Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2

CU
T ARRENT
RGET WEEK L Y
AMA
FFAINI RS
S SESSI ON
1

APRIL 2024 PART - 2

Day and its Importance

• 10thApril – World Homoeopathy Day

r’s
• 11th April - National Safe Motherhood Day
• 11th April - World Parkinson’s Day
• 12th April - International Day of Human Space Flight
• 13th April - Siachen Day
• 14th April - World Quantum Day
•
ha
15th April – World Art Day
• 17th April – World Hemophilia Day
India adds record approx. 18 GW Renewable Energy Capacity in Financial Year
2023-24

E
d
• India has added a record Renewable Energy capacity of 18.48 GW in FY 2023-24,
which is over 21% higher than a year ago.
• India’s installed Renewable Energy capacity is143.64 GW as of 31 st March, 2024,
ee

excluding 47 GW of large Hydropower capacity.

• Installed capacity for Renewables (accounting approx. 41% of India’s total energy
mix)
C
• Among the Renewable Energy capacity, the total Solar installed capacity tops the
chart at approx. 82 GW, followed by about 46 GW of Wind energy approx. 9GW of
Sr

Biomass cogeneration and 5 GW of small Hydro (up to 25 MW capacity each).

• Among the states, Gujarat and Rajasthan have the largest renewable energy
capacities of about 27GW each, followed by Tamil Nadu at about 22 GW.
• India aims for 500 GW of Renewable Energy installed capacity by 2030, and also
aims to produce at least 5 MT of Green Hydrogen by 2030.
• Renewable Energy Sources – Hydropower, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Bioenergy,
C
Geothermal Energy and Off-Grid Electricity
Promotion of Clean Energy – Major steps taken by the Government of India to
accelerate the Indian economy’s transition to Clean Energy
• GOBARDHAN - Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan was launched by
the Government of India in 2018 as a part of Solid and Liquid Waste Management
component under Swachh Bharat Mission – Grameen to positively impact village
cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from Cattle and Organic waste.
• NGHM - National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a Global Hub for
using, producing, and exporting Green Hydrogen. It is a program to incentivise
the commercial production of Green Hydrogen and make India a net exporter of
the fuel.
• Development of4,000 MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems by 2030-31, with a
financial support of up to 40% of the capital cost as budgetary support in the form
of Viability Gap Funding – VGF.

1
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2
• PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana aims to provide free electricity to eligible
households by encouraging them to install rooftop solar panels. Rs. 75,021 crore
for installing rooftop solar and providing free electricity up to 300 units every
month for One Crore households.
• Permitting Foreign Direct Investment - FDI up to 100% under the automatic
route for Renewable Energy projects.
Points to Remember
• Akshay Urja Diwas [National Renewable Energy Day] is an awareness campaign
about the developments of Renewable Energy in India, celebrated on 20 th August
every year since 2004.

r’s
• The International Day of Clean Energy on 26th January was declared by UN General
Assembly to raise awareness and mobilize action for a just and inclusive transition
to clean energy for the benefit of people and the planet.
• International Renewable Energy Agency – IRENA Headquarters located in Abu
Dhabi, UAE.
ha
India’s Hydropower capacity to increase from current 42 GW to 67 GW by
2031-32: Ministry of Power Election Commission of India - ECI, for the first
time in a Lok Sabha Election, has provided the facility of home voting for the

E
Elderly and Persons with Disabilities in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
The Election Commission of India - ECI has introduced Home Voting for the first
d
time in a Lok Sabha Election. The step is in line with ECI’s motto - No voter is left
behind.
ee

• This initiative aims to make voting easier for elderly citizens and Persons with
Disabilities during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
• Now, voters above 85 years of age and PwDs with 40% benchmark disability can
choose to vote from home.
C
• Over 1.7 crore 85 years + Voters and Persons with Disabilities voters can avail
Sr

facility.
• The Election Commission of India - ECI has launched the SAKSHAM App to facilitate
easier voting for PwDs and to help them avail facilities at polling stations. This
app has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of
Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
Government of India.
• The SUVIDHA Portal is a technological solution developed by the ECI to ensure a
C
level playing field upholding the democratic principles of free, fair, and transparent
elections. This portal aims to streamline requests for permissions and facilities
from Political Parties and Candidates during Elections.
• Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation - SVEEP is the flagship
program of the Election Commission of India - ECI for voter education, spreading
voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.
• State Legislative Assembly Elections scheduled in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim,
Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
Points to Remember
• Election Commission of India is a constitutional body established by the
Constitution of India empowered to conduct free and fair elections in India.
• Chief Election Commissioner at present – Shri. Rajiv Kumar
• Election Commissioners at present – Shri. Gyanesh Kumar, Dr. Sukhbir Singh
Sandhu

