taxes than it spent on Subsidies.
o GVA > GDP, if the Government gave Subsidies in Excess of its Tax Collections.
• Fiscal Deficit
o Shortfall in a Government's Income compared with its Spending.
o Marker of Health of Government Finances and tracks Amount of Money that a Government has
to Borrow from Market to meet its Expenses.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Tobacco Epidemic is growing in India

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, organized an event on 31 May to observe World No Tobacco
Day 2024.

Tobacco Status in India

• India is 2nd Largest Tobacco Producer behind China.
Tobacco Taxation in India
• India is 2nd Largest Exporter of Tobocco behind Brazil. • Cigarettes: 51%
• Major Tobacco-Producing States: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar • Bidis: 22%
Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal.
• After China, India has World’s Highest Number of Tobacco
Consumers (26 Crore). Related Facts
• India has Largest Number of Smokeless Tobacco Users in the • Largest Tobacco Company
world. in India: ITC Ltd
o India accounts for 66% of World’s Smokeless Tobacco Users. • Largest Tobacco Company
• Study of WHO finds that India loses 1% of its GDP to Diseases and in India: Philip Morris
Early Deaths from Tobacco Use. International

Key Highlights
• WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control MPOWER Measures
o Launched by WHO in 2005. • Launched in 2008 by WHO.
o Type: Legally Binding Treaty • Consist of 6 Most Important and
o Aim: To reduce Tobacco Usage worldwide by helping Effective Tobacco Control Methods.
Countries develop demand and supply reduction o M: Monitor Tobacco Use and
strategies. Prevention Policies
o India is one of 181 Signatories of FCTC. o P: Protect People from Tobacco
• Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Smoke
Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and o O: Offer help to quit Smoking
Commerce, Production, Supply, and Distribution) Act o W: Warn about Dangers of
(COTPA) 2003: Governing Production, Advertisement, Tobacco
Distribution and Consumption of Tobacco. o E: Enforce Bans on Tobacco
• Cigarettes Act 1975: To Statutory Warnings like Advertising, Promotion and
Sponsorship
"Cigarette Smoking is Injurious to Health" to be
o R: Raise Taxes on Tobacco
displayed on Cigarette Packs and Advertisements.
• Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Bill, 2019: Prohibits World No Tobacco Day
Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, • Observed on 31st May.
Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement of e – • Created in 1987 by WHO
Cigarettes. • Aim: To inform Public about
Dangers of using Tobacco.
Month June 2024 • Theme 2024: Protecting Children
from Tobacco Industry Interference
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• National Tobacco Control Program 2007

o Aim: To improve implementation of COTPA and FCTC, improve Awareness about Harms of
Tobacco Use and help People quit it. Tobacco Board of India
• National Health Policy 2017: To reduce Tobacco Use by 30% • Type: Statutory Body
by 2025. (Tobacco Board Act, 1975)
• mCessation Programme • Works under Ministry of
o Launched in 2016. Commerce and Industry.
o Initiative for Tobacco Cessation by Mobile Technology. • HQ: Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)
India to Import Wheat After 6 years

India, the World's 2nd Largest Wheat Producer, plans to Possible Implications of Decision
begin Wheat Imports after a 6-year gap to replenish • Domestic Market: Enhanced
Depleted Reserves and control Rising Prices, driven by 3 Availability and Price Stability,
Consecutive Years of Disappointing Crops. Replenishing Strategic Reserves
• Global Market: Potential Upward
India is likely to remove a 40% Import Tax on Wheat,
Price Pressure, Limited Overall
allowing Private Traders to purchase from countries like
Impact
Russia, though in Small Quantities.

The Reason
• Declining Wheat Production
o India's wheat production has declined in Wheat
the last 3 years due to unfavourable • Type: Rabi Crop
weather conditions, leading to a sharp • Cool Growing Season and Bright Sunshine
drop in wheat output • 2nd Most Important Cereal Crop in India after
o The government estimates this year's Rice.
wheat crop to be 6.25% lower than the • Top 3 Wheat Producers in World: China, India
previous year's (2023) record production and Russia
of 112 million metric tons. • Top 3 Wheat Producers in India: Uttar Pradesh,
• Depletion of Wheat Reserves Madhya Pradesh and Punjab
o As of April 2024, wheat stocks in
government warehouses have dropped to 7.5 million tons, the lowest in 16 years, due to the
government selling over 10 million tons from its reserves to control domestic prices.
• Shortfall in Wheat Procurement by Food Corporation of India
Government • Set up in 1965
o The government's target for wheat • Type: Statutory Body (Food Corporations Act
procurement the year 2024 was 30-32 1964)
million metric tons, but it has managed to • Works under Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
buy only 26.2 million tons so far. Food and Public Distribution (Piyush Goyal)
• Surge in Domestic Wheat Prices • HQ: Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
o Domestic Wheat Prices have stayed above
Government's Minimum Support Price (MSP) of 2,275 Rupees per 100 kg.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

India’s Foreign Direct Investment Inflows dipped in 2023 – 24

As per data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), FDI inflows
in 2023 – 24 contracts by 3.49% to $44.42 billion as compared with 2022 – 23.

Key Highlights
• Maharashtra received Highest FDI (USD 15.11 billion) followed by Responsible Factors
Gujarat and Karnataka in FY 2023 – 24. • High Interest Rates in
• Singapore was Top Source of Foreign Inflows (USD 11.77 billion) Advanced Economies
followed by Mauritius, USA, Netherlands and Japan in FY 2023-24. • Limited Absorptive
• Top 5 Countries for FDI Equity Inflows into India during 2000-24 are Capacity in various
Mauritius followed by Singapore, USA, Netherland, Japan. sectors in India
• Computer Software & Hardware, followed by Service Sector and
Construction Activities received Highest FDI in FY 2023 – 24.
• Top 5 Sectors receiving Highest FDI Equity Inflow during 2000- 2024 are Services Sector, Computer
Software & Hardware, Trading, Telecommunications, Automobile Industry.

FDI
• Investment made by a Company or an Individual DPIIT
in One Country into Business Interests located in • Operates under Ministry of Commerce and
Another Country. Industry.
• Nodal Department for Formulation of FDI Policy: • Formulation and Execution of Promotional
DPIIT and Developmental Actions for Expansion
• FDI is permitted through Automatic Route of Industrial Sector.
(Government approval Not Required) or • In 2019, “Department of Industrial Policy
Government Route (Approval Required). & Promotion” was changed to “Department
• FDI is prohibited in Lottery Business, Gambling of Industrial Policy & Information
and Betting, Chit funds, Nidhi Company, Trading Technology”.
in Transferable Development Rights etc. o DIPP was established in 1995.

Felony Crimes

Donald Trump became 1st Former American President to be convicted of Felony Crimes.

A New York Jury found him guilty of All 34 Charges in a scheme to illegally influence 2016 Election
through a Hush Money Payment to a Porn Actor.

Felony Crimes
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Any Offense Punishable by Death or Imprisonment for More than One Year is called a Felony.
• They are Most Serious Crimes.
• Within American Criminal Justice System, Crimes are generally categorized as Infractions,
Misdemeanors or Felonies, based on Perceived Severity of Offense.
• Felonies can include offenses such as Murder, Rape, Robbery, Burglary, Arson, Kidnapping, Drug
Trafficking and White-Collar Crimes like Embezzlement or Fraud.

Water Storage at just 23% in India’s Key Reservoirs: Central Water Commission

Water Storage in India’s Key Reservoirs (150) was down to just 23% of their Total Capacity amid a
Relentless Heatwave in many parts of India.

Key Highlights
• At least 8 Reservoirs had Zero Storage.
o These were in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
• There were 4 Others which had Less than 10% Storage — in States of AP, Gujarat, Maharashtra and
Karnataka.
• Southern Region (AP, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu was Most Affected (14%).
• In Northern, Eastern and Central Region, Available Storage was just 30%, 28% and 29.1% respectively
of Total Capacities of Reservoirs.
• Storage in Ganga River Basin was just 31.99% of its Capacity.

Colombo Process

India has become Chair of Colombo Process for 1st time since its inception in 2003.

Colombo Process
• Type: Regional Consultative Process
• Serves as a Forum for Exchange of Best Practices on Overseas Employment.
o Provides Consultations on Management of Overseas Employment and Contractual Labour for
Countries of Origin in Asia.
• Members :12 States
o Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.
• Non – Binding, and Decision – Making is by Consensus.
• Process is coordinated through Permanent Missions of Member States at United Nations in Geneva.
• Secretariat: International Organization for Migration

Living Will

High Court Judge becomes 1st in Goa to register a "Living Will".

Living Will (Advance Medical Directive)

Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Refers to a Written Document that a Person uses to give his Explicit Instructions in Advance about
Medical Treatment to be administered if he becomes Incompetent or Unable to Communicate.
• Executed Voluntarily
• Supreme Court in Common Cause vs Union of India (2018) Case, held that a Person in Persistent
Vegetative State can opt for Passive Euthanasia (Withdrawing Life Support, Medical Treatment).
• A Person can execute a Living Will to refuse Medical Treatment in case of a Terminal illness.

India's First 3D – Printed Rocket Launched

Chennai-based start-up Agnikul Cosmos has launched World's 1st Rocket, Agnibaan Sub Orbital
Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), powered by a fully 3D Printed Engine.

This has achieved several 1st for Indian Space Ecosystem i.e. Launch from a Private Pad (Dhanush),
Homegrown Semi-Cryo Engine-powered Rocket Launch, World's 1st Single-piece 3D Printed Engine.

It uses Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene as Propellant.

Supported By: Indian Space Research Organisation & Indian National Space Promotion and
Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

Senkaku Islands

Japan has spotted Chinese Ships sailing near disputed Senkaku Islands in East China Sea.

Senkaku Islands: Also known as Diaoyu in Chinese. Comprises Group of Islands i.e. Uotsuri Island
(Largest), Kuba Island, Taisho Island etc.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

4 June 2024 Current Affair

Climate Finance

As per Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Developed countries
provided and mobilised more than $100 billion in climate finance to developing countries in 2022.

Key Highlights
• $115.9 billion was allocated to Developing Countries to OECD
support Climate Action in 2022. • Type: International Organization
• Public Climate Finance, drawn from Bilateral • Came into force in 1961
(Countries) and Multilateral Sources (like World Bank) • Members: 38 Countries (India is Not
accounted for close to 80% of Total Financial Flow in a Member)
2022. • Objective: To promote policies that
o This figure increased from $38 billion in 2013 to improve Economic and Social Well-
$91.6 billion in 2022. Being, Fostering Economic Growth,
• Most Climate Finance went to Mitigation. Contributing to World Trade,
o Lower-Income Countries accounted for 64% of Total Enhancing Living Standards of
Public Climate Finance provided as Grants, while for People in Member Countries.
Lower-Middle-Income Countries, grants made up • HQ: Paris (France)
Only 13% of the Share.

Climate Finance
• Refers to Large-scale Investments required for Actions aiming to Mitigate or Adapt to Consequences
of Climate Change.
• Adaptation: Anticipating Adverse Effects of Climate Change and taking Appropriate Action to Prevent
or Minimise Damage they can cause.
• Mitigation: Reducing Emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) into Atmosphere so that impacts of
Climate Change are Less Severe.

Progress and Developments

• Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement call for
India’s Stand
Financial Assistance from Parties with More
• India is Only Country that has put forth
Financial Resources to those that are Less Endowed
a figure in this round of submissions, $1
and More Vulnerable.
tn per year, to be considered Quantum
• 1994 United Nations Framework Convention on of Money that Developed Countries
Climate Change (UNFCCC) required High-Income must provide to Developing Countries
Countries to provide Climate Finance to Developing as part of New Goal.
World. • For this, India has suggested Timeframe
• In 2009, Developed Countries pledged to provide of 10 years, with separate Annual
$100 billion a year to Developing Countries by 2020. Mobilisation Targets for Each 5 Year
o In 2010, Green Climate Fund was established as Period to be in line with Cycles of
a Key Delivery Mechanism. Updating Nationally Determined
o 2015 Paris Agreement reinforced this target and Contributions.
extended it to 2025.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance

• In 2015, Financial Assistance Goal of Collective Mobilisation of $100 billion by Developed Countries
was extended to 2025.
• It was also decided that a New Climate Finance Goal to succeed this one would have to be decided
prior to 2025, amounting to at least $100 billion per year.
• This is NCQG, also called Post-2025 Climate Finance Goal / New Goal.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Operation Blue Star

June 1 is 40th anniversary of beginning of Operation Blue Star.

Operation Blue Star

• Indian Armed Forces Operation carried out between 1 and Related Facts
10 June 1984. Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau
• Punjab witnessed Insurgency which began in late 1970s announced in the Parliament that his
and reached its peak in 1st Half of 1980s. govt is investigating possible links
• This insurgency, also known as Khalistan Movement, was between the Indian Government and
led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale for Establishment of an the assassination of Khalistan Tiger
Independent Sikh State called "Khalistan". Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh
• In 1983, Bhindranwale along with his followers occupied Nijjar in Canada.
and Fortified Sikh Shrine Akal Takht inside Golden Temple Complex from which he led Insurgency
Campaign.
• To counter escalating violence, on 06 June 1984, Indira Gandhi Government ordered a Military
Action, known as "Operation Blue Star" into Goldens Temple in order to remove militants from
Golden Temple Complex.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

RBI's Strategic Action Plan for Internationalisation of Indian Rupee

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Annual Report for 2023-24 highlighted Action Plan for promoting
Internationalisation of INR, i.e.

Key Highlights: RBI's Strategic Action Plan

• Permitting Opening of INR Account Outside India by Persons Resident Outside India (PROI)
• INR lending by Indian Banks to Persons Resident Outside India (PROI)
• Enabling Foreign Direct Investment and Portfolio Investment through Special Non-Resident Rupee
(SNRR) and Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA).

Internationalisation of Rupee
• Refers to Use of Rupee in Cross – Border SNRR Account
Transactions. • Any Person Resident Outside India,
• Benefits of Internationalisation of Rupee having a Business Interest in India, can
o Reduces Dollar Demand and Strengthens INR. open SNRR Account for purpose of
o Reduces Cost of Doing Business and improves putting through Bona Fide Transactions
their Competitiveness. in Rupees.
o Reduced need for holding Foreign Exchange • SNRR Accounts are usually allowed for
Reserves. Specified Transactions in Trade, Foreign
o Reduced Vulnerability to External Shocks. Investments, External Commercial
• Challenges in Internationalisation of Rupee Borrowings etc.
o INR is Not Fully Convertible.
o Triffin Dilemma i.e. Obligation of Country to
supply its Currency to meet Global Demand SRVA Account
can conflict with its Domestic Monetary • Vostro Account is an Account that Domestic
Policies. Banks hold for Foreign Banks in Former’s
o Integration of Financial Markets could affect Domestic Currency (in this case, Rupee).
Macroeconomic Stability. • SRVA is an Additional Aarrangement to
• Steps taken for Internationalization of Rupee Existing System that uses Freely Convertible
o Usage of Indian Payment Infrastructure in Currencies and works as a Complimentary
Foreign Countries (18 Countires) like System.
Singapore, Malaysia etc. • For Opening SRVA, Prior Approval of RBI
o Bilateral Currency Swap Agreements with is Required.
Countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan etc.
o Issuance of Rupee – denominated Bonds i.e. Masala bonds.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

India Has Been Questioned at WTO For Its Rice Export Policy

Canada, Brazil, Australia and UK have asked India to regarding its Rice Export Policy.

The Issue
• Countries are seeking clarification at World Trade Organisation whether India had stopped its Rice
Exporters from participating in UN World Food Program (WFP) Tenders earlier this year.
• In Feb 2024, Government barred Domestic Rice Exporters to participate in United Nations World
Food Program Tenders.
• These tenders were for Broken Rice Supplies to countries including Cameroon, Togo, and Algeria.
• Countries also want to know whether India’s Decision was contradictory to its commitment to
exempt such supplies from Export Restrictions.
• At WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, WTO Members had approved a decision to
exempt WFP’s Humanitarian Food Purchases from Export Restrictions.

UN World Food Programme

• World's Largest Humanitarian Organization
• Established in 1961
• Provides Food Assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve Nutrition and
build Resilience.
• Aim: To eradicate Hunger and Malnutrition, helping people in need worldwide.
• Relies on Donations from Governments, Corporations and Individuals to Fund its efforts.

India’s Rice Exports

• Largest Rice Exporter (45%)
o West Bengal is Highest Rice Producing State in India.
• India imposed a 20% Export Duty on White Rice in Sep 2022, followed by a Similar Duty on Parboiled
Rice in Aug 2023.
o Ban helps control Rice Prices and highlights Necessity to Reduce Paddy Cultivation due to
declining Water Tables.
o To protect Consumer and Farmer Interests while conserving Water Resources.
• Togo imported a substantial 88% of its Rice from India in 2023.
• Benin, Largest Global Importer of Indian Broken Rice, procured 61%, while Almost Half of Senegal's
Imports of Grain originated from India.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

ED Arrests Dark Web Drug Vendor Running Global Trafficking Network

Enforcement Directorate has arrested a Resident of Uttarakhand for allegedly operating International
Drug Trafficking Group.

He has been booked under Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Accused operated a Global Dark Web Enterprise to send Fentanyl and Other Deadly-Dangerous Drugs
to communities across America as well as Canada, Europe and Caribbean.

Key Highlights Legality of Dark Web in

India
• Also referred to as Dark Net • Accessing Dark Web is
• Maze of Secret Websites which can be accessed only through Legal in India.
Encrypted Channels. • However, Activity or
• Hidden Collective of Internet Sites only accessible by a Intent of a Person that is
Specialized Web Browser. taken into account while
• Used for keeping Internet Activity Anonymous and Private, which using Dark Web.
can be helpful in both Legal and illegal Applications. o Various activities like
Child Pornography,
Buying Guns, Pistols,
How it operates? Rifles, Drugs, etc. are
• Operates in secrecy using The Onion Router (ToR). considered to be illegal.
o Tor is Free and Open-Source Software for enabling • Great Firewall of China:
Anonymous Communication. Blocks Tor Traffic
• Internet Based System to prevent Eavesdropping and Traffic Analysis Attacks.
• Privacy-centric Browser like Tor routes Web Page requests through Proxy Servers thus making your IP
Address untraceable.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Hoolock Gibbon

Northeast Frontier Railway has earmarked funds to construct Canopy Bridges for Hoolock Gibbon,
India’s Only Ape, to move across a Railway Track bifurcating its Prime Habitat in Eastern Assam.

Hoolock Gibbon
• Smallest and Fastest of Allapes
• Only Ape found in India
• Distribution: India, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Southern China.
• Live in Tropical and Subtropical Forests in South-Eastern Part of Asia.
• Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam has Largest Concentration of Hoolock Gibbon.
• IUCN Red List
o Eastern Hoolock Gibbon: Vulnerable
o Western Hoolock Gibbon: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972: Schedule I

Controller General of Accounts

The Government's Fiscal Deficit for 2023-24 stood at 5.63% of GDP, marginally better than 5.8%
Estimated in Union Budget, according to data released by Controller General of Accounts.

Controller General of Accounts

• Principal Accounting Adviser to Government of India.
• Established in 1975 to administer matters pertaining to Departmentalisation of Accounts of the
Union.
• Works under Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance)
• Responsible for Establishing and Managing a technically sound Management Accounting System,
Preparation and Submission of Accounts of Union Government & Exchequer Control and Internal
Audits for Central Government.

Nelson Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has been awarded Nelson
Mandela Award for Health Promotion for 2024

Established by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019

Recognizes Individuals, Institutions and/or Governmental or Non-Governmental Organizations that

have demonstrated remarkable contributions to Health Promotion.

India’s National Tele Mental Health Helpline "Tele MANAS" which was launched in 2022.

Dag Hammarskjold Medal

Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was presented posthumously by UN to an Indian Peacekeeper Naik

Dhananjay Kumar Singh.

Dag Hammarskjold Medal is Posthumous Award to members of peacekeeping operations.

1st Medal was presented to Family of Dag Hammarskjöld in 1998.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Dag Hammarskjold was Secretary – General of UN from 1953 until 1961.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

5 June 2024 Current Affair

RBI Balance Sheet grows in FY24

Reserve Bank of India reported a 17% increase in its FY24 Income to ₹2,75,572.32 Crore. Its balance
sheet grew 11.07% to Rs 70.47 Lakh Crore in fiscal ended March 31, 2024.

Key Highlights
• Increase in Balance Sheet
o Size of RBI’s Balance Sheet increased by 11.08% year-on-
year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 70.47 trillion as of March 31, 2024 (FY24)
▪ Size of Balance Sheet was Rs 63.44 trillion a year ago.
o This increase is driven by its Liquidity and Foreign Exchange
(Forex) Operations.
▪ Increase on Asset Side was due to Rise in Foreign
Investments (13.9%), Gold (18.26%) and Loans and
Advances (30.05%).
▪ On Liability Side, Expansion was due to an Increase in
Notes Issued (3.88%), Deposits (27%), and Other
Liabilities (92.57%).
o Bank’s Balance Sheet Size grew to 24.1% of Gross Domestic
Product at the end of March 2024 from 23.5% at the end of March 2023.
• Surge in Net Income of RBI
o Central Bank’s Net Income surged by 141.22% Y-o-Y for Financial Year ended March 2024.
▪ Due to a Sharp Reduction in Expenditures, particularly Lower Provisions.
• RBI’s Expenditure Declined
o RBI’s Expenditure Declined by 56.29% Y-o-Y to Rs 64,694.33 Crore
o This included a provision of Rs 42,819.91 Crore made and transferred to Contingency Fund.
▪ In 2022-23, RBI had transferred Rs 1.3 trillion to CF.
• Amount Transferred to Central Government
o Surplus transferred to Central Government amounted to Rs 2.1 Trillion in FY24, up from Rs
87,416.22 Crore in FY23.

How does RBI make Money?

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Interest on Loans and Advances to Commercial Banks and Government (Ways and Means Advances)
o Interest Rate on WMA is RBI’s Repo Rate, which is basically
Wage and Means Advances
Rate at which it lends Short-Term Money to Banks. RBI’s gives Temporary Loan
• Invests in Government Securities (Bonds, Treasury Bills) Facilities to Central and State
• Income from Investing Forex Reserves in Foreign Assets, such as Governments.
US Treasury Bonds and Other High – Quality Foreign Securities.
o Profits from Buying and Selling of Foreign Currencies.
• Earns Seigniorage, which is Difference between Value of Seigniorage Mean
Money and Cost to Produce it. • Difference between Face
o For instance, if it costs Rs 1 to print a Rs 200 Note, Value of Money and what it
Seigniorage Profit is Rs 199. Costs to Produce it.
• Manages Government’s Accounts, Collects Taxes and • Seigniorage may be counted
Disburses Payments. RBI charges Government for these as Positive Revenue for a
services. Government when the Money
• Open Market Operations: Buys and Sells Government it creates is Worth More than
Securities in Open Market. it costs to produce.
• Profits are made from Difference between Purchase Price and Selling Price of these securities.
• Earnings from Discount and Rediscount Operations
• Provides Liquidity to Commercial Banks by Rediscounting their Bills and Charging Interest on these
Transactions.
• Penalties and Fines: Imposes Penalties and Fines on Banks and Other Financial Institutions for Non-
Compliance with Regulatory Requirements.
• Fees and Commissions: For services provided to Government, Financial Institutions, and General
Public such as managing Public Debt and Conducting Auctions of Government Securities.

CDRI announces $8 Million funding to Small Island Developing States

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure made

this announcement at United Nations 4th International
Conference on SIDS held in Antigua and Barbuda.

Funding is a component of CDRI's Infrastructure for

Resilient Island States Programme (IRIS).

IRIS
• Launched at COP26 of United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), held in
Glasgow, UK.
• Contributes to UN’s SAMOA Pathway (SIDS Accelerated
Modalities of Action) initiative.
o SAMOA: To Improve Resilience of SIDS Infrastructure
to Climate Change and Disasters, etc.
• Aim: To provide Technical Support and promote Disaster and Climate Resilience of Infrastructure
Assets in SIDS.
• Supported by Countries like UK, Australia etc.

SIDS
Coalition for Disaster
• Group of 39 States and 18 Associate Members of United Resilient Infrastructure
Nations Regional Commissions. • Launched at UN Climate
• Dependent over Funding due to Social, Economic and Action Summit in 2019 by
Environmental Vulnerabilities. India.
o E.g. Slow Onset Events such as Sea Level Rise pose an • India is Permanent Co-Chair
Existential Threat to Small Island Communities, requiring of CDRI Governing Council
Drastic Measures such as Relocation of Populations. and Executive Committee.
• Recog nized as a special case for their Environment and • Members: 39 Countries and
Development at United Nations Conference on Environment 7 Organizations
and Development (1992), also known as Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• New Annual Financial Target that Developed Countries must meet

from 2025 onward to provide Climate Finance to Developing
Countries.
• It will replace Previous Commitment of USD 100 billion per year
that Developed Nations had pledged in 2009 but failed to deliver.

Paris Climate Accord

• Legally Binding International Treaty on Climate Change.
• Adopted by 196 Countries at COP 21 in Paris in Dec 2015.
• Goal: To limit global warming to well below 2° Celsius, and
preferably limit it to 1.5° Celsius, compared to Pre-Industrial Levels.
• India is a signatory to Paris Agreement.
o India reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement in Aug 2022 by submitting an updated NDC to
UNFCCC.
o NDC outlines India's Goals for 2021–2030.

World’s 1st Rocket with fully 3D – Printed Engine

IIT Madras’ Startup, Agnikul Cosmos, has launched Agnibaan

SubOrbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), with a 3 – D
Printed Engine.

SOrTeD
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• SOrTeD stands for Agnibaan SubOrbital Technology Demonstrator

• Developed By: Agnikul Cosmos 3D Printing
• World’s 1st Rocket with fully 3D – Printed Engine • Additive Process that uses
• India’s 1st Semi – Cryogenic Engine – powered Rocket Launch Computer – created design to
• Launch Pad: Dhanush (India’s 1st Privately Developed make 3 – Dimensional Objects
Launchpad) Layer by Layer.
• 2 – Stage Rocket with a capacity to carry up to 300 kg to a • Layers of Material: Plastic,
height of 700 km. Composites or Bio – Materials
• Powered By: Liquid Oxygen or Kerosene. • Invented By: Charles W Hull

Other Initiatives Taken for Privatising Space Sector

• 100% FDI in Space Sector is allowed in Components and Systems/ Sub-Systems for Satellites, Ground
Segment and User Segment.
• India Space Policy 2023 suggests that Private Sector is a Critical Stakeholder in Entire Value Chain of
Space Economy.
• Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN – SPACe) facilitate Private Sector
engagement in Space Activities.

IN – SPACe
• IN – SPACe stands for Indian National
Space Promotion and Authorization
Center.
• Established in 2020.
• Single-Window, Independent, Nodal
Agency
• Functions as Autonomous Agency in
Department of Space.
• Objective: To enable and facilitate
Participation of Private Players.
• Acts as an interface between ISRO and
Non-Governmental Entities.

Daksha Project

IIT Bombay leading Daksha Project. It is leading in close collaboration with Physical Research
Laboratory (PRL), Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Raman Research Institute (RRI), etc.

Daksha Project
GRB
Short – lived Bursts of
Month June 2024 Gamma – Ray Light, Most
Energetic Form of Light.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Ambitious Proposal to build 2 High – Energy Space Telescopes for Study of Explosive Astrophysical
Sources.
• Each Telescope will be equipped with 3 Types of Sensors to cover Low Energy to High-Range Energy
Bands.
• Objectives: Detect, Localize and Characterize High – Energy Counterparts to Gravitational Wave
Sources.
• High Sensitivity Detection and Studies of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRB).

Other Gamma Ray Detection

• Missionaimed at studying Celestial Sources in X –
Astrosat: India’s Multi – Wavelength Space Observatory
Ray, Optical and UV Spectral Bands simultaneously.
• Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope: NASA’s Telescope observes Gamma Rays across a Wide Energy
Range.
• NASA’s Swift Observatory: Studies Gamma-Ray Bursts.

Cryonics

Cryonics Company, Southern Cryonics, has frozen its 1st Client in Australia in the hope of bringing him
back to life in the future.

Cryonics
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Word Cryonics is derived from Greek "Krýos", meaning “Icy Cold.”

• Practice of Freezing an Individual who has died, with Object of reviving Individual sometime in the
future.
• Effort to Save Lives by using Temperatures so cold th at a Person beyond help by Today’s Medicine
can be preserved for decades or centuries until a Future Medical Technology can restore that Person
to Full Health.
• A Person that is held in such a state is called a “Cryopreserved Patient”, because Cryonicists
(Advocates of Cryonics) do Not regard Cryopreserved Person as Really Dead.

LignoSat

In a world-first, Japanese Researchers have built a Tiny

Wooden Satellite named LignoSat that will be launched
into Space in September.

LignoSat
• “LignoSat”, a fusion of “Ligno” (Latin word for Wood) and
“Satellite”.
• Development By: Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co.
• Objective: To leverage Eco – Friendliness and Cost – Effectiveness of Wood in Space Exploration.
• Constructed from Magnolia Wood.
• 1st be sent to International Space Station aboard a SpaceX Rocket from Kennedy Space Center.

RudraM – II Missile

Defence Research & Development Organisation successfully flight-tested RudraM-II from Su-30 MK-I
Platform of Indian Air Force (IAF) off Coast of Odisha.

RudraM – II Missile
• Indigenously – developed Solid – Propelled Air – to – Surface
Missile System.
• Developed By: DRDO
• Designed to have a strike range of almost 350-km, from a Sukhoi
– 30 MK – I Fighter of IAF.

K – 9 Vajra

Several key 'Made in India' Defence Projects, including

proposals for acquiring more K – 9 Vajra Self – Propelled
Howitzers and Fighter Aircraft Engines, are awaiting final
approval by the Centre after the elections.

K – 9 Vajra
• Type: Self – Propelled Artillery System
• Built By: Larsen & Toubro
• With Technology Transferred from South Korea's Hanwha Défense based on its K9 Thunder Platform.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

EarthCARE Mission

EarthCARE (Cloud, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer)

Mission was launched to measure Influence of
Clouds on Climate.

Understanding of Role that Clouds and Aerosols play

in reflecting Incident Solar Radiation back into Space
and trapping Infrared Radiation emitted from Earth’s
Surface.

Joint Venture between ESA (European Space Agency)

and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

6 June 2024 Current Affair

World Health Assembly Approves Global Organ Transplant Strategy

At 77th World Health Assembly, Member States approved a Draft Resolution on improving Organ
Transplantation Availability, including Human Cells and Tissues.

Key Points
• Resolution tasked Countries with developing a Global Strategy to be presented for adoption in 2026.
• Encouraged Establishment of World Donor Day to raise Public Awareness and Donations.

Organ Transplantation
• Life – Saving Therapy for End – Stage Organ Failure.
• Act of Surgical Removal of an Organ from One Related Facts
Person and placing it into Another Person. • World’s 1st Successful Organ Transplant
• It involves Removal of Damaged / Injured Tissues or was Kidney Transplantation which was
Organs from Body of a Person and their substitution undertaken by David Hume and Joseph
by Similar Tissues / Organs from a Donor. Kelly at Peter Brigham Hospital in
• World’s 1st Successful Organ Transplant was Kidney Boston in 1954.
Transplantation which was undertaken by David • 1st Kidney Transplant in India was
Hume and Joseph Kelly at Peter Brigham Hospital performed on 1st Dec, 1971 at Christian
in Boston in 1954. Medical College, Vellore (Tamil Nadu).
• 1st Kidney Transplant in India was performed on 1st • India sees 17,000–18,000 Solid Organ
Dec, 1971 at Christian Medical College, Vellore Transplants performed every year—
(Tamil Nadu). Most in the world after US and China.

Organ Transplantation
• National Organ Transplant
Programme, 2014: To create a National World Health Assembly
Registry of Organ Donors and • Governing Forum of World Health Organization.
Recipients, Establish More Organ • World's Highest Health Policy Setting Body.
Transplant Centers and raise awareness • Composed of Health Ministers from Member States.
about Organ Donation. • 1st Assembly held in 1948 (55 Member States).
• National Organ Donation Day: • Chair: Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari (Qatar)
Designated November 27 as National • HQ: Palace of Nations, Geneva (Switzerland)
Organ Donation Day. • Theme 2023 – WHO at 75: Saving Lives, Driving
• National Organ & Tissue Transplant Health for All.
Organization: Works under
Directorate General of Health
Services (Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare).
• Transplantation of Human
Organs Act, 1994: Act allows both

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Deceased and Living Donors to donate their Organs and Tissues.

o Act made Commercialisation of Organs a Punishable Offence and Legalised Concept of Brain
Death in India.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Millet Production Stagnates in India

According to Reserve Bank of India’s Annual Report for
2023 – 24, India grapples with stagnation in both
acreage and production of millets.

Millets
• Group of Small Grained Cereal Food Crops popularly
known as Nutri – Cereals.
• Varieties: Pearl Millets, Sorghum, Finger Millet, Foxtail,
Kodo, Barnyard, Proso, Little Millet, Pseudo Millets like
Buckwheat and Amaranths.

Millet Production in India

• Largest Producer of Millets in the world.
o Accounts for 80% of Asia’s and 20% of Global Millet Production.
• India’s Productivity of Millets was 1.4 tonnes per hectare, whereas China’s Productivity was 3 tonnes
/ ha, followed by Ethiopia’s at 2.5 tonnes and Russia’s 1.5 tonnes.
• India’s Two Varieties of Millets namely Pearl Millet (Bajra) and Sorghum (Jowar) together contribute
approx 19% in World Production in 2020. s
• Major Millet Producing States: Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand.
• Benefits of Millets: Eco – Friendly Crops, Highly Nutritious, Health Benefits, Reduce Import
Dependence

Steps taken by India to promote Millet Production

• International Year of Millets: India spearheaded UN General Assembly Resolution for declaring the
year 2023 as "International Year of Millets".
• Agri – Infrastructure Fund: To invite Farmers / FPOs / Entrepreneurs to avail Benefit of Interest
Subvention on Loans up to 2 Crores for setting up Primary Processing Units in Millets.
• Production Linked Incentive Scheme: Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has
approved PLI Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet based Products for implementation
during 2022 – 23 to 2026 – 27.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Lost Nile Branch Key to Pyramid Construction

A Study discovered an Ancient Nile River Branch that
helped Transport Workers and Materials to Egypt's
Pyramids, now buried under Modern Landscapes.
Researchers employed technologies including satellite
imagery, high- resolution digital elevation data, and
historical maps to trace the path of the now – vanished
Ahramat Branch of Nile River.
Revelation of Ahramat Branch is a previously unknown Nile Channel from Lisht (Village) to Giza
(City).

