This is the current affairs of 26 September 2023. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. C-295 transport aircraft was inducted into which squadron of the Indian Air Force?
a. 87 Squadron (Raiding Raptors)
b. 11 Squadron (The Rhino)
c. 1 Squadron (Tigers)
d. 27 Squadron (Flaming Arrows)
Answer: b. 11 Squadron (The Rhino)
– On September 25, 2023, the Indian Air Force officially inducted the first C-295 transport aircraft at Hindan Air Force Station (Ghaziabad) in a formal ceremony.
– Defense Minister Rajnath Singh was present during the event.
11 Squadron (The Rhino):
– It falls under the South Western Air Command.
– It was established in 1951.
– It is based in Vadodara.
– This squadron previously operated the Avro aircraft, which is now being replaced by the C-295 transport aircraft.
16 aircraft will come from Spain, 40 will be made in India
– In September 2021, India signed a deal worth 21,000 crore rupees with Airbus for C-295 transport aircraft in collaboration with ADSpace.
– The deal involved a requirement for 56 aircraft.
– Out of these, 16 aircraft will be ready to fly and are coming from Spain, with some already arrived and others to follow.
– The remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in Vadodara, Gujarat, by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL).
– These transport aircraft will replace the HS-748 Avro aircraft.
– The C-295 is a medium tactical transport aircraft.
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2. Which country’s women’s cricket team won the gold medal in the 19th Asian Games?
a. India
b. England
c. Australia
d. New Zealand
Answer: a. India
– India has won a gold medal in the women’s cricket event at the Asian Games.
– This is India’s second gold medal; the first gold medal was won by the men’s shooting team (10-meter air rifle).
– On September 25, 2023, in the final match, India defeated Sri Lanka by 19 runs.
– This is India’s first medal in the cricket event at the Asian Games.
– Prior to this, the Indian cricket team did not participate in any Asian Games.
– The captain of the Indian women’s cricket team is Harmanpreet Kaur.
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3. In which city did the country’s first green hydrogen fuel cell bus operate?
In which city did a green hydrogen-powered bus operate for the first time in India?
a. Mumbai
b. Lucknow
c. Bengaluru
d. Delhi
Answer: d. Delhi
– On September 25, 2023, the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, unveiled two buses powered by green hydrogen fuel.
– These buses were put into operation for the first time in Delhi, India.
– These buses are operated under the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) pilot project.
– These buses emit only water. With a capacity of 30 kilograms of hydrogen, they can travel up to 350 kilometers.
– By the end of 2023, IOC plans to increase the number of these buses to 15.
– Hydrogen is considered as a fuel for the future.
IOC establishes a Green Hydrogen Production Center:
– The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has established a green hydrogen production center in Faridabad.
– Renewable energy is used here to split water, producing 75 kilograms of hydrogen daily.
– This hydrogen gas will be used to provide electricity to two buses.
What is Green Hydrogen?
– Green hydrogen is a type of traditional fuel that can be used in any vehicle.
– Green hydrogen is a zero-emission fuel, meaning it produces no pollution.
– Hydrogen fuel can come in several types – gray, blue, brown, and green.
– Green hydrogen is produced using electricity obtained from solar power or wind energy, which is why it’s called “green.”
Hydrogen Car/Bus = Hydrogen Fuel Cell + Electric
– This car or bus can be called a hybrid of electric vehicles.
– It has high-pressure tanks to store hydrogen gas.
– The hydrogen gas is delivered to the fuel cell.
– Oxygen in the environment also reaches the fuel cell.
– In the fuel cell, a reaction between hydrogen and oxygen produces electricity and water.
– This electricity goes to the inverter and from there to the battery.
– The electric motor is powered by the battery, which drives the vehicle.
– Meanwhile, water is released from the car. This means there are no emissions during the journey other than water.
Uses of Hydrogen Fuel:
– Hydrogen Fuel Cells (Cars, Buses, Trains)
– Space Rocket Fuel
– Welding
– Petroleum Refineries
– Fertilizer Production
How is ‘Green Hydrogen’ Produced?
