Daily Current Affairs and GK | 26 September 2024

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

1. India secured the third most powerful nation in Asia: 2024 Asia Power Index.

• According to the 2024 Asia Power Index, India has officially overtaken Japan as the third most powerful nation in Asia.
• The Lowy Institute has published the Asia Power Index.
• It evaluates countries based on their resource capabilities and influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s ranking improvement is primarily driven by a strong post-pandemic economic recovery.
• India’s Economic Capability score saw a 4.2-point rise.
• India’s demographic advantage is also a key factor in this rating.
• India’s rank has improved in the Future Resources score by 8.2 points due to a youthful workforce.
• India’s strategic autonomy and non-aligned approach have enabled it to navigate complex international relationships effectively.
• India ranked sixth in terms of diplomatic dialogues in 2023.
• India’s Defense Networks score has also dropped, and it stands in ninth spot.

Topic: Sports

2. In Snooker, Kamal Chawla has won maiden IBSF World 6-Red title.

• He has won this title with a 6-2 victory over Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal in the final at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• This victory is significant for Chawla. Chawla was the runner-up in the 2017 edition of the tournament.
• India has also secured three more bronze medals through Malkeet Singh, Vidya Pillai, and Keerthana Pandian.
• In the women’s category, India’s Vidya finished with a bronze medal after semifinal loss to Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee.
• Malkeet Singh won the bronze after losing semifinal to Iqbal. Pandian also won bronze after losing to Fong Mei Mei of Hong Kong in her semifinal match.

Topic: National News

3. Civil Aviation Ministry has approved India’s newest airline, Shankh Air.

• Before the airline can begin operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must still grant its clearance.
• The first scheduled airline in Uttar Pradesh will soon be Shankh Air.
• Shankh Air will run out of hubs located in Noida and Lucknow.
• The duration of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate is three years.
• With more than 60% of the Indian aviation market, IndiGo is the market leader.
• The second-biggest airline in the nation is called Air India.
• In order to bolster its fleet and market presence, Air India is also buying AirAsia India and combining it with Air India Express, its low-cost carrier.

Topic: Books and Authors

4. The book "Khaki Mein Sthitapragya" has been released by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

• The book has been written by former Director General of Police of Uttarakhand, Anil Raturi.
• This is based on his memoirs and experiences as an IPS officer.
• This book will help the people coming into service to take decisions.
• Through this book, the author has tried to describe memories, experiences and challenges on basis of his three and a half decades of experience as a police officer.
• Through this book, the author has made an attempt to show how our new officers can face challenges.
• The author has also made an attempt to show how they can move forward on their path of work with patience.
• Vice Chancellor of Doon University Prof. Surekha Dangwal said that the influence of T.S. Eliot is visible in Anil Raturi’s writing style.

Topic: Banking System

5. FPI Outreach Cell launched by SEBI for seamless market access.

• On September 25, a dedicated Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) Outreach Cell launched by market regulator SEBI to improve and simplify the experience of such investors accessing the Indian securities market.
• This cell will focus on direct engagement with Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), and assist them in seamless access to the Indian securities market.
• This cell functions under the Alternative Investment Funds and Foreign Portfolio Investors Department (AFD) of SEBI.
• Its main responsibilities include assisting prospective FPIs during the pre-application stage by providing support in documentation and compliance processes.
• This cell will also provide support during the onboarding phase and resolve any operational challenges that may arise during or after the registration process.
• These FPI cells are designed to provide targeted support to foreign investors and streamline their operations, making it easier for them to operate in the Indian financial markets.

Topic: MoU/Agreement

6. DRDO and IIT Delhi have developed lightweight bulletproof jackets.

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation, with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has developed light-weight bulletproof jackets named Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat (ABHED).
• The jackets have been developed at the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) located at IIT.
• The jackets are made from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic materials.
• The design configuration is based on characterization of various materials at high strain rates, followed by appropriate modelling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO.
• These jackets meet the highest threat levels and are also lighter than the maximum weight limit prescribed in the respective General Staff Qualitative Requirement of the Indian Army.
• These modular-design jackets with front and rear armour offer 360-degree protection with a minimum weight of 8.2 kg and 9.5 kg for varying BIS Levels.
• In 2022, DIA-CoE was formed by modifying DRDO's Joint Centre for Advanced Technology at IIT Delhi to involve industry and academia for defence research and development.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

7. PM Modi dedicated to nation three indigenously developed computers in Pune.

• This is in line with his commitment to make India self-reliant in the field of supercomputing technology.
• The three PARAM Rudra supercomputers are worth around 130 crore rupees.
• They are developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission.
• They have been developed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research.
• He inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation projects worth more than 22,600 crore rupees.
• He flagged off the Metro train scheduled to run from the district court to Swargate, Pune.
• PM Modi also inaugurated a high-performance computing system tailored for weather and climate research.
• This project represents an investment of 850 crore rupees. It marks a key leap in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological applications.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. India has signed Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

