Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 28th September 2024

Correct Answer:  (c) 39th

Explanation: India’s ranking in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII) has improved to 39, up from 40 in the last edition. India’s ranking has improved by 42 in the last nine years, from 81st in 2015 to 39 in 2024.  Switzerland maintained its position as the top-ranked country, while Angola, an African country, was at the bottom. The World Intellectual Property Organisation released the 17th edition of the Global Innovation Index on 26 September 2024, ranking the countries on their innovation qualities. The Global Innovation Index has been published by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) every year since 2007. In the 17th edition, 133 countries and the world’s top 100 science and technology clusters were ranked based on innovation performance. The countries are evaluated using around 80 indicators grouped into four parameters: science and innovation investment, technological progress, technology adoption and the socioeconomic impact of innovation. 

Performance of India in the 2024 Global Innovation Index

• India has been ranked 39th in the 2024 Global Innovation Index.
• India is the top-ranked country amongst the 38 lower-middle-income group economies.
• Amongst the 10 economies of Central and Southern Asia, India has been ranked 1st.
• Regarding the Innovations Input criteria, India has improved its ranks to 44th.
• Similarly, India ranks 33rd in innovation outputs, which is higher than last year.
• Like last year, four Indian clusters have been included in the top 100 Science and Technology Clusters of the Global Innovation Index.
• Bengaluru is the highest-ranked Indian cluster at 56th place in the world, followed by Delhi(63), Chennai (82), and Mumbai (84th place).

Top 10 Country in the 2024 Global Innovation Index

This year also, Switzerland has been ranked number 1 on the Global Innovation index. This is the 14th consecutive year that Switzerland has been ranked no.1 on the Index. Like last year, Sweden and the United States maintained their 2nd and 3rd position, respectively.

Following is the list of the top 10 ranked countries in the 2024 Global Innovation Index.

1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. United States
4. United Kingdom
5. Singapore
6. Finland
7. Netherland
8. Germany
9. Denmark
10. South Korea

Correct Answer:  (b) Aizawl, Mizoram

Explanation:  Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the  21st Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Zone III Conference at Aizawl, Mizoram. The conference, which was held at the Mizoram Legislative Assembly Complex in Aizawl on September 27 and 28, 2024, was intended to deepen the democratic process in the country’s Northeastern region. The conference aims to foster collaboration and dialogue among the Northeastern state legislatures, focusing on addressing regional challenges through democratic means. The CPA Zone –III Conference theme was  “Democratic Sanctity, Transparency, Accountability, and Results from Democracy. The CPA Zone III Conference was attended by the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is also the chairman of the Commonwealth India Region, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Chief Minister of Mizoram Lalduhoma. It was also attended by the Chairman of the CPA Zone  III, Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Mizoram Legislative Assembly Speaker Lalbiakzama and Deputy Speaker Lalfamkima.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association was established in 1911 to promote parliamentary democracy and good governance in Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth is a group of independent countries that were once colonies of the United Kingdom.  The CPA regularly conducts programmes and activities to strengthen the functioning of parliaments in its member countries and facilitate dialogue at the national, regional, and pan-Commonwealth levels. The CPA has a regional chapter in all its member countries, and in India, it is called the CPA India Region. The CPA India Region consists of all 31 states and Union Territories with a legislative assembly. The CPA India Region has been divided into four Zones, which are as follows.

• Zone –1:  Delhi(Union Territory), Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh Uttaranchal, West Bengal (8 Branches)
• Zone –2: Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Puducherry (Union Territory), Tamil Nadu, Telangana (8 Branches)
• Zone- 3: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura (8 Branches)
• Zone- 4: Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir (Union Territory), Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan (7 Branches)

Correct Answer:  (b) Second

Explanation:  Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister for  Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New & Renewable Energy, inaugurated the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference on 26 September 2024 in New Delhi. During the inauguration ceremony, Deepak Ballani, the Director-General of the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), launched the ISMA Times magazine. The Magazine will provide information about the sugar industry and its future direction. The conference brings together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and stakeholders to encourage dialogue, innovation, and collaboration for sustainable growth and development of the sugar and bio-energy industries. Bioenergy refers to the use of sugarcane to produce energy. Ethanol, derived from molasses, is blended with petrol to run petrol-driven vehicles. Molasses is a by-product produced during the production of sugar from sugarcane. The 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference theme was ‘Harmonising Sweet Sustainability: Navigating India’s Path to a Green Economy’. The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), in collaboration with the Indian Government and the International Sugar Organisation, organised the 2nd India Sugar & Bio-Energy Conference. The two-day Conference was held in  New Delhi on September 26 and 27, 2024.

• During his inaugural speech, Pralhad Joshi said that India is the world’s third-largest producer and consumer of Ethanol. The United States is the largest producer of ethanol in the world, and Brazil is the second-largest producer.
• In the last 10 years, the area under sugarcane cultivation has increased by about 18%, while sugarcane production has increased by 40% in the country.
• After Brazil, India is the second largest producer of sugarcane in the world.
• Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme: The government of India has launched the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme to blend 20 per cent ethanol with petrol. The government aims to achieve this target by 2025-26 nationwide.
• Government commitment: The minister said the Centre Government is committed to a robust, sustainable sugar industry that is an economic pillar and a driving force in India’s renewable energy landscape.
• He said the government will continue encouraging innovation, public-private partnerships in the sugar industry, and farmer-centric policies to ensure India’s sugar and bio-energy sectors remain globally competitive.

