Q.: Who has been appointed as the new chairman of Tata Trusts in 2024?
a) Cyrus Mistry
b) Natarajan Chandrasekaran
c) Noel Tata
d) Rajesh Gopinathan
Q.: When is the International Day of the Girl Child celebrated?
a) October 5
b) October 11
c) October 20
d) October 30
Q.: What is the full name of the organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize?
a) Nihon Hidankyo
b) International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
c) United Nations
d) Greenpeace
Noel Tata has been appointed as the chairman of Tata Trusts, following the passing of his half-brother, Ratan Tata, on October 9, 2024. Ratan Tata, who led the Tata Group for decades and shaped its future, left behind a significant legacy in Indian industry.
Noel Tata, the son of Naval and Simone Tata, takes on this role at a critical time for the Tata Group and its trusts. With extensive experience in leadership roles within the Tata Group, he is expected to uphold the values and principles established by Ratan Tata.
The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on October 11. This day was established by the United Nations in 2011 to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face worldwide.
The theme for 2024 is “Girls’ vision for the future”, highlighting the need for urgent action and the hope driven by girls’ voices and aspirations.
On October 11, 2024, Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization representing atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee recognized their efforts to advocate for a nuclear-free world and their powerful witness testimonies, highlighting the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapons.
The Hibakusha, as survivors of the only nuclear bombs ever used in conflict, have devoted their lives to the anti-nuclear cause. The award follows the Nobel Committee’s past focus on nuclear disarmament, including its 2017 award to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). The prize, valued at around $1 million, will be presented in Oslo on December 10, 2024, in honor of Alfred Nobel.
Q.: What is the full name of the organization that won the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize?
a) Nihon Hidankyo
b) International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
c) United Nations
d) Greenpeace
Answer: a) Nihon Hidankyo
On October 11, 2024, Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization representing atomic bomb survivors (Hibakusha) from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Q.: What new cancer therapy target did scientists from Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) identify?
a) Topoisomerase 1 (Top1)
b) Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1)
c) CDK1 inhibitors
d) Camptothecin
Q.: Ratan Tata was known for his role as:
A. A famous Indian actor
B. A renowned Indian industrialist
C. A prominent Indian politician
D. A celebrated Indian sportsperson
Q.: Who was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature?
a) Haruki Murakami
b) Han Kang
c) Orhan Pamuk
d) Margaret Atwood
Scientists from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata have identified a potential new cancer therapy target by activating the DNA repair enzyme Tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1).
Their study shows that cancer cells survive chemotherapy by using TDP1 to repair DNA damage caused by Topoisomerase 1 (Top1) inhibitors, such as Camptothecin. The enzyme Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) enhances this repair process by phosphorylating TDP1, which is crucial for cancer cell survival during treatment. The researchers propose that combining CDK1 inhibitors with Top1 inhibitors could overcome drug resistance, offering a more effective cancer treatment. Further studies are being conducted to validate this approach.
Source : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2063775
Renowned industrialist Ratan Tata passed away peacefully in Mumbai on 9 October 2024 at the age of 86. His demise marks the end of an era that witnessed the Tata Group’s meteoric rise to prominence.
Tata, who served as the chairman of the Tata Group from 1991 to 2012, is credited with transforming the conglomerate into a global industrial powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded its operations into diverse sectors such as automobiles, steel, hospitality, and information technology.
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to South Korean author Han Kang for her powerful poetic prose that addresses historical traumas and highlights the fragility of human life. The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Han Kang is renowned for her novel The Vegetarian, which consists of three parts, and she is the first South Korean writer to receive this prestigious award. She began her literary career in 1993 with poems published in Literature and Society and made her prose debut in 1995 with the short story collection Love of Yeosu, followed by several other novels and short stories.
Q.: Which disease has India officially eliminated as a public health problem according to the WHO certification in October 2024?