2
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2

• National Voters’ Day is celebrated annually in India on 25th January to mark the
foundation day of Election Commission of India.
• General Elections were held in India between 1951 and 1952, the first after India
attained independence in 1947.
220 million tonnes of Plastic waste set to be generated in 2024: Revealed
Plastic Overshoot Day report
• As per the study called Plastic Overshoot Day Report, has been carried out by
Swiss non-profit organization Earth Action, 220 million tonnes of plastic waste
will be created in 2024.

r’s
• 12 countries are responsible for 60% of world’s mismanaged plastic waste. Top
three are China, India, and Russia.
• Plastic Overshoot Day marks the point when amount of plastic waste exceeds the
world’s capacity to manage it, resulting in environmental pollution.
•
•
ha
It is determined based on a country’s Mismanaged Waste Index - MWI.
In 2024, Global Plastic Overshoot Day is projected to occur on September 5 th.
• Each country has its own Plastic Overshoot Day with India’s falling on 23rd April.

•
Key Findings

E
In 2024, 220 million tonnes of plastic waste will be created across the globe.
d
• India’s Mismanaged Waste Index – MWI is 68.62%
• Annual per capita plastic waste production is 8 kg per capita per year
ee

Points to Remember
• International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed every year on 3rd July to increase
awareness about the detrimental effects of disposable plastic bags on the
C
environment.
Sr

• India banned the manufacture, distribution, stocking, sale, and use of selected
19 single-use plastic items with effect from July 1, 2022.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited – HAL bagged biggest – ever indigenous military
hardware order; to supply 97 Light Combat Aircraft - LCA Mark 1As at Rs.
65,000 crore.
• The Government has placed a record Rs. 65,000 crore order for 97 Light Combat
Aircraft - LCA Mark 1A fighter jets with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - HAL.
C
• The new 97 Tejas Mark 1A jets will have more than 65% indigenous content.
• The advanced version of the Tejas aircraft, LCA Mark 1A will replace the aging
MiG fleet of the Indian Air Force - IAF.
India lost 2.33 million hectares of Tree cover since 2000: Global Forest Watch
• According to latest data from Global Forest Watch, India has lost 2.33 million
hectares of tree cover since 2000, equivalent to 6% decrease in tree cover during
this period.
• According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation - FAO, the rate of deforestation
in India was 6.68 lakh hectares per year between 2015 and 2020, the second
highest worldwide.Brazil has the world’s highest deforestation rate.
• International Day of Forests observed on 21st March aims to celebrate and raise
awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

3
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2

Recently, Russia launched ANGARA-A5 Space rocket at third attempt.

• The flagship Angara A5, a powerful spacecraft designed to carry heavy payloads
into Low Earth Orbit.
World Cybercrime Index 2024: India ranked number 10 in Cybercrime
• World Cybercrime Index has been developed as a partnership between University
of Oxford and UNSW Canberra.
• It ranks roughly 100 countries and identifies key hotspots according to various
categories of cybercrime, including ransomware, credit card theft, and scams.
• India ranked number 10 in cybercrime, with frauds involving people making

r’s
advance fee payments being the most common type.
• Russia topped the list followed by Ukraine and China.
• According to IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report 2024, Risk of extreme losses
from Cyber incidents has increased to $2.5 billion.
ha
The 5th edition of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK kicks
off in Termez, Uzbekistan.
Genetic Engineer and Cell Therapist Michel Sadelain was awarded an Oscars

•
of Science Prize

E
Michel Sadelain was awarded an Oscars of Science Prize for his research into
d
genetically modifying immune cells to fight Cancer.
• His work has led to the development of a new form of therapy called CAR-T that
ee

has shown exceptional efficacy against certain blood cancers.

About Oscars of Science
• The Breakthrough Prize, renowned as the Oscars of Science, recognizes the world’s
C
top scientists working in the fundamental sciences.
Sr

• Each prize is $3 million and presented in the fields of Life Sciences, Fundamental
Physics and Mathematics.
To enhance stockpiles against potential supply disruptions, India plans to build
its first privately managed Strategic Petroleum Reserves - SPR by 2029-30.
• Strategic Petroleum Reserves - SPRs are stockpiles of crude oil maintained by
countries for release in the event of a supply disruption.
• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited - ISPRL was created by the
C
Government of India as a Special Purpose Vehicle – SPV under the Ministry of
Petroleum & Natural Gas in 2004.
• India’s existing underground SPR facilities have a combined capacity of 5.33
millionmetric tonnes or 37 million barrels of Crude Oil.
• In2021, the Indian Government granted approval for the establishment of two
additional commercial-cum-strategic SPR facilities. One in Odisha and another
in Karnataka.
BiggestStrategic Petroleum Reserves – SPR in the World:
Rank – Country - Capacity
• 1 - United States - 714 million barrels
• 2 – China - 475 million barrels
• 3 – Japan - 324 million barrels