Correct Answer:  (a) Anushka Sen

Explanation:  Indian Actress, Anushka Sen has been honoured with the prestigious award by the South Korea Government for her exceptional contribution in strengthening relations between India and Korea. She received the award from Hyun Woo Kim, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seoul Business Agency (SBA), during a ceremony held in South Korea. As Honorary Ambassador of Korean Tourism, she has played a pivotal role in bridging the cultural gap between India and South Korea. SBA, run by Seoul Metropolitan Government, is a business support institution for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises).

Correct Answer:  (a) 24th September

Explanation:  The National Service Scheme (NSS) Day is annually observed across India on 24 September to commemorate the establishment of NSS, a permanent youth Program under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS). 24 September marks the foundation day of NSS in 1969. NSS was established to develop the personality and character of young students through voluntary community service. NSS Day pays tribute to its founding and to recognise the significant role it has played in shaping the youth of India.  NSS is a public service programme conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS).

NSS was formally launched by the then Union Minister Dr.Vijayendra Kasturi Ranga Varadaraja Rao, Ministry of Education (MoE) on 24 September 1969, in 37 Universities covering all the states. The year 1969 commemorated the birth Centenary year of Mahatma Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, who was born in 1869. Therefore, 24 September is celebrated every year as NSS Day. The idea of the NSS was proposed by Major General Jagannath Rao Bhonsle. NSS was started to establish a meaningful linkage between the Campus and the Community. The scheme was then extended to all states and universities in India, and also to the Grade 12 level institutes in many states. Student youth, teachers, and the community are considered the 3 basic components of the NSS.

Correct Answer:  (c) Fifteen

Explanation:  India has been elected to the fifteen-member steering committee of the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network) during a plenary session in Beijing, as announced by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) . This election follows a multi-stage voting process and underscores India’s commitment to addressing international corruption and financial crime. As a member of the steering committee, India will play a pivotal role in shaping the global agenda for anti-corruption and asset recovery efforts. The CBI highlighted that India’s expertise in combating corruption will be invaluable to the GlobE Network, which was launched under the G20 framework and officially inaugurated on June 3, 2021, during the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS).

The GlobE Network serves as a platform for international cooperation, enabling member countries to tackle cross-border corruption and financial crime effectively. Currently, the network includes 121 member countries and 219 member authorities. In India, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) acts as the Central Authority, while the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) represent the country as member authorities.

Correct Answer:  (c) Bangladesh

Explanation:  Bangladesh’s All time great cricketer Shakib Al Hasan is set to retire from the Tests and modern T20 format. Shakib made the decision public during a press conference ahead of the second India-Bangladesh Test in Kanpur. He has “already played his final T20I”, and wishes to bid goodbye to the longer format in the home Tests against South Africa. However, Shakib also said he fears for his safety in Bangladesh following violence between anti-government protesters and police units that ravaged the country in the last few months. He also confirmed that the 2025 Champions Trophy will be his final ODI assignment for Bangladesh.

Test Numbers

• Shakib’s Test debut, interestingly, came against India in Chattogram back in May 2007.
• He went on to play 70 Tests for Bangladesh.
• He has amassed 4,600 runs, including five centuries and 31 half-centuries, making him the third-highest run-scorer in Bangladesh’s Test history.

T20 numbers

• Shakib, who has been a constant presence in every T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007, bid farewell to the shortest format of the game.
• After featuring in 129 T20I matches, amassing 2,551 runs at a strike rate of 121.18. 
• In the bowling front, he has 149 wickets to his name.

Correct Answer:  (b) IDBI Bank

Explanation:  IDBI Bank has announced a special Scheme “Sugam Rinn Bhugtan Yojana (SUGAM)”, to boost its recovery efforts through one time settlement of Retail NPAs up to March 31, 2021. The scheme will be applicable to borrower’s principal outstanding above Rs.0.10 crore and up to Rs.10 crore (subject to eligibility criteria), at relaxed terms. It will provide a renewed opportunity to the borrowers who are in distress and are willing to settle their dues to avoid legal entanglement, a release by the bank said. The scheme will end on March on 2025. The scheme will not be applicable where the sanction given under general One Time Settlement (OTS)/ Negotiated Settlement (NS), if it is in currency, where formal offer for settlement along with upfront amount has been received before launch of this scheme and the proposal is under consideration.

Correct Answer:  (b) 36 Villages

Explanation:  Ministry of Tourism, Government of India announced winners of the Best Tourism Villages Competition 2024, on 27th September, 2024, on the occasion of World Tourism Day. To promote tourism to the Soul of India (India’s villages), the Best Tourism Villages Competition was introduced in 2023. The first edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition in 2023 saw applications from 795 villages. In the second edition of the Best Tourism Villages Competition, a total of 991 applications were received from 30 States and UTs, out of which 36 villages were recognized as winners across 8 categories of the Best Tourism Villages competition 2024.

