Current_Affairs_Weekly_Q&A_PDF_September_2024_4th_Week_by_AffairsCloud_1.pdf

Weekly Q&A PDF Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 1 Weekly Q&A PDF This PAID PDF is provided by AffairsCloud’s dedicated team that works diligently to provide aspirants with high-quality content. We recommend you to purchase this PDF subscription and seize the opportunity to learn efficiently. Help Us to Grow & Provide Quality Service Click here to Download the CareersCloud APP Click here to Join the Telegram Channel Current Affairs Channel AffairsCloud Hindu Vocabs Suggestions & Feedback are welcomed [email protected] Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 2 Weekly Q&A PDF Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 3 Weekly Q&A PDF Current Affairs Weekly Q&A PDF – September 2024 4th Week (25 - 30) NATIONAL AFFAIRS 1. Which State Election Commission (SEC) has successfully carried out a paperless voting process for the first time in India during its panchayat by-election in September 2024? 1) Chhattisgarh 2) Rajasthan 3) Uttar Pradesh 4) Madhya Pradesh 5) Maharashtra Answer- 4) Madhya Pradesh Explanation: Madhya Pradesh (MP) State Election Commission (SEC) conducted a paperless voting process for the first time in India. It was implemented as a pilot project during a Panchayat by-election in Ratua Ratanpur village, Berasia tehsil in Bhopal (MP) for the post of Sarpanch and recorded 84% turnout. The process aims to computerise the manual parts of the voting process that were previously done on paper. The new system uses thumb impressions and electronic signatures for voter identification, ensuring authenticity and eliminating proxy voting. Option Revision: 1. Covered in August 2024: Chhattisgarh The Chhattisgarh government has announced the establishment of the new tiger reserve named ‘Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve’, marking it as the fourth Tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh. The reserve will include areas of the Guru Ghasidas National Park and the Tamor Pingla sanctuary, covering an expansive area of 2,829.387 square kilometers (sq km) across the districts of Manendragarh- Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur. 2.Covered in July 2024: Rajasthan Rajasthan is all set to become the 1st state in India to adopt an action plan for road safety for the next 10 years. The proposed action plan aimed at reducing road accidents in the state by 50% till 2030. The World Bank (WB) would provide assistance to the Government of Rajasthan. As per the draft, the action plan will be implemented in 3 phases. Phase 1 will be implemented between 2025 till 2027. It will focus on safety audits of 500 kilometre (km) of state highways and major district roads. 3. Covered in July 2024: Uttar Pradesh Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL) has launched ‘Ghar Ghar Solar, Tata Power ke Sang' initiative in Varanasi to promote residential Rooftop Solar Solutions (RTS) across Uttar Pradesh (UP). Dear Aspirants, We have introduced a new explanation section called “Option Revision” Exclusively on our Daily CA App Quiz. It will help aspirants to revise last 4 Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 4 Weekly Q&A PDF months CA via options. The news theme, relevant topic, and importance are taken into consideration when choosing an option. Question No. 01 gives you preview about option revision., Aspirants can get option revision for rest of questions on our Daily CA App Quiz(Explanation part) We would like to notify you that all kind of Question & Answer (Q&A) PDF for paid subscribers will be discontinued from December 31 2024. Subscribers can attend the Quiz as Usual!!! 2. Which organisation has recently (in September 2024) collaborated with SISA Information Security Private Limited to launch the Certified Security Professional for Artificial Intelligence (CSPAI) program? 1) Indian Computer Emergency Response Team 2) Centre for Development of Advanced Computing 3) Centre for Development of Telematics 4) Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research 5) National Informatics Centre Answer- 1) Indian Computer Emergency Response Team Explanation: On September 23, 2024, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with SISA Information Security Private Limited, launched the Certified Security Professional for Artificial Intelligence (CSPAI) program, the first of its kind ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) accredited Artificial Intelligence (AI) security certification. The program aims to equip security professionals with the knowledge to integrate AI into business applications while ensuring sustainable and secure practices. 3. Which ministry has recently (in September ‘24) launched the 2nd edition of the ‘Tobacco- Free Youth Campaign 2.0’ in New Delhi, Delhi? 1) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 2) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 3) Ministry of Rural Development 4) Ministry of Education 5) Ministry of Home Affairs Answer- 1) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Explanation: On 24th September 2024, Union Minister of State (MoS) Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched the 2nd edition of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign 2.0 at a hybrid event held at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi, Delhi. The key objective of the campaign is to protect the health and well-being of young people from the harmful effects of tobacco. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 5 Weekly Q&A PDF During the launch event, he virtually inaugurated Tobacco Cessation Centres in medical institutions across India. The campaign will run for 60 days and it will focus on providing educational materials, promoting initiatives like enforcement drives and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities and establishment of Tobacco-free villages, etc. The campaign also underscores a ‘whole of government’ approach by fostering partnership and coordination between 7 ministries. All participants present at the event took the ‘Say No To Tobacco’ pledge to remain tobacco- free. During the event, 3 important guidelines namely, Health Workers Guide, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Villages to be Tobacco Free and the Guidelines for Law Enforcers for Effective Implementations of Tobacco Control Laws were launched. Click here to read more. 4. Which organisation has recently (in September 2024) launched Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) Hackathon 2.0 to foster innovation and develop digital solutions to tackle challenges in the logistics industry? 1) NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited 2) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development 3) Indian Space Research Organisation 4) Reserve Bank of India 5) National Aeronautics and Space Administration Answer- 1) NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited Explanation: On September 25, 2024, NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDSL) in collaboration with NITI Aayog – Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Startup India launched the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) Logixtics Hackathon 2.0 at the event chaired by Rajeev Singh Thakur, Additional Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), took place at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi, Delhi. This competitive event aims to drive innovation and create digital solutions to address the logistics industry’s pressing challenges. During the event, the Track Your Transport (TYT) Application (App), powered by the ULIP, was also launched to simplify logistics. ULIP Logixtics Hackathon 2.0 builds on the success of the first edition in December 2021, which resulted in innovative solutions for the logistics and supply chain sector. ULIP is one of the key initiatives under Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti (National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity), launched by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi as part of the National Logistics Policy (NLP) on 17th September 2022. 5. Which organisation/ministry has recently (in September 2024) established the Rail Rakshak Dal in the North Western Railway (NWR) zone to respond to train accidents and conduct rescue operations. 1) Ministry of Home Affairs 2) Indian Railways 3) Ministry of Science and Technology 4) Ministry of Defence Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 6 Weekly Q&A PDF 5) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Answer- 2) Indian Railways Explanation: On 24th September 2024, The Indian Railways established Rail Rakshak Dal in the North Western Railway (NWR) zone for the first time as a part of a pilot project which aims to promptly respond to train accidents and conduct rescue operations. The primary goal of the Rail Rakshak Dal is to provide assistance to the Railways and support district administration in times of emergencies. Rail Rakshak Dal has been formed under the direct supervision of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways. This initiative involves deploying Physically fit railway staff, training them in skills like swimming and utilising lightweight equipment to assist during emergencies. 6. Who has recently (in September ‘24) unveiled commemorative coin to celebrate Platinum Jubilee of the Central Silk Board (CSB)? 1) Narendra Modi 2) Giriraj Singh 3) Eknath Shinde 4) Siddaramaiah 5) Amit Shah Answer- 2) Giriraj Singh Explanation: On 20th September 2024, Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Textile, unveiled the Commemorative coin of the denomination Rs 75 during an event organised to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee (75th Anniversary) of the Central Silk Board (CBS) in Mysuru, Karnataka. The Union Minister also launched a Coffee Table Book titled CSB in the Service of the Nation Since 1949 and a postal cover featuring the CSB 75 Years Logo. The Government of Independent India enacted the CSB Act 1948 on 20th September 1948. The coin made of Quaternary alloy (50% silver, 40% Copper, 5% Nickel and 5% Zinc) weighs 35 grams and has a diameter of 44 millimetres (mm). Four new technologies, namely Nirmool, Seri-win, Mr. Pro, and a trapping machine were unveiled during the event. During the event, the CBS exchanged Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CIFRI) in Barrackpore, West Bengal (WB); Jain University in Bengaluru, and Assam Agricultural University (AAU) in Jorhat (Assam) to strengthen cooperative efforts in sericulture research and training. The official website of Silk Mark Organization of India (SMOI) was also launched during the event. The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) has notified the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023 which is set to take effect on 1st October 2024. On 10th August 2024, Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh launched Eri sericulture promotional project at Sardarkrushinagar, Palanpur in Gujarat. Click here to read more. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 7 Weekly Q&A PDF 7. What is the name of the supercomputer that was recently (in September ‘24) launched by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi? 1) PARAM Siddhi 2) PARAM Shivay 3) PARAM Rudra 4) PARAM Utkarsh 5) PARAM Pravega Answer- 3) PARAM Rudra Explanation: On 26th September 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dedicated 3 ‘PARAM Rudra’ Supercomputers worth Rs 130 crore to the nation via video conferencing. These supercomputers are developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM). These supercomputers have been deployed in New Delhi (Delhi), Pune (Maharashtra) and Kolkata (West Bengal, WB) to provide pioneering scientific research. Pune based Giant Metro Radio Telescope (GMRT) will leverage the supercomputer to explore Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena. The Government of India (GoI) has announced a research fund of Rs 1 lakh crore in the Union Budget for Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25). On 26th September 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system tailored for weather and climate research, acquired by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). This project is developed with an investment of Rs 850 crore, marking a significant step in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological applications. Click here to read more. 8. Who has recently (in September ‘24) become the first woman fighter pilot to join the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 18 Flying Bullets squadron? 1) Subhasri Sriram 2) Rekha Sharma 3) Anjali Gupta 4) Mohana Singh 5) Jyoti Vij Answer- 4) Mohana Singh Explanation: Squadron Leader Mohana Singh has become the 1st woman fighter pilot to join the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) 18 Flying Bullets squadron, which operates India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jets. The Flying Bullets squadron is stationed at Naliya Air Base in the Gujarat sector, along the border with Pakistan. Mohana Singh was among the first 3 female fighter pilots commissioned into the IAF in 2016, alongside Squadron Leaders Bhawana Kanth and Avani Chaturvedi. She made history as the first woman in the IAF to fly a “Hawk” aircraft during daylight hours in 2019. She was honoured with the Naari Shakti Award in 2020, recognizing her achievements alongside Avani Chaturvedi and Bhawna Kanth. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 8 Weekly Q&A PDF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 1. Name the country that has recently (in September ‘24) become the 1st country in the world to receive the World Health Organization (WHO) verification for Eliminating Leprosy. 1) Belize 2) Jordan 3) Jamaica 4) Brazil 5) Cabo Verde Answer- 2) Jordan Explanation: The World Health Organization (WHO) officially verified Jordan as the 1st country in the world to have eliminated leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease), a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae. Jordan has not reported any locally transmitted (autochthonous) cases of leprosy for over 2 decades. This achievement is seen as a significant step in public health efforts to eliminate leprosy worldwide. This achievement is expected to inspire other countries to enhance their efforts against leprosy. Leprosy is an age-old disease that mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. 2. Which country has recently (in September ‘24) assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for 2024-2027 term? 1) United States of America 2) India 3) Hungary 4) Bangladesh 5) China Answer- 2) India Explanation: On 24th September 2024, The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of India, assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) for 2024-2027 term. Girish Chandra Murmu has been serving as the 14th CAG of India since August 2020. The 16th Assembly of ASOSAI hosted by CAG of India was held in New Delhi, Delhi from 21st to 27th September 2024. The 56th meeting of the Governing Board of ASOSAI held on 6th September 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam elected Girish Chandra Murmu, CAG of India, as the host of 16th assembly of ASOSAI (2024) and Chairman of ASOSAI from 2024-2027. On 23rd September 2024, the 60th ASOSAI Governing Board Meeting was held in New Delhi. Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Court of Audit (GCA), has been elected as the chair of ASOSAI for the 2027-2030 term. Saudi Arabia was also elected as the host of the 17th ASOSAI General Assembly. Click here to read more. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 9 Weekly Q&A PDF 3. Which country has recently (in September 2024) joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)? 1) India 2) Curaçao 3) Germany 4) Bangladesh 5) Singapore Answer- 1) India Explanation: On 20th September 2024, India formally joined the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) by signing and ratification of the Framework Agreement on the establishment of the IBCA. IBCA is a global initiative founded by India to secure the future of big cats and their natural habitats. With this, 4 countries (India, Nicaragua, Eswatini and Somalia) have now become members of IBCA. IBCA was launched by PM Modi during the programme “Commemoration of 50 years of India’s Project Tiger” on 9th April 2023 at Mysuru University in Mysuru, Karnataka. The framework Agreement aimed to establish IBCA to collectively address common challenges for the protection and conservation of 7 big cats – Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah. IBCA aims to build a multi-nation, multi-agency coalition of 95 big cat range countries, non- range countries interested in big cat conservation. GOVT SCHEMES 1. Which ministry has recently (in September ‘24) launched the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on ‘White Revolution 2.0’ in New Delhi (Delhi) to boost the Indian dairy sector? 1) Ministry of Cooperation 2) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare 3) Ministry of Home Affairs 4) Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying 5) Ministry of Food Processing Industries Answer- 1) Ministry of Cooperation Explanation: On 19th September 2024, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) launched the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on ‘White Revolution 2.0’ during the National Conference on the initiatives taken by the MoC in the 1st 100 days of the 3rd term of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government held in New Delhi, Delhi. During the main session of the Conference, Union Minister Amit Shah launched ‘100 days’ initiatives’ under the theme of “Sahkar-se-Samriddhi”, to strengthen and expand the cooperative sector, and has potential to benefit about 13 crore farmers across the country. The key target of GoI under White Revolution 2.0 is to increase milk production by dairy cooperative societies by 50% i.e. from the current 660 lakh litres per day to 1,000 lakh litres, over the next 5 years. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 10 Weekly Q&A PDF He also launched SOPs for ‘Cooperation among Cooperatives’ initiative, the 3 key components of initiatives are distribution of Rupay – Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) to dairy farmers, distribution of micro-Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to dairy cooperatives and opening of the account of the cooperative societies and their members in cooperative banks. Union Minister Amit Shah has launched Margdarshika (Action Plan) for the formation and strengthening of 2 lakh new Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Dairy and Fishery Cooperatives Societies in each Panchayat. Click here to read more. 2. Which scheme has recently (in September ‘24) completed its 6 years of successful implementation, emerged from the National Health Policy 2017? 1) Har Ghar Jal 2) Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana 3) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 4) Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin 5) Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana Answer- 5) Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana Explanation: Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri- Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), one of the key components of Ayushman Bharat (AB), a flagship scheme of Government of India (GoI), which emerged from the National Health Policy 2017, has completed 6 years of successful implementation. It was launched on 23rd September 2018 by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The scheme is being implemented by National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). AB PM-JAY is the largest health assurance scheme in the world which offers a cashless health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across public and private empanelled hospitals in India. The scheme covers up to 3 days of pre-hospitalization and 15 days of post-hospitalization expenses which include expenses of diagnostics and medications. On 11th September 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the expansion of AB PM-JAY, offering comprehensive health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 years and above. As of 9th September 2024, over 35.4 crore Ayushman cards have been issued, which has empowered millions of families with health coverage. Click here to read more. VISITS 1.Which of the following points is/are ‘correct’ with respect to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Maharashtra on 20 September 2024? A) PM Modi participated in the PM Vishwakarma Yojana Programme marking one year of progress under PM Vishwakarma and released a commemorative stamp. B) He laid the foundation stone of PM Mega Integrated Technology Research and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Maharashtra. The government of India had approved the setting up of Six PM MITRA Parks for the Textile industry. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 11 Weekly Q&A PDF C) PM Modi launched the Acharya Chanakya Kaushalya Vikas Scheme of the Government of Maharashtra and Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme. 1) Only A & B 2) Only A & C 3) Only B & C 4) Only C 5) All A, B & C Answer- 2) Only A & C Explanation: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Wardha, Maharashtra on 20th September 2024. During his visit, i.PM Modi participated in the National ‘PM Vishwakarma Yojana’ Programme marking one year of progress under PM Vishwakarma and released a commemorative stamp published by India Post. The scheme was launched on September 17, 2023, to provide support to artisans and craftspeople working with their hands and tools. It is a Central Sector Scheme launched with a financial outlay of Rs 13,000 crore for five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28). ii. He laid the foundation stone of PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Amravati, Maharashtra. The government of India had approved the setting up of 7 PM MITRA Parks for the Textile industry. iii. He launched Acharya Chanakya Kaushalya Vikas Scheme and Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Women Start-Up Scheme. Under Acharya Chanakya Kaushalya Vikas scheme, Skill development training centres will be established in well-known colleges across Maharashtra to provide training to youth in the age group of 15 to 45. Around 1,50,000 youths across Maharashtra will receive free skill development training each year. Under Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar Women Start-Up scheme, early-stage support will be provided to women-led startups in Maharashtra to make them self-reliant and independent. Financial assistance up to Rs.25 lakhs will be provided. Click here to read more. BANKING AND FINANCE 1. Which bank/financial institution has recently (in September ‘24) invested USD 34 million loan in iBUS Network and Infrastructure Private Limited for Global expansion? 