Egyptian Pyramids
• Ancient Stone Structures built as Tombs for Pharaohs (Ancient Egyptian Rulers).
• There are Over 118 Identified Pyramids in Egypt, but Most Famous are 3 Pyramids at Giza:
o Great Pyramid of Giza: Oldest of Seven Wonders of Ancient World and Largest Pyramid ever
built. It was constructed for Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops).
o Pyramid of Khafre (Chephren): Appears Larger than Great
Pyramid due to its Steeper Angle and Presence of Sphinx
(Human Head and a Lion's Body).
o Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus): Smallest of 3 Main
Pyramids at Giza, built for Pharaoh Menkaure.

Nile River
• Origin: Burundi (Africa)
• Endpoint: Mediterranean Sea
• Longest River in the World
• Called Father of African Rivers
• Traverses Egypt and 10 other African Countries
o Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, South Sudan.
• 3 Principal Streams: Blue Nile, Atbara, White Nile

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

OPEC+
OPEC+ extended Voluntary Oil Production Cuts until the end of 2025.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Plus

• Refers to a Group of 22 Oil-Producing Countries
• In 2016, OPEC+ emerged as an Alliance between OPEC Related Facts
Member Nations and 10 Other Oil Producing Countries to • India is World’s 3rd Largest
protect their interests amid rise of US Shale Industry. Oil Importer and Consumer.
o 12 Members of OPEC: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Iraq, • India imports over 85% of
Kuwait, Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, its Crude Oil Consumption.
Republic of Congo, and Venezuela.
o 10 Other Oil – Producing Countries: Russia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia,
Mexico, Oman, South Sudan and Sudan.
• Saudi Arabia is Largest Oil Producer among OPEC Members.

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries

• Type: Inter – Governmental Organization
• Key Player in Global Oil Markets since its formation in 1960.
• Aim: To coordinate Oil Production Targets to stabilise
Prices and ensure Supply for Consumers.
• Members: 12 Countries
• It was created at Baghdad Conference in 1960 by
Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
o Later joined by Qatar (1961), Indonesia (1962), Libya
(1962), United Arab Emirates (1967), Algeria (1969),
Nigeria (1971), Ecuador (1973), Gab on (1975),
Angola (2007), Equatorial Guinea (2017) and Congo
(2018).
o Ecuador suspended its membership in Dec 1992,
rejoined OPEC in Oct 2007.
▪ But decided to withdraw its membership of OPEC effective 1 January 2020.
o Indonesia suspended its membership in January 2009, reactivated it again in Jan 2016.
▪ But, decided to suspend its membership once more on 30 Nov 2016.
o Gabon terminated its membership in Jan 1995.
▪ However, it rejoined OPEC in July 2016.
o Qatar terminated its membership on 1 January 2019.
• HQ: Vienna, Austria

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Postal Ballot Counting Rules

Ahead of Vote Counting for Lok Sabha Elections on June 4, INDIA Bloc requested Election
Commission to instruct Returning Officers to finish counting Postal Ballots before starting EVM Cote
Count.

Postal Voting
• Also known as Absentee Voting
• Method of Voting in which Electors Cast their Ballots by Mail rather than In-Person at a Polling
Station.
• Useful for Individuals who are Unable to Vote in Person due to Various Reasons.
o E.g., Being Away from their Home Constituency, Having a Disability or being engaged in
Essential Services on Election Day.
• In March 2024, Govt decided to raise Minimum Age for Senior Citizens, eligible for voting by Postal
Ballot, to 85 years from 80 years.

Eligibility
• Service Voters: Members of Armed Forces, Paramilitary Forces and Other Government Employees
Deployed on Election Duty far from their Home Constituencies.
• Absentee Voters: Individuals who are Unable to Vote In-Person due to reasons such as Being Away
from their Home Constituency for Work, illness or Disability.
• Electors on Election Duty: Government Officials and Polling Staff who are Assigned Duties at Polling
Stations other than their Own.
• Electors under Preventive Detention: Individuals who are detained under Preventive Custody orders
during Election Period.

Chang'e – 6
China's Space Agency said that China landed an
Uncrewed Spacecraft on Far Side of the Moon. So far,
No Other Country has landed on that Half of the Moon.
India’s Chandrayaan – 3 Mission landed on South Pole
of Near Side of the Moon.
Far Side of Moon
Chang'e – 6 • Refers to Hemisphere of Moon that
• Successfully landed in South Pole-Aitken Basin. always faces Away from Earth (Also
• 1st Human Sampling and Return Mission from Far Side referred to as Dark Side of Moon).
of Moon for 1st time. o This happens because Moon is
• Launch Vehicle: Long March – 5 Rocket Tidally Locked with Earth due to
Gravitational Pull.
• Soviet Union's Luna 3 Spacecraft
Month June 2024 took 1st photo of this Side of Moon.
• It has a Thicker Crust, More Craters
and Fewer Lava Plains than Near
Side.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Launch Site: Wenchang Space Launch Center (Hainan, China)

• Consists of an Orbiter, a Returner, a Lander and an Ascender.
• It marks 2nd Time a mission has successfully reached Far Side of the Moon.
o China 1st completed that historic feat in 2019 with its Chang’e – 4 Probe.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Prime Minister of India announced his visit and meditation at
Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial

• Sacred Monument located off Coast of Kanyakumari, India’s
Southernmost Tip.
• Commemorates Visit of Great Spiritual leader
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda in Dec 1892.
• Born as Narendra Nath Datta on 12 Jan 1863
• According to Ancient Tradition, Rock on
to Bhuvaneswari Devi and Vishwanath Datta.
which Memorial stands was blessed by touch
• Chief Disciple of Ramakrishna Paramhansa.
of feet of Goddess Kanyakumari.
• In 1893, Swami Vivekananda represented
• Swami Vivekananda himself attained
India at World Parliament of Religions in
enlightenment on this very rock.
Chicago.

INS Shivalik
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shivalik departed Singapore Ex RIMPAC
for Yokosuka in Japan, and is scheduled to participate in • Type: Biennial Event
Japan-India Maritime Exercise (Jimex) and Rim of
• Hosted By: United States
Pacific (Rimpac) military exercise.
• Approx 29 Nations including United
States, Japan, Australia, Canada and
INS Shivalik India.
• Type: Stealth Multi – Role Frigates • 29th Exercise in the series that began
• 1st Indigenous Stealth Warship built by India. in 1971.
• Built By: Mazagon Dock Limited (Mumbai) • Theme 2024 – “Partners: Integrated
and Prepared"

Iris – T Missile
The Bundeswehr, Germany’s Armed Forces, lost an Iris – T
Missile, sparking serious concerns about crucial technology
being compromised.

Iris – T Missile
• Type: Short Range Air – to – Air Cruise Missile
• Built By: Dielh BGT Defence
• Under Six – Nation Program (Germany, Greece, Norway, Italy,
Spain, Sweden)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

7 June 2024 Current Affair

Philippines Halted Production of GM Crops

A Court in Philippines has cancelled Permits that allowed for Commercial Cultivation of Genetically
Modified (GM) Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant in the country.

Critics argue that Decision could harm Children with vitamin A Deficiency, but Court's concerns about
Safety Violations are being ignored.

Golden Rice
• 1 developed in the late 1990s by researchers at Swiss
st
Related Facts
Federal Institute of Technology and International Rice In 2013, World Health Organization
Research Institute. identified Vitamin A Deficiency as a
• Type of Rice that has been Genetically Modified to have Public Health Issue that impacted
Higher Amounts of Iron and Zinc, as well as Beta-Carotene, approx 1/3rd of Children between
which Body can turn into Vitamin A. ages of 6 and 59 months, with
• Gets its name from its distinctive Yellow Colour. Highest Prevalence in Sub – Saharan
Africa (48%) and South Asia (44%).
Bt Eggplant
• Genetically Modified Variety of Eggplant (Brijal) that has Related Facts
been engineered to produce a Protein from Bacillus • It was approved for cultivation
Thuringiensis (Bt) Bacteria, which is Toxic to certain Insect in Bangladesh in 2013, making
Pests. it 1st GM Food Crop to be
o This helps Reduce need for Pesticide Applications. approved in South Asia.
• Developed by Indian Seed Company Mahyco (Maharashtra • In India, Commercial Release
Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with University of of Bt Eggplant was halted in
Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. 2010.

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops and India

• Global Area under GM Crops reached 191.7 million hectares in 2020.
• India 1st and Only Commercially approved Cultivation of Bt Cotton in 2002.
• Fortification of Food: Refers to Addition of Key Vitamins and Minerals such as Iron, Iodine, Zinc,
Vitamin A & D to Staple Foods such as Rice, Milk and Salt to improve their Nutritional Content.
o In India, Every 2nd Woman is Anemic and Every 3rd Child is Stunted.
• Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC): Responsible for Evaluating and Approving
Cultivation of GM Crops.
o Chaired By: Special Secretary / Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Hydroxyurea for Children: A New Approach to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) seeks partners for a new project.

They want to Develop and Commercialize a Low – Dose or Children's Version of Hydroxyurea. This
medication will treat Sickle Cell Disease in India.

Hydroxyurea is Oral Chemotherapy Drug that is prescribed to People with Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle Cell Anaemia

• 1st discovered by a physician named James Herrick.
• Group of Inherited Disorders known as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).
• Affects Shape of Red Blood Cells, which carry Oxygen to All Parts of the Body.

What happens in SCA?

• Red Blood Cells contain Haemoglobin, a Protein that carries Oxygen.
• Healthy Red Blood Cells are Round, and they move through Small Blood Vessels to carry Oxygen to
All Parts of the Body.
• In someone who has SCD, Haemoglobin is Abnormal, which causes Red Blood Cells to become Hard
and Sticky and look like a C-Shaped Farm Tool called a Sickle.

SCA in India
• India is 2nd Worst Affected Country in terms of Predicted Births with SCA — i.e., Chances of being
born with the condition.
• In India, around 18 million People have Sickle Cell Traits and 1.4 million Patients have Sickle Cell
Disease.
• Sickle Cell Belt: Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala and Rajasthan.

Steps taken by India to address SCA

• Sickle Cell Disease Support Corner
o Launched Bys: Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)
o To bridge gap between Patients and Health Care Services in Tribal Areas.
o Provides Web-based Patient Powered Registration System which will collate All Information
related to SCD among Tribal People in India.
• National Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication Mission 2047
o Announced in Union Budget 2023.
o Aim: To eradicate Sickle Cell Anemia from India by 2047.
• National Council on Sickle Cell Disease has been constituted for timely and effective action.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• In Budget 2023 – 24, Government announced its plans to distribute “Special Cards” across Tribal
Areas to people below the age of 40.

RBI’s Gold Reserve

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has transferred 100 metric tonnes of Gold from United Kingdom to
Domestic Vaults in FY24.

Gold Reserve
• Gold held by a Country’s Central Bank (RBI in case of India)
• Acting as a Backup for Financial Promises and a Store of Countries with Most Gold Reserves
Value. United States of America (8,133.46
• Purpose: To spread out Risk and facilitate International tonnes), Germany (3,352.65 tonnes),
Trading. Italy (2,451.84 tonnes), France
• India’s Total Gold Holding now stands at 822 metric (2,436.88 tonnes), Russian Federation
tonnes in FY24. (2,332.74 tonnes), China (2,262.45
• India’s Gold Reserves are primarily stored in Bank of tonnes), Switzerland (1,040.00
England. tonnes), Japan (845.97 tonnes), India
o Portion of its Gold Reserves at Bank for International (822.09 tonnes), and Netherlands
Settlements (BIS) in Basel (Switzerland) and Federal (612.45 tonnes) etc.
Reserve Bank of New York (United States).
o During India’s Foreign Exchange Crisis in 1990 – 91, Country pledged some of its Gold Reserves to
Bank of England to secure a $405 million loan.

Phenome India Project

CSIR concluded 1st Phase of its Longitudinal Health Monitoring Project, Phenome India.

Phenome India Project

• Official Name: Phenome India-CSIR Health Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Cohort Knowledgebase (PI – CheCK) • Established: 1942
• Launched in 2023s • Funded By: Ministry of Science and Technology
• Launched By: Council of Scientific and • Focused on Scientific Research and Development
Industrial Research in various fields such as Aerospace, Biology,
• 1st ever Pan – India Longitudinal Health Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Engineering and
Monitoring Study focused on Cardio- Medical Sciences.
Metabolic Diseases. • President: Prime Minister of India (Ex – Officio)
• Objective: To develop India-specific Risk • Vice President: Union Minister of Science and
Prediction Models for Cardio-Metabolic Technology (Ex – Officio)
Diseases including Diabetes, Liver • HQ: New Delhi
Diseases, and Cardiac Diseases.

Global Soil Partnership (GSP)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

GSP Assembly calls for urgent action to improve and maintain health of at least 50% of World's Soils
by 2030 at 12th Plenary Session (hosted by FAO).

Global Soil Partnership

• Established in 2012 by Food and Agriculture Organization
• Mechanism to develop Strong Interactive Partnership and enhanced Collaboration and Synergy of
Efforts between All Stakeholders.
• Aim: To position Soils on Global Agenda, promote Inclusive Policies and Soil Governance as well as
Sustainable Soil Management.

Abu Musa Island

Iran summoned China's Envoy over a China-UAE Statement questioning Iran's Sovereignty over
disputed Abu Musa Island and 2 Other Islands i.e. Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

Abu Musa Island is largest among them and also, rich in Offshore Oil and Natural Gas.

The Issue
• Claimed by both Iran and United Arab Emirates (UAE) but have been held by Iran since 1971.
• Iran took control over these Islands after withdrawal of British.
• Located close to the Strait of Hormuz (Connects Persian Gulf with Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea).
o About a 5th of Volume of World's Total Oil Consumption passes through the Strait on a daily basis.

United Nations Global Supply Chain Forum

The Inaugural United Nations Global Supply Chain Forum concluded successfully recently.

UN Global Supply Chain Forum

• Inaugural Edition of the Forum UNCTAD
• Venue: Barbados • Type: Inter – Governmental Body
• Hosted By: UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in • Established in 1964.
collaboration with Government of Barbados. • Objective: To assist Developing
• Next Forum is set to take place in Saudi Arabia in Countries, especially Least
2026. Developed Countries and Countries
with Economies in Transition, to
integrate beneficially into Global
Economy.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

8 June 2024 Current Affair

Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023

2023 Amendments to India’s Biological Diversity Act of 2002 has caused a debate concerning Bio –
Diversity Protection and India’s Responsibilities as a signatory to Kunming – Montreal Framework.

Background
• In 2022, at United Nations Biodiversity Conference, countries all over the world adopted Kunming-
Montreal Framework to enhance Bio-Diversity Protection and Conservation.
• Countries adopted calls to protect 30% of All Ecosystems by 2030, to Protect Biodiversity and
Genetic Diversity & ensure Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits of Traditional Knowledge with
Local and Indigenous Communities that steward this knowledge.

Amendments under Scrutiny

• No Longer Mandating Approval from National Biodiversity Authority for IPR.
o Only requiring them to be Registered with Authority before Granting Approvals
▪ Under 2002 Act, Approvals from National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) were required before
applying for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) related to Biological Resources.
• Exemption of codified traditional
knowledge from benefit – sharing
mechanism and stringent regulatory
oversight has also raised further
concerns.
o These changes undermine the
Principle of Fair and Equitable
Benefit-Sharing, which is central
to both Original Act and Nagoya
Protocol.
• By allowing AYUSH Practitioners
and related Industries to access
Biological Resources Without Prior
Approval
o Amendments open door to Commercial Exploitation Without Adequate Compensation to Local
Communities that hold Traditional Knowledge.
• Decriminalization of Offenses: Amendments now replace Imprisonment with Civil Penalties.
o Previously, Violations could result in Imprisonment and Fines.

Nagoya Protocol National Biodiversity

• Supplementary Agreement to Convention on Biological Diversity. Authority
• Adopted in 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) and Entered into force in 2014. • Type: Statutory Body
• Provides a Transparent Legal Framework for Effective • Established in 2003.
Implementation of One of 3 Objectives of CBD: Fair and Equitable • Aim: To implement
Sharing of Benefits arising out of Utilization of Genetic Resources. India’s Biological
Diversity Act (2002).
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• To achieve objectives of United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Provides a framework for Access to Biological Resources and Sharing Benefits arising out of such
Access and Use.
• In – line with Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.
Rising Global Temperatures
The World is witnessing a concerning trend of Record – Breaking Temperatures across the Globe,
exacerbated by Global Warming.
From scorching 56.7°C recorded in Death Valley, California over a century ago to the recent 52.9°C
reading in Delhi, Temperature Extremes are becoming more prevalent as the Planet continues to heat
up.
Mungeshpur Weather Station in Delhi recorded a record High Temperature of 52.9°C, Highest ever in
India.
However, India Meteorological Department (IMD) later clarified that Extreme Temperature was due
to an Error in Sensor or Local Factors.

Historical Context of Global Temperature

• Highest Temperature ever recorded on Earth was 56.7°C in Death Valley, California, in 1913.
Records
• United Kingdom: Surpassed 40°C for 1 time in July
st
Global Trends
2022. • Nearly 40% of Earth experienced
• China: Recorded its Highest Temperature of 52°C in a its Highest-ever Daily Temperature
North – Western Town last year. between 2013 and 2023.
• Europe: Sicily (Italy) reached 48.8°C in 2021, a record • Global Average Temperatures are
for the Continent. currently about 1.61°C Higher than
• India: Rajasthan's Phalodi recorded Highest Temperature Pre – Industrial Levels.
of 51°C in 2016.

Global Warming and its Effect

• Refers to Long-Term Increase in Earth's Average Surface Temperature due to Human Activities.
• Primarily Emission of Green – House Gases (GHG) like Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4).
• GHGs and Temperatures: GHGs Trap Heat in Earth's Atmosphere, preventing it from escaping into
Space.
• Global Temperature Rise: Planet's Average Surface Temperature has risen about 1°C since Late 19th
Century.
o Period from May 2023 to April 2024 was Warmest 12 – Month Period, with Global Temperatures
about 1.61°C Above Pre – Industrial Levels.
• India's Warming is Less than Global Average: Indian Temperatures have increased by 0.7 degrees
Celsius since 1900, while Global Land Temperatures have risen by 1.59°C.
o When including Oceans, Global Temperatures are now at least 1.1°C Higher than Pre – Industrial
Levels.
• Global Warming is causing an Increase in Global Temperatures and Frequency of Heatwaves.
o UHIs are Metropolitan Areas significantly Warmer than Surrounding Regions due to Heat –
Absorbing Surfaces and Energy Use.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

PraVaHa Software
ISRO develops PraVaHa (Parallel RANS Solver for VSSC
Aerospace Vehicle Aero – Thermo – Dynamic Analysis) • Responsible for Design and
Software Development of Launch Vehicle
Technology.
PraVaHa • Major Programme: Polar Satellite
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Software. Launch Vehicle, Geosynchronous
• Can simulate External and Internal Flows on Launch Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV
Vehicles, Winged and Non – Winged Re – Entry Vehicles. Mk III etc.
• Developed in ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. • HQ: Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

India will host World’s Most Premier Aviation Event, Annual General Meeting of International Air
Transport Association (IATA), next year, after a gap of 42 years.

IATA
• International Trade Association for World's Airlines
• Established in 1945 in Havana (Cuba)
• Aim: To Represent, Lead and Serve Airline Industry.
• Advocates for Interests of Airlines on World Stage in
addition to creating Industry Standards.
• Founding Members: 57
• HQ: Montreal (Canada)

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)

India participates in International Tele – Communication Union’s (ITU) WSIS+20 Forum High –
Level Event 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
WSIS+20 Forum marks 20 years of progress made in implementation of outcomes of WSIS, which
took place in Two Phases in Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005).

WSIS
• Co – Organised By: ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD
• Co – Hosted By: ITU and Swiss Confederation
• Aim: Create Multi – Stakeholder Platform to address
issues raised by Information and Communication
Technologies.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

10 June 2024 Current Affair

World Environment Day 2024

World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June every year to encourage Awareness and
Environmental Protection.

World Environment Day

• Celebrated annually on June 5th

o 1st World Environment Day was celebrated in 1973 with Significance of Land
theme “Only One Earth”. Restoration
• Established in 1972 on 1st Day of Stockholm Conference on • Reverses Environmental
Human Environment. Damage
• Organized by: United Nations Environment Programme • High Return on Investment
• Theme 2024: Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought • Boosts Communities
Resilience • Strengthens Resilience
• Slogan 2024: Our Land. Our Future. We are • Combats Climate Change
#GenerationRestoration”.
• Protects Biodiversity
• WED Host 2024: Saudi Arabia
o Arab Forum for Environment organized from 3 – 4 June in Riyadh.
o India hosted 45th celebration of World Environment Day in 2018 under theme "Beat Plastic
Pollution".

India's Contribution Towards Environmental Sustainability

• National Mission for Green India 2014
o One of 8 Missions under National Action Plan on Related Facts
Climate Change. • Year 2024 marks 30th anniversary
o To increase Forest/Tree Cover on 5 million hectares of of UN Convention to Combat
Land and improve Quality of Forest/Tree Cover on Desertification (UNCCD).
another 5 million hectares. o 16th Session of Conference of
• National Afforestation Programme 2002 Parties (COP 16) to UNCCD
o Aim: To restore Ecologically Damaged Forests. will be held in Riyadh (Saudi
o 21.47 million hectares of Land have been Afforested as Arabia) from Dec 2 to 13,
of 2020. 2024.
• Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme) 2020 • UN Decade on Ecosystem
o Focuses on developing Mini Urban Forests or "Nagar Restoration (2021 – 2030)
Vans" within Cities and Towns.
o Aim: To develop 200 Urban Forests across India in Next Five Years.
• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Funds 2016
o Aim: To promote Afforestation and India’s 1st Bio – Sphere in a Tiger Reserve
Regeneration Activities etc on Waste, Vacant • Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana
and Barren Lands. created India's 1st Biosphere in a Tiger
• Wetland Conservation Reserve, called Rajaji Raghati Biosphere
o India expanded its Ramsar Site count to 80 as within Rajaji National Park (Uttarakhand).
of now. • 35 – acre Private Forest Initiative aimed at
• Forest and Wildlife Conservation identifying and reviving Rare and
Endangered Species of Native Trees while
protecting area from Poachers and Mining.
• 2024
Month June They are developing a 2nd Biosphere above
Koyna River in Buffer Zone of Sahyadri
Tiger Reserve (Pune, Maharashtra).
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o India ranks 3rd globally in Net Forest Area Gain over the past 15 years.
o Forest Cover of India is 713789 sq km, which is 21.71% of Total Geographical Area of India, as
per India State of Forest Report 2021.
o India launched Project Tiger
(1973) and 30 years of Project
Elephant (1992).
o "Green Credit Program" has been
introduced to incentivize Tree
Plantation and Restoration of
Degraded Forest Lands.
• Mangrove Restoration
o Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline
Habitats and Tangible Incomes
(MISHTI) was announced in Union
Budget 2023 – 24 to promote and conserve Mangroves.
• Ban on Single – Use Plastic
o Introduced amendments to Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 through Plastic Waste
Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
• Global Initiatives of India
o India is a member of Global Alliance for Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency (GACERE)
and Steering Committee of International Resource Panel (IRP).
o 6th Assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) was hosted in New Delhi on 31st October 2023.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024

World Bank released State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024 Report.

Key Finding of Report

• Carbon Pricing (CP) Revenues in 2023 exceeded USD 100 Billion for 1st time.
• There are 75 Global CP Instruments in operation.
o Covering around 24% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
• Brazil, India and Türkiye have made notable progress towards CP Implementation.
• China and India are Largest Host Countries in terms of issuances of Carbon Credits.

Carbon Pricing (CP)

• Instrument that attaches a Cost to Greenhouse Gas Emissions, typically through CO2 Pricing
Mechanisms.
• Carbon Pricing took off under Kyoto Protocol (1997) with 3 Market-based Mechanisms:
o International Emissions Trading (IET), Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint
Implementation (JI).
o Article 6 of Paris Agreement allows Countries to transfer Carbon Credits earned from Reduction of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
• Main Types of CP
o Emissions Trading System (ETS): System where Emitters can trade Emission Units to meet their
Emission Targets.
o Carbon Tax: It directly sets a Price per Unit of Greenhouse Gas Emissions or Carbon Content.
• Benefits of CP
o Place Burden of Emiss ions Damage on Polluters.
o Spur Investment and Innovation in Clean Technology.
o Facilitate Paris Agreement Emissions pathways for Below 2°C/1.5°C Warming.
• CP at National Level
o In 2023, India introduced Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
o Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
o Clean Energy Cess of Rs 400/- per tonne of Coal.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Horticulture Production in India

India’s Horticulture Production in 2023 – 24 is estimated at approx 352.23 million tonnes, reflecting a
decrease of about 32.51 lakh tonnes (0.91%) compared to Final Estimates of 2022 – 23.

Horticulture Sector in India

• Indian Horticulture Sector contributes about 33% to Agriculture Gross Value Added (GVA).
• India ranks 1st in Production of a Number of Crops like Banana, Lime & Lemon, Papaya, Okra in the
world.
• India ranks 2nd Largest Producer of Vegetables and Fruits in the
world. Horticulture
Science and Art of cultivating
Key Initiatives Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers
and Ornamental Plants.
• National Horticulture Mission (2005 – 06)
o To promote Holistic Growth of Horticulture Sector National Horticulture Board (1984)
by enhancing Production, Productivity and Quality • Works under Ministry of Agriculture
of Horticulture Crops. and Farmers Welfare.
• Mission for Integrated Development of • Provides Financial Assistance,
Horticulture (2014) Technical Guidance and Market
o Integrates various Horticulture Development Intelligence to Horticulture Growers,
Schemes to provide Holistic Support for Entire Processors and Exporters to promote
Value Chain, from Pre – Production to Post – Production, Processing and Marketing
Harvest Management and Marketing. of Horticultural Crops.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (2007) • HQ: Gurugram (Haryana)
o Supports States in Planning, Implementing and
Monitoring their Horticulture Development Strategies by providing Financial Assistance for
Infrastructure Development, Capacity Building, and Other Interventions.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Global Public Debt Hits $97 Trillion in 2023

A report titled "A World of Debt: A Growing Burden to Global Prosperity”, highlights Unprecedented
Surge in Global Public Debt, which reached a historic peak of $97 trillion in 2023.
Report was prepared by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Key Findings of Report

• Number of African Countries with Debt – to – GDP Ratios above 60% has increased from 6 to 27
between 2013 and 2023.
• In 2023, Developing Nations paid $847 billion in Net Interest, a 26% increase from 2021.
• 3.3 billion Individuals reside in Nations where Interest Payments exceed spending on Education and
Health Combined.
• In 2023, Public Debt in Developing Countries hit $29 trillion or about 30% of Total Worldwide, an
increase from a 16% Share in 2010.
• Since 2010, Portion of External Public Debt owed to Private Creditors has risen across All Regions,
accounting for 61% of Developing Countries’ Total External Public Debt in 2022.
• “Cascading Crises” and Sluggish and Uneven Performance of Global Economy underpinned Rapid
Increase in Global Public Debt, which is rising at Twice Rate in Developing Countries than in Richer
ones.

Public Debt of India

• India’s Public Debt – to – GDP Ratio has barely increased
from 81% in 2005 – 06 to 84% in 2021 – 22, and is back to Public Debt Management Cell
81% in 2022 – 23. Established in 2015 as an Interim
Arrangement before setting up an
• As per Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management
Independent and Statutory Debt
(FRBM) Act 2003, General Government Debt was supposed
Management Agency namely
to be brought down to 60% of GDP by 2024 – 25.
Public Debt Management Agency.
• IMF states that India’s General Government Debt, including
Centre and States, could be 100% of GDP under Adverse Circumstances by Fiscal 2028.
• It has projected Ratio at 82.4% for 2024 – 25.
Mandatory Self Declaration Certificate (SDC) Mandatory for All New Advertisements
As per Supreme Court Directive, No Advertisement will be permitted to run on Television, Print
Media or Internet Without a Valid SDC.

SDC
• Signed by an Authorized Representative of Advertiser / Advertising Agency.
• Needs to be submitted through:
o Broadcast Seva Portal for TV and Radio Advertisements. Press Council of India, 1979
o Press Council of India's Portal for Print and • Type: Statutory Quasi – Judicial
Digital/Internet Advertisements. Autonomous Authority
• SDC will certify that Advertisement does not contain • Set up under Press Council Act,
Misleading Claims. 1978.
• Complies with All Relevant Regulatory Guidelines, • Preserving Freedom of Press by
including: maintaining and improving
Standards of Newspapers and
News Agencies in India.
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Those stipulated in Cable Television Networks Rules, 1994.

o Norms of Journalistic Conduct of Press Council of India.
Kenya – India Collaboration on Cheetah Conservation
Kenyan Delegation visited India to discuss collaboration on Wildlife Conservation Efforts, with a
particular emphasis on ongoing Cheetah Reintroduction Project (Project Cheetah).
Delegation presented a Draft MoU to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) proposing
collaboration.

Project Cheetah/ Cheetah Reintroduction Project

• Aim: To restore Population of Cheetahs, which were declared extinct in the country in 1952.
• Phase – 1 of Project started in 2022.
o It involves Translocation of Cheetahs from South Africa and Namibia to Kuno National Park.
o Implemented By: NTCA in collaboration with Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife
Institute of India (WII).
• Under Phase – 2 of Project, India is considering sourcing Cheetahs from Kenya.
o Cheetahs will be translocated to Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
(Madhya Pradesh).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Lok Sabha Election Verdict 2024

Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA is set to form the government at the Centre for 3rd Consecutive Term.

Key Highlights
• BJP won in 240 Seats (Vote Share of 36.56%)
o Less than 303 and 282 Seats it had won in 2019 and 2014, respectively.
• With support from key allies N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar's
JD(U), which won 16 and 12 Seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, respectively, NDA crossed Halfway
Mark (293).
• Congress, which is part of Opposition INDIA Bloc (233 Seats), won 99 Seats (Vote Share of 21.19%)
compared to 52 it won in 2019.
o Samajwadi Party kept INDIA Bloc's Morale High in UP with 37 Seats and Trinamool Congress
(TMC) won 29 Seats in West Bengal, higher than its 2019 tally of 22.

Blaze Star
Upcoming Explosion of "Blaze Star" (T Coronae Borealis), a Rare Celestial Event, will be visible to
Naked Eye for 1st time since 1946.

Blaze Star
• Officially known as "T Coronae Borealis" (T CrB)
• Type: Dim Star
• Found in Constellation Corona Borealis (North ern Crown).
o Located 3,000 light-years away from Our Solar System.
• NASA predicts this event to occur sometime between now
and Sep 2024.
• Past Notable Eruptions of T CrB were recorded in 1946 and 1866, with earlier documented
observations dating back to 1787 and 1217.

Minuteman III
US conducted an unarmed Minuteman III Inter – Continental Ballistic Missile Test.

Minuteman III (LGM – 30G Minuteman III)

• Type: Solid – Fuelled, Inter – Continental Ballistic Missile
• Sole Land – based Component of US Nuclear Triad.
• Designed and Manufactured By: Boeing Corporation
• 1st US Missile fitted with Multiple Independently –
targetable Re – entry Vehicles (MIRVs).
• Maximum Range: 13,000 km

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Netherlands: India’s 3rd Largest Export Destination

Netherlands has emerged as India’s 3rd Largest Export Destination after US and UAE during 2023 –
24, even as India’s Merchandise Shipments dipped by More than 3%
Main Commodities which registered Healthy Exports Growth in Netherlands include Petroleum
Products ($14.29 billion), Electrical Goods, Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals in Last Fiscal.
India’s Trade Surplus with Netherlands rose to $17.4 billion in FY24 from $13 billion in FY23.

NOTA (None of the Above)

The "None of the Above" (NOTA) option has emerged as the runner-up in Madhya Pradesh's Indore
constituency, securing a record-breaking 2,18,674 votes.

Mexico (Capital: Mexico City)

Claudia Sheinbaum elected as 1st Woman President of Mexico.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

11 June 2024 Current Affair

India to take Australia to WTO Arbitration

India has sought arbitration proceedings under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules against
Australia to resolve an issue concerning Services Sector, as it could impact India’s Trade in Services.

The Issue
• In Feb 2024 in Abu Dhabi, over 70 WTO Nations agreed to Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) to take
Additional Obligations under General Agreement on Goods in Services (GATS) to ease Non – Good
Trade among Themselves and extend Similar Concessions to All Other Members of WTO.
• These obligations seek to mitigate Unintended Trade Restrictive Measures relating to Licensing
Requirements and Procedures, Qualification Requirements and Procedures and Technical Standards
among themselves.
• It will also benefit Indian Professional Companies which will now have Equal Opportunity to Access
Markets in these 70 Countries if they meet the Standards.
• As per estimates, JSI will help Reduce Services Trade Costs by 10% for Lower – Middle – Income
Economies and 14% for Upper – Middle – Income Economies, with Overall Savings of USD 127
billion.

Opposition to Joint Statement Initiatives

• New Agreement in Abu Dhabi is a Plurilateral Agreement where just 72 out of 164 WTO Members
are a Party.
• India, South Africa and Many WTO Members haven't agreed to this deal.
o India, like other Developing Nations, opposed various Joint Statement Initiatives (JSIs) because
they're Not negotiated by All Members.
• Australia's adherence to its Commitments under a JSI is a Point of Contention in the Dispute.

Australia Case
• In 2023, Australia notified WTO about intention to Modify its Schedule of Specific Commitments
under GATS to incorporate Additional Commitments relating to Services Domestic Regulation.
• As an "Affected Member", India has stated that Australia's Intended Modification of its Specific
Commitments does Not Satisfy Certain Conditions.
• Despite negotiations between India and Australia, No Agreement was reached.

WTO’s Dispute Settlement

• Consultations: Before initiating a Formal Dispute,
MechanismComplaining Party must Request Consultations
with Defending Party.
• Panel Establishment: If Consultations fail to resolve the Dispute, Complaining Party can request
Establishment of Dispute Settlement Panel.
o General Council convenes as DSB to deal with disputes between WTO Members.
o Panel's Report includes Findings of Fact, Legal Interpretations and Recommendations for a
Resolution.
▪ It is circulated to All WTO Members, allowing them to Review and provide Comments.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Report becomes Dispute Settlement Body’s Ruling or

Recommendation within 60 days unless a consensus rejects it. WTO’s Appellate Body
• WTO’s Appellate Body: Can Uphold, Modify or Reverse Legal • Established in 1995
Findings and Conclusions of a Panel. • Members: 7 Persons
o Appellate Body Reports, once adopted by DSB, must be • Tenure: 4 years
accepted by Parties to the Dispute. • Seat: Geneva (Switzerland)
• Implementation of Recommendations: If a WTO Related Facts
Member is found to violate its obligations, it is • In Abu Dhabi, Feb 2024, 13th Ministerial
expected to bring its measures into compliance Conference (MC13) of WTO was held up.
with WTO Agreements. o Chaired By: Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al
o If Member fails to do so, Complainant may Zeyoudi (Minister of State for Foreign
seek Authorisation to retaliate through Trade).
Suspension of Concessions or Other Measures. • Before this, in 2022 in Geneva at WTO
Issue with WTO’s Dispute Settlement Headquarters was 12th Ministerial
Mechanism Conference (MC12) where Timur
US has systematically blocked Appointment Suleimenov, Deputy Chief of Staff to
of New Appellate Body Members and Judges Kazakh President, officiated.
& De Facto impeded Work of WTO Appeal • 1st Ministerial Conference (MC1) was in
Mechanism. Singapore at 1996.
• WTO appreciates the joining of Comoros
(165th) as well as Timor Leste (166th) to
be one of its Member States.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Special Category Status

With General Elections throwing up a fractured mandate, Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) and
Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party are set to play a key role in government formation at the
Centre. As a result, their past demands for Special Category Status (SCS) for Bihar and Andhra
Pradesh, respectively, are back in focus.

