This is the current affairs of 14 November 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. In which district did PM Modi lay the foundation stone of Bihar’s second AIIMS hospital?
a. Muzaffarpur
b. Nalanda
c. Bhagalpur
d. Darbhanga
Answer: d. Darbhanga
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for Bihar’s second AIIMS hospital in Darbhanga. This will be the second AIIMS in Bihar after Patna. It will be the 23rd AIIMS in the country.
– The central government has set a target to complete the construction within 36 months.
– AIIMS will be built on 188 acres at a cost of ₹1,264 crore.
– Prime Minister Modi also virtually inaugurated the Darbhanga bypass rail line, which will be built at a cost of ₹398 crore.
– From the stage, PM Modi flagged off the Jhanjharpur-Laukaha Bazar train.
– During this, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that it would lead to the expansion of Darbhanga and provide better healthcare facilities to the people of Bihar.
– After the construction of this AIIMS, people from Mithila, Kosi, and Tirhut regions, as well as neighboring states like West Bengal, will also benefit.
Bihar
– Capital: Patna
– Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar
– Governor: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
—————
2. The Supreme Court issued guidelines stating that the process of demolishing houses without judicial process is a violation of which article of the Constitution?
a. Article 12
b. Article 17
c. Article 20
d. Article 21
Answer: d. Article 21
– A bench of Supreme Court Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan issued this order on November 13, 2024.
– The court described demolitions by bulldozers as “frightening scenes,” stating that the executive cannot replace the judiciary.
– The executive cannot declare a person guilty or demolish their house.
– The Supreme Court emphasized that under the Constitution and criminal law, an accused and a convicted person have certain rights and protections.
– Earlier, on September 17, 2024, the Supreme Court had ordered a nationwide halt on illegal demolitions.
– The ruling highlighted the “frightening scenes” of bulldozers destroying citizens’ fundamental right to shelter under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Key Points about Article 21 of the Indian Constitution:
– Article 21 is part of the fundamental rights in the Indian Constitution.
– It provides the right to life and personal liberty.
– It includes the right to a fair trial.
– It guarantees that a person accused of a crime has the right to a fair hearing.
– It protects individuals from being deprived of life or liberty except through due legal process.
– It applies to both citizens and non-citizens.
– It protects against arbitrary or unlawful detention.
– It ensures that no one can be detained without proper legal justification.
– Under Article 21, water is also considered a right to life, implying that everyone should have access to sufficient water for daily needs at an affordable price.
Supreme Court Guidelines for Handling Demolition Situations:
– A notice must be given at least 15 days in advance, or as per local municipal laws, whichever period is longer.
– The notice should be issued by a registered officer and posted on the property, with a detailed explanation of the demolition reasons.
– To avoid backdating notices, the district collector must be informed immediately after serving the property owner/occupant.
– Within three months from today, every municipal or local body must establish a digital portal to upload all information regarding service, notice postings, responses, and orders.
– Officials must also hear grievances from the person whose property is subject to action, and this meeting should be recorded.
– Property owners must have the opportunity to challenge demolition orders in court.
– The demolition order must be posted on the digital portal.
– Property owners should be given 15 days from the order’s issuance to remove or demolish the illegal structure themselves, provided no stay is in place.
– The entire demolition process should be videographed, with a report prepared.Violation of any of these guidelines will be considered contempt. If demolitions do not follow these instructions, officials will be held personally accountable and must reconstruct the property at their expense.
—————
3. Who won the Booker Prize 2024 for the novel ‘Orbital’?
a. Paul Lynch
b. Samantha Harvey
c. Charlotte Wood
d. Anne Michaels
Answer: b. Samantha Harvey
– Samantha Harvey is a British author.
She won the Booker Prize for her awe-inspiring novel Orbital, based on the International Space Station.
– Harvey received a prize of £50,000 (₹5.37 million).
– In her novel, she depicted an ordinary day on the International Space Station, where the “latest six of many” astronauts witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets.
Previous Winner
– In 2023, the Booker Prize winner was Irish author Paul Lynch, who received the award for his book Prophet Song.
About the Booker Prize
– The Booker Prize was established in 1969.
– It has two categories: the Booker Prize and the International Booker Prize.
– The Booker Prize is awarded for novels originally written in English and published in the UK or Ireland.
– Later, the International Booker Prize was introduced, awarded to books published in English from any country in the world.
————–
4. NASA predicted the possibility of ocean and life on which planet and its five largest moons?
a. Uranus
b. Venus
c. Mercury
d. Saturn
Answer: a. Uranus
– The planet Uranus and its five largest moons may not be barren and lifeless worlds, as scientists have long believed.
– Scientists suggest that there may be oceans on Uranus and even the potential for life.
—————
5. Scientists re-examined the data of which spacecraft after 40 years and came to the conclusion that there is a possibility of ocean and life on Uranus and its five largest moons?
a. Voyager 1
b. Voyager 2
c. Voyager 3
d. Voyager 4
Answer: b. Voyager 2
About Uranus:
– Uranus was first discovered in 1781 by British astronomer William Herschel, originally from Germany, using a telescope.
