Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
The 14th Asia-Oceania Meteorological Satellite Users’ Conference (AOMSUC-14) will be held from December 4-6, 2024, in New Delhi, India, hosted by the India Meteorological Department. This conference aims to promote satellite observations, enhance remote sensing science, and facilitate collaboration among satellite operators and users. It will feature presentations, discussions, and a training workshop with around 150 participants from various countries, highlighting the importance of satellite data in meteorology and climatology.

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The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed on December 2 to raise awareness about modern slavery, human trafficking, and promote human rights. It marks the adoption of the UN Convention to suppress trafficking and exploitation in 1949. Slavery today includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, child labor, and forced marriage. The UN reports one in ten children work globally, mostly for economic exploitation. India has the highest number of modern slaves, with over 11 million affected.

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Madhya Pradesh officially declared Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary as a Ratapani Tiger Reserve under Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav. Ratapani, now the state’s eighth tiger reserve, has an estimated 90 tigers. It spans Raisen and Sehore districts, serving as a critical tiger habitat linked to the Satpura ranges. Encroachments and lack of prey led to tiger-human conflicts, increasing the need for conservation. The delay in declaration, despite NTCA approval in 2008, prompted a PIL by a wildlife activist. Projects like coal plants and railway lines threaten the reserve’s ecosystem, raising concerns for its biodiversity.

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The government has abolished windfall tax on crude oil, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), petrol, and diesel exports. Windfall tax targets industries earning unusually high profits due to favorable economic conditions. India introduced a windfall tax on domestic crude oil production in July 2022 after global crude prices surged. Such taxes are used to fund public projects, reduce deficits, or redistribute wealth.

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The YesToAccess app, developed by the Association of People with Disability (APD), is India’s first AI-enabled tool for conducting accessibility audits. Launched during the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, it allows users to assess public spaces by photographing structures and analyzing features like ramps and signage. This initiative aims to promote barrier-free environments and enhance inclusivity, empowering citizens to contribute to accessibility improvements across India as part of the Accessible India Campaign.

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The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana was recently discussed in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Ayush. The Ayush Oushadhi Gunvatta evam Uttpadan Samvardhan Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Ayush. It regulates Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathy (ASU&H) medicines under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. The scheme enhances India’s manufacturing and export capabilities for traditional medicines under Atmanirbhar Bharat. It supports infrastructure, technology upgrades, and institutional activities for Ayush drug standardization and testing. It strengthens regulatory frameworks for quality control, safety, and monitoring misleading Ayush advertisements. The scheme fosters collaborations to promote standards and quality of Ayush drugs and materials.

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The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has classified packaged drinking water and mineral water as “high-risk foods,” enhancing safety measures. This follows the removal of mandatory BIS certification, with a focus on regular inspections and audits by FSSAI. High-risk foods require strict safety protocols to prevent public health issues. The classification aims to ensure consumer safety through rigorous testing and monitoring. The regulation falls under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, simplifying the certification process.

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A team from JNU’s Special Centre for Molecular Medicine identified Heat Shock Protein 70 (Hsp70) as a key factor in diseases like malaria and Covid-19. Hsp70 is a molecular chaperone that helps proteins fold correctly and protects them from stress. It becomes elevated during cellular stress, aiding protein folding, preventing aggregation, and maintaining cell survival. The team found that Hsp70 interacts with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and ACE2 receptors, aiding viral entry. Inhibiting Hsp70 blocked viral replication in lab tests, suggesting it could help prevent drug resistance in infections.

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Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) was launched to promote digital literacy in rural India. The scheme aimed to train one individual per household in 6 crore rural households. It successfully exceeded its target, training 6.39 crore individuals by March 31, 2024. The initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to strengthen IT skills and digital infrastructure, supporting the government’s vision to empower rural communities and foster economic growth through technology.

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The Assam Forest Department captured the first photographic evidence of a Royal Bengal Tiger in Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary. Sonai-Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Assam, spans 175 sq. km and was established in 1998. Situated at the foothills of the Great Himalayan Range, it features diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The sanctuary is bordered by Gabhoru and Panchnoi rivers, Rowta reserve forest, and Kameng reserve forest in Arunachal Pradesh. It includes four perennial rivers—Dolsiri, Gabharu, Gelgeli, and Belsiri—and wetlands called “bheels.” The region has a subtropical climate with hot summers, heavy rains, and seasonal flooding.