Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th September 2024

On September 12, 2024, the UNDP and ISO launched the world’s first guidelines to accelerate contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These guidelines aim to provide a standardized approach for organizations to integrate SDGs into their operations, enhancing global efforts towards sustainable development.

The southern states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have become major contributors to India’s GDP, collectively accounting for over 30% in 2023-24. This growth is driven by strong industrial sectors, advancements in technology, and higher per capita incomes.
The Indian government approved the development of the first unit of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS-1) on September 18, 2024. This project aims to establish India’s own space station, with the first module expected to launch by 2028.

Moneyview became India’s 6th unicorn startup on September 13, 2024, after raising $4.6 million at a valuation of $1.2 billion. This milestone highlights the company’s rapid growth and significant impact in the fintech sector.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) invested USD 70 million in India on September 12, 2024. This investment is aimed at enhancing health systems, affordable housing, and small business development in the country.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation in India fell to 1.31% in August 2024, marking a four-month low. This decline from 2.04% in July was mainly due to lower prices in fuel, power, and manufactured products.
In August 2024, e-way bill generation in India reached an all-time high of 10.55 crore. This surge is due to improved compliance and stricter enforcement by GST authorities. The record high indicates strong economic activity and effective government monitoring.
The Indian government has reduced the windfall tax on petroleum crude to zero from ₹1,850 per tonne, effective September 18, 2024. This tax cut, reviewed every fortnight based on oil prices, is expected to benefit oil and gas companies and potentially lower fuel prices.
Institutional credit to agriculture in India reached a record ₹25.10 lakh crore in FY24. This significant milestone underscores the importance of financial support in boosting agricultural growth. The widespread use of Kisan Credit Cards has been crucial in providing timely credit to farmers.

REC Limited signed MoUs worth ₹1.12 lakh crore with renewable energy developers on September 18, 2024, during the RE-INVEST 2024 event in Gandhinagar. These agreements cover projects like solar and wind hybrids, floating solar plants, green hydrogen production, and battery storage systems. The projects aim to enhance India’s renewable energy capacity over the next five years.

The Indian Government approved the mission to Venus on September 18, 2024. This mission, led by ISRO, aims to launch in March 2028 and will focus on studying the Venusian atmosphere, geology, and other scientific aspects.

The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) has launched a website offering technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages. The portal, shabd.education.gov.in, currently features 322 glossaries with around 2.2 million words, aiming to expand to 450 glossaries.

The World Bank’s titled “Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-communicable Diseases, and Human Capital,” report, released on September 12, 2024, states that promoting healthy longevity could save 150 million lives in developing countries by 2050. It highlights economic benefits from healthier lifestyles and suggests strategies like integrating clinical services into primary healthcare and taxing harmful products.

The International Day for Interventional Cardiology 2024 is observed on September 16th. The theme for this year is “Innovations in Cardiovascular Care: Bridging the Gap”, focusing on advancements in interventional cardiology and improving global access to these life-saving procedures.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II appointed Jafar Hassan as the new Prime Minister on September 15, 2024. This followed a parliamentary election, and Hassan is now tasked with forming a new government.
Squadron Leader Mohana Singh became the first female fighter pilot in the LCA Tejas aircraft fleet on September 18, 2024. This milestone highlights the Indian Air Force’s dedication to gender equality and empowerment.

The Ministry of Railways has awarded Vijayawada Railway Station in Andhra Pradesh the NSG-1 status. This recognition is given to stations with annual revenue exceeding ₹500 crore or serving over 20 lakh passengers annually. Vijayawada Railway Station achieved this milestone by crossing the ₹500-crore mark in annual earnings, making it one of India’s top 28 stations.

Questions:

1 Who became the first female fighter pilot in the LCA Tejas aircraft fleet in September 2024?

2 Which of the following criteria must a railway station meet to be awarded NSG-1 status?

A) The station must have an annual revenue exceeding ₹500 crore or serve over 20 lakh passengers annually.
B) The station must be over 100 years old and serve more than 10 lakh passengers annually.
C) The station must serve more than 30 lakh passengers annually and have a heritage status.
D) The station must be located in a metropolitan city and serve over 15 lakh passengers annually