Current Affairs Quiz - September, 2024

Notes:
The National Test House (NTH) signed an MoU with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to promote energy efficiency in India.
NTH is a premier institution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. It was established in 1912 as the Government Test House. NTH is India’s largest multi-location, multidisciplinary testing laboratory under the Central Government. It deals with testing, calibration, and quality evaluation for industry, commerce, and trade, following international and national standards. NTH provides support to the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). It is the first government body to certify drones in India.

Notes:
The Indian Navy and South African Navy signed an agreement to enhance naval cooperation, ensuring the safety of the South African Navy’s submarine crew during emergencies. Under this agreement, the Indian Navy will assist by deploying its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) when needed. This strengthens the maritime relationship between India and South Africa. The agreement follows a 2023 incident where three South African Navy personnel died off Cape Town’s coast. South Africa, with a few submarines, will benefit from India’s DSRV, which is used for submarine rescues and covert operations.

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The Indian Coast Guard participated in the 20th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Incheon, South Korea, from 2-6 September 2024. The meeting was hosted by the South Korean Coast Guard. The Indian Coast Guard also held its 12th annual bilateral meeting with the South Korean Coast Guard on 4 September 2024. Discussions focused on maritime law enforcement, safety at sea, marine environment protection, and preventing illicit trafficking of humans, drugs, and weapons. HACGAM was initiated by Japan in 2004 to address piracy issues in Southeast Asian waters, especially in the Straits of Malacca.

Notes:
Indian merchandise exports may improve in the second half of the year due to an upturn in global trade, as indicated by the WTO Goods Trade Barometer. The Goods Trade Barometer, formerly known as the World Trade Outlook Indicator, is developed by the World Trade Organization. It provides real-time insights into world trade trends and predicts changes in trade growth 2-3 months ahead. The Barometer combines various trade indices into a composite index, signaling turning points in global trade. A reading of 100 shows trade growth in line with trends; above 100 indicates growth, while below 100 suggests a slowdown.

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India has surpassed China in the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI), becoming the largest country by weight for the first time. The MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI) includes large, mid, and small cap stocks from 24 emerging markets. With 3,355 companies, the IMI covers about 99% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in these countries.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently led the groundbreaking for India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility. Developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited, the facility is being set up at EMC Park in Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 620 crore. This facility represents a significant advancement for India and Odisha in the global power electronics market. It aims to position Odisha as a key hub for semiconductor production, fostering innovation and boosting the state’s economy.

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Surat, previously ranked 13th, secured 1st place in the Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 among 131 cities across India.
The city scored 194 out of 200 marks and reduced PM10 levels by 12.71% in 2023-24. Surat was honored as a ‘National Clean Air City’ with ₹1.5 crore, a trophy, and a certificate at a ceremony in Jaipur. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, initiated by the government, aims for a 30% reduction in air particulates and evaluates cities based on waste management, dust, emissions, and public awareness.

Notes:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) plans to revive District Agro-Meteorology Units (DAMUs) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme. DAMUs were first established in 2018 by IMD in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The goal was to provide sub-district-level agricultural advisories using weather data. Located in Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), DAMUs prepared advisories on sowing, harvesting, fertilizers, and irrigation. These advisories were shared with farmers twice a week via messages, WhatsApp, newspapers, and in-person. They helped farmers plan activities and gave early warnings for extreme weather events.

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The Ministry of Steel organized the event “Greening Steel: Pathway to Sustainability” on 10th September in New Delhi. Various experts from ministries, academia, and think tanks attended the event to discuss sustainable steel production. The event featured a panel discussion on leadership and innovation for driving the green steel transition. The report “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan” was released, focusing on decarbonization strategies. This aligns with India’s Net Zero emissions goal for 2070, as reducing carbon in steel production is vital to combat climate change.

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Maharashtra Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan announced the establishment of a tribal university in Nashik to support the development and future of tribal students. The university will offer quality education from Kindergarten to Post-graduation levels. 80% of the seats will be reserved for tribal students. As the Chancellor of state universities, the Governor has the authority to establish and develop such institutions. The aim is to provide modern education to tribals to enhance their competitiveness and employability. The university will feature advanced facilities, particularly in engineering, and contribute to the social development of the region.