Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
Scientists at the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) observatory in Namibia detected cosmic rays with record energy levels of 40 teraelectronvolts. HESS is an array of Cherenkov Telescopes in Namibia’s Khomas Highlands, operational since 2003. It observes gamma rays, the most energetic light, produced by violent cosmic events. Located in the southern hemisphere, it focuses on sources in the Milky Way and distant galaxies. HESS indirectly detects gamma rays via air molecule interactions as they cannot penetrate Earth’s atmosphere. Its research includes dark matter and fundamental physics, involving 260 scientists from 40 institutions across 13 countries.

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PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen won the women’s and men’s titles at the 2024 Syed Modi International badminton tournament. This marked Sindhu’s first BWF (Badminton World Federation) title since the 2022 Singapore Open, ending her title drought. Sindhu defeated China’s Wu Luo Yu 21-14, 21-16 in the final. The tournament was held at Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium, Lucknow, from November 26 to December 1, 2024.

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Vadhavan greenfield port near Dahanu, Maharashtra, will double India’s container trade upon completion. It is an all-weather deep draft major port located in Palghar district, Maharashtra. It is developed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL). VPPL is a joint venture between Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (74% share) and Maharashtra Maritime Board (26%). The project cost is ₹76,220 crore, with completion targeted by 2034. It will feature nine container terminals, multipurpose, liquid cargo, Ro-Ro, and Coast Guard berths.

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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 Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change launched Nano Bubble Technology at Delhi’s National Zoological Park. Nano Bubble Technology uses ultra-small bubbles, 70-120 nanometers in size, to purify water. These bubbles stay suspended in water for months, enabling effective gas transfer and cleaning. They remove algae, digest biological waste, separate particles, and transfer oxygen efficiently. This technology is chemical-free, sustainable, and improves aquatic health. It benefits wastewater treatment, fermentation, and biological processes in various industries. Nano Bubble Technology ensures cleaner water and healthier ecosystems.

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World Wildlife Conservation Day is observed on December 4 to raise awareness about protecting endangered flora and fauna. The day emphasizes the importance of wildlife conservation and encourages action to safeguard endangered species. India hosts four global biodiversity hotspots: Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland. With only 2.4% of the world’s land area, India supports 7-8% of recorded species, making it a megadiverse country.

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The Indian Men’s Junior Hockey team defeated Pakistan 5-3 in the final of the 11th Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, held in Muscat, Oman, on 4th December 2024. India won the Junior Asia Cup title for a record fifth time. This year has been successful for Indian men’s hockey, with a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a fifth win in the Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy. The tournament, organized by the Asian Hockey Federation and hosted by Oman.

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The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) received a certificate of merit for its mobile app (Ask An Appointment – AAA+) at the Resilience at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific (RSSF Asia-Pacific), organized by the International Social Security Association (ISSA) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The International Social Security Association (ISSA) was founded in 1927 under the International Labour Organization (ILO) and promotes excellence in social security systems. ISSA helps governments and social security organizations through professional guidelines and support. It has a General Assembly, Council, Bureau, and Control Commission for governance. ISSA’s headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, and India is a member country.

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APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) is a lifelong student ID system under the 2020 National Education Policy, enabling seamless tracking of academic progress from pre-primary to higher studies. Each student is assigned a unique APAAR ID linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), a secure digital repository for educational credits and certificates. Integrated with Digilocker, it allows easy digital access to academic documents, reducing reliance on physical records. APAAR prevents fraud and duplication by restricting credit additions to authorized certifying bodies, ensuring authenticity. Several states seek parental consent for its implementation under the “One Nation, One Student ID” program.