Evolution of Idea of SCS

• Constitution does Not include Any Provision for Categorisation of Any State in India as SCS State.
• Introduced in 1969 on recommendations of 5th Finance Eligibility for Special Category
Commission (Chaired by Mahavir Tyagi). Status (Gadgil Formula)
o At that time, this was provided to Assam, Jammu and • Hilly and Difficult Terrain.
Kashmir and Nagaland. • Low Population Density and /or a
• Idea of SCS was 1st formalised in April 1969 when Gadgil Sizable Share of Tribal Population.
– Mukherjee Formula of Fund Allocation was cleared by • Strategic Location along Borders
National Development Council (NDC). with Neighbouring Countries.
o On the basis of this formula, More States were given
• Economically and Infrastructurally
SSCS when they attained Statehood.
Backward.
o These include Himachal Pradesh in 1970 – 71,
• Non – Viable Nature of State
Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura in 1971 – 72; Sikkim
Finances.
in 1975 – 76; Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram in 1986 –
National Development Council
87, Uttarakhand in 2001 – 02.
• Set up on 6 Aug 1952
• Benefits to States with SCS
• Apex Body for Decision
o Central Assistance of as much as 90% in form of Grants
Making and Deliberations on
and 10% Loan for Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Development Matters in India
▪ For Non – SCS, Normal Central Assistance was
calculated as 30% Grant and 70% Loan. • Aim: To strengthen and
o Provided Special Plan Assistance for Projects of Special mobilise Effort and Resources
Importance to the State. of Nation in support of 5 Year
o Unspent Funds do Not Lapse at End of Financial Year. Plans.
o Get Tax Concessions • Head: Prime Minister

Why Bihar and AP Demanding SCS and its Feasibility?

• Bihar has been ranked as Poorest State in India, according Multidimensional Poverty Index
to Centre's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report. • Traditionally, Poverty is calculated
o Estimated to have nearly 52% of its Population, based either on Income Levels or
without having Proper Access to requisite Health, on Expenditure Levels.
Education and Living Standards. • Globally, MPI uses 10 Indicators
o Bihar does Not Fulfil Criteria of Hilly Terrain and covering 3 Main Areas: Health,
Geographically Difficult Areas. Education and Standard of Living.
• After its bifurcation in 2014, then UPA Government had • These 3 Dimensions have 1/3rd
promised to grant SCS to Andhra Pradesh to Compensate Weight Each in Final Index.
for Loss of Revenue and of Hyderabad.
o Today’s Andhra Pradesh is essentially an Agrarian State, with
Low Economic Buoyancy, leading to Huge Revenue States with SCS
Disabilities. 11 States: Assam, Nagaland,
o SCS would Mean Higher Grants – in – Aid to State Himachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Government from Centre. Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura,
Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram,
Uttarakhand and Telangana.
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

▪ To illustrate, Per Capita grants to SCSs is Rs 5,573 Crore per year, whereas AP receives Only
Rs 3,428 Crore.
Farmers voluntarily giving up their PM – Kisan Benefits
According to data available with Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Farmers across India
have voluntarily given up the Benefits of Annual Rs 6,000 Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM
– Kisan) Scheme from June 2023 to May 2024.

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM – Kisan) Scheme

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Aim: To provide Income Support to Landholding Farmers by easing their Liquidity Needs and
facilitating Timely Access to Agricultural Inputs across India.
• Eligibility and Beneficiaries: All Landholding Farmer Families
o eKYC is Mandatory for PM – Kisan Registered Farmers.
• Financial Assistance: ₹6,000 per year Constitutional Provisions
o Provided in 3 Equal Instalments of ₹2,000 each. • Schedule VII (List II, Entry 14):
o Funds are directly transferred to Bank Accounts of Agriculture, including Agricultural
Beneficiaries. Education and Research, Protection
• Of 9.09 Crore Farmers who received 16th Instalment of against Pests, Prevention of Plant
PM – Kisan, a maximum of 2.03 Crore were in Uttar Diseases.
Pradesh. • Article 48 (DPSP): State’s
o Followed by Maharashtra (89.66 lakh), Madhya Responsibility towards organising
Pradesh (79.93 lakh), Bihar (75.79 lakh), Rajasthan Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
(62.66 lakh). on Modern and Scientific Lines.
• Voluntary Surrender: Farmers can voluntarily exit the
scheme using PM – Kisan mobile App or Website.
o Reasons for Surrender: Absentee Landlords, Ineligible Descendants or Changes in Land
Ownership Status.
o Surrender (State Breakup): Maximum in Bihar (29,176) followed by Uttar Pradesh (26,593) and
Rajasthan (10,343).

Other Related Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana (2019)
o Provides Pension Benefits to Small and Marginal Farmers.
o Aim: To offer ₹3,000 monthly Pension to eligible Farmers once they reach 60 years of age.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (2016)
o Provides Crop Insurance against Non-Preventable Natural Risks from Pre – Sowing to Post –
Harvest, by ensuring Comprehensive Risk Cover for Crops.
▪ Premium of Only 2% to be paid by Farmers for All Kharif Crops and 1.5% for All Rabi Crops.
▪ In case of Annual Commercial and Horticultural Crops, Premium to be paid by Farmers will be
Only 5%.
▪ 95 – 98.5% Premium is fulfilled by State and Central Governments and shared on a 1:1 Ratio.
• Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) & Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Saturation Drive
o ISS Offers Concessional Short – Term Agri – Loans to Farmers, while KCC provides Credit
Facilities.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

UNESCO State of Ocean Report

UNESCO’s ‘State of Ocean Report, 2024’ provides crucial insights into the current state of global
oceans, emphasising the challenges posed by climate change and human activities.

UNESCO State of Ocean Report

• Annual Editions released on World Oceans Day (June 8)
o Initiated during 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference.
• By Inter – Governmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC Deep Ocean Mission
– UNESCO) • Approved in 2021
• Serves as an Accessible Overview of Ocean's Current • Duration: 5 years
Status. • Budget: ₹4,077 Crore
• Supports Monitoring of UN Decade of Ocean Science for • Aim: To develop technologies
Sustainable Development (2021–2030) for Deep – Sea Mining, Manned
• Encourages Actions towards a Sustainable Ocean Future. Submersibles and Underwater
Robotics
Key Finding of Report o As well as for Ocean Climate
• Upper 2,000 meters of Oceans have experienced significant Change Advisory Services,
Warming. Deep – Ocean Survey and
• Oceans are Absorbing about 90% of Earth's Excess Energy, Exploration, Energy and
causing increased Deoxygenation and threatening Marine Freshwater from Ocean,
Ecosystems and Human Economies dependent on them. Advanced Marine Stations
for Ocean Biology.
• Ocean Acidification is on the rise globally, particularly in
Open Ocean, with a noted pH decline since the late 1980s.
• Sea Levels have risen consistently since 1993.
Global Groundwater Warming due to Climate Change: Study
Nature Geosciences Study has projected an Average Rise of 2.1 degree Celsius in Groundwater
Temperature between 2000 – 2100 due to Climate Change.

Status of Groundwater
• India has Largest Area under Groundwater Irrigation in world. Importance of Groundwater
• As per Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment 2022, 14% • Helps to Replenish and
of Assessed Units are Overexploited and 4% are Critical. Maintain Levels of Surface
o Overexploited: Groundwater Extraction exceeding Annually Water.
Replenishable Groundwater Recharge.
• Provides Drinking Water
o Critical: Groundwater Extraction is between 90 – 100 % of
for nearly 50% of Global
Annual Extractable Resources Available.
Population.
• Amount of Water in Polar Ice Caps and Glaciers is More than
• Used in Food Production,
Amount of Groundwater.
Crop Irrigation, Industrial
• Amount of Water in Rivers and Lakes is Less than Amount of Processes like Oil and Gas,
Groundwater. Energy Generation etc.

Initiatives taken for Groundwater Conservation in India

• Atal Bhujal Yojana, under Ministry of Jal Shakti, for Sustainable Groundwater Management.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Groundwater Management and Regulation, a Centre Sector Scheme, deals with Aquifer Mapping and
Monitoring of Groundwater Levels and Quality.
• National Aquifer Mapping Program for Sustainable Aquifer Management.
Women Representation in 18th Lok Sabha
74 Women elected to 18ths Lok Sabha, accounting for 13.6% representation in Lok Sabha.
Election of 74 Women to 18th Lok Sabha (LS) is a slight dip in Women Representation as 78 Women
were elected to 17th LS (14.4% Representation).

Women Representation in 18th Lok Sabha

• 9.7% of 797 Women Contestants won in 18th LS Elections while in 17th LS Elections, 10.74% of 726
Women Contestants won.
• Women’s Representation in LS increased from 5% in 1st LS to its Highest in 17th LS (14.4%).
• Presently, Women Members constitute 14.05% of Rajya Sabha Members.
• Globally, Share of Women in National Parliaments is 26.9%.

Status of Women Representation in Legislature

• Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 (106th Amendment Act) to reserve 1/3rd of Seats for Women in
Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies including Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
• 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments made Reservation of 1/3rd Seats in Panchayats and
Municipalities for Women.
• India pledged to achieve SDG Target 5.5, which calls for Women's Full and Effective Participation at
All Levels of Decision – making in Politics and Public Life.
UN’s WSIS 2024 PRIZE ‘Champion’ Award
Centre for Development of Telematics (C – DOT) won UN’s WSIS 2024 ‘Champion’ Award for
Mobile – Enabled Disaster Resilience through Cell Broadcast Emergency Alerting.
It underscores C – DOT’s Commitment to leveraging Technology for Societal Impact.

World Summit on Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum

• Conducted By: International Telecommunication Union
2024 Alignment with Global
o Co – organised with UNESCO, UNDP and UNCTAD.
Initiatives
• Host: Geneva (Switzerland)
• Early Warnings for All
(EW4All): Contributing
Cell Broadcast Emergency Alerting Platform to Global Early Warning
• Near Real – Time Alerts: Delivers Life – Saving Emergency Efforts.
Information to Mobile Phones via Cellular Networks. • ITU’s Common Alerting
• Geo – Targeted Multi – Hazard Alerts: Provides Alerts based on Protocol: Standardising
Location, ensuring Timely Responses during Disasters. Alert Formats.
• Multi – Language Support: Alerts are Available in Multiple • Sustainable Development
Languages. Goals (SDGs): Promoting
• Cost – Effective and Automated: Indigenous Solution that Disaster Resilience.
optimises Disaster Risk Management.

C – DOT
• Established in 1984
• Autonomous Telecom R&D Centre of Department of Telecommunication (Ministry of Science
& Technology) Month June 2024
• HQ: New Delhi
• Founder: Sam Pitroda
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

NOTA Creates New Record In Madhya Pradesh

None of the Above (NOTA) has created a New Record in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in Lok Sabha
Election Results.

None of the Above (NOTA)

• Allows Voters to express their Dissatisfaction with Available Candidates during Elections.
• Enables Voter to Officially Register a Vote of Rejection for All Candidates who are contesting an
Election.
• If a Voter chooses to press NOTA on EVM, it indicates that Voter has Not Chosen to Vote for Any
Party.
• Voter must be eligible to register a Vote of Rejection if they feel that Contesting Candidates do Not
Deserve to be Voted for.
• Right to Vote granted to All Citizens must allow Vote of Disapproval.
• In 2013, Supreme Court, in People's Union of Civil Liberties vs Union of India, ruled that NOTA
Option should be provided in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
• It allows Voters to exercise their right Not to Vote while maintaining Secrecy.
Arun – 3 Hydro Electric Project
Prime Minister of Nepal completed the last blast of Head Race Tunel of Arun – 3 Hydro Electric
Project in Nepal.

Arun – 3 Hydro Electric Project

• Type: Run – of – the – River Hydropower Project
• Capacity: 900 MW
• On Arun River in Sankhuwasabha District of Eastern Nepal.
• Developed By: SJVN Arun – III Power Development Company (SAPDC)
o Wholly – owned Subsidiary of India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam
• Operational Period: 25 years, excluding Construction Period of 5 Years.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

12 June 2024 Current Affair

RBI’s Repatriation of Gold from UK to India

Reserve Bank of India has undertaken a significant strategic move by bringing back over 100 Tonnes
of Gold from UK to its Domestic Vaults.

This has marked Largest Such Repatriation since early 1990s and Repatriation of Gold
signifies RBI's Evolving Approach to managing its Gold Reserves. Reserves
• No Financial Implications
Background for India's GDP, Tax
Collections or RBI's
• During 1990 – 91 Foreign Exchange Crisis, India pledged part of its
Balance Sheet.
Gold Reserves to Bank of England to secure a USD 405 million
• Only involves a Change
Loan.
in Storage Location of
• Although, Loan was Repaid by Nov 1991, RBI chose to keep Gold Gold (Total Gold Asset of
in UK for Logistical Reasons as Gold Stored Abroad can be easily RBI will remain Same).
used for Trading, entering into Swaps, and earning Returns. • No Customs or GST
Implications associated
The Reason with this transfer, as Gold
being repatriated is
• Protection Against Inflation
already owned by India.
o Unlike Currencies that can lose Purchasing Power due to
Inflation, Gold's Historical Performance suggests it can even
Appreciate in Price during these times. Significance of Gold in
• Hedge Against Geopolitical Uncertainty Economy
o Gold is seen as Safe Haven during Geopolitical Uncertainty like • Limited Supply & Intrinsic
Russia – Ukraine War. Value
• Diversification and Liquidity • Hedge Against Inflation
o Including Gold in its reserves allows RBI to diversify its Foreign • Diversification & Stability
Exchange Holdings. • Jewellery & Cultural
Significance
o This provides RBI with Flexibility and Additional Options for
managing its Reserves.
• Strength and Confidence
o Show India's Robust Economic Growth and its ability to safeguard its Financial Assets and indicate
Confidence in Indian Economy's Stability.
• Storage Charges
o Bringing Gold back eliminates Storage Costs Paid to Bank of Stats of Gold Purchasing
England. • According to World Gold
Council, RBI is among
Gold Stock Top 5 Central Banks that
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 provides overarching Legal are Buying Gold.
Framework for Deployment of Reserves in Different Foreign • RBI purchased 200
Currency Assets and Gold. Tonnes of Gold during
• As of March 2024, RBI held 822.10 tonnes of Gold, with 408.31 Global Financial Crisis in
Tonnes Stored Domestically. 2009.
o 65.11 Tonnes of Gold
in FY 2022
o 34.22 Tonnes of Gold
Month June 2024 in FY2023
o 19 Tonnes of Gold in
FY 2024.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Remaining 413.79 Tonnes are still held in Custody with Foreign Institutions like Bank of England
and Bank for International Settlements.
• According to RBI as of April 2024, Share of Gold is USD 54.4 billion in Current Forex Reserve of India
(USD 648.562 billion).

Gold Reserves in India

• Total Reserves of Gold Ore in India are estimated at
Other Major Buyers of Gold
501.83 million Tonnes as of 2015.
• People's Bank of China: China was
• Largest Resources of Gold Ore: Bihar (44%) followed by Top Buyer of Gold among Central
Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Banks in 1st Quarter of 2024.
Andhra Pradesh (3%), Jharkhand (2%) • Central Bank of Turkey:
• Karnataka commands around 80% of Nation's Total Gold Purchased Most Gold (8 Tonnes)
Output. year – to – date, bringing its Total
o Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Kolar District is one of Holdings to 578 Tonnes.
World's Oldest and Deepest Gold Mines.

Historical Regime of Exchange Rate Management

• Gold Standard (1870 – 1914) Special Drawing Rights
o Currencies were directly tied to Value of Gold. • Created by IMF as a Supplement
o Each Country held Gold Reserves to back their Currency. to Gold Reserves.
o Stable Exchange Rates made International Trade Easier • Basket of Major Currencies, Not
and Predictable. Directly Convertible to Gold.
• Bretton Woods System (1944 – 1971) • Price of Gold is determined by
o Aimed to create a More Stable and Predictable Supply and Demand in Free
International Financial System. Market, Not by its connection to
o Fixed Exchange Rates with US Dollar as Reserve Currencies.
Currency.
o Other Currencies were pegged to Dollar at a Fixed Rate.
o US Dollar was, in turn, convertible to Gold at a Fixed Price of USD 35 per ounce.

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Slovenia to Recognize Palestine

Slovenia becomes latest European Country to recognize a Palestinian State, bringing the total to 146
Countries.

Slovenia (Capital: Ljubljana) is a Country in Central Europe.

Recognition of Palestine
• On 15th Nov 1988, during 1st Palestinian Uprising, Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat unilaterally
proclaimed an Independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its Capital.
• Algeria became 1st Country to officially recognise an Independent Palestinian State in 1988.
• In 2012, Palestinian Flag was raised at United Nations for 1st Time Palestinian Statehood and
after General Assembly overwhelmingly voted to upgrade Stand of India
Palestine's Status to "Non – Member Observer State”. • India and Palestine have
• In 2014, Sweden became 1st EU Nation to recognize as a State. had a relationship since
o Only a handful of 27 EU Members have done so, mostly Former 1974, when India became
Communist Countries as well as Sweden and Cyprus. 1st Non – Arab State to
• Middle East, African and Asian Countries are Recognizing it as a recognize Palestine
State. Liberation Organisation.
• United States, Canada, Most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan • In 1988, India was one of
or South Korea Not Recognizing it as a State. 1st Countries to recognize
o United States, Britain and Other Western Countries have Palestinian State.
backed the Idea of an Independent Palestinian State existing • In 1996, India opened its
alongside Israel. Representative Office to
Palestine in Gaza City
• Australia, Malta and Slovenia have expressed “Readiness” to
which was shifted to
recognize it as a State.
Ramallah in 2003.
• In April 2024, United States vetoed a Palestinian Bid to become a • India also launched
Full UN Member State at UN Security Council. Operation Ajay to help
o In May 2024, 143 of 193 Countries in United Nations General Indian nationals evacuate
Assembly voted for Full Membersh ip to UN for State of from Israel.
Palestine.
• International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor has sought
Arrest Warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

2023 Hamas Attack

• On 07 October 2023, Hamas leader Mohammed Deif
announced the start of Operation Al – Aqsa Flood, a
large-scale offensive against Israel.
• Genesis of Present Conflict lies in Attack of Militants from
Hamas on Israeli Forces and Citizens & Subsequent
Capture of Numerous Civilians, leading to an emergency
in the Nation.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Hamas described Assault as Retaliation for Israel's Military operations in West Bank and incidents at
Al – Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• In response to Unexpected Assault by Hamas, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated Operation "Iron
Swords".

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Jailed Leaders Amritpal Singh and Engineer Rashid Win Elections in India

Jailed leaders Amritpal Singh and Engineer Rashid, who ran as Amritpal Singh
Independent Candidates in Lok Sabha Elections, have won the • Leader of Waris Punjab De,
Election. was arrested in 2023 under
National Security Act.
Both Leaders are currently in Prison on Serious Charges that are
• He has been in prison in
being probed by National Investigation Agency.
Dibrugarh, Assam.

Key Points
• As per Indian Laws, despite facing Criminal Section 8 of Representation of People Act,
Charges, Accused Persons are eligible to contest 1951
Election, unless Convicted. • Related to “Disqualification on Conviction
o However, like Other Accused Persons in Indian for Certain Offences”.
Prisons, Accused Persons are Barred from • As per current law, Only a Conviction and
Voting in Elections. a Sentence of 2 or More Years will lead to
• Even though they are in Prison, winning Lok Disqualification from Parliament.
Sabha Elections means Amritpal and Rashid are • They face a 6-year Disqualification Period
now Parliamentarians. from Contesting Elections, starting from
o Now, they have a Constitutional Mandate as Date of their Release.
Parliamentarians, which starts with them taking Oath.
Engineer Rashid
• Although, Not Explicitly stated in Constitution, Jailed • 2 – time MLA & Founder of
Lawmakers have been granted Temporary Parole in the past Jammu and Kashmir Awami
to take their Oaths. Ittehad Party, won Baramullah
o Being allowed to take Oath is Not the Same as being Seat against Former Chief
released on Bail. It is more like a Special Parole for a day. Minister Omar Abdullah.
• After taking Oath, Jailed Lawmaker must write to Speaker to • Rashid was arrested in 2019
explain that th ey cannot attend the proceedings. under Unlawful Activities
o This is crucial because Article 101(4) of Constitution states Prevention Act (UAPA) on
that if an MP is Absent from All Meetings for over 60 Days Charges of Money Laundering
Without Permission, their Seat will be declared Vacant. related to Terror Funding.
• To attend a Parliament Session or cast a Vote, Lawmaker must • He has been in jail for Past 5
years.
get

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Court Permission.

QS World University Rankings 2025

QS World University Rankings was released by Quacquarelli Symonds

(QS), a Leading Network of Experts in Education Sector.

Key Highlights of Rankings

• Top Global Institutes: Massachusetts Institute of
QS World University Rankings
Technology (MIT), Imperial College London (ICL),
• Based on 9 Performance Indicators
Harvard University and University of Oxford (Jointly held
• Academic Reputation, Employer
3rd Rank.)
Reputation, Faculty Student Ratio,
o MIT: Best Institute globally for 13th Consecutive Year. Citations per Faculty, International
o Imperial College London: Improved from 6th to 2nd. Faculty Ratio, International Student
• ETH Zurich: Top Institution in Continental Europe for Ratio, International Research
17th Year. Network, Employment Outcomes,
• Asia: National University of Singapore (NUS) remains a and Sustainability.
prominent institution, keeping its 8th Spot.

India’s
• With 46 Universities, Indian Higher EducationPosition
System is Top Indian Institutes
th rd
7 Most Represented globally and 3 in Asia, trailing • IIT Bombay: Climbed from 149th in
only Japan (49 Universities) & China (71 Universities). 2024 to 118th in 2025.
o 61% of Indian Universities’ Ranking has improved, • IIT Delhi: Achieved 2nd Position in
with IIT Bombay gaining Top Spot in India. India, moving up 47 Ranks from
o While 24% have maintained their positions. 197th to 150th.
• Citations per Faculty: India’s Performance Score is IIT Indore: Only Indian Institute that
37.8, surpassing Global Average of 23.5. declined in Ranking, dropping from
o This is 2nd Highest in Asia among Countries with 454th to 477th.
more than 10 Ranked Universities. New Entries: Symbiosis International
(Deemed University) entered Top 20,
ranked between 641 – 650 globally.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o However, India lags in International Faculty Ratio and International Student Ratio Indicators.

Review of Agnipath Scheme

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition said New Government should review “Agnipath”
Scheme for Short Term Recruitments to Armed Forces.

Agnipath Scheme
• Also called
Tour of Duty
Scheme.
• Introduced Significance of Scheme
in 2022. • Reducing the Average Age in Military
• Short-Term • Short Term Services in Other Countries
Recruitment • Technologically Advanced Future
Scheme for • Budgetary Constraints
Indian Army. • Employment
• Under
Policy,
Soldiers —
called
‘Agniveers’ Concerns
— are • Short Duration
recruited for 4 years, at the end of which Only 25 Percent of Recruits • Lack of Employment
from a Batch are Retained for Regular Service for 15 years. Guarantee
• Training Duration

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Age Limit: 17.5 – 21 years

TRISHNA Mission

TRISHNA (Thermal Infra – Red Imaging Satellite for High – resolution

Natural Resource Assessment) Mission is a collaborative endeavour
between ISRO and CNES (French Space Agency)
India’s International Space Cooperation
to monitor Surface Temperature and Water
• India – France: Strategic Space Dialogues
Management.
on Defense Space Cooperation, Space
Exchanges and Defense Space Industrial
TRISHNA Mission Cooperation, etc.
• TRISHNA stands for Thermal Infra – Red Imaging • India – US: Bilateral Space Situational
Satellite for High – resolution Natural Resource Awareness Arrangement (2022), NASA –
Assessment ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR)
Mission, etc.
• Indo – French Thermal Imaging Mission
• Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) Mission
between India and Japan
• South Asia Satellite (SAS) to boost
Month June 2024
Communication and improve Disaster links
among India’s 6 Neighbors (Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives,
Nepal, Sri Lanka)
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Objective: Detailed Monitoring of Energy and Water Budgets of Continental Biosphere for
Quantifying Terrestrial Water Stress and Water Use and High-Resolution Observation of Water
Quality and Dynamics.
o Help in a Comprehensive Assessment of Urban Heat Islands, Detection of Thermal Anomalies
linked to Volcanic Activity and Geothermal Resources, etc.
• 2 Primary Payloads: Thermal Infra-Red (TIR), Visible – Near Infra – Red – Short Wave Infra – Red
(VNIR – SWIR)
o TIR: Provided by CNES, features a 4 Channel Long-Wave Infrared Imaging Sensor.
o VNIR – SWIR: Developed by ISRO, includes 7 Spectral Bands designed for Detailed Mapping of
Surface Reflectance.
• Orbit: Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO)
o Kind of Polar Orbit in which Satellites are Synchronized to Always be in Same Position relative to
the Sun.
• Operational Life: 5 years

World Wealth Report 2024

Number of High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) in India increased by 12.2% in 2023 compared to

2022 as per Capgemini Research Institute’s World Wealth Report 2024.

It covers 71 Countries, accounting for more than 98% of Global Gross National Income and 99% of
world Stock Market Capitalization.

Key Highlights
• Global High – Net – Worth Individuals (HNWI) HNWIs
Wealth expanded by 4.7% in 2023, reaching $86.8 • Individuals with Investable Assets of $1
trillion. million or more, excluding their Primary
o Similarly, HNWI Population increased by 5.1% Residence, Collectibles, Consumables
to 22.8 million globally. and Consumer Durables.
• Among Best Performers in APAC Region were India o Ultra – HNWIs ($30 million or more)
and Australia, which recorded HNWI Wealth o Mid – Tier Millionaires ($5 – 30M)
Growth of 12.4% and 7.9% & HNWI Population o Millionaires Next Door (USD 1 – 5M)
Growth of 12.2% and 7.8%, respectively.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• HNWI in India increased by 12.2% in 2023 vs 2022, bringing Total Number of HNWI Population to
3.589 million.
o Financial Wealth of India’s HNWIs increased by 12.4% in 2023 to $1,445.7 billion, compared to $
1,286.7 billion in 2022.
• India’s Unemployment Rate decreased to 3.1% in 2023, down from 7% in 2022
• India’s Market Capitalisation increased by 29.0% in 2023, after an increase of 6% in 2022.
• India’s National Savings as a Percentage of GDP also increased to 33.4% in 2023, compared to 29.9%
in 2022.

Air of the Anthropocene (AoA)’ Project

Researchers and artists have joined ‘Paint with Light’ initiative as a part of the AoA Project.

AoA Project
• Created by Artist Robin Price and an Environmental Scientist
at University of Birmingham to document Air Pollution
Levels around the world through Photography.
• “Paint with Light” involved Combining Digital Light Painting
and Low – Cost Air Pollution Sensors, to produce
Photographic Evidence of Air Pollution in Cities of India,
Ethiopia and UK.
• It has also been used to raise Air Pollution Awareness by UN.

Biopharmaceutical Alliance

India, South Korea, US, Japan and European Union launched Biopharmaceutical Alliance in response
to Drug Supply Shortages experienced during COVID – 19 Pandemic.

Announcement was made at inaugural meeting of Biopharmaceutical Alliance during Bio

International Convention 2024 (San Diego, US).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

13 June2024 Current Affair

COP 29: Focus on Peace and Climate Solutions

Azerbaijan is Host of this Year's United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29).

It wants to prevent Geopolitical Tensions from affecting the talks.

Upcoming COP 29 (in Nov 2024) will focus on promoting "Peace" and a "Truce" to allow Countries to
concentrate on Climate Solutions amid Ongoing Conflicts.

Conference of the Parties (COP)

• Annual UN Climate Meeting
Related Facts
o Serve as "Principal International Forums"
• 1987 Montreal Protocol: International Treaty
where Nations convene to "Collectively designed to protect Ozone Layer
Combat Climate Crisis". • 1991 Bilateral Agreement between US and
• At "Rio Earth Summit 1992", 154 Countries Canada that helped combat Acid Rain by
signed a "Multi-lateral Treaty" called the limiting Emission of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2).
"United Nations Framework Convention on • Kyoto Protocol: International Obligations on
Climate Change" (UNFCCC). Set of Rich and Industrialised Countries to
o UNFCCC is a Treaty that establishes "Legal Cut their Greenhouse Gas Emissions by
Framework for International Cooperation on Assigned Amounts.
Climate Change".
o It came into force in 1994.
• Aim: To Stabilise Greenhouse
Gas Concentrations at a level
that would Prevent Dangerous
Anthropogenic (Human –
induced) Interference with
Climate System.
• Members (Parties): 198
• 1st ever COP (COP – 1) took
place in Berlin (Germany) in
1995.
o COP – 1 entailed discussion
on "How to implement the
UNFCCC".
o At COP – 1, an agreement
was reached “to meet
annually to discuss action
on Climate Change and
Emissions Reductions”.
• COP Meetings aim is to
"Review Progress towards
Overall Goal of Limiting
Climate Change".

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Annual Conference takes place to discuss a "Global Agreement to Cut Emissions of Greenhouse
Gases" in the atmosphere.
o A Crucial Part of COP is “Review of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)".

Upcoming COP 29 and Truce Proposal

• Azerbaijan, as Host, will lead 29th Edition of Conference.
• It will build upon agenda set in COP 28 in Dubai.
o Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels to NDCs
achieve Net Zero by 2050. • Climate Action Plans that Countries create to
o To guide Countries toward Consensus on help meet Goals of Paris Agreement.
addressing Climate Crisis. • Self – Defined Pledges that outline how
o Unfulfilled 2009 Commitment by Countries will Reduce Emissions, adapt to
Developed Countries to provide $100 Climate Change and secure Funding to
billion annually to Developing Countries for support these efforts.
Climate Action. COP29 is expected to set a • Short – to – Medium Term Plans that must be
New Annual Target above $100 billion and updated Every 5 Years with More Ambitious
determine whether Funds will be Grants or Goals based on Each Country's Capabilities.
Loans. o Several Countries submitted their Latest
• Truce Proposal – need for Climate Unity NDCs by 2023, with Next Submissions
despite Geopolitical Divisions expected by 2028.
o Azerbaijan is aiming to shield Annual Talks from Geopolitical Tensions by proposing a 2-Week COP
Truce.
o This initiative, inspired by Olympic Truce, is intended to unite Countries in a Collaborative Effort to
address Pressing Issue of Climate Change.

Paris Agreement (COP 21)

• Legally Binding International Treaty on Climate Change
• Adopted by 196 Parties
• At UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, France in Dec 2015.
o Entered into force on Nov 4, 2016.
• Objectives
o Limit Global Warming: Keep Global Warming below 2°C above Pre – Industrial Levels,
and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C
o Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Significantly Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by
2100
o Support Countries: Strengthen Countries' Ability to deal with Impacts of Climate Change.
o Financing: Provide Financing to Developing Countries to mitigate Climate Change.

• Official Name: 2023 UN Climate Change Conference

• Period: 30 Nov – 12 Dec, 2023
• Host: Expo City, Dubai (UAE)
• COP 28 President: Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber (Minister of
Industry & Advanced Technology)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o UAE President: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

• Not Attending Members: US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Pope Francis

2 Bird Sanctuaries of Bihar added to Ramsar list

Nagi and Nakti Bird Sanctuaries, both located in Bihar’s Jamui District, are now recognised under
Ramsar Convention taking Total Ramsar Sites in India to 82.

Both sanctuaries are Man-made Reservoirs (Nagi dam and Nakti dam) and feature dry deciduous
forests surrounded by hills.

They are also recognised as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.

Ramsar Convention
• Convention on Wetlands of International Montreux Record
Importance • Launched in 1990.
o Signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar. • Register of Wetland Sites where Changes
o Came into force in 1975. in Ecological Character have Occurred
• “Only International Treaty” that addresses Specific or are Occurring or are likely to occur as
Ecosystem. a Result of Technological Developments,
• Members: 172 States Pollution or Other Human Interference.
o India became a signatory to it on Feb 1, 1982. • Indian Wetlands in Montreux Record:
• Ramsar Convention is Not a Regulatory Regime. Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and
o Modified by Paris Protocol in 1982 and by Loktak Lake (Manipur).
Regina Amendments in 1987. o Chilka lake (Odisha) was placed in it
• A Conference of the Parties (COP) to Convention but was later removed from it.
meets Every 3 Years.
o In 2022, COP14 was co – held in Wuhan (China) and Geneva (Switzerland).

Wetlands in India
• India has around 4.63% of its Land as Wetlands
Related Facts
covering an area of 15.26 million hectares.
• Currently, Highest Number of such sites
• Total Wetland Sites: 82 is in UK (175) followed by Mexico (144).
o Tamil Nadu continues to have Maximum • Bolivia has Largest Area with 148000 sq
Number of Ramsar Sites (16 Sites) followed by km under Convention Protection.
Uttar Pradesh (10 Sites).
• India stands 1st in South Asia and Joint 3rd with China in Asia in terms of Number of Designated Sites.

Government Initiatives to Preserve Wetlands

• Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme
o Collaborative effort between "Ministry of Tourism" (Gajendra Singh Shekhawat) and "Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change" (Bhupender Yadav).
o Aim: To encourage Optimal Use of Wetlands & enhance Biodiversity, Carbon Stock, Eco-Tourism
Opportunities and Income Generation for Local Communities.
o Primary Focus: To strategically transition from High – Volume Tourism to High – value Nature
Tourism at Ecologically – Sensitive Wetlands.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Implemented over Next 3 years (2023 onwards).

o Out of 16 identified Ramsar Sites, 5 have been selected for Pilot Projects under the scheme.
▪ Sultanpur National Park (Haryana), Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha), Chilika Lake (Odisha),
Sirpur and Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh).
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA), 2015
o Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas
o Single Conservation Programme for both • Prepared by Space Applications Center
Wetlands and Lakes. (SAC, ISRO).
o By merging of "National Lake Conservation Plan" • Original Atlas was released by SAC in
and "National Wetlands Conservation 2011.
Programme".
o Implemented by: Union Ministry of Environment, World Wetlands Day
Forests and Climate Change. • The day commemorates the signing of
• Wetlands of India Portal the "Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
o Dynamic Knowledge Repository for Wetlands. of International Importance" on 2nd
o Single Point Access System that synthesizes February 1971.
Information Dissemination regarding Wetland Sites • 2024 Theme: Wetlands and Human
of India, Projects, Initiatives and Training. Wellbeing
• National Wetland Conservation Program, 1986 • It was first celebrated in 1997.
o To conserve Wetlands in India & is implemented
through State Wetland Authorities.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)

CCI plans to open depots in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).

