Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $98 million loan to boost access to disease-free planting materials for horticulture farmers under the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme. The Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme (CPP) is related to horticulture and aims to provide farmers with access to high-quality, virus-free planting material. It includes nine advanced Clean Plant Centers with diagnostic and tissue culture labs and a robust certification system for accountability and traceability. It ensures affordable access, engages women farmers, and develops region-specific plant varieties. It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture through National Horticulture Board (NHB) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, it aims to strengthen India’s global fruit market position.

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The government has set up the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) to improve urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. It is funded through the priority sector lending shortfall. The fund supports public agencies in providing basic services like sewerage, waste management, water supply, sanitation, and drainage. It aims to supplement state governments’ efforts and is managed by the National Housing Bank. The initial corpus of the fund is ₹10,000 crore. The UIDF is modeled after the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

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National Pollution Control Day is observed annually on December 2 in India. It commemorates the lives lost in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and raises awareness about pollution. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on December 2, 1984, due to a methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas leak from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The incident killed around 2,259 people immediately, with fatalities rising to 25,000 over time, as per government reports. Around 500,000 people suffered severe health issues, including respiratory and reproductive problems, blindness, and nervous system diseases.

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The World Maritime Technology Conference (WMTC) held in Chennai from December 4 to 6, 2024. This marks the first return to India in 15 years, with the previous event held in Mumbai. The conference covers critical topics such as climate change, sustainability, and geopolitical dynamics impacting the maritime industry. The last edition took place in Copenhagen in April 2022, with previous hosts including Shanghai, Houston, and St. Petersburg.

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Uber has launched Asia’s first water transport service, “Uber Shikara,” in Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir. Tourists can now book pre-scheduled shikara rides via Uber’s app. The service was inaugurated by Uber India and South Asia President Prabhjeet Singh. Uber Shikara blends technology with tradition, improving accessibility and boosting Kashmir’s tourism. It partners with seven local shikara operators, with plans to expand based on demand. The service operates from Nehru Park, with government-regulated fair pricing and no fees charged to shikara partners.

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Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Namibia’s vice president, has been elected as the country’s first female president, securing 57% of the votes. She defeated Panduleni Itula of IPC, who received 26%, and SWAPO continues its 34-year dominance. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s victory ensures SWAPO retains power since Namibia’s independence in 1990. She has held key roles, including foreign minister, and is seen as a unifying figure. SWAPO also won 51 out of 96 National Assembly seats. Namibia faces challenges like high unemployment and inequality, despite political stability.

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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 International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) launched an Air Quality Dashboard offering real-time and forecasted air pollution data. It combines ground sensor data with satellite imagery for insights on local, sub-regional, and regional pollution levels. The dashboard uses the WRF-Chem model to track PM2.5 spread in hotspots like Lahore, New Delhi, and Kolkata and its links with weather patterns. It provides two-day air quality forecasts and cross-border pollution data for policymakers, communities, and researchers. ICIMOD, established in 1983, serves Hindu Kush Himalaya countries with knowledge-sharing and sustainable development solutions.

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The number of women in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) has nearly tripled from 2014 to 2024. CAPFs include seven paramilitary forces under the Union Home Ministry. Women now make up 4.4% of the 9.48 lakh-strong CAPFs, including the Assam Rifles. The CISF has the highest female representation at 7.02%, followed by other forces with lower percentages (SSB 4.43%, BSF 4.41%, ITBP 4.05%, Assam Rifles 4.01%, CRPF 3.38%).

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Researchers discovered a new ancient human species named Homo juluensis, meaning “big head,” based on a large skull found in China. The species lived 300,000 years ago, surviving in small groups across eastern Asia before vanishing 50,000 years ago. Homo juluensis includes links to mysterious groups like the Denisovans. Fossils show facial and jaw features similar to Neanderthals and braincases 30% larger than modern humans. They hunted wild horses, made stone tools, and possibly processed animal hides for survival.