In Daily Defence Current Affairs for 02 February 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Daily Defence Current Affairs.

Defence Current Affairs 02 February 2024

Record Over Rs 6.21 Lakh Crore Allocation To MoD

• In the current geopolitical scenario and with the twin objective of promoting self reliance and exports, the Defence Budget has touched Rs 6,21,540.85 crore in the Financial Year 2024-25. This comes out to be 13.04% of total Union Budget, which was presented by Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The MoD continues to receive the highest allocation among the Ministries. The budgetary allocation to Defence for FY 24-25 is higher by approx.  one lakh crore (18.35%) over the allocation for the FY 2022-23 and 4.72% more than allocation of FY 23-24.
• Of this, a major share of 27.67% goes to capital, 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness, 30.68% for Pay and allowances, 22.72% for defence pensions and 4.11% for civil organisations under MoD.

Upward trend continues in Defence Capital Expenditure promoting ‘Aatmanirbharta’

• Budgetary allocation for capital expenditure in Defence for FY 24-25 is Rs 1.72 lakh crore which is 20.33% higher than the actual expenditure of FY 22-23 and 9.40 % more than the Revised Allocation  of FY 23-24.
• As per the Economic  Survey of India report 2023, in the ship-building sector, the investment multiplier is around 1.82, which means that an infusion of approx. Rs 1.5 lakh crore in naval ship-building projects would accrue a circulation of  Rs 2.73 lakh crore in the ship building sector due to the multiplier effect.

Enhanced higher allocation sustained for operational readiness under Revenue Expenditure

• Allocation to the Armed Forces for revenue expenditure (Other than Salary) meant for sustenance and operational commitment for FY 24-25 continues to be high at Rs 92,088 crore, which is 48% higher than the budgetary allocation of  FY 2022-23.
• During the mid-year review, the allocation on this head was increased by 82% over the budgetary allocation of FY 22-23 crossing the figure of Rs one lakh crore for the first time.

Defence Pension Budget increased to Rs 1.41 lakh crore

• Total Budgetary allocation on account of Defence pensions is Rs 1,41,205 crore which is 2.17% higher than the allocation made during 2023-24. It will be incurred on monthly pension to approx. 32 lakh pensioners through SPARSH and through other pension disbursing authorities.

Unprecedented Allocation to ECHS ensuring better healthcare facilities to Veterans

• The total allocation to Ex-Servicemen Welfare Scheme for FY 2024-25 is 28% higher than the allocation for FY 23-24 (From Rs 5,431.56 crore to Rs 6,968 crore).
• This is in addition to the unprecedented allocation at revised estimate stage during the current year where the budgetary allocation to ECHS was enhanced by 70% over BE of 2023-24 and was made to Rs 9,221.50 crore.

Strengthening the need of improving Border Infrastructure for strategic requirements

• In the light of the continued threat perception faced at the Indo-China border, there continues a jump in the Capital Budget allocation to the Border Roads Organisation. The allocation for BE 2024-25 is Rs 6,500 crore, which is 30% higher than the allocation for FY 23-24 and 160% higher over  the allocation of  FY 2021-22.

Strengthening the Multi Mission Service led by Indian Coast Guard

• Allocation to the ICG for this FY 2024-25 is Rs 7.651.80 crore which is 6.31% higher over the allocation of FY 2023-24. Of this, Rs 3,500 crore is to be incurred only on capital expenditure, adding teeth to the arsenal of the ICG to address the emerging challenges posed in water and provide humanitarian assistance to other nations.

DRDO

• The budgetary allocation to DRDO has been increased to Rs 23,855 crore in FY 2024-25 from Rs 23,263.89 crore in FY 2023-24. Of this allocation, a major share of Rs 13,208 crore is allocated for capital expenditure.

Central Forces, Border, Intel, Census Focus of MHA Budget

• A substantial amount has been allocated for improving infrastructure along the international border, women’s safety, police infrastructure and modernisation of police forces.
• For the vibrant village programme along the China border, ₹1,050 crore has been allocated as compared to ₹300 crore in 2023-24. For the modernisation of police forces, ₹3,720 crore has been allocated. The decadal exercise has been postponed for the past two years due to Covid-19. The newly created UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been allocated ₹43,235 crore.
• Central Reserve Police Force, which is mostly deployed during the general elections, internal security duties and fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, has been allocated ₹32,809.65 crore in comparison to ₹31,772.23 crore in 2023-24.
• Border Security Force, which guards India’s border with Pakistan and Bangladesh, besides handling internal security assignments, has been given ₹25,027.52 crore as compared to ₹24,771.28 crore in the previous budget.
• CISF, which protects vital installations such as nuclear projects, airports and metro networks, has been given ₹13,655.53 crore as compared to ₹3,214.68 crore allocated earlier.

US Approves Sale Of 31 Predator Drones To India

• The US on Thursday approved the sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India at an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion, an American defence agency announced here. The proposed mega drone deal was announced during the historic State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here in June 2023.
• Under the deal, India will get 31 High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs, of which the Navy will get 15 Sea Guardian drones, while the Army and the Indian Air Force will get eight each of the land version – Sky Guardian.

