04th July, 2024

1. IEEE 2061-2024 Standard released
2. Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav launches ‘Lokpath Mobile App’ for public
3. Andhra Pradesh CM launches distribution of NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme
4. Odisha will plant palm trees to combat lightning deaths
5. NATO members pledge €40 Billion in aid for Ukraine
6. India-Russia to run Chinese funded Sri Lanka airport
7. ICICI Bank launches Student Sapphiro Forex Card for Indian students
8. Services PMI rises in June
9. Air pollution behind 7% of deaths in 10 cities: Lancet study
10. INS SHIVALIK REACHES PEARL HARBOUR TO PARTICIPATE IN (RIMPAC) – 24
11. Defence Ministry signs MoU to set up three testing facilities in Tamil Nadu
12. India successfully test-fires first indigenous anti-radiation missile ‘Rudram-1’
13. Exercise Nomadic Elephant
14. Exercise MAITREE
15. WEAPON SYSTEMS SCHOOL INAUGURATED AT BEGUMPET, HYDERABAD
16. Scientists discovered naturally existing DNA editing tool – Bridge Recombinase Mechanism
17. NASA’s Mars Odyssey Captures Huge Volcano on Mars
18. ISRO to defend Earth against asteroids
19. July 2: International Sports Journalist Day
20. July 3: International Plastic Bag Free Day
21. TKM and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) join hands to establish Mobility Engineering Lab
22. Dick Schoof was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands
23. Dr. B.N. Gangadhar appointed as Chairperson of the National Medical Commission
24. In a first, Canada appoints woman as army chief

National News

1. IEEE 2061-2024 Standard released
   • What: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) approved a wireless network architecture for affordable broadband access in rural areas.
     • Developed by: IIT Bombay
     • These research solutions developed on the basis of the 2061-2024 standard.
       Source: The Hindu

State News

1. Madhya Pradesh: CM Mohan Yadav launches ‘Lokpath Mobile App’ for public
   • What: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently launched the ‘Lokpath Mobile App’ to address road-related issues faced by the public.
   • Why: The app aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government departments by providing a platform for citizens to report road problems (like potholes).
   • Tell me more:
     • Reporting: The app allows the general public to report issues related to roads by taking images and sending them directly to the appropriate officials
     • Resolution Time: The officers are required to resolve the issues within seven days and update the status on the app
     • Development: The Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation Limited
     • Implementation: The scheme will be executed in two phases.
       • First phase: National highways, state highways, and main district roads (began in July 2024)
       • Second Phase: Along with the routes included in the first phase, the remaining districts and rural routes will be included.
         Source: ANI

2. Andhra Pradesh CM launches distribution of NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme
   • What: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme.
     • It was originally called the YSR Pension Kanuka system, but now it has been renamed as `NTR Bharosa Samajika Pensions’
   • Tell me more (Benefits):
     • Pension for elderly people, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, transgenders, and artists has been raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000.
     • Specially abled: Hiked from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.
     • Fully disabled people: Hiked from Rs 5,000 to Rs15,000
     • For Chronic illness: Hiked Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000
     • Total Outlay: A total of ₹4,408 crore was disbursed to 65.31 lakh beneficiaries across various categories.
       Source: Hindustan Times

3. Odisha will plant palm trees to combat lightning deaths
   • What: Odisha, one of India’s states severely affected by lightning strikes during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, has taken a proactive step to reduce casualties from lightning.
   • They plan to plant around 1.9 million palm trees across the state in 2024-25.
   • These palm trees act as natural conductors during lightning strikes, helping prevent loss of lives
   • Budget: 7.5 crores
     Source: Odisha TV

International News

1. NATO members pledge €40 Billion in aid for Ukraine
   • What: The members have North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have agreed to provide 40 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine in the year 2025.
   • This commitment aims to ensure long-term support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
   • Note: Washington (USA) is holding the annual meeting of NATO in July 2025.
     Source: US News

   
   

2. India-Russia to run Chinese funded Sri Lanka airport 
   • What: Sri Lanka will hand over the loss-making Mattala International Airport in Hambantota to a joint India-Russia venture.
     • This port holds a strategic significance for India due to the Chinese threat in Indian Ocean
     • India-Russia joint venture was awarded the management of the Mattala International Airport in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka in April 2024
     • It was built at a cost of USD 209 million with USD 190 million coming from a high-interest loan from the Exim Bank of China.

