Main Points:-   (i) The two-day workshop, held from 21st to 22nd October 2024, was organized by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the MoRD.

      (ii) Experts from Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), Spain, the United States of America (USA), Japan, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the workshop, sharing successful digital land record practices.

Main Points:-   (i) The new standards will help international investors to compare the financials of domestic insurers with their global counterparts. The new accounting standards would also require domestic insurers to strengthen their disclosure needs, leading to greater transparency and better decision-making, industry experts said.

      (ii) Developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), IFRS 17 became effective on January 1, 2023.

Main Points:-   (i) The new logo of BSNL represents strength, trust, and accessibility. It features green and white arrows encircling India, highlighting the company's expansive nationwide reach, while the orange backdrop symbolizes warmth and inclusivity.

      (ii) Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced that BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) will soon deploy 5G services nationwide. He noted that BSNL has already conducted successful trials of the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and core in both the 3.6 GHz (Giga Hertz) and 700 MHz (Mega Hertz) frequency bands.

Main Points:-   Denmark's Christian Kettel Thomsen and Switzerland's Thomas Jordan have also been ranked in the 'A+' category of central bankers.

      - She has held multiple roles in the IBRO Asia-Pacific Regional Committee and the Society for Neuroscience (SfN). Currently, she is the President of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (ISDN). She has also chaired the Women in Science Committee of the Indian Academy of Sciences and actively contributes to the ALBA Network, advocating for diversity in neuroscience.

Main Points:-   (i) Shubha Tole will join the IBRO advisory board on January 1, 2025, for a one-year term and will assume her role as president on January 1, 2026. Her tenure will end on December 31, 2028, after which she will also serve a two-year term on the IBRO advisory board as past president.

      (ii) Based in Paris, France, IBRO is a global federation of neuroscience organizations that promotes and supports neuroscience worldwide through training, education, collaborative research, advocacy, and outreach.

(iii) The IBRO Governing Council represents 69 scientific societies and federations across 57 countries.

Main Points:-   (i) Amit Kumar currently holds the position of Executive Director (ED) and Asset Manager at Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in Jorhat, Assam.

      (ii) AIAHL is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to provide unified asset holding services, as outlined in the object clauses of its Memorandum of Association.

Main Points:-   The submarine is equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles, with a target range of 3,500 kilometers (kms), and can be launched through vertical systems, in contrast to the first SSBN, INS Arihant, which carries K-15 nuclear missiles with a range of 750 kms.

Main Points:-   (i) The Mexico City GP 2024 is the 20th round of the 2024 F1 World Championship.

      (ii) Carlos Sainz is set to leave Ferrari and join Williams Racing, a British F1 team and constructor, at the end of the 2024 season.

(iii) The Brazil Grand Prix 2024, the 21st round of the F1 World Championship, will be held in November 2024 in São Paulo, Brazil.

Main Points:-   (i) The observance of the week-long Karmayogi Saptah has been extended to 27th October 2024.

      (ii) On 21st October 2024 (3rd day of National Learning Week), Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Mines, awarded the Adarsh Karmayogi Awards to 13 employees who completed over 100 courses on the IGOT Karmayogi portal.

(iii) Sanjay Kumar Aggarwal, Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, launched a nationwide Behavioral Sensitization program in CBIC.

Main Points:-   (i) In January 1960, a resolution was passed at the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories, recognising 21st October of every year as Police Commemoration Day.

      (ii) Since 1960, 21st October has been observed annually as "Police Commemoration Day.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme of WSLD 2024 is "Safeguarding Snow Leopard Habitats for Future Generations.

      (ii) At the Global Snow Leopard Conservation Forum held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, from 22-23 October 2013, the 12 snow leopard range countries adopted the Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Conservation and designated 23rd October each year as International Snow Leopard Day.

(iii) The first-ever International Snow Leopard Day was observed on 23 October 2014.

      - The annual observance of International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (ILPPW) is led by the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (Lead Paint Alliance) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Main Points:-   (i) ILPPW 2023 was observed from October 22nd to 28th, 2023, and ILPPW 2025 will be observed from October 19th to 25th, 2025.

      (ii) The 2024 campaign focused on "Bright Futures begin Lead-Free".

(iii) Additionally, lead exposure was estimated to result in more than 33 million years lost to disability (Disability-Adjusted Life Years, DALYs) worldwide in 2021.

Main Points:-   (i) The framework was signed by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank - KEXIM) at the DFC headquarters in Washington D.C., USA.

      (ii) Signatories: Yoon Hee-sung, Chairman & President of KEXIM; Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DFC; and Hayashi Nobumitsu, Governor of JBIC were the signatories of the DiGi Framework.

Main Points:-   (i) As part of this collaboration, Axis Bank will leverage Mintoak’s SaaS platform to help SMEs accept payments, access transaction reports, and submit service requests directly through the app.

      (ii) HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Axis Bank, YES Bank in India, and globally Absa, and Burgan Bank are among the merchant acquirers that have implemented the company’s merchant payment and commerce enablement solutions.

      - Each FPV is 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth.

Main Points:-   (i) These FPVs are designed to enhance security around offshore assets, island territories, and strengthen surveillance capabilities.

      (ii) On 25th August 2024, Giridhar Aramane, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), laid the keels for the FPVs Adamya and Akshar.

      - Previously, CGM posts were available in six out of the eleven nationalized banks. The new CGM posts will be introduced in five additional banks: Bank of Maharashtra (BoM) in Pune, Maharashtra; Central Bank of India (CBI) in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Punjab & Sind Bank (PSB) in New Delhi, Delhi; and UCO Bank in Kolkata, West Bengal.

Main Points:-   (i) The Finance Minister has approved the creation of 64 new Chief General Manager (CGM) posts, raising the total number of CGM positions across all 11 nationalized banks from 80 to 144.

      (ii) As a result of this change, the number of General Manager (GM) positions will increase from 440 to 576, Deputy General Manager (DGM) positions will rise from 1,320 to 1,728, and Assistant General Manager (AGM) positions will grow from 3,960 to 5,184.

(iii) The CGM position serves as a crucial link between the GM and Executive Director (ED) roles.

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative is part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), providing financial assistance to women SHG members for their business activities.

      (ii) As part of IOB’s commitment to enhancing women's economic participation, the scheme also focuses on improving their access to financial resources.

Main Points:-   This bilingual book, published by Sakal Media News Publication, is available in both Marathi and English.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme of World lodine Deficiency Day 2024 was 'A daily dose of iodine keeps you fit and fine'.

      (ii) Insufficient iodine intake can lead to a range of health issues collectively known as lodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD). Iodine deficiency can result in severe health problems.

Main Points:-   (i) During the program, PM Modi also inaugurated the 8th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC 2024), Asia's largest digital technology forum.

      (ii) Chairman of the Reliance JIO-INFOCOMM Limited, Shri Akash Ambani, commended Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his visionary leadership, which has catalyzed India’s remarkable digital transformation.

(iii) Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla praised the government’s ongoing support and reforms to advance India as a more connected, empowered, and inclusive digital nation.

Main Points:-   (i) The eShram portal, initially launched in August 2021 by MoL&E to create the National Database of Unorganised Workers (NDUW), has already registered over 30 crore workers, demonstrating its importance in delivering welfare services.

      (ii) Workers aged between 16-59 years from the unorganised sector can register on the portal.

(iii) The platform has seen a significant rise in user engagement, with 60,000 to 90,000 new registrations daily, reflecting growing trust in the service.

Main Points:-   (i) The ₹100 coin features an image of HH Mataji Nirmala Devi Ji, representing her teachings of inner peace and universal love.

      (ii) The coin’s composition is a quaternary alloy with 50% silver, 40% copper, 5% nickel, and 5% zinc, weighing 35 grams with a diameter of 44 mm and 200 serrations along the edge.

Main Points:-   (i) This collaboration seeks to leverage cutting-edge technology to enhance skill development training and accessibility for learners across India.

      (ii) As part of this initiative, an AI-powered chatbot will be developed using Meta’s open-source Llama model. This chatbot will be integrated into the Skill India Digital (SID) Portal to provide 24/7 support, offering users instant access to course information and learning resources.

(iii) These centers will also equip instructors and learners with advanced VR technology, providing a more immersive and engaging training experience.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme of the 75th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2024), "Responsible Space for Sustainability," underscored the critical need for responsible practices in space exploration. This focus emphasized ensuring safety, preventing overcrowding, and minimizing light pollution, all essential as the space economy continues to grow and expand.

      (ii) The IAC 2025 will be held in Sydney, Australia from September 29 to October 3, 2025.

Main Points:-   (i) The scheme is open from October 14, 2024, and is applicable for fixed deposits below Rs 3 crore as a limited-period offer.

      (ii) Additionally, BoB has increased interest rates on deposits in the 3-5 year range by 30 basis points (bps), moving from 6.50% p.a. to 6.80% p.a.

Main Points:-   (i) RBI issued these directions using the authority granted under section 45W of the RBI Act, 1934, in conjunction with section 45U of the same Act.

      (ii) RBI issued these directions using the authority granted under section 45W of the RBI Act, 1934, in conjunction with section 45U of the same Act.

Main Points:-   (i) Since 2021, he has been an influential member of the Politburo (Communist Party of Vietnam).

      (ii) Luong Cuong has served as a Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat since May 2024.

Main Points:-   The CCI has also approved the proposal of Aquilo House Pte. Limited (AHPL) to acquire Aavas Financiers Limited (AFL), a housing finance company registered with the National Housing Bank (NHB), which is a non-deposit taking entity.

Main Points:-   20th October 2024 marks the 62nd anniversary of the 1962 Indo-China War.

Main Points:-   The theme and message for the 2024 campaign is "Say no to fragile bones.

Main Points:-   Ranjitsinh is well-known for his significant contributions to drafting India's Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

Main Points:-   (i) (Note: The first IN-RNO exercise took place in 1993, making 2024 the 31st year of bilateral exercises between the two navies.)

      (ii) An integral helicopter from INS Trikand conducted cross-deck landings and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with RNOV Al Seeb.

(iii) The Indian Navy's Dornier aircraft provided Over-the-Horizon Targeting (OTHT) data to the participating ships.

