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1. The Government of India gave which Ratna status to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in October 2024?
a. Maharatna
b. Navratna
c. Miniratna Category-1
d. Miniratna Category-2
Answer: a. Maharatna
– The status of Maharatna is granted by the Department of Public Enterprises under the Ministry of Finance.
– HAL became the 14th Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) to receive the Maharatna status from the Government of India.
– Previously, it was a Navratna company.
About HAL
– HAL is an aerospace and defense company in the Indian public sector.
– Its headquarters is in Bangalore.
– It was established on December 23, 1940.
– It is one of the oldest and largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world.
Categories of PSUs/CPSEs in the Country
– Maharatna, Navratna, Miniratna Category-1, and Miniratna Category-2.
– The Maharatna and Navratna statuses are for CPSEs, meaning Central Public Sector Enterprises, and do not include private sector companies.
– HAL currently manufactures fighter jets, helicopters, jet engines, and marine gas turbine engines.
– HAL’s HF-24 Marut fighter-bomber aircraft was the first indigenous fighter aircraft manufactured in India.
When was the Navratna status introduced in India?
– In 1997.
When was the Maharatna status introduced in the country?
– In 2009.
What are the benefits of receiving Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna statuses?
– They gain more opportunities for development. Maharatna, Navratna, and Miniratna companies receive administrative autonomy, rights for investments and mergers, and the freedom to determine other policies for expansion.
Criteria for Maharatna Status
– To achieve Maharatna status, a CPSE must first have Navratna status and meet strict financial criteria, including:
Average annual turnover: More than ₹25,000 crore.
– Average annual net worth: More than ₹15,000 crore.
– Average annual net profit: More than ₹5,000 crore in the last three years.
List of Maharatna Companies
1. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
3. Coal India Limited
4. GAIL India Limited
5. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
6. Indian Oil Corporation Limited
7. NTPC Limited
8. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
9. Power Finance Corporation
10. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
11. Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
12. Steel Authority of India Limited
13. Oil India Limited
14. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
List of Navratna Companies
1. Bharat Electronics Limited
2. Container Corporation of India Limited
3. Engineers India Limited
4. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited
5. National Aluminium Company Limited
6. National Buildings Construction Corporation Limited
7. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited
8. NMDC Limited
9. Rail Vikas Nigam Limited
10. National Steel Corporation Limited
11. Shipping Corporation of India Limited
12. ONGC Videsh Limited
13. National Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited
14. Ircon
15. RITES Limited
16. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)
17. National Fertilizers Limited (NFL)
18. Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO)
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2. What is India’s rank in the Global Hunger Index 2024?
a. 102
b. 103
c. 104
d. 105
Answer: d. 105
India’s Position by Year
2024: 105th rank among 127 countries
2023: 111th rank among 125 countries
2022: 107th rank among 121 countries
– The Global Hunger Index indicates the level of hunger in any country.
– In the 2024 report, India’s score is 27.3 out of 100, which falls under the “serious” category of hunger levels.
– China, UAE, Kuwait, and 22 other countries are ranked at the top.
– Countries with a lower GHI score have a better ranking, meaning their populations experience less hunger.
– India is among 42 countries that fall into the “serious” category, along with Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Who Released the Report
– The report was jointly released by the Irish aid agency Concern Worldwide and the German organization Welt Hunger Hilfe in October 2024.
This index monitors hunger and malnutrition globally.
How is the Global Hunger Index Calculated?
– The index is derived from countries’ GHI scores, which are based on four indicators:
1- Undernourishment (a state of malnutrition where nutrients are insufficient in quality and quantity).
2- Child Mortality Rate (the mortality rate of children under five).
3- Child Stunting (children under five whose height is less than what is expected for their age, indicating long-term malnutrition).
4- Child Wasting (children under five whose weight is less than what is expected for their height, indicating acute malnutrition).
Controversies Surrounding the 2023 Report
– The Indian government labeled the report as incorrect and misleading. The Ministry of Women and Child Development stated that the Global Hunger Index does not reflect India’s actual situation. India accused the report of attempting to tarnish the country’s image.
Top Countries
– 22 countries are ranked the same: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, UAE, Uruguay, and Uzbekistan.
– Pakistan’s ranking is 109, just slightly behind India.
– Nepal is ranked 68, Sri Lanka 56, and Bangladesh 84, indicating that these countries are in a better situation than India.
– India’s ranking is behind its neighboring countries Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
India’s Initiatives to Combat Hunger and Malnutrition
National Food Security Act, 2013
– This act grants 75% of the rural population and 50% of the urban population the right to receive subsidized food products under a targeted public distribution system.