1) Asian Development Bank 2) World Bank 3) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 4) International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes 5) International Finance Corporation Answer- 5) International Finance Corporation Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 12 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: Bengaluru (Karnataka) based iBUS Network and Infrastructure Private Limited, a leading digital infrastructure solutions provider, has secured an investment of Rs 280 crore (USD 34 million) from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) for a minority stake in the company. This investment will aid iBUS in strengthening its market position and expanding both domestically and globally. IFC’s expertise will help iBUS scale its operations and enter new markets, focusing on solutions like in-building connectivity, outdoor small cells (a radio access point), managed Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) services, and intelligent Internet of Things (IoT). 2. Which state has recently (in September ‘24) started a Rs 530 crore water supply project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve drinking water infrastructure? 1) Tripura 2) Telangana 3) Maharashtra 4) Meghalaya 5) Kerala Answer- 1) Tripura Explanation: Manik Saha, the Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura laid the foundation for the Manila (Philippines)- based Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Rs 530 crores water supply project in Udaipur, Tripura. It is an initiative under the Mukhyamantri Nagar Unnayan Prakalpa (CM Urban Development Scheme) for the modern management of drinking water supply in 12 cities of Tripura. The project has already received Rs 330 crore in funding from the ADB. The project ensures clean drinking water supply to every urban household in 12 cities namely Khowai, Mohanpur, Ranirbazar, Bishramganj, Melaghar, Udaipur, Amarpur, Belonia, Kumarghat, Dharmanagar, Kailashahar, and Ambassa. The project aims to minimise water wastage and address the issue of water loss through leaks and inefficient systems, by implementing modern technology. 3. Which Public Sector Bank (PSB) has recently (in September ‘24) partnered with EaseMyTrip.com to launch India’s first co-branded travel debit card? 1) Bank of India 2) Punjab National Bank 3) Union Bank of India 4) Indian Bank 5) Bank of Baroda Answer- 5) Bank of Baroda Explanation: Bank Of Baroda (BOB), one of the leading commercial banks in India, in collaboration with EaseMyTrip.com, India’s one of largest online travel platforms, launched a co-branded travel debit card named ‘Bank of Baroda EaseMyTrip Debit Card’ for frequent travellers and those spending on entertainment and lifestyle. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 13 Weekly Q&A PDF This is the 1st co-branded travel debit card introduced by a Public Sector Bank (PSB) in India and EaseMyTrip is the 1st Online Travel Agency (OTA) in India to be partnered with the PSB for a debit card. The card offers discounts on travel and hotel stays, complimentary annual membership to Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, along with vouchers and discounts on the electronic commerce (e-commerce) site. Travel Discounts: 10% instant discounts on domestic and international flight bookings. 15% instant discounts on domestic and international hotel bookings. 10% instant discounts on bus and airport transfers/outstation cab bookings. 4. Which insurance company has recently (in September ‘24) partnered with BLS E-Services to offer a range of insurance products directly to customers across India? 1) Edelweiss Life Insurance Company Limited 2) Ageas Federal Life Insurance Company Limited 3) Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company Limited 4) SBI General Insurance Company Limited 5) Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited Answer- 4) SBI General Insurance Company Limited Explanation: SBI General Insurance Company Limited, a leading general insurance company in India, has partnered with BLS E-Services Limited (Erstwhile known as BLS E-services Private Limited), a leading integrated technology-enabled digital service provider, to offer a range of insurance products directly to customers across India. The collaboration aims to provide key insurance solutions, including Hospicash, a flexible income protection plans offering daily hospitalization benefits; vehicle insurance; personal accident insurance; and shop insurance. This partnership has enabled BLS E-Services’ to leverage its strong presence in the Electronic- Governance (E-Governance) sector, where it has already benefited over 40,000 customers. 5. Which insurance company has recently (in September ‘24) launched a comprehensive health insurance plan ‘Health Super Top-Up policy’? 1) Edelweiss Life Insurance Company Limited 2) Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited 3) Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited 4) Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Limited 5) SBI General Insurance Company Limited Answer- 5) SBI General Insurance Company Limited Explanation: State Bank of India (SBI) General Insurance Company Limited has launched ‘SBIG Health Super Top-Up’ plan, which is a health insurance add-on plan designed to enhance the existing basic health insurance coverage (corporate or personal loan) in an economical and affordable way. The main aim of this policy is to provide comprehensive support during unexpected medical emergencies that are often not covered by standard health plans. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 14 Weekly Q&A PDF Flexible annual and long-term aggregate deductible offers two options with sum insured ranging from Rs.5 lakhs to Rs.4 crores, with deductibles between Rs.2 lakhs to Rs.2 crores. Consists of long-term policy options that are available for up to three years. Affordable premiums starting at Rs. 3,377 for individuals aged 18-35 years are provided. To encourage early adoption, SBI General Insurance is offering a one-time welcome discount of 5% on all policies purchased within 5 days of receiving a quote from the company. 6. Which bank has recently (in September 2024) launched a suite of 8 innovative digital payment products and solutions to enhance the financial ecosystems for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and retail customers at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF 2024)? 1) Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited 2) ICICI Bank Limited 3) Karnataka Bank Limited 4) City Union Bank Limited 5) IDBI Bank Limited Answer- 4) City Union Bank Limited Explanation: City Union Bank Limited (CUB), a leading scheduled commercial bank in the private sector, has launched a suite of 8 innovative digital payment products and solutions to enhance the financial ecosystems for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and retail customers. These products were launched during the 5th edition of Global Fintech Fest (GFF 2024) held from 28th to 30th August 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The new digital payment products launched include Delegate payments, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) lite auto topup, National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), Credit line on UPI, RuPay credit card on UPI, and Loan against securities (Mutual Fund). Additionally, 2 innovative services: Open Network Digital Commerce (ONDC) for MSMEs and ONDC for Retail, designed specifically to cater the needs of MSME and retail sectors, were launched. 7. Axis Bank Limited and Mastercard have collaborated to launch ________, a business credit card designed for sole proprietors and Small-and-Medium Enterprises (SME) business owners. 1) PRIMUS 2) Mybiz 3) ETERNA 4) PIXEL 5) Mycard Answer- 2) Mybiz Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 15 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: Axis Bank Limited and Mastercard, an American multinational payment card services corporation, have collaborated to launch Mybiz, a business credit card designed for sole proprietors and Small- and-Medium Enterprises (SME) business owners. This credit card, a part of the World Mastercard category, combines a range of business and travel benefits to meet the needs of SME owners. MyBiz credit card will provide an end-to-end digital offering that simplifies small business clients’ experience. The card includes travel benefits like airport lounge access and travel insurance. This also offers business-related services such as marketing, productivity tools, online readiness, security-related services and services related to compliance through Mastercard Easy Savings Special. Cardholders will also have access to exclusive experiences such as culinary arts, wellness and sports through priceless.com 8. Which company has recently (in September ‘24) launched “CRISIL-IBX AAA NBFC Index– Jun 2027 Fund”, an open-ended Target Maturity Index Fund? 1) Muthoot Capital Services Limited 2) L&T Mutual Fund Trustee Limited 3) Tata Asset Management Private Limited 4) Axis Asset Management Company Limited 5) ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund Answer- 4) Axis Asset Management Company Limited Explanation: Axis Asset Management Company Limited (Axis AMC) launched “AXIS CRISIL-IBX AAA NBFC Index– Jun 2027 Fund”, An open-ended Target Maturity Index Fund investing in constituents of CRISIL-IBX AAA NBFC Index – Jun 2027. This is the 1st Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) sector-based target maturity mutual fund scheme in India. The minimum investment amount required for the scheme is Rs 5,000 and in multiples of Re 1 thereafter. The new fund will offer exposure to high-quality, AAA-rated NBFCs through a passive investment strategy by monitoring an index. The scheme will allocate 95% to 100% of its assets to fixed-income instruments attached to the index, with a small portion reserved for liquidity through debt and money market instruments. The fund will follow a ‘Buy-and-hold’ investment strategy which means that debt instruments issued by NBFCs will be held until maturity unless sold to meet redemptions or for rebalancing purposes. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 16 Weekly Q&A PDF ECONOMY AND BUSINESS 1. Which company has recently (in September ‘24) collaborated with Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) to launch India’s first domestically produced semiconductor chips by 2026? 1) Zero-Error Systems Private Limited 2) Signaltron Systems Private Limited 3) Infosys 4) Tata Consultancy Services 5) Cognizant Technology Solutions Answer- 4) Tata Consultancy Services Explanation: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is collaborating with Tata Electronics Private limited (TEPL) to launch India’s first domestically produced semiconductor chips by 2026. Tata Electronics is leading the initiative, with TCS providing expertise in chip design, engineering, and intellectual property (IP)-based solutions. This initiative aligns with the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which has approved the establishment of three semiconductor manufacturing facilities in India. 