Current Affairs : November 1-2 ,2024

Economy :

Namo Drone Didi Scheme :

• This is Central Sector Scheme.

• Aim -The scheme aims to provide drones to 14500 selected Women SHGs during the
period from 2024-25 to 2025-2026 for providing rental services to farmers for
agriculture purpose (application of liquid fertilizers and pesticides for the present)
• This scheme was announced under DAY-NRLM.
• Outlay - Rs. 1261 Crores.
• Under the scheme, a Central Financial Assistance @ 80% of the cost of drone and
accessories/ancillary charges up to a maximum of ₹ 8.0 lakhs will be provided to the
women SHGs for purchase of drones as a package.
• The Cluster Level Federations (CLFs) of SHGs/SHGs may raise the balance amount
(total cost of procurement minus subsidy) as loan under National Agriculture Infra
Financing Facility (AIF).
• Interest subvention @ 3% on the AIF loan will be provided to the CLFs/SHGs.
• This scheme is implemented by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

AP Economy:

Deepam 2.0 Scheme:

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the Deepam 2.0
scheme on 1st November 2024 in Edupuram, Ichapuram Mandal, Srikakulam district,
as part of the “Super Six Promises” initiative.
• This program provides free gas cylinders to eligible families, aiming to improve their
quality of life & women empowerment.
• Eligibility:
a) Active LPG connection in the State
b) Aadhaar number
c) Rice card
d) Validation of LPG connection, Rice card and Aadhaar matched data with other
Department database.
• All the eligible beneficiaries as identified by the Civil Supplies Department shall be
given (3) free gas cylinders per year.(3) LPG cylinders will be supplied once in 4
months.

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 • After payment of entire cost of gas cylinder by the beneficiary,state government
subsidy apart from Gol subsidy amount will be transferred to the beneficiary’s
Aadhaar linked bank account through DBTL.
• Time limit for transfer of Subsidy :24 hrs.
• First cylinder booking time : 29th October -31st March 2025.
• Total expenditure per year -Rs.2684 Cr.
• Note : Deepam 1.0 Year : 1999.

S&T :

1.Vajra Prahar :

• This 15th edition of India- US joint Special Forces Exercise.

• It is scheduled to be conducted from 2nd to 22nd November 2024 at Orchard Combat
Training Centre in Idaho, USA.
• Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in December
2023.
• This will be second exercise of the year between Indian and the US Army, the previous
being Exercise YUDH ABHYAS 2024, conducted at Rajasthan in September 2024.
• Aim :Mutual understanding, cooperation

2.GARUD SHAKTI -24 :

• This is 9th Joint Special Forces Exercise between India& Indonesia

• The Exercise will be conducted from 1st to 12th of November 2024 at Cijantung,
Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Aim :Mutual understanding, cooperation.

3.India’s first Analog Space Mission :

• India’s first analog space mission to simulate extra-terrestrial conditions on Mars and
Moon inaugurated at Leh in Ladakh
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), AAKA Space
Studio Pvt. Ltd, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and
the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council have
collaborated in this endeavour.
• Aim :To enhance human spaceflight capabilities.
• Ladakh, was chosen for its unique environment that
closely resembles Martian and lunar surfaces
• For the next 21 days, an analog astronaut from AAKA
Space Studio will reside within the habitat.

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 • This mission includes a compact, inflatable habitat named Hab-1, designed to mimic
environments on Mars and the Moon.

Environmental Issues:

Great Knot & Indian Skimmer :

• Nearly 50 migratory bird species including the

endangered Great Knot and Indian Skimmer have
made the Godavari estuary as its winter home for
‘breeding’ on the East Coast.
• The Godavari estuary is a mix of diverse ecosystems
of mangroves, mudflats and an island formed a
century ago in the Kakinada Bay.
• Great Knots migrate from Russia for feeding in the
Godavari estuary.
• Kumbabhisekham mudfat : adjacent to the Kakinada deep sea port, was home to
both Great Knot and Indian Skimmer and it was one of the country’s rare mudflats
where both these endangered species were sighted together.

Quick facts:

➢ Future Investment Initiative – Saudi Arabia

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 Current Affairs : November 3-4, 2024

S&T:

1.AI Preparedness Index - 2023 :

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released the AI Preparedness Index for 2023.
• It ranked countries based on the criteria.
a) Digital infrastructure
b) Human capital
c) Technological innovation
d) Legal frameworks
• According to the IMF, the top 3 countries most prepared for AI in 2023 are:
a) Singapore – Score: 0.80
b) United States
c) United Kingdom
• India ranks 72nd out of 174 countries, with an AI Preparedness Index rating of 0.49.
Despite this lower ranking has the highest percentage of AI users. About 45% of
respondents reported using ChatGPT.

2.National Large Solar Telescope Project :

• This is a proposed ground based 2-m class

optical and near infra-red (IR) sun
observational facility in the country.
• Proposed in 2010 to be built in Merak
village in Ladakh near Pangong Tso Lake, at
an altitude of 4,200 metres.
• Aims: to enhance our understanding of
solar activity. It will complement the Aditya
L1 satellite.
• The Indian Institute of Astrophysics is the nodal agency for this Project.
• Various other scientific institutions like the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO), Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational-Sciences, Tata Institute of
Fundamental Research (TIFR) and Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and
Astrophysics (IUCAA) also participating this project.
• This project is led by Professor Annapurni Subramaniam.
Environmental Issues:

1.India’s First Green Certified Zoo:

• Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park , located in the state of Himachal Pradesh has
became as India’s First Green Certified Zoo .
• Located in Bankhandi, Kangra district.
• It will be the first zoo in India to gain certification from the Indian Green Building
Council (IGBC).
• Why : Because of excellence in environmental standards like energy efficiency, water
conservation and waste management.
• The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into
tourism and infrastructure.(Durgesh Aranya project)

2.Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve :

• Recently, ten elephants died in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh.

• As per the preliminary information the death of the elephants may be because of
poisoning.
• Bandhavgarh was designated as a national park in 1968. it gained Tiger Reserve
status in 1993.
• Location: Situated between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges in Umaria district,
Madhya Pradesh.

3.National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP):

• India launched updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) at
COP 16 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Colombia on October 30
2024
• Aim : to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)
targets.
• It contains 23 national biodiversity targets.

Indian Economy:

1. International Labour Organisation (ILO)-Governing Body meeting:

• The 352nd Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is
being held at Geneva (Switzerland) from 28 October to 7 November 2024.
• This meeting highlighted India’s Positive Experience in Poverty Eradication,
Employment and Social Protection
Highlights:
 a) 248 million individuals escaped multidimensional poverty in the last 9 years.
b) As per ILO’s flagship World Social Protection Report 2024–26, social protection
coverage in India was doubled.

Facts of the day :

• Rajesh Kumar Singh Appointed as Defence Secretary, GoI.

• As part of the development of tourism sector of Andhra Pradesh state, a sea plane
will be launched between Vijayawada and Srisailam at Punnami Ghat on November
9, 2024.
 Current Affairs : 5-6, November,2024

S& T :

1.Proba-3 :

• This is European Union’s Solar Observatory Satellite. This was aimed at observing the
Sun.
• India is set to launch the European Union’s Proba-3 Space Satellite by in the first week
of December.
• The Proba-3 satellite will be India’s third such launch for the EU, with previous
missions supporting the Proba-1 and Proba-2 satellites.

2.IL-35-Mediated Immunotherapy:

• Scientists from Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) of

Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science has discovered
a specific protein IL-35 that protects the immune system by lowering particular
immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, thereby reducing pancreatic
cell infiltration, a key contributor in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes
mellitus.

3.Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL):

• Indian Rare Earths Limited, (IREL) and Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium and Magnesium
Plant JSC, (UKTMP JSC) Kazakhstan Signed an Agreement to Establish Indo-Kazakh
Joint Venture Company (JVC):
• IREUK Titanium Limited will produce Ti Slag in India
• Titanium Slag comes from ilmenite and is used in the making of plastics, paper, and
paint.

4.THIRD EDITION OF ‘MAHASAGAR’:

• MAHASAGAR which stands for vast ocean in Hindi, is the Indian

Navy’s flagship outreach for high-level virtual interaction
between Maritime Heads for Active Security And Growth for All
in the Region. The initiative, started by the Indian Navy, is
conducted bi-annually and has garnered wide acceptance
among the participating nations ever since its inception in 2023.
• Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) was launched
in 2015. It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Through
 SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime
neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities.

5.Tuberculosis (TB) elimination in India :

• India’s dedicated journey towards tuberculosis (TB) elimination has been recognized
globally.
• India recorded a 17.7% decline in TB incidence from 2015 to 2023, a rate that is over
twice the global average decline of 8.3%, as reported by the World Health
Organization (WHO) in its Global Tuberculosis Report 2024.
• This milestone highlights the impact of India’s National Tuberculosis Elimination
Programme (NTEP), a comprehensive strategy that combines cutting-edge diagnosis,
preventive care, patient support, and cross-sector partnerships to meet the
ambitious goal of TB elimination by 2025.

