Today in History (July 29^th, 1876)

Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science was established in India. Founded on July 29, 1876, by Dr. Mahendra Lal Sircar, IACS is the oldest institute in India devoted to the pursuit of fundamental research in the frontier areas of basic sciences.

Let’s revise

A) The G4 nations _______ are a group of countries seeking permanent seats on the Security Council.

1. Brazil, Germany, Japan, and India
2. India, China, South Africa, Australia
3. China, Russia, Japan, France
4. None of the above

Ans. (1)

B) Where is Gandhi Sagar sanctuary, recently in news to release Cheetah?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Rajasthan
3. Gujarat
4. Madhya Pradesh

Ans. (4)

C) Where is Banni grasslands?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Rajasthan
3. Gujarat
4. Madhya Pradesh

Ans. (3)

D) Where is Kuno national park, recently seen in news regarding cheetah?

1. Uttar Pradesh
2. Rajasthan
3. Gujarat
4. Madhya Pradesh

Ans. (4)

E) What does the abbreviation ICMR stand for?

1. Indian Council of Medical Research
2. Indian Commission for Medical Resources
3. International Council of Medical Research
4. Indian Committee for Medical Research

Ans. (1)

Summary of Today’s News

Manu Bhaker wins medal in Paris Olympics.

• Three years after a disappointing performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she did not win any medals, Manu Bhaker redeemed herself at the Paris 2024 Games. Competing in her second Olympics, the 22-year-old Indian shooter won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event, marking India’s first medal of the Paris Games and the first by an Indian woman shooter in this category.
• Bhaker finished third in qualifying and remained a strong contender throughout the final, narrowly missing the silver medal by 0.1 points to South Korea’s Kim Yeji. Another Korean, Ye Jin Oh, won the gold.
• Bhaker will also participate in the women’s 10m pistol mixed team event and the women’s 25m pistol events later in the competition.

Not everyone but certain people will need a tac clearance certificate to travel abroad

• The government has clarified that not everyone will need a tax clearance certificate to travel abroad. The Finance Ministry announced that such certificates will only be mandatory for individuals accused of financial irregularities or those with significant tax arrears. This change, proposed in the Finance Bill, updates the existing requirements by referencing the Black Money Act, 2015.
• According to a 2004 notification, certificates are only needed in serious cases involving financial irregularities or substantial unpaid taxes. The Income Tax Department will issue these certificates based on specific reasons recorded for each case.

Struggling for life before cracking UPSC

• The tragic death of three civil services aspirants in a basement of a private coaching in Old Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi, has sparked protests and highlighted significant safety concerns. A month prior to the incident, a student had lodged a complaint with the Delhi government about the illegal use of the basement for classes, alleging that authorities were turning a blind eye due to corruption.
• The complaint also criticized poor living conditions in basements, which are prone to flooding and lack proper emergency exits. Despite these warnings, complaints to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other authorities were reportedly ignored. The Delhi Fire Services confirmed that while the institute had a fire no-objection certificate, the basement’s vulnerability to flooding was exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure.
• The situation underscores ongoing issues with building safety and regulatory enforcement in the area.

Spreading war in Middle-East, Israel will retaliate and Iran warning Israel for retaliation

• Following a deadly rocket attack from Lebanon that killed 12 people in the Golan Heights, Israel has vowed to retaliate strongly, with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant promising to “hit the enemy hard.” This attack, which Israel describes as the most severe against its civilians since the October 7 incident, has heightened concerns about the conflict spreading beyond Gaza.
• Iran has warned of potential “unforeseen consequences” if Israel escalates its military actions in Lebanon, while Western nations, including France and Germany, have condemned the attack and urged restraint.
• Although Israel attributes the attack to Hezbollah, the group has denied involvement but confirmed firing a rocket at an Israeli military target. In response, Israel has launched strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.