ALL EXAM QUIZ 09.10.2024

Explanation:

• New species of snake discovered in the Himalayas, named after Leonardo DiCaprio.
• A team of researchers in the western Himalayas have discovered a new snake species named after Leonardo DiCaprio, Hollywood actor and producer, in recognition of his conservation efforts.
• The new species, named ‘Anguiculus dicaprioi’ or DiCaprio’s Himalayan snake, was discovered by a team of researchers from India, Germany, and the United Kingdom in 2020 while they were exploring lesser-known species of snakes as part of a project on reptiles of India.
• Their discovery and study of the new species was published October 21, 2024 in a peer-reviewed journal called Scientific Reports.

Explanation:

• Bihar Industry Minister Nitish Mishra on October 21 inaugurated the state's first dry port at Bihta.
• In collaboration with a private company, this dry port is being seen as a major initiative of the state to promote the export of goods produced in Bihar.
• A dry port, or inland container depot (ICD), provides a logistics facility away from a port or airport for cargo handling, storage, and transportation.
• It acts as a bridge between sea/air ports and inland areas, facilitating efficient movement of goods.
• The Bihta Dry Port is spread over seven acres.

Explanation:

• As per a report by UNESCO, between 2015 and 2024, India spent about 4.1 percent to 4.6 percent of its GDP on education.
• The UN 'Education 2030 Framework for Action' recommends countries allocate 4-6 percent of their GDP to education.
• A new series of reports from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics on world education statistics has revealed that government expenditure on education was between 13.5 per cent and 17.2 per cent during 2015-2024.
• The report mainly focused on the global education investment trends, particularly in achieving sustainable development goals (SDG) 4.
• India has been investing more in education in terms of both GDP percentage and government expenditure as compared with other Central and Southern Asian countries.
• South Asian countries Nepal and Bhutan allocate around 4-6 per cent of their GDP to education.
• The world average of public expenditure on education has declined from 13.2 per cent in 2010 to 12.5 per cent in 2020.

Explanation:

• Every year on 24 October, World Polio Day is celebrated around the world.
• Polio is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which the World Health Assembly committed to eradicating in 1988.
• The WHO European Region was declared polio-free in 2002.
• The polio vaccine is a critical tool in the global effort to eradicate poliomyelitis.
• There are different types of polio vaccines, inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and oral polio vaccine (OPV).
• In India, OPV has been used exclusively in India since 1978.

Explanation:

• PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the 7th Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) in New Delhi.
• German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on a three-day visit to India.
• The IGC is a whole-of-government framework.
• Under IGC, Ministers from both sides hold discussions in their respective areas of responsibility.
• The Ministers report on the outcome of their deliberations to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor.
• Both leaders also addressed the 18th Asia Pacific Conference of German Business.
• The IGC format was launched in 2011. It allows for a comprehensive review of cooperation.
• It also allows for identification of new areas of engagement at the Cabinet level.

Explanation:

• Union Cabinet approved a 1000 crore rupees Venture Capital Fund for the space sector.
• It has been approved under the aegis of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).
• The deployment period of the proposed Venture Capital Fund will be up to five years from the actual date of the start of the fund operations.
• The average allocated amount could be 150 to 250 crore rupees per year.
• The indicative range of investment is proposed to be Rs 10-Rs 60 crore.
• Indicative Equity Investment Range could be Rs 10 crore–Rs 30 crore for the growth stage and Rs 30 crore to Rs 60 crore for the late growth stage.
• This fund will support approximately 40 startups.
• The Government established IN-SPACe to promote and oversee private sector participation in space activities.

Explanation:

• Government approved a new missile testing range in Andhra Pradesh.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved the establishment of a new missile testing range in Nagayalanka, Andhra Pradesh.
• It aims to strengthen the defence capabilities, particularly in testing tactical missile systems.
• The new facility will support the testing of surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles, and other projects under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• The DRDO is developing a large number of weapon systems for the defence forces including the Very Short Range Air Defence Systems, man-portable anti-tank guided missiles.

Explanation:

• Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) started at Visakhapatnam on 23rd October.
• The 31st edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) is scheduled to be organized from 23 to 29 Oct 2024.
• Singapore Navy Ship RSS Tenacious is participating in the SIMBEX2024.
• The exercise is scheduled to be conducted in two phases - the Harbour Phase from 23 to 25 October at Visakhapatnam and the Sea Phase from 28 to 29 October in the Bay of Bengal.
• The main aim of the exercise is to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Singapore by enhancing interoperability and improving maritime domain awareness.
• Cross-deck visits, sports fixtures, and pre-sail briefings between personnel from both navies will be part of the Harbour Phase.
• SIMBEX started as 'Exercise Lion King' in 1994 between Singapore and India.

Explanation:

• 17th Urban Mobility India Conference and Exhibition started in Gandhinagar.
• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the three-day conference organized by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• More than 3000 dignitaries including senior officials and policy makers from Central and State Governments and experts in urban transport participated in this conference.
• Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar will preside over the concluding session of the conference.
• The conference will be focused on the standardization of urban mobility solutions and the integration of various modes of urban mobility.

Explanation:

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved two railway projects of the Ministry of Railways with a total estimated cost of Rs 6,798 crore (approx).
• The two projects covering 8 districts of 3 states Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar will expand the existing network of Indian Railways by about 313 km.