Daily Current Affairs and GK | 1, 2, 3 and 4 November 2024

Topic: Sports

1. India’s Atanu Das won the Bronze Medal in the Swiss Open Indoor Archery.

• India’s Atanu Das won the Bronze medal in the Swiss Open Indoor Archery in Lausanne, Switzerland.
• Atanu Das defeated Switzerland’s Thomas Rufer by 6-4 in the Recurve Men’s Bronze medal match.
• Romain won the silver medal while Italy’s Alessandro Paoli clinched the gold.
• More than 300 archers from 31 countries participated in the 2025 Indoor Archery World Series.
• The Swiss Open includes both recurve and compound divisions.
• Six events will be conducted in the 2025 season 1, which will be conducted from November 2024 to March 2025.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Maharashtra

2. Maharashtra's share in India’s GDP has declined from 15.2% to 13.3%.

• Maharashtra has the highest share of India's GDP.
• As per the working paper from the Economic Advisory Council to the PM (EAC-PM), Maharashtra's share has declined from 15.2% in 2010-11 to just 13% in 2020-21 and 13.3% in 2023-24.
• In the last two decades, Gujarat’s share in India’s GDP has increased from 7.5% in 2010-11 to 8.1% in 2022-23.
• Gujarat's relative per capita income compared to the national average is higher than Maharashtra's.
• Maharashtra's economic performance has remained almost steady between 1960-61 and 2023-24.
• Sikkim (319.1%) reported the highest relative per capita income, followed by Goa with a figure of 290.7% for 2022–23.
• In 2023-24, Delhi (250.8%), Telangana (193.6%), Karnataka (180.7%), Haryana (176.8%), and TN (171.1%) are ahead of Maharashtra in terms of relative per capita income.

Topic: Sports

3. India won 17 medals including four gold at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships.

• India won 17 medals, including four gold in the men's and women's categories, with an impressive performance at the Under-19 World Boxing Championships in Colorado, USA.
• The total medal count of 17 includes 4 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medal winners.
• The Indian boxing contingent consisted of 19 boxers, comprising 9 men and 10 women, of which 12 athletes reached the finals, with every female boxer winning a medal.
• The four gold medallists included sole male champion Hemant Sangwan and female champions Krisha Verma, Parthavi Grewal and Vanshika Goswami.
• Among the medal winners, 11 were Khelo India athletes, of whom eight trained at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Rohtak, winning 10 medals in total.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National Appointment

4. Praveena Rai took over as CEO and MD of Multi Commodity Exchange of India.

• On October 31, Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) Ltd announced that Praveena Rai has officially assumed the position of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with effect from October 31, 2024.
• At the annual general meeting held on September 26, Rai's appointment was confirmed by the company's board, regulators and shareholders.
• Rai's tenure as MD and CEO is for five years.
• Rai is a prominent figure in India's financial sector with over three decades of experience, having made significant contributions to digital and strategic advancements.
• Before joining MCX, Rai served as Chief Operating Officer at National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
• Her career has also included leadership roles as Regional Head of Payments, Asia Pacific at HSBC, and prior to that she has also worked at Citigroup Global Services and Kotak Mahindra Bank.

Topic: State News/ Himachal Pradesh

5. Bankhandi in Himachal will become the first zoo in India to get IGBC certification.

• Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the upcoming 'Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park' at Bankhandi in Kangra district will become India's first zoo to receive certification from the Indian Green Building Council for its sustainable and eco-friendly initiative.
• Chief Minister said the project has been officially registered with the IGBC, which will focus on both building and landscape certification, certifying the park’s compliance with high environmental standards.
• The Chief Minister said that this certification underlines the State's priority of integrating sustainability in tourism and infrastructure development.
• He said that once completed, Durgesh Aranya will not only be a tourist attraction but also a model of sustainable infrastructure combining conservation and innovation.
• The first phase of the zoological park project will cover an area of ​​25 hectares with an estimated cost of ₹230 crore.
• It is targeted to be completed by the third quarter of 2025.
• With a total cost of Rs 619 crore, the aim of the entire project is to establish the park as a cornerstone to boost the tourism sector in Kangra and its surrounding districts.

Topic: Defence

6. The India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise 'Vajra Prahar’ is being held in Idaho from November 2-22.

• 'Vajra Prahar Exercise' is being organised from 2 to 22 November at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA.
• Its aim is to enhance joint capabilities and develop inter-operability in carrying out joint special forces operations in desert and semi-desert environments.
• The 15th edition of the India-US Joint Special Forces Exercise will provide an opportunity to both sides to share their best practices and experiences in conducting joint special forces operations.
• The 14th edition of the exercise was held in December 2023 at Umroi in Meghalaya.
• This will be the second exercise this year between the Indian Army and the US Army, before this 'Yudh Abhyas' was held in Rajasthan in September.
• The Indian Army contingent is being represented by the Special Forces Unit, while the US Army contingent is being represented by the US Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

7. The seventh session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly has been inaugurated on 4 November 2024 in New Delhi.

• The session, inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, is being held under the presidency of India and co-presidency of France.
• During the session, initiatives of International Solar Alliance (ISA) that impact energy access, security and traditions will be deliberated.
• In the Assembly, ministers, mission heads, and delegates from 120 Member and Signatory Countries, along with partner organisations and stakeholders, will come together.
• During this three-day assembly, the initiatives to improve energy access, security, and transition will be in major focus.
• At this assembly, updates on ISA’s flagship initiatives for entrepreneurs will be presented.
• Udates on ISA’s flagship initiatives for skill enhancement and capacity building, mobilising finance, and advocacy for solar as energy as a choice will also be presented.