Main Points:-   (i) During his visit, CAG Girish Chandra Murmu met with Roger Mancienne, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Seychelles, to discuss the important role of the Auditor General's office in supporting national assemblies and parliaments worldwide.

      (ii) In another meeting, he spoke with Sebastian Alik Pillay, Chairperson of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee, about the vital partnership between Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) and Public Accounts Committees, working together to fulfill their responsibilities to citizens.

Main Points:-   (i) The assembly adopted resolutions on both an emergency item and a subject raised by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, titled "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law."

      (ii) The assembly also finalized an outcome document based on the overall theme of the General Debate.

(iii) The assembly approved the newly established IPU Charter on the Ethics of Science and Technology, which was developed by the IPU's Working Group on Science and Technology.

Main Points:-   (i) This integrated solution is available to Citi clients in 65 origin countries and caters to corporate, financial, e-commerce, and commercial sectors.

      (ii) It supports transactions like insurance payouts, airline refunds, e-commerce payments, on-demand payouts for freelancers and gig workers, transactions with merchants, and customer refunds.

(iii) The partnership enhances Citi's payout capabilities, reaching 14 receiving markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and supporting domestic transfers in the United States. Plans are in place to further expand these services in the future.

Main Points:-   (i) This detection marks the first time these compounds have been identified on Charon, which has a diameter of approximately 1,200 kilometers (km) and orbits Pluto at a distance of about 19,640 km.

      (ii) The identification of CO₂ and H₂O₂ adds to previously known materials on Charon’s surface, such as crystalline water ice and ammonia. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

(iii) The research team was led by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Texas, United States of America (USA).

Main Points:-   (i) Switzerland ranks 3rd with a score of 8.43, followed by New Zealand in 4th place with a rating of 8.39, and the United States in 5th place with a score of 8.09.

      (ii) Venezuela is ranked the lowest in the 2024 EFW report with a rating of 3.02, followed by Zimbabwe (3.53), Sudan (4.11), Syrian Arab Republic (4.28), and Algeria (4.46). They are ranked 164th, 163rd, 162nd, 161st, and 160th respectively.

      - A total of 44 countries and 1 territory worldwide have reached this milestone.

Main Points:-   (i) The WHO’s certification means Egypt has stopped the local transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquitoes.

      (ii) Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free of cost to all residents in Egypt, no matter their legal status.

(iii) The final decision on certification is made by the WHO Director-General, based on recommendations from an independent group called the Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification (TAG-MEC).

Main Points:-   (i) This partnership aims to explore new growth opportunities in critical sectors that are key to nation-building, including Rail and Metro, Defense and Aerospace, and Mining and Construction. It will also help in the development of important national infrastructure projects.

      (ii) Apart from rail and metro projects, the MoU also aims to strengthen defense manufacturing, aligning with the Indian government's AatmaNirbhar Bharat vision, which focuses on making India self-reliant in defense production.

Main Points:-   (i) SPADEX will demonstrate independent engagement and docking, enabling two spacecraft to function as a unified unit with controlled movement. This capability is crucial for constructing and maintaining a space station.

      (ii) Successful development of SPADEX technologies will allow for robotic assembly of space station modules (large structural components) in orbit.

(iii) Additionally, the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, which aims to return with lunar samples, will involve autonomous docking in orbit around the moon.

Main Points:-   (i) It is a collaborative project between the Sikshana Foundation and Microsoft Research India, as part of Project VeLLM (Very Large Language Model), a Microsoft Research India initiative that develops specialized AI tools for users, including teachers and farmers.

      (ii) Shiksha Copilot helps teachers manage multi-grade classrooms with diverse needs by generating personalized content and aligning with the 5Es model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate).

Main Points:-   (i) The F77 MACH2 features a top-quality 10.3 Kilowatt-hour (kWh) SRB7 Lithium-ion battery with an impressive 800,000-kilometer (km) battery warranty.

      (ii) This facility is a major step in UV's expansion efforts, joining the flagship center in Bengaluru and recent launches in Pune (Maharashtra), Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Kochi (Kerala), and Hyderabad (Telangana). UV plans to establish a presence in twelve cities by the end of 2024.

Main Points:-   Additionally, a new species of orchid named Crepidium assamicum was found in Dibru Saikhowa National Park, Assam, while another species, Coelogyne tripurensis, was discovered in the Jampui Hills of Tripura's North District. These findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing conservation efforts to protect these unique species.

Main Points:-   (i) Global electricity demand is projected to double by 2050, primarily driven by China's extensive energy transition, according to a statement from Carbon Tracker regarding the IEA's WEO 2024.

      (ii) India is expected to experience a greater increase in energy demand than any other country over the next decade, due to its large population and growing demand across all sectors.

Main Points:-   (i) The ESZ status is designed to preserve the rich biodiversity and unique landscapes of these areas, providing a Safety armor against harmful human activities and supporting conservation in the Eastern Himalayas.

      (ii) India has over 600 ESZs declared across various states.

(iii) Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a sanctuary in 1989 and is named after the Kamlang River that flows through it.

Main Points:-   (i) October 21, 2024, marks the 8th anniversary of RCS UDAN, originally launched on October 21, 2016.

      (ii) Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first RCS-UDAN flight, connecting Shimla and Delhi, on April 27, 2017.

(iii) The Government of India (GoI) has allocated ₹4,500 crores for airport development under the UDAN scheme, with ₹3,751 crores utilized since the scheme's launch in 2016.

Main Points:-   (i) Uttar Pradesh (UP) has the highest number of vulnerable children, with over 500,000, followed by Assam with 150,000 and Madhya Pradesh (MP) with nearly 100,000.

      (ii) Meanwhile, Union Territories like Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands reported no children vulnerable to child marriage.

      - The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) was launched in 2011 by the MoRD to reduce poverty.

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative supports the "Lakhpati Didi" program introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at helping rural women achieve financial independence and sustainable incomes.

      (ii) This assistance will cover various sectors, including agriculture, handicrafts, and small-scale industries.

(iii) Banks have been advised to ensure that branch staff are well-informed about these new loan products so that rural women can easily access financing at their local branches.

Main Points:-   (i) Prior to this role, KAP Sinha served as special chief secretary in the departments of revenue, rehabilitation and disaster management; agriculture and farmer welfare; horticulture; and soil and water conservation.

      (ii) Anurag Verma, a 1993-batch IAS officer, served as the chief secretary of Punjab since 26th June 2023. He will now assume the roles previously held by KAP Sinha.

Main Points:-   'Piramal Pay' is designed to offer seamless, secure, and convenient financial transactions for both individuals and businesses.

Main Points:-   (i) The station features modern facilities and amenities, including automated ticketing systems, a digital bank branch, an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), and accessibility options for all passengers.

      (ii) Kotak has secured branding rights for the BKC and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT, formerly known as VT) metro stations to boost its visibility.

(iii) These two stations are important for the Kotak Group: BKC is where the firm was founded ("Janmabhoomi"), and CSMT is its current hub.

Main Points:-   (i) According to the revised criteria, countries will be prioritized for active review if they meet specific referral conditions and are classified as members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), recognized as High Income Countries (HIC) by the World Bank—excluding those with two or fewer banks in their financial sector—and possess financial sector assets exceeding USD 10 billion, as measured by broad money.

      (ii) The Grey List includes countries that have significant weaknesses in their Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) systems.

(iii) Currently, the countries on the grey list include: Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Croatia, Kenya, Congo, Haiti, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, Vietnam, and Yemen.

      - A key feature of the BATF regulations is the inclusion of financial crime compliance services.

Main Points:-   (i) This development strengthens InCorp Global's capabilities in areas like Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Countering the Financing of Terrorism, and Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance.

      (ii) InCorp Global currently serves a diverse range of clients from countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA), among others.

(iii) The BATF regulations were introduced following a government notification on January 18, 2024. These regulations define BATF services as "financial services" according to Section 3 of the IFSCA Act, 2019.

      - AuroLab, based in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, focuses on AI-driven healthcare solutions to support diabetic retinopathy screenings in resource-constrained communities, ensuring timely care and treatment for those in need.

Main Points:-   (i) Google is advancing AI-assisted diabetic retinopathy screenings, aiming to offer 6 million screenings over the next decade, free of charge to patients.

      (ii) Through its CircularNet model, Google seeks to enhance urban waste management by automating plastic waste sorting, supporting recycling efforts and reducing landfill impact.

(iii) Google is launching its Agricultural Landscape Understanding (ALU) API to developers, providing satellite imagery and Machine Learning insights for improved and efficient farming practices.

      - In Formula 1, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc secured victory at the 2024 United States Grand Prix.

Main Points:-   (i) Ferrari's Carlos Sainz secured 2nd place, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT finished 3r

      (ii) Note: The US GP 2024 was the 19th round of the 2024 Formula One World Championship.

(iii) i. The United States Grand Prix dates back to 1908 when it was known as the American Grand Prize in Savannah, Georgia. This Grand Prix later became part of the Formula One World Championship.

Main Points:-   (i) Pavāraṇā Day is celebrated on the full moon day of the 11th lunar month, which typically falls in October.

      (ii) The celebration will bring together around 1,000 participants, including ambassadors, monks, scholars, and young experts from 14 countries. Prime Minister Modi's address will emphasize the continued relevance of Abhidhamma teachings and efforts to preserve Pali as a classical language.

Main Points:-   The theme for World Trauma Day 2024 is "Workplace Injuries: Prevention & Management."

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for WFD 2024 is "Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future."

      (ii) WFD was established in 1979 during the 20th session of the FAO Conference held in Rome, Italy.

Main Points:-   (i) PM Modi launched Phases 2 and 3 of the Varanasi Sports Complex redevelopment, worth over Rs 210 crore, under the Khelo India scheme and the Smart City mission.

      (ii) PM Modi also inaugurated tourism development initiatives in Sarnath, focusing on Buddhism-related sites.

      - Simplex Castings Limited, based in Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, is leading a consortium that includes BSBK Private Limited, Ten Eight Investment, and IIT Bhilai. Together, they are developing a pilot project with a capacity of 40 tons per day (TPD).

Main Points:-   (i) The NGHM was launched on January 4, 2023, with a total budget of ₹19,744 crore.