• This is an international agreement to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas.
• BBNJ Agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
• BBNJ Agreement is an important step towards ensuring that the oceans remain healthy and resilient.
• The Law of the Seas Treaty agreement aims to guarantee the sustainable use and conservation of marine life on the high seas.
• The term "high seas" refers to areas that are outside of a country's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, which can be up to 200 nautical miles or 370 kilometres from shores.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

9. Unemployment has decreased sharpest in Haryana: Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey.

• As per the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey, the national average unemployment rate reached 3.2 per cent in 2023-24.
• The unemployment rate has decreased from 5.1 per cent in 2022-23 to 3.2 percent in 2023–24.
• Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have achieved the most substantial reductions in unemployment rates.
• Haryana registered the sharpest drop in unemployment, falling from 9.2 percent in 2022–23 to 3.4 percent in 2023–24.
• Tamil Nadu registered the second sharpest decline, while Chattisgarh remained in the third spot.
• Goa tops the list with an unemployment rate of 8.5 per cent, followed by Kerala at 7.2 per cent and Nagaland at 7.1 per cent.
• Lakshadweep records the highest unemployment rate at 11.9 per cent among Union Territories.
• Madhya Pradesh is the only state where unemployment is below 1 percent.
• The national average worker-population ratio (WPR) stands at 38.7 percent.

Topic: National Appointments

10. Air Marshal SP Dharka will be the new Vice Chief of Air Staff.

• He will succeed Air Marshal AP Singh, who is set to become the Chief of Air Staff.
• He has experience of more than 3,600 flying hours. He will bring extensive experience to the position.
• He joined the Air Force in June 1985 and has worked as a qualified flying instructor, fighter strike leader, instrument rating instructor and examiner, and Air Force examiner.
• He had also commanded a frontline fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment.
• He was the first Director General of the Defense Space Agency.
• He has been heading the Eastern Air Command for the last two years.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

11. An MoU signed by Rubber Research Institute with Indian Oil.

• Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) have signed a MoU to enhance the research on using Rubber Process Oils marketed by IOCL in different tyre and non-tyre rubber products.
• Jessy MD, Director in charge of RRII, and Anil Vasu, DGM (Lubes) at IOCL signed the MoU.
• The aim of this collaboration is to improve product performance and rubber processing in these applications.
• This partnership reflects a shared commitment to foster innovations in rubber processing while addressing the growing global demand for environmentally sustainable industrial products.
• The focus of the research will be on assessing the impact of various rubber process oils provided by IOCL on the performance of tyre and non-tyre rubber products, aiming to optimise efficiency and durability.
• The initiative aims to reduce environmental impact and develop safer materials for industrial use by incorporating sustainable oils.

Topic: Important Days

12. World Environmental Health Day 2024: 26 September

• Every year on 26 September, World Environmental Health Day is celebrated.
• It is celebrated to raise awareness about the impact of environmental health on human lives.
• The theme of World Environmental Health Day 2024 is “Environmental Health: Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.”
• International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) founded World Environmental Health Day in 2011.
• The day was founded to focus on the importance of caring for the health of our environment.
• As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), healthier environments can be one of the key factors in preventing almost one-quarter of the global burden of diseases.
• As per WHO, Global environmental issues account for more than 12.6 million deaths each year.

Topic: Summits/Conference/Meetings

13. Global Aerospace Summit started in Abu Dhabi.

• The seventh edition of the Global Aerospace Summit started in Abu Dhabi.
• It has been organized from 25-26 September at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.
• Industry leaders, government officials, and academics attended the summit to discuss sustainability, youth engagement, and innovation in aerospace, space, and defense sectors.
• Aerospace technology, policy, and investment, with a focus on emerging technologies such as AI, electric propulsion, and hydrogen-powered aircraft was the main theme of the summit.
• The Summit features panel sessions on various topics, including space communication, air travel demand, and advanced aerial mobility.
• The leader’s discussion also covers global business aviation trends, such as supersonic travel and sustainability initiatives.
• The space economy is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. It is expected to grow at 9% per annum.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

14. Film Producer Vinod Bachchan received honour at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.

• Vinod Bachchan received the prestigious Global Prestige Award at the House of Lords, UK Parliament.
• The award has been given for his outstanding contributions to the Indian film Industry.
• The award ceremony was held under the auspices of Lord Bellamy KC and Lord Rami Ranger CBE.
• Vinod Bachchan has received the award for his influential role in bringing Indian Cinema to global audiences.
• He also highlighted that his vision of cinema in strengthening cultural exchange between India and UK.