Current Affairs Quiz - October, 2024

Notes:
South Korean author Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is the first Korean to receive this honor. Her work is known for its “intense poetic prose” that addresses historical traumas and the fragility of life. Notable works include The Vegetarian (Man Booker International Prize winner in 2016), The White Book, Human Acts, and Greek Lessons.

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The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has met WHO standards for safety, efficacy, and quality in vaccine regulation. CDSCO is India’s National Regulatory Authority for medical devices, operating under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) heads CDSCO, with its headquarters in New Delhi.
CDSCO’s responsibilities include new drug approvals, clinical trials, drug standards, import quality control, and coordination with state regulators. It also grants licenses for critical drugs like blood products, vaccines, and IV fluids, along with state authorities.

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India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), with a score of 27.3, placing it in the ‘serious’ category. Despite its economic growth, India lags behind several South Asian neighbors in tackling hunger and malnutrition. The GHI measures and tracks hunger globally, regionally, and nationally, reflecting various dimensions of hunger. Created in 2006, it was initially published by IFPRI and Welthungerhilfe; now co-published by Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide. The GHI aims to raise awareness, compare hunger levels, and highlight areas in need of urgent intervention.

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The Ministry of Defence is seeking more funds to expand the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme. iDEX stands for Innovations for Defence Excellence and is a key initiative by the Ministry of Defence. iDEX was launched in April 2018 to promote self-reliance and innovation in defence and aerospace. It engages various sectors, including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes, and academia.

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The Anna Bhagya Scheme (ABS) is a cash transfer initiative launched in Karnataka, aimed at enhancing food security by providing unconditional cash transfers to beneficiaries, enabling them to purchase food grains. This innovative approach has shown to improve household welfare, increase financial inclusion, and facilitate savings among marginalized communities. The scheme was introduced as a response to the unavailability of additional rice for distribution, marking a significant shift from traditional food rationing methods. Recent studies indicate that ABS has positively impacted consumption patterns and financial behavior among its beneficiaries.

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The 5th National Water Awards 2023 were announced in New Delhi. Odisha won the first prize for Best State, followed by Uttar Pradesh in second place. Gujarat and Puducherry jointly secured third place. The event, led by Union Minister C.R. Patil, aimed to recognize efforts in water conservation and management. A total of 38 winners were honored in various categories, promoting awareness of sustainable water practices. The awards underscore the importance of effective water management in addressing challenges related to water scarcity and sustainability.

Notes:
The SFIO recorded the statement of the Kerala Chief Minister’s daughter, raising political controversy. The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) is a corporate fraud investigation agency established on July 21, 2015. It was given statutory status under Section 211 of the Companies Act, 2013. SFIO operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs with experts in various fields. It investigates complex fraud cases with public interest. SFIO can take cases based on government reports or public interest. Once assigned, no other agency can investigate that case. The SFIO is led by a Director and headquartered in New Delhi.

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World Students’ Day is celebrated annually on October 15th. The day honors students worldwide and raises awareness about their challenges. It marks the birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a former President of India and educator. The day highlights the importance of education and its role in shaping society’s future. It encourages students to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles. The celebration acknowledges students’ contributions and promotes education as a tool for personal and social development.

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The Maring community in Tengnoupal district, Manipur, celebrated the annual Lamlai pre-harvest festival. The festival began with the traditional Khousab (war dance) procession through the village. It is significant for the Maring tribe, honoring ancestors and promoting unity. Villagers clean their surroundings, including drains, roads, and pathways during the celebration. The Lamlai Festival marks the start of preparations for the harvest season.

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BEML has manufactured India’s first indigenous high-speed train with a peak speed of 280 kmph. Founded on 11 May 1964 with Soviet Union assistance, BEML was initially fully owned by the Indian government. Headquartered in Bangalore, it manufactures heavy equipment for earthmoving, railways, transport, and mining sectors. The government divested 25% of its holdings in 1992, and further strategic disinvestment (26%) with management control transfer was later approved. BEML is Asia’s second-largest manufacturer of earthmoving equipment.