      (ii) Key Components of the Projects: Developing a process to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) using 100% hydrogen in vertical shaft furnaces, along with injecting hydrogen into DRI production units.

(iii) Hydrogen Use in Blast Furnaces: Reducing coal and coke consumption by injecting hydrogen into blast furnaces.

Main Points:-   (i) The campaign aims to raise awareness about different types of scams, such as phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud, while also equipping citizens with practical skills to recognize and avoid these threats.

      (ii) Meta has also released an educational film featuring Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana. The film highlights common scams people encounter in their daily lives and showcases safety features on various social media platforms that help users manage their online safety.

(iii) India is facing significant cybersecurity challenges due to the rapid advancement of technology. With over 900 million internet users, the country has seen remarkable digital growth, especially through the Digital India initiative.

      - The BRICS nations account for 33.6% of new breast cancer cases globally and 36.9% of breast cancer deaths worldwide.

Main Points:-   (i) The research primarily focused on cancer cases, deaths, and their impact on the quality of life in the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

      (ii) The study found that cancer cases in India are expected to increase by 12.8% in 2025 compared to 2020.

(iii) In India, breast cancer is the primary reason for the highest number of cancer-related deaths.

Main Points:-   (i) The MoU was signed by Fatih Birol, Executive Director of IEA, at the IEA headquarters in Paris, France.

      (ii) Prof. Rangan Banerjee (Director of IIT Delhi) and Ambuj Sagar (Deputy Director for Strategy and Planning, IIT Delhi) signed it remotely.

(iii) The signing took place in the presence of Jawed Ashraf, the Indian Ambassador to France and Monaco.

      - The project involves dredging and deepening river channels to improve water flow, desilting marginal areas to enhance water retention, and constructing water pools and retaining structures for sustainable water storage and increased fish production.

Main Points:-   (i) The project funding will be split as follows: 80% from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and 20% from the State Government.

      (ii) 2. Initially, 190 beels were identified for restoration. After using ADB's Screening Matrix for evaluation, 129 beels were selected based on their potential for ecological recovery.

(iii) M/s Electroveen Engineering Private Limited from New Delhi has already submitted the feasibility study report and the first draft of the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

Main Points:-   (i) The report also estimates that global growth will remain stable at 3.2% in both 2024 and 2025. However, the global growth rate for 2025 has been slightly reduced by 10 basis points (bps) from 3.3% to 3.2%.

      (ii) Additionally, the report projects India's headline inflation rate to be 4.4% for FY25 and 4.1% for FY26.

      - TV Narendran joined Tata Steel in 1988 and started in its International Trading Division.

Main Points:-   (i) As Chairman, TV Narendran will oversee important decisions and initiatives that affect the global steel sector.

      (ii) He will also be a member of the 17-member Executive Committee, working alongside other industry leaders.

(iii) Thachat Viswanath (TV) Narendran is also the Senior Vice President of the All India Management Association (AIMA).

Main Points:-   (i) He received the National Award for Outstanding Service from the Ministry of Railways (MoR) in 2011.

      (ii) IRFC, based in New Delhi, is a Schedule A Miniratna Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) under the MoR and was incorporated in 1986.

      - This action is part of GoI's broader strategy to increase revenue through disinvestment in various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Main Points:-   (i) In FY25 (2024-2025), the government has raised ₹31.61 billion through various divestments, including ₹23.46 billion from its stake in the General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).

      (ii) As of June 30, 2024, the Indian government held a 72.86% stake in Cochin Shipyard.

(iii) On October 16, 2024, GoI sold up to 6,577,020 equity shares, representing a 2.50% stake, as a "Base Offer" for non-retail investors. Retail investors were able to participate on October 17, 2024.

      - Arjun Erigaisi, from Telangana, earned his International Master title in 2017 and his Grandmaster title in 2018 at the age of 14.

Main Points:-   (i) The WR Chess Masters Cup features 16 players in a single-elimination knockout format, with each match consisting of two games.

      (ii) The winner, Arjun Erigaisi, received a cash prize of €20,000. The second-place holder received €10,000, and the third-place holder received €5,000.

(iii) Arjun Erigaisi has become the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to reach a 2800 Elo rating.

      - Employees will use this form to report TDS and TCS received from sources other than salaries, like fixed deposits, insurance commissions, dividends, and TCS on purchases such as cars or foreign currency, effective October 1, 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, an amendment has been made to sub-section (4) of Section 206C of the Act, allowing parents to claim TCS credits when their minor child's income is included in the parent's taxable income.

      (ii) The CBDT Notification No. 114/2024 also amends Rule 37-I of the IT Rules, enabling individuals other than the collectee to claim TCS credits, in line with the new provisions.

Main Points:-   In retail banking, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank (SFB) will offer a range of remittance services, including Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits, Resident Foreign Currency (RFC) deposits, forex cards, currency exchange, and capital transactions. Capital transactions will encompass services like External Commercial Borrowings (ECB), Overseas Direct Investment (ODI), and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Main Points:-   This festival is held annually to honor classical music and the musicians who contribute to it.

      - The NMP scope now includes mapping social infrastructure like power lines, schools, and hospitals through the "Area Development Approach."

Main Points:-   (i) District Master Plan was launched on October 13, 2021, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, with a budget allocation of ₹100 lakh crore.

      (ii) Developed as a Digital Master Planning tool by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) in Gujarat, using a dynamic Geographic Information System (GIS) platform that integrates data from action plans of all ministries and departments into a comprehensive database.

      - He will play a key role in the upcoming Census of India exercises, which have been postponed multiple times since 2021.

Main Points:-   (i) The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Praveen Vashista as the Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

      (ii) - Praveen Vashista will hold the position until July 31, 2026, the date of his superannuation, or until further orders, whichever comes first.

Main Points:-   (i) The IndiaAI mission has released an Expression of Interest (EoI) to promote responsible AI projects focusing on several critical themes, including Machine Unlearning, Synthetic Data Generation, AI Bias Mitigation, Ethical AI Frameworks, Privacy-Enhancing Tools, Explainable AI, AI Governance Testing, and Algorithm Auditing Tools.

      (ii) More than 2,000 proposals were submitted by esteemed academic institutions, startups, research organizations, and civil society.

Main Points:-   (i) The majority of the judges, including Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Yeshwant (DY) Chandrachud, and Justices Surya Kant, M.M. Sundresh, and Manoj Misra, supported Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Justice Jamshed Burjor (JB) Pardiwala disagreed with this verdict.

      (ii) The Court ruled that changes in demographics do not infringe upon cultural rights protected under Article 29(1). It emphasized that different cultures can coexist peacefully within Indian society.

      - In addition to entry-level skills, the scheme also offers upskilling and reskilling programs to enhance the productivity of existing workers in the apparel and garmenting segments.

Main Points:-   (i) So far, under the Samarth scheme, the MoT, through its partners, has trained 3.27 lakh individuals, with 2.65 lakh (nearly 80%) employed and 2.89 lakh (88.3%) being women.

      (ii) Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Gujarat are the leading states in textile and clothing manufacturing in India

Main Points:-   (i) The MoHFW aims to improve maternal health and achieve zero preventable maternal deaths through initiatives like the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan Yojana (SUMAN), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), and the Midwifery Services Initiative.

      (ii) Kanem praised India's significant achievement in reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) by 70% from 2000 to 2020, putting the country on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of an MMR below 70 by 2030.

(iii) As UNFPA celebrates 50 years of collaboration with the Government of India, this event underscores their joint commitment to improving the health and well-being of every woman and young person in India, as the nation strives toward the goal of 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).

Main Points:-   (i) President Murmu held a bilateral meeting with Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani on October 16, 2024, and also took part in delegation-level discussions to enhance cooperation.

      (ii) In Malawi, she met with President Lazarus Chakwera to further develop the India-Malawi partnership.

(iii) During the visit, President Murmu was accompanied by Union Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar, and MPs Mukeshkumar Dalal and Atul Garg.

Main Points:-   (i) The report also noted that the value of these UPI transactions increased by 40%, going from Rs 83.16 trillion in the first half of 2023 to Rs 116.63 trillion in 2024.

      (ii) Additionally, the number of UPI transactions rose significantly from 8.03 billion in January 2023 to 13.9 billion in June 2024. A similar trend was observed in the transaction value, which increased from Rs 12.98 trillion in January 2023 to Rs 20.07 trillion in June 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) SLCM uses its AI-powered app, 'Agri Reach,' to improve the efficiency of post-harvest credit and storage services for both banks.

      (ii) The Agri Reach app has been recognized for reducing post-harvest losses from 10% to just 0.5%, irrespective of crop type or location.

Main Points:-   (i) According to the RBI census, non-financial companies (NFCs) accounted for about 90% of the total FDI equity at face value.

      (ii) The total FDI in India increased by 23.3% in market value (in rupee terms) during the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). This rise was mainly due to large valuation gains and new FDI inflows, while ODI growth was much lower at 3.4%.

Main Points:-   (i) The WEDC was designed to enhance the safety and reliability of executing multiple-target detonations, addressing the shortcomings of older systems like the Exploder Dynamo Capacitor.

      (ii) The Agniastra device significantly increases the operational range to 2.5 kilometers, compared to its predecessor's limited 400-meter range. This allows for greater tactical flexibility.

(iii) Union Minister Rajnath Singh from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) delivered the keynote address at the conference virtually.

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, he was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1978 to 1984 as a member of the Janata Party (JP).

      (ii) He was associated with various political parties, including the Janata Dal, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Main Points:-   (i) The theme of World Students' Day (WSD) 2024 is "Empowering Students to be Agents of Change."

      (ii) This theme encourages students to take responsibility for their education and future by recognizing themselves as leaders and innovators.

Main Points:-   (i) Malik earned a bronze medal in the 58 kg category, becoming India’s first female wrestler to win an Olympic medal.

      (ii) In 2023, she retired from wrestling to protest Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh’s election to the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI).

(iii) The Government of India awarded her the Arjuna Award in 2016 (Wrestling) and the Padma Shri in 2017 (Sports).

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for IDEP 2024 is "Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Acting Together for Just, Peaceful, and Inclusive Societies."

      (ii) On December 22, 1992, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/47/196, designating October 17 of each year as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

(iii) The first UN-recognized IDEP was observed on October 17, 1993.

