Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
PM Modi visited solar panels installed under the PM Muft Bijli Solar Yojana in Gujarat. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Solar Yojana encourages rooftop solar adoption by offering financial subsidies and easier installation. Households can get up to 300 units of free electricity each month. Gujarat leads in rooftop solar capacity with 4,195 MW, followed by Maharashtra with 2,487 MW, and Rajasthan with 1,269 MW. India’s total installed rooftop solar power capacity is 13,889 MW.

Notes:
A female elephant recently died from electrocution near a tribal colony close to Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958, covers 125 sq. km in Thrissur. It is located in the catchment area of Peechi and Vazhani Dams and is part of the Palapilli-Nelliampathy forests. The terrain varies in altitude from 100 to 914 meters, with Ponmudi as the highest peak. The sanctuary has tropical forests, 50+ orchid species, rare medicinal plants, and valuable trees like teak.

Notes:
India has become the world’s third largest producer and consumer of ethanol, primarily derived from sugarcane. The Food and Public Distribution Minister, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted that sugarcane cultivation increased by 18% over the last decade, contributing to a 40% rise in sugar production. The government’s support through Minimum Support Price has improved farmers’ income, positioning them as vital contributors to the renewable energy landscape, alongside initiatives like the national green hydrogen mission aimed at boosting India’s energy independence.

Notes:
EURONAVAL 2024, the world’s leading naval defence exhibition, will be held from November 4-7, 2024, in Paris. Around 500 exhibitors are expected, across five continents. Thirteen countries, including Brazil, the US, the UK, and Germany, will organize their own national pavilions. India is among 104 countries invited to attend this major naval defence trade show.

Notes:
NATO will set up a new land command in Finland near the Russian border in 2025 to oversee land operations in northern Europe during conflicts. This move follows Finland’s recent NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new command will work alongside Finland’s existing land force command in Mikkeli.

Notes:
The Meghalaya government signed an MoU with The/Nudge Institute to support 50,000 vulnerable households, focusing on single mothers. The partnership aims at social inclusion, financial inclusion, livelihood promotion, and social protection. They will provide livelihood coaching and support through a dedicated community cadre for the poorest households. The initiative will use technology-based tools for efficient implementation and create social protection frameworks. The partnership was announced during the North-East Conclave in Shillong, which highlighted collaborative efforts to address the needs of vulnerable communities, with presentations from other states.

Notes:
The World Green Economy Forum launched in Dubai, bringing together global leaders to address environmental challenges.
Under Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s patronage, the theme was “Empowering Global Action: Unlocking Opportunities and Advancing Progress.” Sessions focused on international cooperation for climate mitigation and integrated approaches to meet sustainable development goals. Strategies for decarbonizing energy-intensive industries were discussed, emphasizing public-private partnerships and philanthropists’ roles in climate solutions. The forum highlighted AI’s importance in sustainability and the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), along with youth’s critical role in environmental progress.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes into two main umbrella schemes: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY). PM-RKVY aims to promote sustainable agriculture, while Krishonnati Yojana focuses on food security and agricultural self-sufficiency. This restructuring allows state governments to create comprehensive strategic plans tailored to their agricultural needs, addressing challenges like climate resilience and value chain development. The total proposed expenditure for these schemes is Rs. 1,01,321.61 crore, enhancing the efficiency of agricultural programs across India.

Notes:
Ceres was reclassified from an asteroid to a dwarf planet due to its mass, which allows it to maintain a round shape. Recent studies by Purdue University and NASA revealed that its crust is likely composed of 90% ice, suggesting a history as a watery world. The findings are based on data from NASA’s Dawn mission, which provided insights into Ceres’ cratered surface and icy composition, challenging previous assumptions about its geology.

Notes:
India hosts the joint naval exercise of Quad nations from October 8 to 18 in Visakhapatnam. The exercise, named Malabar 2024, includes sea and harbor phases focusing on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. It features various Indian naval platforms, such as guided missile destroyers, submarines, and fighter aircraft. The Malabar exercise started in 1992 as a US-India drill and evolved into a multilateral event to enhance interoperability and address maritime challenges. Recent Quad meetings emphasized maritime security cooperation and announced joint coast guard operations and a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training (MAITRI).