Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 26th September 2024

1. India secured the third most powerful nation in Asia: 2024 Asia Power Index. 

• According to the 2024 Asia Power Index, India has officially overtaken Japan as the third most powerful nation in Asia. 
• The Lowy Institute has published the Asia Power Index. 
• It evaluates countries based on their resource capabilities and influence in the Asia-Pacific region. 
• India’s ranking improvement is primarily driven by a strong post-pandemic economic recovery. 
• India’s Economic Capability score saw a 4.2-point rise. 
• ndia’s demographic advantage is also a key factor in this rating. 
• India’s rank has improved in the Future Resources score by 8.2 points due to a youthful workforce. 
• India’s strategic autonomy and non-aligned approach have enabled it to navigate complex international relationships effectively. 
• India ranked sixth in terms of diplomatic dialogues in 2023. 
• India’s Defense Networks score has also dropped, and it stands in ninth spot. 

2. In Snooker, Kamal Chawla has won maiden IBSF World 6-Red title.

• He has won this title with a 6-2 victory over Pakistan’s Asjad Iqbal in the final at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 
• This victory is significant for Chawla. Chawla was the runner-up in the 2017 edition of the tournament. 
• India has also secured three more bronze medals through Malkeet Singh, Vidya Pillai, and Keerthana Pandian. 
• In the women’s category, India’s Vidya finished with a bronze medal after semifinal loss to Hong Kong’s Ng On Yee. 
• Malkeet Singh won the bronze after losing semifinal to Iqbal. Pandian also won bronze after losing to Fong Mei Mei of Hong Kong in her semifinal match. 

3. Civil Aviation Ministry has approved India’s newest airline, Shankh Air. 

• Before the airline can begin operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must still grant its clearance. 
• The first scheduled airline in Uttar Pradesh will soon be Shankh Air. 
• Shankh Air will run out of hubs located in Noida and Lucknow.
• The duration of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate is three years.
• With more than 60% of the Indian aviation market, IndiGo is the market leader. 
• The second-biggest airline in the nation is called Air India. 
• In order to bolster its fleet and market presence, Air India is also buying AirAsia India and combining it with Air India Express, its low-cost carrier. 

4. The book "Khaki Mein Sthitapragya" has been released by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. 

• The book has been written by former Director General of Police of Uttarakhand, Anil Raturi. 
• This is based on his memoirs and experiences as an IPS officer. 
• This book will help the people coming into service to take decisions. 
• Through this book, the author has tried to describe memories, experiences and challenges on basis of his three and a half decades of experience as a police officer. 
• Through this book, the author has made an attempt to show how our new officers can face challenges. 
• The author has also made an attempt to show how they can move forward on their path of work with patience. 
• Vice Chancellor of Doon University Prof. Surekha Dangwal said that the influence of T.S. Eliot is visible in Anil Raturi’s writing style. 

5. FPI Outreach Cell launched by SEBI for seamless market access. 

• On September 25, a dedicated Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) Outreach Cell launched by market regulator SEBI to improve and simplify the experience of such investors accessing the Indian securities market. 
• This cell will focus on direct engagement with Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs), and assist them in seamless access to the Indian securities market. 
• This cell functions under the Alternative Investment Funds and Foreign Portfolio Investors Department (AFD) of SEBI. 
• Its main responsibilities include assisting prospective FPIs during the pre-application stage by providing support in documentation and compliance processes.
• This cell will also provide support during the onboarding phase and resolve any operational challenges that may arise during or after the registration process. 
• These FPI cells are designed to provide targeted support to foreign investors and streamline their operations, making it easier for them to operate in the Indian financial markets. 

6. DRDO and IIT Delhi have developed lightweight bulletproof jackets. 

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation, with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has developed light-weight bulletproof jackets named Advanced Ballistics for High Energy Defeat (ABHED).
• The jackets have been developed at the DRDO Industry Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) located at IIT.
• The jackets are made from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic materials. 
• The design configuration is based on characterization of various materials at high strain rates, followed by appropriate modelling and simulation in collaboration with DRDO.
• These jackets meet the highest threat levels and are also lighter than the maximum weight limit prescribed in the respective General Staff Qualitative Requirement of the Indian Army. 
• These modular-design jackets with front and rear armour offer 360-degree protection with a minimum weight of 8.2 kg and 9.5 kg for varying BIS Levels. 
• In 2022, DIA-CoE was formed by modifying DRDO's Joint Centre for Advanced Technology at IIT Delhi to involve industry and academia for defence research and development. 

7. PM Modi dedicated to nation three indigenously developed computers in Pune. 

• This is in line with his commitment to make India self-reliant in the field of supercomputing technology. 
• The three PARAM Rudra supercomputers are worth around 130 crore rupees. 
• They are developed indigenously under the National Supercomputing Mission. 
• They have been deployed in Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata to facilitate pioneering scientific research. 
• He inaugurated, laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation projects worth more than 22,600 crore rupees. 
• He flagged off the Metro train scheduled to run from the district court to Swargate, Pune. 
• PM Modi also inaugurated a high-performance computing system tailored for weather and climate research. 
• This project represents an investment of 850 crore rupees. It marks a key leap in India’s computational capabilities for meteorological applications. 