2. In September 2024, Moody’s projected India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow at ______ for Calendar Year (CY) 2024. 1) 7% 2) 7.2% 3) 7.1% 4) 7.5% 5) 6.8% Answer- 3) 7.1% Explanation: Moody’s, a subsidiary of Moody’s Corporation, has raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 7.1% for Calendar Year 2024 (CY24), from its previous estimate of 6.8% made in June 2024. It noted that the Indian economy will continue to be resilient amid global uncertainties. However, it has maintained its India’s economic growth forecast for CY25 at 6.5% and has projected a faster growth of 6.6% in CY26 in its new Asia Pacific outlook. The Global Ratings agency has predicted better inflation outcomes for India as it reduced India’s inflation forecast to 4.7% from the 5% predicted earlier. Moody’s has also raised the 2025 forecast for the Asia-Pacific region by 10 basis point (bps) i.e. from 3.9% to 4%. 3. Which organisation has recently (in September’ 24) raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast to 6.7% for the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25)? 1) India Ratings & Research 2) Goldman Sachs Group Inc. 3) International Monetary Fund 4) World Bank 5) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Answer- 5) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 17 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has raised India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast by 10 basis points (bps) to 6.7% for Financial Year 2024- 25 (FY25), from its previous estimate of 6.6%. This projection was announced by OECD in its latest ‘OECD Economic Outlook , Interim Report September 2024: Turning the Corner’ released on 25th September, 2024. It has also increased India’s economic growth forecast for FY26 by 20 bps, to 6.8% from its previous estimate made in May 2024. OECD’s report has also raised India’s headline inflation forecast by 20 bps, from 4.3% (projected in May 2024) to 4.5% for FY25. This projection is in alignment with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s forecast of headline inflation for FY25. As per the report, the global growth will remain stable at 3.2% in both 2024 and 2025, due to moderate inflation. It noted that the growth has been relatively robust in many of the Group-20 (G20) countries, including the United States of America (USA), Brazil, India, Indonesia and the United Kingdom (UK). 4. According to the ‘Asian Development Outlook (ADO) update of September’ released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), India's growth forecast for the Financial Year 2026 (FY26) has been projected at _________ 1) 7.2% 2) 7.5% 3) 7% 4) 6.8% 5) 7.1% Answer- 1) 7.2% Explanation: According to the ‘Asian Development Outlook (ADO) update of September’ released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), India's growth forecast for the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) has been projected at 7% and FY26 at 7.2% The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth slowed to 6.7% in the first quarter (April-June) of FY24, it is expected to accelerate in the coming quarters with increased agricultural performance and a large improvement in industry and services. As per the report, the government debt is projected to decrease from 58.2% of GDP in FY24 to 56.8% in FY25. Consumer inflation is anticipated to rise to 4.7% in FY24 due to elevated food prices, despite higher agriculture output expectations. 5. Name the first Schedule airline to launch from Uttar Pradesh (UP) that has recently (in September ‘24) received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). 1) Vistara 2) Vietjet Air 3) Shankh Air 4) Akasa Air 5) Air India Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 18 Weekly Q&A PDF Answer- 3) Shankh Air Explanation: Shankh Air, owned by Shankh Aviation Private Limited, has received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) valid for 3 years. Shankh Air will be the 1st Schedule airline to launch from Uttar Pradesh (UP). It is yet to receive clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to begin operations. Shankh Air will hub over Lucknow and Noida to enable connections to all major cities in India. The airline aims to connect major cities across India by offering both interstate and intrastate routes and focusing on areas with high demand and restricted direct flight options. MoU’s AND AGREEMENTS 1. Which organisation has recently (in September 2024) signed an MoU with the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) to enhance Space Situational Awareness (SSA)? 1) Bharat Dynamics Limited 2) Bharat Electronics Limited 3) Central Electronics Limited 4) Power Finance Corporation Limited 5) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Answer- 2) Bharat Electronics Limited Explanation: On 21st September 2024, Nainital (Uttarakhand)-based Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a ‘Navratna’ Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), to enhance space technologies, particularly focusing on Space Situational Awareness (SSA). Under this partnership, the organisations will develop advanced image processing techniques, data analytics software, and new instruments to monitor space objects, particularly near-Earth objects and artificial satellites, which will ensure the safety of satellites and their users 2. Which organisation has recently (in September ‘24) signed an MoU with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) to enhance the reach and marketability of "Brand Khadi"? 1) National Institute of Fashion Technology 2) Department of Posts 3) Confederation of Indian Textile Industry 4) Ministry of Textiles 5) Fashion Design Council of India Answer- 1) National Institute of Fashion Technology Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 19 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME), and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the ‘Centre of Excellence for Khadi-2.0(CoEK-2.0)’, to enhance the reach and marketability of “Brand Khadi” domestically and internationally, in Rajghat, New Delhi (Delhi). The MoU focuses on design innovation and capacity building. NIFT will assist Khadi institutions with training, designing Khadi garments, renovating Khadi Bhavans, and developing new high- quality Khadi products. KVIC will invest Rs 25.17 crore through CoEK over the next 3 years to strengthen the quality and brand power of Khadi. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS 1. Who was Sworn-in as 8th Chief Minister of Delhi in September 2024? 1) Atishi 2) Sheel Nagu 3) Preeti Sudan 4) Sujata Saunik 5) Soumya Swaminathan Answer- 1) Atishi Explanation: Atishi, a senior leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) took oath as the 8th Chief Minister (CM) of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. She was appointed by the President Droupadi Murmu. Lieutenant-Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena administered the oath of office and secrecy to Atishi at a ceremony held at Raj Niwas in New Delhi (Delhi). 5 AAP ministers also took oath during the ceremony. She replaced Arvind Kejriwal, the 7th CM of Delhi since February 2015, who resigned from his role in September 2024. Atishi is the 3rd woman CM of Delhi after Sheila Dikshit (1998 to 2013) of the Indian National Congress (INC) and Sushma Swaraj (1998) of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She became the youngest of all 3 to hold the CM Office (CMO) in the Union Territory (UT) of Delhi at 43. 2. Who has been recently (in September 2024) elected as the President of Sri Lanka? 1) Anura Kumara Dissanayake 2) Kamel Madouri 3) Kristen Michal 4) Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo 5) Ranil Wickremesinghe Answer- 1) Anura Kumara Dissanayake Explanation: On 23rd September 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake (55 years old), Leader of Marxist-Leninist party – Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), sworn-in as 9th President of Sri Lanka after winning the 2024 Presidential election. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 20 Weekly Q&A PDF He was sworn in by Chief Justice of Sri Lanka, Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Dissanayake won the presidency with 42.31% of the vote. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa took 2nd place with 32.76%. 3. Who was appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in the Indian Air force (IAF) with effect from September 30,2024? 1) Upendra Dwivedi 2) Manoj Pande 3) Vivek Ram Chaudhari 4) Ashutosh Dixit 5) Amar Preet Singh Answer- 5) Amar Preet Singh Explanation: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has appointed Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh as the next Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in the Indian Air force (IAF), in the rank of Air Chief Marshal, with effect from September 30, 2024. He will succeed the incumbent Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, who retires upon superannuation. He is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM). 4. Who has been recently (in September ‘24) appointed as the Director of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) with immediate effect? 1) Satish Kumar 2) Vivek Gogia 3) Ravi Agrawal 4) Bharat Lal 5) Alok Ranjan Answer- 5) Alok Ranjan Explanation: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of the Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officers Alok Ranjan as Director of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) and Amit Garg as Director of Hyderabad (Telangana)-based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) with immediate effect. Alok Ranjan has been appointed for a tenure up to his superannuation on 30 June 2026. He replaces Vivek Gogia, who has been repatriated to Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre. Amit Garg has been appointed for a term up to his retirement on 31 October 2027. Praveen Ranjan has been appointed as the Special Director General (SDG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). Vitul Kumar has been appointed as SDG of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and he will hold the post till the date of his superannuation on 31 August 2028. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 21 Weekly Q&A PDF R Prasad Meena has been appointed as SDG of the Border Security Force (BSF) and he will hold the post till the date of his superannuation on 31 July 2025. The ACC also approved the appointments of 4 senior IPS officers, all from the 1993 batch. They were promoted to the post of Special Director (SD) in the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Click here to read more. 5. Who has been recently (in September 2024) chosen as the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) by the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB)? 