Current Affairs Quiz - December, 2024

Notes:
National Mathematics Day, celebrated on December 22, honors the birth of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. The 2024 theme, “Mathematics: A bridge to innovation,” highlights math’s role in science, technology, and innovation. Launched in 2012 by Dr. Manmohan Singh, the day celebrates Ramanujan’s contributions and inspires future generations. Ramanujan, born in 1887, made groundbreaking discoveries in number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. Schools across India engage students in activities to foster critical thinking and understanding of mathematics’ real-world applications.

Notes:
Tamil Nadu has requested the Union government to add the mumps vaccine to the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP). UIP provides free immunization against 12 diseases, including Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Hepatitis B, and others. Mumps is a contagious viral infection affecting the salivary glands, usually mild and self-limiting. It primarily affects children and young adults, with symptoms like jaw swelling, fever, fatigue, appetite loss, and headaches. Mumps spreads through direct contact or airborne droplets from an infected person’s upper respiratory tract.

Notes:
The Parliamentary Committee highlighted the poor response to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SMY). The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana (PM-SMY) is a contributory pension scheme aimed at providing financial security to unorganised sector workers aged 18 to 40. The scheme requires monthly contributions from workers, matched by the government, to ensure a pension of Rs 3,000 per month upon reaching 60 years. It is administered by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Notes:
Karnataka’s M. Raghu and Haryana’s Devika Sihag won the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, at the 86th Senior National Badminton Championships 2024. The tournament was organized by the Badminton Association of India and hosted by the Karnataka Badminton Association in Bengaluru from December 20 to 24, 2024. In the men’s singles final, M. Raghu defeated former champion Mithun Manjunath of Karnataka with a score of 14-21, 21-14, 24-22, claiming his first senior national championship title.

Notes:
Hanukkah, Judaism’s “festival of lights,” is celebrated for eight nights by lighting an additional candle each evening on the menorah. The term “Hanukkah” means “dedication” in Hebrew and commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC after liberation from foreign forces. The holiday is observed during the Hebrew month of Kislev, aligning with November-December in the Gregorian calendar. In 2024, Hanukkah is celebrated from December 25, 2024, to January 2, 2025. It marks only the fifth time since 1900 that Hanukkah begins on Christmas Day.

Notes:
The ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ initiative was launched on Good Governance Day by the Union Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. It aims to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through innovative tools and capacity-building frameworks. Piloted in Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, it uses e-learning platforms, AI chatbots, and mobile apps to enhance governance and service delivery. The program promotes decentralized governance and participatory decision-making at the grassroots level. Part of the ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign, it equips PRI officials for effective governance and sustainable rural development.

Notes:
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres paid tribute to Brigadier General Amitabh Jha of India, serving with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Golan Heights. UNDOF was established in 1974 to maintain the ceasefire and supervise the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria. The mission’s mandate is renewed every six months and extended until June 2025. UNDOF is funded annually by the UN General Assembly. India is the third-largest troop and police contributor to UNDOF. Golan Heights is a hilly region, part of Syria, occupied by Israel since 1967. UNDOF headquarters is at Camp Faouar.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the “Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2023-24” report. The report highlights the banking sector’s performance. Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) showed improved profitability for the sixth consecutive year, with a 13-year low in Gross NPAs at 2.5%. The Capital-to-Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) for SCBs stood at 16.8%, exceeding regulatory requirements. Urban Co-operative Banks saw expansion, with improved asset quality. Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) reported double-digit credit growth and reduced GNPA to 3.4%. Technological advancements like Unified Lending Interface (ULI) and Open Credit Enablement Network (OCEN) aim to improve credit access. The report highlights rising banking frauds, with cases surging to ₹21,367 crore in 2024.

Notes:
China launched the Sichuan, the first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, designed to enhance long-distance naval combat capabilities. The 40,000-ton ship features an electromagnetic catapult for fighter jet launches and arrestor technology for safe landings. It can deploy ground troops via landing crafts and provide air support. Developed indigenously, it follows the earlier Type 075 ships launched in 2019. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) aims to operate globally, modernizing its fleet for over a decade. China is also researching nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for extended deployments, competing with the U.S.’s 11 nuclear-powered carriers.

Notes:
Norovirus outbreaks in the United States (U.S.) have risen sharply, with 91 cases in early December, up from 69 in late November. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus causing gastroenteritis, also known as the “stomach flu” or “winter vomiting bug.” It affects people of all ages and spreads quickly through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or close contact. Noroviruses cause 90% of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and nearly 50% of cases worldwide. People can get infected multiple times due to the variety of norovirus strains. Preventive measures focus on hygiene and proper food handling to limit its spread.