4
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, launched India’s first home-grown Gene
therapy [CAR-T Cell Therapy] for Cancer at IIT Bombay.
• Developed by the IIT Bombay and the Tata Memorial Centre, This Gene-based
therapy will help in curing different types of Cancer.
• NexCAR19 CAR T-cell therapy is the country’s first Made in India CAR T-cell
therapy, which will significantly bring down the cost of cancer treatment.
About CAR T- Cell therapy?
• CAR T- Cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy that uses a person’s immune
system to fight off cancer cells.

r’s
• The therapy uses our body’s immune cells, called T-cells, a type of lymphocyte or
white blood cell.
• T- Cells are a part of the adaptive immune response and originate in the bone
marrow.
• T- Cells have receptor proteins on their surface. These are genetically modified
ha
by fitting them with new receptors called Chimeric Antigen Receptors - CAR. The
new cells are then called CAR T- Cells.
• CAR T- Cell therapies have been approved primarily for various types of Blood
Cancers, i.e., Leukaemia.

E
Recently, Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO launched START training
d
program for Space Science enthusiasts
• ISRO has unveiled a new introductory-level online training programme called
ee

Space Science and Technology Awareness Training – START.

• The objective of this program is to attract youth in the field of space science and
technology.
C
• It is particularly targeted at Post Graduate and final-year Under Graduate students
who are pursuing physical sciences and technology.
Sr

• The START programme is part of ISRO’s efforts to help Indianstudents become

professionals in the sphere ofspace science and technology.
Points to Remember
• Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO was formed on 15th August, 1969.
• It has its headquarters in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Secretary, Department of Space at present – S. Somanath
C
ISRO – Centres & Units
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• National Remote Sensing Centre – Hyderabad, Telangana
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre – Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
• Space Application Centre – Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• U R Rao Satellite Centre – Bengaluru, Karnataka
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre – Trivandrum, Kerala
Recently, Indian Army started induction of AKASHTEER system to enhance
air defence capabilities
• The Indian Army has initiated the induction of control and reporting systems under
Project AKASHTEER to bolster its air defence capabilities.
• It is a cutting-edge initiative designed to automate air defence control and reporting
processes by digitizing them.

5
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2
• It will enable monitoring of low-level airspace over the battle areas of Indian Army
and effectively control the Ground based Air Defence Weapon Systems.
• It has been developed by the Bharat Electronics Limited – BEL.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework – IPEF to organise Clean Economy Investor
Forum in Singapore in June, 2024.
• Clean Economy Investor Forum aims to mobilise investments into Sustainable
Infrastructure, Climate Technology and Renewable Energy projects.
• About Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
• IPEF is an economic initiative launched by United States President Joe Biden in

r’s
2022. The framework launched with an aim to contribute to cooperation, stability
and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
• IPEF comprises four pillars of cooperation – Trade, Supply Chain, Clean Economy,
and Fair Economy ha
• At present, The IPEF has 14 participating member states, representing around
40% of the World’s GDP.
India and United States has launched RETAP in 2023 under their Strategic
Clean Energy Partnership - SCEP to advance new and emerging renewable
technologies.

E
d
• First virtual Joint working group meeting of Renewable Energy Technology Action
- RETAP was held between representatives of India and USA.
• RETAP was announced by India and US jointly in 2023 under Strategic Clean
ee

Energy Partnership - SCEP.

Indian Army and Indian Air Force marked 40 th year of its presence on
strategically-significant Siachen Glacier under Operation MEGHDOOT
C
• Launched on April 13, 1984 to secure the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir,
Operation MEGHDOOT was unique as it involved the first assault on the world’s
Sr

highest battlefield.
• Operation MEGHDOOT stands as a testament to India’s commitment to
safeguarding its borders and ensuring the well-being of its troops in one of the
world’s most challenging terrains.
• It is distinguished by being one of the greatest examples of seamless coordination
and synergy between the Indian Army and the Air Force. The military
C
action resulted in Indian troops gaining control of the entire Siachen Glacier.
• Located at a height of around 20,000 feet in the Karakoram Mountain range,
the Siachen Glacier is known as the highest militarised zone around the world.
Points to Remember
• Every year, 15th January is commemorated as Army Day to remember the occasion
when General KM Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from
General Sir FRR Bucher and became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of
Independent India.
• Airforce Day is celebrated on 8th October every year to mark the formation of the
Indian Air Force.
• Indian Navy Day is celebrated on December 4th every year to honour the efforts
and role of the Indian Navy in Operation TRIDENT conducted during the Indo-
Pakistan war in 1971.