Environmental Issues :

1.PM E-DRIVE Scheme :

• Recently approved by the Cabinet with a financial outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore, came
into effect on October 1, 2024, and will remain in force until March 31, 2026.
• The primary goal of the scheme is to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles
(EVs), develop essential charging infrastructure, and establish a robust EV
manufacturing ecosystem across the country.
• The PM E-DRIVE initiative promotes mass mobility by supporting public
transportation systems.
 Components:

a)Subsidies: Demand incentives for electric vehicles such as e-2 wheelers (e-2W), e-
3 wheelers (e-3W), e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging categories of EVs.
b)Grants for creating capital assets: Funding will be provided for the acquisition of
electric buses (e-buses), the establishment of a comprehensive network of charging
stations, and the upgrading of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) testing facilities.

2.Seventh General Assembly of ISA :

• Held in New Delhi on November 4, 2024.

• The Assembly is ISA’s yearly apex decision-making body, representing each Member
Country.
• The Assembly meets annually.
About ISA :
• The International Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 120 Member and
Signatory countries.
• It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and
promote solar power as a sustainable transition to a carbon-neutral future.
• ISA’s mission is to unlock US$1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030 while reducing
the cost of the technology and its financing.
• It promotes the use of solar energy in the agriculture, health, transport, and power
generation sectors.
• With the signing and ratification of the ISA Framework Agreement by 15 countries on
6 December 2017, ISA became the first international intergovernmental organisation
to be headquartered in India.
Initiatives:
a) Solar Data Portal
b) Global Solar Facility
c) Solar X Startup Challenge
d) Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre
e) International Solar Festival
f) CEO Caucus
g) Solar Hub
h) Conference on New Technologies for Clean Energy Transition
i) World Solar Report
Indian Economy:

1.PM Vishwakarma Yojana:

• Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by PM Modi on

August 16, 2023.
• Launched on September 17, 2023, during Vishwakarma Jayanti at New Delhi.
• Since its launch, the scheme has garnered remarkable interest, with 25.8 million
applications submitted.

• PM Vishwakarma Yojana is fully funded by the Union Government with a financial

outlay of ₹13,000 crore for a period of five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027- 28).
• They receive collateral-free credit support of up to ₹1 lakh (first tranche) and ₹2 lakh
(second tranche) with a concessional interest rate of 5%. The interest subvention by
the Government of India will be to an extent of 8% and provided upfront to the
banks.
• The scheme further provides craftsmen with methods of skill upgradation involving
basic and advanced training, a toolkit incentive of ₹15,000 and incentives for digital
transactions and marketing support.
• 25 traditional trades are covered under PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
2.Bharat Brand:

• Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi
launches Phase – II retail sale of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice.
• Bharat Atta at MRP of Rs.30 per kg and Bharat Rice at MRP of Rs.34 per kg is being
made available to consumers during the Phase-II.
• The Bharat Brand is Central government initiative designed to provide rice, flour
(atta), and pulses (dal)to the middle class at subsidized prices.
• Direct interventions through retail sale of basic food items under Bharat Brand such
as rice, atta and dal have helped in maintaining stable price regime
• Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice will be available at stores and mobile vans of Kendriya
Bhandar, NAFED and NCCF and e-commerce /big chain retailers.
 Current Affairs : November 7-8, 2024

S&T :

1.Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme:

• Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of
the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India has signed an
agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) for the
development of “Millimeter Wave Transceiver for 5G Rural Connectivity”

TTDF scheme :

• Setup under Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) of Department of Telecom

(DOT).
• This scheme, designed to fund Indian startups, academia, and R&D institutions, is a
crucial enabler for designing, developing, and commercializing telecommunication
products and solutions.
• It aims to enable affordable broadband and mobile services, playing a significant role
in bridging the digital divide across India.

2.INS VIKRANT :

• The Hon’ble president of India, Smt droupadi murmu witnessed Indian naval
operations onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
• INS Vikrant is an aircraft carrier in service with Indian Navy.
• It was constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala.
• It is currently one of two active aircraft carriers in the Indian Navy. the other being the
flagship INS Vikramaditya.

3.Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (RAMSES):

• This is a upcoming mission of European Space Agency (ESA).

• Designed to reach Apophis in February 2029.
• Purpose :To Explore a large asteroid called Apophis.
• Apophis was discovered in 2004 and is roughly 340 meters (1,115 feet) in diameter.
Due to its size, it could cause severe destruction if it hit Earth.
• It is expected to pass earth safely on April 13, 2029 by coming within about 19,794
miles (31,860 kilometers) of our planet, which is close enough for detailed study but
not a danger to Earth.
Note : NASA is also preparing its mission, Osiris-Apex, to examine Apophis

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4.ZOLGENSMA :

• This is a gene therapy drug for the treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in
children less than 2 years old.
• It costs around 16 Crores.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy :

• This is a genetic disorder that leads to the loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord.
This results in muscle weakness and atrophy.
• Symptoms often appear in infancy. Children may struggle with basic movements like
lifting their heads or crawling. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.

5.2nd Indian Military Heritage Festival (IMHF):

• Recently held in New Delhi on November 8-9, 2024.

• Aim : to engage global and Indian think tanks, corporations, public and private sector
undertakings, non-profits, academicians, and research scholars focusing on India’s
national security, foreign policy, military history and military heritage.
• The inauguration of the festival will also witness the launch of Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’.
The project is an initiative of the Department of Military Affairs and the USI of India
which aims to conserve and promote India’s military heritage through education and
tourism.
• Note : The 1st IMHF held on October 21-22, 2023, in New Delhi.

Environmental Issues :

1.Odd-Even traffic regulation in Sikkim:

• The Government of Sikkim introduced an Odd-Even traffic regulation in Gangtok. This

measure aims to alleviate traffic congestion in the city.
Odd-Even Vehicle Movement :
• Vehicles are categorized based on their registration numbers.
a)Odd Digits: Vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd digits can operate on
odd dates.
b)Even Digits: Vehicles ending in even digits can operate on even dates.
• This system aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads at any given time.

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 Quick Facts :

1. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by the Prime

Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved infusion of equity of Rs.10,700
crore for working capital in financial year 2024-25 in Food Corporation of India
(FCI).
2. Department of Fisheries Notifies Development of Tuna Cluster in Andaman
and Nicobar Islands under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
(PMMSY).
3. Government of India and ADB signed $200 million loan to upgrade water
supply, sanitation, urban mobility, and other urban services in Uttarakhand.
4. AIM-ICDK Water Innovation Challenge 4.0 : Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of
NITI Aayog and Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) successfully concluded
this in Copenhagen, Denmark as a part of Indo-Danish Green Strategic
Partnership.
5. NITI Aayog launched a 15-day initiative called ‘Jal Utsav’. This campaign aims
to raise awareness about water management, conservation, and
sustainability.
6. Recently the common cat snake was found in the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, the
only tiger reserve in Bihar. It is mildly venomous, it poses no serious threat to
humans.
7. Wave Life Sciences, a Massachusetts biotechnology firm became the first
company to treat a genetic condition using RNA editing in clinical trials.
8. National Cancer Awareness Day is observed in India on November 7 each year.
9. Recently some researchers discovered of a new species of jumping spider
named Okinawicius tekdi on Baner Hill in Pune.

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 Current Affairs -9 &10 November,2024

1.AUSTRAHIND:

• This is a joint military exercise between India and Australia.

• The 3rd edition commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune in Maharashtra.
• This Annual event conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
• Last edition of the exercise was conducted in Australia in December 2023.
• Aim : is to promote military cooperation between India and Australia.

2.ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines:

• Recently, ICAR laboratory ‘National Research Centre on Equines’ (Hisar, Haryana)

got recognition by World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) as a Reference
Laboratory for Equine Piroplasmosis disease.
• Equine piroplasmosis is a disease caused by the tick-borne protozoan parasites
Babesia caballi and Theileria equi, affects horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras and
poses a serious threat to the health of these animals.
• As per the 20th Livestock Census, India possesses around 0.55 million Equines
(horses, ponies, donkeys, mules)

About WOAH :

• This is an intergovernmental organisation founded in 1924.

• The primary objective of WOAH is to control epizootic diseases and prevent their
spread.
• Reference Laboratories are designated to carry out scientific and technical activities
related to a specific disease.

3.India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC):

• This was first announced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der
Leyen and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April 2022.
• Established on February 6, 2023.
• It allows both sides to tackle challenges in the areas of trade, trusted technology and
security, and deepens cooperation in these fields.
• The TTC consists of three Working Groups:
a) Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital
Connectivity
b) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and
c) Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.

