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PRELIMS CURRENT AFFAIRS (DATE: 24-01-2024)

SOCIAL- HEALTH
1 MOSQUIRIX VACCINE

❖ The rollout of the world’s first malaria vaccine ‘Mosquirix’ began in Cameroon, which is said to be a
“transformative chapter in Africa’s public health history”.
✓ Cameroon recorded more than 6m cases in 2022 and malaria accounted for 12% of deaths among
children under five in 2021.
❖ Also called the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine – 662,000 doses of it – will be administered to children in the west
African country, the first to be vaccinated.
✓ The GlaxoSmithKline-produced shot is only about 30% effective, requires four doses and
protection begins to fade after several months.
✓ It is a World Health Organization (WHO) approved vaccine.
✓ The vaccine was tested in Africa and used in pilot programs in three countries- Ghana, Kenya and
Malawi between 2019 and 2021.
✓ 95% of deaths from the malaria occur in Africa.
❖ It is made up of proteins of the Plasmodium falciparum parasites and the hepatitis B virus.
✓ The parasite, Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for causing malaria.
❖ A second malaria vaccine, R21/Matrix-M, produced by the University of Oxford, is due to be rolled out
later this year.
✓ It is cheaper, requires three doses and India’s Serum Institute say they could make up to 200 million
doses a year.

DAYS IN NEWS
2 PRAKARAM DIWAS- JANUARY 23RD
❖ The nation celebrates Parakram Diwas on January 23rd to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose.
❖ It aims to inspire people of the country, especially the youth, to act with fortitude in the face of adversity
as Netaji did, and to infuse in them a spirit of patriotic fervor.
❖ Ministry of Culture in collaboration with its institutions such as the Archaeological Survey of India, National
School of Drama, Sahitya Akademi, and the National Archives of India has decided to hold a comprehensive
celebration at the Red Fort.

ABOUT SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE

❖ Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division of Bengal Province.
❖ In 1920, he passed the civil service examination, but resigned in April 1921, after hearing of the nationalist
turmoil in India.
❖ Deshbandhu- Chittaranjan Das, was his political mentor.
❖ Bose joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the Indian independence movement.
❖ He was also elected president of the INC for two consecutive terms in 1938 (Haripura) and 1939 (Tripur)
but resigned from the post following ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi.
❖ After that in 1939, he formed the Forward Bloc, which was an organization aimed at unifying all the anti-
British forces in India.
❖ He also formed the Azad Hind Government in exile with Japanes assistance, and regrouped, and led the
Indian National Army in battle against the allies at Imphal and in Burma.

AWARDS
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3 PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR

❖ For the year Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024, 19 children have been selected from 18 States
and UTs for their exceptional achievements.
❖ The awards were conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function.
❖ The children will also participate in the Republic Day parade on 26th January, 2024.

ABOUT PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR

❖ Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) - is given to children with exceptional abilities and
outstanding achievements.
❖ The awards are given to children in the age group 5 – 18 years for their excellence in seven categories for
Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service and Sports that
deserve national recognition.
❖ Each awardee of PMRBP is given a medal, certificate and a citation booklet.
❖ The awards are annually given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
❖ Only Indian citizens, residing in India are eligible.

AWARDS
4 SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE AAPDA PRABANDHAN PURASKAR
❖ For the year 2024, 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, in the Institutional category, has been
selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2024 for its excellent work in Disaster
Management.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

❖ The Government of India has instituted an annual award known as Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda
Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution and selfless service rendered
by individuals and organizations in India in the field of disaster management.
❖ The award is announced every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra
Bose.
❖ The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an institution and Rs. 5 lakh and a
certificate in case of an individual.

ABOUT 60 PARACHUTE FIELD HOSPITAL

❖ 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, was established in 1942.
❖ It is the sole airborne medical establishment of the Indian Armed Forces, recognized for its exceptional
service in various global crisis.
❖ The primary mission includes Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations during
natural calamities, nationally and internationally, both in time of peace and war.

