Table of Contents
Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2024
Stay updated with the most important national and international news, significant developments, and key events from August 26, 2024.
National News India Launches World’s First Mobile Hybrid Rocket: RHUMI-1
India’s space program achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of RHUMI-1, the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket. This event also marks the introduction of India’s first reusable hybrid rocket. Developed by the Chennai-based startup Space Zone India in collaboration with Martin Group, RHUMI-1 represents a major advancement in rocket technology, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs in space exploration.
India Celebrates National Space Day with Launch of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ E-Magazine
On the inaugural National Space Day, India marked a significant educational achievement with the release of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’, an innovative e-magazine. This initiative, led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, combines science, creativity, and education to inspire the next generation of Indian students.
Dharmendra Pradhan Unveils First Edition of E-Magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’
Celebrating the first anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the lunar South Pole, the Department of School Education & Literacy, in collaboration with NCERT, launched the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan.’ Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, released the inaugural edition virtually, with Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, also in attendance.
PM Modi Distributes Certificates to 11 Lakh New ‘Lakhpati Didis’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed certificates to 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis at an event in Jalgaon, Maharashtra. The Prime Minister also honored Lakhpati Didis and discussed their businesses. These Lakhpati Didis, numbering over one crore across the country, earn more than one lakh rupees annually. The 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis achieved this status during the third term of the NDA Government.
International News North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Unveils New ‘Suicide Drones’
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently introduced a new type of “suicide drone,” with state media reporting that he personally oversaw a performance test of the weaponry. These drones, designed to carry explosives and crash into enemy targets like guided missiles, were tested on August 24, 2024. The test was successful, with all drones accurately hitting their targets after following preset routes. Experts believe the technology behind these drones may have Russian origins.
States News Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Revised NPS for Government Employees
The Maharashtra Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has approved the implementation of a revised National Pension Scheme (NPS) for state government employees, aligning it with the Centre’s Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
Summits and Conferences News 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable Held in Singapore
The 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR), aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries, is being held in Singapore on August 26. Singapore has been a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for India.
Appointments News
Chirag Paswan Re-Elected as President of LJP for 5 Years
On August 25, Union Minister Chirag Paswan was re-elected as the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) for a five-year term. The unanimous decision was made during the LJP(RV) national executive meeting in Ranchi.
Arun Agarwal Named Chairman of Texas Economic Development Corporation
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Arun Agarwal, an Indian-American entrepreneur based in Dallas, as the Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation (TEDC) Board of Directors. In this role, Agarwal will promote Texas as a leading business destination both domestically and internationally. His appointment underscores Texas’s commitment to diversity and the growing influence of Indian-American leaders in key economic roles.
Schemes News
Cabinet Approves ‘Vigyan Dhara’ Scheme by Department of Science and Technology
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of three umbrella schemes merged into a unified central sector scheme called ‘Vigyan Dhara’ under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This scheme aims to improve fund utilization efficiency and ensure better synchronization among sub-schemes and programs. With a budget of ₹10,579.84 crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (2021-22 to 2025-26), ‘Vigyan Dhara’ seeks to strengthen India’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) ecosystem.
23 Lakh Government Employees to Benefit from UPS
Ahead of assembly elections in a state and a Union Territory this year, the government has introduced the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) amid protests from several non-BJP-ruled states over the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
Summits and Conferences News
Jitendra Singh Chairs Bilateral Meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired a bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce in New Delhi. The Ministry of Science and Technology highlighted the deepening cooperation between the two nations in critical areas such as science, technology, and clean energy.
Sports News
Lando Norris Wins Dutch Grand Prix 2024
Lando Norris showcased exceptional skill and determination to secure his second career win at the Dutch Grand Prix, outpacing championship leader Max Verstappen in a thrilling race. The McLaren driver finished over 20 seconds ahead of his closest competitor.
Science and Technology News
India Welcomes First Civilian Space Tourist Gopichand Thotakura
Gopichand Thotakura, India’s first civilian space tourist, received a warm welcome in Delhi upon his return on August 26, 2024. Thotakura made history by joining Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25) mission, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, becoming the second Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission. His trip lasted about ten minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 105 km.
Obituaries News
Veteran Congress Leader Vasantrao Chavan Passes Away at 70
Veteran Congress leader and recently elected Nanded MP, Vasantrao Chavan, passed away at 4 a.m. on August 26, 2024, at KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad. Chavan, aged 70, had been battling a prolonged illness and was undergoing treatment for renal issues. His condition suddenly deteriorated, leading to his demise.
Miscellaneous News
Ladakh to Get Five New Districts
On August 26, Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to establish five new districts in the union territory of Ladakh. This decision aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of fostering development and prosperity in Ladakh.
