Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 19th September 2024

Correct Answer:  (c) 2050

Explanation:  According to the World Bank (WB)’s report titled “Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-Communicable Diseases and Human Capital”, investing in healthy longevity could save 150 million lives in Low-and-Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and extend millions more by 2050, which would result in significant economic benefits. However, the report cautioned about the rapid increase of aging population which will impact labor, immigration, health care, social protection systems and economies. As per the report, at least 1/3rd (33%) of the world population will be over 60 years of age by 2050. The World Bank Group (WBG) has set the target of reaching 1.5 billion people with better health services by 2030.

As per the report, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes. Respiratory diseases, heart diseases, cancers, among others account for over 70% of all deaths and a significant portion disease and disability in LMICs. The report emphasized that healthy longevity interventions also support gender equity. Though, women generally outlive men, they experience longer periods of disease and disability, and have lesser resources than men to address these challenges, and also, responsibility for caregiving reduces their  employment prospects and can compromise their well-being. The report suggested that alternative care options such as: community-based care can help countries to contain costs, respect dignity, and help women to remain in the workforce.

Correct Answer:  (d) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Explanation:  The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) have launched ‘ISO/UNDP PAS 53002‘, the world’s first international guidelines to accelerate contributions toward the United Nations (UN)’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The guidelines was introduced at the ISO Annual Meeting 2024 held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. This provides a valuable resource for organizations to place SDGs into their core operations and increase their positive impact.

The guidelines help organizations understand and enhance their contributions to the SDGs. They offer a structured framework to maximize positive impacts and minimize negative ones, particularly benefiting vulnerable groups. The guidelines promote a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. They are applicable to organizations of all types and sizes, globally, across both public and private sectors. The guidelines align organizational strategies with SDGs, enhance stakeholder engagement, improve sustainability reporting, and support risk management related to sustainability issues.

Correct Answer:  (c) Moneyview

Explanation:   Moneyview, a Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based Financial technology (fintech) lending platform operated by WhizDM Innovations Private Limited, has turned Unicorn after securing Rs 38.6 crore (USD 4.6 million) in equity funding from Accel India and Nexus Venture Partners. Moneyview becomes the 6th Indian startup to achieve the unircorn status in 2024 after Krutrim, Perfios, Porter, Rapido, and Ather. Through the deal, Moneyview was valued at around Rs 10,086 crore (approximately USD 1.2 billion), thereby attaining Unicorn status. The shares have been issued at Rs 64.15 each with the intent to raise around USD 4.65 million. Backed by a series of investors including Tiger Global, Moneyview has also acquired Jify, an employee benefits startup, in a deal that involved a share swap. It enables Moneyview to further enhance its financial services by expanding into employee-focused solutions. Accel India and Nexus Venture, the existing investors of Jify invested Rs 29 crore, and Rs 19 crore respectively.

Correct Answer:  (b) Vijayawada Railway Station

Explanation: The Ministry of Railways (MoR) has awarded the Non-Suburban Group-1 (NSG-1) status to Vijayawada Junction Railway Station (BZA), Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh (AP). It was announced by Narendra Anandrao Patil, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Vijayawada, South Central Railway (SCR). Vijayawada railway station is the second station in SCR to achieve NSG-1 status after Secunderabad Junction Railway station. The NSG-1 status is given to stations where annual revenue is more than Rs 500 crore or the number of passengers per year is more than 20 lakh.

The Vijayawada railway station had a revenue of Rs 528 crore and handled over 16.84 million passengers in 2023-24. It has also joined the list of the top 28 elite stations of the Indian Railways(IR). In addition to this status, Vijayawada railway station has been given the Platinum rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). It has also been awarded the Best tourist-friendly station by the AP state government.

Correct Answer:  (b) Rs.9197 crore

Explanation:  The central government has approved the launch of the ‘Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE)’ scheme of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Union Ministry of Science and Technology. The two existing schemes of the DBT have been merged, and a new component, Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry, has been added to the Bio-RIDE scheme. The newly approved  Bio-RIDE will continue from 2021-22 to 2025-26 during the 15th Finance Commission period. The proposed outlay for the scheme is Rs.9197 crore for 2021-2025-26.