Page 1 of 4
 • Recently Working Group 2 on Green & Clean Energy Technologies organized an online
workshop on “Assessment and Monitoring Tools for Marine Plastic Litter “ on 8th
November, 2024,

4.Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC):

• It was created by subsuming the 14 Autonomous

Institutions (AIs) on 10th November, 2023.
• Aim -Excellence and innovation in biotech sector.
• iBRIC Family : 15 institutes

Fact of the day :

• World Immunization Day 2024 -November 10

• Union Finance Minister sets target for all Scheduled Commercial Banks and NBFCs
for providing additional MSME credit of Rs. 1.54 lakh crore in FY2024-25
• The year 2024 is predicted to be the hottest year since the preindustrial period

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 Current Affairs : 12.11.2024

1.Dicliptera polymorpha :

• Scientists from Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune discovered this rare Indian
plant in the Western Ghats.
• Notes : Western Ghats is one of India’s four global biodiversity hotspots.
• This plant is Fire-resilient, dual-blooming species.
• Dicliptera polymorpha thrives on slopes in open grasslands of the northern Western
Ghats, an area exposed to extreme climatic conditions such as summer droughts and
frequent human-induced fires. Despite these harsh conditions, the species has
adapted to survive and bloom twice a year. The first flowering phase occurs from
post-monsoon (early November) to March or April, while the second flowering phase
in May and June is triggered by fires.
• Speciality: Spicate inflorescence structure. It is the only known Indian species with
this inflorescence structure
2.Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) :

• Scientists from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an

autonomous institution of Department of Science and Technology has developed a
mechanically stable, biodegradable, hydrophobic Nano coating material .
• It can enhance the nutrient use efficiency of chemical fertilizers (muriate of potash)
by tuning them for slow release, thereby limiting their interaction with the
rhizosphere soil, water and microbes.

3.Antariksha Abhyas – 2024 :

• This is First Ever Space Exercise to be conducted from 11 – 13 November 2024 by

Defence Space Agency in New Delhi.
• Aim : To understand the growing threats from and to Space Based Assets and
Services.
• The Defence Space Agency (DSA) is an integrated tri-services agency of the Indian
Armed Forces headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The agency is tasked with operating the space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence.
• The DSA draws personnel from all three branches of the Armed Forces.
4.Solid State Physics Laboratory:

• Located in New Delhi.

• Works in development of semiconductor materials, microelectronics devices and
nanotechnology.
• One of the DRDO laboratory.
• Recently it has successfully developed indigenous processes for growing and
manufacturing 4-inch diameter Silicon Carbide (SiC) wafers and fabricating Gallium
Nitride (GaN) for applications up to X-band frequencies.

5.25th South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) meeting :

• Held in New Delhi.

About SATRC:
• Formed in 1997
• This is an initiative of Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and ITU Regional Office for
Asia and the Pacific.
• At present, the Council is composed of the Heads of the regulatory bodies of nine
South Asian countries namely, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Highlights :
• With 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet subscribers, India has emerged
as a digital titan. By 2026-27, 20% of India’s economy will be digital.
• New technology like Non Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) will not only enable our
nations to connect the unconnected regions but also advance our collective journey
to fulfilling our commitments to UN SDGs
Non Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) Technology:
• Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) are wireless communication systems that operate
above the Earth’s surface, involving satellites at low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth
orbit (MEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO), high-altitude platforms (HAPS) and
drones.

AP Economy : AP Budget 2024-25 ( Full length Analysis in Class)

Facts :

• Researchers at IIT Ropar has developed a Completely Mechanical Passive Motion

Machine for post-surgical knee rehabilitation.
• The PMJDY was launched in 2014 and approximately 10.5 crore PMJDY accounts
were opened in mission mode during the period August, 2014 to December 2014.
These PMJDY accounts are becoming due for periodic updation or re-KYC now after
10 years.
 Current Affairs: 13 November,2024

Environmental Issues:

1.India’s RE Capacity:

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released its latest data on
growth in India’s renewable energy sector.
• India’s total renewable energy installed capacity as on October 2024 is 203.18 GW.
• As on October 2023 is 178.98 GW .
• Addition is -24.2 GW (13.5%)
• Including nuclear energy, the total non-fossil fuel capacity rose to 211.36 GW in 2024,
compared to 186.46 GW in 2023.
• Solar Power: The solar sector saw a remarkable increase of 20.1 GW (27.9%), growing
from 72.02 GW in October 2023 to 92.12 GW in October 2024
• Wind Power: Wind energy also demonstrated steady growth, with installed capacity
increasing by 7.8%, from 44.29 GW in October 2023 to 47.72 GW in 2024.
• As of October 2024, large hydro projects contributed 46.93 GW to India’s renewable
portfolio, while nuclear power capacity contributed 8.18 GW.

Page 1 of 11
2.International conference on Traditional Knowledge & SVASTIK initiative :

• The second international conference on Communication and Dissemination of

Traditional Knowledge (CDTK-2024) is being jointly organized by CSIR-NIScPR and
Gurugram University during November 13-14, 2024 at Gurugram University,
Gurugram, Haryana.
• Traditional Knowledge: The Knowledge that has been documented in many Indian
ancient manuscripts or orally transmitted is known as Traditional Knowledge.
• This knowledge is still unexplored and unused.But this knowledge holds importance
in various fields of science and technology.
• Recognizing the importance of traditional Knowledge, CSIR-National Institute of
Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), has launched the
national initiative known as SVASTIK (Scientifically Validated Societal Traditional
Knowledge) upon the call of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in August 2021.
• Aim : to disseminate India’s scientifically validated traditional knowledge to the
society.
• Under the SVASTIK initiative, an international conference on Communication and
Dissemination of Traditional Knowledge (CDTK) is being organized biannually.

3.Accelerating Sustainable Solutions for Energy Transition platform / ASSET platform:

• Recently aunched by NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Ministry of Power and the
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• Aim : To accelerate India’s green energy transition across Indian states. It addresses
the financial and logistical challenges in renewable energy expansion by fostering
private-sector participation and exploring innovative funding models to sustain
growth.

S&T:

4.India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024:

• The 10th edition of the India International Science Festival (IISF) will take place at IIT
Guwahati from November 30 to December 3, 2024.
• Theme :“Transforming India into an S&T-driven Global Manufacturing Hub,”

5.DSIR-CRTDH Conclave-2024:

• The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) to promote innovation

has been implementing the “Common Research and Technology Development Hubs
(CRTDHs)” program.

Page 2 of 11
 • Designed to encourage Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to conduct
industrial R&D and innovation activities.
• This programme was launched in 2014-15. It is successfully supporting 18 CRTDHs
across the country.
• DSIR is organizing the DSIR-CRTDH Conclave 2024 on November 13-14 at CSIR-
Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology( IMMT) in Bhubaneshwar, to showcase
these sustained achievements to a wider range of stakeholders.

6.P-7 Parachute System :

• Designed, developed by Aerial Delivery Research

and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra.
This a DRDO Laboratory.
• Fabricated by Gliders India Limited (Ordnance
Parachute Factory),Kanpur
• It Is capable of safely dropping payloads of up to
9.5 ton from IL -76 Aircraft at an altitude of up to
four kms.
• Indian Army can rapidly deploy their Light Field Gun & Jeep at the border and conflict
areas by air dropping with this system.

7.Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM):

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on November 12,

2024 conducted the maiden flight-test of a Long Range Land Attack Cruise
Missile (LRLACM), from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of
Odisha
• Range 1,000 km.
• It can be launched from a mobile articulated launcher.
• This is a new variant of the Nirbhay LRLACM with improved features.
• The Defence Acquisition Council had approved procurement of the LRLACM
of over 1,000 km range in July 2020.
• The missile has been developed by the Aeronautical Development
Establishment, Bengaluru along with contribution from other DRDO
laboratories and Indian industries.
• Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Bharat Electronics Limited,
Bengaluru are the two Development-cum-Production-Partners for LRLACM
and they are engaged in the missile development and integration.

Page 3 of 11
 • The original Nirbhay, with a range of 1,000 km and meant to fly very low to the
ground to avoid detection by enemy radar called terrain hugging capability,
was tested multiple times which also saw couple of failures.
• Once inducted, the LRLACM, similar to U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile, will give Indian
armed forces a long range standoff capability to strike targets on land.

8.Delhi Defence Dialogue (DDD) :

• Organised by Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)
in New Delhi on November 12, 2024.
• Theme ‘Adaptive Defence: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Modern Warfare’,
• ‘Adaptive Defence’-This is a strategic approach where a nation’s military and defence
mechanisms continuously evolve to counter emerging threats effectively

Indian Economy:

World Intellectual Property Indicators (WIPI) 2024 :

• Published by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

• It highlights global trends in intellectual property (IP) filings.
• The report reveals significant growth in patent, trademark, and industrial design
applications across top economies.
• India has secured a spot in the global top 10 for all three major intellectual property
(IP) rights.
• India recorded the fastest growth in patent (+15.7%) applications in 2023 marking the
fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth.
• India ranks sixth globally for patents with 64,480 applications, with resident filings
accounting for over half of all submissions (55.2%)—a first for the country.
• India’s patent-to-GDP ratio also saw significant growth, rising from 144 to 381 in the
past decade, indicating that IP activity is scaling alongside economic expansion.
• India ranked fourth globally in trademark filings strategic approach where a nation’s
military and defence mechanisms continuously evolve to counter emerging threats
effectively

Facts :

• National Academic Depositary is an online storehouse for storage, sharing, and

verification of only “Academic Awards”.
• IIT Madras is partnering with ISRO to create a Centre of Excellence in Fluid and
Thermal Sciences.