Correct Answer:  (b) Cambodia

Explanation:  B. Vanlalvawna, a 1998 batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Cambodia, as per a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Vanlalvawna is currently serving as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry and will soon take up his new diplomatic role in Cambodia. He succeeds Devyani Uttam Khobragade, who was previously the Indian Ambassador to Cambodia.

Correct Answer:  (b) 28th September

Explanation:  World Rabies Day, observed annually on September 28th, marks a global effort to raise awareness about rabies prevention and eradication. The year 2024 marks the 18th observance of this important day, highlighting the ongoing battle against one of the world’s oldest known diseases. This article delves into the theme, history, significance, and practical aspects of World Rabies Day 2024. The 2024 theme, “Breaking Rabies Boundaries,” emphasizes the need for progress and moving beyond the status quo in rabies prevention and control. The theme aligns with the “Zero by 30: Global Strategic Plan” which aims to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. This shared global goal provides a framework for countries and organizations to work together towards rabies elimination.

Correct Answer:  (b) Abu Dhabi, UAE

Explanation:  The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Festival 2024 took place at the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The festival was held from September 27-29, 2024, celebrating Indian cinema with a grand lineup of events. This year’s edition promises to unite five iconic film industries, showcasing diverse talent and glamour. The event featured the IIFA Utsavam Awards, the main IIFA Awards, and IIFA Rocks, highlighting various aspects of Indian cinema and culture. Abu Dhabi is positioned as a premier international destination for hosting significant cultural events, such as the IIFA Festival.

Correct Answer:  (c) World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly

Explanation: India is set to host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) for the first time in October 2024. WTSA stands for World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly. The WTSA is an event organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The assembly aims to set global standards for telecommunication and ICT (Information and Communication Technology). The WTSA event is significant for developing future communication technologies, including 5G and 6G.

India will host the 5G, 6G, and Emerging Technologies Hackathon in September alongside the WTSA24 Outreach Sessions. The hackathon will focus on exploring and advancing next-generation telecom technologies. The event will attract participants from industry, academia, and startups, fostering innovation in telecommunications. The 30-hour event will be held in dedicated 5G labs in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, providing a dynamic environment for collaboration.

Correct Answer:  (a) Shigeru Ishiba

Explanation:  Shigeru Ishiba, former defence minister, is poised to become Japan’s next prime minister after winning the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) leadership vote. Ishiba will succeed Fumio Kishida, who stepped down following scandals that damaged his tenure. With the LDP holding a majority in the lower house, Ishiba’s path to the role is effectively secured. He edged out economic security minister Sanae Takaichi by a narrow margin of 21 votes in the leadership race. Born on February 4, 1957, Shigeru Ishiba grew up in Tottori Prefecture, where his father was a government official and later governor. After studying law at Keio University, Ishiba worked at Mitsui Bank before transitioning to politics in 1983.

In 1986, Ishiba became the youngest member of the House of Representatives as a candidate from the LDP. Despite his long affiliation, he often clashed with party views, even defecting to the Japan Renewal Party (1993-1996) before rejoining the LDP. Over his career, he held portfolios including defence minister and minister for revitalizing the local economy. This leadership victory marks his fifth attempt to lead the LDP.

Correct Answer:  (b) 58th            

Explanation:  The IMD’s recent World Talent Ranking 2024 shows that Switzerland ranks first, followed by Singapore; India finds itself ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47. The IMD World Talent Ranking 2024 shows the overall ranking for 67 economies. The economies are ranked from the most to the least competitive, and the change from the Previous year’s rankings are also shown. India finds itself ranked 58th globally, with a talent score of 40.47. A decline from last year’s 56th position and a significant drop from 52nd in 2022.  The 2024 World Talent Ranking reveals a mixed performance, with India’s overall rank falling as it struggles with readiness and investment development metrics.

The structure of the IMD World Talent Ranking

• Investment and development

• Appeal

• Readiness

• These 3 factors comprise 31 criteria, although each factor does not necessarily have the same number of criteria (for example, it takes more criteria to assess Readiness than to evaluate Investment and Development).
• Each factor, independently of the number of criteria it contains, has the same weight in the overall consolidation of results that is ⅓.

Competitive Rankings

1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. Luxemburg
4. Sweden
5. Denmark
6. India

Europe-Middle East-Africa

1. Switzerland
2. Singapore
3. Luxemburg
4. Sweden
5. Denmark

Asia-Pacific

1. Singapore
2. Hongkong
3. Australia
4. Taiwan
5. Korea Republic
6. India

The Americas

1. Canada
2. USA
3. Porto Rico
4. Chile
5. Columbia

Investment & Development Factor 

1. Switzerland
2. Luxembourg
3. Norway
4. Iceland
5. Israel

Appeal Factor

1. Switzerland
2. Ireland
3. Netherlands
4. Luxembourg
5. Singapore

Readiness Factor 

1. Singapore
2. UAE
3. Switzerland
4. Hong Kong SAR
5. Denmark