The newly approved Bio-RIDE merges the two previous DBT schemes and includes one new component. The components of the scheme are;

• Biotechnology Research and Development,
• Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development,
• Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry

Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry are the newly introduced components of the Bio-RIDE scheme. Biomanufacturing refers to using biological systems (living organisms, animal/ plant cells, tissues, enzymes, etc.) to manufacture commercially important biomolecules for use in food, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, energy, etc. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves microbiology, biochemistry, and chemical engineering.

Aim of the Bio-RIDE Scheme

• Promote and nurture the ecosystem for startups in the biotechnology centre.
• Promote innovation and research in advanced fields like bioplastics, synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals and bioenergy by providing funding.
• Create synergy between the research and development institutes and the industry so that the technology can be better commercialised.
• Promote environmentally sustainable biomanufacturing practices aligned with India’s green goals.
• Create a pool of highly skilled human resources in biotechnology.

Correct Answer:  (c) March 2028

Explanation:  The central government has approved the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s interplanetary Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM) to study the Venus planet. The Venus Orbiter Mission, also known as the Sukrayaan mission, was approved in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 September 2024. This is ISRO’s second interplanetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission or Mangalyaan, which was launched on November 5, 2013. India will become the fifth country to send a spacecraft to Venus after the Soviet Union, the United States, the European Union, and Japan.

• The total approved budget for the Venus Orbiter Mission or the Sukrayaan mission is 1236 crore, of which Rs. 824.00 crore will be spent on developing the spacecraft. The mission is expected to be launched in March 2028, when the Earth and Venus will be aligned so that the spacecraft will use minimum fuel to enter Venus’s orbit. After its launch, the Shukrayaan is expected to finally station itself in Venus’s polar orbit for scientific observation of the planet.
• The primary science objectives of the Venus Orbiter Mission or the Sukrayaan mission are to map Venus’ surface and subsurface while studying the planet’s atmospheric chemistry and interaction with the solar wind. It will carry a ground-penetrating radar that will map the Venusian subsurface, helping scientists better understand Venus’ geology and evolution. The Shukrayaan mission is expected to carry scientific instruments from foreign countries.

Correct Answer:  (a) 3rd

Explanation: The 3rd edition of World Food India 2024 is being held in New Delhi from 19-22 September 2024. The event is organised by the government of India to promote domestic and foreign investment in the country’s food processing sector and to highlight the country’s rich food culture to the world. Along with the 3rd World Food India 2024 the 2nd  edition of the Global Food Regulators Summit hosted is also being held.  The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is organising the Global Food Regulators Summit on 20-21 September 2024 in New Delhi. New Delhi hosted the first World Food India in 2017 and the 2nd edition in 2023. The theme of the 3rd World Food India 2024 is Processing for prosperity.

• The World Food India is organised by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
• Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat are the partner states in the 3rd edition of World Food.
• Japanis the partner country for World Food India 2024, and Vietnam and Iran are the focus countries.
• Participants from 90 countries,18 Union Ministries,  26 States and Union Territories, and other statutory bodies related to the country’s food sector are participating in World Food India 2024.

Correct Answer:  (d) Amar Kumar Kakarlapudi

Explanation:  Airtel Payments Bank recently named Amar Kumar Kakarlapudi as its new Chief Compliance Officer. Amar will be responsible for enhancing the Bank’s compliance framework and ensuring that regulatory and statutory requirements are met seamlessly. As Chief Compliance Officer, Amar will be a vital partner for the Bank in achieving core and non-core compliance standards and a crucial interface between the bank and regulatory agencies, all while developing a solid compliance and regulatory framework. He will collaborate closely with Anubrata Biswas, Managing Director and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank.

Correct Answer:  (b) 2018

Explanation:  he Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of schemes of Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) to provide remunerative prices to farmers and to control price volatility of essential commodities for consumers. The total financial outgo will be Rs. 35,000 crore during 15th Finance Commission Cycle up to 2025-26. The Government has converged the Price Support Scheme (PSS) & Price Stabilization Fund (PSF) schemes in PM AASHA to serve the farmers and consumers more efficiently. The Integrated scheme of PM-AASHA will bring-in more effectiveness in the implementation which would not only help in providing remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce but also control the price volatility of essential commodities by ensuring their availability at affordable prices to consumers. PM-AASHA will now have the components of the Price Support Scheme (PSS) , Price Stabilization Fund (PSF), Price Deficit Payment Scheme (POPS), and Market Intervention Scheme (MIS). The Scheme Introduced in September 2018.

