Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 11, 2024

Answer: B

Observed annually on December 12.

Aim : to highlight the importance of equitable access to healthcare for all.

• It was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2017, marking the anniversary of a historic UN resolution on health coverage in 2012.
• It advocates for affordable, quality healthcare, leaving no one behind, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3).

Answer: B

The United Nations declared December 21 as World Meditation Day to emphasize holistic well-being.

• The resolution was introduced by Liechtenstein and co-sponsored by India, adopted unanimously by 193 UN member states.
• Aims to promote human well-being across mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
• December 21 marks the Winter Solstice, symbolizing the start of Uttarayana, an auspicious period for introspection in Indian tradition.
• It complements the International Day of Yoga on June 21 (Summer Solstice), reinforcing the global focus on mental and physical wellness.

Answer: D

Current Context : Recently, the Reserve Bank of India asked banks to collaborate with its initiative MuleHunter.AI to weed out mule accounts which are used to commit financial fraud.

What is MuleHunter.AI?

AI/ML-based model developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a subsidiary of RBI.

Detects mule accounts used in financial fraud.

Key Features:

• Mule Detection: Identifies suspicious accounts used for illegal fund transfers.
• Real-time Monitoring: Flags fraudulent transactions promptly.
• Advanced Analytics: Uses data patterns to preempt scams.

Collaboration: Connects banks, payment services, and law enforcement for better fraud prevention.

Regulatory Compliance: Assists in anti-money laundering (AML) and combating terrorism financing (CFT).

About Mule Accounts

• Definition: Bank accounts used by criminals for laundering illicit funds.

Involvement:

• Often acquired from low-income or technically naive individuals.
• Victims, known as money mules, unknowingly facilitate crimes and face investigations.

Answer: C

Current Context :  Recently, the central government has revised the prices of food items provided to children under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana.

About Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Scheme:

• Formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme; renamed in September 2021.
• Aims to improve child nutrition, enhance school attendance, and tackle hunger.

Coverage:

• Applicable to Balvatika (pre-primary) and Classes I-VIII in government and aided schools.
• Benefits ~11.8 crore students in ~11.2 lakh schools.

Nutrition Standards:

• Primary students: 450 calories and 12g protein per meal.
• Upper Primary students: 700 calories and 20g protein per meal.

Recent changes:

• Cooking costs increased by 13.7% to adjust for inflation (2023).
• ₹54,062 crore allocated for 2021-2026 under the central share.

Special Features:

• Food Security Allowance:Provided during COVID-19 school closures and summer vacations.
• School Nutrition Gardens (SNGs):Promote sustainable food production and learning.

Nodal Ministry :  Implemented by the Ministry of Education.

Answer: C

Current Context :  Opposition parties have decided to move a notice under Article 67(b) of the Constitution to remove the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha from his office.

About Article 67(b):

Role of Vice President:

• The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairmanof the Rajya Sabha.

Provision for Removal:

• Article 67(b) outlines the process for removing the Vice President.
• A resolution for removal must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha and passed by a majority of all its members. It then requires agreement from the Lok Sabha.

Notice Period : A minimum of 14 days’ notice is required before moving the resolution. The notice should clearly state the reasons for the resolution.

Grounds for Removal: The Constitution does not specify particular grounds, leaving the decision to the discretion of Parliament members.

Answer: B

Current Context :  Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was honored with the Champions of the Earth award in the Lifetime Achievement category for his significant contributions to environmental protection.

• Gadgil, the only Indian on the list of this year’s award recipients, chaired the government-constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel to study the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the ecologically fragile region in India.

About Award

• The Champions of the Earth award is the United Nations’ highest environmental honor, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.
• Categories: The award is conferred in several categories, including Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation, and Lifetime Achievement.
• Purpose: It aims to acknowledge and promote exceptional environmental initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and environmental conservation.

Answer: A

Current Context :  The QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts, released the third edition of the ‘QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025’.

Top Indian Performers:

• IIT Delhi ranked 171 globally (India Rank 1), showing the largest leap with an improvement of 255 ranks from 426 (2024).
• IIT Kharagpur ranked 202 globally (India Rank 2), up by 147 ranks from 349.
• IIT Bombay ranked 234 globally (India Rank 3), advancing 69 ranks from 303.

Other Notable Institutions:

• IIT Kanpur ranked 245 globally, showing an exceptional improvement of 277 ranks from 522.
• University of Delhi, the only non-IIT in the top 6, dropped 79 ranks to 299.

Top 10 Indian Institutions in Sustainability:

 Overall Performance: A total of 78 Indian universities were featured, with nine of the top 10 improving their rankings compared to 2024.

Answer: (B)

Current Context :  Amit Thakur, a social worker and captain of the Himachal Pradesh Wheelchair Cricket Team, was honored with the prestigious Divyang Swabhiman Award-2024.

About the Award:

• The award recognizes individuals or organizations for their exceptional contributions toward the empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities (PwDs), promoting dignity and independence.