A) Malaria
B) Trachoma
C) Tuberculosis
D) Polio
Q.: Trachoma, once a leading cause of blindness in India, was caused by:
A) Streptococcus pneumoniae
B) Chlamydia Trachomatis
C) Escherichia coli
D) Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Q.: What change did the RBI make to its monetary policy stance in October 2024?
A) Moved from ‘neutral’ to ‘accommodative’
B) Shifted from ‘withdrawal of accommodation’ to ‘neutral’
C) Shifted to ‘tightening’
D) Adopted an ‘expansionary’ stance
Q.: Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for breakthroughs in protein structure research?
A) Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier
B) David Baker, John Jumper, and Demis Hassabis
C) Roger Penrose, Reinhard Genzel, and Andrea Ghez
D) Frances Arnold, George Smith, and Gregory Winter
India has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, becoming the third country in the South-East Asia region to achieve this milestone, as announced by the World Health Organization (WHO). The certification was presented to Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the National Health Mission, during the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting in New Delhi on October, 2024.
Trachoma, a contagious bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis, was once a leading cause of blindness in India, especially in underprivileged areas. Left untreated, it can cause irreversible blindness. Globally, around 150 million people are affected by trachoma, with 6 million at risk of serious complications.
India’s efforts to eliminate trachoma began in 1963 with the National Trachoma Control Program, later integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB). By 1971, blindness due to trachoma stood at 5%, but through sustained efforts, it dropped to less than 1%. The WHO’s SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement) played a key role in combating the disease, and India was declared trachoma-free by 2017.
India continued its surveillance through the National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT only) Survey between 2021 and 2024. WHO reviewed these reports, leading to India’s official certification for trachoma elimination.
On October 9, 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the policy repo rate steady at 6.5% for the tenth consecutive time. Five out of six members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) supported the decision. Other key rates, such as the Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate at 6.25% and both the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) rate and the bank rate at 6.75%, also remained unchanged.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced a shift in the central bank’s monetary policy stance from “withdrawal of accommodation” to “neutral.” This change allows the RBI to balance inflation control with economic growth support. Despite risks from rising global crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions, India’s inflation rate eased to 3.65% in August, within the RBI’s target range of 2-6%, though food inflation remained high at 5.65%.
The neutral stance provides the RBI with flexibility to respond to inflationary pressures and growth objectives without rushing policy decisions.
David Baker, John Jumper, and Demis Hassabis were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking contributions to protein structure research.
Baker received half of the prize for his work in computational protein design, where he developed new types of proteins. The other half was jointly awarded to Jumper and Hassabis for their role in creating an AI model that solved a long-standing challenge in predicting complex protein structures. Baker is based at the University of Washington, while Jumper and Hassabis are part of Google DeepMind in London.
Q.: Where was the 92nd Raising Day of the Indian Air Force celebrated on 8 October 2024?
a) Ambala Air Force Station
b) Tambaram Air Force Station
c) Hindon Air Force Station
d) Jodhpur Air Force Station
Q.: Which party won the majority in the 2024 Haryana Legislative Assembly elections?
a) Congress
b) Indian National Lok Dal (INLD)
c) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
d) Jannayak Janta Party (JJP)
Q.: Which alliance won the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections in 2024?
a) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
b) Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
c) National Conference and Congress
d) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Q.: Who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics?
a) Elon Musk and Bill Gates
b) John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton
c) Stephen Hawking and Albert Einstein
d) Alan Turing and Charles Babbage
The 92nd Raising Day of the Indian Air Force was celebrated on 8 October 2024 at Tambaram Air Force Station near Chennai, marking the first time the event was held there. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan hoisted the flag, while Chief of Air Staff A.P. Singh inspected the parade and presented awards for distinguished performance.
The event celebrated achievements like the successful hosting of the largest multi-lateral exercise Tarang Shakthi after 61 years, with participation from over 30 nations. The Air Force’s role in humanitarian efforts and disaster relief was also praised. The celebration included a special parade and performances by the Suriya Kiran and Tarang teams, attended by former defense chiefs, military officials, and veterans.
