Current Affairs Quiz - July, 2024

Notes:
Vinay Mohan Kwatra has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the United States, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs. A retired Indian Foreign Service diplomat, Kwatra has extensive expertise in relations with India’s neighbors, the US, China, and Europe.

Notes:
The Union Government plans to raise the upper limit of short-term crop loans under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. Implemented from Kharif 2006-07, MISS offers subsidized short-term credit to farmers and is active from 2022-23 to 2024-25. Interest subvention is available to various banks, and the scheme is managed by NABARD and RBI. Eligible recipients include owner cultivators, tenant farmers, and SHGs.

Notes:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, on July 3, 2024, to establish the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor.’ This initiative aims to foster collaboration between BIS and IISc, promoting activities in Standardization and Conformity Assessment. It seeks to integrate Indian standards into academic curricula and strengthen the partnership between academic and research institutions.

Notes:
India and Japan are planning to establish a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) for carbon trading and credit adjustment through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC). The JCM will be created under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and will aim to reduce emissions, promote low-carbon technologies, and encourage economic growth. The JCM will also facilitate the sharing of emission reduction credits, the spread of decarbonizing technologies, and the implementation of mitigation actions.

Notes:
The FAO’s “State of the World’s Forests 2024” report, themed “Accelerating forest solutions through innovation,” highlights a decline in deforestation rates to 10.2 million ha per year in 2015–2020 from 15.8 million ha in 1990–2000. India ranks 3rd for average annual net forest area gain (2010-2020). Non-Timber Forest Products support 275 million Indian livelihoods. Innovation is crucial for climate resilience, bioeconomy shifts, and leveraging non-wood forest products’ nutritional benefits.

Notes:
Since Chhattisgarh’s first tribal Chief Minister took office, Naxalite-related incidents have surged fivefold, including killings, arrests, and surrenders. This increase coincides with “Operation Prahar,” a counter-insurgency effort targeting Maoist leaders. While aimed at neutralizing insurgents and disrupting recruitment, the operation has faced allegations of excessive state power and staged encounters, raising concerns about its impact on local Adivasi communities not involved with Maoist activities.

Notes:
The Finance Minister announced a revision to the model Skill Loan Scheme, now facilitating loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh, backed by a government-promoted fund guarantee. Introduced in July 2015, the scheme offers institutional credit for skill development courses aligned with National Occupations Standards and Qualification Packs, conducted by NSQF-compliant training institutes. It applies to all Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) member banks and RBI-advised financial institutions. Any Indian National admitted to ITIs, Polytechnics, recognized schools, affiliated colleges, or NSDC training partners is eligible, with no age restrictions. The courses lead to certifications, diplomas, or degrees.

Notes:
India and the United Kingdom have launched the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) to boost collaboration in critical and emerging technologies (CET) and align with the India-UK Roadmap 2030. Coordinated by the National Security Advisors (NSAs) of both countries, the TSI will foster partnerships across telecoms, critical minerals, semiconductors, and quantum technology. The UK is a strategic partner for India, concerned about China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, with shared interests in defense technology and maritime security. Joint military exercises and a commitment to doubling bilateral trade by 2030 highlight their cooperation, alongside civil nuclear collaboration and support for India’s infrastructure projects.

Notes:
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the discovery of 1,600 tonnes of lithium resources in Karnataka’s Mandya and Yadgiri districts. The Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), under the Department of Atomic Energy, identified these resources through preliminary surveys and subsurface exploration in the Marlagalla area. Lithium, a highly sought-after element globally, was first discovered in 1817 by Johan August Arfvedson. Derived from the Greek word “lithos” meaning stone, lithium is the metal with the lowest density, reacts vigorously with water, and is toxic in nature.

Notes:
Scientists have discovered “dark oxygen,” a phenomenon where oxygen is produced in complete darkness thousands of feet below the ocean surface. This challenges the belief that oxygen is only created through photosynthesis, which requires sunlight. Traditionally, oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria produce oxygen via photosynthesis. However, at these depths, oxygen is generated by polymetallic nodules resembling lumps of coal. Composed of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, these nodules produce oxygen through electrochemical activity, splitting H2O molecules into hydrogen and oxygen without light.