Current Affairs One - Liner : 18th October 2024

• National:
• Jubilant Ingrevia joined the World Economic Forum's Global Lighthouse Network on October 8, 2024. This recognition highlights their use of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies at their Bharuch facility in Gujarat. The company has implemented over 30 integrated digital solutions, significantly improving efficiency and reducing emissions.

• NITI Aayog raised the asset monetisation target for FY25 to Rs 1.9 trillion, an increase of Rs 23,000 crore. This is part of the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), targeting Rs 6 trillion over four years. The move aims to boost revenue by monetising government assets.
• The Indo-Turkiye Friendship Association (ITFA) was launched in Hyderabad on October 16, 2024. This initiative aims to strengthen ties between India and Turkiye in areas such as economy, culture, tourism, science, technology, and education.
• The Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 by a 4:1 majority verdict on October 17, 2024. This section pertains to granting citizenship to immigrants covered by the Assam Accord, with a cut-off date of March 25, 1971. Justice JB Pardiwala provided the lone dissenting opinion.
• The foundation for the Centre of Excellence in Ayurveda Research at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Pappanamcode, Thiruvananthapuram was laid on October 17, 2024 by Union Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh.
• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled India's first self-powered indoor air quality monitor, named Pavana Chitra, at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on October 17, 2024. Developed by CSIR-NIIST, the device uses indoor solar cells made from locally sourced materials.
• The "Scam se Bacho" campaign was launched by the Government of India in collaboration with Meta on October 17, 2024. This initiative aims to combat online scams and cyber frauds by promoting digital safety and literacy. The campaign involves key ministries, including MeitY, MHA, MIB, and I4C.
• On October 16, 2024, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu unveiled six policies to foster economic growth. These policies aim to attract ₹30 lakh crore in investments and create five lakh new jobs over the next five years. The policies cover various sectors to ensure holistic development in the state.
• The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) of India introduced guidelines on October 16, 2024, to combat misleading environmental claims in advertising. These guidelines ban brands from using terms like natural, organic, eco-friendly, and sustainable without substantial proof.
• The International Methanol Seminar and Expo 2024 is organized by NITI Aayog at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from October 17-18, 2024. This event is part of the Methanol Economy Programme and highlights advancements in methanol production, applications, and technological developments.
• Banking:
• On October 16, 2024, HDFC Bank inaugurated its first branch in Singapore at 50 Raffles Place. This new branch will offer a wide range of financial products and services. The opening follows the bank receiving a wholesale banking license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
• India extended a Line of Credit worth Rs 487.60 crore to Mauritius on October 17, 2024, under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS). The funds will finance a 100 km water pipeline replacement project. This is the first-ever rupee-denominated Line of Credit.
• FTSE Russell announced on October 9, 2024, that India's sovereign bonds will be included in its Emerging Markets Government Bond Index (EMGBI) starting September 2025. South Korean government bonds will be added to the FTSE World Government Bond Index (WGBI) from November 2025. These inclusions are expected to attract significant investment into local bonds.
• Jio Payments Bank, a subsidiary of Jio Financial Services, secured a mutual fund distribution license from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) on October 4, 2024. This Category 1 Execution-only Platform (EOP) license enables the bank to distribute direct plans of mutual fund schemes.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) extended the digital relaxation for Annual General Meetings (AGMs) until September 30, 2025. Listed companies can continue to hold AGMs electronically without sending physical copies of financial statements to shareholders.
• Science & Technology:
• Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) discovered Barnard b, a small rocky exoplanet orbiting Barnard's Star, the closest single star to our Sun. Announced on October 3, 2024, Barnard b has at least half the mass of Venus and orbits its star every 3.15 Earth days.
• Sports:
• Vivaan Kapoor secured a silver medal in the men's trap event, and Anant Jeet Singh Naruka won a bronze medal in the men's skeet competition at the ISSF World Cup Final held in New Delhi on October 17, 2024
• Neetu David, Alastair Cook, and AB de Villiers have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Neetu David is celebrated for her record-breaking career as a left-arm spinner. Alastair Cook is recognized as England's highest Test run-scorer. AB de Villiers is known for his dynamic batting across all formats.
• Cricket is set to return to the Olympics at the Los Angeles 2028 Games in the T20 format. Separate men's and women's tournaments will be featured, with each team playing a maximum of 20 overs. This move aims to showcase cricket's global appeal.
• Important Days:
• World Migratory Bird Day 2024 was celebrated on October 12, 2024, with the theme "Protect Insects, Protect Birds". This theme highlights the essential role insects play in the lifecycle of migratory birds and addresses the global decline in insect populations.
• Appointments:
• MS Dhoni returned as the brand ambassador for Garuda Aerospace and increased his stake to 1.1% on October 4, 2024. Dhoni expressed pride in being part of the drone startup's journey, which aims to impact agriculture, defence, and Industry 4.0.
• Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Director of Cricket for JSW Sports, effective from October 17, 2024. He will oversee all cricketing properties owned by JSW Sports, including the Delhi Capitals' men's IPL and women's WPL teams, and the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 League.
• Awards & Honours:
• Aditi Anand, a 25-year-old artist from Karnal, won the Victoria and Albert Museum's (V&A) Emerging Illustrator Award for her artwork "Marigolds" on October 17, 2024. Inspired by Indian flower markets, her work addresses child labour and lost childhoods. It will be on display at the V&A Design Museum in London until September 2025.
• President Droupadi Murmu received an honorary doctorate in Political Science from the Scientific and Technological Hub, Martyr Ihaddaden Abdelhafid University in Algeria on October 15, 2024. She described the honor as a tribute to India.

Questions:

1 Which of the following companies is collaborating with the Government of India for the "Scam se Bacho" campaign?

• A) Google
• B) Microsoft
• C) Meta
• D) Apple

Answer: C) The "Scam se Bacho" campaign is a collaborative initiative between the Government of India and Meta.

2 What is the asset monetisation target set by NITI Aayog for FY25 under the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP)?

• A) Rs 1.5 trillion
• B) Rs 1.7 trillion
• C) Rs 1.9 trillion
• D) Rs 2.1 trillion

Answer: C) NITI Aayog has raised the asset monetisation target for FY25 to Rs 1.9 trillion, an increase of Rs 23,000 crore.