• The airport was once dubbed the “world’s emptiest airport” due to a lack of flights.
  Source: Economic Times

Banking and Economy

1. ICICI Bank launches Student Sapphiro Forex Card for Indian students
   • What: ICICI Bank has introduced the Student Sapphiro Forex Card, specifically designed for Indian students pursuing higher education abroad.
   • Tell me more:
     • Benefits:
       • Joining Benefits: Up to INR 15,000.
       • Currency Freedom: Load and transact in 15 currencies without cross-currency mark-up charges.
       • International Student Identity Card (ISIC) membership: ISIC is an internationally accepted proof of full-time student status across 130 countries
     • Partnership: The card is Powered by Visa, ensuring global acceptance and seamless transactions.
       Source: ICICI Bank

2. Services PMI rises in June
   • What: In June, The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for services increased to 60.5 from May’s 60.2, indicating sustained growth for nearly three years.
   • Why: India’s services sector experienced robust growth, driven by a surge in new orders and an unprecedented expansion in international sales.

Source: Financial Express

Report and Indices

1. Air pollution behind 7% of deaths in 10 cities: Lancet study
   • What: According to a study published in The Lancet, air pollution is responsible for approximately 7% of deaths in ten major Indian cities.
   • These cities include Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Shimla, and Varanasi.
   • On average, more than 33,000 deaths annually can be attributed to air pollution in these cities.
   • Notably, Delhi has the highest mortality burden, with about 11.5% of deaths linked to air pollution, while Shimla has the lowest impact, accounting for only 3.7% of its total deaths.
     Source: Indian Express

Defence News

1. INS SHIVALIK REACHES PEARL HARBOUR TO PARTICIPATE IN (RIMPAC) – 24
   • What: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shivalik, an indigenously designed and built guided missile stealth frigate, has reached Pearl Harbour, Hawaii (United States of America (USA), for the 29th edition of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.
   • Tell me more:
     • It is the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
     • The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.”
     • Hosted by: USA Navy
     • Participating countries: 29
       Source: PIB
2. Defence Ministry signs MoU to set up three testing facilities in Tamil Nadu
   • What: The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (GoI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO).
   • Why: To establish three state-of-the-art advanced testing facilities in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) under the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor.
     • This initiative aims to promote Indigenous defence production, reduce military equipment imports, by providing advanced testing equipment and services to both government and private industry.
   • Tell me more:
     • These facilities will focus on three domains: Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Electro-Optics (EO).
     • The MoU was signed under the Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS)
     • Testing Facilities:
       • UAS Testing Facility: Led by Keltron, a Kerala government undertaking, with participation from private sector companies.
       • EW Testing Facility: Led by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru(Karnataka).
       • EO Testing Facility: Led by India Optel Limited (IOL), Dehradun (Uttarakhand).
         Source: PIB

3. India successfully test-fires first indigenous anti-radiation missile ‘Rudram-1’
   • What: India successfully test-fires India’s first indigenous anti-radiation missile ‘Rudram-1’.
   • It is an Air-to-Surface missile developed by DRDO for Indian Air Force (IAF).
   • Features:
     • Launch platform: Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.
     • It has Inertial Navigation Systems (INS)-GPS navigation for final attack, allowing it to accurately hit radiation-emitting targets.
     • Tested at: Balasore, Odisha
     • Significance: Allows IAF to conduct Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD) operations deep within enemy territory, neutralizing critical air defense installations.
       Source: Business Today
4. Exercise Nomadic Elephant
   • Joint Military Exercise between armies of India and Mongolia
   • Venue: Meghalaya, India
   • Edition: 16th
   • Last edition hosted by: Mongolia
     Source: PIB
5. Exercise MAITREE
   • Joint military Exercise between India-Thailand
   • Edition: 13th
   • Hosted by: Thailand
   • Last edition hosted by: Meghalaya, India
     Source: PIB
6. WEAPON SYSTEMS SCHOOL INAUGURATED AT BEGUMPET, HYDERABAD
   • What: Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) has recently inaugurated the Weapon Systems School (WSS) at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad.
   • This establishment marks the creation of a new branch of officers within the IAF—the WS branch, which was announced during the Air Force Day Parade celebrations on 08 October 2022.
   • Tell me more:
     • The WS Branch brings together operators of ground-based and specialist weapon systems under one umbrella, enhancing the IAF’s war-fighting capabilities.
     • Commandant of WSS: Air Vice Marshal Premkumar Krishnaswamy.
     • The branch comprises four distinct streams:
       • Flying Stream, Remote Stream, Mission Commanders and Operators Stream, Intelligence Stream
         Source: PIB