1) Raj Kumar Chaudhary 2) Sindhu Gangadharan 3) Brijendra Pratap Singh 4) Robert Jerard Ravi 5) Tapan Kumar Chand Answer- 3) Brijendra Pratap Singh Explanation: The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB), a key body set up by the Government of India (GoI), has appointed Brijendra Pratap Singh as the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of the National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna Schedule ‘A’ Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Mines (MoM). Brijendra Pratap Singh is expected to take over from the incumbent CMD, Sridhar Patra on 1st November 2024. Sridhar Patra, who has been serving as the CMD of NALCO since 2019 is set to retire on 31st October 2024. 6. Who has been recently (in September 2024) appointed as the 16th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka by the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake? 1) Paetongtarn Shinawatra 2) Nicolás Maduro Moros 3) Harini Amarasuriya 4) Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo 5) Dinesh Gunawardena Answer- 3) Harini Amarasuriya Explanation: On 24th September 2024, Harini Amarasuriya (54 years old), leader of National People’s Power (NPP), officially sworn-in as 16th Prime Minister (PM) of Sri Lanka. She has replaced Dinesh Gunawardene who resigned from PM office after the result of recently held Sri Lanka Presidential election. She took her oath of office administered by Anura Kumar Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She became the 3rd woman PM after Sirimavo Bandaranaike and Chandrika Kumaratunga. President Anura Kumar Dissanayake has also appointed his new cabinet comprising 4 members, including himself. Other 3 cabinet members are NPP parliamentarians, Harini Amarasuriya, Vijitha Herath and Laxman Nipunarachchi. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 22 Weekly Q&A PDF This new cabinet will serve as the caretaker government till the next parliamentary election, which would take place on 14th November, 2024. 7. Who was recently (in September ‘24) elected as the New Prime Minister of Japan? 1) Paetongtarn Shinawatra 2) Shigeru Ishiba 3) Min Aung Hlaing 4) Philemon Yang 5) Fumio Kishida Answer- 2) Shigeru Ishiba Explanation: On 27 September 2024, Former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba (67 years old) is set to become the next Prime Minister (PM) of Japan after being elected as the leader of Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which holds a majority in the parliament. He will assume PM office from October 1, 2024 by replacing incumbent PM Fumio Kishida. Shigeru Ishiba won by 215 votes, defeating Sanae Takaichi (194 votes), in the leadership election of the LDP in Tokyo, Japan. Nine candidates including two women had competed in the elections. AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 1. Name the movie that was recently (in September ‘24) entered into the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025) for the “Best International Feature Film” category? 1) Laapataa Ladies 2) Aattam 3) Ayena 4) Kantara 5) Gulmohar Answer- 1) Laapataa Ladies Explanation: On 23rd September 2024, the Film Federation of India (FFI) has announced the name of Kiran Rao directed ‘Laapata Ladies’ as India’s official entry for the “Best International Feature Film” category at the prestigious 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025), which will held on 2nd March 2025 in Los Angeles, California, the United States of America (USA). The film was unanimously selected by a 13-member jury of FFI headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua. The film was selected among 29 films, including 12 hindi films, 6 Tamil and 4 Malayalam films. Laapata Ladies was selected over award winning films like: Malayalam film ‘Aattam’ (The Play) which won the 70th National Film Award for Best Feature Film in August 2024. Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light” which won the Grand Prix, the 2nd highest award of Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Laapata Ladies is a critically acclaimed Hindi language film, which was released theatrically in March 2024 across India. Before its release in India, the film was screened at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September, 2023. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 23 Weekly Q&A PDF 2. Who has been crowned Miss Universe India 2024 in Jaipur, Rajasthan? 1) Sheynnis Palacios 2) Praveena Rai 3) Ruchira Kamboj 4) Rhea Singha 5) Arti Answer- 4) Rhea Singha Explanation: On September 22 2024, Rhea Singha, (19-year-old) from Gujarat has been crowned Miss Universe India 2024 at the pageant held in Jaipur, Rajasthan. She was crowned by Urvashi Rautela, Bollywood actress and Miss Universe India 2015. Rhea will now represent India at the 73rd Miss Universe 2024 pageant, which is scheduled to be held in Mexico in November 2024. She also won the Miss Glamorous subtitle award during the 2024 Miss Universe India pageant and she is one of the youngest winners of this pageant title. The Miss Universe pageant has been organised by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), the USA-and Thailand-based global, inclusive organization. 3. Name the Indian who has been recently (in September 2024) honoured with the prestigious award by the South Korea Government for strengthening the relationship between Korea and India. 1) Alia Bhatt 2) Arundhati Roy 3) Sudarsan Pattnaik 4) Anushka Sen 5) Kareena Kapoor Answer- 4) Anushka Sen Explanation: Indian Actress, Anushka Sen has been honoured with the prestigious award by the South Korea Government for her exceptional contribution in strengthening relations between India and Korea. She received the award from Hyun Woo Kim, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seoul Business Agency (SBA), during a ceremony held in South Korea. As Honorary Ambassador of Korean Tourism, she has played a pivotal role in bridging the cultural gap between India and South Korea. 4. Which organisation has recently (in September 2024) won the National Energy Leader Award from the Confederation of Indian Industry – Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) at Hyderabad, Telangana? 1) Steel Authority of India Limited 2) Indian Stainless Steel Development Association 3) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited 4) RailTel Corporation of India Limited 5) Rail Vikas Nigam Limited Answer- 3) Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 24 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has won the National Energy Leader Award from the Confederation of Indian Industry- Green Business Centre (CII-GBC) for the 6th consecutive year. The award was presented during the event held at Hyderabad, Telangana on 12th September 2024. RINL has also won the “Excellent Energy Efficient Unit Award” for the 8th consecutive year. These awards signify RINL’s consistent efforts towards energy conservation, including initiatives like: Harnessing waste heat recovery systems, Pulverised Coal Injection (PCI) in blast furnaces, and Waste recycling and Energy benchmarking. SUMMITS, CONFERENCES ----- COMMITTEE AND MEETING 1. In September 2024, the Indian delegation led by Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture (MoC) participated in the Special Session of G7 (Group of 7) Ministers meeting on Culture was held in ____________ 1) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 2) Naples, Italy 3) Thimphu, Bhutan 4) Nizhny Novgorod, Russia 5) Paris, France Answer- 2) Naples, Italy Explanation: Special Session of G7 (Group of 7) Ministers meeting on Culture was held on 21st September 2024 in Naples, Italy. Indian delegation led by Arunish Chawla, Secretary of the Ministry of Culture (MoC), Government of India, along with Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, MoC. participated in the meeting. During the session, the Naples Statement was signed on ‘Culture for the sustainable development of Africa and the world’ to promote culture as a driver of sustainable development in Africa. The importance of culture as a transformative driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda was emphasized. INDEX 1. As per 3rd Advance Estimates of the Area and Production of various Horticultural Crops for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), total horticulture production in India for FY24 is estimated to be about ___________. 1) 232.19 Million Tonnes 2) 283.19 Million Tonnes Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 25 Weekly Q&A PDF 3) 336.19 Million Tonnes 4) 353.19 Million Tonnes 5) 384.19 Million Tonnes Answer- 4) 353.19 Million Tonnes Explanation: On 21st September 2024, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DoA&FW) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) has released the 3rd Advance Estimates of the Area and Production of various Horticultural Crops for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24). As per 3rd advance estimates for FY24, total horticulture production in India for FY24 is estimated to be about 353.19 Million Tonnes (MT), a marginal decrease of 0.65% (about 22.94 Lakh Tonnes) compared to FY23 final estimates of about 355.48 MT. The area under horticultural crops has expanded to 28.98 million hectares in FY24, up from 28.63 million hectares in the Second Advance Estimates and 28.44 million hectares in 2022-23. India’s fruit production is expected to increase by 2.29% in FY24 i.e. to 112.73 MT. Overall production of vegetables is estimated to be around 205.80 MT; overall production of onion is projected to be at 242.44 Lakh Tonne in FY24; potato production in India is likely to be around 570.49 Lakh Tonne and production of Tomato is estimated to increase by 4.38%, from around 204.25 Lakh Tonne registered in FY23 to 213.20 Lakh Tonne in FY24. 2. Which state has recently (in September ‘24) topped the 6th edition of State Food Safety Index (SFSI – 2023-24) developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)? 1) Maharashtra 2) Kerala 3) Uttarakhand 4) Karnataka 5) Tamil Nadu Answer- 2) Kerala Explanation: Kerala, Tamil Nadu (TN) and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) have emerged as the top performers of the 6th edition of State Food Safety Index (SFSI – 2023-24) developed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Kerala has topped the SFSI for 2nd consecutive year with 73.75 score out of 100. The SFSI 2023-24 was unveiled by the Union Minister Jagat Parkash Nadda, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) during the inaugural session of 2nd Global Food Regulators Summit (GFRS 2024) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. Kerala achieved over 100% of its inspections target in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) and also it has improved its food-testing infrastructure and organised special drives to increase the number of license-holders and registrations, among other achievements. As per the index, TN has improved its ranking by 1 place, from 3rd position (in 2023) to 2nd position (in 2024), with an overall score of 67. J&K was ranked 3rd with an overall score of 64.25, followed by Gujarat (score 61.75) and Punjab (score 56.75) were ranked at 4th and 5th position respectively. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 26 Weekly Q&A PDF J&K emerged as the top performing among UTs, followed by Chandigarh (score of 43.75) and Delhi (score of 37.5). During the event, FSSAI launched Food Import Rejection Alerts (FIRA), an online platform designed specifically to inform the public and relevant food safety authorities through notification about food import rejections at Indian borders. Click here to read more. 3. Which ministry released the “7th Annual Report of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (July 2023 to June 2024)” in September 2024? 