ALL EXAM QUIZ 25.12.2024

Explanation:

• In a domestic SLB issued by NDR InvIT, IFC has invested $75 million (₹630 crore).
• This is India's first warehouse InvIT to issue a sustainability-linked bond (SLB).
• This SLB is the nation's first to be issued by any InvIT.
• The goal of this strategic investment is to improve sustainable, high-quality warehouse infrastructure.
• The funding is intended to help NDR InvITs expand its storage operations.
• It will support EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification, an international green building certification system by IFC.
• NDR InvIT is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) sponsored by NDR Warehousing Private Ltd.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group. It was formed in 1956. It is headquartered in Washington, US.

Explanation:

• A monetary penalty of ₹27.30 lakh has been imposed by RBI on IndusInd Bank for violation of regulatory norms.
• RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹20 lakh on Manappuram Finance for violation of regulatory norms.
• RBI found that certain savings deposit accounts were opened by IndusInd Bank in the name of ineligible entities.
• Manappuram Finance did not verify PAN of customers from verification facility of the issuing authority at the time of customer acceptance.
• Manappuram Finance also allotted multiple identification codes to customers in place of a Unique Customer Identification Code for each customer.

Explanation:

• Centre said that Indian pharma sector is recognized as the third largest globally, valued at $50 billion in FY 2023-24.
• According to Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel, India's pharmaceutical industry is considered the third largest globally and was worth $50 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
• The domestic pharmaceutical market was valued at $23.5 billion, with exports contributing $26.5 billion in financial year 2023-24.
• The Indian pharmaceutical industry has a strong presence globally and ranks 14th in terms of production value.
• It has a highly diversified product portfolio, including generic drugs, bulk drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, biosimilars and biologics.
• The National Accounts Statistics 2024, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, reported that the pharmaceutical, medicinal, and botanical products industry had a total output of ₹4,56,246 crores at constant prices for FY 2022-23.
• The industry contributed ₹1,75,583 crores in value addition during the same period.
• During the same period, 9,25,811 persons got employment in this sector.
• Seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) have been established by the Department of Pharmaceuticals as Institutes of National Importance.

Explanation:

• Every year on December 22, National Mathematics Day is celebrated across the country.
• It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, who gave 3500 mathematical formulas to the world.
• The main objective of this day is to raise awareness among people about the importance of mathematics for the development of humanity.
• In 2012, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared 22 December as National Mathematics Day on the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.

Srinivasa Ramanujan

• He was born on 22 December 1887 in Tamil Nadu.
• He was the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College.
• He is also known as the “man who knew infinity”.
• He had contributed to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions.
• In 1918, Ramanujan became the second Indian to be chosen a Fellowship of the Royal Society.
• He was also one of the youngest people to receive the fellowship of the Royal Society.

Explanation:

• National Farmers’ Day observed on 23rd December 2024.
• National Farmers’ Day honours farmers’ contribution to the nation’s growth and development.
• It is a reminder of the extremely important role farmers have in ensuring food security, sustaining rural economies, as well as preserving the agricultural heritage of country.
• National Farmers’ Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.
• Government has taken many initiatives to support socio-economic upliftment of farmers.
• These programmes include the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is effective from 1 December 2018. It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana was launched on 12 September 2019 by PM Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.

Explanation:

• The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Kuwait's highest honour, has been conferred on PM Modi.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received Kuwait's highest honour, the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.
• This is the 20th time a nation has bestowed an international honour upon Prime Minister Modi.
• The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer is a knighthood order of Kuwait.
• As a sign of friendship, it is given to heads of state, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families.
• Foreign leaders including Prince Charles of the United Kingdom and former US Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have already received the honour.

Explanation:

• As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, India’s forest cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometres.
• India's total forest and tree cover stood at 8 lakh 27 thousand 357 square kilometers, which is 25.17 percent of India’s total geographical area.
• Out of this 7 lakh 15 thousand 343 square kilometers is classified as forest cover while 1 lakh 12 thousand 14 square kilometers is tree cover.
• The highest increase in forest and tree cover has been registered in Chhattisgarh with 684 square kilometers.
• It is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, each with a 559 square kilometer increase.
• In terms of forest cover, Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha were the top three leading states.
• Mizoram registered an increase of 242 square kilometers, followed by Gujarat (180 square kilometers) and Odisha (152 square kilometers).
• Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra are leading in total area covered by forests and trees.
• Lakshadweep (91.33%) has the highest percentage in terms of forest cover relative to total geographical area.
• It is followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).
• As per the assessment, 19 states and union territories have more than 33 per cent of their geographical area under forest cover.
• Eight states have forest cover exceeding 75 per cent.
• India’s mangrove cover is estimated at 4,992 square kilometers. Bamboo-bearing areas have also seen growth.
• The potential annual timber production from trees outside forests has been estimated at 91.51 million cubic meters.
• The carbon stock in India’s forests is another key highlight of the report. The current estimate stands at 7,285.5 million tonnes.

Explanation:

• India will host the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup for the first time.
• In the second half of 2025, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup will be hosted by India.
• The ISSF awarded the hosting rights for the top junior international shooting competition for Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
• It will be the third top ISSF-level event to be held in India after the senior World Cup in Bhopal in 2023.
• This will be the ninth top-level shooting championship to be held in India.
• Earlier, India has hosted continental championships and six ISSF competitions, including two World Cup Final competitions besides four senior ISSF World Cups.

Explanation:

• Maharashtra Assembly passed a bill to reform the prison system in the State.
• The Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024 is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023.
• A high-security prison and detention centre will be set up in Mumbai.
• The Bill has the provision of categories of prisons such as special prisons, open prisons for women, temporary prisons and open colonies.
• Open prisons and open colonies will help with the rehabilitation and reintegration of former jail inmates.
• The bill has also the provision of the constitution of a ‘prison and correctional prison force.

Explanation:

• The Indian U19 team wins the first-ever T20 Asia Cup.
• India won the first-ever Under-19 ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup in women's cricket in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• In the final, India won by 41 runs over Bangladesh.
• Aayyushi Shukla took three wickets for India.
• Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia both claimed two wickets.
• India had previously scored 117 for seven in their allocated 20 overs while batting first.
• The leading scorer, Gongadi Trisha, scored a strong 52 runs off 47 balls.
• Six of the top teams from the continent competed for the title in the competition, which started on December 15.
• Under the leadership of Niki Prasad, India won every match.