Daily Current Affairs 08th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Pilgrimage to Shri Baba Buddha Amarnath Commences in J&K

In Jammu and Kashmir, the 10-day pilgrimage to Shri Baba Buddha Amarnath in the Loran Valley of Poonch district has started today. It will end on the 19th of this month, coinciding with Sawan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The journey is marked by tight security and significant arrangements to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.

India’s Renewable Energy Capacity Soars by 165% in a Decade

India’s renewable energy capacity has increased by 165% over the past decade, growing from 76.38 GW in 2014 to 203.1 GW in 2024, according to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. This growth makes India the fourth largest in the world in renewable energy capacity, with significant advancements in solar and wind power.

Why Waqf Board Amendment Bill 2024 In News?

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is set to present the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha on August 8. The new bill, introduced by Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, proposes over 40 amendments to the existing Waqf Act, 1995. It aims to revoke several clauses and ensure the representation of Muslim women and non-Muslims in Waqf boards.

What is Broadcast Services Bill 2024?

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has drafted the Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, 2024, which will replace the Television Network Act of 1995. The new act will classify influencers or social media pages that create content or write about current affairs or any other news online as ‘digital news broadcasters.’

International News

China to Launch Satellite Constellation to Rival Musk’s Starlink

China is preparing to launch its first batch of satellites for a mega constellation aimed at competing with SpaceX’s Starlink Internet network. According to Xinhua, state-run Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) has launched the first components of the network, named “Thousand Sails.”

States News

Andhra Scraps 2-Child Policy For Individuals To Contest Local Body Polls

The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to scrap the two-child norm for contesting local body elections due to the declining fertility rate in the state. This decision was made during a state Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on August 7.

Appointments News

Centre Reshuffles Senior Bureaucrats, Amit Negi Made Additional Secretary

The Centre has implemented a significant top-level reshuffle, appointing senior IAS officer Amit Singh Negi as additional secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Mr. Negi, a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, is currently the joint secretary in the Department of Expenditure under the Union Ministry of Finance.

Defence News

Indian Army Conducts ‘Parvat Prahaar’ Exercise in Ladakh

The Indian Army has conducted a strategic military exercise named ‘Parvat Prahaar’ in Ladakh. This exercise focuses on high-altitude warfare and operations, crucial for maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of the Army in the region near the India-China border.

Banking News

RBI August 2024 MPC Meeting: Repo Rate Unchanged at 6.5%

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) concluded its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on Thursday, maintaining the benchmark interest rates at 6.5% by a 4:2 majority. This decision marks the ninth consecutive instance of unchanged rates, reflecting the central bank’s cautious approach to monetary policy amid economic challenges.

Economy News

Deloitte India Predicts Economic Growth Between 7% and 7.2% in FY25

Deloitte’s India Economic Outlook for August 2024 predicts strong economic growth between 7.0% and 7.2% in FY25, driven by robust economic fundamentals. This surpasses the Economic Survey’s prediction but aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s outlook. However, Deloitte also pegs FY25 GDP growth at 6.6%, raising its FY24 prediction.

RBI Hikes UPI Limit for Tax Payments to Rs 5 Lakh per Transaction

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the upper limit for tax payments through the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to Rs 5 lakh per transaction from the previous limit of Rs 1 lakh. This move aims to boost digital payments and facilitate larger transactions, providing convenience to taxpayers, especially for high-value transactions.

Awards News

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 Announced: Check the Complete list

The Indian government has announced the inaugural Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskars to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to science, technology, and innovation. This new award system replaces over 300 previous awards from various science departments and aims to celebrate the achievements of academics, technologists, and inventors across the country.

Sports News

Paris Olympics 2024: Vinesh Phogat Announces Retirement From Wrestling

Vinesh Phogat, one of India’s most promising wrestlers, has announced her retirement from the sport following a devastating turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024. The announcement came after a series of unfortunate incidents during the final stages of the Olympic wrestling competition.

Important Days

Quit India Movement Day, Know the History of India’s Freedom Struggle

Quit India Movement Day, also known as August Kranti Day, is a significant date in India’s history that commemorates the launch of the Quit India Movement in 1942. This pivotal moment in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule called for the immediate withdrawal of British forces from India. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, the movement mobilized millions of Indians in a non-violent civil disobedience campaign against British colonialism.

Obituaries News

Gandhian Shobhana Ranade Passes Away at 99

Shobhana Ranade, a renowned Gandhian and Padma Bhushan recipient, passed away at the age of 99 in Pune. She dedicated her life to uplifting the underprivileged, especially women and children, leaving an indelible mark on India’s social landscape.

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Former W.B Chief Minister, Passes Away

Former chief minister of West Bengal and veteran CPIM leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away on August 8 at his residence in Kolkata’s Palm Avenue. Buddhadeb, who had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for some years, was 80. He is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana.