Table of Contents
Stay updated with the most significant national and international news, developments, and events from August 13, 2024.Daily Current Affairs 13 August 2024
Appointments News
Raj Kumar Chaudhary Takes Helm as Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC Ltd.
NHPC Limited has appointed Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary as its new Chairman & Managing Director. This marks a significant milestone for the company, bringing in a leader with extensive experience and a proven track record in hydroelectric power development.
Banking News
RBI Tightens Norms for HFCs to Align with NBFCs
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced stricter regulations for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to align their public deposit norms with those for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). This move aims to enhance regulatory parity between the two sectors.
Business News
Bharti Global to Acquire 24.5% Stake in BT Group
Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, is set to acquire a 24.5% stake in the British telecom giant BT Group plc for approximately $4 billion. The shares will be purchased through Bharti Televentures UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharti Global. This deal signifies a major expansion of Bharti’s global telecom ambitions and is expected to enhance India-UK bilateral relations.
Economy News
Retail Inflation Eases to 5-Year Low of 3.5% in July
India’s retail inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), fell to 3.54% in July, reaching a nearly 5-year low. This decline is attributed to a high base effect and a significant drop in food prices. The inflation rate has dipped below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) medium-term target of 4% for the first time since August 2019. Despite this, the RBI is expected to maintain its current policy stance.
Defence News
Mitra Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan Military Ties
The Mitra Shakti military exercise, an annual bilateral engagement between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, commenced on August 12, 2024. This year’s exercise, held at the Sri Lankan Army Training School in Maduru Oya, marks a significant milestone in military cooperation between these two South Asian nations. Set to run until August 25, this combined training exercise exemplifies the commitment of both countries to enhance their military capabilities and foster stronger bilateral relations.
Ranks and Reports News
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024
Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan released the India Rankings 2024 on August 12, implementing the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) drafted by the Ministry of Education in 2015. According to last year’s ranking, IIT Madras secured the top spot in the ‘overall’ category, followed by IISc Bengaluru and IIT Delhi in second and third place respectively.
Important Days
World Elephant Day 2024: Celebrating Earth’s Gentle Giants
World Elephant Day is observed annually on August 12th to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the world’s largest land mammals. Elephants play a crucial role in ecosystems and hold significant cultural importance in many societies.
World Organ Donation Day 2024: Date, History, and Significance
World Organ Donation Day is celebrated annually on August 13 to highlight the importance of organ donation and encourage people to become organ donors. This day serves as a vital reminder of the life-saving potential of organ donation. In India, the government has launched various campaigns and educational programs to promote organ donation. These initiatives aim to dispel myths, raise awareness about the urgent need for organs, and educate the public on the donation process.
Daily Current Affairs 13 August 2024 MCQ
Appointments News
Raj Kumar Chaudhary Takes Helm as Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC Ltd.
1. Who has been appointed as the new Chairman & Managing Director of NHPC Ltd.?
Answer: Shri Raj Kumar Chaudhary
2. What sector is NHPC Ltd. associated with?
Answer: Hydroelectric power
3. What is significant about Raj Kumar Chaudhary’s appointment at NHPC Ltd.?
Answer: It marks a crucial milestone for the company
Banking News
RBI Tightens Norms for HFCs to Align with NBFCs
4. Which organization introduced stricter regulations for Housing Finance Companies (HFCs)?
Answer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
5. What is the purpose of the new regulations for HFCs introduced by the RBI?
Answer: To align their public deposit norms with those for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
6. What is the aim of enhancing regulatory parity between HFCs and NBFCs?
Answer: To enhance regulatory parity between the two sectors
Business News
Bharti Global to Acquire 24.5% Stake in BT Group
7. Which company is set to acquire a 24.5% stake in BT Group plc?
Answer: Bharti Global
8. How much is Bharti Global investing to acquire the stake in BT Group plc?
Answer: Approximately $4 billion
9. Through which subsidiary will Bharti Global purchase the shares in BT Group plc?
Answer: Bharti Televentures UK Ltd
10. What is the expected impact of Bharti Global’s acquisition of the stake in BT Group plc?
Answer: To enhance India-UK bilateral relations
Economy News
Retail Inflation Eases to 5-Year Low of 3.5% in July
11. What was India’s retail inflation rate in July 2024?
Answer: 3.54%
12. What index is used to measure India’s retail inflation rate?
Answer: Consumer Price Index (CPI)
13. What contributed to the decline in India’s retail inflation rate in July 2024?
Answer: A high base effect and a significant drop in food prices
14. When was the last time India’s inflation rate was below the RBI’s medium-term target of 4%?
Answer: August 2019
Defence News
Mitra Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Sri Lankan Military Ties
15. What is the name of the annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army?
Answer: Mitra Shakti
16. When did the Mitra Shakti 2024 exercise commence?
Answer: August 12, 2024
17. Where is the Mitra Shakti 2024 exercise being held?
Answer: Sri Lankan Army Training School in Maduru Oya
18. Until when is the Mitra Shakti 2024 exercise scheduled to run?
Answer: August 25, 2024
Ranks and Reports News
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024
19. Who released the India Rankings 2024?
Answer: Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
20. When were the India Rankings 2024 released?
Answer: August 12, 2024
21. Which framework is used for the India Rankings 2024?
Answer: National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF)
22. Which institution secured the top spot in the ‘overall’ category in last year’s ranking?
Answer: IIT Madras
23. Which institutions secured the second and third places in the ‘overall’ category in last year’s ranking?
Answer: IISc Bengaluru and IIT Delhi
Important Days
World Elephant Day 2024: Celebrating Earth’s Gentle Giants
24. When is World Elephant Day observed annually?
Answer: August 12th
25. What is the purpose of World Elephant Day?
Answer: To raise awareness about the challenges faced by elephants
26. What role do elephants play in ecosystems?
Answer: They play a crucial role in ecosystems
27. Why are elephants culturally significant in many societies?
Answer: They hold significant cultural importance
World Organ Donation Day 2024: Date, History, and Significance
28. When is World Organ Donation Day celebrated annually?
Answer: August 13
29. What is the main objective of World Organ Donation Day?
Answer: To highlight the importance of organ donation and encourage people to become organ donors
30. What initiatives has the Indian government launched to promote organ donation?
Answer: Various campaigns and educational programs
31. What do these initiatives aim to achieve regarding organ donation?
Answer: To dispel myths, raise awareness about the urgent need for organs, and educate the public on the donation process
