1. Which organization developed the online platforms PROMPT, DRIPS, and JAL VIDYUT DPR, recently launched by Ministry of Power? – Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
The Union Ministry of Power launched three new online platforms: PROMPT (Portal for Online Monitoring of Projects—Thermal), DRIPS (Disaster Resource Inventory for Power Sector), and JAL VIDYUT DPR, to improve the power sector’s efficiency.
It has developed by the Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power with NTPC’s help for PROMPT, these platforms aim to improve efficiency and transparency in the power sector.
PROMPT tracks and analyzes thermal power projects in real-time to address construction delays.
JAL VIDYUT DPR monitors the status of hydroelectric and pumped storage projects to ensure better management.
DRIPS helps identify and manage power disruptions from natural disasters by linking nodal officers and agencies.
2. Which country recently co-hosting a conference on online radicalisation with European Union? – India
A study found large amounts of liquid water deep within Mars’ rocky crust, a major breakthrough in understanding the planet.
This is the first evidence of liquid water on Mars’ surface beyond the known ice at the poles.
The study, titled “Liquid water in the Martian mid-crust,” was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) by scientists from the University of California.
The discovery could enhance knowledge of Mars’ water cycle, climate history, and potential for life.
Water is located 10-20 km deep, believed to have seeped from the surface billions of years ago.
If widespread, this water could fill an ocean 1-2 km deep across Mars.
Short News
Appointments
5. Who has recently taken charge as the new Union Home Secretary? – Govind Mohan
Senior IAS officer Govind Mohan recently took charge as the new Union Home Secretary.
He has replaced Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Mohan, who has a BTech from Banaras Hindu University and a PG Diploma from IIM, Ahmedabad, was serving as Union Culture Secretary before being appointed to the top bureaucratic post after Cabinet Secretary.
6. Who has been appointed as the interim chairman of the Airports Authority of India? – M Suresh
M Suresh has been appointed as the interim chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) from August 2024.
The change comes after the government’s decision to remove previous president Sanjiv Kumar from the post, marking a significant change in the leadership of the organisation.
7. Who has been appointed as the chairman-designate of NASSCOM? – Rajesh Nambiar
Rajesh Nambiar has been appointed as the chairman-designate of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) in place of Debjani Ghosh.
His term ends in November 2024. Following this appointment, Nambiar has resigned from his role as Chairman and Managing Director of Cognizant India.
Important Days & Weeks
8. When is the National Space Day celebrated? – 23 August
For India, August 23 is an important day in the country’s space journey, which is being celebrated for the first time after the historic success of Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The place on the south pole of the Moon where India landed the ‘Vikram’ lander sent with the Chandrayaan-3 mission was named Shiv Shakti Point.
State Current Affairs
9. Teesta- V hydroelectric plant, recently seen in the news, is located in which state? – Sikkim
A landslide recently damaged six houses and an NHPC building at the Teesta-V hydropower station in Sikkim’s Gangtok district.
Teesta-V is a 510 MW run-of-river hydropower project on the Teesta River, with a concrete gravity dam.
The project began in 1999 and became operational in 2008, developed by NHPC. The Teesta River flows through Sikkim, West Bengal, and Bangladesh, and is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.
It forms a boundary between Sikkim and West Bengal, and its course includes a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills.
Miscellaneous
10. In which country has the ‘Statue of Union‘ of Hanuman been installed? – America
11. Recently Sundararajan Padmanabhan passed away, he was related to which army? – Army
12. How many agreements were signed between India and Malaysia in August 2024? –Nine
