2024 Latest Current Affairs, Daily Current Affairs in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020

1 .

Which country has the most powerful passport in the world, as per Henley Passport Index 2022?

A)

Australia

B)

Japan

C)

United States

D)

Germany

Correct Answer : Japan

Japan has the world's most powerful passport - providing hassle-free entry to 193 countries.

Just one country short, Singapore and South Korea are tied in second place, according to the latest Henley Passport Index from Henley & Partners, an immigration consultancy.

India’s passport ranked 87th, offering visa-free access to 60 countries, including Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Macau.

According to latest government data, as many as 1,63,370 Indians renounced their citizenship to become citizens of other countries in 2021. Most Indians transferred their citizenship to the United States (78,284), followed by Australia (23,533), Canada (21,597) and the UK(14,637).

Country	Rank	Visa-free access
Japan	1	193
Singapore	2	192
South Korea	2	192
Germany	3	190
Spain	3	190
Finland	4	189
Italy	4	189
Luxembourg	4	189
Austria	5	188
Denmark	5	188

Source : India Times

Published On : July 20, 2022

2 .

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of an MoU in the field of Judicial Cooperation with which country?

A)

Germany

B)

Mauritius

C)

Maldives

D)

Seychelles

Correct Answer : Maldives

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Judicial Cooperation between India and Judicial Service Commission of Maldives.

This is the eighth MoU signed between India and other countries in the field of Judicial Cooperation. This MoU will provide a platform to tap the benefits of Information Technology for court digitization and can be a potential growth area for the IT companies and start-ups in both countries. In recent years, the close relationship between India and Maldives has intensified multi-dimensionally.

With the signing of this agreement on cooperation in the field of law and justice, the good relations between the two countries will receive further impetus..

Source : AIR

Published On : July 20, 2022

3 .

Which Port has become first 100% Landlord Major Port of India?

A)

Cochin Port

B)

Mundra Port

C)

Visakhapatnam Port

D)

Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Correct Answer : Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Jawaharlal Nehru Port has become the first 100 per cent Landlord Major Port of India having all berths being operated on public-private partnership (PPP) model.

Expressing his views on the achievement, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, this project will improve the utilization in crane and berth productivity of the terminal. He said, the total handling of JNPT will increase to 1.8 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) from the present handling capacity of 1.5 million TEUs in 2020-21.

The Minister said terminal will also be handling Ro-Ro vessels which will not only lower the logistics cost and reduce transit time but will also contribute in reducing congestion on roads and promoting towards clean environment..

Source : AIR

Published On : July 20, 2022

4 .

"World Chess Day" is celebrated worldwide on which day?

A)

17th July

B)

18th July

C)

19th July

D)

20th July

Correct Answer : 20th July

Every year, July 20 is celebrated as World Chess Day to honor the establishment of Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) in 1924.

"Chess is not always about winning, sometimes it's simply about learning; and so is life." As we celebrate World Chess Day 20th July, this inspiring quote emphasises the significance of one of the oldest strategy games. Chess is a board game that is based on strategy, aids in the development of tactical and strategic thinking as well as enhances visual memory.

History : It is believed that the game of chess, which was once known as "Chaturanga", dates back almost 1500 years and originated in India. It later made its way to Persia, where it flourished under the Arab rule and eventually spread to Southern Europe.

In Europe, chess evolved into its current form during the 15th century. It changed into a modern sport by the end of the 15th century.

Today, there are chess tournaments organised all around the world with new and intriguing variations.

Additionally, in 1861, the timing system was added to the game along with efficient regulations. On July 20, 1924, at the eighth Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, FIDE, or the World Chess Foundation, was founded. And, on July 20, 1966, International Chess Day was observed to commemorate the establishment of FIDE. UNESCO suggested that July 20 be designated as International Chess Day..

Source : ABP Live

Published On : July 20, 2022

5 .

When is "International Moon Day" celebrated every year?

A)

20th July

B)

19th July

C)

18th July

D)

17th July

Correct Answer : 20th July

International Moon Day is marked annually on 20th July. It celebrates the day humans first walked on the moon in 1969. NASA reported the first step of mankind on the moon to be the single greatest technological achievement of all time.

Neil Armstrong walked on the surface of the moon on this day. The space community celebrates the day to toast this milestone achievement by the humans.

Why is the day celebrated?

This was the day when Apollo 11 landed on Earth’s only satellite at 20:17 PM on 20 July 1969. Six hours after landing, Commander Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface on 21 July at 2:56 AM. When Armstrong first stepped onto the lunar surface, the moment was broadcast live.

Lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin followed Armstrong 19 minutes later and the duo spent about two and a quarter hours outside the spacecraft. They collected 21.5 kg of lunar material to bring back to Earth.

Another person involved in the important mission was Command module pilot Michael Collins, who had flown the Command Module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while he waited for the other two.

Armstrong and Aldrin had spent around 21 hours on the lunar surface at a site called Tranquility Base before they lifted off to rejoin Collins in the command module Columbia. The trio then came back to Earth and landed in the Pacific Ocean on 24 July after more than eight days in space.

The Moon landing put an end to the space race, putting the United States at the forefront to travel and explore space further..