6
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2
Recently, Indian Space Research Organization - ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 team
received John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr Award for Space Exploration
• Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO, who successfully executed the
Chandrayaan-3 mission has been recognised globally, and its team has been
awarded the prestigious 2024 John L ‘Jack’ Swigert, JrAward for Space Exploration
by the US-based Space Foundation.
• This annual award was recognised for outstanding achievements in space
exploration and discovery.
• The Space Foundation is a Non-Profit Organization which was established in

r’s
1983, to provide information, collaboration, and education within the global space
ecosystem.
• In December 2023, ISRO awarded Leif Erikson Lunar Prize for Chandrayaan – 3’s
success. ha
About The John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr Award for Space Exploration
• This award was acknowledged as an extraordinary accomplishment in Space
Exploration.
• It further honoured the memory of astronaut John L ‘Jack’ Swigert Jr, known for

E
his role in the Apollo 13 mission.
d
Chandrayaan - 3
• Chandrayaan-3’s successful Lunar landing at the uncharted South Pole
highlighted India’s space achievements and dedication.
ee

• India has joined a select group of nations, like Russia, the US and China, for
successfully conducting a Lunar landing mission.
Points to Remember
C
• Chandrayaan-1, India’s first mission to Moon, was launched successfully on October
Sr

22nd, 2008 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

• Chandrayaan-2 was India’s first attempt to soft land on the Moon. The mission
includes an Orbiter, Lander, and Rover. It was launched on July 22nd, 2019.
• Chandrayaan-3 India’s mission to the moon and the first-ever mission to land
near the Moon’s south pole. It was launched on 14th July, 2023.
• Government of India declared August 23rd as National Space Day to commemorate
C
the success of the Chandrayaan – 3 mission with the landing of the Vikram
Lander and deployment of the Pragyaan Rover on the Lunar surface.
• Space Exploration Day is celebrated on July 20th. On this day in 1969, US’s Apollo
11 mission safely landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Buzz Aldrin on
the Moon’s surface.
After Chabahar Port, India has gained the rights to operate a second overseas
port, Sittwe in Myanmar.
• India has secured the right to operate its second overseas port (after Shahid
Beheshti Port, Chabahar in Iran), Sittwe, after approval by Ministry of External
Affairs - MEA.
• This development is part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project,
which aims to provide alternate connectivity from the eastern coast of India to
the northeastern states through the Sittwe Port.

7
Sreedhar’s CCE APRIL 2024 PART - 2
About Sittwe Port
• It is Deep water port located at the estuary of Kaladan River in Rakhine State of
Myanmar.
• Developed as a part of Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, funded
under grant in aid assistance from Government of India.
• It will open new opportunities for India’s Northeast for trade and transit, enhance
trade and commerce between India and Myanmar, etc.
About India Ports Global Limited
• The Ministry of External Affairshas approved a proposal for India Ports Global

r’s
Limited – IPGLto take over the operations of the entire port located on the Kaladan
River.
• IPGL is a company 100% owned by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• It is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trustand Deendayal Port
Trust.
•
ha
It wasincorporated in2015 under the Companies Act, 2013, as per directions of
Ministry of Shipping, for development of ports overseas.
• The MoS has presently assigned IPGL the task of equipping and operation of
container/multi-purpose terminals at Chabahar Port in Iran.

E Static G.K. – MCQs

d
1. Identify the INCORRECT match among the following [Day and its Importance]
1) September 21st - World Alzheimer’s Day 2) September 9th - World EV Day
3) September 16th - International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
ee

4) September 22nd - World Rhino Day

5) September 25th - World Tourism Day
2. Till date, Total of Nine former Prime Ministers of India were conferred upon Bharat
C
Ratna. Who among the following NOT among the Prime Ministers of India, who
have been awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Sr

a. Gulzarilal Nanda
b. V.P. Singh
c. Morarji Desai
d. I.K. Gujral
e. Lal Bahadur Shastri
1) Only b 2) Only a 3) Only a & b 4) Only b & d 5) Only c & d
C
3. UN Trade and Development [formerly UNCTAD] is the UN’s leading institution
dealing with Trade and Development. It is a permanent intergovernmental body
established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. It supports developing
countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
Which among the following report NOT published by UN Trade and Development?
1) Commodities and Development Report
2) Global Trade Outlook and Statistics Report
3) The Least Developed Countries Report
4) Digital Economy Report
5) Technology and Innovation Report

KEY
1.5 2.4 3.2