Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2023

Notes:
The Assam government has announced plans to conduct a socio-economic survey of the state’s five indigenous Muslim communities to determine measures for their upliftment.
The survey’s results will inform the government’s efforts to address the comprehensive socio-political and educational needs of these indigenous minority groups.

Notes:
The Union Ministry of Education (MoE) has unveiled draft guidelines called Understand, Motivate, Manage, Empathise, Empower, Develop (UMMEED).
They are designed to prevent student suicides by recommending the formation of wellness teams, training for teachers and families, and prompt responses to students displaying warning signs.

Notes:
Ministers representing the 46 least developed countries (LDCs) released Dakar Declaration on Climate Change 2023, highlighting their anticipations and key concerns in preparation for the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28).
The Dakar Declaration underscores the need for immediate worldwide efforts to reduce emissions, enhanced funding for climate initiatives, a robust plan to implement the recently established Loss and Damage Fund, and an ambitious Global Stocktake aimed at addressing deficiencies in global climate actions.

Notes:
World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, celebrated annually on October 8, is a global initiative aimed at promoting awareness of hydrogen as a clean and sustainable energy source, along with the versatile technology of fuel cells.
On the occasion, the R&D Roadmap for the National Green Hydrogen Mission was unveiled by the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. The roadmap, which provides for a budget of Rs. 400 crores, seeks to provide guidance for developing a vibrant research and development ecosystem which can help commercialize Green Hydrogen.

Notes:
The Phlegraean Fields, referred to as Campi Flegrei in Italian, is a densely populated region that spans approximately 130 square kilometers to the west of Naples.
The Italian government has recently approved an emergency plan amid rising earthquake activity within the vicinity of Phlegraean Fields.

Notes:
Researchers announce the launch of a platform called SnapFlood to encourage citizens to contribute flood-related information.
The Urban Flood Information System (UFIS) which is being developed by IIT Hyderabad researchers, will help minimize the impact of urban flooding in Hyderabad.

Notes:
Nauka, also known as the Multipurpose Laboratory Module-Upgrade (MLM), serves as the primary laboratory in the Russian Orbital Segment of the International Space Station.
It is utilized for experiments, the storage of scientific instruments, and can function as a backup service module for the ISS. Its name, “Nauka,” means “science” in Russian. Recently, a coolant leak originated from external backup radiator circuit of the Nauka module.

Notes:
The Assam biorefinery is a joint venture between Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a public sector oil company in Assam and its Finnish partners Chempolis and Fortum.
This biorefinery, with a total investment of 40 billion rupees, is anticipated to have an annual output of 50,000 tonnes of ethanol, 16,000 tonnes of furfural, and 11,000 tonnes of acetic acid.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet granted approval for the modification of the Second Schedule of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (commonly referred to as the ‘MMDR Act’).
This amendment is focused on establishing royalty rates for three crucial and strategic minerals: Lithium, Niobium, and Rare Earth Elements (REEs).

Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Bima Vahak) Guidelines, 2023 shall come into force from the date of launch of Bima Vistaar. It is a comprehensive Insurance product which will be issued in due course.
The main objective of Bima Vahak is to establish women-centric distribution channel that is focused on enhancing insurance inclusion and creating awareness. As per IRDAI, Bima Vahaks have to be deployed in each gram panchayat before December 31, 2024.