Current Affairs Quiz - May, 2024

Notes:
Retired Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra appointed as President of GSTAT, the Second Appellate Authority under the Central GST Act, 2017. GSTAT hears appeals against orders from the Appellate Authority under CGST Act, 2017 and State GST Acts, ensuring dispute resolution uniformity. GSTAT comprises a Principal Bench in New Delhi, led by the President and two Technical Members (one from Centre, one from State), along with several State Benches.

Notes:
Nepal introduced a new Rs 100 currency note featuring disputed Indian territories—Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani—triggering contention from India. Prime Minister Prachanda chaired a meeting where the decision was made. Rekha Sharma, also the communication minister, announced the update following Nepal Rastra Bank’s proposal. The move follows tensions since Nepal’s 2020 political map included these areas. India had included them in its 2019 map, leading to diplomatic strains, notably over a road construction.

Notes:
Shashi Bhushan Singh, an Indian Railway Traffic Service officer, has been appointed as Secretary (Director level) of the National Jute Board in Kolkata by the Central Government. The appointment is for 5 years or until further notice. Established under the National Jute Board Act, 2008, the NJB began operations on April 1, 2010, consolidating the Jute Manufactures Development Council and the National Centre for Jute Diversification.

Notes:
The first case of bird flu killing a walrus was found on Hopen Island, part of Svalbard, Norway. Hopen Island is located in the Arctic Ocean, in the Svalbard Archipelago, which is part of Norway. The island is situated in the southern part of the archipelago, between the Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea. Hopen Island is one of the smaller islands in the Svalbard group, covering an area of about 47 square kilometers. The island’s landscape is mainly made up of low-lying tundra, rocky outcrops, and coastal cliffs.

Notes:
Starting May 15, 2024, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) gains sole authority to issue manufacturing licenses for new drugs intended for export, sidelining state governments. All export-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs) must now be applied for through CDSCO zonal offices via the SUGAM Portal. Previously, state authorities handled this. The move aims to streamline exports and tackle delays identified by the Drug Consultative Committee (DCC). CDSCO, under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, regulates drugs across India through 9 zonal offices.

Notes:
In Indonesia, scientists witnessed a wild male orangutan treating a facial wound with chewed-up leaves of a medicinal plant. Orangutans, recognized by their red fur, are the largest arboreal mammals, spending over 90% of their time in trees. They inhabit Sumatra and Borneo, with habitats ranging from swamp forests to mountainous regions. Three species exist: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli. Sharing 96.4% of human genes, orangutans face critical endangerment, classified as such by the IUCN Red List.

Notes:
The ICAR-NBFGR discovered a new catfish species, Glyptothorax punyabratai, in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tung Stream, a Brahmaputra River tributary. It’s nocturnal and benthic, common traits among catfish. Catfish, over 2000 species strong, mostly inhabit freshwater, some marine. They possess a cylindrical body with flattened ventral sides, long barbels resembling cat whiskers, and leading spines in dorsal and pectoral fins, while being scaleless, distinguishing them from other fish.

Notes:
The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) is poised to unveil the state’s inaugural international cricket stadium in Narsingarh, West Tripura. The stadium, slated for inauguration by February 2025, aims to host major cricket events. Construction commenced in 2017 with a 22-month target, but delays prompted weekly reviews for expedited progress. Secretary Subrata Dey emphasized the project’s acceleration, targeting completion by January 2025 or mid-February, adhering to a clear roadmap.

Notes:
The Department of Consumer Affairs warned about ‘drip pricing’, a strategy where only part of an item’s price is advertised, with total costs revealed later. Common in hospitality and travel, it can surprise consumers with hidden charges, complicating comparison shopping. This practice undermines transparency and penalizes sellers who disclose full prices upfront. The impact extends to misleading ‘headline prices’, affecting consumer trust and market fairness.

Notes:
India surpassed Japan to become the world’s third-largest solar power generator in 2023, per Ember’s report. Solar energy accounted for a record 5.5% of global electricity, with India generating 5.8%. Solar’s global generation expanded over six times since 2015. By 2030, solar is projected to contribute 22% to global electricity, crucial for combating climate change. India aims for 50% non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030.