Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 07, 2024

Answer: b

Current Context : Observed annually on December 8.

• Aim : to honors the day Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India, becoming the Buddha.
• It symbolizes spiritual awakening and insight into human suffering and its cessation.
• The Bodhi treeis a central symbol, representing enlightenment, wisdom, and the possibility of achieving personal awakening through practice and self-awareness.

Answer: b

Observed annually on December 9

• Objective: To raise awareness about corruption’s impact on society and promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
• Theme : “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity”
• Established by the UN General Assembly in 2003.

Answer: c

Current Context : Recently, ISRO launches PSLV-C59 rocket with European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites.

• Mission: Carried European Space Agency’s Proba-3 satellites to a highly elliptical orbit.
• Operator: Dedicated commercial mission by New Space India Limited (NSIL).
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

Significance:

• ESA’s first launch from India since 2001 (Proba-1 mission).
• PSLV: A four-stage vehicle with capabilities for multiple satellite launches into various orbits.

Proba-3 Mission :

• Purpose: Demonstrate precision formation flying to observe the Sun’s corona.
• Uniqueness: World’s first precision formation-flying mission with two satellites maintaining a fixed configuration.
• Components:
  • Coronagraph Spacecraft (CSC).
  • Occulter Spacecraft (OSC).

About NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

• Established: 2019 under the Department of Space.
• Role:
  • Manage ISRO’s commercial activities.
  • Enable Indian industries in high-tech space projects.
  • Allow ISRO to focus on advanced research and development.

Answer: d

Current Context : Hornbill Festival has completed 25 years of its celebration.

• Celebrated annually in Nagaland since 2000, it is known as the “Festival of Festivals”.
• Named after the Great Indian Hornbill, a bird revered in Naga folklore for its grandeur.
• Typically held from December 1 to 10 in Kohima’s Kisama Heritage Village.

Objective:

• Promotes inter-tribal interaction and preserves Nagaland’s cultural heritage.
• Boosts tourism and provides economic benefits to the region.

Answer: c

Current Context : The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution launched the ‘Anna Chakra’ PDS Supply Chain optimization tool and SCAN Portal to modernize the PDS system.

Anna Chakra:

• A tool for optimizing the Public Distribution System (PDS) supply chain.
• Uses advanced algorithms to plan efficient routes, ensuring smooth transport of food grains.
• Developed by the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) with support from the World Food Programme and IIT-Delhi.
• Integrated with:
  • PM Gati Shakti for logistical optimization.
  • Freight Operations Information System (FOIS)of Indian Railways.

SCAN Portal (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA):

• A digital platform for state governments to submit subsidy claims.
• Automates end-to-end processes for faster scrutiny, approval, and settlement of food subsidy claims.
• Part of efforts to modernize and streamline food distribution under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

Answer: b

Current Context : Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) has developed a new product, nano-NPK fertilizer.

About Nano NPK Fertilizer:

• Composition: Contains essential nutrients—Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)—in nano-particle form.
• Efficiency: Enhances nutrient uptake by plants, reduces wastage, and decreases overall fertilizer usage.

Significance of Nano Fertilizers:

• Controlled Release: Nano fertilizers ensure slow and controlled nutrient diffusion into the soil.
• Reduced Dependency: Helps reduce reliance on conventional fertilizers, promoting sustainability.
• Economic Benefits: Saves up to 20% on fertilizer costs for farmers.

IFFCO’s Initiatives:

• Introduced Nano Urea Liquidin 2021 and Nano-DAP Liquid in 2023.
• Promotes eco-friendly farming practices and boosts productivity.

Answer: a

Current Context : The Union Minister of State for Forest, Environment, and Climate Change recently launched Nanobubble technology, at Delhi’s National Zoological Park, enhances water cleaning and purification, promoting aquatic health.

What are Nanobubbles?

• Tiny bubbles, 70-120 nanometers in size, 2500x smaller than a salt grain.
• Made from any gas and injected into liquids.
• Possess unique physical and chemical properties superior to traditional aeration methods.

Properties:

• High Surface Area: Enhances gas transfer efficiency.
• Brownian Motion: Nanobubbles remain suspended in water, distributing oxygen evenly.
• High Oxygen Transfer: Achieves up to 90% oxygen transfer efficiency.
• Surface Charge: Negatively charged, improving pollutant separation.

Applications:

• Water treatment (removing contaminants).
• Agriculture and aquaculture (improved growth and health).
• Industrial use (oil and gas recovery, cleaning surfaces).

Answer: a

Current Context : Himachal Pradesh received recognition for excellence in the National Panchayat Awards under the Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG) framework.

Awards were given for achievements in themes such as social security, water sufficiency, and sustainable development.

About Awards

1. Thanadhar Gram Panchayat (Shimla District)

1. 1. Theme: Socially Secured Village
   2. Rank: 2nd Prize
   3. Reward: ₹75 lakh
   4. Also secured the 3rd Prize in the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar, receiving ₹50 lakh.

2. Sikander Gram Panchayat (Hamirpur District)

1. 1. Theme: Water Sufficient Panchayat
   2. Rank: 2nd Prize
   3. Reward: ₹75 lakh.

Awards will be Presented by the President of India.