1) Ministry of Commerce and Industry 2) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 3) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation 4) Ministry of Labour and Employment 5) Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology Answer- 3) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Explanation: On 23rd September 2024, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the “7th Annual Report of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (July 2023 to June 2024)”. As per the report, Unemployment Rate (UR) in usual status (ps+ss) for persons aged 15 years and above has remained unchanged at 3.2% during July 2023 to June 2024. The UR for male aged 15 years and above saw a marginal decrease from 3.3% in 2022-23 to 3.2% in 2023-24. UR for female aged 15 years and above has increased from 2.9% in 2022-23 to 3.2% in 2023-24. The UR in urban areas has decreased from 5.4% in 2022-23 to 5.1% in 2023-24 and in rural areas, UR has increased from 2.4% in 2022-23 to 2.5% in 2023-24. At all India level, Labour Force Participation Rates (LFPR) in usual status (ps+ss) for persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 57.9% (in 2022-23) to 60.1% (in 2023-24). LFPR for female has increased from 37.0% (in FY23) to 41.7% (in 2023-2024). LFPR for male of the same age group in usual status (ps+ss) has increased from 78.5% to 78.8% in July 2023- June 2024. Overall Work Population Ratio (WPR) in usual status for persons of age 15 years and above has increased from 56.0% (in 2022-23) to 58.2% (in 2023-24). NSSO has been conducting PLFS since April 2017 to estimate the main employment and unemployment indicators such as: Work Population Ratio (WPR), Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR), and UR, in the short time interval of 3 months for the urban areas only in the “Current Weekly Status” (CWS). Click here to read more. 4. The S&P Global Ratings has recently (in September ‘24) retained India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast at __________ for FY25. 1) 7.2% 2) 6.5% 3) 7% 4) 6.8 % 5) 7.3% Answer- 4) 6.8 % Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 27 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: S&P Global Ratings has maintained India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast at 6.8% for the fiscal year 2024-2025 (FY25) and 6.9% for FY26 in its ‘Economic Outlook Asia-Pacific Q4 2024: Central Banks To Remain Cautious Despite U.S. Rate Relief’.. The Indian economy grew 8.2% in FY24 and for FY27 and FY28, India’s GDP growth is expected at 7%. For the Asia-Pacific region, the GDP growth is projected at 4.4% for 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027. Inflation is projected at 4.5% for FY25, 4.6% for FY26 and FY27, and 4.1% for FY28. 5. Which State/Union Territory has the highest Unemployment Rate (UR) among youths (individuals aged 15-29) as per the recent (in September ‘24) report of “Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) (July 2023- June 2024)” of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)? 1) Lakshadweep 2) Gujarat 3) Maharashtra 4) Karnataka 5) Puducherry Answer-1) Lakshadweep Explanation: According to the 7th Annual report “Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) July 2023- June 2024)” of National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), Lakshadweep has the highest Unemployment Rate (UR) among youths (individuals aged 15-29 ). Youth UR in Lakshadweep stands at 36.2% which includes 79.7% UR among young women and 26.2% UR among young men. Lakshadweep is followed by Andaman and Nicobar Island with 33.6% (49.5% women and 24% men) and Kerala with 29.9% (47.1% women and 19.3% men). The national average for youth unemployment is 10.2%, with females facing a higher rate of 11% compared to 9.8% for males. Madhya Pradesh (MP) has the lowest unemployment rate of 2.6%, among states in India followed by Gujarat with 3.1% and Jharkhand with 3.6%. In urban areas, the overall youth UR is 14.7%, compared to a lower rate of 8.5% in rural areas. The joblessness rate among females in urban areas is notably higher at 20.1%, while it stands at 8.2% in rural regions. Click here to read more. 6. According to the recent (in September ‘24) SBI’s Economic Research Department (ERD) report “Precursor to Census 2024: The Fine Prints of a Rapidly Changing Nation”, the average annual exponential growth has dropped to ________ in 2024. 1) 1% 2) 2.2% 3) 2.1% 4) 1.5% 5) 3.1% Answer- 1) 1% Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 28 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: According to the State Bank of India (SBI)’s Economic Research Department (ERD) report titled “Precursor to Census 2024: The Fine Prints of a Rapidly Changing Nation”, the average annual exponential growth of India’s population is on a downward trajectory and is expected to decline from 2.20% (in 1971) to 1% (in 2024), placing India’s population in the range of 138 to 142 crore in 2024. The report has also projected that the median age of India will increase from 24 years (in 2021) to 28-29 years (in 2023/24). Thus, India continues to be one of the youngest nations in the world and is still below the global median age. As per the report, the working-age population in India has seen an increasing trend since 1971 and is estimated to reach 64.4% in the soon-to-be exercised Census i.e. 2024 Census. This trend is further expected to increase to 65.2% in 2031. According to SBI’s ERD report, the proportion of children in the age group of 0 to 14 years is projected to be 24.3% in 2024, whereas it was 30.9% in 2011, indicating a continuing reversal trend that started in 1971. The report estimated that the contribution of the Southern region in incremental population growth will decline in the 2021 Census as compared to the 2011 Census, due to low growth in states like: Tamil Nadu (TN), Andhra Pradesh (AP), and Telangana. The NCT of Delhi and Chandigarh, are the most urbanized States and Union Territories (UTs), with 99.7% and 100% urban population respectively, followed by Daman and Diu (96.1%) and Puducherry (70.4%). Click here to read more. ACQUISITION AND MERGERS 1. Which company has recently (in September 2024) received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance Limited with itself to create a large unified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)? 1) Aditya Birla Capital Limited 2) Star Finserv India Limited 3) Sonata Finance Private Limited 4) Jio Financial Services Limited 5) Mindgrove Technologies Private Limited Answer- 1) Aditya Birla Capital Limited Explanation: On 18th September 2024, Aditya Birla Capital Limited received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the amalgamation of Aditya Birla Finance Limited, its wholly owned subsidiary, with itself to create a large unified Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). Aditya Birla Capital will now approach National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to complete the amalgamation process. Aditya Birla Capital’s board approved the merger with Aditya Birla Finance on 11th March 2024. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 29 Weekly Q&A PDF 2. In September 2024, Which organisation was sold for Rs 320 crore to the Japanese’s Konoike Transport Company Limited under the Alternative Mechanism, empowered by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)? 1) Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited 2) Ramky Sustainability Solutions Private Limited 3) Sneha Farms Private Limited 4) BAG Holdings Private Limited 5) Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited Answer- 1) Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited Explanation: The Government of India (GoI) has approved the sale of Ferro Scrap Nigam Limited (FSNL) along with the transfer of management control to Japan’s Konoike Transport Cim Ltd. for Rs 320 crore. This marks the first privatisation in over 2 years. Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had granted in-principle approval for FSNL’s disinvestment in 2016 and the reserve price was set at Rs 262 crore, with Konoike’s bid being the highest. The other bidder was Indic Geo Resources Private Limited, a subsidiary of Chandan Steel Ltd. FSNL is a Mini Ratna-II Government of India (GoI) Undertaking based in Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) and a subsidiary of MSTC Limited (formerly known as Metal Scrap Trade Corporation Limited), under the Ministry of Steel (MoS). 3. Which company has recently (in September 2024) received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to acquire less than 10% equity shareholding in Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (VHFCL)? 1) Sonata Finance Private Limited 2) EQT Private Capital Asia 3) IRB Infrastructure Trust 4) Naspers Ventures B.V. 5) Axel Springer SE Answer- 4) Naspers Ventures B.V. Explanation: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of less than 10% equity shareholding in Vastu Housing Finance Corporation Limited (VHFCL) by Naspers Ventures B.V. (Naspers Ventures) on a fully diluted basis. Naspers Ventures is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Prosus N.V. It is an investment holding company, primarily involved in investment through direct and indirect equity and debt funding. CCI has approved the acquisition of shares of Home Credit India Finance Private Limited (Home Credit) by VS Holdings Limited (TVSH), STPL Trading and Services Private Limited (STPL), and PI Opportunities Fund-II (PIOF), and acquisition of shares of STPL Trading and Services Private Limited by K. Gopala Desikan, Anuraag Agarwal, V. Ganesh, and GWC Family Fund Investments Pte. Ltd. The CCI has approved the acquisition of 100% share capital of Sunbeam Lightweighting Solutions Private Limited by Craftsman Automation Limited on a fully diluted basis. Click here to read more. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 30 Weekly Q&A PDF 4. Which bank has recently (in September ‘24) received the approval of the Scheme of Amalgamation with the Rajapur Sahakari Bank Limited from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)? 1) Banaras Merchantile Co-operative Bank Limited 2) Mahabhairab Cooperative Urban Bank Limited 3) Valsad Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank Limited 4) Malad Sahakari Bank Limited 5) Uravakonda Cooperative Town Bank Limited Answer- 4) Malad Sahakari Bank Limited Explanation: On September 20 2024, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the Scheme of Amalgamation of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based The Rajapur Sahakari Bank Limited with Mumbai based The Malad Sahakari Bank Limited. The scheme will come into force from September 23, 2024. The scheme has been approved in exercise of its powers conferred under Sub-Section (4) of Section 44A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation (BR)Act, 1949. As a part of amalgamation, the branches of The Rajapur Sahakari Bank Ltd., will function as branches of The Malad Sahakari Bank Ltd. DEFENCE 1. Which organisation has recently (in September ‘24) collaborated with the Indian Army and hosted two major events, ‘HIM DRONE-A-THON 2024’, and ‘HIMTECH 2024’ in Ladakh? 