Main Points:-   The Class of 2024 induction ceremony will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), coinciding with the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) Odisha secured the 1st prize in the Best State category at the 2023 National Water Awards, followed by Uttar Pradesh (UP) in 2nd place, and Gujarat and the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry, with state legislature, jointly in 3rd place.

      (ii) Aravali Power Company Private Limited (APCPL), based in Jhajjar, Haryana, received the Best Industry award for 2023.

      - The New Zealand team, known as the Kiwis, was captained by Sophie Devine, while South Africa, known as the Proteas, was led by Laura Wolvaardt.

Main Points:-   (i) New Zealand received USD 2.34 million (Rs 19.6 crore) as the cash prize, while South Africa received USD 1.17 million (Rs 9.8 crore). Amelia Kerr from New Zealand was named Player of the Tournament, and she also received the Player of the Match award for the finals.

      (ii) Amelia Kerr became the first player to win both Player of the Tournament and Player of the Match in the Women’s T20 World Cup, scoring 43 runs in the finals and taking 15 wickets in total.

(iii) Suzie Bates became the most-capped player in international matches with 334 appearances, surpassing Mithali Raj's record of 333.

Main Points:-   Note: Russia will host the SCO CHG in 2025

Main Points:-   (i) The agreement was signed by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), who is also the Interim Director General of the GBA.

      (ii) The HCA provides the GBA with legal recognition, including privileges and immunities under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act of 1947, ensuring smooth operations within India’s legal system.

Main Points:-   (i) These CoEs were announced under Paragraph 60 of the Budget Announcement for 2023-24.

      (ii) The Government of India (GoI) has allocated ₹990 crore for these centers, which will be implemented over five years (FY 2023-24 to FY 2027-28).

      - The QCO will now be implemented from April 1, 2025. For small enterprises, it will be effective from July 1, 2025, and for micro enterprises, it will start on October 1, 2025.

Main Points:-   (i) The QCO was initially issued in August 2023 to reduce imports of sub-standard goods and encourage local production in the cookware, utensils, and food and beverage cans sectors.

      (ii) Micro-enterprises registered under the Udyam portal, with investments in plant and machinery not exceeding ₹25 lakh and a turnover below ₹2 crore, are now exempt from QCO requirements.

(iii) The DPIIT has also introduced exemptions for importing up to 200 units of cookware, utensils, and cans for research and development (R&D) purposes.

Main Points:-   (i) Germany has become the largest contributor to the WHO's funding among all European nations, pledging nearly $400 million over four years, including $260 million in new voluntary funding.

      (ii) Other European countries, such as the European Union (EU), Norway, and Ireland, have committed $250 million, $100 million, and $30 million, respectively, to the WHO budget for 2024-28.

Main Points:-   (i) As part of this initiative, New India Assurance Company Limited, supported by global reinsurer Atradius, has launched a first-of-its-kind trade finance insurance policy from GIFT City, Gujarat.

      (ii) This strategic collaboration between VoloFin, India Exim Bank, and New India Assurance is set to significantly enhance India's trade ecosystem, especially for SMEs.

(iii) Atradius, based in the Netherlands, is a global leader in credit insurance and risk management, operating in over 50 countries.

      - The minimum sum assured on the revised policies has been raised from ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakhs.

Main Points:-   (i) The upper age limit for purchasing LIC's new endowment plan has been revised from 55 to 50 years.

      (ii) Premiums on life insurance products have increased by an average of 8-9%.

(iii) These modifications are in line with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) master circular on life insurance products (Insurance Products Regulations, 2024) issued in June 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) The WHO has received contribution pledges totaling over $2.2 billion to address a funding gap of $7.1 billion for core programs aimed at saving 40 million lives over four years.

      (ii) In addition to funding the traditional medicine center, $38 million has been allocated for new premises for WHO's regional office, $10 million for digital health, and $4.6 million for thematic funding.

(iii) Countries in the WHO's South-East Asia Region have collectively committed over $345 million, with further pledges expected from Indonesia and Bhutan.

Main Points:-   (i) In 2023-24, unemployment was higher for all minorities in urban areas compared to rural areas, highlighting the ongoing challenges these communities face.

      (ii) The survey indicates that Sikhs experienced the highest unemployment rate among religious minorities, increasing from 5.1% in 2022-23 to 5.8% in 2023-24.

Main Points:-   (i) Global Handwashing Day was established by the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) in August 2008 during the annual World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.

      (ii) The inaugural Global Handwashing Day was observed on October 15, 2008.

Main Points:-   A committee, headed by Nidhi Khare (Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, MoCA), which included members from academia, legal experts, consumer organizations, and industry representatives, developed these guidelines after thorough discussions.

Main Points:-   (i) The merger received RBI approval after endorsements from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) and the boards of both companies.

      (ii) Tata Capital aims to expand its customer base in the growing markets for commercial vehicle and passenger car financing through this merger.

(iii) The RBI has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹14 lakh on Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank for not complying with certain directives related to "Strengthening of Prudential Norms - Provisioning, Asset Classification, and Exposure Limit," as well as "Know Your Customer (KYC)" regulations.

Main Points:-   (i) As part of this partnership, SKYBER will provide high-performance customized military UAV systems to enhance defense capabilities in the MEA region. Sibia will manage local sales, marketing, customer relations, and logistics.

      (ii) The UAVs will include advanced data security features, AI-powered navigation, and autonomous capabilities. Future upgrades will add high-precision sensors.

(iii) These systems will be designed to withstand the extreme weather conditions common in the region, ensuring they are reliable in various environments.

Main Points:-   (i) The project involves replacing nearly 100 kilometers (km) of outdated water pipelines in Mauritius.

      (ii) Its goal is to improve water supply infrastructure and ensure reliable access to clean water for residents.

(iii) IDEAS (formerly known as the India Development Initiative) is an initiative under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) aimed at providing concessional loans for infrastructure and social welfare projects across Asia (excluding Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan), Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and Latin America.

Main Points:-   Tata Trusts holds a 66% stake in Tata Sons. Additionally, 12.87% is owned by various Tata Group companies, while 18.4% is held by the Shapoorji Pallonji family.

      (ii) Noel Naval Tata began his career at Tata International and became the Managing Director (MD) of Trent in 1999.

Main Points:-   (i) Research is underway to explore blending 15% ethanol in diesel as well, as part of the government’s strategy to reduce fossil fuel dependency.

      (ii) Union Minister emphasized the creation of an ethanol ecosystem, which includes the establishment of 400 ethanol pumps by Indian Oil Corporation in four states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

(iii) Shri Nitin Gadkari highlighted the need to reduce India’s ₹22 lakh crore fossil fuel import, underscoring biofuel as essential for energy self-reliance and agricultural prosperity. He urged expanding farmers' roles from "Annadata" (food-giver) to "Urjadata" (energy-giver) and "Hydrogen-Data" (hydrogen-giver).

Main Points:-   (i) The upgraded portal includes a helpline available around the clock to assist migrants with urgent issues.

      (ii) The portal integrates with DigiLocker, allowing for safe storage of important documents.

(iii) In partnership with the State Bank of India (SBI), the portal enables digital payment services without any transaction fees.

Main Points:-   Commuters can quickly access details of nearby service providers through the mobile application "Rajmarg Yatra," launched by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in August 2023.

      - According to projections by the GoI-led panel, India can achieve a 10% share of all 6G patents and contribute 1/6th to international standards in the next three years.

Main Points:-   (i) According to official data from MaxVal, a global Intellectual Property (IP) management firm, India ranks 6th with 188 6G-related patents, based on data from the Government of India (GoI).

      (ii) China leads global patent filings with 6,001 6G-related patents, followed by the United States (USA) with 3,909 patents, South Korea with 1,417 patents, Japan with 584 patents, and the European Union (EU) with 214 patents.

(iii) The World Telecommunications Standardisation Assembly (WTSA 2024) will be held in Delhi from October 14 to October 24, 2024, making India the first country in Asia to host this event.

      - The UAE has also agreed to invest in establishing food parks across India, with an anticipated investment of approximately USD 2 billion over the next two to two-and-a-half years.

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative will benefit over 3 million Indians living in the UAE, allowing them to utilize the advantages of UPI and AANI.

      (ii) This was discussed during the 12th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

(iii) - This scheme is based on the RuPay card stack, which was developed and deployed on a large scale by NPCI in India. It will be shared with AEP to help the UAE become sovereign in the field of digital payments.

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative aligns with Adani Group's strategy to decarbonize industries while focusing more on the merchant and Commercial and Industrial (C&I) segments.

      (ii) This collaboration will enable Google to achieve its "24/7 carbon-free energy goal" by ensuring that its cloud services and operations in India are powered by sustainable energy.

Main Points:-   (i) He has commanded all major vessels of the ICG, including the Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Samar and OPV Vishwast. He has also led the Eastern and Western Coast Guard Regions.

      (ii) He is recognized as a specialist in Navigation & Direction, which is a crucial area for ensuring maritime safety.

(iii) He has received several awards, including the Tatrakshak Medal (2014), the President's Tatrakshak Medal (2019), the DG Coast Guard Commendation (2012), and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (East) Commendation (2009).

Main Points:-   (i) Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI), along with leaders and officials from around 40 countries, attended the swearing-in ceremony held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

      (ii) Prabowo Subianto is a retired general who has held various military positions, including commander of the Army Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad).

(iii) In 2024, he was awarded the Collar of the Order of Zayed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Distinguished Service Order (Military) by Singapore in 2023.

Main Points:-   Shreyanka Patil is an Indian cricketer who plays for Karnataka and Royal Challengers Bangalore. She is a right-arm off break bowler who made her international debut for India in 2023. She is also a role model for young female cricketers.

Main Points:-   (i) India’s Sonam Maskar secured a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle event at the ISSF World Cup Final 2024.

      (ii) China topped the medal tally with 8 medals (5 Gold and 3 Bronze), followed by Italy with 5 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver, and 1 Bronze), and Germany with 3 medals (1 Gold and 2 Silver).

(iii) Akhil Sheoran won a bronze medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s final at the ISSF World Cup Final 2024.

      - In 1987, he became a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons, representing the Banff and Buchan constituency. He served as an MP from 1987 to 2010 and again from 2015 to 2017.