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 • Pantsir Missile System : This is an air defence system of Russia designed to protect
critical assets .It combines missile and gun Recently India’s Bharat Dynamics Limited
(BDL) signed an important agreement with Russia’s Rosoboronexport on this system

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 Current Affairs -14-15 November,2024

1.Operation Dronagiri:

• This is A pilot project launched under National Geospatial Policy 2022

• Launched at Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), Indian
Institute of Technology ,New Delhi on 13 November, 2024 by Professor Abhay
Karandikar,Secretary of DST,GoI.
• Aim - to demonstrate the potential applications of geospatial technologies and
innovations.
• First phase will be implemented in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Assam,
Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra.
• The activities under Operation Dranagiri will be overseen by IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-
Hub Foundation (IITTNiF).
• The Geospatial Innovation Accelerators (GIAs) at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIM Calcutta
and IIT Ropar will act as the operational arms of Operation Dronagiri.
• The entire implementation process will be driven by Geospatial Innovation Cell,
Department of Science and Technology.

2.PAIR initiative:

• PAIR means ‘Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research’

• Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced this programme.
• Aim -to transform research and innovation in Indian Universities.
• This programme works in hub and spoke model .It pairs universities where research
is at nascent stage, with top-tier established institutions in mentorship mode.
• In the first phase, the Hub institutions would include institutions within the top 25
NIRF overall ranking as well as Institutions of National Importance within top 50 NIRF
overall ranking.
• The spoke institutions will include, Central and State Public Universities and select
NITs and IIITs.
• Each PAIR network would consist of one hub and up to seven spoke institutions.

3.EXERCISE SEA VIGIL-2024 :

• This is Indian Navy’s fourth edition of the ‘Pan-India’ Coastal Defence Exercise
• To be held on 20 & 21 Nov 2024.
• 06 Ministries and 21 Organisations/ agencies are going to be involved.

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4.World Diabetes Day -2024 :

• Observed annually on November 14.

• This year’s theme :‘Breaking Barriers,
Bridging Gaps’.
• Diabetes is a chronic condition resulting
from either insufficient insulin production by
the pancreas or the body’s inability to use
insulin effectively.( Type 2 Diabetes)
• Insulin is essential for regulating blood
glucose levels, and without proper insulin
function, blood sugar can rise uncontrollably, a condition known as hyperglycemia.
• Uncontrolled diabetes, particularly over time, can damage various body systems,
especially the nerves and blood vessels.
• If untreated, diabetes can damage blood vessels in critical organs like the heart, eyes,
kidneys, and nerves. It raises the risk for severe health issues, including heart attacks,
strokes, kidney failure, and in some cases, permanent vision loss due to damaged
retinal blood vessels.
• Diabetes can also lead to nerve damage and poor circulation in the feet, resulting in
ulcers and, potentially, amputations.
• Symptoms: Increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, fatigue, and
unexplained weight loss.
• As per Indian Council of Medical Research – India Diabetes (ICMR INDIAB) study
published in 2023, the prevalence of diabetes is 10.1 crores.
Prevention:
• Adopting healthy lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent or delay type
2 diabetes. Recommendations for prevention include maintain a healthy weight, stay
physically active with at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, follow a
balanced diet low in added sugars and saturated fats and avoid tobacco use.
Government steps :
• The Government of India has launched several proactive measures to tackle diabetes
as part of the broader National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-
Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) under the National Health Mission (NHM).

5.Pinaka Rocket System :

• This is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL).

• On November 14, 2024 , DRDO successfully conducted flight test.

Page 2 of 9
 • The enhanced range now exceeds 75 km.
• Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Larsen & Toubro handle the production of the
Pinaka launcher and battery command post.
• The existing Pinaka Mk1 model has a range of 38 km.
• This is the main long-range rocket artillery for the Indian Army.
• Plans are in place to develop extended-range versions, targeting ranges of 120 km and
eventually 300 km. The Pinaka system is designed to fire various types of ammunition.

Indian Economy:

RBI releases 2024 list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs):

• SBI, HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank continue to be identified as Domestic Systemically
Important Banks (D-SIBs) under the same bucketing structure as in the 2023 list of D-
SIBs. The additional Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) requirement for these D-SIBs will
be in addition to the capital conservation buffer.

• The Reserve Bank had issued the Framework for dealing with Domestic Systemically
Important Banks (D-SIBs) on July 22, 2014, which was subsequently updated on
December 28, 2023.
• The D-SIB framework requires the Reserve Bank to disclose the names of banks
designated as D-SIBs starting from 2015 and place these banks in appropriate
buckets depending upon their Systemic Importance Scores (SISs).
• Based on the bucket in which a D-SIB is placed, an additional common equity
requirement has to be applied to it.

Page 3 of 9
 • The Reserve Bank had announced SBI and ICICI Bank as D-SIBs in 2015 and 2016
while HDFC Bank was classified as D-SIB in 2017 along with SBI and ICICI Bank.
• In case a foreign bank having branch presence in India is a Global Systemically
Important Bank (G-SIB), it has to maintain additional CET1 capital surcharge in India

AP Economy :

NTPC (Green Energy, Green Hydrogen) Project:

• Prime Minister Modi is going to lay the foundation stone for NTPC (Green Energy,
Green Hydrogen) project at Pudi Madaka near Visakha on 29th of this month.
• AP Gen Co has a 50 percent stake in this. Investments of Rs.84,700 crore will be made
in three phases.

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 Current Affairs: November 16-17

1.New Collective Quantified Goal” (NCQG):

• This term relates to “Climate finance” under Paris Agreement.

• The issue that is dominating in the CoP -29 Summit is -climate finance.
• Countries need to invest trillions of dollars to build clean-energy systems. This is a
major challenge for many developing countries.
• Hence under the Paris Agreement, governments agreed to set a new climate finance
target by 2025.
Paris Agreement says that-
“All parties Shall set a new collective quantified goal from a floor of $100bn per year,
taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries”
• But negotiations over this “new collective quantified goal” (NCQG) for climate finance
in recent months have exposed deep divides in the UN climate process.
• Nations disagree on virtually every element of the NCQG like Amount of money that
needs to be raised, period of time,what it should fund etc.
• Recently, India delivered a Statement on behalf of Like-Minded Developing Countries
at the High-Level Ministerial meeting on Climate Finance in CoP29 Summit at Baku,
Azerbaijan
• India asserted that Principles of Equity and Common but Differentiated
Responsibilities and Respective Capacities must form the basis for a strong outcome
on the New Collective Quantified Goal at CoP29
• India said developed countries to mobilise at least USD 1.3 trillion every year till 2030,
without subjecting developing countries to growth-inhibiting conditionalities.

2.India’s RE Capacity:

• India achieved a 200 GW milestone in renewable energy in October.

This remarkable growth aligns with the country’s ambitious renewable energy target •
of achieving 500 GW from non-fossil sources by 2030.
• Sudarsan Pattnaik recently made a sand art honoring 200 GW RE Milestone.

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 • Recently, Central govt announced a dedicated task force with all stakeholders to
achieve the goal of 500 GW by 2030.
• To install 288 GW of renewable energy capacity over the next six years, required
investment is ₹42 lakh crore.

S & T:

3.Safety and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Meeting:

• UNESCO and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, hosted a Multi-
Stakeholder Consultation on Safety and Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in New
Delhi on November 14,2024.
UNESCO’s AI Initiatives:
a.Global Recommendation on the Ethics of AI
b.AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM).

Indian Economy:

1.Women Entrepreneurship Platform:

• It was launched by NITI Aayog in 2017.

• It was established as the first unified portal with the aim of bringing together women
from diverse backgrounds and providing them with the resources, support and
training they need.
• It aims to see more women-led businesses across the country.
• Acts as a platform of information and services for women entrepreneurs. It mainly
provides support in areas of funding, financial management, incubation
connections, taxation, compliance support, entrepreneur skilling, mentorship,
community, networking and marketing assistance.
• Its objective is to enable women to develop at par with men and play their part in the
building of a new India.

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 Current Affairs: November 18-19

1.ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus):

• To be held in Vientiane, Lao PDR from November 20-22, 2024.

• ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and its eight
Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New
Zealand) to strengthen security and defence cooperation.
• India became the dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus
was convened in Hanoi, Vietnam on October 12, 2010.
• Since 2017, ADMM-Plus Ministers have been meeting annually to bolster the
cooperation amongst ASEAN and the Plus countries.
• Lao PDR is the chair and host of 11th ADMM-Plus.

2.Bose Institute, Kolkata:

• Researchers from Bose Institute, Kolkata have identified a novel gene that plays a
crucial role in the development of stamens (male reproductive structure) including
pollen grain and seed formation, in Arabidopsis flowering plants related to cabbage
and mustard.

