Table of Contents
Daily Current Affairs 20 August 2024
Stay updated with the key national and international news, significant developments, and important events from August 20, 2024.
National News
Commemorative Coin for M. Karunanidhi
On August 18, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled a centenary commemorative coin in honor of Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi in Chennai. During the event, the Minister praised the late leader, highlighting his significant contributions to Indian politics.
International News
China’s Nuclear Reactor Expansion
China has sanctioned the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five locations, with a total investment of around 220 billion yuan ($31 billion). This approval, granted by the State Council, aims to boost the country’s nuclear energy capacity to reduce carbon emissions. The reactors will be built in Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi, with an estimated construction period of five years.
Nepal’s Electricity Export to India
Nepal is set to export approximately 1,000 MW of electricity to India. This announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar following his meeting with Nepalese counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba in New Delhi on August 19. Jaishankar described this development as a significant milestone.
States News
Industrial Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of Andhra Pradesh inaugurated 16 industrial projects in Sri City, with investments totaling Rs 3,683 crore. These projects are expected to create over 15,000 jobs, reflecting the state’s commitment to industrial growth and efficiency.
Rajasthan’s Investment Proposals
Ahead of the ‘Rising Rajasthan’ Investment Summit 2024, the Rajasthan government has received investment proposals worth over Rs 5.21 lakh crore (approximately USD 62 billion). These proposals, gathered within two weeks of the summit’s announcement, are anticipated to generate around 1.55 lakh direct jobs. This investment represents more than 33% of the state’s estimated Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2023-24, which is Rs 15.28 lakh crore.
Appointments News
New Director General of ESIC
Ashok Kumar Singh, IAS, has taken over as the Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, as of August 19.
Defence News
High-Level Meeting Chaired by Army Chief
On August 20, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the ongoing transformational initiatives by the Indian Army and its role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047.
Business News
Increase in Net FDI to $6.9 Billion in Q1 FY25
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reported a significant rise in net foreign direct investment (FDI) to $6.9 billion for the April-June quarter of FY25, up from $4.7 billion in the same period last year. This growth is attributed to a 26.4% year-on-year increase in gross inward FDI, which reached $22.5 billion. Major sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, communication services, computer services, and energy contributed to approximately 80% of the total inflows.
Merger of Slice and North East Small Finance Bank Approved
The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has approved the merger of fintech company Slice with North East Small Finance Bank. The Guwahati bench of the NCLT sanctioned the scheme of arrangement and amalgamation, which involves several entities including Garagepreneurs Internet, Quadrillion Finance, Intergalactory Foundry, RGVN (North East) Microfinance, and North East Small Finance Bank.
Summits and Conferences News
India-Japan Ministerial Dialogue in Delhi
Today, Delhi hosts the India-Japan Ministerial Dialogue, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations and discussing key areas of cooperation between the two nations.
Sports News
India’s Participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics
The Paralympic Committee of India has announced the country’s participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. This announcement includes details about India’s representation, the event’s background, and the nation’s historical performance in the Paralympic Games.
Important Days
World Humanitarian Day 2024
World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19th, highlights the increasing dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones. The year 2023 was the deadliest on record for aid workers, and 2024 is on track to surpass this grim milestone, emphasizing the urgent need for better protection for those who dedicate their lives to helping others in challenging environments.
Obituaries News
Passing of ICG DG Rakesh Pal
Rakesh Pal, the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, passed away due to a severe cardiac arrest in Chennai at the age of 59. He was in Chennai to attend a Coast Guard function led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Daily Current Affairs 20 August 2024 MCQ
National News
- Who unveiled the centenary commemorative coin for Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi?
- Answer: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- When was the centenary commemorative coin for Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi unveiled?
- Answer: August 18
- Where was the centenary commemorative coin for Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi unveiled?
- Answer: Chennai
- Who was honored with the centenary commemorative coin unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh?
- Answer: Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi
- What did Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlight about Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi during the coin unveiling event?
- Answer: His significant contributions to Indian politics
International News
- How many new nuclear reactors has China sanctioned for construction?
- Answer: 11
- What is the total investment for the new nuclear reactors sanctioned by China?
- Answer: 220 billion yuan ($31 billion)
- Which body approved the construction of new nuclear reactors in China?
- Answer: The State Council
- Which provinces in China will have new nuclear reactors built?
- Answer: Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi
- How long is the estimated construction period for the new nuclear reactors in China?