1) Defence Research and Development Organisation 2) NITI Aayog 3) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry 4) Indian Space Research Organisation 5) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India Answer- 3) Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Explanation: The Indian Army hosted two major events, ‘HIM DRONE-A-THON 2024’, and ‘HIMTECH 2024’, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), at Leh, in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh. The events focused on harnessing military technology for High Altitude Areas (HAA) through cutting-edge drone and technology innovations. The HIM DRONE-A-THON 2024 was held from 17th to 18th September 2024 at Wari La, Leh. The HIMTECH 2024 was held from 20th to 21st September 2024 at Rinchen Auditorium Grounds, Leh. HIM DRONE-A-THON 2024 focused on the demonstration of the capabilities of Aerial/ Ground/ Water/Underwater drones in HAA. HIMTECH 2024 focussed on showcasing cutting-edge equipment /products /solutions designed to perform in HAA. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 31 Weekly Q&A PDF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Name the rocket that was recently (in September 2024) launched by China from a sea platform on the waters near the city of Haiyang to place eight satellites into planned orbit. 1) Gaogui-02 2) Rohini-560 3) Transporter 11 4) Jielong-3 5) Falcon Heavy Answer- 4) Jielong-3 Explanation: On 24th September 2024, China launched the Jielong-3 (Smart Dragon-3) carrier rocket from a sea platform on the waters near the city of Haiyang in east China’s Shandong Province to place eight satellites into planned orbit. The offshore launch was carried out by Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.This launch was China’s 44th launch of 2024. China has now conducted 13 sea-based launches using four different rocket models viz. Long March 11, Smart Dragon 3, Ceres 1 and Gravity 1. Smart Dragon-3 is a commercial carrier rocket developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. 2. Name the space capsule which landed in Kazakhstan with Roscosmos cosmonauts Nikolai Chub, Oleg Kononenko and NASA astronaut Tracy Dyson from the International Space Station (ISS) in September 2024. 1) RHUMI-1 2) Tanager-1 3) Soyuz MS-25 4) DAICHI-4 5) Tianyi-41 Answer- 3) Soyuz MS-25 Explanation: On 23rd September 2024, Russian Spacecraft Soyuz MS-25 has successfully brought back 3 crew members, including Two Russian cosmonauts Oleg Dmitriyevich Kononenk and Nikolay Aleksandrovich Chub and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, from the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft safely landed in a remote area near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan. Russia’s Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub returned to Earth after their record-breaking stay of 374 days in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at the ISS. They returned after a trip of 158.6 million miles, spanning 5,984 orbits. NASA’s Tracy Caldwell Dyson has spent 6 months at ISS. Spanning 184 days in space, Dyson’s third spaceflight covered 2,944 orbits of the Earth and a journey of 78 million miles as an Expedition 70/71 flight engineer. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 32 Weekly Q&A PDF 3. To which company, the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) has recently (in September 2024) handed over the critical high-altitude sustenance technologies. 1) Indian Oil Corporation Limited 2) Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited 3) Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited 4) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited 5) Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited Answer- 4) Power Grid Corporation of India Limited Explanation: On 21st September 2024, the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a key laboratory under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), handed over critical high-altitude sustenance technologies to the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL). This transfer aimed at preparing employees for the challenging conditions of the 5000 MW (Mega Watt) Pang-Kaithal High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Project in Ladakh, situated at an altitude of 15,760 feet. DIPAS previously signed a MoU with PGCIL to provide technical knowledge on high-altitude operations. SPORTS 1. Who has recently (in September 2024) won the Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (GP) 2024 held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore? 1) Oscar Piastri 2) Lando Norris 3) Lewis Hamilton 4) George Russell 5) Max Verstappen Answer- 2) Lando Norris Explanation: McLaren’s Lando Norris, a British racing driver, won the title of the Formula 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix (GP) 2024 held at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore. This marks Lando Norris’ 3rd career win after Heineken Dutch GP 2024 and Miami GP 2024. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a Dutch-Belgian racing driver (competing under the Dutch flag) finished 2nd followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, an Australian racing driver in the 3rd. 2. Which country recently (in September ‘24) won the Gold medal in both the Open and Women’s section of the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE- Fédération Internationale des Échecs) Chess Olympiad in Hungary, Budapest? 1) Hungary 2) India 3) Spain 4) Armenia 5) China Answer- 2) India Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 33 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: Team India won the Gold medal in both the Open and Women’s section of the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE- Fédération Internationale des Échecs) Chess Olympiad held in Hungary, Budapest. For the first time, India won gold in both the Open and women’s section of the Chess Olympiad. In the Open section, Team India received the gold medals and the Hamilton-Russell Cup, the original Olympiad trophy created in 1927 named after its donor, British attorney and chess sponsor Frederick Gustavus Hamilton-Russell. In the Women's section, Team India won the gold medals and the Vera Menchik Cup. Team India also won the Gaprindashvili Cup, the special trophy which is awarded to the team with the best combined result in the Open and Women’s section. In the open section, Gukesh D (Board 1) and Arjun Erigaisi (Board 3) won the gold medal as the best players on their boards. In the Women’s section Divya Deshmukh (board 3) and Vantika Agrawal (Board 4) won the gold medal as the best players on their boards. The All-India Chess Federation (AICF) announced a prize money of Rs 3.2 crore for Olympiad- winning Indian teams. Each player from the winning teams will receive Rs 25 lakh. Click here to read more. 3. Where was the 7th edition of the annual men’s tennis tournament Laver Cup 2024 held? 1) Paris, France 2) Berlin, Germany 3) London, United Kingdom 4) Gstaad, Switzerland 5) Rome, Italy Answer- 2) Berlin, Germany Explanation: Team Europe captained by Swedish tennis player Björn Borg won the Laver Cup 2024 by defeating Team World captained by American tennis player John McEnroe. This marks the 5th win of Team Europe which has previously won the title in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. Laver Cup 2024, the 7th edition of the annual men’s tennis tournament between Teams from Europe and the rest of the world, was held at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany from 20th to 22nd September 2024. The Laver Cup 2024 has a total prize money pool of USD 2.25 million shared between the 12 main players representing the two teams. Team Europe included Alexander Zverev (Germany), Carlos Alcaraz (Spain), Daniil Medvedev (Russia), Casper Rudd (Norway), Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Greece). Team World included Taylor Fritz (United States of America-USA), Frances Tiafoe (USA), Ben Shelton (USA), Alejandro Tabilo (Chile), Francisco Cerúndolo (Argentina) and Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia). Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 34 Weekly Q&A PDF 4. Which country has recently (in September’ 24) won the 4th Intercontinental Cup 2024 football title by defeating India 3-0 at Ganti Mohana Chandra (GMC) Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana? 1) Spain 2) Argentina 3) Syria 4) Japan 5) China Answer- 3) Syria Explanation: Syria won their maiden Intercontinental Cup 2024 football title by defeating the defending champions India 3-0 in the final group match held at Ganti Mohana Chandra (GMC) Balayogi Athletic Stadium (formerly known as Gachibowli Athletic Stadium) in Hyderabad, Telangana. This is the 4th edition of the Intercontinental Cup, organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). It was a tri-nation series between the football teams of India, Syria, and Mauritius. Syria defeated Mauritius 2-0 and India 3-0, securing 6 points (in 2 matches) in the series. The football teams of India and Mauritius finished the tournament without scoring a goal. India won the inaugural tournament in 2018 (beating Kenya 2-0) and 2023 (beating Lebanon 2-0). 5. Which brand is the official sponsor of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil? 1) AMUL 2) Lay’s 3) Puma 4) Apple 5) Coca-Cola Answer- 2) Lay’s Explanation: Lay’s, a global snack brand owned by Frito-Lay, Inc., becomes the official sponsor for the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. This marks a global extension of Frito-Lay’s successful role as a Regional Supporter for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and Tournament Supporter for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the 1st edition to feature 48 teams and will be hosted across 3 countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America (USA). The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 will be held in Brazil in 2027. Lay’s will introduce “Fan of the Match” recognition at every match of both tournaments, rewarding fans with unique experiences. The partnership includes not just Lay’s, but also other Frito-Lay brands like Doritos, Cheetos, Tostitos, Ruffles, Cracker Jack, PopCorners, Quaker, and Gamesa. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 35 Weekly Q&A PDF 6. Name the Indian tennis player who has recently (in September ‘24) won the men’s doubles title along with Vijay Sundar Prashant in the finals of Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) 250 Hangzhou Open 2024. 1) Sumit Nagal 2) Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan 3) Tharun Mannepalli 4) Harmeet Desai 5) Marin Cilic Answer- 2) Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan Explanation: Indian Tennis players Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth won the men’s doubles title by defeating Germany’s Constantin Frantzen and Hendrik Jebens in the finals of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) 250 Hangzhou Open (2024). Marin Cilic of Croatia won the Men’s singles title by defeating China’s Zhang Zhizhen. This marks his first tour level title since 2021. Hangzhou Open 2024 was held from 18th to 24th September 2024 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center in Hangzhou, China. Hangzhou Open 2024 is the 1st edition of the Hangzhou Open and a part of the ATP Tour 250 series of the 2024 ATP Tour. 7. Which country has recently (in September ‘24) won the gold medal in the 1st Asia Pacific Padel Cup in Bali, Indonesia? 