Current Affairs Today - Latest Current Affairs Questions 2024

Young Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has been named as the "state icon" for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab. In October last year, the Election Commission of India had appointed famous actor Rajkumar Rao as 'National Icon'. Former cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Aamir Khan and Mary Kom have been national icons.

Researchers from Berhampur University in Odisha discovered a new marine amphipod species, a shrimp-like crustacean, in Chilika Lagoon. Belonging to the genus Parahyla, which has 15 global species in marine and saltwater environments, this brown crustacean is about eight mm long with 13 pairs of legs. In particular, it distinguishes itself from the other 15 species by featuring a stronger strong seta on the propodus of the male gnathopod, the first pair of legs, which is used to capture and feed prey.

'PM Vishwakarma Yojana' is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. This scheme encourages artisans and craftsmen to get cheap loans, skill training, modern equipment, digital transactions. A budget of Rs 13,000 crore has been kept for this scheme. 18 businesses have been included under this scheme. PM Vishwakarma will initially be implemented over a period of five years till the financial year 2027-28.

The Jnanpith Selection Committee has nominated famous Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya for the 58th Jnanpith Award. Gulzar's real name is 'Sampoorna Singh Kalra'. He is considered one of the best Urdu poets of this era. Gulzar has also made important contribution to Hindi cinema. Rambhadracharya is the founder of Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot.

Indian women's team performed brilliantly and won the gold medal in the Badminton Asia Team Championship. This is the first time that India won a gold medal in the women's event. Earlier, the men's team had won bronze medals in the 2016 and 2020 editions. PV Sindhu, Trisa Jolly-Gayatri Gopichand and Kharab gave India the lead by winning their respective matches.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Hindu pilgrimage site 'Shri Kalki Dham Temple' in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. This temple is being constructed by Shri Kalki Dham Nirman Trust, whose president is Acharya Pramod Krishnam. Lord Kalki is considered to be the 10th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Shri Kalki Dham temple complex will be completed in five acres, which will take 5 years.

Recently the 16th World Social Forum (WSF) conference started in Kathmandu in February 2024. The conference is a five-day event that aims to promote exchange between civil society organisations, social movements, trade unions and individuals opposing neoliberal globalization. The theme of the conference is “Another World is Possible”.

Recently, Director of Women Welfare Department, Sandeep Kaur announced a significant increase in the grant of Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Yojana. In response to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directive, the per beneficiary grant will increase from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 annually from April. The initiative, which addresses the challenges faced by girls in Uttar Pradesh, aims to enhance their well-being right from birth through their educational journey.

The Indian team has created history by registering a spectacular victory of 434 runs over England in the Test match played in Rajkot. This is India's biggest win (in terms of runs) so far in the Test format. Earlier in the year 2021, India had defeated New Zealand by 372 runs at Wankhede. This is England's second biggest defeat in terms of runs in Test cricket.

Famous Jain saint Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj passed away at Chandragiri Tirtha in Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh. Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj was the most famous saint of the Digambar Jain community. Jain saint Vidyasagar Maharaj was born on 10 October 1946 in Sadalga village of Belgaum, Karnataka.