1.Which ministry is the nodal body for implementing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 scheme’, recently seen in news? – Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
On August 9, 2024, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) 2.0 with an investment of Rs 10 lakh crores.
This new scheme will replace the original PMAY-U, which runs until December 2024.
PMAY-U 2.0 will last for five years and aims to build one crore houses for the urban poor and middle-class families.
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will implement the scheme.
It covers towns from the 2011 census and targets economically weaker sections, low-income groups, and middle-income groups families without pucca houses, with income limits of Rs 3 lakh, Rs 6 lakh, and Rs 9 lakh per year, respectively.
2. Union Cabinet approves second phase of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, what is the duration of the second phase of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana? – FY 2024-25 to 2028-29
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0 (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural)
The second phase of the scheme will be run from FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0, 2 crore additional houses will be constructed under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) and 1 crore additional houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
Sports
3. Which country won the most medals in Paris Olympics 2024– USA
The 33rd edition of the Olympic Games was held in Paris, the capital of France, this game was held from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
In which more than 10,000 athletes from all over the world competed in 32 sports.
The USA topped the medal table at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with 40 gold, 44 silver and 42 bronze medals, while China finished second with 91 medals.
4. What was the position of India in the medal tally in Paris Olympics 2024– 71st
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aman Sehrawat from India won a bronze medal in the men’s 57kg wrestling category, marking a proud moment in India’s wrestling history.
Born in Haryana on July 16, 2003, Sehrawat is known for his freestyle technique.
He defeated Puerto Rico’s Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 in the bronze medal match.
Aman first gained attention by winning a silver at the 2021 World Wrestling U23 Championships and gold at the 2022 Asian U23 Championships. His journey from local competitions to the Olympic podium highlights his dedication and talent.
Short News
Places in News
6. The country’s first 24×7 Grain ATM (Grain Distribution Machine) has been opened in which place? – Bhubaneswar
India’s Olympic gold medal winning shooter Abhinav Bindra has been elected as the second vice-president of the Athletes Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Bindra, India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist, was appointed a member of the Athletes’ Commission in 2018.
Awards & Honours
8.Which Indian recently received the highest civilian ‘Grand-Collar of the Order’ award of Timor Leste? – Droupadi Murmu
The Indian Air Force (IAF) participated in the bilateral Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The exercise took place in Kuantan, Malaysia, from 6-9 August 2024.
Both air forces deployed seven Sukhoi-30 fighter planes, which are purchased from Russia. India’s Sukhoi-30 planes, mostly produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), are the Su-30MKI variant, specifically modernized for India.
Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 included Training Exercises and Subject Matter Expert Exchange concepts.
Training Exercises focused on air combat involving Su-30 planes from both countries.
10. Joint military exercise Mitra Shakti 2024 is being organized between India and which country’s army? – Sri Lanka
World Elephant Day is celebrated every year on 12 August to raise awareness about the challenges faced in the conservation of elephants and their protection across the world.
Elephants are known to play an important role in balancing the ecosystem. This day is being organised since the year 2012.
12. Every year ‘World Lion Day‘ is celebrated on which date? – 10 August
Three underwater structures in the Indian Ocean were recently named Ashoka, Chandragupt, and Kalpataru, highlighting India’s influence in marine science.
The names were proposed by India and approved by the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Ashoka Seamount, discovered in 2012, is oval-shaped and spans 180 sq km.
Kalpataru Ridge, also discovered in 2012, covers 430 sq km and may support marine biodiversity.
Chandragupt Ridge, identified in 2020, is an elongated structure covering 675 sq km.
