Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is developing a National Agriculture Code (NAC) similar to the National Building and Electrical Codes. The NAC will cover the entire agriculture cycle, from crop selection to post-harvest operations. It will have two parts: general principles for all crops and crop-specific standards for paddy, wheat, oilseeds, and pulses. It aims to guide farmers, universities, and officials in agriculture. NAC will address input management, sustainability, natural farming, organic farming, and IoT in agriculture. It will support quality standards, decision-making, and capacity building in Indian agriculture.

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The Drought Resilience+10 (DR+10) Conference, held from September 30 to October 2, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland, focused on enhancing global drought preparedness and resilience. It marked a decade since the first High-Level Meeting on National Drought Policy and brought together policymakers, experts, and practitioners to discuss advancements in drought management. With droughts becoming more frequent due to climate change, the conference emphasized the need for effective policies and global mechanisms to address systemic drought risks and promote sustainable development.

Notes:
The Oakhurst rock shelter, located near George, South Africa, has yielded ancient genomes dating back to approximately 10,000 years ago. This archaeological site is significant for its record of human occupation spanning 12,000 years and the discovery of multiple ancient genomes, which show remarkable genetic continuity among the region’s inhabitants. The findings highlight the importance of understanding Africa’s rich genetic diversity and its implications for human history.

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India is aligning its state business readiness rankings with the new World Bank B-READY index. The B-READY (Business-Ready Index) replaces the discontinued Ease of Doing Business rankings. It assesses the business environment of global economies based on regulatory framework, public services, and efficiency. Key areas include digitalization, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. The index evaluates ten parameters across a business’s lifecycle, from starting to closing. It will expand from 54 economies initially to 180 countries by 2026. Global institutions and companies will use it to assess a country’s regulatory and policy environment.

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The Union Health Ministry has increased monthly nutrition support for TB patients under Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. Ni-Kshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) was launched in April 2018 under the National Health Mission. It is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). The scheme aims to provide nutritional support to TB patients. All notified TB patients are eligible beneficiaries of the scheme.

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Darjeeling’s Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park’s Red Panda Program is a finalist for the 2024 WAZA Conservation Award. Between 2022 and 2024, nine captive-bred red pandas were released into Singalila National Park, West Bengal. The zoo collaborates with institutions and the government of India for habitat restoration. It has a Biobanking and Genetic Resource Facility to preserve gametes, tissues, and DNA of Red Pandas and other endangered species. The award winner will be announced at the 79th WAZA Annual Conference on 7th November in Taronga Zoo, Australia.

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The MACE Observatory was recently inaugurated by the Secretary of DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission in Hanle, Ladakh. It is the largest imaging Cherenkov telescope in Asia and the world’s highest, located at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The Major Atmospheric Cherenkov Experiment (MACE) aims to enhance international collaborations and strengthen India’s role in space research. Indigenously built by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with help from ECIL and other Indian industry partners, it will advance studies in astrophysics and particle acceleration. MACE will observe high-energy gamma rays, aiding global research on phenomena like supernovae, black holes, and gamma-ray bursts while supporting Ladakh’s socio-economic development.

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INS Talwar arrived in South Africa for the eighth edition of exercise IBSAMAR. IBSAMAR is a joint maritime exercise involving India, Brazil, and South Africa. The exercise focuses on Blue Water Naval Warfare, covering Surface and Anti-Air Warfare. Activities include professional exchanges, firefighting drills, search-and-seizure operations, diving, aviation safety, and ocean governance seminars. The exercise strengthens naval interoperability, builds mutual trust, and fosters cooperation among like-minded nations for peaceful maritime environments.

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India celebrates National Postal Day on October 10th each year. The day honors the Indian Postal Service and its role in connecting the nation. It commemorates the service’s founding by the East India Company on October 10, 1854. The Indian Postal Service has grown into one of the world’s largest networks. It has evolved from simple mail delivery to providing a wide range of services to millions across the country.

Notes:
Recent research published in Science Advances introduced a new method for dating karst landscapes, specifically through analyzing iron-rich nodules. These nodules, found in the Pinnacles Desert of Nambung National Park, Western Australia, provide insights into the climatic conditions that shaped these unique geological formations. The study revealed that the nodules formed during a period of intense weathering approximately 100,000 years ago, which was the wettest time in the region over the last half million years. Understanding this dating method enhances our knowledge of past climate changes and their impact on ecosystems.