SPACE
5 SLIM- SMART LANDER FOR INVESTIGATING MOON
❖ Japan achieved a significant milestone as its spacecraft, Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM),
successfully landed on the lunar surface, making it the fifth country in history to reach the moon.
✓ The first four are- India, USA, China and Russia.
❖ SLIM's mission priority was to achieve a pinpoint landing, a technology promising greater control than
previous moon landings.
❖ The lightweight spacecraft, about the size of a passenger vehicle, utilized precision landing technology,
aiming for a target of just 100 meters (330 feet).
❖ The mission, nicknamed "the Moon Sniper," was the result of two decades of precision technology
development by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

DEFENCE
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6 EXERCISE CYCLONE
❖ The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd edition of
India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE.
❖ The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt.
❖ The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and
Egyptian contingent comprising 25 personnel is being represented by Egyptian Commando Squadron and
Egyptian Airborne Platoon.
❖ Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen bond between two
armies through conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.
❖ Aim of the Exercise is to acquaint both the sides with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop
of Special Operations in desert/ semi desert terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.

PLACES IN NEWS
7 WADGE BANK
❖ Residents of Kanniyakumari district have objected to the Union government’s plans for oil exploration
under HELP (Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy) off the Kanniyakumari coast, as it could
severely impact the Wadge Bank Ecosystem.
❖ Wadge Bank, a 10,000 square kilometre area of the sea south of Kanyakumari is rich in biodiversity and
considered India’s richest fishery resource.
❖ Low intensity of currents, waves and tides make it an ideal place for building a wealth of nutrients and
fish food.
❖ Wadge Bank was one among the handful of such rich biodiversity spots in the world and
❖ It is also the mainstay of marine resources for fisherfolks of the southern districts adjoining Kanyakumari.

ENVIRONMENT
8 KUMKI ELEPHANTS

❖ The Odisha government has sought assistance of Tamil Nadu for making kumki elephants and mahouts
available in the wake of worsening human-elephant conflict in Odisha.
❖ Kumkis are trained captive elephants used in operations to trap, rescue and tranquilise wild elephants.
❖ Kumki elephants can be deployed strategically to help manage and drive wild elephants thereby reducing
damage to crops, human habitations and the potential loss of both human and elephant lives.

PLACES IN NEWS
9 UST LUGA PORT
❖ Russian energy company Novatek was forced to suspend some operations at Ust-Luga, a huge Baltic Sea
fuel export terminal and processing complex, due to a fire started by what Ukrainian media said was a
drone attack.
❖ The attack is the third on Russia's large energy infrastructure facilities.
❖ Ust-Luga is a settlement and railway station in Kingiseppsky District of Leningrad Oblast, Russia, near the
Estonian border, situated on the Luga River near its entry into the Luga Bay of the Gulf of Finland in Baltic
Sea.

MISC
10 CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL FORENSICS
❖ The Union Home Minister recently inaugurated Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics at National
Forensic Sciences University in Gandhinagar.
❖ The ultra-modern Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics has been endowed with state-of-the-art tools
and infrastructure.
❖ The Centre will provide investigators with digital weaponry against cybercrime and also help in addressing
crimes that are powered by the abuse of technology.
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HIMACHAL NEWS
11 HALDA FEST
❖ The Halda festival celebrations began in the Gahar and Tinan valleys of Lahaul and Spiti district.
❖ To celebrate the festival, villagers cut thin cedar branches into pieces and tie them into bundles to make a
torch called ‘halda’.
❖ The torch is lit at a house where villagers gather to perform various rituals, besides singing and dancing.
❖ The aim of the festival is to appease local deities, seek better crop yield and ward off evil spirits.
❖ The Halda festival is similar to Diwali and starts on a full moon day.
❖ It is dedicated to Shishkar Apa, who is believed to be the goddess of wealth in the Lamaistic pantheon.

