ALL EXAM QUIZ 13.09.2024

Explanation:

• A global framework for investigating pathogen origins launched by the World Health Organization with contributions from Indian scientists.
• A new global framework has been introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) that aims to streamline the investigation into the origins of new and re-emerging pathogens that have the potential to cause epidemics or pandemics.
• This framework has been developed by the Scientific Advisory Group on the Origins of New Pathogens (SAGO).

Explanation:

• Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated 8 new Nidhi I-TBIs across India
• On September 6, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra virtually inaugurated a new DST-Nidhi website as well as 8 new Nidhi I-TBIs across India at IIT Delhi to mark the completion of 8 years of Department of Science and Technology (DST-Nidhi) initiative.

8 new Fund Inclusive TBIs (I-TBIs) have been established at various locations across the country:

• Central University of Rajasthan Ajmer.
• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Ludhiana, Punjab
• BLDE Bijapur, Karnataka
• Aligarh Muslim University
• Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya (Central University) Bilaspur,
• GSSS Institute of Engineering and Technology for Women Mysore, Karnataka
• University of Petroleum & Energy Studies (UPES) Dehradun

Explanation:

• Indian Army and Indian Airforce inked a pact with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya.
• To enhance the skills and capability building of personnel in logistics operations, the Indian Army and Indian Airforce signed a MoU.
• It is a partnership to build a world-class and future-proof logistics system and achieve self-reliance in the defence sector.
• Vishwavidyalaya act as a vital partner in empowering the Armed Forces with cutting-edge logistics education, research and innovation.
• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) is a central university located in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• It was established in 2018 as a Deemed-to-be University and was converted into a central University under The Central Universities (Amendment) Act, 2022.

Explanation:

• Semicon India 2024 will be hosted by the UP government at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida.
• Uttar Pradesh government will host Semicon India 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from September 11 to 13.
• It will be organized in collaboration with SEMI, Messe Muenchen India, and the Electronic Industries Association of India.
• Its main aim is to elevate India’s semiconductor sector and establish the country as a significant global contender.
• This year’s Semicon India Exhibition and Conference will be held alongside Electronica India and Productronica India.
• Many domestic and international companies will participate in this event.
• It will provide an opportunity to explore India’s burgeoning semiconductor sector and discover new business prospects.

Explanation:

• India and the UAE signed five agreements covering different fields.
• Among the signed agreements is an agreement between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited on the operations and maintenance of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant.
• Additionally, an agreement was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for a long-term LNG supply.
• ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited signed an agreement.
• Urja Bharat and ADNOC have signed a production concession agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1.
• Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd., a BPCL subsidiary, are partners in the joint venture Urja Bharat.
• With this concession agreement, Urja Bharat is allowed to import crude oil into India.

Explanation:

• GST council has decided to reduce rate of Goods and Service Tax (GST) on cancer drugs from 12% to 5%.
• The decision was taken in the 54th GST Council meeting held in New Delhi on 09 September 2024.
• The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Finance Ministers of States.
• Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST on selected snacks has also been cut from 18% to 12%.
• According to Union Finance Minister, grants to universities established by the law of Centre, state governments and those who have got income tax exemption are not subject to the Goods and Services Tax.
• The Group of Ministers (GoM) was established by the GST Council with the goal of lowering the tax rate on health and life insurance.
• By the end of October 2024, the Group of Ministers on GST rate reduction on medical health insurance will give its report.

Explanation:

• A critically endangered elongated tortoise species has been spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area.
• During a research survey in the Aravallis, a critically endangered tortoise species was spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area.
• The tortoise has been medium-sized with a yellowish-brown or olive shell and distinct black blotches at the centre.
• This tortoise has been found in the Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests.
• Sunil Harsana and Nitesh Kaushik have discovered this tortoise.
• This tortoise is generally found at wetter places but discovering in Aravallis is an aberration than a norm.
• Elongated tortoises were assessed for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list of threatened species in 2018.
• They are listed as critically endangered under the criteria A2cd.

Explanation:

• Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah has been unanimously re-elected as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Official Language Committee.
• After the formation of the new government, a meeting of the committee was held in New Delhi to reconstitute the Parliamentary Official Language Committee where the Home Minister was elected as the Chairman.

Explanation:

• Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh will launch the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Co-Scheme and release standard operating procedures on production and processing clusters in the fisheries sector.
• At the same time, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has emerged as a game-changer, taking India's fisheries sector towards unprecedented growth and stability.

Explanation:

• Gold medalist archer Harvinder Singh and runner Preeti Pal have been chosen as the Indian flag bearers for the closing ceremony of the Paris Paralympics 2024.
• Preeti Pal has become the first Indian female para athlete to win two Paralympic medals.