- Answer: Five years
- How much electricity will Nepal export to India?
- Answer: Approximately 1,000 MW
- Who announced Nepal’s electricity export to India?
- Answer: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
- When was the announcement about Nepal’s electricity export to India made?
- Answer: August 19
- Who is the Nepalese counterpart of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar?
- Answer: Arzu Rana Deuba
States News
- How many industrial projects were inaugurated by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Sri City?
- Answer: 16
- What is the total investment for the industrial projects inaugurated in Sri City?
- Answer: Rs 3,683 crore
- How many jobs are expected to be created by the new industrial projects in Sri City?
- Answer: Over 15,000
- What is the name of the investment summit for which Rajasthan received proposals?
- Answer: Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit 2024
- What is the total value of investment proposals received by Rajasthan ahead of the summit?
- Answer: Rs 5.21 lakh crore (approximately USD 62 billion)
- How many direct jobs are expected to be generated by the investment proposals in Rajasthan?
- Answer: Around 1.55 lakh
- What percentage of Rajasthan’s estimated GSDP for 2023-24 does the investment sum represent?
- Answer: More than 33%
- What is the estimated Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Rajasthan for 2023-24?
- Answer: Rs 15.28 lakh crore
Appointments News
- Who has taken over as the Director General of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC)?
- Answer: Ashok Kumar Singh, IAS
- When did Ashok Kumar Singh take over as the Director General of ESIC?
- Answer: August 19
Defence News
- Who chaired the high-level meeting on August 20?
- Answer: Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi
- What was the focus of the high-level meeting chaired by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi?
- Answer: Ongoing transformational initiatives by the Indian Army and its role in achieving the goal of a developed India by 2047
Business News
- What was the net FDI in India for the April-June quarter of FY25?
- Answer: $6.9 billion
- What was the net FDI in India for the same period last year?
- Answer: $4.7 billion
- By what percentage did gross inward FDI grow year-on-year in the April-June quarter of FY25?
- Answer: 26.4%
- What was the total gross inward FDI in the April-June quarter of FY25?
- Answer: $22.5 billion
- Which sectors accounted for about 80% of the total FDI inflows in the April-June quarter of FY25?
- Answer: Manufacturing, financial services, communication services, computer services, and energy
- Which fintech company received NCLT approval for its merger with North East Small Finance Bank?
- Answer: Slice
- Which bench of the NCLT approved the merger of Slice with North East Small Finance Bank?
- Answer: Guwahati bench
- Which entities are involved in the scheme of arrangement and amalgamation approved by the NCLT?
- Answer: Garagepreneurs Internet, Quadrillion Finance, Intergalactory Foundry, RGVN (North East) Microfinance, and North East Small Finance Bank
Summits and Conferences News
- Which ministerial dialogue is being hosted in Delhi today?
- Answer: India-Japan Ministerial Dialogue
- What is the focus of the India-Japan Ministerial Dialogue being held in Delhi?
- Answer: Strengthening bilateral relations and discussing key areas of cooperation between the two nations
Sports News
- Which committee announced India’s participation in the 2024 Paris Paralympics?
- Answer: The Paralympic Committee of India
- Which event will India participate in, as announced by the Paralympic Committee of India?
- Answer: The 2024 Paris Paralympics
- What does the announcement by the Paralympic Committee of India include?
- Answer: Details about India’s representation, the event’s background, and the nation’s historical performance in the Paralympic Games
Important Days
- When is World Humanitarian Day observed?
- Answer: August 19th
- What does World Humanitarian Day 2024 highlight?
- Answer: The increasing dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones
- Which year was the deadliest on record for aid workers?
- Answer: 2023
- What is the trend for aid worker safety in 2024 compared to 2023?
- Answer: 2024 is on track to surpass the grim milestone of 2023
- What does the trend in aid worker safety emphasize?
- Answer: The urgent need for better protection for those who dedicate their lives to helping others in challenging environments
Obituaries News
- Who was the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard who passed away?
- Answer: Rakesh Pal
- What was the cause of Rakesh Pal’s death?
- Answer: Severe cardiac arrest
- Where did Rakesh Pal pass away?
- Answer: Chennai
- How old was Rakesh Pal at the time of his passing?
- Answer: 59
- Why was Rakesh Pal in Chennai at the time of his passing?
- Answer: To attend a Coast Guard function led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