Main Points:-   (i) Alex Salmond served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from 1999 to 2001, 2007 to 2011, and 2011 to 2016.

      (ii) He was the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) from 1999 to 2000, 2007 to 2011, and 2011 to 2014.

(iii) In 2014, he led the referendum for Scotland's independence from the UK, securing 45% of the total votes in favor of independence.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2024 is "Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future."

      (ii) In 2009, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/64/200, officially designating October 13 as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR).

(iii) Since 2010, IDDRR has been observed annually on October 13.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for International Day of Rural Women 2024 is "Rural Women Cultivating Good Food for All."

      (ii)The first International Day of Rural Women (IDRW) was celebrated on October 15, 2008.

Main Points:-   (i) WSD 2024 will be observed on October 10, 2024. The theme for WSD 2024 is "Children, Love Your Eyes."

      (ii) The World Health Organization (WHO) officially launched WSD in 1999, and the first WSD was observed on October 12, 2000.

Main Points:-   The main goal of the mission is to find out if Europa's icy shell and the ocean beneath it could support life.

      - Support for Farmers: Rs 35,000 crore was allocated to continue the Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA) schemes, which aim to support farmers and manage price fluctuations.

Main Points:-   The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for all Rabi crops for the Marketing Season 2025-26. This means farmers will receive higher guaranteed prices for their Rabi crops during this period.

Main Points:-   (i) (i) HAL is a major player in the Indian aerospace and defense sector. It has received multi-million dollar contracts from international aerospace firms such as Airbus, Boeing and Honeywell to manufacture aircraft engines and spare parts.

      (ii) With its new Maharatna status, HAL gains increased operational autonomy and financial powers, allowing it to invest up to 15% of its net worth in projects and a maximum of Rs 5,000 crore in foreign ventures without requiring approval from the Government of India (GoI).

Main Points:-   In addition to the missile testing range, the CCS also approved a proposal to purchase 31 Predator long-endurance armed drones from the United States and two nuclear submarines to be constructed by ATV Project India Limited for the development of strategic submarines for the Indian Navy (IN).

Main Points:-   (i) These initiatives were launched at the first Governing Board meeting held on 10 September 2024, which was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is the President of GB.

      (ii) The PMECRG will boost the creativity and innovation of early career researchers, while the MAHA-EV Mission will drive industry-aligned translational research in the high-priority electric vehicle (EV) sector.

      - Currently, Ratapani WLS covers an area of 823 sq km in the Raisen and Sehore districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Main Points:-   (i) The proposed TR will cover an area of 1,271.465 square kilometers (sq km), including both Ratapani WLS and Singhori WLS.

      (ii) Out of the total area, 763.812 square kilometers (sq km) will be designated as the core area for tigers, while the remaining 507.653 sq km will serve as a buffer zone to protect wildlife.

(iii) According to the 2022 Tiger Census, Ratapani WLS is home to a total of 3,123 wild animals, which include 56 tigers and 70 leopards.

      - Additionally, a 62-kilometer pipeline will connect Amlekhgunj to Lothar in Chitwan, Nepal.

Main Points:-   (i) A modern terminal with a storage capacity of 91,900 kiloliters will be developed at Lothar.

      (ii) he agreement was signed by Dr. Chandika Prasad Bhatta (Executive Director of NOC) and Senthil Kumar (Director of IOCL) in New Delhi, in the presence of senior officials, including Pankaj Jain (Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India) and V. Satish Kumar (Chairman of IOCL).

(iii) This collaboration is based on a Government-to-Government (G2G) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2023 between India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG) and Nepal's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

      - The year 2023 also saw the largest increase in jobs in the renewable energy sector, rising from 13.7 million jobs in 2022 to 16.2 million in 2023.

Main Points:-   (i) Globally, 7.1 million jobs were created in solar PV in 2023, a significant rise from 4.9 million in 2022, making up 44% of the total renewable energy workforce worldwide.

      (ii) The report estimates that 1.02 million jobs were created in renewable energy (RE) in 2023.

Main Points:-   (i) AGEL aims for 10% of India's non-fossil energy and 50 GW of renewable capacity by 2030.

      (ii) It will also allow IREDA to offer innovative financing options for both urban and rural consumers, encouraging sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprints.

Main Points:-   (i) The project aims to boost fisheries and tourism while also promoting capacity building for stakeholders regarding gender equality and social inclusion.

      (ii) ADB will assist the Maharashtra Maritime Board in enhancing its capacity for shore management planning, which includes establishing a coastal infrastructure management unit.

Main Points:-   (i) The New Fund Offer (NFO) for the Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund will be open from October 7 to October 21, 2024. It will reopen for subscription on or before October 30, 2024.

      (ii) The minimum investment is ₹5,000 (in multiples of ₹1), and an exit load of 0.25% of the applicable Net Asset Value (NAV) will be charged if units are redeemed within 15 days of allotment.

(iii) According to the Scheme Information Document (SID), the maximum allowable Total Expense Ratio (TER) under Regulation 52(6)(b) is up to 1%.

      - FCA includes a multi-currency portfolio with major currencies like the US Dollar (USD), Euro, Pound Sterling, and Japanese Yen, valued in USD.

Main Points:-   This increase in reserves is attributed to several factors, including $30 billion in foreign investments this year, mainly driven by investments in local bonds after India was included in a significant J.P. Morgan index.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for World Day Against the Death Penalty 2024 is "Death Penalty and Safety."

      (ii) The first World Day Against the Death Penalty was observed in 2003.

Main Points:-   (i) The average monthly income of rural households has seen a substantial rise of 57.6% over the past 5 years, increasing from Rs 8,059 in 2016-17 to Rs 12,698 in 2021-22.

      (ii) The survey also reveals that the average monthly expenditure of rural households has surged significantly over the last 5 years, from Rs 6,646 in 2016-17 to Rs 11,262 in 2021-22.

      - Less than 1% of the population aged 15 and above has no formal education, indicating a direct link between education levels and poverty rates.

Main Points:-   (i) By the end of the decade, extreme poverty in India is expected to drop below 3%, which could mean a smaller share of global extreme poverty for the country.

      (ii) In 2021, 38 million fewer people were reported as living in poverty compared to previous years, thanks to growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.

(iii) Approximately 3.5 billion people (44% of the global population) live below the upper middle-income poverty line of $6.85 per day, a figure that has largely remained unchanged since the 1990s due to population growth.

Main Points:-   (i) The name 'Samarthak,' which means 'Supporter,' reflects the vessel's intended versatile operational roles.

      (ii) The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and L&T Shipbuilding Limited, based in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), signed a contract on March 25, 2022, for the construction of two Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs).

(iii) Another important function of the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) is to serve as a trial platform for testing indigenous (homegrown) weapons and sensors that are currently under development.

      - In 2022, the project was revived and received approval from the state cabinet in 2023, with a budget of Rs 837 crore.

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative was inaugurated by Devendra Fadnavis, the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, and aims to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities in the state.

      (ii) It also aims to enhance legal processes to boost conviction rates in cybercrime cases, leading to more successful outcomes in achieving justice.

Main Points:-   (i) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), was present during the ceremony.

      (ii) The Haryana Assembly elections were held on 5th October 2024, where the BJP won 48 out of 90 seats, marking the party's third consecutive victory in the Haryana State Assembly elections.

(iii) Saini was an MLA from 2014 to 2019, serving as the Minister of State for Labour & Employment and Mines in Haryana. He then served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Kurukshetra from 2019 to 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) October 12, 2024, marks the 29th WAD.

      (ii) The theme for WAD 2024 is **"Informed Choices, Better Outcomes."

Main Points:-   (i) This initiative takes a "Whole-of-Government" approach, promoting integrated planning of multi-modal infrastructure through collaboration among various ministries. It was initiated with a budget of ₹100 lakh crore.

      (ii) Currently, the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) has involved 44 Central Ministries and 36 States/Union Territories (UTs), integrating a total of 1,614 data layers.

Main Points:-   (i) Polylactic acid (PLA) is a natural polymer designed as an alternative to commonly used petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

      (ii) India ranks 12th in the world in biotechnology and 3rd in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also the largest vaccine producer and has the third largest startup ecosystem.

(iii) India's bioeconomy is expected to exceed US$ 150 billion in 2023 and reach US$ 300 billion by 2030.

Main Points:-   (i) Innovative Solar Projects: The scheme supports innovative solar energy projects that introduce new technologies or business models for residential use, with a maximum project duration of 18 months.

      (ii) The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is to be implemented till FY 2026-27.

(iii) Annual Innovation Awards: Annual awards will be given to encourage innovation in rooftop solar energy. In this, the first prize will be ₹1 crore, second prize will be ₹50 lakh, third prize will be ₹30 lakh and 10 consolation prizes will be ₹5 lakh each.

Main Points:-   (i) The memorial has been constructed, maintained, and operated by the MINTSD with support from Pune-based Roadway Solutions India Infra Limited (RSIIL).

      (ii) The park features busts of 40 MI personnel, including 11 officers, who have sacrificed their lives in various operations, primarily in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and along the North Eastern borders since 1962. Each bust is accompanied by a brief description of their contributions.

Main Points:-   (i) On October 11, 2024, PM Modi met with Thongloun Sisoulith, the President of Lao PDR, in Vientiane.

      (ii) He also held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane.

Main Points:-   (i) The UNHRC is composed of 47 member states, directly elected by the UNGA through a secret ballot, ensuring a democratic and transparent selection process.

      (ii) The structure of the UNHRC ensures that its membership has an equitable geographical distribution, with 13 members from African countries, 13 members from the Asia-Pacific region, 6 members from Eastern European countries, 8 members from Latin American and Caribbean countries, and 7 members from Are from Western European and other countries.

(iii) Each member serves a three-year term and cannot be immediately re-elected for two consecutive terms. This rule encourages a rotation of member states, ensuring fresh perspectives are regularly introduced to the Council. The UNHRC membership cycle begins annually on January 1.

Main Points:-   (i) BALIC will provide tailored life insurance products, including term plans, at affordable premiums for naval civilians.

      (ii) Immediate financial aid will be available for families in the event of an employee's untimely death.