Indian Navy Declares 2024

• Indian Navy has declared 2024 as ‘Year of Naval Civilians‘ to improve administration, efficiency and well-being of Naval Civilians by addressing all facets of Civilian HR Management in a time bound manner.
• Major focus areas towards maximising administrative efficiency, digital initiatives, generic and specific training programmes and welfare activities have been identified for implementation in 2024.
• Naval Civilian Personnel constitute about a third of the Indian Navy’s total workforce and contribute significantly to its operational effectiveness across all domains. Civilian personnel impact the overall performance of Naval formations such as Command Headquarters, Dockyards, Material Organisations, Naval Armament Depots, Naval Armament Inspectorates, Training Establishments and several other types of support units.

Indian Navy To Induct Survey Vessel Sandhayak

• The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest survey vessel Sandhayak in Vizag on Saturday and the ship is expected to boost the force’s surveillance apparatus in the strategic waterways.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command will be among the distinguished guests to grace the occasion.
• “The event will mark the formal induction into the Navy of the first of four-survey vessel (large) ships under construction at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata,” a Navy spokesperson said.
• Sandhayak was delivered to the Indian Navy on December 4 after completing a rigorous and comprehensive trial programme both in the harbour and at sea.
• “Measuring 110 metres in length, displacing 3400 tons and with 80 per cent indigenous content, Sandhayak is a true testament of India’s growing shipbuilding prowess in pursuit of the national vision of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat,” the Navy said in a statement.

Defence Current Affairs 02 February 2024 Questions

1. What is the % of the Defence Budget in the Financial Year 2024-25 compared
   to the total Union Budget?
   A. 18.35%
   B. 4.72%
   C. 13.04%
   D. 30.68%
   ANSWER: C
2. How much higher is the budgetary allocation for Defence in FY 24-25 compared to FY 2022-23?
   A. Rs 1,341 crore
   B. 30.68%
   C. One lakh crore (18.35%)
   D. 4.11%
   ANSWER: C
3. What is the major focus area for the ‘Year of Naval Civilians’ in 2024?
   A. Digital Initiatives
   B. Defence Pensions
   C. CRPF Spending
   D. Civil HR Management
   ANSWER: D
4. Which ministry has been allocated ₹2.03 lakh crore in the interim budget, with
   a majority for CAPF?
   A. Ministry of Defence
   B. Union Home Ministry
   C. Ministry of Finance
   D. None
   ANSWER: B
5. What percentage of the Defence budget goes to capital expenditure?
   A. 27.67%
   B. 14.82%
   C. 30.68%
   D. 22.72%
   ANSWER: A
6. Which naval vessel is set to be commissioned in Vizag to boost the Indian Navy’s surveillance apparatus?
   A. Sandhayak
   B. Delhi
   C. Imphal
   D. None of the above
   ANSWER: A
7. ICGS Saksham Is A
   A, Destroyer
   B. Aircraft Carrier
   C. OPV
   D. Refueling Ship
   ANSWER: C
8. “Nuclearization of Asia” Book Written By
   A. Rene Naba
   B. VR Chaudhari
   C. Gen Parvez Musharraf
   D. APJ Abdul Kalam
   ANSWER: A
9. Indian Coast Guard Formed On
   A. August 18, 1978
   B. September 18, 1978
   C. March 18, 1976
   D. April 18, 1976
   ANSWER: A
10. ‘MBT Bhishma’ Is The Name Of :
    A. Fighter aircraft
    B. Tank
    C. Armoured vehicles
    D. Infantry regiments
    ANSWER: B
11. Barak Is A
    A. Surface-to-air Missile
    B. Surface-to-Surface Missile
    C. Air-to-air Missile
    D. Surface-to-Sea Missile
    ANSWER: A
12. “Ordnance Factory Day” in India Is Observed On
    A. 14 March
    B. 15 March
    C. 16 March
    D. 18 March
    ANSWER: D
13. INS Valsura Located At
    A. Jamnagar, Gujrat
    B. Mumbai, M.H
    C. Kochi, Kerala
    D. A & NC
    ANSWER: A
14. Exercise Maitree Conducted B/w India &
    A. Thailand
    B. Nepal
    C. Bangladesh
    D. Bhutan
    ANSWER: A
15. Infantry School Of Indian Army Is At
    A. Mhow
    B. Bhopal
    C. Gwalior
    D. Jammu
    ANSWER: A
16. Officers Training Academy Is At
    A. Chennai
    B. Bhopal
    C. Gaya
    D. Both A & C
    ANSWER: D
17. Northern Army Command headquarters Is in
    A. Jaipur
    B. Udhampur
    C. Pune
    D. Lucknow
    ANSWER: B
18. DF-41 ICBM Is A Missile Of
    A. India
    B. Russia
    C. China
    D. North Korea
    ANSWER: C
19. The IAI Heron UAV Developed By
    A. USA
    B. South Korea
    C. Israel
    D. China
    ANSWER: C
20. Which Is Not The Commissioned Ranks In The Army Service?
    A. Brigadier
    B. Colonel
    C. General
    D. Commander
    ANSWER: D

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