ALL EXAM QUIZ 13.12.2024

Explanation:

• On 11th December, the National Panchayat Awards Conferment Ceremony 2024 held at the Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• It was organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• During this prestigious ceremony, the President presented the National Panchayat Awards to 45 awardees selected in various categories, recognizing their exemplary contributions in the areas of sustainable and inclusive development.
• A booklet titled ‘Best Practices on the Works of Award-Winning Panchayats’ released by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
• This booklet documents the innovative and impactful practices of the award winning Panchayats.

Explanation:

• IIT Madras became the first research organization to release 3D images of the fetal brain.
• The most detailed 3D high-resolution images of the fetal brain have been launched by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
• It has been developed by the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre of IIT Madras.
• It will push the frontiers of brain mapping technology and place India in the global league of brain mapping science.
• The Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre has developed cutting-edge brain mapping technology to capture 5,132 brain sections.
• This work will lead to the development of treatments for health conditions affecting the brain.
• This has been completed at less than 1/10th of the cost in Western countries.
• It will be important for understanding brain development from the fetus to childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.

Explanation:

• SC directed the central government to grant permanent commissions to woman army officers.
• The Supreme Court exercised its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant a permanent commission to a woman Officer.
• This ruling has been given by a bench comprising justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan.
• The apex court delivered its verdict on an appeal filed by a woman officer, who is posted as Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Dental Corps at Agra.
• She challenged the January 2022 order of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Regional Bench, Lucknow.
• The appellant was deprived of her third chance since the extension was capped at 35 years.

Explanation:

• Shaji N Karun, an eminent filmmaker, has been chosen for the J C Daniel Award for 2023.
• This award recognises his lifetime contribution to Malayalam cinema.
• The award is the highest honour in Malayalam cinema instituted by the state government.
• The award includes a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh, a citation and a statuette.
• T V Chandran, who is an earlier recipient of the award chaired the jury.
• The jury observed Shaji N Karun was selected for his contributions that made a mark for Malayalam at the national and international level.

Explanation:

• Mohamed Al-Bashir appointed as Syria’s caretaker Prime Minister.
• Mohamed al-Bashir has been appointed the caretaker Prime Minister of Syria’s transitional government.
• With the support of the former rebels who overthrew President Bashar al-Assad just days ago, Mr. Bashir will serve as the head of the interim government until March 1, 2025.
• Al-Bashir ran the rebel-led Salvation Government before the 12-day offensive swept into Syria’s capital, Damascus.
• In the past, Mohammed al-Bashir, who is not well-known throughout most of Syria, oversaw a government in a small, rebel-controlled area of the northwest.

Explanation:

• Government has decided to extend PMAY-G by FY 2028-29.
• In 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) was launched to provide ‘pucca’ houses with basic amenities for rural households.
• The main objective of the scheme is to construct more than an additional 2 crore houses by 2028-29.
• This initiative reflects the government's commitment to achieving “housing for all” in rural areas.
• The Awaas+ 2024 Mobile App was also launched on September 17 to identify eligible households.
• The app facilitates both self-surveys and assisted surveys by pre-registered surveyors.
• PMGA-Y is a social welfare programme under the Ministry of Rural Development.

Explanation:

• IIT Madras completed India's first Hyperloop train test track.
• IIT Madras has completed a 410-meter Hyperloop test track. It is a significant milestone toward futuristic transport systems.
• This project has been led by the Avishkar Hyperloop team of IIT Madras in association with TuTr, a startup incubated at the institute.
• The Hyperloop concept was given by Elon Musk in 2012.
• This development will take India closer to adopting this cutting-edge transportation technology.
• The technology will be implemented in two phases: the first phase will feature an 11.5-kilometre test track to validate and certify the technology.
• After the successful trials, a 100 km Hyperloop train track will be made in the second phase.
• Hyperloop trains have been designed to reach up to 1,100 km/h, with an operational speed of around 360 km/h.
• This system works within a vacuum-sealed, frictionless environment.
• Under this technology, each pod, capable of carrying 24-28 passengers, will travel directly between destinations without stops.
• India’s first full-scale Hyperloop project has been planned between Mumbai and Pune.

Explanation:

• Union Minister Jitin Prasada inaugurated the fourth edition of the India Internet Governance Forum.
• The India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) 2024 was held on December 9-10, 2024, at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center.
• This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
• It aims to explore critical aspects of Internet governance, foster meaningful dialogue, and highlight India’s leadership in the global digital landscape.
• It has been conducted under the theme “Innovating Internet Governance for India.”
• This forum will focus on bridging the digital divide and enhancing trust and safety in the online environment.
• Discussions in IIGF 2024 were focused on Empowering Connections, emphasizing enhanced access, inclusion, and digital rights to bridge the digital divide.
• Another key focus of IIGF was Responsible AI, promoting the ethical and effective use of artificial intelligence for societal benefit.
• India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) is the Indian chapter of the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF).

Explanation:

• Gujarat government signed an MoU with Thailand for the conservation and promotion of Buddhist heritage sites.
• Gujarat and Thailand agreed to cooperate in the Conservation, Promotion, and Development of Buddhist Tangible and Intangible Heritage in Gujarat.
• An MOU was also signed between Gujarat Tourism and Thailand’s Bodh Gaya Vijayalaya-980 Institute.
• The 4th Mekong Ganga Dhamma Yatra was on a visit to India from December 2 to December 10.
• Its main aim is to strengthen Cultural and Spiritual Ties between the Mekong and Ganga Civilizations.
• A Thai delegation from the 4th Dhammayatra met Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar.

Explanation:

• UNICEF Foundation Day is celebrated every year on 11 December, which marks the 78th anniversary of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
• Established in 1946, UNICEF has made significant contributions to improving child welfare globally, focusing on areas such as health, education and protection from exploitation.