ALL EXAM QUIZ 04.11.2024

Explanation:

• Nature Coalition has been launched by countries at UN COP16 talks.
• At the U.N. COP16 biodiversity talks, Colombia launched a coalition with 20 other countries.
• Leaders cautioned that the rapid destruction of the environment risks humanity’s extinction.
• In Cali (Columbia), the summit of about 200 countries is underway. It is tasked with figuring out how to halt the decline of nature by 2030.

Explanation:

• ELEVATE 2024 and Karnataka Accelerator Network (KAN) initiatives have been launched by the Karnataka government.
• The Elevate 2024 scheme has been designed for early-stage startups. It is a grant-in-aid seed fund scheme.
• It provides grants of up to ₹50 lakh per start-up.
• It also supports incubation, mentorship, incentives, and access to venture capital networks.
• This scheme is a gateway to avail various benefits under the Karnataka Startup Policy 2022-27.
• About 302 start-ups will benefit from the program over six cohorts in three years.
• Karnataka Accelerator Network (KAN) is an acceleration network for providing mentorship, market access, and funding opportunities for growth-stage start-ups across Karnataka.
• Karnataka is the first state to implement such a comprehensive scheme for startups.

Explanation:

• The Indian Railways signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Environment, Transport and Communications of Switzerland.
• The main aim of the MoU is to enhance technical cooperation between both countries.
• The MoU will provide a comprehensive framework for collaboration with the Indian Railways in various areas, including technology sharing, track maintenance, management and construction.
• This MoU is in line with the government’s commitment to modernizing Indian Railways.

Explanation:

• Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched two indigenous fast patrol vessels built for the Indian Coast Guard.
• Indian Coast Guard Director General (DG) Paramesh Sivamani's wife Priya Paramesh ceremoniously launched the vessels - Adamya and Akshar.
• These fast patrol vessels are designed in-house by GSL to meet specific operational needs of Coast Guard.
• These vessels have a length of 52 metres, breadth of 8 metres, and displacement of 320 tonnes.
• These vessels are optimised for protecting offshore assets, island territories, and conducting surveillance operations.
• GSL is constructing eight fast patrol vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard.
• Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane laid the keel for both Adamya and Akshar FPVs on August 25, 2023.
• Using the shipyard's state-of-the-art ship-lift system, two ships were launched simultaneously for the first time in GSL's history.

Explanation:

• India’s total gold reserves held by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reached 854.73 metric tonnes.
• 510.46 metric tonnes have been stored domestically within India, while 324.01 metric tons are kept in safe custody at the Bank of England and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
• 20.26 metric tonnes of gold are maintained in the form of deposits to support liquidity and financial stability.
• Till September 2024, gold constituted 9.32 percent of total reserves, up from 8.15 percent at the end of March 2024.
• As of June 2024, India’s foreign exchange reserves covered 11.2 months of imports. It has decreased from 11.3 months in March.
• Short-term debt has also increased from 19.7% of reserves in March to 20.3% by June.
• India’s International Investment Position (IIP) showed an increase in external assets by $108.4 billion and liabilities by $97.7 billion year-over-year.

Explanation:

• Sandstone replicas of Konark wheel have been installed at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Four sandstone replicas of the Konark wheel have been installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and the Amrit Udyan.
• The Konark wheel replicas will show and promote India’s rich cultural heritage.
• This initiative is part of several steps taken to introduce traditional cultural and historical elements in the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The Konark Sun Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a great example of Odisha temple architecture.
• It was built in the shape of a colossal chariot carrying the Sun god.
• Konark Wheel consists of 8 wider spokes and 8 inner spokes, and it is 9 feet in diameter. The distance between two wider spokes is 3 hours (180 minutes).

Explanation:

• NTPC Ltd in association with the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), Dehradun, has developed an Indigenous Catalyst for Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol.
• NETRA, the R&D wing of NTPC, has developed this Indigenous catalyst.
• A catalyst is an essential component of any chemical synthesis.
• NTPC has taken many steps towards its commitment towards greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction.
• The purity of methanol produced by this catalyst is more than 99%.
• 1 mole of CO2 and 3 moles of H2 passed through the fix bed downflow reactor.

Explanation:

• National Unity Day is observed in India on 31 October.
• It is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Vallabhbhai Patel.
• It was introduced by the Government of India in 2014.
• On the eve of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda Leads the Pledge for National Unity.
• Vallabhbhai Patel played a key role in the national integration of independent India.
• The government is also celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a two-year-long nationwide programme.

Explanation:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched India's first analog space mission at Leh, Ladakh, a pioneering step in the country's space exploration efforts.
• The mission, led by ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre, brings together partners from AAKA Space Studio, University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay.

Explanation:

• Leading economist and Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) Bibek Debroy has passed away at the age of 69.
• Padma Shri awardee Debroy was a member of the NITI Aayog. He translated all four Vedas, Puranas, 11 Upanishads, Valmiki Ramayana and Mahabharata into English for the new generation.