3.VIVIBHA 2024 :

• This a three-day national conference organized by Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM)

at SGT University, Gurugram.
• IIT Ropar’s role in shaping a Self-Reliant Bharat was highlighted in this conference.
• iHub – AWaDH : is established by the Department of Science & Technology (DST)
under National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems (NM – ICPS)

4.‘One Day One Genome’ initiative:

• The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Research and Innovation

Council (BRIC) introduced the ‘One Day One Genome’ initiative to showcase the
enormous microbial potential of India.
• Genome sequencing of important beneficial micro organisms. Sequencing data can
be analyzed to identify the genome encoded capacities for various important
enzymes, antimicrobial resistance, bio active compounds etc.
• This initiative coordinated by Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-
National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (BRIC-NIBMG) an institute of the
Department of Biotechnology.
5.India’s first long-range hypersonic missile:

• The missile is designed to carry various payloads for ranges greater than 1,500 km.
• The trial was conducted by DRDO from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of
Odisha, on November 16.
• This missile was indigenously developed by the laboratories of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Missile Complex, Hyderabad, along with various other DRDO laboratories and
industry partners.
• A missile that can travel at least five times the speed of sound is called a hypersonic
missile.
• With the success of the latest test, India has joined the list of countries( USA, Russia&
China) that are capable of this type of missile.

6.Morigaon semiconductor facility :

• To be established by Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt Ltd (TSAT) @

Morigaon, Assam.
• With an investment of Rs. 27,000 crore, the Morigaon facility is expected to produce
up to 48 million semiconductor chips per day.
• This facility is projected for completion by mid-2025.
• The Indian semiconductor market at approximately $38 billion in 2023, with
projections indicating growth to $109 billion by 2030.
• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) is launched in 2021 with a financial outlay of
₹76,000 crore.

Environmental Issues:

1.56th Tiger Reserve :

• Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla in Chhattisgarh had became as the 56th tiger reserve of
the Country.
• The Government of Chhattisgarh, on advice of the National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA), notified this Tiger Reserve.
Note : Tiger Reserves are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section
38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advise of the National Tiger Conservation
Authority.
• Total area - 2829.38 Sq.kms.
• This makes it the third largest tiger reserve in the country after Nagarjunasagar-
Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
 • Tiger reserve is contiguous with the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh
forming a landscape complex of nearly 4500 sq.kms.
• The tiger reserve is connected to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh
to the West and Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand to the East.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority had accorded final approval for notifying
the Guru Ghasidas- Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in October, 2021.
• This tiger reserve is nestled in the Chota Nagpur plateau and partly in Baghelkhand
plateau.
• Chhattisgarh is now home to 4 Tiger Reserves.
• Remaining three tiger reserves — Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi and Achanakmar tiger
reserves.

2.Just transition :

• India makes important intervention at the Second Annual High-Level Ministerial

Round Table on ‘Just Transition’, at the CoP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan
• A “just transition” refers to the process of moving towards a more sustainable, low-
carbon economy while ensuring fairness and equity for workers, communities, and
regions currently dependent on carbon-intensive industries.

Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P):

• It is a mechanism for multilateral financing by developed countries to support an

energy transition in developing countries.
• It was launched at the COP26 in Glasgow with the support of the United Kingdom
(UK), the United States (US), France, Germany, and the European Union (EU).
• India refused to give its consent saying that coal cannot be singled out as a polluting
fuel, and energy transition talks need to take place on equal terms.
• UAE- ‘Just Transition Work’ programme.

Indian Economy:

1.Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue :

• The Observer Research Foundation and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways (MoPSW) will co-hosted the first edition of the annual ‘Sagarmanthan: The
Great Oceans Dialogue’ on 18-19 November 2024 at New Delhi.
• Aims - Global Maritime Cooperation.
• This is South Asia’s largest Maritime Thought Leadership summit.
• By 2047, India targets a port handling capacity of 10,000 million metric tons per
annum, leveraging strategic trade routes through initiatives like the India-Middle East-
 Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transport
Corridor.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
• This Project was signed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
• It consists two corridors -
a)The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf,.

b)The Northern Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe.

• Signatories: India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and
Germany.

International North-South Transport Corridor :

• This is an ambitious 7,200-km-long trade corridor seeks to link Russia’s Baltic Sea
coast to India’s western ports in the Arabian Sea through Azerbaijan and Iran
• It was first mooted in 2000.
• Russia, India and Iran signed preliminary agreements to develop the 7,200-km-long

International North-South Transport Corridor (NSTC) in 2002.

• Three years later, Azerbaijan signed up for the project.
• This agreement was eventually ratified by 13 countries — India, Russia, Iran,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Tajikistan,
Turkey and Ukraine.
• There was little progress on the project’s implementation for years due to various
reasons.
 Current Affairs: 20.11.2024

Indian Economy:

1.Overview of India’s Maritime Sector:

• India’s maritime sector serves as the backbone of its trade and commerce, handling
around 95% of the country’s trade by volume and 70% by value.
• 12 major ports + 217 minor ports

• India is the sixteenth-largest maritime nation in the world.

• The country is the third-largest in the world in terms of ship recycling by tonnage.
• Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, major ports increased their annual cargo-handling
capacity from 871.52 million tonnes to 1,629.86 million tonnes, reflecting an
impressive growth of 87.01%.
• In the financial year 2024 alone, Indian ports managed 819.22 million tonnes of
cargo, a 4.45% rise from the previous year.
• This growth aligns with a surge in merchandise exports, which climbed to USD 451
billion in FY23 from USD 417 billion the year before.
 • Paradip Port became India’s largest major port by cargo volume in FY24, handling
145.38 million tonnes.

Govt.initiatives :

• Allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under the automatic route for port
and harbour projects
• a 10-year tax holiday to enterprises engaged in port development
• In June 2024, the Government approved the establishment of a major port at
Vadhavan, Maharashtra.
• The ‘Panch Karma Sankalp,’ announced in May 2024, includes five major
announcements focusing on green shipping and digitization
Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) :
• The Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) aims to phase out conventional, fuel-
based harbour tugs at Indian major ports.

S&T:

2.Sanyukt Vimochan 2024:

• This is a Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

(HADR) Exercise, held by the Indian Army at Ahmedabad and Porbandar on 18-19
November 2024.
 • Focus: It focussed on the theme of ‘Cyclone in Coastal Region of Gujarat’.
• Objective: To showcase India’s readiness for disaster response and to strengthen
multilateral cooperation in humanitarian assistance.
• It had representatives from 15 organisations across nine friendly foreign countries.

3.Indium selenide :

• A team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore,

University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn
Engineering) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) discovered that when
electric current was passed through wires made of indium selenide, a 2D ferroelectric
material, long stretches of the material transformed into glass.
• These breakthrough findings were published in the journal Nature.
• The research was supported by ANRF (erstwhile SERB) established through an Act of
Parliament: ANRF, Act 2023

Environmental Issues:

4.Global Soil Conference 2024 :

• Held in New Delhi on November 19, 2024.

• It was organised by the Indian Society of Soil Science (ISSS) in collaboration with the
International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS).
• Aim :to address challenges in sustainable soil/resource management.
• Theme: Caring Soils Beyond Food Security: Climate change mitigation & Ecosystem
Services.
• The ISSS was established in 1934, in Calcutta under the Societies Registration Act xxi
of 1860. The Society organises seminars, and conferences to promote soil science
knowledge.

5.Green World Awards 2024:

• Coal India Ltd under the Aegis of Ministry of Coal receives Green World Awards 2024
in London.
• CIL, in 2017 became the first Public Sector Undertakings to take up the CSR project
for curative treatment of Thalassemia.
• CIL produces over 80% of India’s overall coal and contributes to 70% of the total coal-
based power generation in the country. The company contributes to 55% of total
power generation and meets 40% of the primary commercial energy requirements of
the country.
AP Economy:

6.IIT Madras and Andhra Pradesh Collaborate on Deep-Tech Innovation:

• IIT Madras has recently signed eight agreements with the Andhra Pradesh
government, which aim to enhance innovation and development in the state. Key
focus areas include deep-tech innovation, digital skills training, aviation, and
maritime research.
• IIT Madras will implement skilling programs across Andhra Pradesh. Initiatives like
SWAYAM Plus and Vidhya Shakti will be introduced. These programs target students
and teachers to improve educational quality and workforce readiness
• SWAYAM Plus: SWAYAM Plus is an initiative aimed at enhancing online education. It
provides access to high-quality learning resources for students and teachers across
India.
• Vidhya Shakti: Vidhya Shakti focuses on empowering educators with digital skills. It
aims to improve teaching methodologies and enhance the overall quality of
education in Andhra Pradesh.

Facts :

• ‘Unleashing the Role of Solar’ : This report is recently released by ISA.

• The Eurasian Wryneck has made its first appearance at Nanjarayan Tank in Tiruppur
district, which was recently designated a Ramsar Site.
• World Toilet Day 2024 : November 19, 2024
Theme : Toilets – A Place for Peace.
 Current Affairs : 21 November,2024

1.Declaration on Digital Public Infrastructure, AI and Data for Governance :

• G20 Troika-India, Brazil and South Africa.

