Current Affairs Quiz - June, 2024

Notes:
A study in the Journal of Applied Ecology found that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) do not align with the core habitats of diadromous fish, which migrate between saltwater and freshwater. Examples include the allis shad and European eel. Diadromous fish are categorized as anadromous, catadromous, amphidromous, or potamodromous based on their migration patterns. These species face threats from human activities such as pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change.

Notes:
The Centre for Citizen Science and Biodiversity Informatics under Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) is organizing Monsoon Croaks Bioblitz 2024 to engage the public in frog conservation. Open to all ages, participants document frog species via the iNaturalist app, contributing to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Notable species recorded include the Resplendent Shrub Frog, Malabar Torrent Toad, Small Tree Frog, Anaimalai Flying Frog, and Purple Frog.

Notes:
The National Stock Exchange of India Indices introduces India’s inaugural Electric Vehicle (EV) index, named Nifty EV & New Age Automotive Index. It monitors companies within the EV ecosystem and those developing new-age automotive technologies. Launched with a base date of April 2, 2018, and a value of 1000, it includes stocks from the Nifty 500. The index undergoes semi-annual reconstitution and quarterly rebalancing.

Notes:
IIT Kanpur, in collaboration with DRDO, established a DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA CoE) for interdisciplinary research in next-gen defence technologies. This initiative aligns with DRDO’s strategy of setting up DIA CoEs in key academic institutions to foster technology development through experienced faculty, bright scholars, and DRDO scientists, creating a robust ecosystem for defence innovation.

Notes:
Indian researchers have recently uncovered a new ant species, Paraparatrechina neela, in Arunachal Pradesh’s remote Siang Valley. Belonging to the rare genus Paraparatrechina, this species is distinguished by its metallic blue color, reflected in its name “neela,” meaning blue in many Indian languages. It marks the first discovery of a new Paraparatrechina species in 121 years, showcasing its unique features like a subtriangular head and distinct coloration.

Notes:
The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has launched “Bank Clinic” to aid bank customers with grievance redressal. This advisory platform guides customers on remedies per RBI guidelines, serving as an additional channel alongside the Banking Ombudsman process. It aims to support customers amid rapid technological expansion and evolving RBI guidelines on retail banking.

Notes:
Pench Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra recently documented the first photograph of a spot-bellied eagle-owl, Ketupa nipalensis. This large bird of prey inhabits diverse environments like forests and savannas across India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Recognizable by its rich brown coloration and striking white-spotted pattern, it’s a nocturnal apex predator feeding on various prey. Classified as Least Concern by IUCN, it comes protection under India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Notes:
Zupee, India’s leading skill-based Ludo platform, partners with Gurugram Cyber Police for the 11th Cyber Security Summer Internship Program, ‘Cyber Warriors.’ The month-long internship, inaugurated by Commissioner of Police, Gurugram, Vikas Kumar Arora, includes 1,100 interns selected from 15,000 applicants worldwide. Guided by Cyber Security Expert Dr. Rakshit Tandon, candidates receive immersive cyber security training. Some will work directly with Gurugram Cyber Police, tackling real-world challenges to promote cyber safety.

Notes:
Poet and playwright Siddhalinga Pattanashetti has been awarded the prestigious Gudleppa Hallikeri Award for 2024 by the Gudleppa Hallikeri Memorial Foundation, Hosaritti (Haveri District). The announcement was made by Veeranna Chekki, senior trustee of the foundation. This 19th award presented on June 6, commemorating Gudleppa Hallikeri’s birth anniversary. Hallikeri (1906–1972) was a notable Indian freedom fighter from Karnataka, known for founding the Gandhi Grameena Gurukul and using nonviolent protests. He worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi and others for Karnataka’s unification, and a college in Haveri is named after him.

Notes:
The “Blaze Star” (T Coronae Borealis) will explode in a rare celestial event visible to the naked eye for the first time since 1946. Located 3,000 light-years away in the Corona Borealis constellation, Blaze Star is a recurrent nova, flaring approximately every 80 years. This binary star system consists of a white dwarf and a red giant. The white dwarf draws material from the red giant, leading to periodic thermonuclear explosions when the red giant’s surface temperature spikes. This event underscores the dynamic nature of the universe and stellar evolution processes.