Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Union Home Minister launched the Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile app to integrate technology with governance.
The app, developed by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGCCI), enables registration of births and deaths nationwide. It simplifies the process, allowing citizens to register these events anytime, from anywhere, in their state’s official language. The RGCCI, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, oversees the Census, compiles population data, and manages the CRS. Established in 1961, RGCCI provides data essential for social, economic, and policy decisions across government levels.

Notes:
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the 8th Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh. India and Saudi Arabia share strong economic, cultural, and strategic ties reinforced by high-level visits and the 2019 Strategic Partnership Council.
The council oversees cooperation, structured in Political-Security-Socio-Cultural and Economic-Investment pillars.
Saudi Arabia is India’s fifth-largest trade partner, with bilateral trade at USD 43 billion in 2023-24, mainly oil imports and Indian exports in goods. Both nations are exploring renewable energy, with shared interests in solar, wind, and hydrogen. Saudi’s Vision 2030 aligns with India’s development goals, fostering collaborations in food security, pharma, ICT, and defense.

Notes:
World Health Organization (WHO) released the “Global TB Report 2024”. India has significantly improved treatment coverage for tuberculosis (TB), achieving 85% coverage among diagnosed individuals. The World Health Organization’s Global TB Report highlights an increase in preventive therapy for high-risk groups, such as household contacts of TB patients and people living with HIV. In 2023, 12.2 lakh people received preventive therapy, up from 10.2 lakh in 2022 and 4.2 lakh in 2021. The government provides free TB medications to alleviate financial burdens, as treatments can be costly and last up to two years. Treatment success rates are 89% for drug-susceptible TB, 73% for drug-resistant TB, and 69% for extremely drug-resistant TB. Challenges include the long duration of treatment, leading to poor compliance, prompting the government to introduce innovative solutions like pill boxes and shorter treatment courses.

Notes:
Researchers from India’s Physical Research Laboratory have discovered TOI-6651b, a dense, Saturn-sized exoplanet. This is the fourth exoplanet identified by PRL scientists, highlighting India’s role in space exploration. TOI-6651b weighs about 60 times that of Earth and has a radius five times larger. It resides in the “Neptunian desert,” a rare zone with few planets of this size, prompting questions about planetary formation. The planet orbits its star, TOI-6651, in 5.06 days, with an eccentric orbit that differs from typical gas giants. TOI-6651b’s density suggests it’s composed of 87% rocky and iron-rich materials, indicating unique evolutionary processes. This discovery challenges existing theories on planet formation, providing valuable insights into planetary system dynamics.

Notes:
Ningol Chakkouba, a key festival in Manipur, was celebrated with enthusiasm. Traditionally held on the second lunar day of Hiyangei month, its origins trace back to King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba’s rule. “Ningol” means “married woman,” and “Chakouba” means “feast invitation,” where married daughters are invited by their parents for a family feast. The festival strengthens bonds among brothers, sisters, and parents. Initially celebrated by the Meitei community, it is now observed by many other communities as well.

Notes:
Meluri, home to the Pochury Naga tribe, is now the 17th district of Nagaland. The state government has elevated Meluri Sub-Division from Phek District to a full district, effective immediately. Chief Secretary Dr. J. Alam issued the official notification on November 2. The new district will include the area previously known as Meluri Sub-Division. This decision aims to enhance governance and development in the region, following Cabinet approval on November 1.

Notes:
India and France have been re-elected as President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) until 2026. ISA is an intergovernmental organization uniting solar-rich countries to promote solar energy as a clean and affordable resource. Launched by India and France in 2015 at the UN Paris Climate Conference, the ISA Framework Agreement came into force in 2017. ISA focuses on financing solar projects, technology collaboration, capacity building, and energy transition. The “Towards 1000” strategy aims to mobilize USD 1000 billion in solar investments by 2030. The ISA Secretariat is located in Gurugram, Haryana.

Notes:
The DANA storm, or “depresión aislada en niveles altos,” caused severe flooding in Spain in late October 2024, attributed to climate change. This isolated low-pressure system generated intense thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, leading to over 200 fatalities. Areas like Chiva and Valencia experienced unprecedented rainfall, with Chiva recording 491 millimeters in eight hours. The phenomenon results from warm, moist air from the Mediterranean colliding with cold polar air, creating conditions for extreme weather events, exacerbated by human-induced climate change.

Notes:
The US Army is conducting a test launch of the Minuteman III hypersonic nuclear missile after Election Day voting closes. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) used by the United States (US). It became operational in the 1970s and is the sole land-based component of the US nuclear triad. Designed by Boeing, it was originally meant for ten years of service but has been modernized. The missile was the first to have multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs). The US currently has about 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal, with a replacement planned for 2029.

Notes:
Scientists at Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, discovered a protein IL-35 that can help treat type 1 and autoimmune diabetes mellitus. IL-35 is made of IL-12α and IL-27β chains. It protects against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes by regulating immune cells. IL-35 inhibits immune cells attacking pancreatic beta cells and reduces inflammation. Autoimmune diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks insulin-producing beta cells, causing insulin deficiency and lifelong dependence on external insulin.