(iii) Customized processes will be introduced to streamline insurance management for naval civilians.

      - In 2023, poet, lyricist, and director Sreekumaran Thampi won the Vayalar Award for his autobiography Jeevitham Oru Pendulum.

Main Points:-   (i) The Vayalar Award, established in 1977, honors outstanding literary works and includes a cash prize of 1 lakh rupees and a bronze sculpture designed by renowned artist Kanai Kunhiraman.

      (ii) The award ceremony will take place on October 27, 2024, the death anniversary of the esteemed Malayalam poet and lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma.

Main Points:-   (i) The share allotment was conducted under Regulation 30 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, issued in July 2023.

      (ii) A Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) is a method for listed companies to raise capital by issuing equity shares to institutional investors.

Main Points:-   Each year, World Standards Day is marked with a specific theme that highlights the significance of standards in addressing global challenges. Organizations, businesses, and individuals are encouraged to engage in discussions and activities that promote the use and understanding of standards.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for the 2024 International Day of the Girl is "Girls' Vision for the Future."

      (ii) This report, published ahead of the International Day of the Girl, underscores the scale of these violations worldwide, particularly for adolescent girls, who often suffer lifelong consequences. According to the report, more than 370 million girls and women, or 1 in 8, have experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18.

Main Points:-   (i) The logo design includes the image of a temple, a sage, an urn, Akshayavat tree, and Lord Hanuman. These elements reflect the relationship between nature and humanity in Sanatan civilization.

      (ii) The logo prominently features the city's most sacred site, Triveni Sangam, which is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Main Points:-   (i) In rural areas, approximately 96.5% of individuals aged 15-24 can read and write simple statements and perform basic arithmetic calculations. In urban areas, this figure rises to about 97.9%.

      (ii) For individuals aged 15-29, the literacy percentages are 95.3% in rural areas and 97.4% in urban areas, resulting in an overall figure of 95.9%. For those aged 15 and above, the literacy rates are 77.3% in rural areas, 90% in urban areas, and an overall average of 81.2%.

(iii) The average number of years of formal education for individuals aged 15 and older in India is 8.4 years. For those aged 25 and older, this average decreases to 7.5 years.

Main Points:-   (i) The agreement allows filmmakers from both countries to share resources, including creative, technical, financial, and marketing support, which will benefit producers in India and Colombia.

      (ii) It aims to enhance India's soft power, create jobs in the film industry, and attract foreign investment by improving India’s reputation as a filming destination.

(iii) The agreement provides clear funding processes for film projects and seeks to boost the export of Indian films to Colombia.

Main Points:-   (i) The MoU was signed by Kushal Vashist, General Manager (Parcel Directorate) of DoP, and Venkatesh Tiwari, Director (Operations) of Amazon Seller Services, in the presence of Vandita Kaul, Secretary (Posts), in New Delhi.

      (ii) The MoU aims to explore opportunities for growth in logistics and business, allowing Amazon to use DoP's large postal network for parcel delivery across India.

(iii) Both parties will conduct quarterly reviews to monitor their partnership's progress and identify new opportunities to strengthen it.

      - Jubilant Ingrevia's inclusion in a prestigious network showcases its innovative use of AI, ML, and IoT, with over 30 integrated use cases of 4IR technologies at its Bharuch facility.

Main Points:-   (i) This has resulted in a 60% reduction in process variability and nearly doubled the production volume.

      (ii) The company aims to cut its emissions by 20% over the next three years and is dedicated to implementing digital solutions across all its plants.

Main Points:-   (i) The logo design includes a temple, a seer, an urn, the Akshayvat tree, and an image of Lord Hanuman. These elements represent the connection between nature and humanity in the Sanatana civilization.

      (ii) The logo prominently features the Triveni Sangam, which is the most sacred site in the city, marking the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.

Main Points:-   (i) PayPal Holdings Inc. has already launched its stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD), while Stripe Inc. now enables merchants to accept stablecoins for online transactions.

      (ii) Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that bridges traditional finance and digital currencies, facilitating transactions while safeguarding users from the significant price fluctuations seen with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether.

Main Points:-   (i) The World Bank has raised its growth projection for the South Asia region to 6.4% in 2024, up from its previous estimate of 6.0%.

      (ii) The report cited several factors contributing to the positive growth in South Asia, including the strength of domestic demand in India and quicker recoveries in crisis-hit countries such as Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

(iii) Additionally, the report estimates that South Asia's output will grow by 6.2% in 2025. This growth projection is primarily driven by strong private consumption in India, along with increased tourism and hydropower exports in Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

      - The projected growth rate for global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market exchange rates is "2.7%" for both 2024 and 2025.

Main Points:-   In the first half of 2024, global merchandise trade grew by "2.3%, following a decline of "1.1% in 2023". This rebound is attributed to previous challenges like high inflation and rising interest rates.

Main Points:-   (i) Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory (UT) of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), administered the oath of office and secrecy to Omar Abdullah and his five Council of Ministers during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, J&K.

      (ii) The JKNC-INC alliance won the elections by securing "48 out of 90 assembly seats. The JKNC (Jammu & Kashmir National Conference) became the single largest party with "42 seats, winning "35 seats in the Kashmir Valley" and "7 seats in the Jammu division. Its alliance partner, the INC (Indian National Congress), won "6 seats".

      - He served as the Director of the Department of Public Law at the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Political Sciences in Sousse (Tunisia) from 1994 to 1999.

Main Points:-   (i) His closest competitor, businessman Ayachi Zammel, received only "7.4%" of the votes, while the third candidate, Zouhair Maghzaoui, garnered nearly "2%".

      (ii) Voter turnout for the election was low at just "28.8%", the lowest since Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution in 2011.

(iii) This election marked Tunisia's third presidential election since the 2011 Arab Spring, which resulted in the ousting of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.

Main Points:-   In September 2023, he was re-appointed as Deputy Governor for one year, effective from October 2023.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for WPD 2024, which marks the 150th anniversary of the UPU, is "150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations."

      (ii) This day highlights the important role of postal services in connecting people around the world.

      - The retro-designed spacecraft, launched by the booster, continued ascending to over "130 miles (212 kilometers)" high.

Main Points:-   (i) The Starship spacecraft can carry up to "150 metric tonnes" when fully reusable and "250 metric tonnes" when expendable.

      (ii) The Super Heavy booster is powered by "33 Raptor engines" that use sub-cooled liquid methane (CH4) and liquid oxygen (LOX).

(iii) The Starship is equipped with six engines: three Raptor engines and three Raptor Vacuum (RVac) engines, which are specifically designed for use in the vacuum of space.

      - The launch was overseen by Commodore MV Raj Krishna, Company Commander, Mumbai (CoY-Mbi), and was conducted by SEPPL at its launch site, M/s Vinayaga Marine Petro Ltd, Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.

Main Points:-   (i) On "February 19, 2021, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and SEPPL signed a contract for the construction of "8 Missile Cum Ammunition Barges".

      (ii) These barges are designed to facilitate the "transportation, embarkation, and disembarkation" of ammunition to naval platforms.

(iii) This project aligns with the "Make in India" initiative, showcasing India's growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

      - He became the world No. 1 for the first time in "2008" after defeating "Roger Federer" in the Wimbledon final that year.

Main Points:-   (i) In "2010", Rafael Nadal achieved a "Surface Slam" by winning major titles on "three different surfaces" in the same year.

      (ii) He won his second gold medal in men's doubles at the "2016 Rio Olympics" partnering 'Marc Lopez' (Spain).

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for the UN's WMHD 2024 is "Mental Health at Work."

      (ii) WMHD was initiated as an annual event by WFMH in 1992, led by Richard Hunter, who was the Deputy Secretary General at the time.

(iii) The first WMHD was celebrated on October 10, 1992.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for WED 2024 is "United by Eggs."

      (ii) The first World Egg Day was celebrated on October 11, 1996.

Main Points:-   (i) The MoU is set to last for three years, during which both parties will work closely to strengthen ties.

      (ii) The collaboration will involve developing faculty and student capabilities through specialized awareness programs. Additionally, it will provide industry internships in Defence and related sectors, enhancing students' employability in these fields.

(iii) This initiative seeks to align educational outcomes with industry needs, ultimately benefiting both students and the defence sector.

Main Points:-   (i) Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, from Manipur, is the only woman to have won the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times.

      (ii) Sunil Chhetri, from Telangana, played for the Indian national football team, known as the Blue Tigers, from 2005 to 2024. He served as the team captain from 2012 to 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for the 92nd IAF Day is "Bhartiya Vayu Sena Saksham, Sashakt, Atmanirbhar" (Potent, Powerful, and Self-Reliant).

      (ii) The 92nd IAF Day celebrations took place from October 6 to 8, 2024, at Air Force Station Tambaram in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The events included airshows, parades, and static displays, showcasing the concept of "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliance).

(iii) This day serves to acknowledge the dedication and service of the IAF in safeguarding the nation.

Main Points:-   (i) The MoU aims to explore joint opportunities in logistics and business growth, allowing Amazon to use the DoP's vast postal network for parcel deliveries across India.

      (ii) It includes key areas of cooperation, such as aligning logistics operations, sharing knowledge, and identifying capacity-sharing opportunities.

(iii) Both parties will conduct quarterly reviews to monitor the progress of their partnership and identify new ways to strengthen it.

      - The company has successfully implemented over 30 integrated use cases of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies at its facility in Bharuch, Gujarat.

Main Points:-   (i) Jubilant Ingrevia aims to reduce its emissions by 20% over the next three years and is dedicated to implementing digital technologies across all its plants.

      (ii) The company has achieved a 60% reduction in process variability, nearly doubling its production volume.

(iii) There are some major companies in this network like AstraZeneca and Coca-Cola.

      - FTSE Russell will include South Korean government bonds in its World Government Bond Index (WGBI) starting November 2025, constituting 2.22% of the index after two years on the watch list.

Main Points:-   (i) According to FTSE, Indian bonds will account for 9.35% of the index on a market value-weighted basis, making India the second-largest component after China.

      (ii) Since the announcement of Indian bonds' inclusion in JP Morgan's GBI-EM in September 2023, these bonds have attracted approximately USD 18.5 billion in foreign inflows.