• These three countries released a Joint declaration on “Digital Public Infrastructure, AI
and Data for Governance” in recent G-20 summit held in Rio de Janeiro.
• The declaration said that Accelerating progress towards the SDGs requires Digital
Public Infrastructure, AI and Data for Governance.
• The declaration mentioned the following 2 summits :
a.UN Summit of the Future
b.Global DPI Summit held in Cairo, Egypt in 2024.

UN Summit of the Future :

• UN General Assembly held this summit on 22-23 September 2024 @ New York.
• Theme of the Summit is ‘Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow’
• Reforming Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) will be a focal point.Prominent
MDBs comprise the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, among others.
• Our Prime Minister addressed on September 23, 2024.He highlighted India’s vision
for shaping a sustainable world for future generations.He said that lifted 250 million
people out of poverty in the last decade.
• World leaders have adopted a Pact for the Future that includes a ‘Global Digital
Compact’ and a ‘Declaration on Future Generations’.
‘Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit’-2024:
• Held In Cairo, Egypt from 1-3 October 2024.More than 100 countries participated.
• The Summit focused on the powerful impact of safe and inclusive implementations
of digital public infrastructure (DPI) to accelerate the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs).
• This summit has prioritized 7 items on DPI for 2025.

2.G 20 session on Sustainable Development and Energy Transition :

• Held @ Rio de Janeiro November 19, 2024.

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the session and highlighted the
following .
a.During the New Delhi G 20 Summit, the G20 group had resolved to triple renewable
energy capacity and double the energy efficiency rate by 2030.

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 b.India was the first G 20 country to meet its Paris commitments. India has set an
ambitious target to produce 500 GW renewable energy by 2030, of which 200 GW has
been achieved.
c.Global initiatives taken by India for Sustainable Development are-
1.International Solar Alliance
2.Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
3. Mission LiFE
4.One Sun One World One Grid
5.Global Biofuel Alliance

3.Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) Summit :

• It was launched by the governments of Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action
Summit in September 2019 and is supported by the World Economic Forum.
• It gathers countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris
Agreement.
• The countries, companies and industry experts of this group are aiming at net-zero
emissions from heavy industries by 2050.
• Secretariat : Stockholm Environment Institute
• India and Sweden co-chair the Annual Summit of LeadIT, on the sidelines of UNFCCC
COP29 at Baku, Azerbaijan.

4.“Bhu-Neer” portal :

• Developed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal
Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), for improved
groundwater regulation across the country.
• It manages ground water withdrawal permits
• Features :PAN based single ID system and NOC with QR code.

5.Disease of sesame plants :

• Researchers from Bose Institute have identified a new microbe responsible for a
peculiar disease that has been affecting the sesame fields of Midnapore in West
Bengal.
• The microbe is a cell wall lacking Mollicutes bacteria, called “Candidatus
Phytoplasma” These bacteria thrive in the nutrient-rich phloem and sieve cells of
plants.

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 • The transmission of these pathogens takes place primarily through phloem feeder
insects which are known to infect many commercially valuable crops like
Catharanthus, tobacco, maize, and grapevine
• Sesame is known as the Queen of Oil.

5.Nafithromycin :

• It is the country’s first indigenously developed antibiotic aimed at tackling

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Designed to treat Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP).This is
responsible for over two million deaths globally each year.
• India, which bears 23% of the world’s community pneumonia burden, faces
challenges with existing treatments, including widespread resistance to drugs like
azithromycin.
• Developed with the support of “Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance
Council” (BIRAC), a unit of the Department of Biotechnology under its Biotechnology
Industry Partnership Program (BIPP).
• It has been brought to market under the trade name “Miqnaf” by pharma company
“Wolkardt”.

Indian Economy:

1.UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme :

• On November 17, 2024, India’s aviation sector reached a historic milestone as

5,05,412 domestic passengers took to the skies in a single day, marking the first time
daily passenger numbers crossed the 5-lakh mark.
• Behind this is UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. This scheme was launched
on October 21, 2016.
• Total routes commenced under this scheme -609.

• The first UDAN flight took off on April 27, 2017, connecting the serene hills of Shimla
to the bustling metropolis of Delhi.

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 • UDAN operates on a market-driven model, where airlines assess demand on specific
routes and submit proposals during bidding rounds.
• The scheme incentivizes airlines to connect underserved regions by offering them
support through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) . various concessions provided by the
Central Government and State Governments.

Some UDAN Airports :

a) Darbhanga Airport -North Bihar.

b) Jharsuguda Airport- Odisha.
c) Pithoragarh Airport- Uttarakhand
d) Tezu Airport-Arunachal Pradesh.
• On October 20, 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three new
airports under the RCS UDAN scheme: Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Ambikapur in
Chhattisgarh, and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh

2.India-UK Free Trade Agreement talks :

• India & UK have decided relaunch the talks on India-UK Free Trade Agreement in
early 2025.
• As per the latest data from April to September 2024, India’s exports to the UK
witnessed a robust growth of 12.38%, reaching $7.32 billion, compared to $6.51
billion during the same period in 2023.
• Mineral fuels, machinery, and precious stones, pharmaceuticals, apparels, iron and
steel and chemicals lead India’s export basket to the UK, contributing a 68.72% share
of total exports.
• The United Kingdom is a priority country for the achievement of our ambitious $1
trillion export target by FY30, with our exports to the UK expected to reach $30 billion
by 2029-30.

Quick Facts :

• Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), under Ministry of New and Renewable
Energy, signed a MoU with H2Global Stiftung to establish a collaborative framework
to promote Green Hydrogen initiatives.
• A team of scientists at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
(JNCASR), has developed a novel diagnostic technology known as the GQ Topology-
Targeted Reliable Conformational Polymorphism (GQ-RCP) platform to for
unambiguous detection of HIV.
• World Fisheries Day, observed every November 21st.

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Page 5 of 11
 Current Affairs : 23.11.2024

Environmental Issues:

1 Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG): :

• The gas which is obtained through the process of anaerobic decomposition of bio-
mass sources like agricultural residue, cattle dung, sewage treatment plant waste,
etc.is known as Bio Gas.
• The Bio-Gas is purified to remove hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2),
water vapour and compressed as Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), which has methane
(CH4) content of more than 90%.
• CBG has calorific value and other properties similar to CNG and hence can be
utilized as green renewable automotive fuel. Thus it can replace CNG in automotive,
industrial and commercial areas, given the abundance of biomass availability within
the country.
• Chemically, CBG is the same as CNG — both are compressed methane — and have
the same calorific value. But, CNG is a by-product of petroleum, and CBG can be
produced from any biomass
• India’s first modern, self-sufficient gaushala with a state-of-the-art Compressed
Biogas (CBG) plant recently inaugurated in Gwalior on October 2,2024 by Prime
Minister

2.COP29:

• COP29 marked a significant milestone in global efforts to address climate change

within the tourism sector. For the first time in history, Tourism Day was held at the
summit, featuring the First Ministerial Meeting on Enhanced Climate Action in
Tourism
S&T:

3.Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) :

• This is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology

(DST),Govt of India.
• Hq: Bangalore
• Scientists from this Centre have identified a new route to Monkeypox detection.
• Mpox virus, has recently been declared a Public Health Emergency of International
Concern (PHEIC) twice in a span of last three years.
• MPV is a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus.
• The detection of the extracellular viral protein gene through polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) is a widely established technique for identifying MPV in clinical
specimens.

Indian Economy:

4.Tomato Grand Challenge :

• Recently organised by Ministry of Consumer Affairs of Govt of India .

• Aim : To recognise Technologies for primary processing and storage of tomato.

• Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs monitors the prices of

22 essential food commodities and recommend interventions to stabilize the
volatility in prices.
• India is the second largest producer of tomatoes in the world .
• Studies estimate that about 30-35% of tomatoes are wasted every year at various
stages in its value chain
• Further, tomato is highly susceptible to price volatility.

Quick facts :
1.Delhi to host Textile Ministry’s prestigious summit “GI & Beyond 2024”

2.The Nimoo Bazgo Power Project is a hydro power project on the Indus River situated at Alchi
village, 75 kilometres (47 mi) from Leh in the Indian Union Territory of Ladakh.

3.The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has entered into a significant collaboration
with the Australian Space Agency (ASA) to support India’s first crewed spaceflight program,
Gaganyaan.
 Current Affairs : 26.11.2024

1.Global Cooperative Conference 2024:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Cooperative Conference 2024
on 25 November @ Delhi.
• Organised by Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) in collaboration
with the International Cooperative Alliance +Government of India + Amul + Krishak
Bharati Cooperative Limited.
• International Cooperative Alliance General Assembly are being organized in India for
the first time.
• Theme of the conference “Cooperatives build prosperity for all”.
International Cooperative Alliance (ICA):
• Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium.
• This is a non-governmental cooperative organization.
• It was founded in the year 1895

2.National Milk Day :

• Observed annually on November 26.