Cotton Corporation of India

• Established in 1970.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles (Giriraj Singh) Kasturi Cotton Program
• HQ: Navi Mumbai • Initiative introduced by Ministry of
Textiles
• Aim: To promote Production and
Cotton and India Availability of Premium Quality
• Often referred to as "White-Gold" due to its Economic Cotton with Traceability.
Significance. • Implementing Body: TEXPROCIL,
• Type: Kharif Crop (Commercial) in collaboration with CCI.
o Drought – Resistant Crops which are ideal for Arid Climates.
o Temperature: Between 21 – 30°C. Related Facts: Cotton
o Rainfall: Around 50 – 100 cm. • Pink Boll Worm (PBW) (Pectinophora
o Soil Type: Black Cotton Soil (Regur Soil) (E.g. Soil of gossypiella) is a major pest within
Deccan Plateau) American Bollworm Complex,
• Top Cotton Producing Countries: India > China > US primarily affecting Cotton Crops.
• Top Cotton Producing States in India: Gujarat > • Bt Cotton: Genetically Modified
Maharashtra > Telangana > Andhra Pradesh > Organism or Genetically Modified
Rajasthan. Pest – Resistant Variety of Cotton.
• Four Cultivated Species of Cotton: Gossypium Arboreum, •G Herbaceum, G Hirsutum, G Barbadense.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

United Nations Security Council

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elected Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia
to UNSC.

Each year UNGA elects 5 Non – Permanent Members (Out of 10 in Total) of UNSC for a 2-year Term
through a Secret Ballot.

United Nations Security Council

• Established: 1945 (as part of UN Charter)
• One of 6 Principal Organs of UN
o Others are UNGA, Economic and Social
Council, Trusteeship Council, International
Court of Justice, UN Secretariat.
• Composed of 15 Members (5 Permanent and 10
Non – Permanent). S
o 5 Permanent Members (China, France, Russia,
UK and US) enjoy Veto Power.
• Holds Primary Responsibility for Maintenance of
International Peace and Security.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Indo – Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial Meet

At the meeting, IPEF Members signed multiple agreements which are first-of-their-kind approaches
to address 21st century challenges and strengthen economic engagement across Indo-Pacific.

Key Outcomes of Meet

• IPEF Clean Economy Agreement: To accelerate Efforts of IPEF Partners towards Energy Security and
Transition, Climate Resilience and Adaptation, GHG Emissions Mitigation, etc.
o Aim: To mobilise Investments into Sustainable Infrastructure, Climate Technology and Renewable
Energy Projects.
o Managed By: Invest India (India's National Investment Promotion Agency)
o Nodal Agency for IPEF Engagements: Department of Commerce
• IPEF Fair Economy Agreement: To create a More Transparent and predictable Business Environment
in Member Countries.
• Cooperative Work Programme: 3 New CWPs announced on Emissions Intensity Accounting, e –
Waste Urban Mining (led by India) and Small Modular Reactors.
• Operational launch of IPEF Catalytic Capital Fund: To support expansion of the pipeline of quality
clean economy infrastructure projects.

Indo – Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)

• Economic Initiative launched by United States President in 2022.
• Members: 14
o Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia,
Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New
Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
United States and Vietnam.
• Aim: To advance Resilience, Sustainability,
Inclusiveness, Economic Growth, Fairness and
Competitiveness for Member Economies.
o Seeks to go beyond Traditional Free Trade
Agreements and work on Issues of Supply Chains, Clean Energy, Decarbonisation, Infrastructure,
Tax and Anti – Corruption.
• Four Pillars of Cooperation: Trade, Supply Chain, Clean Economy, Fair Economy.
o India is Not part of Trade Pillar.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Indian Toy Industry Push into UAE Market

Toy Association of India (TAI) has brought a delegation to UAE, consisting of Members including
Manufacturers, Importers, Exporters, Retailers and Toy Testing Lab Designers.

Indian Toy Industry

• India’s Exports of Toys have surged by 60%, climbing from $203.46 Mn in 2018-19 to $325.72 Mn in
2022-23.
• Import of Toys has witnessed a decline of 57%, dropping from $371.69 Mn in 2018-19 to $158.70 Mn
in 2022-23.
Related Facts
• Indian Toy Industry is among Fastest-growing globally,
• India is World’s 2nd Largest Producer
projected to reach $3 Bn by 2028, growing at a CAGR
of Polyester and related fibres.
of 12% between 2022-28.
• Accounting for 8% Global Share for
• Toy Manufacturers in Indian States: Maharashtra,
Plush Toys.
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu

Government Initiatives
• Vocal for Local: Provides Comprehensive Support through National Action Plan for Toys (NAPT) by
bringing together 20+ Ministries/ Departments.
• Large Cluster Ecosystem: Established 60+ Toy Clusters to encourage Domestic and Global Toy
Manufacturers to set up operations in India.
• Quality Control Order (QCO) on Toys: Issued in 2020 under BIS Act to ensure Toys Manufactured or
Imported into India were in-line with Global Quality Standards.
• Customized State Incentives: Incentives for Toy Manufacturers Subsiding nearly 30% of Cost of
Manufacturing.
• FDI: 100% FDI is allowed under Automatic Route.
• Import Duty on Toys: Increased from 60% to 70% in Budget 2023.

Joint Task Force on Investment (JTFI) Between India and Qatar

First Joint Task Force on Investment (JTFI) held between India and Qatar.

India – Qatar Bilateral Trade

• India’s Bilateral Trade with Qatar in 2022-23 was US$ 18.77 billion.
o India’s Export to Qatar during 2022-23 was US$ 1.96 billion.
o India’s Import from Qatar was US$ 16.8 billion.
• India is among Top 3 Largest Export Destinations for Qatar (China and Japan being Other Two) and is
also among Top 3 Sources of Qatar’s Imports, along with China and US.
• Qatar is Largest Supplier of LNG to India accounting for over 48% of India’s Global LNG Imports.
• Qatar is also India’s Largest Supplier of LPG accounting for 29% of India’s Total LPG Imports.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

14 June 2024 Current Affair

RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) keeps Repo Rate Unchanged

Decision about Repo Rate was announced in Bi – Monthly meeting of Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
MPC.

Monetary Policy
• Refers to “Policy of the Central Bank with regard to Use of Monetary Instruments” under its control
to achieve goals specified in the Act.
• Primary Objective: To maintain Price Stability while keeping in mind the Objective of Growth.
Important Terms
• Repo Rate: Rate at which Central Bank of a Country (RBI) lends money to Commercial
Banks in the event of Any Shortfall of Funds.
• Standing Deposit Facility: Liquidity Window through which RBI will give Banks an option to
park excess liquidity with it.
• Marginal Standing Facility Rate: A Window for Scheduled Banks to Borrow Overnight from
the RBI in an Emergency Situation when Interbank Liquidity dries up completely.
• Cash Reserve Ratio: Commercial Banks have to hold a certain Minimum Amount of Deposit
as Reserves with RBI.
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio: Minimum Percentage of Deposits that a Commercial Bank has to
maintain in the form of Liquid Cash, Gold or Other Securities.

• MPC was created in 2016.

• Under "Section 45ZB" of RBI Act 1934, “Central Key Highlights of MPC Meeting
Government” is empowered to constitute a “6 • Repo Rate: 6.5%
Member Monetary Policy Committee” (MPC). • Standing Deposit Facility: 6.25%
o RBI Governor: Ex – Officio Chairperson
• Marginal Standing Facility Rate: 6.75%
o Deputy Governor in charge of Monetary Policy
• Cash Reserve Ratio: 4.50%
o An Officer of the Bank to be Nominated by
• Statutory Liquidity Ratio: 18.00%
Central Board
o 3 Persons to be appointed by the Central Government
• Section 45ZB lays down that “Monetary Policy Committee shall determine Policy Rate required to
achieve Inflation Target”.
o Amended RBI Act, 1934 providesMonetary Policy
for Inflation Committee
Target (4% +-2%) to be set by Government of
India, in consultation with Reserve Bank, once in Every 5 years.
• It determines Policy Repo Rate required to achieve Inflation Target.
• Each Member of MPC has One Vote.
o In event of Equality of Votes, Governor has a Second or Casting Vote.
• Decision of Monetary Policy Committee shall be Binding on the Bank.

Additional Steps announced by RBI

• Rationalisation of Export and Import regulations under Foreign Exchange Management Act (1999) to
promote Ease of Doing Business for All Stakeholders.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Proposed to set up Digital Payments Intelligence Platform (DPIP) to utilize Advanced Tech to curb
Payment Fraud.
o RBI constituted a Committee led by AP Hota to examine various aspects of setting up a Digital
Public Infrastructure for DPIP.
• Proposed to bring UPI Lite into e Mandate Framework by enabling an Auto – Replenishment Feature
for UPI Lite wallet.
• Proposed to Revise Definition of Bulk Deposit as Single Rupee Term Deposits of ₹3 crore and above
for Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks) and Small Finance Banks.
o For Local Area Banks ₹1 Crore and above as applicable in case of RRBs.

RBI
• Established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with provisions of “RBI Act, 1934”.
• Initially established in “Calcutta” was permanently moved to Related Facts
“Mumbai” in “1937”. • Shaktikanta Das” is Present
• Since Nationalization in 1949, RBI is fully owned by “Governor of RBI”.
Government of India. • Non – Official Directors
• RBI is governed by Central Board of Directors. o Nominated by GoI: 10
• Members: Governor and not more than 4 Deputy Governors Directors & 2 Govt Official
• Board is appointed by the Government of India. o Others: 4 Directors (1 Each
• Tenure: 4 years from 4 Regional Boards)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Look – Out Circulars to Wilful Defaulters

Since 2018, 6 Public Sector Banks (PSBs) have issued 1,071 Look-out Circulars (LOCs) in order to
prevent Wilful Defaulters from absconding to Other Countries.

Look – Out Circular

• Notice to stop Any Individual wanted by Police,
Who Can Issue LOCs
Investigating Agency or even a Bank from Leaving or
• Central Bureau of Investigation
Entering the Country through Designated Land, Air and
• Enforcement Directorate
Sea Ports.
• Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
• Bureau of Immigration, under Ministry of Home Affairs,
• Income Tax Department
is responsible for Preventing such Individuals from
• State Police & Intelligence Agencies
Entering or Leaving the Country if there is a
Power of PSBs to Issue LOCs
notification against them.
• Earlier, as of 2018, Banks were also
o There are a Total of 112 Immigration Check Posts
authorised to issue LOCs against
located throughout India.
Individuals who could potentially
• Modification & Validity: Modified, Deleted or harm Economic Interests of India.
Withdrawn Only at Request of Originator. • Recently, Bombay High Court ruled
• Remain Valid for a Maximum of 12 months that PSBs cannot issue LOCs against
o If there is No New Request from Agency, it will Not Alleged Loan Defaulters.
be Automatically Renewed. o This Ruling overturns 2018
Government Office Memorandums,
Wilful Defaulters which had empowered Banks to
issue LOCs.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) defines Wilful Defaulters
as Borrowers who meet One or More of the following criteria:
o Deliberate Non – Payment of Dues despite having Sufficient Funds.
o Diverting Loan Funds for purposes Other than what Economic Implications of Wilful
they were Borrowed for. Defaulters
o Syphoning Off Loan Funds so they are Unavailable for • Credit Market Impact: Liquidity
Repayment. Constraints & Market Reputation
• Minimum Loan Amount for a Borrower to be labelled a • SEBI Restrictions: Equity Markets
Wilful Defaulter is Rs 25 lakh and above. and IPOs
o Large Defaulter refers to a Borrower with an • Exclusion from Insolvency and
Outstanding Balance of Rs 1 Crore or more, whose Bankruptcy Code Resolution Plans
account has been categorized as Doubtful or a Loss. • NPA Accumulation

How Wilful Defaulters can be Prevented by Banks?

• Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs): Aims to
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India
provide a Fast – Track Mechanism for Loan
• Type: Statutory Body (IBC, 2016)
Recovery.
• Functions: Regulatory Oversight over Service
Providers in Insolvency Ecosystem.
• Responsibility to provide a Regulatory
Month JuneFramework
2024 for Insolvency and Resolution
Processes of Corporates and Individuals.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• HQ: New Delhi
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Banks can file cases with DRTs for Swift Debt Recovery and Asset Attachment.
o Established under Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act 1993.
• National Company Law Tribunal: For
Large Defaults involving Companies,
Banks can approach National
Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) under
IBC 2016.
• Securitization and Reconstruction of
Financial Assets and Enforcement
Securities (SARFAESI) Act, 2002
o Empowers Banks to take
Possession of Secured Assets like
Land and Buildings in case of
Defaults without lengthy Court
Procedures.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

UNESCO launches New Initiatives for Greening Education in Classrooms

UNESCO launched Two New Tools, Greening Curriculum Guidance (GCG) and Green School Quality
Standards (GSQS), under Greening Education Partnership.

Greening Education Partnership

• Global Initiative comprising 80 Member States and supports New GCG
Countries to tackle Climate Crisis by harnessing Critical Role Practical Manual providing, for 1st
of Education. time, a Common Understanding
• Objective: To ensure All Learners acquire Knowledge, Skills, of what Climate Education should
Values, Attitudes and action to tackle Climate Change and to consist of and How Countries can
promote Sustainable Development. Mainstream Environmental Topics
• Pillars of Green Education across Curriculum, with detailed
o Greening Schools: To ensure that All Schools achieve expected learning outcomes.
Green School Accreditation and a ddress Climate Change through their Teaching, Facilities and
Operations.
o Greening Curriculum: Integrate Climate Education into New GSQS
School Curricula, Technical and Vocational Education and Sets Minimum Requirements on
Training, Workplace Skills Development etc. how to create a Green School by
o Greening Teacher Training and Education Systems' promoting an Action – Oriented
Capacities: Integration of Climate Education in building Approach.
School Capacities.
o Greening Communities: Strengthen Community Resilience through Community Learning Centres
and Learning Cities.

Education and Climate Change

• 50% of 100 Countries in UNESCO Survey have No Mention of Climate Change in their
Curriculum.
• Around 70% of Young People could not explain Climate Disruption.
• Higher Level of Education tends to be associated with a Higher Probability to engage in
Adaptation Action.
• Increasing Girls’ Education can mitigate Climate Change indirectly through its impact on
Demographic Growth.

NOTA: None of the Above

The Supreme Court recently issued a notification

to the Election Commission to hold Fresh

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Elections in Constituencies where ‘None of the Above’ elected on the EVM gets Maximum Votes.

NOTA
• NOTA stands for None of the Above.
• Ballot Option that a Voter can Choose to apply for instead of giving their Vote to Any of Contesting
Candidates.
• It empowers the electorate to express their negative views and lack of support for the contenders.
• It gives them the right to decline while keeping their decision confidential.

Introduction to NOTA
• In "PUCL vs Union of India Case", it was introduced in the electoral process following the 2013
Supreme Court directive.
• 1st time implemented in 2013 Assembly Elections in 5 States: Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan,
Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and later, in 2014 General Election.

Does NOTA Vote Count?

• Election Commission clarified that Votes cast as NOTAs Count,
Shailesh Manubhai Parmar
but are considered "Invalid Votes".
v. Election Commission of
• Even if NOTA poll gets Highest Number of Votes in a India, 2018
Constituency, Next Candidate with 2nd Highest Number of Votes • Supreme Court decided
is declared the Winner. that while NOTA Option
• Thus, Voting for NOTA will Not Change the Outcome of the could be useful in Direct
Election. Elections, it wasn't suitable
for Rajya Sabha (Council
NOTA in Other Democratic Countries of States) Elections.
• European Countries: Finland, Spain, Sweden, France, • Therefore, SC removed
Belgium, Greece. NOTA Option from Rajya
• United States: Not have a Formal NOTA Option on Ballots. Sabha Elections.
o Some States allow Write-In Votes, which can serve a
similar purpose.
o Voters can write “None of the Above” or Other Names
as an Expression of Dissatisfaction.
• Other Countries: Colombia, Ukraine, Brazil, Bangladesh

Boeing Starliner Successfully Docks NASA Crew at International Space Station

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Starliner has innovative, weldless, reusable structure lasting up to 10 missions with six-month
turnarounds, featuring wireless internet interfaces.

International Space Station (ISS)

• Artificial Satellite Research Facility
• Jointly Developed By: USA, European Countries, Japan, Canada and Russia
• Largest Manmade and Habitable Artificial Satellite.
• Altitude: 400 km above the Earth. Benefits of ISS
India’s Own Space Station • Research on Earth
• Conceptualisation Phase: ISRO is developing India's 1 st • New Frontier in Physics
Space Station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station. • Advancing Human Health
• Station is planned to be Assembled in a Phased Manner • Low Earth Orbit Economy
like ISS by 2035. • Long-Duration Space Travel

White Phosphorous

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Israel is accused of using White Phosphorus Munitions in Southern Lebanon.

White Phosphorous
• Toxic Substance produced from Phosphate-containing Rocks.
• Reacts and Burns in Air at Temperatures above 30 °C until Deprived of Oxygen
• Application
o In Ammunition, to produce Smoke for Concealing Troop Movements and Identifying Targets.
o Industrial: To manufacture Chemicals used in Fertilizers, Food Additives and Cleaning Compounds.
• It is Not considered a Chemical Weapon under Chemical Chloropicrin
Weapons Convention (CWC). • Also known as Nitro – Chloroform
• Made by combining Chloroform
Chemical Weapons Convention with Nitric Acid, which yields
Chloropicrin and Water.
• Type: Multi – Lateral International Treaty
• Used as Warfare Agent, Pesticide,
• Adopted on 03 Sep, 1992
Anti – Microbial Agent, Herbicide
o Entered into force on 29 April, 1997
and Nematicide.
• Aim: To eliminate Production, Stockpiling, Use of • Instances of Usage: It was made as
Chemical Weapons and their Precursors. Poison Gas in 1st World War, by
• Members: 193 States both Allied and Central Powers.
o India signed CWC in Jan 1993 • Health Concerns: Irritating and
• Implementing Body: Organisation for Prohibition of Tears-inducing Effects on Humans,
Chemical Weapons (Hague, Netherlands) Highly Toxic Carcinogenic
Mongla Port

India is looking to operate the Mongla Port in Bangladesh and build a new terminal, aiming to
counterbalance China's strategic presence in the region.

Key Highlights
• India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) has expressed interest in
operating Mongla Port, which would be its 3rd International
Port operation after Chabahar (Iran) and Sittwe (Myanmar).
• India and Bangladesh signed a MoU on Use of Chattogram
and Mongla Ports in 2015.
• MoU envisages Transit of Goods from Mongla Port to North –
Eastern States of India through Waterways, Roads and
Railways.

Mongla Port
• Location: Bagerhat (Bangladesh) Significance for India
• Lies 62 km North of Bay of Bengal Coastline. • Provides Strategic Access to India's
• Situated at Confluence of Pasur River and Mongla North-Eastern States.
River. • Reduces Distance and Transportation
• Mongla is 2nd Largest Seaport in Bangladesh after Costs for Goods to and from these
Chittagong. regions.

Avian influenza A(H5N2)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

First Human Infection with Avian Influenza A(H5N2) Virus found in Mexico.

Depending on Original Host, Influenza A Viruses can be classified as Avian Influenza (Bird Flu, H5N1,
H9N2), Swine Influenza (Swine Flu, H1N1, H3N2) or Other Types of Animal Influenza Viruses.

Avian Influenza or Bird Flu is a Viral Infection that primarily affects Birds.

Avian Influenza is a Zoonotic Disease, meaning it can spread from Animals to Humans.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

15 June 2024 Current Affair

Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood Report

UNICEF has released a report Titled “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood”.

UNICEF
About Report
• UNICEF stands for
• It analyses Impacts and Causes of Dietary Deprivation among United Nations Children
World’s Youngest People in nearly 100 Countries and across Fund
Income Groups. • Created in 1946 as
• Report focuses on Low – and Middle – Income Countries, where International Children’s
Most Children living in Child Food Poverty Reside and on Emergency Fund (ICEF)
implications of Child Food Poverty for Undernutrition and Poor • Became Permanent part
Development. of United Nations in
• It examines Status, Trends, Inequities and Drivers of Child Food 1953.
Poverty in Early Childhood. • Guided by Convention on
Rights of the Child, 1989.
• Awarded Nobel Prize for
Key Findings Peace in 1965
• Globally, 1 in 4 Children are living in Severe Child Food Poverty in •HQ: New York City
Early Childhood
o Amounting to 181 million Children under 5 years of age.
• South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are home to more Zero – Food Children
than 2/3rd (68%) of 181 million Children living in Severe • Meaning they had Not Consumed
Child Food Poverty. Any Food in a 24 Hour Period.
• About half (97 million) of the Children in Severe Food • 19.3% of Indian Children under 5
Poverty live in Middle- and Upper-Income Households. Years old experienced Zero Food
• Global Food and Nutrition Crisis and Localized Conflicts Days.
and Climatic Shocks are intensifying Severe Child Food • This figure is Highest among 92
Poverty, especially in Fragile Countries. Low and Middle Income Countries
• Global Efforts are Slow in ending Child Food Poverty. surveyed.
• Status of Child Food Poverty in India: India is among 20 Countries that account for 65% of Total
Number of Children living in Severe Child Food Poverty between 2018 – 2022.

Initiatives taken by India

• Integrated Child Development Services 1975
o Provides a Package of Services, including Supplementary Nutrition, Growth Monitoring,
Immunization, Health Check – ups and Pre – School Education to children under 6 years of Age &
Pregnant and Lactating Mothers.
• Mid – Day Meal Scheme 1995

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Aims to improve Nutritional Status of School – Age Children by providing them with a Free,
Nutritious Lunch in Government and Government – Aided Schools.
• Mission Poshan 2.0 (2021)
o Focuses on improving Maternal Nutrition and Child Feeding Norms.
• National Food Security Act 2013
o Aims to provide
Subsidized Food
Grains to a significant
portion of Population,
including Children,
through Public
Distribution System.
• Pradhan Mantri Matru
Vandana Yojana 2017
o Provide Partial
Compensation for Wage
Loss in form of Cash
Incentives so that
Woman can take
Adequate Rest Before
and After Delivery of 1st
Living Child.
• Food Fortification
o Promotes Fortification
of Staple Foods like Rice,
Wheat Flour and Edible
Oil with Essential Micronutrients to address Micronutrient Deficiencies among Children.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

SControversy Surrounding NEET UG 2024 Examinations

Results for National Eligibility – cum – Entrance Test (NEET – UG) 2024 have been marred with
Allegations of Irregularities and Paper Leak.

Inflated Marks this year have caught Attention of Medical Aspirants who fear Difficult Admission
Process in Medical Colleges in Upcoming Academic Year.

The Issue
• On June 4, National Testing Agency (NTA) released Results for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test,
Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024 examination.
• Results received Immediate Criticism due to an Unusual Occurrence—67 Candidates achieved a
Perfect Score of 720 out of 720, securing perfect Rank AIR 1.
• Also, Discrepancies emerged concerning Individuals who obtained Marks of 718 or 719, with skeptics
deeming such scores implausible within Exam's Framework.
• Also, it was found that 8 of these Candidates who scored All India Rank 1 are from Same Examination
Center in Haryana, with their Sequence Numbers being the Same.

Conditionality
• NTA’s Response for Increase in Number of Toppers
• NTA Official also noted that Question Paper was prepared using a New NCERT Textbook.
• However, Some Students had Old NCERT Textbooks.
• Due to which NTA had to assign 5 Marks to All Students who had marked one of the 2 Options.
• Because of this reason, Marks of a Total of 44 students increased from 715 to 720, which resulted in
an increased Number of Toppers.
• NTA attributed Increase in High Scores to Rise in Candidates.
• Number of Candidates who appeared in 2023 was 20,38,596, while it rose to 23,33,297 in 2024.

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)

• Entrance Examination for Students who wish to pursue Undergraduate Medical Courses (MBBS/BDS)
and Postgraduate Courses (MD/MS) in Government or Private Medical Colleges.
• National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET on behalf of Ministry of Education (Dharmendra
Pradhan).

National Testing Agency (NTA)

• Autonomous Organization in India responsible for conducting Entrance Examinations for Higher
Educational Institutions.
• Established in Nov 2017 by Ministry of Education to Standardize and Streamline Conduct of Entrance
Exams across India.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Objective: To improve Quality and Transparency of Entrance Examinations, ensuring Fairness and
Efficiency in Assessment Process.
• Functions: Conducting Exams, Developing Question Papers, Result Processing
• HQ: New Delhi

Central Hall of Indian Parliament

In a meeting of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), PM Modi was unanimously elected as
Coalition’s Parliamentary Party Leader.

Event took place at Central Hall of Old Parliament Building.

Central Hall in Indian Parliament

• Established: 1927
• Type: Octagonal Structure
• Designed to accommodate Joint Sessions of Two
Houses of Parliament—Lok Sabha (House of
People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
• Functions and Usage: Joint Sessions, Ceremonial
Occasions, Addresses by Heads of State of Other
Countries
• Last Address was by Inter – Parliamentary Union
(IPU) President Duarte Pacheco in March 2021
and before him, it was then United States
President Barack Obama in Nov 2010. Inter – Parliamentary Union (IPU)
• Speaker of Lok Sabha is Custodian of • International Organization of Parliaments
Parliament House Complex. • Established in 1889.
• Political Parties and Groups are Allocated Office • Focal Point for World – wide Parliamentary
Space inside Complex. Dialogue and works for Peace and Co –
o They can hold meetings with their members operation among Peoples and for Firm
Establishment of Representative Democracy.
on the premises.

Historical Background
• Originally used as Library
for Members of Legislature.
• In 1946, Constituent
Assembly needed a place to
meet & discuss Constitution
of Independent India.
• Updated with New Benches
and renamed Constituent
Assembly Hall.
• Assembly met here for about
3 years, from 1946 to 1949.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• On 15 August 1947, Central Hall witnessed Transfer of Power from British Rule to Independent India,
with 1st Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, delivering his famous "Tryst with Destiny" Speech.

Regional Rapid Transit System

National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is developing 900 Rainwater Harvesting
(RWH) pits along Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor in a move
to ensure Environmental Sustainability.

Regional Rapid Transit System

• Launched: October, 2023
• Type: Semi High – Speed (180 km/hr) Rail Connectivity
• RRTS Train has been named as “Namo Bharat” /
"RapidX".
• Development: Train-Set has been designed by French
Coach Manufacturer "Alstom" in its Engineering Center
in Hyderabad.
o It has been produced at Alstom Plant in Gujarat.
• Total Cost: 30000 Crore
o Funding: Government of India – 20%, Government
of Delhi – 3.22%, Government of Uttar Pradesh –
16.78%.
o $1 billion from Asian Development Bank, $500 million from New Development Bank and $500
million from Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
• Passenger Seating: There will be a Total of 6 Coaches with Seats in 2 by 2 Configuration.
o Standard Coach has a Total of 72 Seats and Premium Coach has 62 Seats.
• Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut
Corridor
Background • India's 1st Regional Rapid
Transit System
• In 2005, a Government Task Force was formed to create
• Constructed By: National
Comprehensive Transportation Plan for Delhi National Capital
Capital Region Transport
Region (NCR).
Corporation
o This plan called Integrated Transport Plan for NCR 2032. o Joint Venture of Central
• Identified a need for a Special Rapid Transit System to connect Government and
Major Cities within the Region. Governments of Delhi,
• Task Force identified 8 Corridors and prioritized 3 Corridors for Haryana, Rajasthan,
this Regional Rapid Transit System: 82 km Delhi – Ghaziabad – Uttar Pradesh.
Meerut, 164 km Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar, 103 km Delhi –
Panipat.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

China – Pakistan Economic Corridor

2nd Phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is expected to be formally announced during
visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister to China.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

• Launched in 2015
• Network of Infrastructure Projects
o Part of China’s Belt and Road
Initiative
o Network of Land and Sea Routes
linking Southeast Asia, Central
Asia, Gulf Countries, Africa and
Europe.
• Length: 3000 km
o Links China’s Xinjiang Region to
Pakistan’s Gwadar Port in
Balochistan.
• Total Cost: $62 billion
• CPEC violates Sovereignty of India
as it passes through Pakistan –
occupied Kashmir (PoK), which is a
Disputed Territory between India
and Pakistan.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)

RBI is planning to rationalise Guidelines for Export and Import of Goods and Services under Foreign
Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.

Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)

• Successor to Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, or FERA, of 1973.
• Came into force on June 1, 2000.
• Main Objective: To facilitate External Trade and Payments & Promote Orderly Development and
Maintenance of Foreign Exchange Market in India.
• Deals with provisions relating to Procedures, Formalities, Dealings, etc. of Foreign Exchange
Transactions in India.
• Empowers RBI to make Rules and Regulations to carry out Provisions of the Act.
• Applicability: Whole of India and Equally applicable to Agencies and Offices located Outside India
(Owned or Managed by an Indian Citizen).
• FEMA's Head Office: Enforcement Directorate

European Commission
NaturAfrica Initiative • Executive Body of European Union
European Commission (EC) has removed Tanzania • Responsible for Proposing New Laws
from List of Countries eligible for its 18 million Euro and Policies, Monitoring their
Conservation Grant to be launched in East Africa as implementation, Managing EU Budget
part of its NaturAfrica Initiative. and ensuring Correct Application of
EU Policies and Laws.
NaturAfrica Initiative is European Union (EU) Program • Members: 27
aimed at supporting Biodiversity Conservation in • President: Ursula von der Leyen
Africa through a People – Centred Approach. o Elected by European Parliament
and proposed by European Council.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

17 June 2024 Current Affair

CCI’s New Regulations Ushers a New Era of Transparency and Accountability

In a significant move aimed at enhancing Regulatory Oversight and Compliance, Competition
Commission of India (CCI) has proposed New Regulations to monitor Settlements and Commitments
of Industry Giants.

Draft CCI (Settlement) Regulations and CCI (Commitment) Regulations 2024

• Empower CCI to appoint a Range of Independent Agencies, including Accounting Firms,
Management Consultancies, Professional Organisations, etc.
• Purpose: To ensure that Industry Giants adhere to their Commitments & Do Not Exploit Loopholes to
evade Regulatory Scrutiny.
• To maintain Integrity and Impartiality, Agencies must confirm their Independence from Parties
involved and disclose Any Potential Conflicts of Interest.
• CCI retains Authority to Suspend or Terminate Engagement of these agencies if they fail to meet
Stipulated Standards.
• Key Responsibilities of Monitoring Agencies
o Inform CCI of Any Instances of Non – Implementation or Non – Compliance with CCI’s Orders
o Adequately Disclose Any Direct/Indirect Interest, that could Prejudice their performance.
o Submit Periodic Reports related to Monitoring of Order Implementation.

Competition (Amendment) Act 2023

• Government of India constituted Competition Law Review Committee (CLRC) in 2018.
o To examine and suggest Modifications in Settlement
Competition Act, 2002. • Apply to Alleged Contraventions related
o After reviewing recommendations of CLRC, to certain Anti – Competitive Agreements
2002 Act was amended in 2023. and Abuse of Dominance.
• Amendment Act introduces a "Settlement & • An Application for Settlement may be
Commitment Framework" to reduce Litigation. filed Only After Receipt of Investigation
o Amended Act makes a Number of Changes to Report but prior to such time as may be
Competition Act 2002, with aim to Strengthen prescribed by Regulations, before Passing
Competition Regulation, Streamline Operations of Final Order by CCI.

Commitment
• Framework enables Parties to offer Commitments for certain Types of Anti – Competitive
Agreements and Abuse of Dominance (as available for Settlements).
• Empowers CCI to accept Commitments on such Terms and Manner of Implementation and
Monitoring, as may be specified by Regulations.

and foster Business – friendly Environment.

• Working as Chief National Competition Regulator in India

• Type: Statutory Body (Competition Act 2002)

Month June 2024

Competition Commission of India
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Established on 14 Oct 2003

o Fully Functional in May 2009
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Corporate Affairs
• Responsible for enforcing Competition Act 2002 to promote Competition and prevent Activities that
have an Appreciable Adverse Effect on Competition in India.
o Looks into Cases and Investigates them if Same has a Negative Impact on Competition.
o Approves Combinations so that 2 Merging Entities do Not overtake the Market.
CIC Jurisdiction over MPLADS Funds

Delhi High Court has ruled that Central Information Commission (CIC) has No Jurisdiction to
comment on Utilisation of Funds under Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme.

The Issue
• In 2018, an order by Central Information Commission (CIC) raised concerns about Some MPs
strategically saving their MPLADS Funds until Last Year of their term.
o CIC suspected this tactic was used to gain an Unfair Advantage during Elections.
• It had suggested to Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) that this "Abuse of
Funds" be Prevented and Guidelines be implemented for distributing Money Equally for Each Year of
5 – year Term.
• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) then filed a legal challenge in Delhi
High Court against a ruling by CIC on a Right to Information (RTI) Application.

Court’s
• Ruling
Delhi High Court held that CIC has No Jurisdiction to comment upon Utilisation of Funds by MPs
under MPLADS.
• Scope of RTI Act is Limited to providing Access to Information under Control of Public Authorities.
• Court said that as per Section 18 of RTI Act, CIC can “Only Deal with Issues relating to Information
sought for under RTI Act or Any Other Issue which leads to Dissipation of Information as sought for
by Applicant”.
• Court however retained Portion of Order of CIC where it has instructed Public Authority to publish
Details of Funds MP – wise, Constituency – wise and Work-wise under RTI Act.

MPLADS Scheme, 1993

• Type: Central Sector Scheme Central Information Commission
• Objective: Enables Members of Parliaments (MPs) to • Established in 2005
recommend Works of a Developmental Nature with focus • Type: Non – Constitutional Body
on Creation of Durable Community Assets in Areas of (Right to Information Act, 2005)
Drinking Water, Primary Education, Public Health, Roads • Comprises a CIC and up to 10
and Sanitation, etc. primarily in their Constituencies. Information Commissioners.
• Each year, MPs receive Rs 5 Crore in Two Instalments of Rs • Terms: Set by Central Govt (with
2.5 Crore each. a Maximum Age Limit of 65) and
o Funds under MPLADS are Ineligible
Right to Information Actfor Reappointment.
2005
Non – Lapsable. • Head: Heeralal
• Passed on 15 June 2005 and came into effect from Samariya
12 Oct 2005.
• Lok Sabha MPs have to o Replaced Freedom of Information Act, 2002.
• Public Authorities are required to make Suo Moto Disclosures
on various aspects of their Structure and Functioning.
o Private Bodies are Not within Act's Purview (Sarbjit Roy vs
Delhi Electricity
Month Regulatory Commission).
June 2024
• Under its provision, Any Citizen of India may request
Information from a Public Authority.
o Required Information needs to be replied to within 30 Days.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

recommend District Authorities Projects in their Lok Sabha Constituencies;

o Rajya Sabha MPs have to spend it in State that has elected them to House.
o Nominated Members of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha can recommend works Anywhere in
India.