(iii) As of October 2024, a total of 32 Indian government Fully Accessible Route (FAR) bonds, denominated in Indian Rupees (INR) with a cumulative outstanding par value of USD 473.8 billion, are expected to be eligible for inclusion in FTSE's EMGBI.

      - AMFI-registered EOPs can charge up to ₹2 per transaction and may impose additional payment gateway charges, with AMCs providing incentives of ₹0.50 to foster competition.

Main Points:-   (i) AMFI provides mutual fund distributors with a unique identifier called the ARN (AMFI Registration Number), ensuring they are registered and compliant with industry regulations.

      (ii) In August 2024, Jio Financial Services increased its stake in Jio Payments Bank from 78.95% to 82.17% by investing ₹68 crore.

(iii) To register for Category 1 EOP, the entity must be corporate, appoint a compliance officer, and have two key management personnel with at least three years of experience. Net worth should be ₹1 crore.

Main Points:-   (i) Listed companies must follow specific conditions outlined in SEBI’s Master Circular dated July 11, 2023.

      (ii) All relaxations are subject to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

This move aims to facilitate smoother communication and compliance for listed companies during AGMs.

Main Points:-   (i) Gautam Adani's net worth rose to USD 116 billion in 2024, which is an increase of USD 48 billion compared to his net worth in 2023. This is the highest increase by any Indian in a single year.

      (ii) Mukesh Ambani is the second biggest gainer on the list, with his net worth increasing by USD 27.5 billion compared to 2023.

Main Points:-   (i) Garuda Aerospace focuses on innovative techniques to address India's growing demand for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

      (ii) Garuda Aerospace was the first-ever drone startup to receive dual certifications from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for both manufacturing and training.

(iii) Garuda Aerospace aims to make India a drone hub by the year 2030.

Main Points:-   (i) Barnard b is an exoplanet located twenty times closer to its star than Mercury is to the Sun, completing an orbit in just 3.15 Earth days. With a surface temperature of around 125 °C, it is notable for being one of the lowest-mass exoplanets known, with a mass less than that of Earth.

      (ii) There are three other potential planets around Barnard's star, with masses ranging from 20% to 30% of Earth's mass. All of these potential planets appear to be rocky and smaller than Earth.

Main Points:-   (i) Dr. P. Venugopal played a key role in bringing modern cardiac surgery techniques to India in the 1970s. He was instrumental in establishing the Cardiothoracic Sciences Centre at AIIMS, which now conducts around 3,500 open-heart surgeries each year.

      (ii) On August 3, 1994, he performed the first heart transplantation in India and also conducted Asia's first Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation, which lasted over 90 days.

(iii) His memoir, titled "Heartfelt - A Cardiac Surgeon's Pioneering Journey," co-authored with his wife, Priya Sarkar, was published in 2023.

Main Points:-   The theme for NPW 2024 is "Dak Seva: Jan Seva" ("Postal Service - Public Service").

Main Points:-   (i) In rural areas, about 96.5% of people aged 15–24 years can read and write simple statements and perform basic arithmetic calculations. In urban areas, this figure is around 97.9%.

      (ii) For persons aged 15-29 years, this percentage is 95.3% in rural areas and 97.4% in urban areas, giving an overall figure of 95.9%. For people 15 years and above, the percentage is 77.3% in rural areas, 90% in urban areas and the overall average is 81.2%.

(iii) The average number of years of formal education for persons aged 15 years and above in India is 8.4 years. For those aged 25 and above, this average drops to 7.5 years.

Main Points:-   (i) This agreement allows filmmakers from both countries to share resources, including creative, technical, financial and marketing support, which will benefit producers from India and Colombia.

      (ii) It aims to enhance India's soft power, create jobs in the film industry and attract foreign investment by improving India as a filming destination.

(iii) The agreement provides a clear funding process for film projects and seeks to promote the export of Indian films to Colombia.

      - The estimated revenue from the combined assets of these sectors is nearly ₹46,000 crore.

Main Points:-   (i) The Centre has begun discussions on a second monetisation pipeline for the next five-year cycle, according to officials.

      (ii) These monetization efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance government revenue and improve infrastructure development across the country.

      - WMBD 2025" will be observed on *May 10, 2025* and "October 11, 2025".

Main Points:-   The theme for WMBD 2024 is "Protect Insects, Protect Birds."

Main Points:-   (i) Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of DoT, launched the Hackathon event.

      (ii) This event acted as a precursor to the WTSA 2024, scheduled for October 15-24, 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating it alongside the India Mobile Congress (IMC) in New Delhi.

(iii) The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) will take place in New Delhi from October 15 to 24, 2024, representing a significant milestone in the advancement of 5G and 6G networks. This will be the first time in its 150-year history that WTSA is being held in India.

Main Points:-   (i) Bharat Connect has successfully onboarded all central record-keeping agencies, including Protean, KFintech, and Computer Age Management Services Limited (CAMS), ensuring that every existing NPS customer can conveniently make contributions through the platform.

      (ii) Additionally, NBBL has collaborated with Axis Bank Limited as a Biller Operating Unit (BOU) and partnered with technology service provider Setu for the integration of NPS within its platform.

Main Points:-   (i) October 7, 2024, will mark the 4th observance of World Cotton Day.

      (ii) The idea for World Cotton Day began in 2019 when four cotton-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa—Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali—collectively known as the "Cotton Four"—proposed to the World Trade Organization (WTO) to celebrate World Cotton Day on October 7.

Main Points:-   The 22nd edition of the India-France Naval Exercise 'Varuna' took place in the Mediterranean Sea from September 2 to September 4, 2024, highlighting the strengthening defense collaboration between the two countries.

      - This exercise takes place just prior to the upcoming 2024 BRICS Summit in Russia.

Main Points:-   (i) The 7th edition of IBSAMAR was conducted at Port Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth) in South Africa in 2022.

      (ii) The exercise focuses on Blue Water Naval Warfare, encompassing both Surface and Anti-Air Warfare dimensions.

(iii) INS Talwar (F40), commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 18, 2003, is part of the Western Fleet based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, under the Western Naval Command. The ship is currently commanded by Captain Jithu George.

Main Points:-   (i) This meeting marked the 51st MPC session.

      (ii) The repo rate under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) was maintained at 6.50%, remaining unchanged for the 10th consecutive time, with a majority vote of 5:1. Nagesh Kumar voted in favor of reducing the policy repo rate by 25 basis points.

      - EPS aims to deploy 9,000 White Label ATMs nationwide within the first three years under the brand name "EPS Bancs."

Main Points:-   (i) White Label ATMs are owned and managed exclusively by non-bank entities, such as Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and are accessible to customers of any bank.

      (ii) Currently, there are four companies operating White Label ATMs (WLAs) in India: Hitachi Payment Services Private Limited, Tata Communications Payment Solutions Limited (TCPSL), India1 Payments Limited (BTI Payments Private Limited), and Vakrangee Limited.

(iii) TCPSL launched India's first White Label ATM, branded "Indicash," in Chandrapada, a small village in Thane district, Maharashtra, on June 27, 2013.

Main Points:-   (i) The RuPay credit card can be linked to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), allowing safe and secure transactions through UPI-enabled applications.

      (ii) Additionally, the co-branded credit card includes complimentary MMTBLACK Gold membership, offering exclusive benefits on hotels, flights, and holiday packages.

Main Points:-   (i) According to Google India MD Roma Datta Chobey, about 11 per cent of the world's gold is housed in India.

      (ii) The organized gold loan market is projected to exceed ₹10 trillion in FY25 and may reach ₹15 trillion by March 2027, according to ICRA Limited.

Main Points:-   The regional winners for the 2024 awards include Maimouna Ba (Africa region), Jin Davod (Europe region), Nada Fadol (Middle East and North Africa region), and Deepti Gurung (Asia-Pacific region).

Main Points:-   (i) Ravi Ahuja, who is currently the Chairman of Global Television Studios and the President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SPE, will become the new President and CEO of SPE starting January 2, 2025.

      (ii) Ahuja, based in Los Angeles, California, will report to Kenichiro Yoshida, the Chairman and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, and Hiroki Totoki, the President, COO, and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Sony Group Corporation.

Main Points:-   (i) The CCI board has approved JM Financial Services Company Limited (JMFSCL) to acquire 71.79% of the total paid-up share capital of JMFARC, a subsidiary of JMFL, for Rs 856 crore. This will increase JMFSCL's stake in JMFARC from 9.98% to 81.77%.

      (ii) The goal is to use the expertise of JM Financial Group to achieve better risk-adjusted returns and move towards a diversified syndication model.

(iii) The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of the Home and Personal Care (HPC) division (non-food business) of Patanjali Ayurved Limited (PAL) by Patanjali Foods Limited (PFL) for Rs 1,100 crore.

      - The Indian Army has ordered a total of 1,657 T-90 tanks and currently operates around 1,300 units. The first set of these tanks is now undergoing a major overhaul.

Main Points:-   (i) The next round of testing for the upgraded T-90 'Bhishma' tank will include missile firing. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) aims to complete various trials by January 2025.

      (ii) The user trials are expected to last between 12 to 18 months. During this period, the IA will evaluate the tank's performance in different conditions, including summer, winter, and high-altitude environments. The goal is to ensure that the tank meets all operational requirements before it goes into mass production.

(iii) The T-90 is expected to be ready for induction into active service by 2027.

Main Points:-   The theme for World Cerebral Palsy Day 2024 is "#UniquelyCP".

Main Points:-   (i) Theme for 2024 : The theme for WHD 2024 is "Engaging youth to create a better urban future."

      (ii) Global Ceremony Location : The global celebration for WHD 2024 took place in Mexico at the "Educational Cultural Center of the state of Querétaro."

(iii) WHD was first celebrated in 1986 with the theme "Shelter is My Right," and it was hosted by the city of Nairobi in Kenya.

Main Points:-   (i) During the event, he announced the Government of India’s approval for the establishment of five new Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) centers in Madhya Pradesh.

      (ii) He launched the Awas Sakhi mobile application for the beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and introduced Community Managed Training Centres (CMTCs), with approximately 100 being rolled out across 18 states in the country.

Main Points:-   (i) The Union Minister announced several key decisions aimed at strengthening the infrastructure and medical facilities of ESIC.

