Daily Current Affairs and GK | 9 November 2024

Topic: Science and Technology

1. Israeli researchers have developed software that enables computers to process data directly in memory.

• This software has bypassed the need for the central processing unit (CPU) for processing data directly in memory.
• This innovation resolves the issue of energy- and time-intensive data transfers between memory and the CPU, which is the main constraints in modern computing.
• This approach will reduce dependence on the CPU, which will lead to significant time and energy savings.
• The researcher’s aim is to tackle the “memory wall” problem. It will increase processor speeds and memory capacity outpace data transfer rates.
• The researchers have developed a platform called PyPIM to support in-memory computing.
• It is a combination of the Python programming language with digital processing-in-memory (PIM) technology.
• It allows developers to write software for PIM computers using familiar programming languages like Python.

Topic: Sports

2. PV Sindhu Badminton Centre foundation stone has been laid in Visakhapatnam.

• The groundbreaking event of PV Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence was held on November 7.
• 2 acres of land in Visakhapatnam were allocated by the state government in June 2021 for this center.
• This initiative has been started through a partnership with Greenko.
• This center will stands as a testament to her vision of guiding future champions.

Topic: Indian Polity

3. 1967 decision on the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University struck down by the Supreme Court.

• On November 8, the Supreme Court by a 4:3 majority overturned its 1967 verdict in S. Azeez Basha vs Union of India.
• It had held that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), being a central university, cannot be classified as a minority institution.
• The verdict was delivered by a Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud.
• The view taken in the 1967 case of Aziz Basha is that if an educational institution acquires its legal character through a statute then it is not established by a minority.
• The key factor in determining the minority status of an institution is to identify who founded the institution, and also that administration by non-minority members does not eliminate the minority character of the institution.
• The decision has been taken in reference to the 2006 verdict of the Allahabad High Court, which said that AMU is not a minority institution.
• Sir Syed Ahmad Khan founded Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1875 as the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College.

Topic: Defence

4. 'AUSTRAHIND', a joint military exercise between India and Australia, started in Pune on 8 November.

• The aim of the exercise is to promote cooperation by enhancing interoperability in conduct of joint sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments in semi-desert terrain under relevant chapter of the United Nations mandate.
• The third edition of 'Exercise AUSTRAHIND' will be conducted in two phases: combat preparation and tactical training, and validation.
• The exercises or aspects that will be rehearsed during the exercise will include occupying a designated area in response to a terrorist act, establishing a joint operations centre, conducting joint counter-terrorism operations such as raid, search and destroy, etc."
• During the exercise, which will continue till November 21, both sides will also share their best practices in tactics, techniques and procedures of tactical operations at the overseas training node.
• 'Exercise AUSTRAHIND' is an annual event held alternately in India and Australia.
• In December 2023, the last edition was held in Australia.

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

5. Proposals for Green Hydrogen Research Centres sought by the government.

• The proposals have been sought by the Government of India to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) focused on green hydrogen research and development.
• The step is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to make India a leader in sustainable energy.
• MNRE invited institutes and industry partners to submit proposals under the R&D scheme of the mission.
• These Centres of Excellence are envisaged as centres for integrated research across various segments of the green hydrogen value chain, including production, storage and applications.
• These Centres of Excellence will serve as platforms for high-end research, skill building and knowledge sharing and promote collaboration between government, academia and industry.
• The government has allocated Rs 100 crore for setting up these centres to support this initiative under the Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Launched on January 4, 2023, the mission is part of a larger investment of Rs 19,744 crore by FY 2029-30.
• It aims to help India reduce carbon emissions, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and build a self-reliant (atmanirbhar) clean energy infrastructure.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. Third Rohini Nayyar Prize awarded to 28-year-old Odisha engineer Anil Pradhan.

• He has been awarded for outstanding contribution to Rural Development for his work in promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education among students in rural India.
• Pradhan, the co-founder of Young Tinker Foundation, introduced the concept of "Tinker-on-Wheels," a mobile learning laboratory.
• It provides practical experience in areas such as robotics and 3D printing to school students from rural areas of Odisha, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.
• His work in STEM education and innovation has impacted over 2.5 lakh students so far.
• Pradhan said many schools lack the infrastructure for such demonstrations and training, so his 'Tinker-on-Wheels' goes to these schools and sets up mobile laboratories in playgrounds.
• Rohini Nayar Award:
  • Established in memory of one of India's eminent economists, Rohini Nayar, the award is awarded annually for outstanding contribution to rural development.
  • The award carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a citation and a trophy.
  • The award is given annually by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purposes to individuals under the age of 40.

Topic: Corporates/Companies

7. World’s first CO₂-to-methanol conversion plant has been inaugurated by NTPC at its Vindhyachal facility.

• This coincides with the company’s 50th raising day celebration.
• NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh highlighted the company’s ongoing initiatives in green technologies.
• These initiatives include work on Gen-4 ethanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel.
• NTPC has also developed and tested first indigenous catalyst for Methanol Synthesis.
• During the event, NTPC also launched hydrogen-fueled buses in Leh.