IUCN Chief urges to Strive for High Seas Biodiversity Treaty

Director General of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), urged countries
worldwide “to strive for a fully functional High Seas Biodiversity Treaty” on World Oceans Day 2024
(8th June).

High Seas Biodiversity Treaty

• Also known as “Paris Agreement for the Ocean”.
• In June 2023, United Nations Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction or BBNJ
Agreement, also known as High Seas Treaty, was formally adopted by governments.
o Offers an Updated Framework to UN Convention on Law of Sea that came into force in 1994.
• Members: 90 Countries
o India has neither signed nor ratified the treaty.
• Only 7 Countries — Belize, Chile, Mauritius, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Palau and the
Seychelles — have ratified the treaty.
o Enter into force 120 Days after Date of Deposit of 60th Instrument of Ratification, Approval,
Acceptance or Accession.
▪ Open for Signature by All States and Regional Economic Integration Organisations from 20 Sep
2023 to 20 Sep 2025

Focuses on 4 Main Areas

• Area – Based Management Tools: Creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Area-based
Measures to conserve Biodiversity Hotspots and
UNCLOS
Vulnerable Ecosystems.
• UNCLOS stands for United Nations
• Environmental Impact Assessments: Mandatory
Convention for the Law of the Sea
EIAs for Activities in High Seas to Assess and
• Adopted in 1982 & effective since 1994.
Mitigate potential Environmental Harm. o Replaced Older, Less Comprehensive
• Marine Genetic Resources: Establishing Rules for Quad – Treaty from 1958.
the Access, Sharing and Benefit-Sharing of MGRs, • Comprehensive International Treaty that
including Potential for Monetary and Non- sets Legal Framework for All Activities
Monetary Benefits to be shared with Developing in Oceans and Seas.
Countries. • India became a party to UNCLOS in
• Capacity Building and Technology Transfer: 1995.
Provisions to assist Developing Countries in
building their Capacity to participate in High Seas Conservation and to access Relevant Technologies.

World Oceans Day

• Officially known as United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
• Celebrated annually on June 8.
o Concept of World Oceans Day was 1st proposed in 1992 at Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Official Recognition by United Nations in 2008.

• Aim: To raise awareness about critical role oceans play in our planet's ecosystem.
o Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth's Surface and are crucial for regulating Climate, providing
Food and Oxygen, and supporting a diverse range of Marine Life.
o Essential for Human Livelihoods, supporting industries such as Fishing, Tourism and Shipping.
• Theme 2024: Awaken New Depth

Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022 – 23

Detailed Report of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2022 – 23 was released by
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Household Consumption Expenditure Survey

• Conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO) every 5 years.
• Designed to Collect Information on Consumption of Goods National Statistical Office
and Services by Households. • Formed in 2019
o Data Collected in HCES is also utilised for deriving various o By merging Central
other Macro – Economic Indicators such as Gross Domestic Statistical Office (CSO)
Product, Poverty Rates and Consumer Price Index. and National Sample
• Assists in calculating Estimates for Household Monthly Per Survey Office (NSSO).
Capita Consumer Expenditure (MPCE) and analysing • C Rangarajan Committee 1st
Distribution of Households and Individuals across different suggested Establishment of
MPCE Categories. NSO as Nodal Body for All
o Average MPCE has been calculated at 2011 – 12 Prices. Core Statistical Activities.
• Survey covered Whole of Indian Union except a Few • Works under Ministry of
Inaccessible Villages in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Statistics and Programme
• Findings of Last HCES, conducted in 2017 – 18 were Not Implementation (Rao Inderjit
Released after government cited “Data Quality” Issues. Singh).

Key Highlights
• Food Expenditure Preferences
o Beverages, Refreshments, and Processed Food: Most Significant Part of Food Expenditure across
Many States, particularly noticeable in Tamil Nadu with Highest Spending Percentages both in
Rural (28.4%) and Urban (33.7%) Areas.
o Milk and Milk Products: Predominantly favoured in Rural and Urban Households of Northern
States like Haryana (Rural 41.7%, Urban 33.1%) and Rajasthan (Urban 33.2%).
o Egg, Fish and Meat: Kerala households showed Highest Expenditure in this category, both in Rural
(23.5%) and Urban (19.8%) setups.
• Food Expenditure
o In Rural India, Food constitutes about 46% of Total Household Consumption Expenditure,
whereas in Urban Areas, it is around 39%.
• Non – Food Expenditure
o Rural Spending on Non – Food Items rising from 40.6% in 1999 to 53.62% in 2022 – 23 and
Urban Spending from 51.94% to 60.83% in Same Period.
o Conveyance: Top Non – Food Expenditure in both Rural and Urban Settings, with Highest
Percentages in Kerala.
o Medical Expenses: Particularly High in Kerala, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh for Rural Areas
& West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab for Urban Areas.
o Durable Goods: Highest Expenditure in Kerala in both Rural and Urban Areas.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Fuel and Light: West Bengal and Odisha showed significant spending in Rural and Urban Settings,
respectively.

Neighborhood First Policy

As Prime Minister-elect Narendra Modi prepares to take Oath for his 3rd Term, focus is once again
back on India's Foreign Policy and how it will take shape over Next Five Years.

India's Neighborhood First Policy determines its Engagement with Neighboring Nations.

Neighborhood First Policy

• Approach towards Management of Relations with Significance of Policy
Countries in its Immediate Neighbourhood. • Countering Chinese Influence
o That is, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, • Support in Multilateral Forums
Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. • Ensuring Territorial Integrity
• Objective: To enhance Physical, Digital and People – to – • Increasing Maritime Security
People Connectivity across Region, as well as Augmenting • Addressing Energy Security
Trade and Commerce. • Bridging Development Deficits
o Major Initiatives: SAARC (South Asian Association • Leveraging Soft Power Diplomacy
for Regional Cooperation), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal
Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)
o Infrastructure Projects: BBIN Initiative (Bangladesh, Significance of Policy
Bhutan, India, Nepal); Kaladan Multi – Modal • Countering Chinese Influence
Transit Transport Project; Chabahar Port • Support in Multilateral Forums
o Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR): • Ensuring Territorial Integrity
1st articulated in 2015 & Envisages a Free, Open, • Increasing Maritime Security
Inclusive, Peaceful and Prosperous Indo – Pacific • Addressing Energy Security
Region. • Bridging Development Deficits
• Officially came to being in 2008. • Leveraging Soft Power Diplomacy

Extension of Policy
• Act East Policy: With Objective to Further Strengthen Ties with Countries of Southeast Asian Region,
India’s "Look East Policy" Launched in 1992.
o Upgraded to "Act East Policy" in 2014, with Proactive and Pragmatic Focus on Extended
Neighbourhood in Indo-Pacific Region.
• Think West Policy: India’s Outreach to Gulf and West Asian Countries.
• Connect Central Asia Policy: Envisages a Deep, Meaningful and Sustained Engagement with Central
Asian region.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

National Health Claim Exchange

Health Ministry & Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) are collaborating
to launch National Health Claim Exchange (NHCX).

National Health Claim Exchange

• Communication Protocol that facilitates Exchange of Health IRDAI
Claim Information between Payers, Providers, Beneficiaries • IRDAI stands for Insurance
and Other Entities. Regulatory and Development
• Designed to be Inter – Operable, Machine – Readable, Authority of India
Auditable and Verifiable, ensuring Accurate and Trustworthy • Established in 1999
Information Exchange. o Based on recommendations
• Aligns with IRDAI's Foal of "Insurance for All by 2047". from Malhotra Committee
Report.
• Settlement of Cashless Claims
• Type: Statutory Body
• New Timeline Mandates that All Cashless Insurance
Claims must be processed within 3 Hours of receiving • Regulates, Promotes, Protects
Discharge Authorization from Hospital. Interests of Policyholders in
India's Insurance Industry.
• Insurance Regulator has given Providers a Deadline of
July 31 to implement Necessary Systems and Processes.

SIGHT Programme

Solar Energy Corporation of India issued a Request for Selection (RfS) for Green Ammonia Producers.

Digital Health Incentive Scheme 2023

• Hospitals receive Financial Incentives of ₹500 per Insurance Claim Transaction through
NHCX or 10% of Claim Amount, whichever is Lower.
• Aim: To boost Adoption of Digital Healthcare Services and encourage Public Adoption of
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

The move is focused on Production of Green National Green Hydrogen Mission

Ammonia under SIGHT Programme of National •
Launched in 2023
Green Hydrogen Mission being implemented by •
Outlay of Rs 19,744 Crores up to FY
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE). 2029 – 30.
Green Ammonia produced will be supplied to • Aim: To provide a Comprehensive
Fertilizer Companies. Action Plan for establishing a Green
Hydrogen Ecosystem and catalysing a
Systemic Response to Opportunities
SIGHT Programme and Challenges in this Sunrise Sector.
• Target: 5 Million Tonnes of Annual
Green Hydrogen Production capacity
Month June 2024 by 2030.
• Implemented By: Ministry of New and
Renewable Energy (Pralhad Joshi)
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• SIGHT stands for Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition

• Aim: To support Domestic Manufacturing of Electrolysers and Production of Green Hydrogen.
• Total Corpus: ₹ 17,490 Crore
• Implementing Body: Solar Energy Corporation of India

Duty Drawback Scheme

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently started automatic electronic payment of
duty drawback amounts directly into exporters’ bank accounts.

Duty Drawback Scheme

• Described under Customs Act, 1962.
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
• It rebates Incidence of Customs and Central • Erstwhile Central Board of Excise and Customs
Excise Duties, chargeable on Imported and • Part of Department of Revenue (Ministry of
Excisable Material, respectively, when used Finance)
as Inputs for Goods to be Exported. • Administers All Indirect Tax – related Matters
• It is a crucial program to help Exporters (Customs, Central Excise Duties, GST) in India
offset some of the costs accrued during
Export Process, particularly in Supply or Value Chain.

Jolfa

Recently, Iran’s President and Foreign Minister died, following a helicopter crash in Jolfa, East
Azerbaijan Province of Iran.

Helicopter was a US – made Bell – 212 Helicopter, known for its reliability despite its age.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

18 June 2024 Current Affair

BRICS Grouping and its Expansion

BRICS Ministers of Foreign Affairs / International Relations met in Russian Federation.

Russia took over Chairmanship of BRICS on Jan 1, 2024.

Meeting was 1st Ministerial Meeting following BRICS Expansion in 2023.

When Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE joined Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
as Full – fledged BRICS Members.

BRICS
• BRICS is an acronym for Grouping of World’s Leading Emerging Economies, namely Brazil, Russia,
India, China and South Africa.
• In 2001, British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe 4 Emerging Economies of
Brazil, Russia, India and China.
• BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) Countries met for 1st time in St. Petersburg (Russia) on the
margins of G8 Outreach Summit in July 2006.
• BRIC Group was renamed as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) after South Africa was
accepted as a Full Member at BRIC Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York in 2010.
• Johannesburg Declaration, 2023 issued after the summit, said Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi
Arabia and United Arab Emirates had been invited to become Full Members from Jan 1, 2024.
• BRICS (prior to expansion) represented 41% of Global Population, 24% of Global GDP and 16 % of
Global Trade.
• 1st BRIC Summit was held in Russia in 2009.
o Since 2009, its summits are held annually.
o In 2015, Ufa Declaration of BRICS was adopted at 7th BRICS Summit held in Ufa, Russia.
▪ It covers a range of topics, including Global Governance, International Security and Economic
Cooperation.
o 13 BRICS Summit was held under India’s Chairmanship in 2021.
th

▪ India has hosted BRICS Summits twice before in 2012 and 2016.
o 14th BRICS Summit was convened under Chairmanship of China in 2022.
▪ Beijing Declaration was adopted, where it was declared that BRICS Countries support talks
between Russia and Ukraine.
o 15 BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg (South Africa) in 2023.
th

▪ Theme: "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable
Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".
▪ Gifts from India: Bidri Surahi, Nagaland Shawl and Gond Paintings.

Key Initiatives of BRICS

• New Development Bank (HQ: Shanghai): To mobilize Resources for Infrastructure and Sustainable
Development.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Fortaleza Declaration: During 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014), BRICS Leaders signed
Agreement establishing New Development Bank (NDB).
o Fully Operational in 2016.
o Each Member holds an Equal Amount of Shares (20%) in NDB.
• BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement 2015: To stop Short – Term Liquidity Crises and further
strengthen Financial Stability.
o Legal Basis for Establishment was signed at Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014.
o CRA's Total Lending Capacity is $100 Billion.
• BRICS Payments Task Force: Cooperation on National Payments Systems and Alternative to SWIFT
Payment System.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Newly Formed Government has approved the proposal to provide 3 Crore additional Rural and Urban
Houses under PMAY.
Of 3 Crore Houses, 2 Crore will be constructed under PMAY – Gramin, while 1 Crore under PMAY –
Urban.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

• Launched in 2015
• Type: Credit – linked Subsidy Scheme
• Aim: To provide Affordable Housing to Low and Moderate-Income Residents across India.
• Envisions "Housing for All" by 2022.
• Two Components: PMAY – U for Urban Poor and PMAY – G for Rural Poor.
• Both Components (Rural and Urban) of PMAY Combined received Rs 80,671 Crores in Interim
Budget released in Feb 2024.

PMAY – U (Urban)
• Launched in 2015
• Objective: To provide Housing for All in Urban Areas.
• Beneficiaries: Economically Weaker Section, Low – Income Group, Middle – Income Group.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (Manohar Lal Khattar)
• In Aug 2022, Government approved Continuation of PMAY – U up to Dec 31, 2024, for Completion
of Already Sanctioned Houses till March 31, 2022.
• 83.51 Lakh House completed as on 3rd June 2024.

PMAY – G (Gramin)
• Launched in 2016.
• Objective: To provide a Pucca House with Basic Amenities to All Rural Families who are Homeless
or Living in Kutcha or Dilapidated Houses.
• Beneficiaries: Identified using Socio – Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
• Minimum Size of House: 25 sq km
• Financial Assistance: Rs 1.2 lakh in Plain Areas and Rs 1.3 lakh in Hilly, Difficult and Integrated
Action Plan Areas.
o Assistance for Construction of Toilets of up to Rs 12,000 to be provided under Swachh Bharat
Mission – Gramin (SBM – G).
• Funding Ratio – 60 : 40 (Plain Areas), 90 : 10 (Himalayan and NE States, UT of Jammu & Kashmir)
o 100% Financing from Centre for Union Territories including UT of Ladakh.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development (Shivraj Singh Chouhan)
• Out of Overall Mandated Target of 2.95 Crore Houses allocated to States/UTs under PMAY – G, more
than 2.94 Crore Houses have already been sanctioned to Eligible Beneficiaries by States/UTs.
o 2.62 Crore Houses completed as on 11 June 2024.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA) 2024 Report

State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2024 Report released. It Blue Transformation in
is prepared and released by Food and Agriculture Organization. Action
• Introduced by FAO in
SOFIA is FAO Flagship report that analyzes Status and Health of 2021
Global Fishery Stocks as well as Trends in Fisheries and • Aim: To leverage Aquatic
Aquaculture at a Global and Regional Level. Food Systems, to enhance
Food Security, Improve
Report’s Special Focus is on “Blue Transformation in Action”. Nutrition, etc.

Key Findings of Report

• On Production
o Global Fisheries and Aquaculture: 223.2 Million Tonnes (4.4% increase from 2020)
▪ Global Aquaculture: 130.9 Million Tonnes
▪ Global Capture Fisheries: 92.3 Million Tonnes
o For 1st time, Aquaculture surpassed Capture Fisheries as Main Producer of Aquatic Animals.
o Region Wise: Asia (70%), Europe (9%), Latin America and Caribbean (9%), Africa (7%), Northern
America (3%), Oceania (1%).
o Country Wise: China (36%), India (8%), Indonesia (7%), Viet Nam (5%), Peru (3%)
▪ With 1.9 Million Tonnes, India ranked 1st in Inland Fisheries Production.
• On Consumption
o Global Apparent Consumption of Aquatic Animal Foods (2021): 162.5 Million Tonnes
o Global Apparent Consumption of Aquatic Foods per Capita (2021): 20.6 kg
▪ Increase in Global Apparent Consumption of Aquatic Foods per Capita: From 9.1 kg in 1961
to 20.6 in 2021
• On Employment
o People Employed in Primary Production: 61.8 million
o Workers by Sector: Fisheries (54%), Aquaculture (36%), Sector Not Specified (10%)
o Percentage of Jobs by Region: Asia (85%), Africa (10%), Latin America and Caribbean (4%), Europe,
Oceania and Northern America combined (1%).
• On Trade
o Top Exporters of Aquatic Animal Products: China, Norway, Viet Nam, Ecuador, Chile
o Top Importers of Aquatic Animal Products: United States of America, China, Japan, Spain, France
o Value of International Trade of Aquatic Products: USD 195 Billion
• Countries Dominating Aquaculture: China, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Philippines,
Republic of Korea, Norway, Egypt and Chile – produced over 89.8% of Total.

Fisheries and Aquaculture in context of Global Biodiversity Agreements

• Convention on Biological Diversity adopted Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
in 2022 to help Countries develop National Plans for protecting Biodiversity and living in Harmony
with Nature.
• In 2023, UN Members agreed to a Legally Binding Treaty for Conserving and Sustainably using Marine
Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Images of Sun captured by Aditya – L1

Indian Space Research Organisation has released images of the Sun captured by Aditya L1 Satellite
during a Major Geo-Magnetic Storm in May.

Two Remote Sensing Payloads, namely Solar UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT) and Visible
Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), along with other payloads, captured Images from Lagrange Point
in Space.

Aditya – L1
• Launched in 2023. Other Solar Missions
• Launched By: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle – XL • Helios 2 Solar Probe (NASA, 1976)
(PSLV C57) • WIND (NASA, 1994)
• India’s 1st Space Mission to observe Sun from a Halo • Hinode (JAEA, 2006)
Orbit around Lagrange Point 1 (L1) of Sun – Earth • Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
System. (IRIS) (NASA, 2013)
• ISRO’s 2nd Astronomy Observatory – class Mission • Parker Solar Probe (NASA, 2018)
after AstroSat (2015). • Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory
• Aim: To provide Valuable Insights into Solar Corona, (STEREO) (NASA, 2006)
Photosphere, Chromosphere and Solar Wind. • Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
o For Observing and Understanding Chromospheric (European Space Agency)
• Kuafu – 1 Solar Probe (China)

Lagrangian Point L1
• Location in Space where
Gravitational Forces of 2
Celestial Bodies, such as
Sun and Earth, are in
Equilibrium.
• This allows an Object
placed there to remain
Relatively Stable with
respect to Both Celestial
Bodies.
• There are 5 Lagrange
Points, 3 are Unstable
(L1, L2, L3 lie along
line connecting 2 Large
Masses) and 2 are Stable
(L4, L5).

and Coronal Dynamics of

the Sun.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog announced Groundbreaking Initiative aimed at fostering
Innovation and Sustainability in India: "AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0.

AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0

• Launched By: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
Atal Innovation Mission
• Collaborative effort with Innovation Centre Denmark
• Launched in 2016 by NITI Aayog
(ICDK) at Royal Danish Embassy in India.
• Aim: To promote Culture of
• Aim: To address Critical Water–related Challenges through Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
Inventive Solutions.
• Objectives: Address Water Challenges, Focus on Sustainability
• Participants will be able to showcase their innovations at Digital Tech Summit in Copenhagen from
Oct 30-31, 2024; funded by Government of Denmark.
• Engaging with Young Talents from leading Universities and Innovation Hubs in 9 Countries (India,
Denmark, Ghana, Kenya, Korea, Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Colombia and Mexico).

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM – KISAN)

Prime Minister released 17th Instalment of PM Kisan Nidhi Scheme.

PM KISAN
• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Aim: To supplement Financial needs of Land-Holding Farmers Families in procuring various Inputs
and also Domestic Needs.
• Objective: To provide Income support to All Land – holding Eligible Farmer Families (Families include
Husband, Wife and Minor Children).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (Shivraj Singh Chouhan)
• Benefits: Rs 6,000
o Transferred annually in 3 Equal Instalments of Rs 2,000 each every 4 Months.

East Asia Summit

A Senior Officials’ Meeting was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

East Asia Summit

• Established in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• 1st proposed by then Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1991.
• Aim: To promote Peace, Stability and Economic Prosperity in East Asia.
• Members: 18 States
o Comprising 10 ASEAN Member States along with Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand,
Republic of Korea, Russia and United States.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held in Jakarta (Indonesia) in 2023.

Lipulekh Pass

Indian Traders are demanding resumption of Border Trade with China through Lipulekh Pass which
was closed during Covid – 19 Pandemic.

Lipulekh Pass
• Located: Uttarakhand (Pithorgarh)
o Tri – Junction of India, China (Tibet) and Nepal.
• Major Pass of Kumaun Region situated in Kali Valley.
• Traveling through Lipulekh Pass significantly reduces travel
time for Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage.

Indian House Crows

Kenyan Government has announced an Action Plan to eliminate 1 Million Indian House Crows
(Corvus Splendens) by the end of 2024.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

19 June 2024 Current Affair

Notified Disasters in India

There have been calls for Heat Waves to be declared a Notified Disaster under Disaster Management
Act, 2005.

Disaster Management Act, 2005

• Disaster Management Act (2005) enacted in the wake of Orissa Super-Cyclone (1999) and Tsunami
(2004), defines a Disaster as a "Catastrophe, Mishap, Calamity or Grave Occurrence" arising from
"Natural or Man – made Causes".
• Act defines Disaster as Any Significant Event, whether Natural or Man-Made, causing Substantial Loss
of Life, Human Suffering, Property Damage or Environmental Degradation beyond Community's
Coping Capacity.
• This Act established National Disaster Management Authority, along with State Disaster
Management Authorities.
• States receive Assistance during Natural Disasters through various provisions established under Act
of 2005.
• Funds for Disaster Relief are available to States from 2 Sources: State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) and
National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF).
o These Funds were created with Enactment of Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DMA), following
Tsunami of 2004.
• Currently, there are 12 Categories of Disasters which are notified under this Act.
o Cyclones, Drought, Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Tsunami, Hailstorm, Landslide, Avalanche, Cloudburst,
Pest Attack, Frost and Cold Waves.

National Disaster Relief Fund

• Established under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
• National Calamity Contingency Fund (11th Finance Commission) was renamed as National Disaster
Response Fund.
• Managed by: Central Government
• Purpose: To meet Expenses for Emergency Response, Relief and Rehabilitation due to Any
Threatening Disaster Situation or Disaster.
• It Supplements SDRF in case of a Disaster of a Severe Nature, provided Adequate Funds are Not
Available in the SDRF.

State Disaster Relief Fund

• Established under Section 48(1)(a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
• Based on Recommendations of 13th Finance Commission.
• Serves as the Primary Fund for State Governments to address Notified Disasters promptly.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Funded jointly by Central Government and State Governments in a ratio of 75:25 for General
Category States/UTs and 90:10 for Special Category States/UTs (North – Eastern and Himalayan
States).
• States can also use up to 10% of the Funds for Local Disasters not included in the Notified List.

Fund Released to States

• NDRF Funding: Operational guidelines from Jan 2022 allocate funding for NDRF from 2021-22 to
2025-26.
Related Facts
• Assistance Request: States lacking Sufficient
SDRF Allocation includes both State Disaster
SDRF Funds for a National Calamity beyond their
Response Fund (80% of SDRMF) and State
capacity can seek aid from the NDRF.
Disaster Mitigation Fund (20% of SDRMF),
• Evaluation Process: MHA or Ministry of as recommended by 15th Finance Commission.
Agriculture assesses the situation, potentially • 40%: Response and Relief Works.
forming an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) • 30%: Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts.
to recommend Additional Funds. • 10%: Preparedness and Capacity – building
• Central Committee Review: Sub-Committee of Initiatives.
National Executive Committee determines
available funding, leading to a high-level committee chaired by the Home Minister authorising NDRF
releases.

Centre's Constitutional Responsibilities in Disaster Times

• Disaster Management is Not explicitly outlined in 7th Schedule of the Constitution.
o It falls under Residuary Powers of Union Government as per Article 248 of the Constitution.
• Disaster Management Act, 2005 was enacted by Union NDMA & SDMA
Government by tracing its legislative competence to • NDMA stands for National
Concurrent List entry on “Social Security and Social Disaster Management Authority
Insurance; Employment and Unemployment.” o Apex Body for Disaster
o Primary Responsibility for Disaster Management rests Management in India
with the States. o Chairman: Prime Minister
o The Centre plays a supportive role by providing financial
• SDMA stands for State Disaster
assistance, technical expertise, and coordination Management Authorities
between multiple states during disasters, as mandated o Headed by: Chief Ministers
by the Act
• Funding of the NDRF: Funded through a National Calamity Contingent Duty levied on Pan Masala,
Chewing Tobacco and Cigarettes and with Budgetary Provisions as and when needed.
o A provision exists to encourage Any Person or Institution to make a contribution to the NDRF.

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Global Nitrous Oxide Budget 2024

Planet-warming Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions grew by 40% between 1980 and 2020, according to a
new report published by the Global Carbon Project.
Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
• Commonly known as
Highlights of Report Laughing Gas (State of
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O) is 3rd Most Significant Greenhouse Gas after Euphoria) or Happy Gas
Carbon Dioxide and Methane • Colorless, Odorless and
o 273 Times More Potent than CO2 over 100 years. Non – Flammable Gas
o Increase in Greenhouse Gases has already raised Earth's Average Surface Temperature by 1.15
degrees Celsius compared to 1850 – 1900 Average.
o Anthropogenic Nitrous Oxide Emissions contribute to about 0.1 degrees of this warming.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions grew by 40% (3 million metric tons Global Carbon Project
of N2O per year) between 1980 – 2020. Formed in 2001 to help
• Top 10 Emitters: China (16.7%), India (10.9%), USA (5.7 %), Brazil International Science
(5.3%), Russia (4.6%), Pakistan, Australia, Indonesia, Turkey, Canada Community to establish a
o Per Capita Emissions (Kg Nitrous Oxide/Person) in India have Common, Mutually Agreed
Lowest (0.8) in comparison to Countries like China (1.3), US Knowledge Base that
(1.7), Brazil (2.5) and Russia (3.3) supports Policy Debate and
• Natural Sources: Oceans, Inland Water Bodies and Soil action to Slow Rate of
o Contributed 11.8% of Global Emissions of N2O. Increase of Greenhouse
Gases in Atmosphere.
• Biggest Human Sources of N₂O: Agriculture, Industry, Burning of
Forests or Agricultural Waste.
o 74% of Nitrous Oxide Emissions originated from Agricultural Practices (Use of Nitrogen Fertilizers
and Animal Manure).
• Emission Pattern in Regions: Among 18 Regions; Only Europe, Russia, Australasia, Japan and Korea
had Decreasing Nitrous Oxide Emissions.
o Europe had Largest Rate of Decrease between 1980 and 2020, resulting from Reduced Fossil Fuel
and Industry Emissions.
o China and South Asia had Largest Increases in N2O Emissions from 1980 to 2020 at 92%.
• In 2022, Concentration of Nitrous Oxide in Atmosphere reached 336 parts per billion, 25% Higher
than in 1850 – 1900.
Implications of Rising Nitrous Oxide Emissions
• Intensified Global Warming: N₂O is around 300 times more effective than carbon dioxide
(CO₂) at trapping heat over 100 years.
• Threat to Ozone Layer: N₂O breaks down in the stratosphere, releasing nitrogen oxides that
damage the ozone layer.
• Challenge to Food Security: growing demand for food will likely lead to a further increase in
N₂O emissions, creating a conflict between food security and climate goals.
• Challenge to Paris Climate Agreement: The increasing level of N₂O emissions will pose a
challenge in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

National Litigation Policy

With an aim to Reduce Burden of Pending Court Cases in which Government is a Party, Union
Ministry of Law and Justice approved National Litigation Policy, which will now be sent to Cabinet
for approval.

Background of National Litigation Policy

• Roughly 50 million Legal Cases are Pending at various levels of Judiciary across India and
Government is India’s leading Litigator.
o Government is responsible for 73% of All Cases admitted by Supreme Court.
• Launched in 2010 to make Government a "More Responsible Litigant".
o However, Policy was Not implemented.
• In 2015, NDA Government revived the plan and in a reply to Lok Sabha, the then-Law minister (in
2021) said Policy was Under Consideration.

National Litigation Policy

• Aim: To transform Government into an Efficient and Responsible Litigant.
• Efficient Litigant: A Litigant who –
o Is represented by Competent and Sensitive Legal Persons.
o Focus on Core Issues involved in Litigation and address them squarely.
o Manage and Conduct Litigation in a Cohesive, Coordinated and Time-bound Manner.
o Ensure that Good Cases are Won and Bad Cases are Not Unnecessarily Pursued.
• Responsible Litigant: A Litigant who –
o That False Pleas and Technical Points will Not be taken and shall be Discouraged.
o Ensuring that Correct Facts and All Relevant Documents will be placed before the court.
o That Nothing will be Concealed from the Court and there will be No Attempt to mislead Any
Court or Tribunal.
o Prioritisation in Litigation has to be achieved with Particular Emphasis on Welfare Legislation,
Social Reform, Weaker Sections.
• Policy suggests that Pending Cases with Government as Party to be Reviewed on Priority Basis to
enable Quick Disposal.
• Also proposed a monitoring and review mechanism to Sensitise Government in Important Cases and
Avoid Delay and Neglect of the Same.

National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms

• Set up in 2011
• Objectives: Increasing Access by Reducing Delays and Arrears in Judicial Administration
o Enhancing Accountability through Structural Changes and by setting Performance Standards and
Capacities.
• Goal: Reduce Average Pendency Time from 15 years to 3 years.

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Premature Deaths Related to PM2.5 Exposure

A New Study (Published in Journal Environment International) has found that Fine Particulate Matter
(PM 2.5) led to 135 million Premature Deaths worldwide between 1980 and 2020.

Key Highlights
• From 1980 to 2020, 1/3 of Premature Deaths was associated with Stroke (33.3%), another 1/3rd with
rd

Ischemic Heart Disease (32.7%) and Remaining Deaths were due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease, Lower Respiratory Infections and Lung Cancer.
• Asia is Most Affected Region (Estimated 98.1 Million Premature Deaths)
• China and India led with 49 million and 26.1 million Deaths, respectively.
o Other South Asian Nations: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan

Indian Scenario
• India, with 18% of World’s Population, has 26% of Global Premature Deaths and Disease burden due
to Air Pollution.
• More than 23 lakh People Died Prematurely due to Pollution in India in 2019.
o Of them, 73% of Deaths occurred due to Air Pollution, Largest Number of Such Deaths globally.
• In Delhi, Number of Deaths attributable to PM2.5 was 106 out of 100000 People in 2019, above
Global Median 58 per 100000 People.

Related Efforts By India

• National Clean Air Programme 2019: To achieve 20% to 30% Reduction in concentrations of PM10
and PM2.5 by 2024, keeping 2017 as Base Year.
• Vehicle Scrappage Policy: Replace Old Vehicles with Modern and New Vehicles on Indian Roads.
• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme: To Reduce
Pollution caused by Diesel and Petrol-operated Vehicles and to promote Electric and Hybrid Vehicles
in India.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Authorised Economic Operators Programme

Gem and Jewellery Sector has been granted Authorised Economic Operator Status by Ministry of
Finance, Easing Export-Import Processes with Shorter Cargo Release Times and Reduced Bank
Guarantees.

Authorised Economic Operators Programme

• Launched in 2007 under World Customs Organization's World Customs Organisation
(WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards. • Established in 1952 as Customs
• Serves a Dual Purpose: Enhancing International Supply Chain Co – operation Council (CCC)
Security and Facilitating Trade Flow. • Aim: To enhance Effectiveness
o Strengthen Security Measures throughout International and Efficiency of Customs
Movement of Goods, Minimising Risks associated with Administrations.
Smuggling and Counterfeiting. • HQ: Brussels (Belgium)
• Aim: To Expedite Customs Clearance Processes, Reducing • India became Vice – Chair
Delays and Costs for Legitimate Traders. (Regional Head) of Asia
• Under this, an Entity engaged in International Trade is Pacific region of WCO for
approved by WCO as Compliant with Supply Chain Security 2018 – 2020.
Standards and granted AEO Status.
• An Entity with an AEO Status is considered a "Secure Trader" and a reliable Trading Partner.

SAFE Framework
• In June 2005, WCO Council adopted Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global
Trade (SAFE Framework)
• Act as a Deterrent to International Terrorism, to secure Revenue Collections and to promote
Trade Facilitation worldwide.

Starship

SpaceX’s Starship Rocket accomplished its 1st Fully Successful Test Flight, with both its Booster and
Spacecraft making a gentle splashdown after an hour-long Sub-Orbital Space Flight.

Starship
• Designed to be Fully Reusable for Missions to various destinations in Space, including Mars.
• Part of a 2 – Stage Orbit Launch System
o Composed of Super Heavy Booster and Starship Spacecraft
▪ Super Heavy Booster (1st Stage): Responsible for lifting Starship out of Earth's Atmosphere.
▪ Starship Spacecraft (2nd Stage): Designed for Space Travel, including carrying Crew and Cargo.
• Powered By: Raptor Engines (Methalox: Liquid Methane and Liquid Oxygen)
• Objectives and Missions
o Mars Colonization: Central to SpaceX's long-term goal of making Humanity Multi-Planetary by
establishing a Self-Sustaining Colony on Mars.
o Lunar Missions: NASA's Artemis Program has selected a variant of Starship to serve as a Lunar
Lander for Returning Humans to Moon.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

International Organization of Migration

At least 49 migrants died and 140 others were missing after their boat capsized off the coast of
Yemen, International Organization of Migration.

International Organization of Migration

• Establishment: 1951 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• Mandate: To promote Humane and Orderly • Established on Dec 14, 1950.
Migration for Benefit of All. • Succeeded United Nations Relief and
• Members: 175 States and 8 Observer States Rehabilitation Administration.
• HQ: Geneva (Switzerland) • Mandate: To Lead and Co-ordinate International
• Publications: World Migration Report, Action to protect Refugees and resolve Refugee
Migration Health Annual Report Problems worldwide.
• Won 2 Nobel Peace Prizes: 1954 and 1981
• Head: Filippo Grand
Maitri Setu

Maitri Setu, also known as India – Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, is set to open by September,
connecting India's landlocked North-East to Bay of Bengal.