• Globally India is 1st in Milk production with 230.58 million ton per annum and it is 25%
of world production of milk followed by USA.
• The per capita availability of milk is around 459 grams/day in 2022- 23.
• Two milk unions, Ichhamati Cooperative Milk Union in West Bengal and Mulukanoor
Women’s Mutually Aided Milk Producers Cooperative Union in Andhra Pradesh have
evolved as all women cooperative dairies managed and governed by women.

3.One Nation One Subscription :

• This is a new Central Sector Scheme for providing country-wide access to scholarly
research articles and journal publication.
• The benefits of One Nation One Subscription scheme will be provided to all Higher
Educational Institutions under the management of the Central or State Government
and Research & Development Institutions of the Central Government, through a
national subscription coordinated by a central agency, namely the Information and
Library Network (INFLIBNET), an autonomous inter-university centre of the University
Grants Commission (UGC).
• The Department of Higher Education will have a unified portal “One Nation One
Subscription” through which the institutions will be able to access the journals.

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 • A total of about Rs.6,000 crore has been allocated for this scheme for 3 calendar
years, 2025, 2026 and 2027.
• This will supplement the ANRF initiative to promote research and development.

4.National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) :

• This is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’
Welfare.
• Recently approved by Union Cabinet with a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore
(Government of India share – Rs.1584 crore; State share – Rs.897 crore) till the 15th
Finance Commission (2025-26).
• Will be implemented across the country.
• Aim is to reach 1 crore farmers and initiate Natural Farming (NF) in 7.5 lakh Ha area.
• Around 2000 NF Model Demonstration Farms shall be established.
• Certification & branding will also be provided.

Facts :

1.Tato-I Hydro Electric Project (HEP)& Heo Hydro Electric Projects (HEP) are located in Shi
Yomi District of Arunachal Pradesh.

2.Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI), located in Wardha,

Maharashtra.

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 Current Affairs : 27.11.2024

1.Quantum communications technologies :

• The “DRDO Industry Academia–Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE)” is a collaborative

initiative between DRDO and IIT Delhi, established at IIT Delhi.
• The CoE is developing various quantum communication technologies like
development of fiber and free-space.
• This CoE & IIT Delhi recently demonstrated quantum communications technologies
in New Delhi.
• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) : is a secure communication method that uses the
principles of quantum mechanics to generate and share encryption keys. The most
well-known example is the BB84 protocol, developed by Charles Bennett and Gilles
Brassard in 1984.
• Following India’s First Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) demonstration between the
cities of Prayagraj and Vindhyachal, separated by 100 km, by DRDO labs and IIT (D) in
February 2022, many new initiatives have been taken by DRDO and IIT (D).

2.Imperial Eagle :

• The Imperial Eagle is the second largest eagle to reside in Europe

• This rare imperial eagle recently spotted in Kole fields of
Kerala.
• The Imperial Eagle primarily breeds in southeastern Europe,
and west and central Asia. During the winter season, they
migrate to regions in northeastern Africa, the West Asia, and
parts of southeast Asia.
• IUCN Status : Vulnerable.

2.Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024 :

• These are based on the outcomes of the Integrated Sample Survey conducted for the
period from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024.
• It generates crucial data on the production estimates of Major Livestock Products
(MLPs) such as Milk, Eggs, Meat, and Wool.

A.Milk Production:

• The total Milk production in the country is estimated as 239.30 million tonnes during
2023-24 registered a growth of 5.62% over the past 10 years which was 146.3 million
tonnes in 2014-15.

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• The production has increased by 3.78% during 2023-24 over the estimates of 2022-
23.
• The top five milk producing States during 2023-24 was Uttar Pradesh with a share of
16.21 % of total milk production followed by Rajasthan (14.51 %), Madhya Pradesh
(8.91 %), Gujarat (7.65 %), and Maharashtra (6.71 %).
• In terms of annual growth rate (AGR), the highest AGR recorded by West Bengal
(9.76%) followed by Jharkhand (9.04%), Chhattisgarh (8.62%) and Assam (8.53%)
over the previous year.
B.Egg Production:
• The total Egg production in the country is estimated as 142.77 billion nos. during
2023-24 and registered a growth of 6.8% growth over the past 10 years as compared
to the estimates of 78.48 billion numbers during 2014-15.
• Further, the production has increased annually by 3.18% during 2023-24 over 2022-
23.
• The major contribution in the total Egg production comes from Andhra Pradesh with
a share of 17.85 % of total Egg production followed by Tamil Nadu (15.64 %),
Telangana (12.88%), West Bengal (11.37%) and Karnataka (6.63 %).
• In terms of AGR, the highest growth rate was recorded by Ladakh (75.88%) and
followed by Manipur (33.84%) and Uttar Pradesh (29.88%).
C.Meat Production:
• The total Meat production in the country is estimated as 10.25 million tonnes during
2023-24 and registered a growth of 4.85 % over the past 10 years as compared to the
estimates of 6.69 million tonnes in 2014-15.
• The production was increased by 4.95 % in 2023-24 over 2022-23.
• It Is further stated that the Major contribution in the total meat production comes
from West Bengal with 12.62 % share and followed by Uttar Pradesh (12.29%),
Maharashtra (11.28 %), Telangana (10.85 %) and Andhra Pradesh (10.41 %).
• In terms of annual growth rate, the highest Annual Growth Rate (AGR) has recorded
in Assam (17.93%) followed by Uttarakhand (15.63%) and Chhattisgarh 11.70(%).
D.Wool production:
• The total Wool production in the country is estimated as 33.69 million kg during 2023-
24 registered a slight growth of 0.22% over last year.
• It was 36.76 million kg during 2019-20 and 33.61 million KG in previous year.
• The Major contribution in the total Wool production comes from Rajasthan with a
share of 47.53% followed by Jammu & Kashmir (23.06%), Gujarat (6.18%),
Maharashtra (4.75%) and Himachal Pradesh (4.22%).

Page 2 of 7
 • In terms of annual growth rate, the highest AGR has recorded by Punjab (22.04%)
followed by Tamil Nadu (17.19%) and Gujarat (3.20%).
World scenario:
• India is leading in milk production globally whereas 2nd in Egg production.

Quick facts :

• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recognized Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine

(SHKT) technology under the Hydro Category.
• Amara Raja Infra has successfully completed setting up India’s first green hydrogen
fuelling station in Leh, Ladakh for NTPC.

Page 3 of 7
 Current Affairs : 28.11.2024

1.5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee of UNEA:

• The fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2022
adopted a historic resolution to address plastic pollution at the global level.
• Note :UNEA -It is the governing body of the UN Environment Programme. It is the
world’s highest-level decision-making body on the environment.
• The resolution mandated the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to
develop an International legally binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution, and set into
motion, a process to have a global agreement.
• The UNEA resolution took an ambition to conclude the negotiations of the INC by
2024.
• Four sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee have been held since
2022 in Uruguay, France, Canada and Kenya.
• India has been engaging constructively in the negotiations.
• The fifth session of the INC being held from 25th November to 1st December, 2024 in
Busan, is the last planned session of INC and is expected to conclude negotiations
on the international legally binding instrument.
• India proposed a dedicated Multilateral Fund for a new International Legally-Binding
Instrument on Plastic Pollution, at the 5th session.

2.Network Readiness Index 2024 (NRI 2024)

• India has improved its position by eleven slots and is now placed at 49th rank as per
the Network Readiness Index 2024 (NRI 2024) report released on 21st November
2024, as against 60th rank scored in the NRI 2023 report.
• In its latest version of 2024, the Report maps the network-based readiness landscape
of 133 economies based on their performances in four different pillars: Technology,
People, Governance, and Impact, covering a total of 54 variables.
• The report has been published by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit
research and educational institute based in Washington DC.
• India has not only improved its ranking, but also improved its score from 49.93 in 2023
to 53.63 in 2024.
• It is noteworthy that India leads in several indicators. The report states that India
secured 1st rank in ‘AI scientific publications’.

3.‘Kavach’ system :

• This Is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system.

Page 1 of 7
 • Kavach aids the Loco Pilot in running of train within specified speed limits by
automatic application of brakes in case Loco Pilot fails to do so and also help the
trains to run safely during inclement weather.
• The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016
• Kavach was adopted as National ATP system in July 2020.

4.2nd Defence Datathon :

• This is a pioneering tri-services data analytics competition. Three services as well as

Indian Coast Guard showcased their data analytical skills in this event.
• Held by College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, a premier tri-services
training institute on 27 November 2024.
• Aim -Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making within the Armed Forces.
• Four themes were chosen for Datathon 2024.

5.11th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise & Workshop (SAREX-24):

• Will be conducted under the aegis of National Maritime Search and Rescue Board in
Kochi, Kerala on November 28-29, 2024.
• It relates to Indian Coast Guard.
• An MoU was signed with Indian Ocean Rim Association member states for
coordinating SAR in the Indian Ocean Region and ICG is the implementing agency.