8. India has signed Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement. 

• This is an international agreement to protect marine biodiversity on the high seas. 
• BBNJ Agreement was signed by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. 
• BBNJ Agreement is an important step towards ensuring that the oceans remain healthy and resilient. 
• The Law of the Seas Treaty agreement aims to guarantee the sustainable use and conservation of marine life on the high seas. 
• The term "high seas" refers to areas that are outside of a country's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone, which can be up to 200 nautical miles or 370 kilometres from shores. 

9. Unemployment has decreased sharpest in Haryana: Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey. 

• As per the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey, the national average unemployment rate reached 3.2 per cent in 2023-24. 
• The unemployment rate has decreased from 5.1 per cent in 2022-23 to 3.2 percent in 2023–24. 
• Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh have achieved the most substantial reductions in unemployment rates. 
• Haryana registered the sharpest drop in unemployment, falling from 9.2 percent in 2022–23 to 3.4 percent in 2023–24.
• Tamil Nadu registered the second sharpest decline, while Chattisgarh remained in the third spot. 
• Goa tops the list with an unemployment rate of 8.5 per cent, followed by Kerala at 7.2 per cent and Nagaland at 7.1 per cent.
• Lakshadweep records the highest unemployment rate at 11.9 per cent among Union Territories.
• Madhya Pradesh is the only state where unemployment is below 1 percent. 
• The national average worker-population ratio (WPR) stands at 38.7 percent. 

10. Department of Space and Technology launched Women in Space Leadership Programme in Collaboration with British Council 

• A Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP) was launched by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in collaboration with the British Council as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). 
• The initiative focuses on supporting institutions in strengthening gender-inclusive practices to foster women’s leadership in space science by developing a strategic leadership framework. Coventry University is the delivery partner in this initiative. 
• The programme would involve building sustainable mentoring networks and enhancing scientific innovation by integrating a gender perspective into critical areas such as astrophysics and telecommunications. 

11. An MoU signed by Rubber Research Institute with Indian Oil. 

• Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) have signed a MoU to enhance the research on using Rubber Process Oils marketed by IOCL in different tyre and non-tyre rubber products. 
• Jessy MD, Director in charge of RRII, and Anil Vasu, DGM (Lubes) at IOCL signed the MoU. 
• The aim of this collaboration is to improve product performance and rubber processing in these applications. 
• This partnership reflects a shared commitment to foster innovations in rubber processing while addressing the growing global demand for environmentally sustainable industrial products. 
• The focus of the research will be on assessing the impact of various rubber process oils provided by IOCL on the performance of tyre and non-tyre rubber products, aiming to optimise efficiency and durability. 
• The initiative aims to reduce environmental impact and develop safer materials for industrial use by incorporating sustainable oils. 

12. World Environmental Health Day 2024: 26 September 

• Every year on 26 September, World Environmental Health Day is celebrated. 
• It is celebrated to raise awareness about the impact of environmental health on human lives. 
• The theme of World Environmental Health Day 2024 is “Environmental Health: Creating Resilient Communities through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.” 
• International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) founded World Environmental Health Day in 2011. 
• The day was founded to focus on the importance of caring for the health of our environment. 
• As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), healthier environments can be one of the key factors in preventing almost one-quarter of the global burden of diseases. 
• As per WHO, Global environmental issues account for more than 12.6 million deaths each year. 

13. Global Aerospace Summit started in Abu Dhabi. 

• The seventh edition of the Global Aerospace Summit started in Abu Dhabi. 
• It has been organized from 25-26 September at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort. 
• Industry leaders, government officials, and academics attended the summit to discuss sustainability, youth engagement, and innovation in aerospace, space, and defense sectors. 
• Aerospace technology, policy, and investment, with a focus on emerging technologies such as AI, electric propulsion, and hydrogen-powered aircraft was the main theme of the summit. 
• The Summit features panel sessions on various topics, including space communication, air travel demand, and advanced aerial mobility. 
• The leader’s discussion also covers global business aviation trends, such as supersonic travel and sustainability initiatives. 
• The space economy is forecast to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. It is expected to grow at 9% per annum. 

14. Film Producer Vinod Bachchan received honour at the House of Lords, UK Parliament. 

• Vinod Bachchan received the prestigious Global Prestige Award at the House of Lords, UK Parliament. 
• The award has been given for his outstanding contributions to the Indian film Industry. 
• The award ceremony was held under the auspices of Lord Bellamy KC and Lord Rami Ranger CBE. 
• Vinod Bachchan has received the award for his influential role in bringing Indian Cinema to global audiences. 
• He also highlighted that his vision of cinema in strengthening cultural exchange between India and UK. 

