Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

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World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1 since 1988 to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and show solidarity against the pandemic. It reflects on progress in prevention, treatment, and care while highlighting ongoing challenges. The day commemorates lives lost to AIDS, celebrates healthcare milestones, and spreads awareness globally. It emphasizes the link between combating AIDS and achieving Universal Health Coverage and the Right to Health. The 2024 theme, “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” focuses on healthcare access, individual empowerment, and addressing inequalities in HIV prevention and treatment.

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The central government announced that corporate exits are now processed in 70-90 days under the Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE). It was established by Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). It operates under the Registrar of Companies (RoC) and is supervised by the Director General of Corporate Affairs (DGCoA). It is located at the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Gurgaon. It aims to ease doing business, reduce registry burden, and provide hassle-free, timely company closures.

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The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as a tiger reserve. The park is located in the northern Central Highlands, part of the Upper Vindhyan Hills, with plateaus and valleys. It includes two lakes, Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, supporting aquatic biodiversity and terrestrial species. The park’s drainage flows north and northeast, forming the catchment for the Amarnadi and Sind rivers. The eastern part has Vindhyan system sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale, and limestone.

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India presented the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP) at the UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh. The project is inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall. It aims to combat desertification from the Thar Desert to northern India. The project covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi, aiming to restore 1.15 million hectares by 2027. It focuses on mitigating soil degradation, erosion, and drought, and rejuvenating 75 water bodies. A 1,400 km long green belt will be created along the Aravalli Range using indigenous afforestation and advanced water management. The project promotes community involvement and green employment.

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The PENCiL portal was launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. It has five components: Central Government, State Government, District Project Societies, Child Tracking System, and Complaint Corner. District Nodal Officers (DNOs) are appointed to ensure strict implementation of the Act. A model State Action Plan (SAP) guides State Governments in eradicating child labour, focusing on migrant, girl, and SC/ST children. The portal promotes efficient monitoring and grievance redressal to combat child labour effectively.

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The World Drought Atlas predicts that 75% of the global population will face drought impacts by 2050. It was launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and European Commission Joint Research Centre. The Atlas links worsening drought risks to human activities and highlights five impact areas: water supply, agriculture, hydropower, inland navigation, and ecosystems. Featuring 21 global case studies, it emphasizes that no country is immune to drought but all can prepare better. It suggests measures under governance (e.g., early warning systems), land-use management (e.g., agroforestry), and water management (e.g., wastewater reuse).

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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.

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The International Advisory Body for Submarine Cable Resilience was launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to ensure the resilience of submarine cables, vital for the global digital economy. The body consists of 40 members, including ministers, regulators, and telecom experts, representing diverse global perspectives. It will meet bi-annually to discuss international policies, infrastructure, and best practices. The body aims to promote best practices, reduce risks of cable damage, and ensure swift repairs and deployment. It addresses challenges like increasing traffic, aging infrastructure, and environmental threats, benefiting livelihoods and industries reliant on submarine cables.

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India has been chosen to chair the 68th Session of the UN’s Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Vienna, has officially assumed the role. CND is the main policy-making body for global drug-related issues under the UN. It monitors global drug trends, supports balanced policy-making, and oversees major drug conventions. CND operates under the UN Economic and Social Council and governs the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). This is India’s first time chairing the CND, showcasing its growing leadership and commitment to global issues.

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The Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities will implement the SMILE scheme in Puri, Jajpur, and Bhubaneswar. SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is a central scheme launched by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in February 2022. The scheme aims to ensure the proper rehabilitation of beggars. The first phase of the scheme has been rolled out in select cities, and Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Jajpur are part of the second phase involving 50 cities.