On 8 October 2024, vote counting for the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana was completed.
U.S. scientist John Hopfield and British-Canadian Geoffrey Hinton won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering work that laid the foundation for machine learning. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences highlighted that their discoveries, rooted in physics, have contributed to the development of artificial neural networks, which are revolutionizing various fields.
Hopfield, a Princeton professor, created an associative memory model that stores and reconstructs patterns, while Hinton, from the University of Toronto, developed methods that autonomously detect properties in data, enabling tasks like identifying elements in images.
Hinton, an AI pioneer, quit Google in 2023 to freely address the dangers of AI, expressing concerns about computers potentially surpassing human intelligence sooner than expected.
The prize includes 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million), shared between the winners. The Nobel Prize, established by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1901, is one of the most prestigious global honors for scientific achievements.
Q.: Who were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine?
a) James Watson and Francis Crick
b) Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun
c) Elizabeth Blackburn and Carol Greider
d) Paul Nurse and Tim Hunt
Q.: Who has received an extension as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in October 2024?
a) Shaktikanta Das
b) M. Rajeshwar Rao
c) Viral Acharya
d) Urjit Patel
Q.: Which country topped the medals tally at the 2024 ISSF Junior World Shooting Championship?
A) Italy
B) Norway
C) India
D) Germany
At the 2024 ISSF Junior World Shooting Championship in Lima, Peru, Indian shooters delivered an outstanding performance, leading the medals tally with a total of 24 medals: 13 gold, 3 silver, and 8 bronze.
Mukesh Nelavalli was a standout, winning seven medals, including five golds. Divanshi also shone by claiming her second individual gold in the women’s 25m standard pistol event. The Indian team excelled in team events as well, with the junior men’s 50m pistol team taking gold.
India finished far ahead of Italy (13 medals) and Norway (10 medals), among 51 participating nations and over 560 shooters.
The Central Government has extended the tenure of Mr. M. Rajeshwar Rao as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India for one more year, starting from October 9, 2024, or until further orders.
This is his second one-year extension, following his initial appointment in October 2020 for a three-year term. Mr. Rao will continue overseeing the Department of Regulation, Department of Communication, Enforcement Department, Legal Department, and Risk Monitoring Department.
On October 7, 2024, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. This discovery is crucial for understanding how gene activity is regulated and how organisms develop and function.
The Nobel Assembly at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute made the announcement, highlighting the discovery’s fundamental importance. The winners will receive a prize of $1.1 million. This is the 115th Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine since 1901, with only 13 women among the 229 laureates.
Q.: What is the name of the indigenously developed Very Short Range Air Defence System, that was successfully tested on October 7, 2024 at Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan?
A) Akash
B) Nag
C) VSHORADS
D) Prithvi
Q.: Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurate the Banjara Virasat Museum on October 5, 2024?
A) Mumbai, Maharashtra
B) Pohardevi, Washim, Maharashtra
C) Pune, Maharashtra
D) Nagpur, Maharashtra
On October 7, 2024, India successfully conducted three flight tests of the indigenously developed Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles at the Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan. These tests, conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), were part of development trials aimed at enhancing India’s ability to counter aerial threats, including enemy aircraft and drones.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the success, highlighting the technological edge the VSHORADS system will provide to the Indian Armed Forces. This advanced, 4th-generation weapon system is expected to replace the aging Russian Igla missiles, addressing the long-standing need for modernization in India’s short-range air defense. Two private companies have been key partners in the project, reflecting India’s growing focus on indigenous defense technology development.
On October 5, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Pohardevi, Washim, Maharashtra. The museum, which spans four stories and contains 13 galleries, showcases the rich heritage of the Banjara community, including portraits of its leaders and historical movements.
During his visit, Modi paid floral tributes to the memorials of Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj, both revered spiritual leaders of the Banjara community. He also performed rituals at the Jagdamba Temple in Pohardevi.
