Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the formation of the first all-woman CISF battalion, with over 1,000 personnel. This unit will be led by a senior commandant and includes 1,025 personnel from within CISF’s existing sanctioned strength. CISF currently has 12 reserve battalions, with women making up more than 7% of the force. This Mahila battalion aims to inspire more women to join CISF and boost female representation in the force. Established in 1969, CISF provides counter-terrorism security to nuclear, aerospace, and private sector facilities, including Infosys and Reliance refinery sites.

Notes:
Typhoon Man-yi was among six major storms to hit northern Philippines in a month. It had powerful winds reaching 195 km/h (125 mph) and struck Catanduanes province. The typhoon left at least three villagers missing, destroyed houses, and caused widespread power outages. Entire towns lost power, and many villagers were displaced. Man-yi worsened the crisis already caused by five earlier storms.

Notes:
The first-ever Indian Bison (Gaur) census was conducted in Odisha’s Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Bargarh district near the Hirakud dam. This sanctuary, declared in 1985, is noted for its historical link to freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai. The sanctuary has dry deciduous forests with flora like Sal and Bija trees and fauna including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, and gaurs. Indian Bisons are one of the largest wild cattle, mainly found in India, Burma, and Thailand.

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The Global Freight Summit 2024 started in Dubai on November 18, hosted by DP World. More than 5,000 leaders from 155 countries are attending the three-day event. The theme is “Acting today to reach the opportunities of tomorrow.” Discussions focus on AI, blockchain, sustainable shipping, and resilient trade routes. Indian firms like Wipro, Tech Mahindra, and SRM Tech are participating.

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The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) launched the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to highlight India’s microbial potential. The initiative focuses on unique bacterial species critical to the environment, agriculture, and human health. Coordinated by BRIC-National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBMG), it aims to release fully annotated bacteriological genomes to the public. The initiative will include graphical summaries, infographics, and genome details. It makes microbial genomics data accessible to the public and researchers, fostering discussions and innovations benefiting the community and ecosystem.

Notes:
A new genus of freshwater fish, Koima, has been described from the Western Ghats. Two species, Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, are reclassified as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis. This is a rare event, as adding a new genus is uncommon. The fish are small, elongated, and used for dietary and ornamental purposes. Both species are endemic to the Western Ghats, particularly in tributaries of the Cauvery River. Koima remadevii is found in fast-flowing streams in Silent Valley National Park. Koima monilis lives in various tributaries of the Cauvery River at elevations of 350-800 meters.

Notes:
The Bharat National Cyber Security Exercise (Bharat NCX 2024) was inaugurated by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). The 12-day exercise aims to strengthen India’s cybersecurity resilience. It focuses on leadership engagement and capacity building for tackling cyber challenges. Key activities include immersive training on cyber defense, live-fire simulations of attacks on IT and OT systems, and collaboration among government and industry stakeholders. A Strategic Decision-Making Exercise will simulate national-level cyber crises to improve strategic decision-making under high-pressure scenarios.

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The “Bhu-Neer” portal, launched on September 19, 2024, aims to improve groundwater management in India. Introduced by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil during India Water Week 2024, it replaces the older NOCAP system. Developed by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) and the National Informatics Centre (NIC), it features a PAN-based single ID system and QR-coded No Objection Certificates (NOCs). This initiative enhances transparency and efficiency in groundwater usage, aligning with the Prime Minister’s vision of Ease of Doing Business. The portal serves as a vital resource for stakeholders in groundwater regulation.

Notes:
Gabon held a referendum to approve a new constitution with major reforms. The constitution introduces a 2-term presidential limit, each term lasting 7 years. It abolishes the position of prime minister and bans family succession to the presidency. Ousted leader Ali Bongo is disqualified from running due to nationality and spouse-related rules. The reforms received overwhelming support, with 91.8% of voters in favor.

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The Australian government has introduced a bill that aims to ban social media access for children under 16 years of age. This legislation requires platforms like TikTok and Facebook to implement age verification measures. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland emphasized the need for social media companies to take responsibility for user safety, citing concerns about the mental health impacts on children. This reform is seen as one of the strictest globally regarding social media access for minors.