– It is the third-largest planet in our solar system.
– Known as a cold and mysterious planet, Uranus is a beautiful, icy world located on the outer edge of our solar system and is the coldest of all planets.
– Scientists’ earlier assumptions about Uranus are now being challenged.
Updates on Uranus:
– Most of the information on Uranus was gathered by NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft.
– Voyager 2 passed by Uranus nearly 40 years ago.
– Recent research has shown that a powerful solar storm occurred during Voyager’s journey, leading to misleading data about the Uranian system.
– This new research reveals that when Voyager 2 passed by Uranus, it may not have been the ideal time, as a powerful solar storm had disrupted Uranus’ environment, potentially altering the planet’s magnetic field temporarily.
– Scientists now suggest that Uranus’ system could be far more intriguing than previously thought. There may be moons with conditions suitable for life, possibly hiding oceans beneath their surfaces teeming with life.
About Voyager 2:
– Voyager 2 is an unmanned NASA spacecraft.
– It was launched on August 20, 1977, just a few weeks before Voyager 1 (launched on September 5, 1977).
– Voyager 2 is the only spacecraft to study all four giant planets in the solar system.
– It was the first human-made object to pass by Uranus.
– During its encounter, Voyager 2 discovered 10 new moons and two new rings around Uranus.
– Voyager 2 is the second mission to cross the solar system’s boundary, entering what is commonly known as interstellar space.
– It is also the second farthest human-made object from Earth.
– Both Voyager 2 and Voyager 1 carry a Golden Record, a 12-inch gold-plated copper disk containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth.
—————
6. In which district of Bihar was the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held?
a. Muzaffarpur
b. Nalanda
c. Rajgir
d. Darbhanga
Answer: c. Rajgir
– Event Duration: November 11 to November 20, 2024
– Participating Countries: Teams from 6 countries (India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and Thailand)
– Captain of Indian Team: Salima Tete; Vice-Captain: Navneet Kaur
– Inauguration: The event was inaugurated by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Rajgir Sports Complex on November 11, 2024.
Note: The Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy began in 2010.
—————
7. How much did the retail inflation increase in the country in October 2024?
a. 3.81%
b. 3.91%
c. 4.92%
d. 6.21%
Answer: d. 6.21%
– Due to the rising prices of food and beverages, the retail inflation rate increased to 6.21% in October.
– This is the highest inflation rate in the past 14 months.
– Prior to this, in August 2023, the inflation rate was 6.83%.
Who issues the retail inflation report?
– NSO (National Statistical Office)
– It comes under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
How is the retail inflation rate determined?
– It is determined by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
– The CPI calculates inflation for items like food, fruits, clothing, shoes, housing, fuel, electricity, and others.
– As consumers, we buy goods from the retail market, and the CPI measures the price changes of those items and services. It tracks the average price we pay for goods and services.
How does inflation affect?
– Inflation is directly related to purchasing power. For example, if the inflation rate is 6%, the value of 100 rupees earned would be only 94 rupees.
– Therefore, investments should be made considering inflation; otherwise, the value of your money will decrease.
How does RBI control inflation?
– To control inflation, the flow of money (liquidity) in the market is reduced.
– For this, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) adjusts the repo rate.
– When inflation increases, RBI raises the repo rate, and when inflation is very low, RBI lowers the repo rate.
– Inflation has been under control recently, which is why in August, RBI did not change the repo rate for the ninth consecutive time.
RBI’s inflation target:
– RBI’s inflation target is set at 4% based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). However, it can vary by 2% either way.
– Therefore, inflation below 2% or above 6% is not ideal for the country’s economic growth.
————–
8. When is World Diabetes Day celebrated?
a. 13 November
b. 14 November
c. 15 November
d. 16 November
Answer: b. 14 November
2024 Theme
– Breaking Barriers, Bridging Gaps
– World Diabetes Day was first established in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization.
Diabetes
– Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and more.
– Diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet, physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use.
– Timely medication, regular check-ups, and treatment can manage diabetes or prevent its complications.
————–
9. Home Ministry approves first women battalion for CISF
– The Ministry of Home Affairs approved this on November 12, 2024.
– Currently, 7% of the personnel in CISF are women, with a total strength of 1.77 lakh.
– Each battalion has approximately 1,000 personnel.
– CISF has begun preparations for quick recruitment, training, and selection of locations for the headquarters of the new battalion. The training is specifically designed to create an excellent battalion capable of taking on multiple roles as commandos in VIP security and the security of airports, the Delhi Metro, and railways.
About CISF:
– The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is a central armed police force under the Ministry of Home Affairs in India.
– The primary mission of CISF is to provide security to large institutions, whether they are government or privately owned.
– It was established on March 10, 1969.
– Director-General: Rajvinder Singh Bhatti.
PDF Download: Click here