– Green hydrogen is produced using an electrolyzer powered by renewable energy, such as wind energy or solar energy.
– It separates hydrogen (H2) and oxygen from water (H2O).
– Hydrogen (H2) is then stored in tanks.
Why Hydrogen?
– Hydrogen is abundantly available on Earth.
– It provides two to three times better energy compared to gasoline.
– It can replace fossil fuels.
– India’s economy heavily relies on the import of fossil fuels.
– The use of hydrogen can boost the economy.
– It is used in transportation, steel, and chemical sectors.
Challenges of Hydrogen Fuel Vehicles:
– Hydrogen vehicles are quite expensive.
– Costs may decrease in the future with improved technology.
– Hydrogen is highly flammable.
– Production, transportation, and storage are challenging.
– Limited availability of hydrogen has been cited as a reason.
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4. India’s 54th new tiger reserve ‘Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve’ is located in which state?
a. Madhya Pradesh
b. Rajasthan
c. Gujarat
d. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: a. Madhya Pradesh
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5. Name the 7th Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh?
a. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
b. Bhagat Singh Timer Reserve
c. Bhopal Tiger Reserve
d. None of These
Answer: a. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
– Madhya Pradesh has been granted a new protected area for tigers named ‘Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.’
– The Madhya Pradesh government has declared the establishment of the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve, making it the state’s seventh tiger reserve.
– The tiger reserve comprises approximately 1,414 square kilometers in the core area and 925.12 square kilometers in the buffer zone, covering a total area of 2,339 square kilometers.
– Location: It is situated in the Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts of Madhya Pradesh.
– A green corridor will be developed to connect the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) with Durgavati, allowing tigers to naturally move into the new reserve.
Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh:
1. Kanha
2. Bandhavgarh
3. Satpura
4. Pench
5. Panna
6. Sanjay-Dubri
7. Veerangana Durgavati
54 Tiger Reserves of the Country
1. Bandipur (Karnataka)
2. Corbett (Uttarakhand) [Amangarh Buffer – Uttar Pradesh]
3. Kanha (Madhya Pradesh)
4. Manas (Assam)
5. Melghat (Maharashtra)
6. Palamu (Jharkhand)
7. Ranthambore (Rajasthan)
8. Simlipal (Odisha)
9. Sunderbans (West Bengal)
10. Periyar (Kerala)
11. Sariska (Rajasthan)
12. Buxa (West Bengal)
13. Indravati (Chhattisgarh)
14. Namdapha (Arunachal Pradesh)
15. Nagarjunasagar Sagar (Andhra Pradesh)
16. Dudhwa (Uttar Pradesh)
17. Kalakad Mundanthurai (Tamil Nadu)
18. Valmiki (Bihar)
19. Pench (Madhya Pradesh)
20. Tadobha Andhari (Maharashtra)
21. Bandhavgarh (Madhya Pradesh)
22. Panna (Madhya Pradesh)
23. Dampa (Mizoram)
24. Bhadra (Karnataka)
25. Pench – MH (Maharashtra)
26. Pakke (Arunachal Pradesh)
27. Nameri (Assam)
28. Satpura (Madhya Pradesh)
29. Anamalai (Tamil Nadu)
30. Udanti Sitanadi (Chhattisgarh)
31. Satkoshiya (Odisha)
32. Kaziranga (Assam)
33. Achanakmar (Chhattisgarh)
34. Kali (Karnataka)
35. Sanjay Dhubri (Madhya Pradesh)
36. Mudumalai (Tamil Nadu)
37. Nagarhole (Karnataka)
38. Parambikulam (Kerala)
39. Sahyadri (Maharashtra)
40. Biligiri Ranganatha Temple (Karnataka)
41. Kaval (Telangana)
42. Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu)
43. Mukundara (Rajasthan)
44. Navegaon Nagjhira (Maharashtra)
45. Amrabad (Telangana)
46. Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh)
47. Bor (Maharashtra)
48. Rajaji (Uttarakhand)
49. Orang (Assam)
50. Kamlang (Arunachal Pradesh)
51. Srivilliputhur Megamalai (Tamil Nadu)
52. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)
53. Ranipur Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh)
54. Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh)
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6. According to the ‘Global report on hypertension’ released by WHO, how many adults around the world have hypertension?
a. One Uut of Every Five
b. One Uut of Every Three
c. One Uut of Every Two
d. None of These
Answer: b. One Uut of Every Three (about 33 percent)
– The World Health Organization (WHO) released the first report on high blood pressure in September 2023.
