Current Affairs Quiz - August, 2024

Notes:
The India Rankings 2024 were released by the Union Education Minister, based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). IIT Madras ranked 1st in the Overall Category for the sixth year and in Engineering for the ninth year.
IISc Bengaluru topped the Universities Category for the ninth year and Research Institutions for the fourth year. IIM Ahmedabad ranked 1st in Management for the fifth year. AIIMS Delhi topped the Medical Category for the seventh year. Jamia Hamdard, Delhi, ranked 1st in Pharmacy. NLSIU Bengaluru retained 1st position in Law. NIRF was launched in 2015 and uses five broad parameters for ranking. The 2024 edition introduced three new categories: State Public Universities, Open Universities, and Skill Universities, and integrated “Innovation” rankings.

Notes:
A fire recently broke out at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which Russia has called an act of nuclear terrorism.
Zaporizhzhia is the largest nuclear plant in Europe, located in southeastern Ukraine and currently controlled by Russia.
Nuclear terrorism involves unauthorized use or threats related to nuclear materials or facilities that endanger lives and the environment. It can take forms such as detonating a nuclear weapon, stealing fissile material for an improvised device, acquiring a “dirty bomb,” or sabotaging nuclear facilities.

Notes:
Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum ones, can disrupt gut bacteria, causing dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is an imbalance in the microbiome, the community of microorganisms in our body. A balanced microbiome has diverse microorganisms without any dominating. Dysbiosis occurs when this balance is lost, affecting how microorganisms function in the body. It typically happens in the gastrointestinal tract due to infections, antibiotics, or diet. Dysbiosis increases vulnerability to infections and disrupts the microbiome’s essential functions.

Notes:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride over the #HarGharTiranga campaign. The campaign, initiated by the Ministry of Culture and MyGov, aims to spread awareness about India’s National Flag, the Tiranga. It seeks to transform people’s relationship with the flag from a formal connection to a more personal and heartfelt bond.

Notes:
The Manipur government plans to hold peace talks with representatives from the Thadou, Paite, and Hmar communities. These communities are involved in the ongoing ethnic conflict between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zomi people that began in May 2023. The Thadou, Paite, and Hmar are indigenous tribes of Manipur, India, and have historically lived in the region.

Notes:
PR Sreejesh, who recently led India to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Indian junior men’s hockey team. His transition from a key player to a coach is notable, especially after his crucial saves helped India win against Spain. Hockey India celebrated Sreejesh’s move, recognizing his inspiring journey and expecting his coaching to positively impact the young athletes.

Notes:
Bihar police recently seized 50 grams of californium, a highly radioactive element. Californium is a synthetic, silvery-white metal with atomic number 98, first synthesized in 1950 at the University of California, Berkeley. It is not naturally occurring and is produced by bombarding curium with helium ions. It is known for its intense radioactivity. Californium is valuable but hazardous. It is used in starting nuclear reactors, detecting metal fatigue in airplanes, and treating certain cancers. Californium’s isotopes include Cf-251, the most stable with a half-life of 898 years, and is used in various industrial and scientific applications.

Notes:
The 28th conference of central and state statistical organizations, organized by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), concluded in New Delhi. The two-day conference focused on “Use of Data for Decision Making- Strengthening State Statistical System.” The conference featured engaging sessions and panel discussions on topics of common interest between Central and State Government departments. Over 30 Central Ministries, State and Union Territories, along with organizations like the Reserve Bank of India and Indian Statistical Institute, participated. The conference was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation.

Notes:
Uttarakhand is the first Indian state to launch a Gross Environment Product Index (GEPI). GEPI evaluates ecological development influenced by human actions. It focuses on four pillars: air, soil, trees, and water. The formula is: GEP index = (Air-GEP index + Water-GEP index + Soil-GEP index + Forest-GEP index). GEPI helps assess the impact of human activities on ecosystems, measures contributions back to the environment, and quantifies the economic and welfare benefits of natural ecosystems.

Notes:
The Indian student team won multiple medals at the 17th International Earth Sciences Olympiad (IESO) held in Beijing, China, from August 8-16, 2024. It was established in 2003. IESO is an annual competition for secondary school students worldwide. It aims to raise awareness of earth sciences through teamwork, collaboration, and competition. The event encourages young people to engage in earth system sciences and discuss environmental challenges. IESO is part of the REACHOUT scheme by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, with India participating since 2007 and hosting the 10th edition in Mysore.