Maitri Setu
• Connects Sabroom in Tripura with Ramgarh in Bangladesh.
o Length: 1.9 kms
• Constructed over Feni River
o Feni River acts as a Boundary between India (in Tripura) and Bangladesh.
• Construction By: National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd

Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS)

BRICS Ministers for Foreign Affairs emphasized need to discuss Legal Multilateral Instrument on
PAROS.

PAROS Treaty
• In 2008, Russia and China presented a Draft Treaty submitted to Conference on Disarmament.
• Aim: To refrain State Parties from placing Objects carrying Any Type of Weapon into Orbit, installing
Weapons on Celestial Bodies and Threatening to use Force against Objects in Outer Space.
• It would complement and reaffirm importance of 1967 Outer Space Treaty.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment camera onboard NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
(MRO) captured images of a Mysterious Pit on the side of an Ancient Volcano on Mars.

Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

• Launched in 2005
• 2nd Longest – lived Spacecraft to orbit Mars.
• Objective: To gain better knowledge of distribution and history of water on Mars.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

United Nations proclaimed 2025 as International Year Quantum Science and Technology
of Quantum Science and Technology. Refers to Study and Application of
Principles of Quantum Mechanics,
Resolution for this was led by Mexico at UNESCO
which governs Behaviour of Matter and
General Conference in May 2023.
Energy at Atomic and Subatomic Scales.
Year 2025 marks a century since German physicist Werner Heisenberg published a paper laying
Foundation of Modern Quantum Mechanics.

He was awarded Nobel Prize for Physics in 1932 for Creation of Quantum Mechanics.
India’s Initiatives in field of Quantum Technology
• National Quantum Mission (2023): To Seed, Nurture and Scale up Scientific and Industrial R&D
and create a Vibrant & Innovative Ecosystem in Quantum Technology.
• Quantum Enabled Science & Technology (QuEST): Research Program to build Quantum
Capabilities.
• Quantum Computing Applications Lab (QCAL): To accelerate Quantum Computing – led
Research and Development and enable New Scientific Discoveries.

Freedom of Artistic Expression in India

Karnataka Government issued a Temporary Ban of 2 Weeks on release of a Hindi Film to prevent Any
Potential Religious Discord and preserve Communal Harmony in the State.

Freedom of Artistic Expression is a Principle that an Artist should be Unrestrained by Law or

Convention in the making of his or her art.

Supreme Court in Rangarajan vs P Jagjivan Ram Case (1989) held that Movies enjoy Rights
guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) [Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression].

JIMEX

Bilateral Japan – India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) 2024 Other Exercises between
commenced at Yokosuka in Japan. India and Japan
This is 8th Edition, since its inception in 2012. • Dharma Guardian (Army)
• Veer Guardian (Air Force)
Indian Navy (IN) is being represented by INS Shivalik and Japan • Malabar Exercise (Navy’s
Maritime Self – Defense Force (JMSDF) is being represented by of India, Japan, USA and
Guided Missile Destroyer JS Yugiri. Australia)

Donanemab: A New Alzheimer’s Drug

FDA unanimously voted that Benefits of Donanemab outweigh the risks in treating Alzheimer
Disease.

Made by Eli Lilly is a Monoclonal Antibody that targets Amyloid Beta Protein plaques in Brain.

Vidyut Rakshak

Indian Army launched Vidyut Rakshak Monitoring System.

Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled Integrated Generator Monitoring, Protection and Control System.

Indigenously developed by Army Design Bureau (ADB).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Malawi (Capital: Lilongwe)

Malawi Vice President was killed in a plane crash in Chikangawa Mountain Range.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

20 June 2024 Current Affair

Gender Gap Report 2024
World Economic Forum (WEF) published the 18th Edition of Global Gender Gap Report (2024).

Global Gender Gap Report

• Inception in 2006.
• Released By: World Economic Forum (WEF) Gender Inequality Index
• Highlights Persistent Gender Inequality a cross various sector • Released by UNDP
globally. • Also a Composite Metric of
• Provides Scores between 0 and 1, where 1 shows Full Gender Gender Inequality based on
Parity and 0 is Complete Imparity 3 dimensions: Reproductive
• Benchmarks Current State and Evolution of Gender Parity based Health, Empowerment and
on 14 Indicators across 4 Key Dimensions: Economic Labour Market.
Participation and Opportunity; Educational Attainment; Health and Survival, Political Empowerment.

Key Findings
• Global Gender Gap Score in 2024 for All 146 Countries included in this edition stands at 68.5%.
• No Country has achieved Full Gender Parity.
• Among 146 Countries; Iceland, Finland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden are Top Five Countries.
• Iceland has maintained its position as Most Gender – Equal Country for 15th Consecutive Year, with a
Gender Gap Score of 93.5%.
o Finland continues to be Only Economy to have closed over 90% of its Gender Gap.
• Spain and Ireland made notable jumps into Top 10 in 2024, climbing 8 and 2 ranks respectively
compared to 2023.
• 7 out of Top 10 Countries are from Europe (Iceland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Ireland,
Spain).
• Other Regions represented are Eastern Asia and Pacific (New Zealand at 4), Latin America and
Caribbean (Nicaragua at 6), Sub – Saharan Africa (Namibia at 8).
• Sudan was ranked Last on Index of 146 Countries, while Pakistan slipped 2 places to 145th.
• Share of Women in Parliamentary Positions has shown an Almost Uninterrupted Positive Trajectory
since 2006.
• Women constitute 28.2% of STEM Workforce and 47.3% of Non – STEM Workforce.
• At Current Rate of Progress, it will take 134 years to reach Full Parity.

Regional Performance
• Europe leads with 75% of its Gender Gap Closed, followed by Northern America (74.8%) and Latin
America & Caribbean (74.2%).
• Middle East and North Africa Region ranks last at 61.7% of its Gender Gap Closed.
• Southern Asia Region ranks 7th out of 8 Regions with a Gender Parity Score of Only 63.7%.

India’s Performance
• India ranked 129 (64.1%) in 2024’s Index, scoring marginally Lower than Previous Edition (127th).
o Mainly Result of Small Declines in "Educational Attainment" and "Political Empowerment", while
"Economic Participation and Opportunity" slightly improved.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• India showed Best Gender Parity in terms of Enrolment in Secondary Education.

• In Political Empowerment, India scored within Top 10 on Head – of – State Indicator and ranked 65th
with globally in Political Empowerment of Women.
o But its scores for Women’s Representation at Federal Level, in Ministerial Positions (6.9%) and in
Parliament (17.2%), remain Relatively Low.
• 5 in South Asia after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan.
th

Gender Inequality in India (NFHS – 5)

• Sex Ratio: Overall Sex Ratio in India is 1020 Females per 1000 Males.
o However, Sex Ratio at Birth remains Low at 929
• Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): As per Special Bulletin on MMR released by Registrar General of
India, MMR of India stands at 97 per lakh Live Births for 2018 – 20.
• Malnutrition: 18.7% of Women aged 15-49 years are Underweight, 21.2% of Women aged 15-49
years are Stunted and nearly 53% of Women aged 15-49 years are Anaemic.
• Education: Literacy Rate in Females is 70.3% compared to about 84.7% for Men.
• Child Marriage: 23.3% of women aged 20-24 years were Married or in a Union before age 18.
• Employment: As per PLFS, Only around 32.8% of Females of Working Age (15 years and above)
were in Labour Force in 2021-22.
• Informalisation: According to ILO, 81.8% of Women’s Employment in India is concentrated in
Informal Economy.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Depleting Groundwater (GW) Levels

IIT – KGP publishes study on Drought due to Depleting Groundwater (GW) Levels.

Severity of GW Drought increased 22 Times during Pre-Monsoon Season from 1996 to 2016.

Affected Regions: Large Parts of North India, including major cities such as Delhi – NCR, Jaipur and
Lucknow.
GW Drought
Condition when Water
Groundwater Tables Drop Below
• Global Abundance: 30% of World's Freshwater is Groundwater. their Normal Levels.
• India's Usage: India is Largest Groundwater User in world (more than 25% of Global Total).
• Contribution of GW is nearly 62% in Irrigation, 85% in Rural Water Supply and 50% in Urban Water
Supply.
• Major Basins: Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains possess 60% of India's Groundwater Resources.
• High Utilization States: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu

Causes of Groundwater Depletion

• Excessive Use of Groundwater for Agricultural and Industrial Purposes due to Rising Population.
• Shifting Climate Patterns affecting Water Availability.
• Unsustainable Urbanisation (like Encroachment of Water Bodies, Concretisation).
• Subsidies facilitating Low-Cost Pumping Technologies, Free Electricity, etc.

Steps Taken
• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) 2019: To improve Management of Groundwater Resources in 7 States
(Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh).
o Type: Central Sector Scheme
o Implemented By: Ministry of Jal Shakti (CR Patil)
o Total Fund: Rs 6000 Crore
o Funded by Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 Basis.
o Duration: 5 years (2020 – 21 to 2024 – 25)
• “Catch The Rain” Jal Shakti Abhiyan 2020: To promote Rainwater Harvesting & Water Conservation.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) 2005: Natural
Resource Management Component includes Water Conservation and Water Harvesting Structures.
• Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater (2020): Prepared by Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

25 Years of Kargil War

Indian Army commenced a Pan India Motorcycle Expedition to pay tribute to heroes of Kargil War.

Kargil War
• (1999)
Fought between India and Pakistan in Kargil District of Kashmir and along Line of Control (LOC).
o Pakistan’s Motive was to cut link between Kashmir and Ladakh
• Commenced shortly after signing of Lahore Declaration in 1999.
• Provided Framework for Peaceful Relations whereby All Issues including Issue of Jammu and Kashmir
would be resolved by Peaceful Means.
• During War, Indian Army evicted Pakistani Intruders and succeeded in recapturing Tiger Hill and
other posts as part of Operation Vijay.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

30th Anniversary of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

UNCCD is one of 3 Global Agreements known as Rio Conventions (1992), alongside UN Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

UNCCD
• Established in 1994.
Land Degradation
• Sole Legally Binding International Agreement
• Deterioration or Loss of Productive Capacity
linking Environment and Development to of Soils for Present and Future.
Sustainable Land Management. • Affects up to 40% of World's Land Area,
• Objectives: To Protect and Restore Land and resulting in Loss of 100 million hectares of
ensure a Safer, Just and More Sustainable Healthy Land each year.
Future. • In India, 32% of its Land is under Degradation
• Members: 196 Countries and European Union and 25% undergoing Desertification.
• Report: Global Land Outlook

Flagship Initiatives
• In 2015, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target Setting Programme (LDN TSP): Parties were invited
to formulate Voluntary Targets to achieve LDN.
o LDN: Sustainable Management of Land Resources to support Ecosystem Services and Food
Security.
o India committed to restore 26 million hectares by 2030.
• Strategic Framework 2018−2030 (2017): It urged Nations to incorporate Desertification/Land
Degradation and Drought Concerns into National Policies.
• Other Initiatives: Great Green Wall (2007), Changwon Initiative (2011), International Drought
Resilience Alliance (2022), G20 Global Land Initiative (2020), etc.

Craters on Mars Surface

Scientists of Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad) Mars

discovered 3 Craters on Mars. • th
4 Planet from the Sun and is
a Cold Desert World.
Key Highlights • Nearly Half the Size of Earth.
• Called Red Planet, because of
• Discovered Tharsis Volcanic Region on Mars, where these 3
Rusty Iron in the Ground.
Craters are located, is characterised by Extensive Lava Flows.
• Lower Gravity (about 1/3rd
o Lal Crater: Named after Prof Devendra Lal, a renowned
that of Earth)
Indian Geophysicist and Former Director of PRL
Physical Research Laboratory
from 1972 – 1983.
• Founded in 1947 by Dr Vikram Sarabhai.
o Mursan Crater: Named after a town in Uttar
• Unit of Department of Space.
Pradesh (India) that was Superimposed on
• Carries out Fundamental Research in
Eastern Side of Rim of Lal Crater.
Selected Areas of Physics, Space &
o Hilsa Crater: Named after a town in Bihar, Atmospheric Sciences, Astronomy,
superimposed on Western Side of Rim of Lal Astrophysics & Solar Physics, Planetary
Crater. & Geo Sciences.
• Above 3 Names of Craters that have been approved

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

by Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature of International Astronomical Union (IAU).

Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF)

Prime Minister announced Ex-Gratia Relief to the families of the deceased in a fire tragedy in Kuwait
from PMNRF.

PMNRF
• Established in 1948 to assist Displaced Persons from Pakistan.
• Now, it is utilized to render Immediate Relief to Families of those killed in Natural Calamities like
Floods, Cyclones, Earthquakes, etc.
o Assistance is also rendered for Medical Treatment.
• Funded entirely with Public Contributions and does Not get Any Budgetary Support.
• All Contributions towards PMNRF are exempt from Income Tax.

Group of Seven (G7)

G7 Leaders start their Annual Summit on June 13 looking to double down on support for Ukraine in
its war with Russia and offer a united face in confronting China's Political and Economic Ambitions.

G7
• Type: Inter – Governmental Political and Economic Forum.
• Established in 1975.
• Members: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States
o European Union as a Non-Enumerated Member
o Russia was included in late 1990s, creating G8, but was suspended in 2014 after Annexation of
Crimea.
• Function: To discuss and coordinate Economic Policies.
• G7 Summit 2024 will take place from June 13 – 15 in Apulia, Italy.
o Italy holds G7 Presidency in 2024.

Fatty Liver Disease

June 13 marks International Fatty Liver Day.

Theme 2024: Act Now, Screen Today

Liver is located on Upper-Right Side of Abdomen and Largest Internal Organ of Human Body.

Renaming of Joshimath and Kosiyakutoli

Centre has approved Uttarakhand Government’s proposal to rename Joshimath as Jyotirmath and
Kosiyakutoli as Pargana Shri Kainchi Dham.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

21 June 2024 Current Affair

World Day Against Child Labour

In 2002, International Labour Organisation (ILO) International Labour Organisation

established June 12th as World Day Against Child • Established in 1919
Labour. • Specialized Agency of United Nations
Theme 2024 – Let’s Act on Our Commitments: • Dedicated to improving Labour Conditions
End Child Labour and Living Standards throughout the world.
• 1st UN Specialized Agency in 1946.
International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines a • Director General: Gilbert Houngbo
Child as Anyone below the age of 18 who should • HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)
Not be involved in Hazardous Work. • Awarded Nobel Prize for Peace in 1969.

International Efforts to Eradicate Child Labour

• United Nations made 2021 as International Year for Elimination of Child Labour.
o Goal: Ending practice by 2025. ILO Convention No. 182
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Target 8.7 • 25 Years of Convention No. 182 is
adopted by world leaders in 2015, include a renewed completed in 2024
Global Commitment to Ending Child Labour. • Deals with “Worst Forms of Child
• ALLIANCE 8.7: Global Partnership committed to Labour” and is 1st ILO Convention
achieving Target 8.7 of 2030 Sustainable Development to be Universally Ratified.
Goals (SDGs). • India ratified it in 2017 along with
o International Labour Organization (ILO) currently Convention No 138 which deals
serves as Secretariat for Alliance 8.7. with Minimum Age of Employment.

Steps Taken to Eradicate Child Labour in India

• Indian Constitution
o Article 21 A (Right to Education): State shall provide Free and
Compulsory Education to All Children of the age of 6 to 14 years in
such manner as the State, by law, may determine.
o Article 23: Any Type of Forced Labour is Prohibited.
o Article 24: Child under 14 years cannot be Employed to perform
Any Hazardous Work in Any Factory or Mine.
o Article 39: Health and Strength of Workers, Men and Women, and
Tender Age of Children are Not Abused.
• Child Labour Act (Prohibition and Regulation) 1986: Prohibits Children
under age of 14 years to be working in hazardous industries and
processes.
• National Policy on Child Labour, 1987: Contains Action Plan for tackling
problem of Child Labour.
• National Child Labour Project Scheme (1988): To rehabilitate Working
Children in 12 Child Labour Endemic Districts of India.
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act 2012: To
prevent Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015: Governs laws relating to Children alleged
and found to be in conflict with the law.
• Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 2016: No Child shall be allowed to
work for more than 5 hours in a day, and for Not more than 3 hours without rest.
o At least 20% of Income Earned by Child from Production or Event is to be directly deposited in a
Fixed Deposit Account in a Nationalised Bank in Name of Child which may be credited to her/him
on attaining Majority.
• Platform for Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) 2017: Electronic Platform that aims
at involving Centre, State, District, Governments, Civil Society and General Public in achieving target
of Child Labour Free Society.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Eco – Sensitive Zones in Western Ghats

Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, three of the six states where the Centre has proposed eco-
sensitive areas (ESA) to protect Western Ghats, have sought a reduction in the extent of these ESAs
to allow development works.

Eco – Sensitive Zones

• National Environment Policy (2006) defined Eco – Sensitive Western Ghats
Zones as “Areas/Zones with Identified Environmental Resources • Internationally Recognized
having Incomparable Values which require Special Attention for as a Region of Immense
their Conservation” because of its Landscape, Wildlife, Global Importance for
Biodiversity, Historical and Natural Values. Conservation of Biological
• Notified and Regulated By: MoEFCC (Bhupender Yadav) under Diversity.
Environment Protection Act, 1986. • Traverse States of Kerala,
• As per National Wildlife Action Plan (2002 – 2016), Eco – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Sensitive Areas (ESAs) are Regions located within 10 km of Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
Protected Areas such as National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. • Stand as a barrier between
• Purpose West Coast and Rest of
o Protect Environment and Avoid its Degradation due to Indian Peninsula.
Anthropogenic Activities. • Attract a High Level of
Rainfall, helping make Area
o Create Barrier/ Shock Absorber for Specialized Ecosystem.
so Biologically Rich and
o Act as Transition Zone from Areas of Higher Protection to
Geographically Unique.

K. Kasturirangan Committee 2012

• Tasked with suggesting an All-Round and Holistic Approach for Sustainable and Equitable
Development while focusing on Conservation of Ecological Systems in Western Ghats.
• Kasturirangan Report in 2013 identified an Area of 59,940 sq km of Natural Landscape of
Western Ghats, spread across 6 States — Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Maharashtra— as Ecologically Sensitive.

Areas involving Lesser Protection.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Bhagwan Birsa Munda

Freedom Fighter and Tribal Leader Birsa Munda was remembered on his death anniversary.

Bhagwan Birsa Munda (1875 – 1900)

• Born in Munda Tribe at Ulihatu, Khunti District of Chotanagpur Plateau Region (Jharkhand).
• Also known as "Dharti Aaba".
• Started Faith of "Birsait".
o Stressed Importance of Prayer, Staying Away from Alcohol and having Gaith in God.
• Started a movement called "Ulgulan" (The Great Tumult) against Exploitation of Tribals by Local
Authorities.
o This led to the enactment of Chotanagpur Tenancy Act (1908) which restricted transfer of land
from tribal people to non-tribals.
• His Birth Anniversary (on 15th November) is celebrated as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Fintechs Leading India’s Start – up Ecosystem

Fintech Companies continue to be an attractive option for Digital Identity Infrastructure

Entrepreneurs in Start – Up Ecosystem. (JAM Trinity)
As per data from Tracxn (a Company that provides Market • Jan Dhan Yojana (World's Largest
Financial Inclusion Program)
Intelligence Data for Private Companies), Fintechs have
• Aadhaar
received over 15% of Total Equity Funding into Start – ups
• Unified Payments Interface
in FY24 so far.

State of Fintech Industry in India

• 3rd Highest after US and UK, having a Combined Valuation of over USD 155 billion.
• As per Startup India, an initiative by Ministry of Fintech
Commerce and Industry, Market Size of India’s Fintech • Combination of terms “Financial”
Industry is expected to reach USD 150 billion by 2025. and “Technology”
• Fintech Companies in India witnessed an 87% • Refers to Businesses that use
Adoption Rate across varied user bases as opposed to Technology to enhance or automate
Global Average Rate of 64%. Financial Services and Processes.
• Fintech Companies in India account for 70% of Digital • Types: Digital Payments, Alternative
Payment Transactions. Lending, Insurance, Investment Tech

Greater Tunb, The Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa Island

Iran called in China's Ambassador to lodge a protest over a Joint Statement made by China and
United Arab Emirates regarding Sovereignty of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb islands.

The Issue
• Small Disputed Islands between Iran and UAE
• Located at Entrance of Strait of
Hormuz in Persian Gulf.
• Iran claims that Islands were
historically part of Persian
Territories until they were occupied
by British in Early 20th Century.
• After British Forces withdrew in
1971, Iran took control of 3 Islands,
considering them an Integral Part of
its territory.
• According to UAE, Islands belonged
to Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah until
Iran allegedly seized them by force just days before Formation of Emirati Federation in 1971 before
UAE’s Independence from Britain.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND)

FIU fined Axis Bank for failing to detect suspicious transactions carried out in the name of counter
terrorist commando force National Security Guard.

FIU – IND
• Established in 2004
• Mandate: Central National Agency Responsible for Receiving, Processing, Analyzing and
Disseminating Information about Suspected Financial Transactions.
• Coordinates with National and International Intelligence Agencies in pursuing Global Efforts against
Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• FIU-IND reports directly to Economic Intelligence Council headed by Finance Minister.

Consumer Food Price Index

Consumer Price Index numbers on base 2012=100 for rural, urban and combined for May 2024.

Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)

• Type: Monthly Index
• Sub – Component of Consumer Price Index
• Used by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to track Inflation.
• Central Statistics Office (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation) started releasing CFPI
for 3 Categories - Rural, Urban and Combined.
• Measure of Change in Retail Prices of Food Items consumed by Population.
o Specific Measure of Inflation that focuses Exclusively on Price Changes of Food Items in a
Consumer's Basket of Goods and Services.
• Base Year: 2012
o CSO has revised the CPI and CFPI Base Year from 2010 to 2012 in Jan 2015.

Elephants Call Each Other by Name

Study’s Findings indicate that Elephants address one another with something like a name.

Elephants is the Earth’s Largest Land Animals.

3 Species of Elephant: African Savanna (Bush), African Forest and Asian

Government of India has declared Indian Elephant as a National Heritage Animal.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

22 June 2024 Current Affair

New Collective Quantified Goal

Recent Climate Meeting in Bonn (Germany) failed to make significant progress on defining a New
Climate Finance Goal.

By the end of 2024, Countries are required to finalize a New Monetary Target, exceeding Current
$100 billion per year, that Developed Nations must mobilize to support Developing Countries in
combating Climate Change.

New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)

• Forthcoming International Climate Finance Target.
• Aim: To Replace and Build upon Current Commitment United Nations Framework
of mobilizing $100 billion per year by Developed Convention on Climate Change
Countries to support Climate Action in Developing • Adopted at Earth Summit in Rio de
Countries. Janeiro in 1992.
• Under UNFCCC, Rich and Developed Countries are o Came into force in 1994.
obligated to provide Financial Support to Developing • Type: International Environmental
Nations to combat Climate Change. Treaty
o In 2009, Developed Countries pledged to mobilize • Aim: To address Problem of Climate
$100 billion annually from 2020. Change.
o OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and • Objective: To stabilize Greenhouse
Development) reported that this $100 Billion Target Gas Concentrations in Atmosphere
st
was achieved for 1 time in 2022. at a level that would prevent
o 2015 Paris Agreement mandates that Developed Dangerous Anthropogenic (Human –
Countries must periodically raise their Climate Induced) Interference with Climate
Finance Contributions after 2025 to address System.
Increasing Demands for Climate Action.
• New Target, known as New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), is intended for Post-2025 Period.
• Goal is expected to be finalized and adopted at upcoming Climate Conferences, such as COP29 (Baku,
Azerbaijan).

How much Money is Required?

• For Implementing Climate Commitments: Countries require about $6 Trillion by 2030 to implement
their Climate Commitments.
• For Adaptation: Countries need between $215 – $387 Bllion OECD
annually. • Established in 1961.
o Global Transition to Clean Energy Demands approx $4.3 • Aim: Improving Economic
Trillion annually until 2030 and about $5 Trillion annually until and Social Well – being of
2050 to achieve Net-Zero Emissions. People around the world.
• Members: 38 Countries
• HQ: Paris (France)
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Demand by Various Countries

o India proposed that Developed Countries should commit to providing at least $1 Trillion annually
after 2025.
o Arab Countries suggested a Minimum of $1.1 Trillion, while African Countries demanded $1.3
Trillion.

Reducing Emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances

Montreal Protocol effective in Reducing Emissions of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).

Key Highlights of Study

• Impact of Hydro – Chloro – Fluoro – Carbons (HCFCs) on Earth’s Energy Balance and Globally
Averaged Chlorine Content of ODS in Troposphere has decreased since 2021, 5 years earlier (2026)
than expected.
• HCFC – 22, Most Abundant HCFC, has Declined significantly. Montreal Protocol
o Its Global Warming Potential (GWP) is 1000s of times • Signed in 1987.
more than Carbon Dioxide (CO2). • Global Treaty to eliminate
o HCFC – 22 is used as a Refrigerant in Air Conditioners, Cold Production and Use of ODS.
Storage, Retail Food Refrigeration, etc. • Implemented under Vienna
• Minor Decline were observed in HCFC – 141b, 2nd Most Convention (adopted in 1985).
Abundant HCFC. • Production of CFCs has been
o HCFC – 141b is used as a Blowing Agent in Production of Prohibited since 2010.
Rigid Polyurethane Foams.
o India has achieved Complete Phase-Out of HCFC – 141b under ODS (Regulation and Control)
Amendment Rules, 2014.
• This is in line with India’s Commitment under Montreal Protocol for Substances that Deplete Ozone
Layer.

Ozone and Ozone – Depleting Substances (ODS)

• Human – made Chemicals containing Chlorine and Bromine (like CFCs, HCFC).
• Applications: Refrigerators, Air Conditioners, Fire Kigali Amendment to Montreal
Extinguishers and Aerosols Protocol
• Most Common ODS: Chloro – Fluoro – Carbons (CFCs), • Adopted in 2016
Halons, Carbon Tetrachloride and Methyl Chloroform. o Entered into force in 2019
• They can reach Stratosphere where they undergo • Aim: To Phase – Down Production
catalytic reactions, further leading to destruction of and Consumption of Hydro –
ozone. Fluoro – Carbons (HFCs).
• Stratospheric Ozone (Good Ozone) is found at 10 – 40 o HFCs are Non – ODS alternative
KM above Earth's Surface and protects Earth from UV to CFCs and HCFCs.
Radiation of Sun. o HFC’s GWP is 1000s of times
more than CO2.
• Ozone formed in Troposphere is Harmful and is called
"Bad Ozone".

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Global Trends Report: Forced Displacement

Global Trends Report: Forced Displacement in 2023 released by United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR). Number of Forcibly Displaced Individuals rose to 120 million by May 2024, a
nearly 10% increase from 2022, representing about 1.5% of Global Population.

Key Highlights
• Number of Forcibly Displaced People stood at 117.3 million (40% are Children below 18 years of age)
at end of 2023.
• 68.3 million were Internally Displaced People i.e. People Forced Displacement
Refers to Situations of Persons who
who are forced to flee but Never Cross an International
leave their Homes due to factors like
Border and Remain Displaced within their Own Countries.
Persecution, Violence, Human Rights
• 73% of Refugees originate from 5 Countries: Afghanistan, Violations, Disasters, Food Insecurity
Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Ukraine, South Sudan. and Impacts of Climate Change etc.
• Half of All New Asylum Applications in 2023 were filed in
5 Countries: US receiving most (1.2 million), followed by Germany (329100), Egypt, Spain, Canada.

Treaties and Programs

• 1951 Refugee Convention
o 1st Comprehensive International Refugee Law World Refugee Day 2024
▪ Based on Principle of Non – Refoulement • Celebrated on 20 June.
o Define who is a Refugee and outlining their Rights • 1st celebrated on 20 June 2001.
and Obligations of States to protect them. o Earlier recognized as Africa
o Entered into force in 1954. Refugee Day.
▪ One Amendment to Convention in form of 1967 o Later in Dec 2000, declared it as
Protocol. International Day for Refugees.
o Members: 146 Parties to Convention and 147 to • Purpose: To Commemorated 50th
Protocol. anniversary of 1951 Convention
▪ India has not signed 1951 Refugee Convention or relating to Status of Refugees.
its 1967 Protocol. • Theme 2024: For a World Where
o United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Refugees Are Welcomed
(UNHCR) acts as Guardian of 1951 Refugee Convention and its Protocols.
• International Organization for Migration
o Established in 1951.
o UN Agency that provides Services and Advice on Migration to Governments and Migrants.
o Member States: 175 States and 8 Observer States.
o Publications: World Migration Report, Migration Health Annual Report.
o HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

o Formally known as Office of High Commissioner for Refugees
o Established in 1950.
o Purpose: Protecting Rights and Building a Better Future for People Forced to Flee their Homes
because of Conflict and Persecution.
o Received Noble Peace prize in 1954 and 1981
o Present in 135 Countries.
o HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)

Environmental Flows (E-flows) Monitoring System

Union Jal Shakti Ministry launched an E-Flow Ecological Monitoring System that allows Real-Time
Planning and Monitoring of Projects, River Water Quality and Other Key Parameters.

Background
• Government of India mandated in 2018 Minimum E-Flow for National Ganga Council
various stretches of Ganga River to be maintained Year-Round. • Established in 2016
• Following this, National Mission for Clean Ganga, an Arm of Jal o Under Environment
Shakti Ministry, laid down flow specifications essential for – (Protection) Act 1986.
o Preserving River's Ecological Balance, Safeguarding Aquatic • Responsible for controlling
Life. Pollution and revitalising
o Ensuring Sustainability amidst Diverse Water Usage Demands. Ganga River Basin.
• With monitoring and regulatory mechanisms, Ganga's Ecological • Headed By: Prime Minister
Resilience is being Safeguarded for Generations to come.

E – Flows Monitoring System

• Allows Real-Time Analysis of Water Quality of Ganga, Yamuna, and their tributaries.
o Monitoring Performance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)
o Ensuring that they operate at their Rated Capacity.
• Developed By: National Mission for Clean Ganga

Namami Gange Programme

• Launched in 2014
• Flagship Programme of Ministry that involved Cleaning Ganga and its Tributaries.
• States Covered: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Project Aviral
Jharkhand, West Bengal. • Aim: Reducing Plastic Waste in
• Objectives: Effective Abatement of Pollution, Conservation Ganga
and Rejuvenation of National River Ganga. • Powered By: Alliance to End
• Administered By: Department of Water Resources, River Plastic Waste
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (Ministry of Jal • Implemented By: GIZ (German
Shakti: CR Patil) Development Agency)
• Implemented By: National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
o Implementation Wing of National Ganga Council (NGC), which replaced National Ganga River
Basin Authority.
• Budget Outlay: Rs 20000 Crores

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Energy Progress Report 2024

Tracking SDG 7: Energy Progress Report 2024 released.

Report is a Joint Effort of 5 SDG 7 Custodian Agencies – International Energy Agency (IEA),
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), World
Bank and World Health Organization (WHO).

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: To ensure Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and
Modern Energy for All.

Key Highlights
• SDG 7.1.1: Number of People Without Access to Electricity increased for 1st Time in over a decade,
reaching 685 million.
o Factors: Global Energy Crisis, Inflation, Growing Debt Distress in Low-Income Countries etc.
o India: 11 million People lack access in 2022.
• SDG 7.1.2: 2.1 billion People Live Without Access to Clean Cooking Fuels and Technologies.
o Implications: 3.2 million Premature Deaths each year.
o India: Largest Share of Access Deficit, with 360 million People Lacking access.
• SDG 7.2: Share of Renewable energy (RE) in Total Final Energy Consumption (TFEC) was 18.7% in
2021.
o India: 34.9% Renewable Energy Share in Total Final Energy Consumption.
• SDG 7.3: Average Annual Improvements in Energy Efficiency through 2030 must accelerate to over
3.8% to meet target.

Initiatives for SDG7 in India

• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 2016: To replace Biomass as Cooking Fuel with LPG Connections to
Women of BPL Families.
• SAUBHAGYA (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) 2017: One of World’s Biggest Universal
Electrification Initiatives
o Concurrent Program to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY).
o Nodal Agency: Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)
• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana 2024: Providing up to 300 Units of Free Electricity Every Month
from Solar Rooftop.
o Total Outlay: Rs75021 Crore for Installing Rooftop Solar.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

1st All – India Survey on AYUSH

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (Rao Inderjit Singh) released 1st All – India
Survey on AYUSH.

Survey was conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) from July 2022 to June 2023.

Key Findings
• Around 95% of Rural Population and 96% of Urban Population aged 15 years and above are Aware of
Ayush.
• Ayush is predominantly used for Rejuvenation (Preventive) purpose followed by Therapeutic
(Curative) Treatment.
• During 2022 – 23, Use of Ayush and Average Expenditure Incurred per Person for Prevention or
Treatment of Ailments is more in Urban Areas than Rural Areas.

AYUSH System
• Traditional System of Healthcare.
• AYUSH stands as Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy.
• India is 2nd Largest Exporter of Ayurveda and Alternative Medicine globally.

Initiatives taken to promote Ayush

• National Ayush Mission 2014
o Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
o Nodal Ministry: Ministry of AYUSH (Sarbananda Sonowal)
o Aim: To Strengthen, Improve and Provide Ayush Healthcare Services throughout India.
• Global Ayush Investment and Innovation Summit (GAIIS) 2022
o Aim: To promote Agreements and Mutual Research and increase Ayush reach globally.
o Held at Gandhinagar (Gujarat)
• WHO – Global Center for Traditional Medicine 2022
o Aim: To accelerate Global Progress in Traditional Medicine.
o Established in Jamnagar (Gujarat)
• AYUSH Visa 2022: Designed for Foreign Nationals looking to receive Medical Treatment in India
through Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine.
• 3 National Ayush Institutes of Eminence in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathy in 2024
o All India Institute of Ayurveda in Goa, National Institute of Unani Medicine in Ghaziabad, National
Institute of Homoeopathy in Delhi.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Olympus Mons

Scientists discovered Frost on Mars' Tallest Volcano, Olympus Largest Volcano on Earth
Mons, revealing an Active Water Cycle on Red Planet. Hawaii’s Mauna Loa (120
kms across and 9 kms high)
Olympus Mons
• Type: Shield Volcano
• Location: Mars’ Western Hemisphere
• Height: 16 Miles (24 kms)
o Highest Point on Mars and Largest known
Volcano in Solar System.
o About 3 Times Higher than Mt Everest.
• Width: 340 Miles (550 kms)
• Slopes: Only 2 to 5 degrees.

Kavli Prize

Winners of 2024 Kavli Prize were announced. 8 Winners were awarded for
their contributions to Astrophysics, Neuroscience & Nanoscience.

Kavli Prize
• Announced in 2008.
• Awarded in honour of Norwegian-American Businessman and
Philanthropist Fred Kavli (1927 – 2013).
• Awarded in 3 Areas: Astrophysics, Nanoscience and Neuroscience
• Winners in 2024
o Astrophysics: David Charbonneau and Sara Seager, For Discoveries of
Exoplanets and Characterisation of their Atmosphere.
o Nanoscience: Robert Langer, Armand Paul Alivisatos and Chad Mirkin, For Biomedical Applications
Breakthroughs.
o Neuroscience: Nancy Kanwisher, Winrich Freiwald and Doris Tsao For their collective effort over
decades to map Linkage between Facial Recognition and Brain.