15. Tata Steel commissions India’s largest blast furnace at Kalinganagar 

• Tata Steel Ltd had commissioned ‘India’s largest blast furnace’ at Kalinganagar, Odisha as part of the Phase II expansion its plant. 
• With a total investment of Rs 27,000 crore, the Phase II expansion at Kalinganagar will take the total capacity at the site from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 8 MTPA. 
• The new facility was inaugurated by T. V. Narendran, CEO and Managing Director, of Tata Steel. 
• The new blast furnace will significantly boost the plant’s overall production capabilities, allowing Tata Steel to meet the growing demands of various industries, including automotive, infrastructure, power, shipbuilding, and defence. It will also provide advantages in specific areas like oil & gas, lifting & excavation, and construction. 
• With the Phase II expansion, Odisha has emerged as the largest investment destination in India for Tata Steel, with a total cumulated investment of over Rs 100,000 crore in the last 10 years. 
• The new blast furnace, with a volume of 5,870 m3 , is equipped with state-of-the-art features for long campaign life and an eco-friendly design to optimise the steelmaking process. 

16. Zepto retains first place in LinkedIn’s 2024 list of India’s Top Startups 

• Quick commerce platform Zepto, for the 2nd consecutive year, has been ranked first in LinkedIn Top Startups India List 2024 — an annual ranking of emerging companies where professionals want to work. 
• The list draws insights from data based on the actions of more than 1 billion LinkedIn members globally. It measures startups based on four pillars: employment growth, engagement, job interest and attraction of top talent. 
• Zepto was followed by compliance firm Sprinto and cloud storage management platform Lucidity. 
• E-commerce platform GoKwik, conversation intelligence platform Convin, biofuel supply chain platform BiofuelCircle, and, mental health platform MindPeers are also featured in the list. 
• 14 startups (out of 20) are new entrants in this year’s list and several first-time categories like biofuel, compliance and mental health point to the diversity of career opportunities for professionals eyeing the world of startups. 

17. 25 September – Antyodaya Diwas 

• Antyodaya Diwas is celebrated every year on September 25 across the country. 
• The day marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya to remember his life and legacy. It was dedicated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 in honour of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, a prominent Indian political leader and thinker. 
• Pandit Deendayal was born in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh on September 25, 1916. Later, he joined a 40-day camp in Sangh education and a two-year training at the RSS education wing in the 1940s. Upadhyaya served the Bharatiya Jana Sangh from 1953 to 1968, where he became the source of ideological guidance and moral inspiration for the BJP. 
• He was also known for his philosophical and literary works. Deendayal developed the concept of ‘Integral Humanism’ advocating the holistic development of the mind, body, intellect, and soul. He died at the age of 51, on February 11, 1968. 

18. 26 September – World Contraception Day 

• World Contraception Day is observed every year on September 26. 
• Objective – To raise awareness about contraception and to empower young people to make informed decisions about their reproductive health 
• Theme 2024 – A choice for all. Freedom to plan, power to choose. 

What is contraception? 

• Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. This can be a device, a medication, a procedure or a behaviour. Contraception allows a woman control of her reproductive health and affords the woman the ability to be an active participant in her family planning. Some types of contraception protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs) 

19. Centre estimates record production of foodgrains in 2023-24 

• The Union Agriculture Ministry has estimated a record production of foodgrains for this financial year. But the production of pulses, oil seeds, and sugar cane is likely to be lower than in the last fiscal, shows the fourth and final estimates of production of major agricultural crops for 2023-24 released here on Wednesday. 
• Prepared on the basis of information received from the States, the Centre estimated a record foodgrains production of 3,322.98 lakh tonnes (LT), which is higher by 26.11 LT than the last financial year's 3,296.87 LT. An increase in the production of rice, wheat, and millet resulted in an overall increase in foodgrain production. 
• Total rice production is estimated at 1,378.25 LT, which is higher by 20.7 LT than the previous year's 1,357.55 LT. Wheat production is estimated at 1,132.92 LT, higher by 27.38 LT than the previous year's 1,105.54 LT. As much as 175.72 LT of millets are estimated to be cultivated during this year as against 173.21 LT during the previous year. 
• Pulses production is set to decrease to 242.46 LT from 260.58 LT in the last fiscal. 
• The oilseeds output is likely to drop to 396.69 LT from 413.55 LT in 2022-23. Rapeseed and mustard production is likely to increase marginally. These estimates are based on the information received from the States and Union Territories, the Ministry added. 

Moisture stress 

• The Centre said during 2023-24, there were drought-like conditions in southern States and Maharashtra, and prolonged dry spells during August especially in Rajasthan. "The moisture stress from the drought also affected the rabi season. This mainly affected production of pulses, coarse cereals, soya bean and cotton," the Union Agriculture Ministry said in a release. 
• Sugarcane production is set to decrease to 4,531.58 LT from 4,905.33 LT and cotton output will be 325.22 lakh bales (1 bale equals 170 kg) from 336.6 lakh bales in 2022-23. 
• Tur production estimate is 34.17 LT, and for gram, it is 110.39 LT and for groundnut, the estimate is 101.80 LT. 
• For soyabean, the production could be 130.62 LT, and for Rapeseed, and Mustard, it is 132.59 LMT, a record according to the government.