Nutrition (POSHAN) Campaign
– Full form: PM Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN).
– Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
– The campaign aims to reduce stunting, anemia, and undernutrition.
Food Fortification
– Food fortification is a process of adding essential vitamins and minerals (iron, iodine, zinc, vitamins A and D) to staple food products like milk, rice, and salt to enhance their nutritional value.
Mission Indradhanush
– This mission aims to provide vaccination against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) to children under two years of age and pregnant women.
Eat Right India Movement
– An initiative by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) aimed at transforming the country’s food system to ensure safe, healthy, and hygienic food for all.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
– Launched in 1975, this scheme provides a package of six services for children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
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3. Who was appointed the Chairman of ‘Tata Trust’ after the death of Ratan Tata?
a. Jimmy Naval Tata
b. Noel Tata
c. Ramesh Tata
d. Mukesh Mistry
Answer: b. Noel Tata
– Noel Tata, the 67-year-old half-brother of Ratan Tata, has been appointed Chairman of the Tata Trusts.
– As a major shareholder of Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, he will now lead a group valued at $165 billion.
– He is already a trustee of two family trusts: the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust.
– He was appointed Managing Director of Trent, the retail arm of the Tata Group, in 1999.
– It was founded by his mother, Simone.
In 2010-11, he was made Chairman of Tata International.
– Noel Tata is currently the chairman of Trent, Voltas, Tata Investment Corporation, and Tata International. He is also the vice-chairman of Tata Steel and Titan.
– Noel maintains a low profile and is rarely seen at public events or corporate summits. Unlike his brother, he is not part of any policy-making forums for government or regulatory bodies.
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4. What was India’s wholesale inflation rate in September 2024?
a. 0.27%
b. 1.84%
c. 2.27%
d. 3.27%
Answer: b. 1.84%
– Wholesale price index-based inflation in India increased from 1.31% in August to 1.84% in September.
– Wholesale food prices reached a two-year high of 9.5%.
Who Released the Wholesale Inflation Rate Report
– Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
– It operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. (Note: The retail inflation rate is released by the National Statistical Office (NSO).)
What is Wholesale Inflation Rate?
– This inflation rate is based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI).
– The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) refers to the prices that one trader charges another trader in the wholesale market.
– These prices are related to business conducted at the wholesale level. (Note: Retail inflation rate is determined by the Consumer Price Index.)
Minister of Commerce and Industry: Piyush Goyal
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5. Which is the third state in India to start caste survey in October 2024?
a. Kerala
b. Telangana
c. Haryana
d. Uttar Pradesh
Answer: b. Telangana
– The purpose of the caste survey is to promote targeted and equitable resource distribution among all communities, ensuring justice for OBCs, SCs, STs, and other marginalized groups.
– Previously, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh had conducted caste-based surveys.
– In Bihar’s data, OBCs constitute 63.13%, SCs 19.65%, and STs 1.68% of the population.
Telangana
– Capital: Hyderabad
– Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
– Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
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6. Who became the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force?
a. Air Marshal Vinod Mehta
b. Air Marshal Rajesh Verma
c. Air Marshal Ajay Singh
d. Air Marshal SP Dharkar
Answer: d. Air Marshal SP Dharkar
– He succeeded Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who became the Chief of Air Staff.
– Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar has over 3,600 hours of rich flying experience, during which he has flown various types of fighter jets and trainer aircraft. He has commanded the MiG-27 squadron.
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7. When is the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction observed?
a. 10 October
b. 11 October
c. 12 October
d. 13 /October
Answer: d. 13 October
– The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989.
– International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is celebrated every year on October 13 to raise awareness about disaster risk reduction.
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8. The dangerous hurricane ‘Milton’ that arose from which sea hit America in October 2024?
a. Gulf of Mexico
b. Caribbean Sea
c. Mediterranean Sea
d. Labrador Sea
Answer: a. Gulf of Mexico
– Hurricane Milton originated in the Gulf of Mexico and made landfall on October 10, 2024, on the coast of Siesta Key in the state of Florida, USA.
– In just one day, the storm escalated from Stage 1 to Stage 5.
– This storm brought the highest rainfall in the last thousand years to St. Petersburg, Florida (there is also a city by the same name in Russia).
– The storm was so severe that it recorded 16 inches of rain in just 3 hours, a quantity that usually occurs over three months.
Second Storm in Florida in 15 Days
– Milton was the second major storm in Florida within just 15 days.
– Prior to this, Hurricane Helen had struck the area, affecting more than 12 states in the U.S.
How Do Cyclonic Storms Form?