Artemis Accords

Armenia joins as 43rd Signatory Nation to NASA's Artemis Accords for Lunar Exploration.

Artemis Accords
• Established in 2020 by NASA

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o In coordination with US Department of State, together with 7 Other Founding Member Nations
(Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, UK).
• Presently, there are 43 Signatories including India.
• Grounded in Outer Space Treaty of 1967, Non – Binding Set of Principles designed to guide Civil
Space Exploration and Use.
• Vision: Peaceful, Sustainable and Transparent Cooperation in Space.

GREAT Scheme

Empowered Programme Committee of National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has approved 7
Startup Proposals under GREAT Scheme.

GREAT Scheme
• GREAT stands for Grant for Research & Entrepreneurship across Aspiring Innovators in Technical
Textiles
• Objectives: Utilizing Talent Pool and Expertise of India in Technical Textiles Sector to bring Innovative
Products/Technologies to Market.
• Grant – In – aid: Up to INR 50 Lakhs for a period of 18 Months.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Textiles (Giriraj Singh)

Truenat Platform

Truenat Platform has been hailed for its role in combating TB at 77th World Health Assembly in
Geneva, a decision-making body of WHO.

Truenat Platform
• Portable, Battery – operated Machine.
• Real – Time Quantitative Micro – PCR System.
• Developed By: Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics

Camel Camels in India

UN declared the year 2024 as International Year of Camelids • State Animal of Rajasthan.
(Members of Camel Family) to build awareness of untapped • Kharai Camel: Swim Long
potential of Camelids. Distances in Sea to eat
Mangroves (Kutch, Gujarat).
Camels are found in Africa and Asia. • Bactrian Camels: Found in
Ladakh’s Nubra Valley
Types of Camel: Dromedary or Arabian Camel (Single Hump)
• Dromedaries Camel: Found
and Bactrian Camel (Two Humps).
in Rajasthan, Gujarat.

Pantanal Wetland

South America’s Pantanal Wetlands is grappling with devastating Wildfires.

World’s Largest Tropical Wetland spread across 3 Countries: Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay.

It has Largest Concentration of Crocodiles in the world.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

UAV 'Nagastra'

Indian Army has got its 1st Indigenous Man-portable Suicide Drones

Designed to Target Enemy Training Camps, Launch Pads and

Infiltrators with Precision, without endangering lives of soldiers.

Designed By Solar Industries' Economic Explosives Limited (EEL,

Nagpur)

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

24 June 2024 Current Affair

50th Group of Seven (G7) Summit

G7 Summit 2024 will take place from June 13 – 15 in Puglia Invitee Countries
(Apulia, Italy). Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, India,
Theme 2024: Building a Resilient and Inclusive Global Jordan, Kenya, Mauritania,
Economy Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab
Emirates, Ukraine, Vatican City
49th G7 Summit 2023 was held in Hiroshima (Japan). (Pope Francis: 1st Pontiff to
participate in a G7 Meeting)
Canada will next host G7 Summit in 2025 in Kananaskis,
Alberta.

Key Outcomes and Agenda

• Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine
o To make available approximately $50 billion in Additional Invitee Institutions
Funding to Ukraine by the end of the year 2024. African Development Bank
• Mattei Plan (Akinwumi Adesina),
o Named after Enrico Mattei (Founder of Italian Oil Giant Eni) International Monetary Fund
o Development Initiative unveiled by Italian Prime Minister (Kristalina Georgieva), OECD
Giorgia Meloni, focusing on partnerships with African (Mathias Cormann), United
nations. Nations (Antònio Guterres),
o Plan targets International Development with a focus on World Bank (Ajay Banga)
Energy, Growth and Immigration.
o Italy will give Grants and Loans worth 5.5bn Euros (£4.6bn) to Several African Countries, to help
develop their Economies.
• Promotion to Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)
o Mobilize up to USD 600 billion through PGII by 2027.
▪ Launched by US and G7 Allies at 48th G7 Summit in 2022 in Germany.
• Promotion to India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
o Signed at G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023.
o Forms Part of PGII.
▪ East Corridor: Connecting India to
Arabian Gulf
▪ Northern Corridor: Connecting Gulf to
Europe.
o Signatories: India, US, Saudi Arabia, UAE,
European Union, Italy, France and Germany.
• G7 Apulia Food Systems Initiative: To
intensify efforts to Overcome Structural Barriers
to Food Security and Nutrition.
• Artificial Intelligence: Announced to develop a brand to support implementation of International
Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI Systems.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Safety of AI was raised at 2023 Summit in Japan and

resulted in Hiroshima AI Process.
• Support to Infrastructure Projects: G7 also extended
support for Lobito Corridor in Central Africa and Luzon
Corridor and Middle Corridor.
o Lobito Corridor: Extends from Port City of Lobito on
Atlantic Coast of Angola through Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC) and into Zambia.
o Luzon Corridor: Located on Island of Luzon in
Philippines.
▪ Luzon is Largest and Most Populous Island in Philippines.
o Middle Corridor: Referred to as Trans – Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), a vital
logistics and transportation network connecting Europe and Asia.

• Stopping War in Gaza: G7 will also Focus on Middle East, particularly Gaza Conflict.
• Climate Change: G7 aims for 40 – 42% Emission reduction by 2030.

G7 Summit
• Type: Inter – Governmental Political and Economic Forum.
• Established in 1975. India and G7
o As a platform for Economic and Financial Cooperation in • India is Not a Member of G7.
response to 1973 Energy Crisis. • India participated as a Guest
• Function: To discuss and coordinate Economic Policies. in 2019, 2021 and 2022 G7
• 1st Summit was held in 1975 in Rambouillet (France). Summits at invitation of
• Members: Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, United France, UK and Germany,
Kingdom and United States of America. respectively.
o Canada joined G7 in 1976. • With a GDP of USD 3.57
o European Union also participates in the Summit. Trillion (Nominal), India's
▪ European Union began attending in 1977. Economy is Larger than Four
o Expanded into G8 between 1997 and 2013, with inclusion G7 Member Countries –
of Russia. France, Italy, UK, Canada.
▪ However, Russia’s Participation was Suspended in 2014
following Annexation of Crimea.
• G7 group controls 60% of Global Net Wealth, drives 46% of Global GDP, Represents 10% of World’s
Population.
• Does not have a Permanent Administrative Structure.
• Decisions taken during Annual Summits are Non – Binding.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Oil Crisis of 1973 – 74

• Refers to a Period of Sudden Surge in Oil Prices, accompanied by a Decrease in Supply which has
Destabilised Global Economy.
• Trigger
o Yom Kippur War (Oct 1973): Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel.
▪ United States intervened by resupplying Israeli Military during the conflict.
o OPEC's Political Leverage: Organization of Petroleum Related Facts
Exporting Countries (OPEC), consisting of Major Oil – • In Bretton Woods System, Value
Producing Nations, decided to use Oil as a Political of US Dollar was fixed against
Weapon in response. Gold.
• OPEC's Actions • It required Countries to guarantee
o Oil Embargo: OPEC, particularly its Arab Members, Convertibility of their Currencies
imposed an Oil Embargo on Countries that supported into US Dollars to within 1% of
Israel, including United States and Some European Fixed Parity Rates.
Nations.
o Production Cuts: OPEC also Reduced Overall Oil Production, further tightening the supply.
• Impact
o Supply Shortage: Embargo and Production Cuts led to a Global Oil Shortage.
o Price Hike: With Reduced Oil Availability, Prices Heavily Increased (from USD 3 to USD 11).
o Economic Downturn: Higher Oil Prices had a Cascading Effect.
▪ Transportation Costs Increased, Raising Prices of Goods and Services.
▪ This fuelled Inflation and Economic Stagnation in Many Countries.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage

National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH) is recognised as 1st WHO Collaborating
Centre for "Fundamental and Literary Research in Traditional Medicine (CC IND – 177)”.
The recognition is granted for Four years. Responsibilities of NIIMH
• Assisting WHO in Standardizing
Terminologies for Ayurveda, Unani,
NIIMH Siddha, Sowa – Rigpa.
• Established in 1956 • Assisting WHO in updating
• Nodal Ministry: Central Council for Research in Traditional Medicine Module – II
Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush for 11th International Classification
(Sarbananda Sonowal). of Diseases (ICD – 11).
• Mandate: To document and showcase Medico-Historical o ICD: International Standard for
Research in Ayurveda, Yoga Naturopathy, Unani, Systematic Recording,
Siddha, etc. and other related Healthcare Disciplines in Reporting, Analysis,
India. Interpretation and Comparison
• Location: Hyderabad of Mortality and Morbidity Data.

Efforts made by India

• Separate Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga &
Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) to Related Facts
promote holistic health and well-being. • Global Centre for Traditional Medicine
• AMAR Portal: Catalogues 16,000 Ayush o Set up by World Health Organization
Manuscripts o Purpose: To promote Traditional
• National Ayush Morbidity and Standardized Medicines.
Terminologies Electronic (NAMSTE) Portal: o Location: Jamnagar (Gujarat)
Provides Standardized Terminologies & Morbidity • Institute for Teaching & Research in
Codes for Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani Systems of Ayurveda (Jamnagar)
Medicine. • Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga
• Showcase of Ayurvedic Historical Imprints (SAHI) (New Delhi)
Portal: Showcases Medico – Historical Artefacts
• Publication: Journal of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH)

AYUSH
• AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homeopathy.
o Siddha System: Predominantly in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
o Sowa – Rigpa: Practised in Leh – Ladakh and Himalayan Regions such as Sikkim,
Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, Lahaul & Spiti.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Teesta River
West Bengal’s Kalimpong is facing widespread devastation due to heavy rains that caused flooding in
the Teesta River.

Teesta River
• Tributary of Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River)
• Flowing through India and Bangladesh.
• Originates as Chhombo Chhu from a Glacial Lake Khangchung Chho in Sikkim.
• Total Length: 309 km (192 mi)
• Empty directly into Upper Padma River (Ganga River).
• Teesta River Water Conflict is one of Most Contentious Issues between India and Bangladesh.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Digital Health Incentives Scheme

Central Government has given a Year – long Extension to Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)
meant for Digitising Patients’ Health Records and Linking them with Ayushman Bharat Digital Health
Account (ABHA ID).
With this extension, the scheme will now remain in effect till June 30, 2025.

Digital Health Incentives Scheme

• Launched on Jan 1, 2023
• Under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
• Initiative By: National Health Authority

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Successor of National Health Agency

o Apex Body responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat PM – JAY.
• Aim: Promoting Adoption of Digital Health Practices in India.
• Eligibility: Health Facilities (Hospitals, Diagnostic Labs), Digital Solution Companies and Other
Healthcare Providers

Digital Agri Mission

Union Government will announce a Rs 2,800 Crore Digital Agriculture Mission.

Digital Agri Mission

• Creation of Nationwide Farmers Registry, Crop Sown Registry and Geo-Referencing of Village Maps.
• Aim: To create a Farmers’ Registry, in which Every Farmer will be given a Unique ID.
• Budgetary Allocation: Rs 2800 Crore
• Period: Next 2 Years (Till 2025 – 26)
• Pilot Project States: Uttar Pradesh (Farrukhabad), Maharashtra (Beed), Gujarat (Gandhinagar), Punjab
(Fatehgarh Sahib), Tamil Nadu (Virudhunagar).

Divya Drishti AI Tool

A Woman-led Start-up Developed ‘Divya Drishti’, a cutting-edge AI Tool for Personal Identification,
under a Technology Development Fund.

Technology Development
Divya Drishti AI Tool
Fund
• AI tool “Divya Drishti” integrates Face Recognition with • Flagship Programme of
Immutable Physiological Parameters such as Gait and skeleton. Ministry of Defence
• Developed By: Ingenious Research Solutions Pvt Ltd. • Executed By: DRDO
• Start-up established by Dr Shivani Verma. • Grants aid for Defence
and Dual-Use Technology
Development.
Month June 2024
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Technical Guidance and Mentoring: Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (DRDO, Bangalore).
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
India – IORA Cruise Tourism Conference held in New Delhi.

IORA
• Type: Inter – Governmental Organisation
• Established in 1997
o Based on visions of Nelson Mandela.
• Aim: Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Sustainable
Development within IOR.
• Priority Areas: Maritime Safety & Security, Disaster Risk
Management etc.
• Members: 23 States (including India).
• Specialised Agencies: Regional Centre for Science and Technology Transfer
• Secretariat: Mauritius
Nagastra – 1
Indian Army received First indigenous Loitering Munition
suicide drones Nagastra – 1.
Developed by Solar Industries' Economics Explosives Ltd
(EEL) Nagpur.
Can neutralise hostile threats in "Kamikaze Mode" with
GPS – enabled Precision Strikes with an accuracy of up to
2 metres.
Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary
Indian Air Force deployed an MI17 Helicopter to control Massive Wildfire in Binsar Wildlife
Sanctuary (BWS) in Almora, Uttarakhand.
It is a Protected Area located in Uttarakhand.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

25 June 2024 Current Affair

Swiss Peace Summit

2-Day Summit on Peace in Ukraine at Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland concluded with hopes for an
end to Russia-Ukraine War.

They supported Final Joint Communiqué that outlined a "Path to Peace" and focused on 3 Agendas:
Nuclear Safety, Global Food Security and Humanitarian Issues.

Swiss Peace Summit

• Also known as Summit on Peace in Ukraine.
• Aimed at Addressing and Finding Solutions to Ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
• Venue: Bürgenstock Resort (Switzerland)
• Objective: To facilitate Dialogue and Negotiations aimed at ending War between Russia and Ukraine.
• Participants: 100 Attending Delegations

Key Outcome of Swiss Peace Summit

• Joint Communique on a Peace Framework: Final Joint Communiqué was issued, supported by 80
Countries & 4 Organizations out of 100 Attending Delegations.
India’s Stand at Summit
o This document outlines Collective Consensus and
• India was represented by
Recommendations for achieving Peace between Russia and Secretary (West) in Ministry
Ukraine. of External Affairs.
• Territorial Integrity of Ukraine: Territorial Integrity of Ukraine • New Delhi sent NSA and
should be Basis for Any Peace Agreement to end Russia’s War. Deputy NSA to 2 Preparatory
• Nuclear Safety: Ensuring Safe Operation of Ukraine's Nuclear Conferences in Jeddah and
Power Plants, including Zaporizhzhia, under Ukraine's Davos.
Sovereign Control and in line with IAEA Principles. • India decided to Not Sign the
o Any Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons in conflict is Joint Communique by saying
Unacceptable. that Only those options
• Global Food Security: Emphasising Importance of acceptable to Both Parties
Uninterrupted Food Production and Supply, Safe Navigation can lead to abiding Peace.
and Access to Sea Ports.
o Attacks on Merchant Ships and Port Infrastructure are Unacceptable.
o Ukrainian Agricultural Products should be freely provided to Other Countries.
• Humanitarian Issues: Calling for Release of All Prisoners of War through Complete Exchange
o Return of All Unlawfully Displaced Ukrainian Children and Civilians.

Related Facts
• Russia was Not Invited by Host, Switzerland, due to International Criminal Court's Indictment of
President Vladimir Putin.
o Additionally, Moscow has accused Switzerland of losing its Neutrality by aligning with EU
Sanctions.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• China declined the invitation, not even send a delegation.

• Besides India; Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and UAE were among
Countries Participating at Summit on Peace for Ukraine but did Not Sign a Final Communique.
• Brazil, which was listed as an Observer on List of Attendees, also did Not Feature as a Signatory.

Peace Efforts So Far

• Ukrainian 10 – Point Peace Plan
o Promoted by President of Ukraine since 2023 G-20 History of Swiss Mediation
Summit. • Looked after interests of both
o Withdrawal of Russian Troops from Ukrainian Territory. Kingdom of Bavaria and
o Restoration of Ukraine's Territorial Integrity. Grand Duchy of Baden during
o Prosecution of War Crimes committed by Russia. Franco – Prussian War of
• Minsk Agreements, 2015 1870 – 71.
o Signed in 2014 and 2015 in Belarusian capital Minsk. • Represented India’s interests
o Discussed and Agreed upon with involvement and support in Pakistan and Pakistan’s in
of France, Germany, Organization for Security and Co – India between 1971 and 1976.
operation in Europe (OSCE). • Protecting Power between
o Signed by Ukraine, Russia and Representative of OSCE. Saudi Arabia and Iran, US and
o Aimed to end Initial Phase of Conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Iran, Russia and Georgian.
o Ceasefire between Ukrainian Forces and Pro – Russian • Hosted talks b/w Government
Separatists. in Colombo and Liberation
o Withdrawal of Heavy Weaponry from Conflict Zone. Tigers of Tamil Eelam in
2006.
o Full Ukrainian Government Control over Eastern Donbas
Region.
• Russia 12-Point Plan
o Russia rejected Ukrainian Plan; however, it supports Chinese 12-Point Plan.
o Focuses on Hostilities and Protecting Civilians but makes No Mention of Russia Returning
Territory.
o Stressed that “Security of a Region should Not be achieved by Strengthening or Expanding
Military Blocs”, indirectly referring to NATO Expansion.
o Russia has maintained its aims of “Denazification, Demilitarisation, and Neutral Status” of
Ukraine.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Indian Expatriate Community in Gulf Region

A devastating fire broke out in an apartment building near Kuwait City, resulting in the tragic loss of
at least 49 lives, with around 40 of the victims being Indian nationals.

Current State of Workers in Gulf Region

• Evolution of Indian Community in Kuwait
o 1990 – 1991 Gulf War has led to a Mass Kuwait's Liberation
Exodus of Indian Community from Kuwait. Refers to Military Operations in 1991 that resulted
o After Kuwait's Liberation, Most Members in Expulsion of Iraqi Forces from Kuwait.
of Indian Community gradually returned and became Largest Expatriate Community in Kuwait.
▪ Prior to Liberation War, Palestinians constituted Expatriate
Largest Expatriate Community in Kuwait. • Individual Living and/or Working
• Indians in Gulf Countries in a Country other than their
o Approx 8.9 million Indian Migrants residing in Gulf Country of Citizenship.
Countries. • Individual who has Relinquished
o 25% of Overseas Indians and 56% of NRI Reside in 6 Citizenship in their Home Country
Gulf Countries. to become a Citizen of Another.
• Inward Remittances: 28.6% originated from Gulf
Countries, with Kuwait alone accounting for 2.4% of Minimum Referral Wages (MRW)
these Remittances. • Lowest Acceptable Salary set by Indian
• Trade Relations: About 1/6th of India’s Total Trade. Government for its Migrant Workers
(especially Unskilled) going to Specific
o In FY 2022 – 23, India’s Trade with GCC Countries
Countries.
stood at around USD 184 billion, marking a 20%
• In Nations that do Not have Minimum
increase as compared to FY 2021 – 22.
Wage Laws.
• Challenges Faced by Indian Diaspora and Migrants in
• Ranges: USD 300 – 600.
Gulf Countries: Kafala System, Security Concerns,
Unsafe Working Conditions and Labor Exploitation, Limited Rights and Abuse.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

• Type: Regional Organisation of Gulf Nations
Kafala System
o Gulf Region: Lands around Persian Gulf are shared
• Practice of Tying a Migrant Worker's
by 8 Countries namely, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait,
Visa to their Employer (Sponsor).
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.
• Prevalent in Many Gulf Countries.
• Established in 1981. • Creates a Power Imbalance and Misery
• Aim: Promoting Cooperation, Integration and Inter – to Workers who face issues like
Connectivity among its Member States. Confiscation of Passports, Difficulty
• Comprising 6 Nations: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Changing Jobs, Exploitation and
Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain. Abuse by their Employer.
• Primary Source of Revenue: Export of Oil

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o Persian Gulf Region holds World's Largest Proven Reserves of Oil and Natural Gas.

Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana

• Mandatory Insurance Scheme that provides Life and Disability Cover to All Emigration Check
Required category Indian Migrant Workers going Abroad for Employment.
• Provides Coverage of up to Rs 10 Lakh in case of Accidental Death or Permanent Disability of
Indian Migrant Workers Abroad.
QUAD

Report titled "Quad: Diplomacy and Cooperation in Indo-Pacific" assesses Quad's Achievements and
Potential is released.

Transcending Security Dialogue, Quad has transformed into Multifaceted Rartnership with Broad
Goals.

It established 6 Working Groups (WGs) for Diverse Policies / Initiatives since 2017 Regrouping.

Various Policies/Initiatives under Quad

• Health: Established Quad Vaccine Partnership.
o Evolved into a broader Quad Health Security Partnership in 2023.
o Other Initiatives: e – Health Systems Expansion, Quad Pandemic Preparedness Exercise.
• Climate: Launched Quad Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Package (Q-CHAMP) in 2022.
o In 2023, Principles on Clean Energy Supply Chains in Indo-Pacific were released.
• Critical and Emerging Technology: Semiconductor Supply Chain Initiative 2021 to diversify Technology
Supply Chains.
• Space: In 2022, it launched Indo Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA).
• Infrastructure: Launched Trilateral Partnership for Infrastructure Investment in Indo-Pacific (TIP), in
2018.
• Cybersecurity: In 2022, established Quad Cybersecurity Partnership.

Quad
• Initially known as Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.
• Strategic Diplomatic Partnership composed of Australia, India, Japan and United States.
• Neither a Military Alliance nor a Mutual Defense Agreement.
• In 2007, QUAD held its Inaugu ral, but Informal 1st meeting on sidelines of ASEAN Regional Forum.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Quad Countries are home to a combined 24% of World’s Population and represent 35 of World's GDP
and 18% of Global Trade.

HelpAge India Report

The study — ‘Ageing in India – Exploring Preparedness & Response to Care Challenges – A HelpAge
India Report’ Released.

The study was released on the eve of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15th June).

Elderly population (aged 60 and above) will constitute 20.8% of Total Population by 2050, up from
8.6% in 2011.

Key Findings
• Working Status: Only 15% of Elderly Persons Work.
o 24% of Elderly Males Work compared to just 7% of Elderly Females highlighting Gender Disparity.
• Lack of Social Security: Only 29 % of Elderly People have Access to Social Security Schemes.
• High Prevalence of Multiple Morbidities: 54% of All Elderly Persons are suffering from 2 or More
Non-Communicable Diseases.
• Digital Access: 59% had No Access to a Digital Device.
• Social Participation: Minimal with Only 7% being Members of Any Social Organization.

Step Undertaken for Elderly care in India

• Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (2015): Pension Scheme to provide a Regular Income to Senior
Citizens aged 60 years and above.
• Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (2017): To provide Assisted-Living Devices and Other Support Services to
Senior Citizens (Below Poverty Line Category).
• Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: Aims to ensure Maintenance and
Welfare of Senior Citizens by making it a Legal Obligation for Children and Relatives.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

India – Italy Strategic Partnership

Prime Ministers of India and Italy reviewed the progress on Sidelines of G7 Summit and agreed to
strengthen cooperation in Global and Multilateral Initiatives, including India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Bilateral Partnership
• Political: Established in 1947 which was elevated to Strategic Partnership in 2023.
• Economic: Italy is India’s 4th Largest Trading Partner in EU, after Germany, Belgium and Netherlands.
o Indo-Italian Joint Economic Commission Cooperation has been in existence since 1976.
o Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed in 2023 to ensure Safe and Legal Migration.
• Technology: New Science & Technology Co-operation Agreement signed in Nov 2003.
o New Executive Programme of Cooperation for 2025-27 to promote Joint Research and
Development in Science & Technology.
• Defence and Security: In 2023, Italy joined Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative’s Science and Technology
Pillar.
o Joint Military exercises: PASSEX Exercise, MILAN (Naval Exercises).
• Cooperation in Multilateral Bodies: Italy joined India-led International Solar Alliance, Coalition for
Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, Global Biofuels Alliance, IMEC.

Smart Cities Mission

With only 15 days left until the June 30 deadline, the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry is
thinking about extending the Smart Cities Mission.

This extension would give cities more time to finish ongoing projects, which make up about 10% of
all the projects.

Smart Cities Mission

• Launched on 25 June 2015.
• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme WASH Project
• Nodal Ministry: Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs Refers to Initiatives and Programs
(Manohar Lal Khattar). focused on improving Water,
• Objective: To promote Cities that provide Core Infrastructure, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
Clean and Sustainable Environment. in Communities, particularly in
• 100 Cities have been selected to be developed as Smart Developing Countries.
Cities.
• Central Government will give Financial Support to Extent of Rs 48000 Crores over 5 years i.e., on
Average Rs 100 Crore per City per Year.
o Equal Amount on a matching basis is to be provided by State/ULB.

Matsya – 6000

India is set to be 6th Country to have its Own Deep – Sea Mission.

1st Stage of Harbour Trail (40 – 50m) Deep of Deep-Sea Mission is planned by September 2024.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Mission has potential to contribute greatly to overall growth of Indian Economy.

National Institute of Ocean

Matsya 6000 Technology
• 3 – Person Submersible that will be able to go 6,000 Metres • Established in Nov 1993
under the Sea. • Works under Ministry of
• Developed By: National Institute of Ocean Technology (Chennai). Earth Sciences (Jitendra
• Structure: Made of 80mm-thick Titanium Alloy, it will be able to Singh, MoS).
withstand a pressure 600 Times Greater than that at Sea Level. • HQ: Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
• Able to operate from 12 to 16 Hours and will have an Oxygen Supply of 96 hours.

Deep Sea Mission

• Indian Initiative to explore and harness Depths of Ocean.
• Approved in 2021
• Budget: ₹4,077 Crore
• Period: 5 years
• Aim: To develop Technologies for Deep – Sea Mining, Manned Submersibles and Underwater
Robotics, as well as for Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services, Deep – Ocean Survey and
Exploration.

Exercise Red Flag 2024

Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent participated in Exercise Red Flag 2024 conducted at Eielson Air
Force Base, Alaska of United States Air Force.

Exercise Red Flag 2024

• Type: Air Combat Exercise
• 2nd Edition of Ex Red Flag 2024.
o Held 4 Times a year by US Air Force.
• Participation of Indian Air Force along with Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Air Force
(RAF) of United Kingdom, Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF), German Luftwaffe and US Air Force
(USAF).

eMigrate Portal

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and State Bank of India signed an MoU for Digital Payment Services
on eMigrate Portal.

It will integrate SBIePay with eMigrate Portal to provide Digital Payment Services to Indian Migrant
Workers, Recruiting Agents (RAs) and Other Users of eMigrate Portal.

Launched in 2014 for Online Emigration Process.

Exercise Tarang Shakti

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

India will host its 1st Multinational Air Exercise Tarang Shakti in August 2024.

Exercise will be scheduled in 2 Phases - 1st will be held in Southern India and 2nd will be in Western
Sector.

Emissions from Coal-Fired

Power Plant
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
• Particulates
• Carbon Dioxide
Proposed Timeline for Coal Phase Out • Mercury and Oher Heavy
Metals
• Fly Ash and Bottom Ash

Conditionality

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

26 June 2024 Current Affair

Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has developed the Bayesian
Convolutional Neural Network (BCNN) to predict Emergence of El Nino and La Nina Conditions up
to 15 months in advance.

Bayesian Convolutional Neural Network

• Cutting – Edge Technology that harnesses power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Deep Learning and
Machine Learning (ML) to enhance Predictions related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation Phases.
• Dynamic Model with AI that helps it Forecast the Emergence
INCOIS
of El Niño and La Niña Conditions with a 15 Month Lead
• Established in 1999
Time.
• Unit of Earth System Science
o Due to its ability to account for Slow Oceanic Variations
Organisation
and their Atmospheric Coupling.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of
• Calculates Nino 3.4 Index Value.
Earth Sciences
o Critical Metric used in ENSO Phase Prediction.
o With Improved Precision which is obtained by Averaging • Mandate: To provide best
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Anomaly in Central possible Ocean Information
Equatorial Pacific, extending from 5°N to 5°S, and 170°W and Advisory Services to
to 120°W. Society, Industry, Government
Agencies and Scientific
• Offers a More Reliable and Timely Weather Predictions,
Community.
which are vital for Agriculture, Fisheries and Disaster
Management.

El Nino – Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

• Climate Phenomenon which involves Changes in Temperature of Waters in Central and Eastern
Tropical Pacific Ocean, coupled with fluctuations in Overlying Atmosphere.
• Can alter Global Atmospheric Circulation, which, in turn, influences Related Facts
weather across the world. In India, while El Nino
• Occurs in Irregular Cycles of 2-7 years and has 3 Different Phases — Conditions usually lead
Warm (El Nino), Cold (La Nina), Neutral. to a Weak Monsoon and
Intense Heat Waves, La
Neutral Phase Nina Conditions result
in a Strong Monsoon.
• Eastern Side of Pacific Ocean (Near North – Western Coast of South
America) is Cooler than Western Side (Near Philippines and Indonesia).
• This is due to Prevailing Wind Systems that move from East to West, sweeping Warmer Surface
Waters towards Indonesian Coast.
• Relatively Cooler Waters from below come up to replace Displaced Water.

El Nino (Warm Phase)

• Wind Systems Weaken, leading to Lesser Displacement of Warmer Waters.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• As a result, Eastern Side of Pacific becomes Warmer than Usual and Trade Winds (East-West Winds
that blow near Equator) Weaken.
• Normally, Easterly Trade Winds blow from Americas towards Asia.
• Due to El Niño, they Falter and Change Direction to turn into Westerlies, bringing Warm Water from
Western Pacific towards Americas.

La Nina (Cold Phase)

• Opposite of El Nino.
• Cooler than Average Sea Surface Temperature (SST) in Equatorial Pacific Region.
• Trade Winds are Stronger than Usual, pushing Warmer Water towards Asia.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Kanchanjunga Express Accident

9 People were killed and at least 40 were injured when Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express from
Agartala was hit from the rear by a Goods Train.
Accident occurred in West Bengal’s Darjeeling District, 11 km from New Jalpaiguri Station.
A Combination of a Signalling Gault on Tracks before New Jalpaiguri Station and Human Error by
Driver of Freight Train are likely to have led to a deadly collision.

Kanchanjunga Express Accident

• Combination of Faulty Automatic Signalling System and Human Error
• Faulty Automatic Signalling System T/A912 Authorization
o Automatic Signalling System between Ranipatra • Also known as Paper Line Clearance.
Railway Station and Chattar Hat Junction in West • Specific Instruction given to Train
Bengal was Not Working. Drivers in event of a Failure or
o This prompted Rangapani Station Manager to issue Defect in Automatic Signalling
a Cautionary Note known as T/A912 to All Drivers System.
passing through the Section.
• Outlines Procedures and Speed
• Human Error Restrictions that must be followed to
o Driver of Kanchanjunga Express followed Correct ensure Safe Train Operations under
Procedures during Defect in Automatic Signalling such conditions.
System.
o It stopped at All Red Signals for 1 Minute and proceeding at 10 kmph.
o However, Goods Train's Driver ignored these norms and hit Stationary Passenger Train from
behind.

Kavach – Train Collision Avoidance System

• It is India’s Very Own Automatic Protection System in development since 2012, under the name Train
Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).
o Later, it got rechristened to "Kavach" (Armour). Related Facts
• Developed By: Research Design and Standards • Indian Railways is one of Largest Rail
Organisation (RDSO) Networks in the world, spanning over
• Set of Electronic Devices and Radio Frequency 67,000 kms.
Identification Devices installed in Locomotives, in • There has been an Average of 44
Signalling System as well Track. Consequential Train Accidents Every
o This enables Locomotives, Signalling System and Year in 5 – year period ending 2022 –
Tracks to talk to Each Other using Ultra High 23.
Radio Frequencies to control Brakes of Trains and • 2023: Coromandel Express hit a
also Alert Drivers. goods train in Balasore after hitting
• Features: Activates Train Braking System Bengaluru – Howrah Superfast
Automatically if Driver fails to control the Train as Express, resulting in a Tragic Triple
per Speed Restrictions. Train Crash.
o Prevents Collision between 2 Locomotives

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

equipped with a functional KAVACH System.

o Designed to assist Locomotive Pilots in avoiding Signal Passing At Danger (SPAD) and Over
Speeding.
o Provide support for Train Operations during Adverse Weather Conditions such as Dense Fog.
o Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL – 4) Certified Technology with Probability of Error being 1 in 10,000
years.
Environmental Performance Index 2024
Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy & Columbia Center for International Earth Science
Information Network released Environmental Performance Index (EPI) for 2024.

Key Highlights of EPI 2024

• Estonia leads EPI 2024 by reducing its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 59% from 1990 levels.
• Only 5 Countries — Estonia, Finland, Greece, Timor-Leste and United Kingdom — cut their GHG
Emissions at the rate needed to reach Net Zero by 2050.
• In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia rank Lowest among 8 Regions assessed.
• Apart from United Kingdom, All Countries identified in 2022 Environmental Performance Index
(EPI) Report as being on track to Achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2050, and have either seen slow
progress, as in United States, or their emissions are still increasing, as seen in China, India and Russia.

India’s Performance
• India ranks 176 out of 180 Countries with 27.6 Points, placing above only Pakistan, Vietnam, Laos
th

and Myanmar.
o Performs Poorly in Air Quality, Emissions, Biodiversity Conservation.
o Largely due to its Heavy Reliance on Coal.
• India ranks 177th in Air Quality and 172nd
in Projected Emissions by 2025.
• Largest Emitter Of Transboundary
Pollution: In South Asia, India is identified
as Largest Emitter of Transboundary
Pollution, impacting neighbouring
Bangladesh.
• India fares relatively better (133rd) in Climate Change Category, due to Investments in Renewable
Energy.

Environmental Performance Index

• Type: Biennial Index
• Launched By: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, Columbia Center for International
Earth Science Information Network
o Initially by World Eco nomic
Forum in 2002 under name
Environmental Sustainability
Index.
• Evaluation Target: UN Sustainability
Goals, Paris Climate Change
Agreement (2015), Kunming –
Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• 58 Performance Indicators grouped into 11 Categories with 3 Policy Objectives: Environmental

Health, Ecosystem Vitality, Climate Change
• EPI place Countries on a 0 – 100 Scale from Worst to Best Performance.

Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology

In 1st Official Visit from US since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was Re-elected for a 3rd Term, US
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Delhi.
Both NSAs chaired 2nd Meeting of India – US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET)

• Launched in 2023.
o Prime Minister Modi and President Biden first National Security Council
announced iCET on Sidelines of Quad Summit in • Principal Body responsible for advising
Tokyo in 2022. Prime Minister on matters of National
• Framework agreed upon by India and US for Security and Strategic Interests.
Cooperation on Critical and Emerging Technologies. • Established by Former Prime Minister
o Include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998,
Computing, Semiconductors and Wireless with Brajesh Mishra as 1st National
Telecommunication. Security Advisor.
• Progress Made So Far • Composition: Prime Minister (Head);
o India – US have already put in place Quantum National Security Advisor; Chief of
Coordination Mechanism, launched a Public- Defence Staff; Deputy National Security
Private Dialogue (PDD) on Telecommunication Advisors; Union Ministers of Defence,
to drive collaboration in OpenRAN, 5G and 6G. External Affairs, Home, Finance; Vice
o To Advance Cutting-Edge Technology Chairman of the NITI Aayog.
Cooperation, known as India-US Defence
Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS – X) was launched.