HIMACHAL NEWS
12 SUMDO-KAZA-GRAMPHU HIGHWAY
❖ The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will widen the strategically important Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu
highway at a cost of Rs 1,400 crore to ensure better connectivity to the Spiti region of Lahaul and Spiti
district from Manali and Lahaul.
❖ It will be a double-lane highway.
❖ The BRO has already started the exercise to widen the road after getting approval of funds from the
Central Government.
❖ The Spiti region of Lahaul and Spiti district shares border with China.
✓ So, the Central Government is keen to ensure better road connectivity to the region from Manali
and Lahaul to ensure an easy access for the Indian Army to border and also provide access to
common civilians to promote tourism.
❖ The 211-km-long road has been in a pathetic condition for many years.
❖ The BRO has divided the road project into four sections, namely Sumdo-Kaza, Kaza-Losar, Losar-Batal and
Batal-Gramphu.
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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. Consider the following statements:

1. World’s first malaria vaccine ‘Mosquirix’ program began in Cameroon.
2. The vaccine, also called the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine, has been produced by GlaxoSmithKline.
3. It is more than 80% effective and requires three doses.
4. Malaria is caused by the virus, Plasmodium falciparum.

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

A. 1 & 2 only
B. 1 & 3 only
C. 3 & 4 only
D. 2 & 4 only

ANSWER: C

2. Consider the following statements:

1. Parakram Diwas is observed on January 23rd to mark the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
2. His political mentor was Mahatma Gandhi.
3. He formed the Forward Bloc in 1943.
4. He was also elected president of the INC for two consecutive terms in 1938 and 1939.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

A. 1 & 2 only
B. 1 & 3 only
C. 3 & 4 only
D. 1 & 4 only

ANSWER: D

3. Consider the following statements:

1. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are given to children in the age group 5 – 14 years.
2. 60 Parachute Field Hospital, Uttar Pradesh, in the Institutional category, has been selected for the Subhash Chandra
Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2024.
3. Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) was successfully landed on the lunar surface by Japan.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

A. 1 & 2 only
B. 2 & 3 only
C. 1 & 3 only
D. 1, 2 & 3

ANSWER: B

4. Consider the following statements:

1. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar are annually given by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
2. Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an
individual.
3. Japan has become the fifth country in history to reach the moon.

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

A. 1 & 2 only
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B. 2 & 3 only
C. 1 & 3 only
D. 1, 2 & 3

ANSWER: C

5. Consider the following statements:

1. Non Resident Indians are also eligible for Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.
2. The 60 Parachute Field Hospital is the sole airborne medical establishment of the Indian Armed Forces.
3. India, USA, France and Russia are the other four countries to have landed on moon.

Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

A. 1 & 2 only
B. 2 & 3 only
C. 1 & 3 only
D. 1, 2 & 3

ANSWER: C

6. Consider the following statements:

1. Exercise Cyclone is a Joint Special Forces exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan.
2. This year, it will be conducted at Mahajan Field Firing Range.

Which of the following statements is/ are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: D

7. Consider the following statements:

1. Wadge Bank, a 10,000 square kilometre area of the sea south of Kanyakumari is rich in biodiversity and considered
India’s richest fishery resource.
2. Low intensity of currents, waves and tides make it an ideal place for building a wealth of nutrients and fish food.

Which of the following statements is/ are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: C

8. Which state has sought assistance of Tamil Nadu for making kumki elephants and mahouts available in
the wake of worsening human-elephant conflict?
A. Odisha
B. Telangana
C. West Bengal
D. Maharashtra

ANSWER: A
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9. The port city of Ust-Luga is located on the shores of-

A. Mediterranean Sea
B. Red Sea
C. Baltic Sea
D. Sea of Kamchatka

ANSWER: C

10. The Centre of Excellence in Digital Forensics has been inaugurated recently at-
A. Hyderabad
B. New Delhi
C. Bengaluru
D. Gandhinagar

ANSWER: D

11. The Halda festival is being celebrated in-

A. Lahaul and Spiti
B. Kinnaur
C. Sirmaur
D. Shimla

ANSWER: A

12. Consider the following statements:

1. Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway will be widened by Border Roads Organisation.
2. It aims to improve connectivity to the Spiti region of Lahaul and Spiti district from Manali and Lahaul.

Which of the following statements is/ are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: C