– Report Name : Global report on hypertension, The race against a silent killer.
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7. According to the ‘Global report on hypertension’ released by WHO, how many adults in the age group of 30 to 79 years in India have hypertension?
a. 8.8 Crores
b. 10.8 Crores
c. 18.8 Crores
d. None of these
Answer: c. 18.8 Crores
– The World Health Organization (WHO) released the first report on high blood pressure in September 2023.
– Report Name : Global report on hypertension, The race against a silent killer.
What Was Said About India in the Report:
– Based on the 2019 data, the report states that 188 million (18.8 crores) Indians aged 30-79 years have high blood pressure (hypertension).
– Among them, only 37% of people have been diagnosed.
– Only 15% of people have their blood pressure under control.
– According to a study in February 2022, some parts of India saw stroke incidents ranging from 108 to 172 per 100,000 people annually, with a one-month mortality rate of 18% to 42%.
– In the Global Burden of Disease report for 2019, heart attack was a major cause of death and disability in India.
– High salt intake (more than five grams per day) is responsible for 17% to 30% of hypertension cases.
Other Facts from the WHO Report:
– Hypertension is often referred to as a “silent killer.”
– High blood pressure affects one in three adults globally.
– It is a common cause of serious conditions such as strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney damage, and many other health issues.
– Worldwide, about four out of every five people with hypertension do not receive adequate treatment.
– With proper treatment, it is estimated that between 2023 and 2050, 76 million deaths could be prevented.
– The number of people suffering from high blood pressure (140/90 mmHg or higher) doubled between 1990 and 2019.
– Globally, nearly half of individuals with high blood pressure are unaware of their condition.
– Over three-quarters of adults with high blood pressure live in low and middle-income countries.
– Lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, quitting smoking, and being more physically active, can help reduce blood pressure.
– Some people may require medications to effectively control high blood pressure and manage related complications.
– WHO Director-General – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
– Government of India’s Program on Hypertension – India Hypertension Control Initiative
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8. In which state was India’s first Lighthouse Festival organized?
a. Goa
b. Bihar
c. Rajasthan
d. Tamil Nadu
Answer: a. Goa
– This event took place from September 23rd to 25th at the Fort Aguada Lighthouse in the capital city of Goa, Panaji.
– The event was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
– Central Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the program.
– He stated that under the ‘Lighthouse Heritage Tourism’ campaign, 75 historic lighthouses in the country will be transformed into tourist destinations.
– Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant
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9. How many new Vande Bharat Express trains will Prime Minister Narendra Modi flag off in September 2023?
a. 5
b. 7
c. 9
d. 12
Answer: c. 9
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off these trains virtually.
New Vande Bharat Trains:
1. Ranchi-Howrah
2. Patna-Howrah
3. Vijayawada-Chennai
4. Tirunelveli-Chennai
5. Rourkela-Puri
6. Udaipur-Jaipur
7. Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram
8. Jamnagar-Ahmedabad
9. Hyderabad-Bengaluru
Note:
– The country’s first Vande Bharat Train ran between New Delhi and the city of Lord Shiva, Kashi (Varanasi).
– This train was launched in February 2019.
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10. When is World Lung Day observed?
a. 23 September
b. 24 September
c. 25 September
d. 26 September
Answer: c. 25 September
Theme 2023 :
– Access to prevention and treatment for all. Leave no one behind
– This day was established by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) in the year 2018.
– The objective of celebrating this day is to raise awareness about the health of the lungs.
– Lungs are considered one of the most vital organs in the human body.
– Lung diseases are increasing in India and around the world due to various reasons such as smoking, pollution, respiratory infections, and more.