      (ii) To enhance medical education, the ESI Corporation approved the establishment of 10 new medical colleges across various states, including Andheri (Maharashtra), Basaidarapur (Delhi), Guwahati-Beftofa (Assam), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Ludhiana (Punjab), Naroda-Bapunagar (Gujarat), Noida and Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), and Ranchi (Jharkhand).

(iii) The government has also extended the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna for two years, which will be backdated and come into effect from July 1st this year to 30th June, 2026.

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, the event included a pictorial compilation that documented the journey of the MACE project, along with a screening of a film highlighting the telescope's scientific and technological achievements.

      (ii) The launch of the MACE telescope is a significant achievement for Indian astrophysics and cosmic ray research. MACE will detect high-energy gamma rays, helping scientists study powerful cosmic phenomena such as supernovae, black holes and gamma-ray bursts.

(iii) MACE is the largest Cherenkov telescope in Asia, situated at approximately 4,300 meters above sea level, making it the highest in the world.

      - It aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance people-to-people connections, and create opportunities for the youth.

Main Points:-   The Hornbill Festival, celebrated annually from December 1 to 10, 2024, honors Naga heritage and culture and is known as the "Festival of Festivals."are

Main Points:-   (i) The total cost of the project is estimated at ₹49,000 crore, with ₹15,000 crore coming as a soft loan from the World Bank (WB).

      (ii) The loan includes a 15-year moratorium on repayment, with the costs shared between the central and state governments in a 90:10 ratio.

(iii) The funds will be used for infrastructure development, including residential and commercial areas on land pooled from farmers, as well as the construction of important government buildings like the state assembly and high court.

Main Points:-   (i) The tournament will consist of a week-long series of matches, where top athletes from around the globe will demonstrate their skills, agility, and teamwork.

      (ii) The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) aims to include Kho Kho in the 2032 Olympic Games.

Main Points:-   (i) In December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed resolution A/RES/54/68, designating October 4th to 10th of each year as World Space Week.

      (ii) The first World Space Week was celebrated from October 4th to 10th, 2000.

Main Points:-   Prize Amount: 11 million Swedish kronor, to be shared equally among the laureates.

Main Points:-   Partha Pratim Sengupta will succeed Ratan Kesh, who served as the interim MD and CEO after Chandra Sekhar Ghosh resigned on July 9, 2024.

      - The Indian men’s team qualified for the semi-finals after a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan. Manav Thakkar secured a 3-0 win against Kirill Gerassimenko, while five-time Olympian Sharath Kamal dominated Aidos Kenzhigulov with the same score. Harmeet Desai also contributed with a hard-fought 3-2 victory, ensuring the team’s spot in the semi-finals. Both teams’ performances marked a significant achievement for Indian table tennis on the continental stage.

Main Points:-   (i) The women’s team achieved its first medal in the team event at the championships since they began in 1972.

      (ii) Overall, India has now won six bronze medals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships, with both the men’s and women’s teams contributing to this tally.

(iii) India will face either Hong Kong China or Chinese Taipei in the semi-finals on Thursday.

      - The sanctuary supports sizable populations of leopard, sloth bear, chital, sambar, wild pig, nilgai, and chowsingha, besides about 70 species of birds, officials said.

Main Points:-   (i) This approval is important for wildlife conservation, especially in managing the increasing tiger population, which has surpassed the capacity of the existing Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran District, Bihar.

      (ii) The VTR occupies a core area of 909.86 sq km of the Valmiki Sanctuary located in the West Champaran district.

Main Points:-   (i) The Urban Administration Department of Chhattisgarh issued this order on September 18, 2024.

      (ii) These schemes are managed by the Chhattisgarh Urban Infrastructure Development Fund.

Main Points:-   (i) In 2018, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GRSE Limited signed a contract to build four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships for a total cost of ₹2,435 crores.

      (ii) In February 2024, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Sandhayak, the first of the four SVL ships, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Main Points:-   (i) Navika Sagar Parikrama is a maritime expedition organized by the Indian Navy that involves sailing around the world with a crew of women officers.

      (ii) The voyage will cover approximately 23,000 nautical miles and is expected to take around 240 days, traversing four continents, three oceans, and three challenging capes.

(iii) The first edition of this expedition took place in 2017.

      - This sale supports U.S. foreign policy goals aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership with India in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

Main Points:-   (i) The sale will involve the temporary deployment of up to 12 U.S. personnel and one contractor to India each year for training and technical support.

      (ii) This acquisition will strengthen India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities by increasing the available weapons for the MH-60R helicopters.

(iii) 3. India’s first squadron of six MH-60R Seahawk helicopters was commissioned in March at INS (Indian Naval Ship) Garuda in Kochi, Tamil Nadu, for ASW and anti-surface warfare (ASUW).

Main Points:-   The Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC), which operates the gaushala, contributed ₹5 crore towards the construction of the plant.

Main Points:-   (i) The event was attended by Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary (Defence Production) of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and Dr. D K Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL.

      (ii) This milestone underscores HAL's capabilities in aero engine manufacturing and its commitment to supporting the IAF's Su-30MKI fleet.

(iii) The Sukhoi Engine Division in Koraput was established by HAL to oversee the complete production process of Su-30MKI engines, from raw materials to final assembly.

Main Points:-   (i) The 2024 GHI score for the world is 18.3, considered moderate, which is a slight decrease from the 2016 GHI score of 18.8.

      (ii) The top 5 worst-performing countries are Somalia (127th), Yemen (126th), Chad (125th), Madagascar (124th), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (123rd).

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, the Indian government announced plans to repair and refit the Maldives Coast Guard ship (MCGS) Huravee, a patrol vessel gifted by India to the Maldives in 2006.

      (ii) Maldives is India's key maritime neighbor in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and holds a special place in Prime Minister's vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and India’s ‘Neighbourhood First Policy’.

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, he laid the foundation for a new integrated terminal building at Shirdi Airport, costing over ₹645 crore.

      (ii) The projects also include the operationalization of 10 government medical colleges across Maharashtra.

(iii) The PM inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai, established through a public-private partnership between the Tata Education and Development Trust and the Government of India.

Main Points:-   (i) India is the third country in the South-East Asia region to achieve this feat after Nepal and Myanmar.

      (ii) Trachoma is an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

Main Points:-   (i) Additionally, coal dispatch also experienced growth in September 2024, reaching 73.37 MT, compared to 70.31 MT in September 2023, marking a growth of 4.35%.

      (ii) The cumulative coal dispatch up to September 2024 stood at 487.87 MT (provisional) in FY 2024-25, compared to 462.27 MT during the same period in FY 2023-24, reflecting a growth of 5.54%.

(iii) As of September 29, 2024, coal stock at Domestic Coal-Based power plants reached 33.46 million tons, up 51.07% from last year, supporting India's rising energy demands and self-sufficiency.

      - Legal heirs of a deceased nominee won't have rights, and creditors' claims will take priority over asset transfers. Missing a 'choice of nomination' won't freeze accounts.

Main Points:-   (i) Nominees must have unique identifiers, which can be either a PAN (Permanent Account Number), passport number, or Aadhaar.

      (ii) Nomination is optional for joint demat accounts and mutual fund portfolios, and investors can change nominees without any limits.

Main Points:-   (i) Prize Amount: 11 million Swedish Kronor.

      (ii) The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, a tradition that has been upheld since 1901.

Main Points:-   (i) The theme for International Coffee Day 2024 is "Coffee: Your Daily Ritual, Our Shared Journey."

      (ii) In March 2014, ICO member states agreed to observe International Coffee Day on October 1 each year to establish a unified celebration for coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

(iii) The inaugural International Coffee Day was celebrated on October 1, 2015, by 74 ICO member states and 26 coffee associations from around the globe.

Main Points:-   According to the latest rankings, Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO of CVS Health Corporation, a leading health solutions company in the USA, has been ranked second globally. She is followed by Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup Inc., a multinational investment bank and financial services company based in New York City, who ranks third. Julie Sweet, Chair and CEO of Accenture Plc, is ranked fourth.

Main Points:-   (i) The orbital altitude of the PSLV upper stage had decayed to 134x148 km, and re-entry occurred over the North Atlantic Ocean.

      (ii) This re-entry within eight years aligns with the international debris mitigation guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), which limit the post-mission lifespan of defunct objects in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to 25 years.

(iii) ISRO is actively working to reduce the residual orbital lifetime of PSLV upper stages to 5 years or less through controlled de-orbiting techniques.

Main Points:-   (i) Dipa represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she became the first Indian female gymnast to participate in the Olympics and finished 4th in vault.

      (ii) She also earned a bronze at the Asian Championships and finished 5th at the 2015 World Championships, both firsts for Indian athletes.

(iii) In 2018, she won a gold medal at the Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Türkiye, the first for any Indian gymnast at a global event, and also secured a bronze in Cottbus, Germany.

Main Points:-   WVD was first established in 1977 by the North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS) and received endorsement from the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) in 1978.

Main Points:-   (i) The year 2024 marks the 70th Wildlife Week in India.

      (ii) The theme for Wildlife Week 2024 is "Wildlife Conservation through Coexistence."

(iii) The first Wildlife Week was observed in 1957.

Main Points:-   (i) Indian IPS Officer Pritpal Kaur has been invited to Boston, Massachusetts (USA) to receive the '2024 IACP 40 Under 40' award on October 22, 2024.

Main Points:-   (i) Asia HRD awards are presented in five categories: Lifetime Achievement, Contribution to Society, Contribution to Organization, Contribution to HR Community, and Movers and Shakers, each with its own set of criteria.

      (ii) Previous recipients include notable leaders such as Fidel V. Ramos (Philippines), Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud (Malaysia), and Haris Silajdzic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), among others.

Main Points:-   The airport also replaced eight Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles with Electric Vehicles (EVs), leading to annual diesel savings of approximately 5,000 liters.

Main Points:-   (i) The 2024 Women's Asian Champions Trophy is the 8th edition of this biennial field hockey tournament, featuring the six best Asian women's national teams.

      (ii) The event is organized by Hockey India and the Bihar Government, with support from the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).

(iii) India has previously won the championship in 2016 and 2023.