– Cyclonic storms develop when a low-pressure area forms over the sea.
– The question arises: what is a low-pressure area over the sea and how does it form?
– Global warming is responsible for this.
– When sea temperatures rise, or when the ocean begins to warm, the heat causes air to rise, and surrounding air rushes in to fill that empty space, creating a low-pressure area.
– Since the ocean is vast, this process becomes extensive.
– While warm air rises, cooler air from larger areas moves in, but the rising air cools as altitude increases, leading to a desire for the cooler air to descend, resulting in a storm.
– The air spins rapidly.
– The ocean plays a significant role in absorbing global warming or heat on Earth.
– One could say that cyclonic storms are a way for the ocean to try to cool itself down.
Different Names for Cyclones Around the World
– USA – Hurricane/Tornado
– Caribbean Sea – Hurricane
– China Sea – Typhoon
– Indian Ocean – Tropical Cyclone
– Japan – Typhoon
– Northern Australia – Willy Willies
– Philippines – Baguiyo
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9. Tennis player Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis, how many Grand Slams has he won?
a. 22
b. 23
c. 20
d. 24
Answer: a. 22
– The November 2024 Davis Cup final will be the last event of Rafael Nadal’s career.
– He informed fans about this through a social media post on October 10, 2024.
– The 38-year-old Spanish star is the second player to win the most Grand Slam titles in men’s singles, with 22 titles to his name.
– The record for the most Grand Slam titles is held by Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles.
Known as the ‘King of Clay’
– Nadal is the men’s player who has won the French Open title a record 14 times.
– This is why he is referred to as the King of Clay.
– The French Open is played on clay courts, which are made of red clay.
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10. Dipa Karmakar, player of which sport, announced her retirement?
a. Cricket
b. Gymnastics
c. Horse riding
d. Tennis
Answer: b. Gymnastics
– India’s star gymnast Dipa Karmakar announced her retirement from gymnastics in October 2024.
– Dipa had delivered an impressive performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics but narrowly missed out on a bronze medal.
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11. Which Indian player won the Singapore Open Billiards title 2024?
a. Vinod Adani
b. Rakesh Mehta
c. Pankaj Advani
d. Ujjwal Mishra
Answer: c. Pankaj Advani
He won the 2024 Singapore Open Billiards title by defeating Singapore’s Jaden Ong 5-1.
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12. Which state was chosen as the host of the 38th Summer National Games?
a. Bihar
b. Odisha
c. Uttarakhand
d. Kerala
Answer: c. Uttarakhand
– The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has chosen Uttarakhand as the host for this event.
– The 38th National Games will be held from January 28 to February 14, 2025.
– The 37th National Games were previously held in Goa.
Note: The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2024 will be held in two parts in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with the first part in Leh and the second in Gulmarg.
National Games
– The National Games were first held in 1924 in Lahore, British India.
– At that time, they were known as the “All-India Olympic Games.”
– In 1940, the tournament was renamed “National Games.”
– The first post-independence edition was held in Lucknow in 1948.
– The event is organized by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
– The president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is P.T. Usha.
Uttarakhand
– Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
– Governor: Gurmeet Singh
– Capital: Dehradun (winter) and Gairsain (summer)
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13. When is Breast Cancer Awareness Day observed?
a. 10 October
b. 11 October
c. 12 October
d. 13 October
Answer: d. 13 October
– The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about breast cancer and promote timely detection and treatment.
– Established in the early 2000s, this day honors those affected by the disease and emphasizes the importance of regular screenings and education for better outcomes.
Note: The Quad has launched the Cancer Moonshot Initiative, which focuses on raising awareness, screening, and treatment of cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific region.
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14. Who became the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC)?
a. Manoj Kumar Dubey
b. Ajay Kumar
c. Rahul Kumar
d. Rajan Verma
Answer: a. Manoj Kumar Dubey
Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC)
– It is a public sector undertaking in India.
– The Government of India holds a majority stake in this company, while the Ministry of Railways has administrative control.
– Established: December 12, 1986
– It was established as a dedicated financing branch of Indian Railways to raise funds from domestic and international capital markets.
– It is a Miniratna public sector enterprise.
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15. When is World Arthritis Day observed?
a. 10 October
b. 11 October
c. 12 October
d. 13 October
Answer: c. 12 October
Theme for 2024:
– Informed Choices, Better Outcomes
– Pain and swelling in the joints are symptoms of arthritis.
– This disease becomes more troublesome when the level of uric acid in the body increases.
History of this Day:
– World Arthritis Day was first celebrated on October 12, 1996.
– This initiative was organized for the first time by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI).
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