Current Affairs Quiz - November, 2024

Notes:
Rajasthan’s Chief Wildlife Warden formed a three-member committee after reports of 25 tigers missing at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Ranthambore is located at the junction of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges in Eastern Rajasthan. It’s one of northern India’s largest tiger reserves and was once a hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharajas. The reserve is bounded by the Chambal River to the south and the Banas River to the north, with diverse landscapes and wildlife.

Notes:
After disengagement in eastern Ladakh, India launched the ‘Poorvi Prahaar’ tri-services exercise on November 8. The 10-day exercise involved the Army, Navy, and Air Force, highlighting their combat coordination. The Army deployed units, artillery, Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), and UAVs. The Air Force used Su-30 MKI, Rafale jets, C-130J aircraft, and helicopters from Kolkata, Hashimara, Paanagarh, and Kalaikunda bases. The Navy’s MARCOS commandos also participated. The exercise strengthened operational readiness in the eastern sector. India and China continued talks on troop de-escalation and patrolling rights in the Yangtse area of Tawang.

Notes:
The Uttar Pradesh government has introduced new rules for appointing the DGP, establishing a selection committee led by a retired High Court judge. The committee will evaluate candidates based on their remaining tenure, service record, and experience. This move aims to comply with Supreme Court directives following concerns over the appointment of temporary DGPs, ensuring a minimum tenure of two years for the appointed officer and at least six months of service remaining before retirement.

Notes:
The 3rd edition of the joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND started on November 8, 2024, at the Foreign Training Node in Pune, Maharashtra. It is an annual exercise held alternately between India and Australia; the last edition was in Australia in December 2023. The Indian contingent includes 140 personnel, mainly from the DOGRA Regiment and the Indian Air Force. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation and interoperability for joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban, semi-desert terrain under UN Chapter VII. Drills include counter-terrorism operations, joint raids, drone usage, and Special Heli Borne Operations. It promotes the exchange of best practices in tactical operations.

Notes:
An Iron Age menhir, known locally as ‘Niluvu Rayi,’ was found in Kamasanpalli village, Nagarkurnool district, Telangana. Menhirs are large, upright stones, sometimes seen alone or in groups. They are found in Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Western Europe having the most. Shapes vary but generally taper at the top, often arranged in circles or rows, like the Carnac alignments in France with 2,935 menhirs. Menhirs sometimes feature engravings, such as spirals or axes. Their purpose is uncertain, but they may have been used for fertility rites or seasonal cycles.

Notes:
National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 in honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister. It emphasizes the role of education in shaping India’s future, with 65% of the population under 35 needing quality education and skill development. The Indian government promotes education access through initiatives and laws, including the 86th Amendment, which guarantees free education for ages 6-14 as a Fundamental Right. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, ensures quality elementary education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, launched under PM Modi, aims to modernize India’s education system for the 21st century.

Notes:
China marked geographic baselines around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. Scarborough Shoal is a triangular coral atoll, located 220 km west of Luzon, Philippines. It’s the largest atoll in the South China Sea, mostly submerged at high tide. This area is rich in marine life and has valuable fishing resources. Scarborough Shoal is contested, with both China and the Philippines claiming it as their territory. China cites historical claims dating back to the Yuan Dynasty; the Philippines bases its claim on proximity and the UNCLOS, as it lies within its 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone. China has controlled the shoal with a coast guard presence since 2012.

Notes:
A decomposed elephant carcass was found in the Khanapara range of Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam. The sanctuary spans three reserve forests: Khanapara, Amchang, and South Amchang. It stretches from the Brahmaputra River to Meghalaya’s hilly forests, forming a continuous forest belt. The sanctuary is home to Tree yellow butterflies, found in northeast India and parts of Southeast Asia.

Notes:
Igas Bagwal, also known as Budhi Diwali or Harbodhni Ekadashi, is a traditional festival celebrated in Uttarakhand. It takes place 11 days after Diwali, highlighting the region’s rich folk heritage and uniting communities. The festival is marked by local customs, reverence, and joy, reflecting the cultural essence of Uttarakhand. Celebrations include shared festivities and traditional practices, strengthening community bonds. This year, Igas Bagwal begins on November 12, bringing a special focus to Uttarakhand’s cultural pride.

Notes:
Taiwan’s Defence Minister recently stated that the U.S. will decide what to do with Taiwan’s decommissioned HAWK anti-aircraft missiles. The HAWK MIM-23 is a low-to-medium-altitude ground-to-air missile developed by Raytheon. It was designed to destroy aircraft and later adapted to target missiles. The missile entered service in 1960 and was upgraded over time. It was replaced by the MIM-104 Patriot in 1994 and phased out of U.S. service in 2002. The HAWK is still used by many countries worldwide, including NATO members and nations in Asia and the Middle East. It uses Semi-Active-Radar-Homing (SARH) guidance and can engage multiple targets.