- National:
- November 26 will be commemorated as a "Constitution Glorification Campaign" to mark the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. Union Minister for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju announced this campaign to promote awareness and appreciation for the Constitution across every village.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was upgraded to Maharatna status, becoming the 14th company to achieve this recognition on October 12, 2024. This upgrade enhances HAL's operational and financial autonomy, allowing it to make significant investments without government approval.
- Telangana became the third state in India to launch a comprehensive caste survey on October 13, 2024, following Bihar and Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana Commission for Backward Classes oversees this survey, focusing on the socio-economic, political, educational, and financial status of various castes to ensure equitable distribution of resources.
- Nima Rinji Sherpa, an 18-year-old mountaineer from Nepal, became the youngest person to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters on October 9, 2024. He completed his incredible journey by summiting Shisha Pangma in Tibet. Nima's achievement was celebrated with a hero's welcome in Kathmandu.
- October 12 marks Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashami, a significant Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It commemorates Lord Rama's triumph over the demon king Ravana and the goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
- International:
- India has become the third largest supplier of nutrition and health support to United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). This includes essential supplies like vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition products. The contribution was highlighted during the visit of Leila Pakkala, Director of UNICEF Supply Division, to India on October 11, 2024.
- Banking:
- The Securities Transaction Tax (STT) collection increased by 86% from April 1 to October 10, 2024, reaching ₹30,630 crore compared to ₹16,373 crore during the same period last fiscal year. This surge is attributed to the high trading volumes in the stock market.
- The Union Government released the first instalment of the 15th Finance Commission grants for 2024-25 to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan on October 12, 2024. Andhra Pradesh received untied grants amounting to ₹395.50 crore and tied grants totalling ₹593.26 crore. Rajasthan received untied grants of ₹507.11 crore and tied grants of ₹760.67 crore.
- The Income Tax Department has collected over ₹13.57 lakh crore in direct taxes for the financial year 2024-25 so far. This includes personal income tax of over ₹7 lakh crore and corporate tax of over ₹6 lakh crore. Refunds of over ₹2.31 lakh crore have also been issued during this period.
- Economy:
- India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) contracted by 0.1% in August 2024, primarily due to negative growth in the mining and electricity sectors, which saw declines of 4.3% and 3.7% respectively. However, the manufacturing sector experienced a modest growth of 1%.
- India's renewable energy capacity reached the 200 GW mark in September 2024, according to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). This includes contributions from solar (90.76 GW), wind (47.36 GW), large hydro (46.92 GW), small hydro (5.07 GW), and biomass/bioenergy (11.32 GW). Renewable energy now constitutes 46.3% of India's total installed power generation capacity.
- Science & Technology:
- On October 9, 2024, IIT Indore announced the development of a compact, affordable device for early cancer detection, specifically breast cancer. Designed by Prof. Srivathsan Vasudevan, the device uses Photoacoustic Spectral Response (PASR) technology and aims to reduce the cost of cancer screening to approximately one-tenth of traditional methods, making it more accessible, especially in rural and remote areas.
- Govt. Schemes:
- Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the GREEN Meghalaya Plus Scheme on October 1, 2024, in Tura, West Garo Hills. This initiative, based on the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model, aims to conserve an additional 50,000 hectares of forest cover by providing incentives of up to ₹20,000 per hectare annually to communities and individuals.
- Sports:
- India was awarded the hosting rights for the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025 on October 13, 2024. The announcement was made during the ISSF Shooting World Cup Final in Delhi. ISSF President Luciano Rossi congratulated India and expressed support for India's bid to host more international shooting events in the future.
- Defence:
- The Indian Army rolled out its first overhauled T-90 Bhishma tank on October 7, 2024. This overhaul, part of the Army's "Decade of Transformation" initiative, involved stripping the tank down to the last nut and bolt and meticulously rebuilding it.
- Important Days:
- October 13 is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Day, focusing on raising awareness about breast cancer and promoting early detection, education, and support for those affected by the disease. This year's theme, "Empowerment through Awareness: Early Detection Saves Lives," underscores the importance of regular screenings and self-examinations.
- October 14 marks World Standards Day, a day dedicated to honoring the collaborative efforts of experts worldwide in developing international standards. The theme for 2024 is "Shared Vision for a Better World," emphasizing the crucial role of standards in ensuring safety, efficiency, and interoperability across various industries.
- Appointments:
- L Satya Srinivas, who is currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, was appointed the interim CEO of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) on October 11, 2024.
- Noel Tata has been appointed as the new Chairperson of Tata Trusts, effective immediately, following the passing of his half-brother Ratan Tata on October 9, 2024. Noel Tata expressed his deep honor and humility in taking on this significant responsibility. Tata Trusts holds a 66% stake in Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata conglomerate.
- Pritpal Kaur, Superintendent of Police in Phek, Nagaland, was selected as one of the 2024 IACP 40 Under 40 awardees on October 7, 2024. Recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), she exemplifies leadership and law enforcement, and is the only Indian recipient this year.
- The Government of India has extended the tenure of RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao for one year, effective from October 9, 2024. This is his second one-year extension, initially appointed in October 2020 for a three-year term.
- Awards & Honours:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was honored with the Asia HRD Lifetime Achievement Award on October 8, 2024. The award, presented by Fahmi Jowder, former Minister of Bahrain, and Mohamed Waheed, former President of the Maldives, recognizes his exceptional contributions to human resource management.
- The Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri CR Patil, announced the 5th National Water Awards on October 14, 2024. These awards recognize outstanding efforts in water conservation and management across India. Odisha won the first prize in the Best State category, with Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat securing second and joint third places, respectively.
- Obituaries:
- Indranand Singh Jha, a renowned radio presenter from Akashvani Darbhanga, passed away at the age of 77 on October 14, 2024. Known for his captivating voice and deep connection with listeners, Jha made significant contributions to local broadcasting and culture.
Questions:
1 HAL became the _____ company in India to achieve Maharatna status.
- A) 12th
- B) 13th
- C) 14th
- D) 15th
2 Who was honored with the Asia HRD Lifetime Achievement Award on October 8, 2024?
- A) M.K. Stalin
- B) Pinarayi Vijayan
- C) K. Chandrashekar Rao
- D) Naveen Patnaik