Science and Technology

1. Scientists discovered naturally existing DNA editing tool – Bridge Recombinase Mechanism
   • What: Researchers from the Arc Institute recently reported their discovery of the bridge recombinase mechanism.
   • BRM utilizes mobile genetic elements which cut and paste themselves into genomes, performing on-the-go DNA manipulation and are present in all forms of life.
     Source: The Print
   • NASA’s Mars Odyssey Captures Huge Volcano on Mars
     • What: Recently, NASA’s Mars Odyssey Orbiter captured the view of largest volcano in our solar system, Olympus Mons, located on Mars.
       Source: NASA

3. ISRO to defend Earth against asteroids
   • What: The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman has announced that he ISRO is looking to participate in a planetary defense mission related to the Apophis asteroid.
   • Apophis asteroid is expected to come close to Earth on April 13, 2029, approximately 32,000 kilometers away from our planet.
     • It is assumed to come back in 2036 in April. There is a fear that if there is any change in gravity, there is a chance it will have an impact on Earth in 2036.
   • During this encounter (2029), ISRO aims to study the asteroid and the goal is to prepare for planetary defense efforts and prevent any potential impact with Earth.
     Source: Indian Express

Important Days

1. July 2: International Sports Journalist Day
   • What: World Sports Journalists Day is annually observed across the globe on 2 July
   • This Day also commemorates the establishment of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS (Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive)) in 1924 in Paris, France.
     • 2 July 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of the AIPS, the World Sports Journalist body.
       Source: SJA

2. July 3: International Plastic Bag Free Day
   • What: International Plastic Bag Free Day is annually observed across the globe on 3rd July.
   • Why: To raise awareness of the environmental impact caused by single-use plastic (SUP) like plastic bags, which are harmful to ecosystems, wildlife, and human health.
     Source: India Today

Memorandum of understanding

1. TKM and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) join hands to establish Mobility Engineering Lab
   • What: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to establish a Mobility Engineering Laboratory.
   • Why: This collaborative facility aims to equip the next generation of engineers with multidisciplinary skills for developing advanced mobility solutions.
   • From FY 2024 to 2027, TKM will facilitate the lab’s setup.
   • This initiative fosters innovation and excellence, bridging academia and industry to transform the automotive sector.
     Source: TKM

Appointments

1. Dick Schoof was sworn in as Prime Minister of the Netherlands
   • What: Willem-Alexander, the King of the Netherlands swore in Dick Schoof as the New Prime Minister (PM) of the Netherlands.
   • He will succeed Mark Rutte, who served as the PM of the Netherlands from 2010 to 2024.
   • Rutte is set to take over as the New Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in October 2024.

Source: India Today

2. Dr. B.N. Gangadhar appointed as Chairperson of the National Medical Commission
   • What: The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed B.N. Gangadhar, as the Chairperson of the National Medical Commission.
   • The appointments are for a period of 4 years, until the appointee attains the age of 70 years, or until further orders, whichever is earliest.
   • Other appointments
     • Dr. Sanjay Behari as the President of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board
       Source: PIB

3. In a first, Canada appoints woman as army chief
   • What: Canada has appointed Lieutenant-General Jennie Carignan as its newest chief of the defense staff, making her the first woman to hold this position in the Canadian Armed Forces.
   • Notably, in 2008, she became the first woman to lead a combat force in the Canadian military.
     Source: Hans India

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