1) Philippines 2) Japan 3) Sri Lanka 4) India 5) Indonesia Answer- 5) Indonesia Explanation: The Indian team bagged the bronze medal by defeating Malaysia in the first edition of the Asia Pacific Padel Cup (APPC)2024 which was held at Amare Padel Club Umalas, Bali, Indonesia, from September 19th to 22nd, 2024. India has claimed this spot in its first-ever tournament appearance and also the first-ever padel competition between nations held in the Asia Pacific region. Indonesia won the gold medal followed by the Philippines winning the silver medal in the tournament. Padel is a racquet sport with Mexican origin that is played in an enclosed court, like squash, that is slightly smaller than a doubles tennis court in size. The racquets are of solid material but the balls similar to tennis balls are of a little less pressure. Nations participated in the event – Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 36 Weekly Q&A PDF 8. Which city will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games? 1) Glasgow, Scotland 2) Lausanne, Switzerland 3) Birmingham, England 4) Munich, Germany 5) Mumbai, India Answer- 1) Glasgow, Scotland Explanation: Glasgow, the capital of Scotland, has been announced as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the 23rd edition of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) after the Australian state of Victoria decided to withdraw from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to projected exceeding expenditures. Glasgow is set to host the games for the 2nd time in 12 years. The city previously hosted the event in 2014. BOOKS AND AUTHORS 1. Who launched the book titled "Khaki Mein Sthitapragya-Ek IPS Adhikari ki Smiritiyan avam Anubhav" authored by Anil Raturi former Director General of Police (DGP) Uttarakhand? 1) Ramesh Bais 2) Pushkar Singh Dhami 3) Piyush Goyal 4) Narendra Modi 5) Droupadi Murmu Answer- 2) Pushkar Singh Dhami Explanation: Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister (CM) of Uttarakhand, launched a book titled “Khaki Mein Sthitapragya-Ek IPS Adhikari ki Smiritiyan avam Anubhav” at the Institute of Research Development & Training (IRDT) auditorium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. The book, authored by Anil Raturi, former Director General of Police (DGP), Uttarakhand, is published by Winsar Publishing Co. The title Sthitapragya refers to maintaining equanimity in both success and failure. The book aims to guide young officers on facing challenges with patience and resilience. 2. Who has recently (September’ 24) released the book titled 'Sri Rama in Tamilagam - An Inseparable Bond' co-authored by Dr. D.K.Hari and Dr. D.K.Hema Hari ? 1) Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar 2) Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin 3) R.N. Ravi 4) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik 5) C. P. Radhakrishnan Answer- 3) R.N. Ravi Explanation: R.N. Ravi, Governor of Tamil Nadu (TN) released the book titled ‘Sri Rama in Tamilagam – An Inseparable Bond’ authored by the husband-wife duo Dr. D.K.Hari and Dr. D.K.Hema Hari, in a Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 37 Weekly Q&A PDF function organised at Bharathiar Mandapam, Raj Bhavan, Chennai, TN. The book is published by Rare Publications. This book has been written by the authors in 3 languages, English, Hindi, and Tamil in dedication to the newly built temple for Sri Rama at Sri Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh (UP). OBITUARY ----- IMPORTANT DAYS 1. When was World Rivers Day 2024 observed across the globe? 1) 24th July 2024 2) 11th August 2024 3) 22nd September 2024 4) 19th June 2024 5) 14th March 2024 Answer- 3) 22nd September 2024 Explanation: World Rivers Day (WRD) is annually observed across the globe on the 4th Sunday of September to raise awareness about the importance of rivers, encourage the improved protection of all rivers worldwide, and promote their conservation and sustainable management. WRD 2024 was observed on 22nd September 2024. WRD is a celebration of the world’s waterways (streams, creeks, and rivers), highlighting rivers’ vital role in providing freshwater, supporting ecosystems, and sustaining human communities. The first WRD was observed in 2005 across multiple countries. In India, river cleanups were organised by Save Jalangi at Krishnagar Biswarjan Ghat on the banks of the Jalangi River, Krishnanagar, in the Nadia district of West Bengal (WB), and seminar & community awareness programs were also organised in Ranaghat, WB. Click here to read more. 2. When was World Rhino Day annually observed across the globe? 1) August 10 2) July 29 3) June 17 4) May 5 5) September 22 Answer- 5) September 22 Explanation: World Rhino Day is observed annually across the globe on 22 September to raise awareness about the Rhinoceros or Rhino (Rhinocerotidae), one of the oldest groups of mammals, and the urgent need for their conservation. Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 38 Weekly Q&A PDF The day is observed to spread awareness for all 5 species of rhinos namely, the Black rhino, and White rhinos in Africa, and the greater one-horned, Sumatran, and Javan rhinos in Asia. World Rhino Day was first initiated by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) – South Africa in 2010. In India, rhinos are primarily found in protected areas in Assam, West Bengal (WB), and Uttar Pradesh (UP). According to the 2024 State of the Rhino Report published by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), currently, fewer than 28,000 rhinos remain worldwide across all 5 species. Click here to read more. 3. When was World Rose Day also known as the Day for the Welfare of Cancer Patients annually observed across the globe to raise awareness about cancer? 1) June 8 2) July 28 3) September 22 4) August 1 5) May 26 Answer- 3) September 22 Explanation: World Rose Day, also known as the Day for the Welfare of Cancer Patients, is annually observed across the globe on 22nd September to raise awareness about cancer and to demonstrate solidarity with cancer patients and their loved ones. The day aims to honour the strength and courage of those battling cancer, bringing happiness, support, and hope to cancer patients and their caregivers. The origin of World Rose Day was credited to Melinda Rose Hathaway, a 12-year-old Canadian girl diagnosed with Askin’s Tumor, a rare form of blood cancer in 1994. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Cancer causes 1 in 6 deaths globally, with 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. By 2050, the cancer burden is expected to rise by 77%. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), the estimated cancer cases in India reached 1,496,972 in 2023, up from 1,461,427 in 2022. Click here to read more. 4. When was International Day of Sign Languages observed across the globe to support and protect the linguistic identity? 1) August 13 2) July 7 3) June 6 4) May 15 5) September 23 Answer- 5) September 23 Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 39 Weekly Q&A PDF Explanation: The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) is annually observed across the globe on 23 September to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users worldwide. IDSL 2024 is celebrated as part of the International Week of Deaf People (IWDP) 2024 from 23 to 29 September 2024. The 2024 theme of IDSL is, “Sign up for Sign Language Rights” IDSL recognises the importance of sign languages in the realisation of human rights for deaf people across the globe. The date 23 September commemorates the establishment of WFD in 1951. The first formal sign language was developed in France by Abbé Charles-Michel de L’Épée, a French Catholic priest who established the first public school for the deaf in 1755 in Paris, France. The colour blue has been used by the WFD since its founding in 1951, and the Blue Ribbon has been used as a symbol of deaf communities’ work over the centuries for equality in society and recognition of their national sign languages. Click here to read more. 5. When was World Car-Free Day annually observed across the globe to encourage motorists to take a break from driving and explore alternatives like walking and cycling? 1) September 22 2) August 10 3) July 10 4) June 18 5) May 23 Answer- 1) September 22 Explanation: World Car-Free Day is annually observed in cities across the globe on 22nd September to encourage motorists to give up their cars for a day. The day also highlights the benefits of going car- free such as reduced air pollution and promotes walking and cycling in a safer environment. The first national car-free campaign was inaugurated in Britain by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) in 1997. An international Car-Free Day was organised in Europe in 1999, which was the pilot project for the European Union’s (EU) “In Town Without My Car” campaign. In 2000, Car Busters (the precursor to World Car-free Network (WCN)) called for a “World Car-Free Day,” to coincide with Europe’s Car-free Day on September 22. The main goals of observing WCD are to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions; promote alternative transportation methods; encourage physical activity; and foster community engagement. Click here to read more. 6. When is National Service Scheme (NSS) Day observed every year in India to commemorate the establishment of NSS in 1969? 1) August 29 2) July 27 3) August 4 4) September 24 Report Errors in the PDF - [email protected] Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 40 Weekly Q&A PDF 5) June 20 Answer- 4) September 24 Explanation: The National Service Scheme (NSS) Day is annually observed across India on 24 September to commemorate the establishment of NSS, a permanent youth Program under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). 24 September marks the foundation day of NSS in 1969. NSS was established to develop the personality and character of young students through voluntary community service. NSS Day pays tribute to its founding and to recognise the significant role it has played in shaping the youth of India. NSS was formally launched by the then Union Minister Dr. Vijayendra Kasturi Ranga Varadaraja Rao, Ministry of Education (MoE) on 24 September 1969, in 37 Universities covering all the states. The year 1969 commemorated the birth Centenary year of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, who was born in 1869. Therefore, 24 September is celebrated every year as NSS Day. The idea of the NSS was proposed by Major General Jagannath Rao Bhonsle. The Motto of NSS is “Not Me But You”, reflecting the essence of democratic living and upholding the need for selfless service. The NSS symbol is inspired by the ‘Rath’ wheel of the Konark Sun Temple (The Black Pagoda) in Odisha. 7. When is World Pharmacists Day annually observed across the globe? 1) June 25 2) July 26 3) August 3 4) September 25 5) May 26 Answer- 4) September 25 Explanation: World Pharmacists Day (WPD) is annually observed across the globe on 25 September to recognise and celebrate pharmacists’ crucial role as drug information specialist

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