Daily Current Affairs Quiz: October 19 2024

Ans (C)

At the 149th IPU Assembly in Geneva, the Parliament of Jamaica rejoined the IPU as its 181st Member Parliament.

Jamaica had previously been a member of the IPU from 1983 to 1996.

The IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and emphasised the need for multilateralism in the world.

The theme of the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union was Harnessing Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future.

Ans (B)

Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in as Chief Minister of Haryana for the second consecutive time on 17 October 2024.

He is the 11th Chief Minister of Haryana.

The oath of office was administered by Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya.

Nayab Singh Saini was sworn in along with 13 ministers.

According to the 91st Constitutional Amendment Act, the maximum number of council of ministers, including the chief minister, in a state, cannot exceed 15% of the total members of the legislative assembly.

In Haryana, with 90 members in the legislative assembly, the maximum number of ministers, including the chief minister, is 14.

The minimum number of council of ministers, including the chief minister, is 12 as per the amendment.

Ans (B)

The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the hike in MSP for Rabi crops for 2025-26.

The Union Cabinet has raised the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for key Rabi crops for the 2025-26 marketing season by 2.4-7%.

The MSP for wheat has been increased by 6.59% to Rs 2,425 per quintal from Rs 2,275 for the 2024-25 marketing season.

This is the second time in almost a decade that wheat MSP has been raised by nearly 7%.

In the 2024-25 marketing year, the wheat MSP hike was around 7.06%.

Wheat is the largest food grain grown during the Rabi season.

Wheat stocks in the Central Pool as of September 1, 2024, were around 24.14 million tonnes, lower than last year’s 26 million tonnes.

The highest increase in MSP for the 2025-26 season was for barley, up by 7.03% to Rs 1,980 per quintal.

The MSP for mustard has been raised by 5.31% to Rs 5,950 per quintal.

The MSP for lentil (masur) has been raised by 4.28% to Rs 6,700 per quintal.

The MSP for gram has been increased by 3.86% to Rs 5,650 per quintal.

The MSP for safflower has been raised by 2.41% to Rs 5,940 per quintal.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the Centre will bear the transportation cost of perishable commodities like vegetables.

Ans (A)

NITI Aayog is hosting the Second International Methanol Seminar and Expo 2024 on October 17 and 18 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.

This seminar is part of the Methanol Economy Programme initiated by NITI Aayog in September 2016.

The event aims to showcase progress in methanol production, applications, and related R&D initiatives over the past eight years.

NITI Aayog is partnering with the Methanol Institute, USA, as the Knowledge Partner for the seminar.

The seminar aims to highlight methanol as a clean alternative fuel for transportation, shipping, and power generation.

Key themes include sustainable production, energy security, and international collaboration in methanol advancements.

Ans (A)

The Central government has extended the central deputation tenure of Mritunjay Kumar Narayan, the Registrar General of India and Census Commissioner.

IPS officer Praveen Vashista has been appointed as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved the extension of Narayan’s tenure and Vashista’s appointment.

Narayan’s tenure has been extended beyond December 6, 2024, up to August 4, 2026, or until further orders.

Praveen Vashista is a 1991-batch Indian Police Service officer.

Vashista replaces Sivagami Sundari Nanda, who will retire on December 31, 2024.

Ans (B)

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, unveiled Pavana Chitra, India’s first airport-based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.

The air quality monitor is off-grid and powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST using locally available materials.

Ans (B)

Vivaan Kapoor secured a silver medal in trap shooting at the ISSF World Cup Final with a score of 44 points.

QI Ying of China won the gold medal with a score of 47 points, and Turkey’s N Tolga Tuncer secured bronze with 35 points.

Anant Jeet Singh Naruka won a bronze medal in skeet shooting with a score of 43 points.

Akhil Sheoran won bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions, marking his first World Cup final medal.

India has a total of four medals at the ISSF World Cup Final, consisting of two silver and two bronze medals.

Ans (C)

Rashmika Mandanna has been appointed as the national brand ambassador for the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

The I4C operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Her appointment was announced on October 17, 2024.

Rashmika Mandanna was previously a victim of a deepfake video, which influenced her commitment to cyber safety.

She aims to raise awareness about issues like deepfakes, cyberbullying, and financial fraud.

Ans (D)

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved significant appointments within the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY).

IAS officer Akash Tripathi has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Digital India Corporation (DIC).

Akash Tripathi is a 1998-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre.

He is currently serving as the CEO of MyGov.

The appointment of Tripathi as MD/CEO of DIC is effective from April 1, 2024.

His tenure as MD/CEO is for six months or until a regular incumbent is appointed, or until further orders, whichever is earliest.

Tripathi has also been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer (P&CEO) of the National eGovernance Division (NeGD).

Ans (D)

The Karnataka government has renamed all government residential schools to Maharishi Valmiki Residential Schools.

Raichur University will be renamed Maharishi Valmiki University.

The announcement was made by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on October 17, coinciding with Valmiki Jayanti.

Maharshi Valmiki is also known as Adi Kavi.

He is the author of the Ramayana, a significant epic in Hinduism.

Valmiki was born Agni Sharma to a Brahmin family, according to some ancient legends.

He became a thief for his livelihood before meeting the sage Narada.

Inspired by Narada’s teachings, Agni Sharma began to do penance.

Legend says that anthills formed around him during his penance.

After years of devotion, a divine voice named him Valmiki, meaning “born from anthills.”