Sustainable Development Report 2024

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) released Sustainable Development Report
2024
Established in 2012, SDSN works under UN Secretary-General and promotes integrated approaches
to implement SDGs and Paris Agreement.

Key Highlights of Report

• On average, Only 16% of SDG Targets are on track to be met globally by 2030.
• SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Sustainable Development Report 2024
Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 • Published by SDSN since 2016.
(Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong • Report Reviews progress made each
Institutions) are particularly off track. year on Sustainable Development
• SDG progress varies significantly across countries Goals by 193 UN Member States.
with Nordic Countries leading, BRICS Countries
making significant progress & Poor and Vulnerable Countries lagging far behind.
• Finland is ranked 1st, followed by Sweden and Denmark.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• India is ranked 109th out of 166 Countries, with on track performance in Poverty reduction and
Quality Education targets while decreasing progress in Sustainable Cities and Climate Action targets.
• New Index of Support to UN-based Multilateralism (UN-Mi): It ranks countries based on their
engagement with the UN System.
o Barbados ranks highest, India at 139th place while USA ranks last.
Comprehensive Global Study on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
The Study was implemented by UN Environment Programme POPs
(UNEP) and funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF). • Chemical Substances that
It was conducted to monitor Status of 30 POPs listed under persist in Environment.
Stockholm Convention as of 2021. • They are Pesticides,
Industrial Chemicals or
Unwanted By – Products
Key Findings of Industrial Processes.
• There is Decline in Use of 12 POPs due to Regulatory Actions • They resist Photolytic,
taken globally since 2004. Biological and Chemical
• Use of DDT (Dichloro – Diphenyl – Trichloroethane), a Synthetic Degradation. E.g. Dieldrin,
Insecticide has Decreased in Human Milk Samples by over 70% Endrin, Heptachlor, etc.
since 2004.
• Replacement POPs due to their Similar Properties (e.g., Per-and PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances (PFAS)
were detected at High Levels.

Stockholm Convention
• International Legally Binding Agreement on POPs.
• Adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004.
• India ratified Stockholm Convention in 2006.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) had notified "Regulation of POP
Rules, 2018" under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• GEF is Designated Interim Financial Mechanism for the Convention.

SIPRI Yearbook 2024: Armaments, Disarmaments, and International Security

SIPRI Yearbook 2024: Armaments, Disarmaments, and International Security released.

Key Highlights on Nuclear Armament

• 9 Nuclear-Armed States — US, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel
— continued to modernize their Nuclear Arsenals.
• Of total 12,121 Nuclear Warheads, almost 90% belongs to USA and Russia.
• Global Reductions of Operational Warheads appear to have stalled with China expanding its Nuclear
Arsenal.
• India slightly expanded its Nuclear Arsenal to 172 in 2023, surpassing Pakistan’s Nuclear Arsenal for
1st time.
• Along with Israel, India mainly uses Plutonium as Fissile Material in Nuclear Weapons.

Measures taken for Nuclear Disarmament

• Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons 2017: Prohibits Development, Testing, Production,
Acquisition, Possession or Use of Nuclear Weapons.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) 1968: Aims to prevent spread of Nuclear
Weapons, promote Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy and achieve Nuclear
Disarmament.
• Comprehensive Test – Ban Treaty (CTBT), 1996: Prohibits Nuclear Weapon Tests in Atmosphere,
Outer Space and Underwater.
Kerala Migration Survey
Kerala Migration Survey (KMS) 2023 Report was unveiled at Lok Kerala Sabha.
Prepared by International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMD) and Gulati Institute of
Finance and Taxation.
Report reveals findings of 6th KMS, conducted Every 5 Years since 1998.
Survey looked at 20,000 Households from All 14 Districts of Kerala, selected via a Stratified
Multistage Random Sampling Method.

Key Findings
• Number of Emigrants from Kerala is slightly more than recorded in 2018.
• But Number of Emigrants Returning Home has also Gone-up.
• Preference for Destinations beyond Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries (Bahrain, Kuwait,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE) has grown from 10.8% in 2018 to 19.5% in 2023.
• Women Emigrants who have seen a rise in their numbers and proportion, up from 15.8% in 2018 to
19.1% in 2023.
• Muslims, who make up 26% of Kerala’s Population (2011 Census), make up 41.9% of State’s
Emigrants.
• Total Remittances to Kerala saw a significant increase of 154.9% since 2018.
Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH)
Report by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) analysed data on
Snow Persistence from 2003 to 2024 and found it to be Significantly Lower than Normal in Hindu
Kush Himalaya (HKH) this year.

Hindu Kush Himalaya

• Stretches 3,500 kms and spans 8 Countries
o Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan.
• Considered as 3rd Pole (After North and South Poles)
• Highest Point being Tirich Mir or Terichmir at 7,708 meters (25,289 ft) in Chitral, Pakistan.
• Contains Largest Volume of Ice and Snow Outside of Arctic and Antarctica.
• Source of 10 Large Asian River Systems: Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy,
Salween, Mekong, Yangtse, Yellow River, Tarim.
Global Environment Facility
An amount of $736.4 million will be allocated towards environment protection at Global Environment
Facility (GEF) council meeting being convened in Washington, DC, starting June 17, 2024.

Global Environment Facility

• Established in 1992 Rio Earth Summit of UNFCC
• Aim: To help tackle Our Planet’s Most Pressing Environmental Problems.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Provides Financial Assistance for 5 Major International Environmental Conventions:

o Minamata Convention on Mercury.
o Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
o United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD)
o United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
o United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Members: 184 Countries (Including India)
• Secretariat: Washington, D.C.

EU’s Nature Restoration Plan (NRP)

European Union approves NRP, first of its kind.

EU’s Nature Restoration Plan

• Continent-wide and Comprehensive Law that forms part of EU's European Green Deal (Net Zero
Emissions of Greenhouse Gases by 2050).
• Aim: Contains Binding Restoration Targets for Long-Term Recovery of Nature in EU’s Land and Sea
Areas.
• Goal: To recover at least 20% of EU’s Land and Sea Areas by 2030 & Ultimately All Ecosystems in
need of Restoration by 2050.
• Focus Areas: Wetlands, Forests, Grasslands, Pollinating Insects, Forest Ecosystem, etc.
• Implementation: Through National Restoration Plans of EU Countries.

World Crocodile Day 2024: 50th year of India’s Crocodile Conservation Project
India launched its Crocodile Conservation Project in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park in 1975
with the assistance of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN’s Food and
Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Bhitarkanika National Park

Crocodiles
• Located in Odisha.
• Largest Surviving Species of Vertebrate class Reptilia. • India’s 2nd Largest
• Habitat: Except for One Saltwater Species, Crocodiles live Mangrove Ecosystem after
mainly in Freshwater Swamps, Lakes and Rivers. Sunderbans.
• There are 3 Main Species of Crocodiles in India. • A Ramsar Site and Home to
Largest Congregation of
Saltwater Crocodile.
Chenab Rail Bridge
1st Trial Train Run has been conducted on Chenab
Rail Bridge in Reasi (Jammu and Kashmir).
Bridge is part of Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla
Rail Link (USBRL) Project.
Chenab Rail Bridge (Chenab Arch Bridge) is
World’s Highest Railway Bridge.
359 meters (around 109 feet) above Chenab River

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

(35 meters Taller than Paris’ Eiffel Tower).

Chenab River (aka Chandrabhaga) is formed by Confluence of Chandra and Bhaga Rivers in Lahaul –
Spiti (Himachal Pradesh). Flows Southwest into Pakistan, meeting Jhelum, Ravi and finally Sutlej.

Global Wind Day 2024

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (Pralhad Joshi) organised Global Wind Day on 15th June
2024 with theme of “Pawan Urja: Powering the Future of India”.
India has a Cumulative Installed Wind Power Capacity of 46.4 GW by May 2024 (4th Largest in the
world) after China, US, Germany.
Gujarat, Karnataka and TamilNadu are Zeading Wind-Energy Producing States in India.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Emissions from Coal-Fired

Power Plant
• Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
• Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Proposed Timeline for Coal Phase Out • Particulates
• Carbon Dioxide
• Mercury and Oher Heavy
Metals
• Fly Ash and Bottom Ash

Conditionality

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

27 June 2024 Current Affair

Nalanda University
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the new Nalanda University campus near Rajgir’s
Ancient University Ruins.

Nalanda University
• Most Ancient University on Indian Subcontinent.
• Founded by Kumar Gupta of Gupta Dynasty in Bihar in 427 CE in Modern Bihar in Early 5th
Century.
• Flourished for 600 years until 12th Century.
o During King Harshavardhana's Reign (606-647 AD) Chinese Scholar Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang)
and Moksadeva (7th-century Chinese Buddhist Monk) came here and studied for about 5 years
o In 670 AD, Chinese Pilgrim I-Tsing visited Nalanda.
o Aryabhatta, a pioneer of Indian mathematics and inventor of zero, was one of the esteemed
educators at Nalanda.
• Center of Learning, Culture and Intellectual Exchange that had a profound impact on Development of
Indian Civilization and beyond.
o Nalanda was a Monastic Establishment.
o Primarily a place where Monks and Nuns lived and studied.
o Used to teach All Major Philosophies of Buddhism.
o Students from far-flung regions such as China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and
Southeast Asia.
o Subjects such as Medicine, Ancient Indian Medical System Ayurveda, Religion, Buddhism,
Mathematics, Grammar, Astronomy and Indian Philosophy were taught there.
• University was destroyed in 1193 by Bakhtiyar Khilji, a General of Turkish Ruler Qutbuddin Aibak.
o 1st Attack on Nalanda Mahavihara occurred between 455-470 AD during Reign of Emperor
Samudragupta of Gupta Empire from the Hunas.
• University was Rediscovered in 1812 by Scottish Surveyor Francis Buchanan-Hamilton.
o Later identified as Ancient University by Sir Alexander Cunningham in 1861.
• Ruins of Nalanda Univesity was declared as a UN Heritage Site in 2016.
o University’s Library, known as ‘Dharma Gunj’ or ‘Mountain of Truth,’ contained 9 million
Handwritten Palm-Leaf Manuscripts.

Revival of Nalanda University

• Idea to revive Nalanda University was proposed by former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006.
• Parliament established University following decisions from 2nd East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2007 and
4th EAS in 2009.
• Indian Parliament passed Nalanda University Act in UNESCO’s Heritage Sites Related to
2010. Buddhism
• Former President Pranab Mukherjee laid Foundation • Archaeological Site of Nalanda
Stone for Permanent Campus in 2016, with Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar.
construction starting in 2017. • Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, MP.
• Nalanda University has participation from 17 • Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh
Countries. Gaya, Bihar.
• ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus is designed by BV Doshi. • Ajanta Caves Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
• Buddhist Chanting of Ladakh was
Month June 2024included in UNESCO’s Representative
List of Humanity's Intangible Cultural
Heritage in 2012.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• University’s first Chancellor: Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen

• First Visitor: The then-President Pranab Mukherjee became the first Visitor.
India’s 1st Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace Operations

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released India’s 1st Joint Doctrine for Cyberspace
Operations, acknowledging that Cyberspace has emerged as a Crucial and Challenging Domain in
Modern Warfare.

Doctrine will guide Tri-Services in Planning and Conducting Related Facts

Cyberspace Operations in Current Complex Military Operating • In 2023, India recorded
Environment. 2,138 Weekly Cyber
Attacks per Organization,
Cyber Warfare a 15% increase from 2022.
• This makes India the 2nd
• Actions taken in Cyberspace (Dynamic and Virtual space that
Most Targeted Nation in
connects Different Computer Systems) by State or Non-State
Asia Pacific Region, after
Actors that Taiwan.
o Either Constitute a Serious Threat to a Nation’s Security or • In 2019, Small Tri-Service
o Are conducted in response to a perceived threat against a Defence Cyber Agency
Nation’s Security. was established.
• Types of Cyber Warfare: Cyber Terrorism, Cyber Terrorism, Cyber
Spying, Cyber Stalking or Bullying

Cyber Security Measures Taken by Indian Government

• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In): Acts as Central Agency for Incident Response,
Vulnerability Handling and Security Management in India's Cyberspace.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat: Launched by MeitY with National Electronic Governance Division (NeGD) to
ensure more awareness about Latest Cybercrimes and Cybersecurity Challenges of India.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra: Provides Free Tools for Malware Analysis and helps improve Security of
Systems and Devices.
• National Cybersecurity Policy 2013: Provides a framework for creating a secure Cyber Ecosystem &
aims to protect Information and Other Critical Infrastructure.
• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC): Established for Protection of
Critical Information Infrastructure in India.
• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): To handle issues related to Cybercrime in India in a
Comprehensive and Coordinated Manner.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

CII Recommends Scrapping Angel Tax to Aid Capital Formation

Indian Inc is urging Removal of Angel Tax amid a Sharp Decline in Startup Funding and Job Losses.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) recommended scrapping Section 56(2)(viib) of Income-Tax Act,
known as "Angel Tax", in its Union Budget Suggestions.

They argue that removing this tax would significantly help in Capital Formation in the country.

Angel Tax
• Refer to Income Tax payable on Capital Raised by Unlisted Introduction of Angel Tax
Companies via Issue of Shares through Off-Market • Described in Section 56(2)(viib)
Transactions. of Income Tax Act, 1961.
• This Tax is levied on Capital Raised via Issue of Shares by • Inserted into this act in 2012.
Unlisted Companies from an Indian Investor if Share Price
of Issued Shares is seen in excess of Fair Market Value of the Company.
o Excess Realization is considered as Income and therefore, taxed accordingly.
▪ E.g., If Fair Market Value of a Start-up Share is Rs 10 apiece, and in a Subsequent Funding
Round they offer it to an Investor for Rs 20, then Difference of Rs 10 would be taxed as
Income.
• Angel Tax gets its name from Wealthy Individuals (Angels) who invest heavily in Risky, Unproven
Business Ventures and Start-ups, in Initial Stages when they are yet to be recognised widely.
Budget 2023-24 and Angel Tax
• Before Budget 2023-24, Angel Tax was imposed Only on Investments made by a Resident
Investor.
o Government Recognised Startups were exempted from this tax.
• With Budget 2023-24, Government has proposed to include Foreign Investors in the ambit.
o Exempted Investors from 21 Countries.
• Currently, Angel Tax is levied at Rate of 30.6%.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme

Prime Minister of India granted certificates to over 30,000 women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) as
‘Krishi Sakhis’ under Krishi Sakhi Convergence Programme (KSCP).

Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program

• Initiative under MoU of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (Shivraj Singh Chouhan) and
Ministry of Rural Development (Shivraj Singh Chouhan).
• Aim: To transform Rural India through Empowerment of Rural Women as Krishi Sakhi, by imparting
Training and Certification of Krishi Sakhis as Para-extension Workers.
• This certification course also aligns with the objectives of ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Program.
• Rolled out in 12 States in Phase – 1: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and
Meghalaya.

Government Schemes for Women Farmers

• Lakhpati Didi Initiative: Announced by Prime Minister on August 15, 2023.
o Aimed at Training Women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
o So that, they can earn a Sustainable Income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum per household.
• Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana: To empower Women by making Systematic Investments to
enhance their Participation and Productivity.
• Namo Drone Didi: To provide Training to Women of Selected Women SHGs on Drones for Rental
Services to Farmers for Agriculture Purpose.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): For providing Financial Assistance to Landholding
Farmer Families including Women Farmers.

Post Office Act 2023

The Post Office Act 2023 comes into effect. It repeals the Indian Post Office Act, 1898.

Provisions of the Post Office Act, 2023

• Director General of Postal Services (DGPS) will be appointed to head India Post.
o Powers to intercept postal articles: Government Related Facts
can intercept an Article transmitted through India • East India Company opened its 1st
Post on specified grounds. Post Office in 1727.
• Grounds include Security of the State, Friendly • Lord Dalhousie recognized Indian
Relations with Foreign States, Public Order, Emergency Post Offices as a Separate
or Public Safety. Organization of National Importance.
• Exemptions from Liability: Post Office will Not incur • Present Site of General Post Office of
Any Liability with regard to its Services, except such Kolkata was Site of 1st Fort William.
liability as may be prescribed with regard to a service • Postal Services in India come under
provided by the Post Office. Union List (Schedule VII).

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

o There are No Penal Provisions prescribed in the Act.

Great Nicobar Project

Main Opposition Party has called Proposed Rs 72,000 Crore Infrastructure Upgrade at Great Nicobar
Island a grave threat to Island's Indigenous People and Fragile Ecosystem.

They demanded an Immediate Halt to All Project Clearances and a thorough, Impartial Review by
relevant Parliamentary Committees.

Great Nicobar Island Project

• In Nov 2022, Environment Ministry has given Environmental Clearance for Centre’s Ambitious Rs
72000 Crore Multi-Development Projects in Greater Nicobar
Concerns around Project
Island.
• Threat to Island Ecology
• Project for Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island was
• Impact on Indigenous People
implemented after a report by NITI Aayog.
• Seismic Concerns
• Project includes an International Container Trans-Shipment
• National Green Tribunal's
Terminal, a Greenfield International Airport, Township
Intervention
Development, a 450 MVA Gas and Solar based Power Plant
over an extent of 16,610 hectares in the island.
• Port will be controlled by Indian Navy, while Airport will have Dual Military-Civilian Functions and will
cater to Tourism as well.

Container Port Performance Index

9 of Indian Ports have found their position among Top 100 Global Ports in CPPI in 2023.

Container Port Performance Index (2023)

• Developed By: World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.
• Comparable Assessment of Performance based on Vessel Time in Port.
• Ranks 405 global container ports by efficiency, focusing on the duration of port stay for container
vessels.
• Yangshan Port in China is first, followed by the Port of Salalah in Oman. The Port of Cartagena is
third, and Tangier-Mediterranean is fourth.
• Visakhapatnam Port jumped from 115 in 2022 to 19 in the 2023 rankings, becoming the first Indian
port to reach the Global Top 20.
o Mundra Port also improved its position, rising from 48 last year to 27 in the current ranking.
o Seven other Indian ports, which secured ranks in the top 100, are Pipavav (41), Kamarajar (47),
Cochin (63), Hazira (68), Krishnapatnam (71), Chennai (80) and Jawaharlal Nehru (96).

World Sickle Cell Day 2024

World Sickle Cell Day 2024 is being celebrated on 19th June.

Theme for 2024: Hope Through Progress: Advancing Care Globally.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Sickle Cell Disease

• Refers to a Group of Inherited Blood Disorders, wherein a Genetic Mutation causes Abnormal
Haemoglobin to Clump Together.
• In SCD, Normal Round Shape of Red Blood Cells become like Crescent Moon.
• Sickle-shaped Cells cause Blockages in Blood Glow which can lead to Anaemia, Pain, Infections and
Other Complications.
• In India, National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission was launched to eliminate SCD by 2047.

Burp Tax

New Zealand has decided to scrap Burp Tax aimed at reducing Related Facts
their Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Livestocks. • Initiatives like Global
• Introduced by New Zealand to Lower Carbon Footprint through Methane Pledge aims to
cut Methane Emissions
curtailing Methane Emissions from Ruminant Species.
by at least 30% by 2030
• Nearly Half of New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions come
from 2020 Levels.
from their Livestocks Rearing.
• Indian initiatives like
• Methane is a Potent Greenhouse Gas responsible for 30% of Harit Dhara, NICRA
Warming since Pre-Industrial Times, 2nd Only to Carbon Dioxide. Project & BS VI Norms
are in process of Methane
Reduction.

Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS)

Health Officials in Japan are on High Alert after close to 1,000 Cases of a Deadly Infection were
reported across the country.

The disease is known as Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome (STSS), aRare but Severe Bacterial
Infection caused by Group A Streptococcus Bacteria.

It occurs when these Bacteria enter Deep Tissues and Bloodstream, releasing Toxins that cause a
Rapid and Dangerous Response in the Body.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

28 June 2024 Current Affair

Energy Transition Index

India has been ranked 63rd on a global Energy Transition Index released by World Economic Forum.

World Economic Forum was founded in Jan 1971 by German engineer and economist Klaus Schwab.

Energy Transition Index

• Published By: World Economic Forum
• Aim: To comprehensively monitor Global Energy Transition.
• Based on evaluation of 120 Countries.
• 3 Energy System Performance Dimensions: Security, Equity and Sustainability

Energy Transition Index 2024

• Top Performers: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, France
• 6 G20 Countries are among Top 20 Performers: France, Germany, Brazil, China, UK, USA.
• India has been ranked 63rd.
• Net-Zero Emissions: 8 Countries (Bhutan, Comoros, Gabon, Guyana, Madagascar, Niue, Panama, and
Suriname) reached Net-Zero Emissions in 2022.
• Investment Trends: Clean Energy Infrastructure Investments reached $1.8 trillion in 2023, with nearly
90% of the growth since 2021 occurring in Advanced Economies and China.

Initiatives in Energy Transition

• Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge: Signed by 133 Countries CoP 28 of UNFCCC, calls for
Tripling the Rate of Renewables Capacity by 2030.
• Addressing Technology Gaps for Energy Transitions: Initiatives of G20.
• Just Energy Transition Partnerships: Launched by International Energy Agency & WEF in 2022 to
support Developing Countries in their transition towards Clean Energy.
• Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): Launched by EU in 2023.

Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects

Union Cabinet approved Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Offshore Wind Energy Projects.

Offshore Wind Energy means Energy taken from Force of Winds out at Sea, transformed into
Electricity and Supplied into Electricity Network Onshore.

Viability Gap Funding Scheme

• Purpose: Implementation of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy notified in 2015.
• Aim: To exploit Offshore Wind Energy Potential that exists within Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Target: Installation and Commissioning of 1 GW of Offshore Wind Energy Projects (500 MW each off
coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu).
o Upgradation of 2 Ports to meet Logistics Requirements.
• Significance: Reduce Cost of Power from Offshore Wind Projects and make them viable for purchase
by DISCOMs.

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme

Union Cabinet has approved a new Central Sector Scheme (CSS) National Forensic Infrastructure
Enhancement Scheme (NFIES).

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme

• Type: Central Sector Scheme
• Aim: To ease Workload on Forensic Laboratories in line with Requirements of Reformed Criminal
Laws that will come into force w.e.f. July 01, 2024.
o New Criminal Laws mandate Forensic Investigation for Offences involving Punishment of 7 years
or more.
• Works under Union Ministry of Home Affairs
• Financial Outlay: Rs 2254.43 Crore
• Period: 2024-25 to 2028-29
• Components: Establishment of Campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).
o Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories.
o Enhancement of Existing Infrastructure of NFSU-Delhi.

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister

Chairman of Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to Prime Minister emphasized Need for a New Poverty
Line at a conference organized by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

• Constituted in 2017.
• Purpose: To give advice on Economic and Related Issues to Government of India, specifically to Prime
Minister.
• Analyzing Any Issue, Economic or Otherwise, referred to it by Prime Minister and advising him
thereon.
• NITI Aayog serves as Nodal Agency for EAC-PM.

5G Intelligent Village Initiative

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced two proposals—5G Intelligent Village and

Quantum Encryption Algorithm (QEA)—aimed at catalysing innovation and technological
advancement in the telecom sector.

5G Intelligent Village Initiative

• This initiative responds to pressing need for Equitable Technological Advancement by harnessing
Transformative Power of 5G Technology to uplift Rural Communities.
• Aim: To enable Effective Utilisation of Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) and
massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) aspects of 5G in Selected Villages.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Quantum Encryption Algorithm

• Call for Proposals is for developing an India specific Quantum Encryption Algorithm (QEA) that will
represent a cutting-edge approach to Securing Digital Communication Channels by leveraging
Principles of Quantum Mechanics.
• Algorithm should ensure Unparalleled Security; Advanced Encryption Capabilities; Ultrafast and
Efficient Encryption etc.
• Funded under Telecom Technology Development Fund (set up under Universal Services Obligation
Fund 2003 ) Scheme of DoT.

Russia Ships Equipments to Kudankulam NPP

Russia has shipped 1st Batch of 26 Turbine Hall Pipeline Valves (High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Gate
Valves) for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project's (KNNP) Reactors 5 and 6.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project

• Largest Nuclear Power Plant in India.
• India’s 1st Nuclear Plant to use imported PWR (Pressurised Water Reactor) Technology.
• Jointly By: Russia's Rosatom and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
• Construction began in 2002 and expected to operate in Full Capacity by 2027.
• Share of Nuclear Power in Total Electricity Generation in India was about 2.8% in 2022-23.

World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is annually celebrated globally on June 20th.

World Refugee Day

• 1st ever World Refugee Day was celebrated on June 20, 2001.
• Earlier recognized as Africa Refugee Day.
• To commemorate 50th Anniversary of 1951 Convention relating to Status of Refugees.
• Theme 2024: For a World Where Refugees Are Welcomed

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

• Protects Refugees worldwide and facilitates their Return Home or Resettlement.
• Established in 1950.
• Awarded Nobel Peace Prizes in 1954 and 1981.
• Started Nansen Refugee Award in 1954.
• HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)

INS Sunayna

INS Sunayna visited Mombasa, Kenya from 20-23 Jun 23 SAGAR Initiative
towards strengthening bilateral ties with maritime • SAGAR stands for Security &
neighbours on the theme of the Ocean Ring of Yoga. Growth for All in the Region
• Indian Foreign Policy Doctrine.
INS Sunayna • Introduced in 2015.
• Aim: To enhance Cooperation
and Mutual Trust between India
& its Neighbouring Countries,
Month June 2024 particularly in Indian Ocean
Region.
 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• Saryu class Offshore Patrol Vessel which was commissioned at Kochi.

• Based under Southern Naval Command and is built at Goa Shipyard Limited.
• Other Sarayu Class includes INS Sumitra and INS Sumedha.

Delos Island

A remarkable ancient site on the tiny Greek island of Delos is "doomed to disappear" within decades
due to rising sea levels and geological processes, an expert has said.

Delos Island is Part of Cyclades Archipelago in Aegean Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aegean Sea is Located in East Mediterranian Basin. Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits connect
Aegean Sea to Black Sea and Marmara Sea respectively.

Sensorineural Deafness

Singer Alka Yagnik reported Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL), a Rare Hearing Loss caused by Viral
Infection.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss is Common Type of Hearing Impairment that results from damage to
Inner Ear Structures or Auditory Nerve.

Can be triggered by Meningitis, Mumps and Measles.

National Financial Reporting Authority

National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) is set to conduct its 1st Annual Inspection of 8 Audit
Firms, including Big Five.

Constituted in 2018 under provisions of Section 132 of Companies Act, 2013.

Companies Act requires NFRA to have a Chairperson who will be appointed by Central Government
and a maximum of 15 Members.

Defence Pact between Russia and North Korea

North Korea and Russia have signed an agreement to strengthen their military cooperation.

Comprehensive Partnership Agreement signed includes provisions for Mutual Assistance in Event of
Aggression against Either Party.

Article 4 of Agreement states that if one of the countries gets invaded and is pushed into a state of
war, the other must deploy “all means at its disposal without delay” to provide “military and other
assistance”.

They also agreed to work together to expand cooperation in trade and investment.

North Korea and the former Soviet Union signed a treaty in 1961, which necessitated Moscow’s
military intervention if the North came under attack.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

National Monetisation Pipeline

NMP has monetised Rs 3.85 lakh Crore of assets in 3 years.

National Monetisation Pipeline is Initiative for Asset Monetisation by Government of India.

Announced in Union budget 2021 22 as for Monetization of Assets worth an estimated Rs 6 lakh
Crore.

Asset Monetisation is when Government is basically Transferring Revenue Rights to Private Parties
for a Specified Transaction Period in return for Upfront Money (Revenue Share) and Commitment of
Investments in the Assets.

MAVEN Orbiter

NASA's Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) Orbiter captured Stellar Display of Purple-
coloured Lights on Mars Planet.

Launched in 2013, MAVEN is 1st Mission devoted to understanding Martian Upper Atmosphere.

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

29 June 2024 Current Affair

50% Quota Ceiling Set by the SC

Patna High Court set aside Amendments passed by Bihar Legislature in 2023 to Increase Reservation
for Different Backward Classes from 50% to 65% in Educational Institutions and Government Jobs of
the State.

The HC noted that State Government had Not Attempted Any In-Depth Study before enhancing
Reservation beyond Limit (50%) set by Supreme Court in 1992 Indira Sawhney Judgement.

Why Quota in Bihar Challenged?

• Bihar had last year raised Quota for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Extremely
Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Educational Institutions and
Government Jobs from 50% to 65%.
• This had been done after a Caste Survey showed that SC’s Observations in Different Cases
these groups formed roughly 84% of State’s Population. • Maratha Reservation: Resulted in
• A clutch of petitioners challenged – Increasing of Total Reservations in
o Bihar Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services the State to 68% & was struck down
(for SC, STs and OBCs) Amendment Act, 2023 by the SC in 2021 for violating 50%
o Bihar Reservation (in Admission to Educational Ceiling established in its 1992
Institutions) Amendment Act, 2023. Judgement.
• Petitioner argued that there was No Scientific Analysis • Economically Weaker Sections
of Caste Survey Data, and that Quota Increase was (EWS) Reservation: A 5 – Judge
based solely on Lack of Proportionate Representation in Constitution Bench upheld Quota
Government Jobs and Educational Institutions. last year by a 3:2 Majority, stating
that 50% Ceiling is Flexible and it
• Verdict of Patna HC: It set aside Bihar Government’s
was Only in context of Reservations
Laws as Ultra-Vires the Constitution and violative of
for SCs, STs and OBCs.
Equality clause under Articles 14, 15 and 16.
o The HC said Enhancement of Reservations beyond 50% Limit - as set by a 9-Judge Bench of the SC
in 1992 - was “Bad in Law”.
• This is because it Not Only violates Principles of Equality emanating from the Constitution, it fails to
demonstrate Any Extenuating Circumstance that could enable it to breach 50% Norm.

Arguments For and Against Reservation

• For: State Government had given this reservation due to a Lack of Adequate Representation of these
Classes and Not on a Proportionate Basis.
• Against: Together with 10% EWS Quota, Laws had pushed Reservation in Bihar to 75%, well past 50%
Ceiling set by SC.
o After Caste Survey, this decision of Reservation was taken on basis of Proportion of Castes and
Not on Basis of Adequate Representation in Government Jobs.
o Case of Caste Survey is currently Pending for hearing in the SC.

Indira Sawhney Judgment 1992

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

• From 1989-1992, Government of India sought to implement Mandal Commission’s Recommendation

of Reservation (27%) for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• In this context, Reservations under Mandal Commission were challenged in the SC.
• In Indra Sawhney vs Union of India or Mandal Judgement, a 9-Judge Constitution Bench of the SC (By
6-3 Majority) ruled that Total Quota must Never exceed 50%.
• Apex Court called this Limit Fair and Reasonable (Without Giving Any Justification) and added that
50% Reservations Rule may be deviated from in certain Extraordinary Situations.

Related Facts
• rd
103 Constitutional Amendment Act 2019: To reduce Inequality by providing a 10% Quota for
Members of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in Government Jobs and Higher Education
Institutions.
• 106th Constitutional Amendment Act 2023: To allocate 33% of Seats in directly elected Lok
Sabha, State legislative Assemblies and Delhi legislative Assembly for Women.

Pro – Tem Speaker

The President has appointed Bhartruhari Mahtab, a seven-term MP from Cuttack, as Pro-Tem
Speaker of 18th Lok Sabha.

Pro – Tem Speaker

• Pro – Tem is a Latin phrase which means “for the time being”.
• Constitution does Not expressly use the term Pro-Tem Speaker.
o As per convention, a Senior Most Member will be appointed as Pro-Tem Speaker.
• Office of Pro – Tem Speaker ceases to exist after New Speaker of House is chosen.
• Duties: Presides over 1st Sitting of Lok Sabha and administers Oath of Office to Newly Elected MPs.
o Conduct Vote for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
o Administers Floor Test.
• 1st Protem Speaker of Lok Sabha was GV Mavlankar.
• Seth Govind Das (2nd,3rd, 4th and 5th) and Shri Inderjit Gupta (10th, 11th, 12th and 13th) have Rare
Distinction of serving as Protem Speaker in 4 Successive Lok Sabhas.
• Dr Virendra Kumar was Protem Speaker for 17th Lok Sabha.

National Monetisation Pipeline

NITI Aayog informed that the National Monetisation Pipeline monetised Rs 3.85 Lakh Crore Assets In
last 3 Years.

National Monetisation Pipeline

• Strategic Initiative aimed at unlocking Value of Brownfield Public Sector Assets.
• Lists Potential Core Assets of Central Government that can be Monetized.
• Estimates Aggregate Monetisation Potential of Rs 6.0 Lakh Crores through Core Assets of Central
Government, over a 4-year period, from FY 2022 to FY 2025.
• Top 5 Sectors capture about 83% of Aggregate Pipeline Value: Roads (27%) followed by Railways
(25%), Power (15%), Oil & Gas Pipelines (8%) and Telecom (6%).

Kolar Gold Fields

Month June 2024

 Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Cabinet has approved Central Government’s Proposal to continue Mining Activities at defunct Bharat
Gold Mines Limited’s (BGML) Mine at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF).

Kolar Gold Fields

• Location: Kolar District (Karnataka)
• One of Deepest Gold Mines in the world, reaching depths of over 3,000 meters.
• One of Major Gold Mining Centers in India until Mines were closed in 2001 due to Low Gold Prices
and Increasing Operational Costs.

International Yoga Day

International Day of Yoga, 2024 is being celebrated with the theme ‘Yoga for Self and Society’.

National Celebration of 10th International Day of Yoga Related Facts

2024 was organized at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. • Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports recognised Yoga as a Sports
On India’s Insistence, UN General Assembly (UNGA) Discipline and placed it in the
proclaimed 21st June as International Day of Yoga (IDY) ‘Priority’ category in 2015.
in a resolution adopted in Dec 2014 during 69th • Inaugural IDY event in New Delhi
Session. set 2 Guinness World Records:
Largest Yoga Session with 35,985
1st International Yoga Day was celebrated in New Delhi Participants, Most Nationalities (84)
in 2015 with the theme "Yoga for Harmony and Peace". Participating in a Single Session.
Date of 21 June was chosen as it is Summer Solstice in Northern Hemisphere.

Capsaicin

Food Safety Authorities in Denmark have recalled 3 Types of South Korean Spicy Instant Noodles over
possible risks of “Acute Poisoning” due to High Capsaicin Levels.

Month June 2024

Monthly Current Affairs by Exam Charcha (examcharcha.in)

Month June 2024