Topic: Banking System

8. State Bank of India has launched innovation hub at Singapore Fintech Festival.

• The State Bank of India (SBI) Innovation Hub was launched in partnership with APIX.
• It is to provide dedicated space for fintechs and startups globally to design next-generation financial solutions to meet the digital needs of diverse customer base of SBI.
• APIX is a leading global collaborative innovation platform for fintechs and financial institutions at the festival. It is a Singapore-based platform.
• Singapore Fintech Festival was held from 6-8 November.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

9. Shiv Nadar topped the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024.

• According to the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024, HCL Technologies founder Shiv Nadar and family with ₹2,153 crore donation are the leading philanthropists in India.
• Mukesh Ambani and his family are on the second spot with a philanthropic contribution of ₹407 crore.
• The Bajaj family, with a donation of ₹352 crore, secured third position on the list.
• Krishna Chivukula became the most generous person to feature in the list this time with a donation of ₹228 crore.
• Adani Group, with a philanthropic contribution of ₹330 crore, secured the fifth position.
• Among the top 10 most generous women, Rohini Nilekani occupied the top spot with ₹154 crore donation.
• Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath is the youngest philanthropist on the list with ₹120 crore contribution to the Rainmatter Foundation.

Topic: State News/Karnataka

10. First digital population clock of Bengaluru has been inaugurated at the Institute for Social Economic Change (ISEC).

• Bengaluru’s first digital population clock has been inaugurated at the Institute for Social Economic Change (ISEC).
• It will provide real-time estimates of Karnataka’s population of the country.
• This project was jointly completed by ISEC, and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• It would update state’s population for every 1.10 minute (one minute, 10 seconds) and the country’s population at every two seconds.
• The clock will play a key role in enhancing our understanding of population trends.
• The new census data research workstation would further strengthen academic research, policy analysis, and capacity building in population studies.

Topic: State News/ Gujarat

11. Gujarat has become India’s 1^st state to implement a dedicated semiconductor policy.

• ‘Gujarat Semiconductor Policy 2022-2027’ has been introduced by Gujarat government.
• The policy aims to solidify position of Gujarat as a leader in semiconductor self-reliance.
• Recently, foundation stone for Micron’s advanced semiconductor assembly, test, mark, and pack (ATMP) plant was laid by Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel in Sanand.
• India’s first AI-enabled semiconductor fabrication facility is being established by Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) in Dholera’s emerging ‘Semicon City’.
• The policy offers a 100% one-time refund on stamp duty and registration fees, a Rs 2 per unit electricity subsidy, and a Rs 12 per cubic metre rate for water.
• It also includes up to 75% land acquisition subsidy for semiconductor units in Dholera.
• Dholera is being developed as India’s first Greenfield Smart City.

Topic: Important Days

12. National Legal Services Day: 9 November

• National Legal Services Day is observed each year on 9 November.
• National Legal Services Day serves as a platform to promote legal awareness.
• It also serves as a platform to ensure access to justice for all citizens, especially those from marginalised communities.
• This day is an attempt to empower individuals with knowledge about their legal rights.
• This day also seeks to promote mechanisms for conflict resolution to foster a more equitable society. 
• National Legal Services Day was started in 1995 by the Supreme Court of India.
• The 9th of November is celebrated annually by all Legal Services Authorities as “Legal Services Day”.
• This is in accordance with the call made by Chief Justice A.S. Anand in the First Annual Meet.
• The first Annual Meeting of the State Legal Services Authorities (NALSA) took place on September 12, 1998, in New Delhi.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

13. 83^rd Indian Road Congress annual session started in Raipur.

• Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the conference.
• During these four-days, several technical sessions will be conducted.
• New technologies related to road construction will be discussed during the convention.
• More than 2000 experts from the country and abroad participated in this conference.
• The Indian Roads Congress (IRC) is the highest body of highway engineers in the country.
• It was set up in December 1934 on the recommendations of the Jayakar Committee set up by the Govt. of India with the objective of Road Development in India.

Topic: National Appointments

14. Rahul Bhave name has been recommended by FSIB for MD, CEO post of IFCI Ltd.

• Palash Srivastava has been recommended by FSIB for the position of Deputy Managing Director in IIFCL.
• At present, Srivastava is the Chief Executive Officer of IIFCL Projects Limited, a subsidiary of IIFCL.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take a final decision on both recommendations of FSIB.
• The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) is headed by the former secretary, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Bhanu Pratap Sharma.
• Its other members are Animesh Chauhan, former chairman and MD of erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce, RBI's ex-executive director Deepak Singhal, and Shailendra Bhandari, former MD of erstwhile ING Vysya Bank.