Mother Teresa’s 114th Birth Anniversary Celebrated on August 26
August 26, 2024, marks the 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa, a revered figure known for her legacy of love and compassion. Born on August 26, 1910, in Albania, she became one of the most respected personalities of the 20th century, globally recognized for her selfless service to humanity. Mother Teresa received numerous accolades, including the Nobel Peace Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize, and India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna.
Daily Current Affairs 26 August 2024 MCQ
- What is the name of the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket launched by India?
- Answer: RHUMI-1
- Which startup developed the RHUMI-1 rocket?
- Answer: Space Zone India
- Which company collaborated with Space Zone India to develop RHUMI-1?
- Answer: Martin Group
- What significant day was celebrated with the launch of the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’?
- Answer: National Space Day
- Who launched the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’?
- Answer: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
- What anniversary was marked by the launch of the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’?
- Answer: The 1st anniversary of Chandrayaan-3’s landing on the lunar South Pole
- Which department collaborated with NCERT to launch the e-magazine ‘Sapno ki Udaan’?
- Answer: Department of School Education & Literacy
- Who distributed certificates to 11 lakh new Lakhpati Didis?
- Answer: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Where was the event held where PM Modi distributed certificates to Lakhpati Didis?
- Answer: Jalgaon, Maharashtra
- How many new Lakhpati Didis received certificates from PM Modi?
- Answer: 11 lakh
- What is the annual income of Lakhpati Didis?
- Answer: More than one lakh rupees
- Who recently unveiled new ‘suicide drones’?
- Answer: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
- What is the purpose of the new ‘suicide drones’ unveiled by North Korea?
- Answer: To carry explosives and crash into enemy targets like guided missiles
- When was the performance test of North Korea’s new ‘suicide drones’ conducted?
- Answer: August 24, 2024
- Which state’s cabinet approved a revised National Pension Scheme for government employees?
- Answer: Maharashtra
- Who is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra who chaired the cabinet meeting approving the revised NPS?
- Answer: Eknath Shinde
- What is the name of the pension scheme that Maharashtra’s revised NPS is aligned with?
- Answer: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)
- Where is the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable being held?
- Answer: Singapore
- What is the main focus of the 2nd India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable?
- Answer: Strengthening trade and economic ties between India and Singapore
- Which country has been a major source of FDI for India?
- Answer: Singapore
- ho was re-elected as the national president of Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) for the next five years?
- Answer: Chirag Paswan
- Where was the LJP(RV) national executive meeting held where Chirag Paswan was re-elected?
- Answer: Ranchi
- Who appointed Arun Agarwal as the Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation?
- Answer: Texas Governor Greg Abbott
- What is Arun Agarwal’s role as Chairman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation?
- Answer: Marketing Texas as a premier business destination both domestically and globally
- Which scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet under the Department of Science and Technology?
- Answer: Vigyan Dhara
- What is the budget allocation for the ‘Vigyan Dhara’ scheme for the 15th Finance Commission period?
- Answer: ₹10,579.84 crore
- How many government employees will benefit from the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)?
- Answer: 23 lakh
- Who chaired the bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce?
- Answer: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh
- Where was the bilateral meeting on US-India Civil Nuclear Commerce held?
- Answer: New Delhi
- Who won the Dutch Grand Prix 2024?
- Answer: Lando Norris
- Which team does Lando Norris drive for?
- Answer: McLaren
- Who is India’s first civilian space tourist?
- Answer: Gopichand Thotakura
- Which space mission did Gopichand Thotakura join?
- Answer: Blue Origin’s New Shepard-25 (NS-25)
- Who was the first Indian citizen to travel to space?
- Answer: Rakesh Sharma
- At what age did veteran Congress leader Vasantrao Chavan pass away?
- Answer: 70
- Where did Vasantrao Chavan pass away?
- Answer: KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad
- How many new districts will be created in the union territory of Ladakh?
- Answer: Five
- Who announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh?
- Answer: Home Minister Amit Shah
- On what date was the announcement made about the new districts in Ladakh?
- Answer: August 26
- Whose vision is the creation of new districts in Ladakh aligned with?
- Answer: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What significant anniversary is observed on August 26, 2024?
- Answer: The 114th birth anniversary of Mother Teresa
- In which year was Mother Teresa born?
- Answer: 1910
- Where was Mother Teresa born?
- Answer: Albania
- Which prestigious awards did Mother Teresa receive?
- Answer: Nobel Peace Prize, Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize, and Bharat Ratna
- What is Mother Teresa renowned for?
- Answer: Her selfless service to humanity
