Correct Answer :   Harish Dudani

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Harish Dudani was appointed as a Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) on August 6, 2024.

His appointment was announced by the Power Ministry, and he took the Oath of Office and Secrecy on the same day.

CERC, established under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act of 1998 and functioning under the Electricity Act of 2003, is responsible for regulating tariffs, licensing for inter-state transmission, and adjudicating disputes within the electricity sector.

Correct Answer :   Goa

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The Goa ST Reservation Bill 2024 was introduced to address the representation of Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Goa Assembly.

While Goa's Assembly currently has a reserved seat for Scheduled Castes (SCs), it lacks reserved seats for STs despite its growing population.

This bill aims to amend the delimitation order to include ST reservations, reflecting longstanding demands and the demographic changes in the state.

The move is a significant step towards more equitable representation of ST communities in Goa’s legislative process.

Correct Answer :   RailTel

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RailTel has entered into a partnership with Cylus to strengthen cybersecurity measures for Indian Railways.

This collaboration involves deploying CylusOne™ to safeguard railway signalling and telecom systems.

The aim is to implement advanced cyber defence technologies, integrate professional services, and build cybersecurity expertise within the rail network.

RailTel’s Chief Managing Director, Sanjay Kumar, highlighted the importance of cybersecurity as Indian Railways undergoes significant technological upgrades.

This partnership reflects a proactive approach to protecting critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.

Correct Answer :   August 11

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The inaugural World Steelpan Day will be celebrated on August 11th, 2024. The United Nations is set to endorse a draft resolution on July 24th, 2024, that officially declares August 11th as World Steelpan Day.

This day will be added to the UN calendar as an annual global celebration to honour the cultural and historical significance of the steelpan, an instrument with deep roots in Trinidad and Tobago.

The declaration emphasizes the steelpan’s role in promoting cultural diversity and sustainable development worldwide.

Correct Answer :   August 10

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World Lion Day is celebrated annually on August 10th to raise awareness about the importance of lion conservation and the critical need to protect these majestic animals.

As lions play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, this day emphasizes the ongoing efforts to ensure their survival.

The global lion population has been declining, with only about 20,000 lions remaining worldwide.

In India, the Asiatic lion population, primarily found in the Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat, was recorded at 674 in the 2020 Lion Census.

Correct Answer :   ICoAS @ Viksit Bharat

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The Indian Cost Accounts Service (ICoAS) Foundation Day 2024 was celebrated with the theme ‘ICoAS @ Viksit Bharat.’

This theme underscored the vital role that ICoAS officers play in shaping India’s economic future, particularly in contributing to the nation’s development goals by 2047.

The event featured prominent speakers, including Dr. T. V. Somanathan, who emphasized the significance of the ICoAS in realizing the vision of a developed India.

Various sessions highlighted the importance of cost control, resource optimization, and the advisory role of ICoAS officers in the country's progress.

Correct Answer :   Chhattisgarh

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Chhattisgarh approved the notification of a new tiger reserve on August 7, 2024, making it the third largest in the country.

The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, formed by integrating an existing national park with a wildlife sanctuary, spans 2,829 square kilometres across four northern districts of the state.

This is Chhattisgarh’s fourth tiger reserve, addressing concerns about the state’s declining tiger population, which fell from 46 in 2014 to 17 in 2022.

The new reserve aims to boost eco-tourism and provide employment opportunities, while also receiving additional budget support from the National Project Tiger Authority.

Correct Answer :   China

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China has announced the discovery of the Lingshui 36-1 gas field in the South China Sea, marking it as the world's first large, ultra-shallow gas field in ultra-deep waters.

This field is estimated to contain over 100 billion cubic meters of natural gas, which could significantly impact regional geopolitics given the South China Sea's contested nature.

The discovery is part of China's broader strategy to enhance its energy security, particularly given its status as the world's largest natural gas importer.

The findings could exacerbate existing geopolitical tensions involving various countries and international stakeholders.

Correct Answer :   Kasturi Cotton

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The Kasturi Cotton Bharat programme, launched by the Ministry of Textiles, is a pioneering initiative aimed at enhancing the traceability, certification, and branding of Indian cotton.

Through the use of QR-based certification technology and blockchain software, the programme ensures complete traceability of Kasturi Cotton Bharat across the supply chain.

The initiative is supported by a budget of Rs. 30 crore and involves collaboration between the Government of India, trade bodies, and industry stakeholders, promoting Indian cotton on both national and international platforms.

Correct Answer :   Maharashtra

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The Maharashtra government has introduced the Logistics Policy 2024 with a vision to transform the state's logistics infrastructure.

This policy includes the development of over 200 logistics parks, hubs, and terminals across 10,000 acres, aimed at creating approximately 500,000 job opportunities.

The policy also emphasizes the integration of advanced technologies like AI, Blockchain, robotics, and IoT to modernize the logistics sector, making Maharashtra a significant player in national and international logistics networks.