Current Affairs Quiz - January, 2024

Notes:
The government’s recent decision to issue 65 Quality Control Orders (QCOs), as announced by the Joint Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), is primarily aimed at containing the import of sub-standard goods into India. These QCOs cover over 500 products and are part of a broader strategy to ensure product safety for consumers and to boost domestic manufacturing. Under these orders, products must bear the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) mark to be produced, sold, traded, imported, or stocked in India. This initiative aligns with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and serves to curb the influx of inferior quality imports, thereby protecting consumer interests and promoting fair trade practices. The stringent penalties for violations of these orders further underscore their importance in maintaining quality standards in the market.

Notes:
In 2024, the Government of India is actively running Performance Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 different sectors. These schemes, part of India’s larger strategy for self-reliance and industrial growth, aim to boost manufacturing and exports in key areas. The sectors covered under these PLI schemes are diverse, including Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components, Critical Key Starting Materials, Drug Intermediaries and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Speciality Steel, Automobiles, and Auto Components, among others. The focus of these schemes is not just to enhance domestic production capabilities but also to position India as a key player in the global supply chain.

Notes:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has announced the recipients of the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar for the year 2023. Jain Deemed to be University, Bengaluru, and Odisha Mining Corporate Limited have been chosen for this prestigious award. Jain University is being recognized for its efforts in the identification and nurturing of budding and young talent, while Odisha Mining Corporate Limited is being awarded for its encouragement to sports through Corporate Social Responsibility activities. These awards, an integral part of India’s National Sports Awards, aim to acknowledge and honor significant contributions in the field of sports promotion and development.

Notes:
Petr Fiala, serving as the Guest of Honour at the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit, is the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. His presence at this significant event in Gandhinagar underscores the strengthening ties and cooperation between the Czech Republic and India. The Summit, known for attracting global leaders and investors, is an important platform for international economic and trade discussions. Fiala’s participation, along with other global leaders, highlights the Czech Republic’s active engagement in global economic dialogues and its partnership with India in various sectors.

Notes:
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences for implementation during the period from 2021-26. The overall cost of this comprehensive scheme is Rs. 4,797 crore. PRITHVI encompasses five ongoing sub-schemes and aims to augment and sustain long-term observations of the Earth’s vital signs, develop modeling systems for weather, ocean, and climate hazards, and explore and harness oceanic resources sustainably. It also seeks to translate knowledge from Earth system science into services for societal, environmental, and economic benefits. The scheme represents a significant investment in understanding and addressing various aspects of Earth System Sciences, leveraging the expertise of various institutes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Notes:
The All India Conference of director generals and inspector generals of police in 2024 was held in Jaipur. This annual conference, a significant event in the Indian policing and internal security calendar, brought together top police officials from across the country. The conference focused on various critical issues such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, counter-terrorism, left-wing extremism, narcotics smuggling, and prison reforms. Hosting such a prominent event underscores Jaipur’s status as a key location for national-level conferences and discussions on important security and policing challenges in India.

Notes:
Assam government has launched ‘Baayu’, an app-based electric bike taxi service by the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). It is India’s first decentralized, app-based 100% electric bike taxi service that was flagged off by Assam Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya in Guwahati.

Notes:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has recently launched the “Yogyasree” social welfare scheme, aimed at providing free training modules for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in the state. The initiative focuses on preparing these students for entrance and competitive examinations, demonstrating the government’s commitment to educational empowerment. The Yogyasree scheme includes the establishment of fifty training centers across West Bengal, providing cost-free training for SC and ST students, with a specific emphasis on competitive examinations. Furthermore, 46 centers will extend similar opportunities for those aspiring to secure government jobs and pursue careers in civil services.

Notes:
Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, a senior diplomat of India, assumed today the position of Secretary General (SG) of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). He is the 4th SG of BIMSTEC and will remain its SG for a period of three years. He has succeeded H.E. Tenzin Lekphell of Bhutan.

Notes:
The innovative jet fuel, recently developed by Firefly Green Fuels, is derived primarily from human sewage. This pioneering approach, led by CEO James Hygate, transforms sewage into kerosene-like fuel. The process is part of a broader effort to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, which is crucial given the industry’s significant contribution to global carbon emissions. This development represents a major stride in sustainable aviation, offering a potential 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional fossil jet fuels.