6.Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) :

• The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) came into force in 1997, and presently
has 193 States Parties.
• OPCW, with its Secretariat in The Hague, is the implementing body for the Chemical
Weapons Convention, with a mission to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
• India is an original signatory to the Convention.
• India’s National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) is responsible
for implementing the Convention in India.
• In 2013, OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its extensive efforts to
eliminate chemical weapons.
• The OPCW established the ‘OPCW-The Hague Award’ in collaboration with the
Municipality of The Hague in 2014.
• The Award recognizes individuals and organizations that play a significant role in
advancing the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
• The 2024 OPCW The Hague Award was conferred upon the Indian Chemical Council
(ICC) at a ceremony during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties

Page 2 of 7
 (CSP) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) at the
Hague on November 25, 2024,
• This is the first time that the Award recognises the efforts of a chemical industry body.

7.E-Daakhil :

• The e-Daakhil portal was first launched on 7th September 2020 by the National
Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.
• With recent launch of the E-Daakhil portal in Ladakh on 22nd November 2024, it
became as a truly pan-India initiative.
• This is an innovative online platform designed to streamline the consumer grievance
redressal process.

Quick fact :

• Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser hosted a Knowledge Exchange on Technology

Foresight with Australian Organisations

Page 3 of 7
 Current Affairs : 29-11-2024

Indian Economy:

1.13th National Seed Congress:

• Organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

• To be held from 28 to 30 November 2024, at the International Rice Research Institute
South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) in Varanasi.
• Purpose : To Exchange knowledge, fostering partnerships, and driving innovation to
strengthen seed systems.

2.GIG WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY :

• Gig workers -All those who do temporary jobs without fixed salary are gig workers.
• Ex- Cab drivers , Swiggy & Zomato Delivery boys etc.
• As per an estimation by NITI Aayog vide its report titled “India`s Booming Gig and
Platform Economy” published in June 2022, the number of gig workers and platform
workers in the country was 7.7 million in 2020-21, including women, which is
expected to rise to 23.5 million by 2029-30.
• For the first time, the definition of ‘gig workers’ and ‘platform workers’ and provisions
related to the same have been provided in the Code on Social Security, 2020 which
has been enacted by the Parliament.
• The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for framing of suitable social security
measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and
disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age
protection, etc.

S&T:

3.K-4 ballistic missile :

• Indian Navy carried out the test firing of the 3,500 Km K-4 ballistic missile from the
newly-inducted nuclear submarine INS Arighaat on November 28, 2024 from
• Tested in the coast of Visakhapatnam
• It was the first test of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from a
submarine.
• With the test, India became part of a small group of nations having the capability to
fire a nuclear missile from land, air and undersea.
• The solid-fuelled missile was tested at least five times in the last few years from
submersible platforms.

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 • Arihant-class submarine INS Arighaat was commissioned into the Indian Navy on
August 29 with an aim to strengthen India’s nuclear deterrence.

4.10th International Conference on Traditional and Complementary Medicine

(INTRACOM) 2024:

• Held at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Setial Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
• The conference focused on the transformative role of digital technologies in
modernising healthcare practices in Traditional and Complementary Medicine
(T&CM).
• The World Health Organisation(WHO) has officially unveiled the International
Classification of Diseases (ICD) 11, Traditional Medicine Module -2 in January 2024.
• Implication -Global Integration of Ayush Medicine
• India’s leading Role in Global Traditional Medicine Digitisation Highlighted at 10th
INTRACOM 2024

Environmental Issues:

5.Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden:

• Previously known as Indian Botanic Garden.

• situated in Howrah near Kolkata.
• The gardens exhibit a wide variety of rare plants I.e. 20,000 plants belonging to over
3000 species of flowering and non-flowering plants spread over 109 hectares.
• It is under Botanical Survey of India (BSI) of Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India.

Quick facts:

• INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHED ‘EKLAVYA’ ONLINE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR OFFICERS’

TRAINING
• Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024 is brought out recently, for the first
time, by Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change, Ben-
Gurion University of the Negev, Israel and BioDB.com. India has been ranked 176 out
of total 180 countries.
• National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) recently signed an MoU
with the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) to promote research in
the area of decarbonization within the Indian cement sector.

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 Current Affairs : 30.11.2024

S&T Issues :

1.Technology Development Fund Scheme:

• Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is a flagship programme of Ministry of

Defence executed by DRDO under ‘Make in India’ initiative.
• It provides Grant in Aid to Indian industries, including MSMEs and Start-ups, as well
as academic and scientific institutions for the development of Defence and dual use
technologies that are currently not available with the Indian defence Industry.
• As of now, 26 technologies have been successfully developed.

Q : Technology Development Fund scheme, recently seen in the news, is a programme of

which ministry?

Answer: Ministry of Defence

2.’NLOS VICINITY’ and ‘ILLUMINATE’ technologies.

• The C-DAC,Chennai has developed these two technologies and recently transferred
to Nav Wireless Technologies Pvt. Ltd. For deployment and commercialization.
• These 2 are Visible Light Communication (VLC)/Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) based wireless
communication technologies.
• VLC/ Li-Fi technology uses light waves instead of traditional radio waves to transmit
data.
Advantages :
• Faster speeds,
• enhanced security
• greater energy efficiency.
• Its inability to pass through walls, make it a preferred choice for sensitive
environments, including hospitals, airports, and defense sectors.
• Its energy efficiency further aligns with sustainable infrastructure goals

Q:With reference to ‘LiFi’ recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are
correct?( UPSC -2016)

1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.

2. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than ‘WiFi’.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
A.1 only
B.2 only

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 C.Both 1 and 2
D.Neither 1 nor 2

3.Initiatives under Digital India Programme:

• Digi Locker, Entity Locker, API Setu, OpenForge, my Scheme, UMANG, UX4G are the
some of the important initiatives taken under digital India mission.

a.Digi Locker :

• Digi Locker is a secure cloud based platform for storage, sharing and verification of
all government-issued citizen-centric documents & certificates.
• Aims - ‘Digital Empowerment’ of citizens by providing access to authentic digital
documents.

b.Entity Locker :

• This is a secure digital repository tailored for organizations.

• It allows institutions like schools, businesses, and government agencies to manage
and share documents online.
• It simplifies compliance, reduces paperwork, and integrates seamlessly with Digi
Locker, enabling smooth digital exchanges between entities and individuals

c.API Setu :

• An ‘Open API’ policy was notified by Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) in July 2015
• MeitY has initiated API Setu also known as the Open API Platform project in March
2020.
• API is nothing but an endpoint (like a url) to which you send a request and receive back
data.

d. Open Forge :
• This is a platform set up by Government of India to promote sharing and reuse of e-
governance application source code.

Page 2 of 9
 e.my Scheme :

• It was dedicated to the nation on July 4, 2022.

• This platform aims to serve as a Schemes Marketplace providing a one-stop search
and discovery platform for government schemes.

f.UMANG :

• A single platform for all Indian Citizens to access pan India e-Gov services ranging
from Central to Local Government bodies.
• Aim -mobile Governance in India.

g.User Experience for Government Applications (UX4G):

• It aims to ease the users’ journey when availing services digitally

4.Dr. Mangalam Swaminathan National Awards for Excellence 2024:

• Instituted in the memory of late journalist Mangalam Swaminathan.

• He was one of the early initiators of the trend of science reporting and science
journalism in India
• Honoured distinguished individuals

Environmental Issues:

5.Regulation of Port Pollution:

• Central Pollution Control Board / State Pollution Control Board periodically monitors
the air and water quality at the Ports and also conducts regular environmental audit
of Ports.
• All the ports adhere to the MARPOL convention
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has issued “HaritSagar”, the Green Port
Guidelines to reduce carbon intensity and to develop an environment friendly
ecosystem at Major Ports

Indian Economy:

6.GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER (JULY-SEPTEMBER) OF

2024-25 :

• Released by National Statistics Office (NSO) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation (MoSPI).
• Real GDP has been estimated to grow by 5.4% in Q2 of FY 2024-25 over the growth
rate of 8.1% in Q2 of FY 2023-24.

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• Reason : sluggish growth observed in Manufacturing (2.2%) and Mining & Quarrying
(-0.1%) sectors.
• Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices in Q2 of 2024-25 is estimated at ₹44.10 lakh
crore, against ₹41.86 lakh crore in Q2 of 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 5.4%.
• Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices in Q2 of 2024-25 is estimated at ₹76.60 lakh
crore, against ₹70.90 lakh crore in Q2 of 2023-24, showing a growth rate of 8.0%.

Quick facts :

• Statement of Intent on Cooperation on Design & Development of Electric Propulsion

Systems for Indian Navy signed with UK.
• Indian navy and Sri Lankan navy conduct successful anti-narcotics operation.
• SAIL and John Cockerill India sign MoU to drive innovation and green steel
technologies.
• U WIN Portal-This is a digital platform for digitalization of all vaccination services
provided under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
• NHPC Partners with Global Green Growth Institute to Drive Clean Energy
Innovations.
• Government of India and ADB sign $98 million loan to promote plant health
management in India’s horticulture.

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