Source : Firstpost

Published On : July 20, 2022

6 .

Renowned artist Achuthan Kudallur when did passes away?

A)

19th July 2022

B)

18th July 2022

C)

17th July 2022

D)

16th July 2022

Correct Answer : 18th July 2022

An artist who believed that colours have a language of their own and experimented with their myriad forms in his abstract narratives, Achuthan Kudallur passed away on 18th July 2022 at a hospital in Chennai. He was 77.

A recipient of several awards, including the National Academy Award and Tamil Nadu Lalit Kala Akademi Award, his journey as an artist began in Kudallur in Palakkad district in Kerala, where he was born in 1945. As a child he would often pen poems and draw, though the first formal training in art came when he moved to Chennai to study to get a certificate from the AMIE (Associate Member of the Institution of Engineers). He also joined the Madras Arts Club at the Fine Arts College.

In 1972, his works drew the attention of artists KCS Paniker and Sultan Ali when they were selecting paintings of members of the Madras Arts Club to be exhibited in the annual show by the British Council. Two of Achuthan’s works were chosen.

In 1977, his first solo was held at the Max Mueller Bhavan in Chennai. The showcase included figurative paintings as well as abstracts that was to become his’s dominant oeuvre. Having exhibited across the globe, from Japan to Singapore and Germany, over the years on his canvases he depicted his observations and inclinations, from literature and music, to nature that mesmerized him.

Source : Indian Express

Published On : July 20, 2022

7 .

Who is unveils 'SPRINT Challenges' to boost usage of Indigenous Technology?

A)

Amit Shah

B)

Yogi Adityanath

C)

Narendra Modi

D)

Ram Nath Kovind

Correct Answer : Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi unveiled ‘SPRINT Challenges’, aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in Indian Navy, during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ in New Delhi on July 18, 2022.

In a bid to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’, NIIO, in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO), aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy.

This collaborative project is named SPRINT {Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC)}.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said the goal of self-reliance in the Indian defence forces is very important for India of the 21st century. Organizing the first 'Swavlamban' (self-reliance) seminar for a self-reliant Navy is an important step in this direction.

The Prime Minister said that the resolution of creating 75 indigenous technologies in this period of making new resolutions for India is inspiring in itself and he expressed confidence that it will be fulfilled very soon..

Source : PIB

Published On : July 20, 2022

8 .

Who has been appointed as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)?

A)

M.L. Shahare

B)

Raj Shukla

C)

S.J.S. Chhatwal

D)

R.M.Bathew

Correct Answer : Raj Shukla

Designation	Name & Date of Birth	Date from which holding the Post	Date of retirement
Chairman	Dr. Manoj Soni 17/02/1965	05/04/2022 (FN)	27/06/2023
Member	Ms. Smita Nagaraj 22/09/1958	01/12/2017 (FN)	21/09/2023
Member	Ms. M. Sathiyavathy 13/05/1958	09/04/2018 (AN)	12/05/2023
Member	Sh. Bharat Bhushan Vyas 15/11/1957	13/12/2018 (AN)	14/11/2022
Member	Dr. T. C. A. Anant 03/01/1958	14/01/2019 (FN)	02/01/2023
Member	Sh. Rajiv Nayan Choubey 28/01/1959	01/02/2019 (FN)	27/01/2024
Member	Lt. Gen. Raj Shukla (Retd.) 27/03/1962	18/07/2022 (FN)	26/03/2027

Source : upsc

Published On : July 20, 2022

9 .

Which social application new payments feature lets users buy products via direct messages?

A)

Twitter

B)

C)

Instagram

D)

Snapchat

Correct Answer : Instagram

Meta announced a new payments feature on Instagram that lets users purchase products and track orders through direct messages (DMs). The company extends in-app chat support to users. The company introduced the ability to shop in 2020.

According to Meta, every week, one billion people message businesses across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, “You can now buy products from small businesses and track your order in chat on Instagram in the US.” Based on the screenshot Meta has shared, small business owners can request payment when a buyer places an order..

Source : The Hindu Businessline

Published On : July 20, 2022

10 .

Who is appointed as new Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ethics officer?

A)

Uday Lalit

B)

N. V. Ramana

C)

Ranjan Gogoi

D)

Vineet Saran

Correct Answer : Vineet Saran

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed retired Supreme Court judge Justice "Vineet Saran" as the ombudsman and ethics officer.

Sources in the BCCI have confirmed to Sportstar that Justice Saran, who retired in May this year, has already taken charge, even though the Board’s website does not mention anything about the appointment yet.

The position has been lying vacant for more than a year after Justice (retired) DK Jain’s tenure ended in June, 2021.

Justice Saran enrolled as an advocate with the Uttar Pradesh Bar Council in 1980 and started his practice in the High Court of Allahabad in 1980 and continued till February 2002. In his tenure, Justice Saran successfully conducted numerous cases on the original, constitution, civil and criminal sides.

In 1995, he held the post of Additional Advocate General for the State of Uttar Pradesh and was elevated as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court in February, 2016.

In August, 2018, he was elevated as the judge of the Supreme Court, where he continued until his retirement..

Source : Thehindu

Published On : July 20, 2022