Correct Answer:  (a) NGLV

Explanation:  The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is a reusable, low-cost launch vehicle developed by ISRO, designed to enhance India’s space capabilities. NGLV will have three times the present payload capability and will be 1.5 times more cost-effective compared to LVM3. The vehicle will have a maximum payload capacity of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit and is expected to significantly reduce the cost of access to space. NGLV’s reusable first stage and modular green propulsion systems will contribute to its cost efficiency and sustainability. 

• Bharatiya Antariksh Station: The NGLV is integral to ISRO’s mission to establish the Bharatiya Antariksh Station, a space station for scientific research, by 2035.
• Human Spaceflight: The development of NGLV supports ISRO’s long-term goal of human space exploration, including future manned missions to the Moon.

Correct Answer:  (c) HDFC Pension

Explanation:  HDFC Pension has surpassed Rs. 1 lakh crore in Assets Under Management (AUM), marking a significant growth in the pension fund sector. The AUM doubled from Rs 50,000 crore in May 2023 to Rs 1 lakh crore in just 16 months. HDFC Pension manages 43.6% of the total NPS AUM in both Retail and Corporate segments. Over 21 lakh subscribers have chosen HDFC Pension, indicating strong market confidence in their services.

• HDFC Pension Overview: A subsidiary of HDFC Life Insurance, it has a strong presence in the National Pension System (NPS).
• Technological Advancements: HDFC Pension is leveraging technology to enhance customer experience through digital solutions.
• Awards and Recognition: The company has been recognized as ‘Best Performing PFM’ and awarded for its customer service excellence.

Correct Answer:  (b) Waayu

Explanation:    WAAYU is India’s first food delivery app to operate on a zero-commission model. The app is now live on the Open Network for Digital Commerce, enhancing its marketplace capabilities. Since its launch in May 2023, WAAYU has onboarded over 3,000 restaurants across key Indian cities. WAAYU collaborates with TATA Neu and Ola to boost order volumes and consumer experience.

WAAYU eliminates commission fees, making it a sustainable option for restaurants and affordable for consumers. The app plans to expand its services to more cities, leveraging AI technology for enhanced operations. WAAYU is backed by national and regional restaurant associations to ensure a strong foothold in the market.

Correct Answer:  (c) Punjab Kings

Explanation:  Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025. This follows his departure from Delhi Capitals after a seven-year tenure. Ponting is expected to have significant control over the coaching staff. He becomes the third head coach for Punjab Kings in four seasons, as the team has struggled in recent years. Punjab Kings has not made the playoffs since 2014, when they finished as runners-up. One of Ponting’s first tasks will be to identify players for retention ahead of the next season. With the retirement of Shikhar Dhawan, a new captain must also be identified.

Correct Answer:  (a) Jordan

Explanation:  Jordan’s King Abdullah II has appointed Jafar Hassan as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Jordan replacing the outgoing PM Bisher Khasawneh, who has been serving as the PM of Jordan since October 2020. Bishr Khasawneh resigned from the post in accordance with the constitutional norms after the 2024 parliamentary elections. Jordan’s Parliament is bicameral, with members of the House of Representatives elected every four years, while the king appoints all 65 members of the Senate.

Jafar Hassan is a seasoned diplomat and politician with significant experience in high-ranking roles, including director of His Majesty’s Office and Deputy Prime Minister. He served as planning minister of Jordan before becoming King Abdullah II’s chief of staff. As Jordan’s planning minister he has represented Jordan in international institutions like the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. He was awarded Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun in 2020 for strengthening bilateral relations. He is also the author of a book on Jordan’s political economy, published in Arabic in 2020.

Correct Answer:  (b) Rs 35,149 crore

Explanation:  About 7 crore people have subscribed to the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), accumulating a corpus of Rs 35,149 crore, as announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The APY, launched in 2015, is a low-cost pension scheme providing a guaranteed minimum pension ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 per month, depending on the contributions made by subscribers. In case of the subscriber’s death, the pension is extended to the spouse for life, and upon the demise of both, the nominee receives the entire corpus.

• Subscribers and Corpus:Over 6.9 crore people have joined APY, creating a corpus of Rs 35,149 crore.
• Pension Benefits:Guaranteed monthly pensions from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 starting at age 60, based on contributions.
• Death Benefits:Pension continues to the spouse; after both spouse and subscriber’s death, the corpus is given to the nominee.