Q.: What is the name of the Indian government mission that aims to make India self-reliant in oilseed production over the next seven years?
(a) National Mission on Oilseeds and Pulses
(b) National Mission on Edible Oils and Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)
(c) National Agricultural Development Program
(d) Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
Q.: As of September 27, 2024, what milestone did India’s foreign exchange reserves achieve for the first time?
(a) USD 600 billion
(b) USD 650 billion
(c) USD 700 billion
(d) USD 750 billion
India’s foreign exchange reserves reached a record high, crossing the USD 700 billion mark for the first time. As of September 27, 2024, the reserves surged by USD 12.588 billion to USD 704.885 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This is a significant increase from the previous high of USD 692.296 billion, offering a robust economic buffer against global financial uncertainties.
The largest part of the reserves, Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), stood at USD 616.154 billion, with the country’s gold reserves valued at USD 65.796 billion. These reserves now cover more than a year’s worth of projected imports, showcasing India’s economic resilience. In 2023, India added around USD 58 billion to its reserves, contrasting with the USD 71 billion decline in 2022.
Foreign exchange reserves, held in currencies like the US Dollar, Euro, Yen, and Pound, are vital for managing currency volatility. The RBI has been managing the rupee’s stability by buying dollars when the rupee strengthens and selling when it weakens, making the rupee one of Asia’s most stable currencies. This stability enhances the attractiveness of Indian assets to international investors.
On 3 October 2024, the Indian government approved the National Mission on Edible Oils and Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) for 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a budget of ₹10,103 crore. The mission aims to make India self-reliant in oilseed production over the next seven years.
The mission targets increasing oilseed production from 39 million metric tonnes in 2022-23 to 69.7 million tonnes by 2030-31 and domestic edible oil production to 25.45 million tonnes, meeting 72% of India’s projected needs. It will also employ advanced technologies like genome editing and benefit farmers, reduce import dependence, save foreign exchange, and enhance environmental sustainability.
Q.: What is the name of the International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife, held from 3 October 2024 in New Delhi?
A) Green Earth Festival
B) Vatavaran
C) EcoWorld Film Fest
D) Wild India Film Festival
Q.: Where is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 being held?
A) Australia
B) England
C) UAE
D) India
Q.: Which languages were granted classical language status by the Cabinet in October 2024?
A) Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam
B) Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali
C) Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Marathi
D) Assamese, Gujarati, Bengali, Pali, and Hindi
Q.: How many countries were part of the International Energy Efficiency Hub as of July 2024?
A) 10
B) 12
C) 16
D) 20
On 3 October 2024, the Union Cabinet approved the signing of a letter of intent for India to join the International Energy Efficiency Hub, a global platform aimed at fostering collaboration and promoting energy efficiency. This decision aligns with India’s commitment to sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, marking a significant step towards a low-carbon economy and improved energy security.
As of July 2024, 16 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, are members of the Hub.
On 3 October 2024, the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved conferring the status of classical language to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Classical languages are recognized as custodians of India’s ancient cultural heritage, representing the historical and cultural achievements of their respective communities.
The classical language category was created on October 12, 2004, with Tamil being the first to receive this status. The criteria for classical status include the language’s high antiquity, a recorded history of over a thousand years, and a significant body of original ancient literature. This recognition is expected to create employment opportunities in academia, research, archiving, translation, and digital media through the preservation and digitisation of ancient texts.
The International Film Festival and Forum on Environment and Wildlife, Vatavaran was inaugurated on 3 October 2024 at Paryavaran Bhawan, New Delhi, with the theme “Wetlands for Life”, focusing on raising awareness and promoting conservation of the wetlands ecosystem.
During the event, Jitendra Kumar, Director General of Forests in the Ministry of Environment, emphasized the ecological and economic importance of wetlands to India, noting that 6% of Indians depend on wetlands for their livelihoods. Taina Dyckhoff, Head of Climate and Environment at the German Embassy to India, highlighted the successful bilateral cooperation between India and Germany in environmental and wetlands conservation.