Topic: Personality in News

8. Economist Bibek Debroy passed away on 1 November 2024.

• He served as chairman of PM's Economic Advisory Council since 2017.
• He was chairman of the Expert Committee for Infrastructure Classification and Financing Framework for Amrit Kaal under the Union finance ministry.
• He has been a member of NITI Aayog from 2015 till 2019.
• He received the Padma Shri in 2015. He was born in Meghalaya.
• He was known for translating the Bhagwad Gita, Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Puranas into English.

Topic: National News

9. Government is likely to begin the census in 2025.

• The government is planning to begin the long-delayed Census in 2025.
• The process will start in 2025 and is expected to continue until 2026.
• The census may also include sub-sect surveys within the General and SC-ST categories.
• After the census, the delimitation of Lok Sabha seats will start and will likely be completed by 2028.
• The census is conducted every ten years to update the National Population Register (NPR).
• It was scheduled to be conducted in 2021 but was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
• The tenure of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India has also been extended till August 2026.
• The first complete census was conducted in 1872 under Lord Mayo.

Topic: Defense News

10. India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is being conducted.

• The 9th edition of India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 is scheduled to be conducted from the 1st to the 12th of November 2024.
• 25 personnel of the Indian Army contingent departed for Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) is representing the Indian contingent.
• Indonesian contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented by Indonesian Special Forces Kopassus.
• The main purpose of the exercise is to familiarize both sides with each other’s operating procedures and enhance mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.
• Planning and execution of special operations, orientation to advance special forces skills, and sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques & procedures will be part of this exercise.
• It also involves jointly practising Special Forces Operations in Jungle terrain, strikes on terrorist camps and a Validation Exercise.
• The Exercise will provide an opportunity for both the contingents to strengthen their bond and share best practices.

Topic: Indian Economy

11. NSE added 3 crore client accounts in only eight months and reached 20 crore client accounts.

• The National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) has surpassed 20 crore total client accounts.
• Maharashtra (3.6 crore accounts) leads the state-wise distribution.
• Maharashtra is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 2.2 crore and Gujarat with 1.8 crore.
• Rajasthan and West Bengal have nearly 1.2 crore accounts each.
• These top five states account about 50% of all client accounts.
• NSE’s registered investor base crossed the ten crore milestone on 8 August 2024.
• The growth in NSE accounts is attributable to digital transformation, mobile trading applications, and improved market access in tier 2, 3, and 4 cities.
• In 1994, NSE pioneered electronic trading in India. NSE maintains its position as India’s largest stock exchange by equity turnover.
• It ranks as the world’s largest derivative exchange by trading volume for 2023 as per the Futures Industry Association.
• It holds the 3rd position globally in equity segment by number of trades, according to World Federation of Exchanges statistics.

Topic: National News

12. Civil Registration System (CRS) mobile application has been launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

• He said this application will make birth and death registration seamless and hassle-free.
• This will allow citizens to register at any time, from any place, and in their State’s official language.
• According to The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2023, all reported births and deaths in the country occurring from October 1, 2023 are to be digitally registered through the Centre’s portal.
• At the capital's Census Building, he also unveiled a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
• For a variety of services, the digital birth certificates will serve as a single document proving the date of birth.
• These services include marriage registration, government employment, and entrance to educational institutions.
• Additionally, the centralized database would assist in updating the electoral rolls, ration cards, property registration, and National Population Register (NPR).

Topic: Sports

13. Mansi Ahlawat won the bronze medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championships.

• India’s Mansi Ahlawat won the bronze medal in the women’s 59 kg category at the Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania.
• She defeated Laurence Beauregard of Canada with 5-0.
• Risako Kinjo of Japan won the gold, and Tserenchimed Sukhee of Mongolia clinched the silver.
• Elena Heike Brugger of Germany shared the Bronze with Mansi.
• In the Men’s Freestyle 92 kg category, India’s Sandeep S Mann will take on Batyrbek Tsakulov of Slovakia in the Repechage round.
• Bipasha lost to Anastasiya Alpyeyeva of Ukraine in the 72 kg qualification round.

Topic: State News/ Uttar Pradesh

14. Uttar Pradesh’s Authority for Advance Ruling (UPAAR) has ruled pre-paid vouchers are taxable at 18%.

• UPAAR has ruled prepaid vouchers constitute supply of goods.
• UPAAR has ruled that pre-paid vouchers are treated at par with Sodexo vouchers or gift vouchers issued by Kalyan Jewellers.
• Accordingly, they will attract GST at the rate of 18%.
• Supply of vouchers by the applicant is taxable at 9% CGST and 9% UPGST.
• UPAAR said that the supply of vouchers by the applicant are taxable as a supply of goods.
• The applicant was Noida-based Payline Technologies. It was involved in the business of selling and purchasing gift cards, vouchers or pre-paid vouchers.
• Pre-paid vouchers ae vouchers against which goods or services can be purchased from specific brands on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, etc.
• The applicant purchases the vouchers against the advance payments at discounted prices.
• They are then supplied to clients. The clients can hand over them to anyone.