Current Affairs | National | International | SSC | UPSC 24th October 2024

1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated 2 nd edition of the Chanakya Defence Dialogue in New Delhi. 

• The Chanakya Defence Dialogue is flagship international seminar. 
• He also launched the Indian Army’s Green Initiative 1.0 and Digitisation of IA 1.0. 
• He delivered a keynote address on ‘India’s Vision for Development and Security’. 
• He underscored the importance of comprehensive security in achieving Viksit Bharat in 2047. 
• Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi also addressed the audience. 
• The two-day event brings together policymakers, strategic thinkers, academics, defence personnel, veterans, and scientists. 
• Prominent speakers from the United States, Russia, Israel, and Sri Lanka are also taking part in the dialogue. 
• The dialogue will explore India’s strategic pathways towards Viksit Bharat in 2047. 
• The Chanakya Defence Dialogue consists of six expert-led sessions. 
• Each session focuses on critical aspects of comprehensive security. 

2. Government has launched two-year nationwide celebration for 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. 

• As per the government announcement, two-year long nationwide celebration will begin this year. 
• Government has taken this decision to honour contributions of Sardar Patel. 
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that his pivotal role in unifying India from Kashmir to Lakshadweep remain indelible. 
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born on 31 October 1875. He is known as Iron Man of India. 
• He served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India from 1947 to 1950. 
• He is remembered as the "patron saint of India's civil servants". 

3. Supreme Court upheld the States’ right to regulate industrial alcohol.

• A Constitution bench of nine judges with a majority of 8:1 upheld the States’ right to regulate industrial alcohol. 
• Entry 8 gives States the power to regulate the production, manufacture, possession, transport, purchase and sale of intoxicating liquor. 
• SC judges stated that the phrase ‘intoxicating liquor’ in Entry 8 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution would include industrial alcohol within its ambit. 
• Entry 8 of List II seeks to enhance the scope of the entry beyond potable alcohol. 
• The Supreme Court stated that Entry 8 was both an industry-based as well as a product-based entry in the State List. 
• CJI stated that the term ‘intoxicating liquor’ in Entry 8 should have a broad definition as far as possible. 
• Many states had challenged the Centre’s position that it had exclusive control over industrial alcohol. 

4. Government integrated 12 schemes on the eShram portal. 

• The Central Government’s ‘eShram-One Stop Solution’ portal aims to integrate information on welfare schemes for unorganised workers. 
• It has integrated 12 schemes of different Central Ministries and Departments into the eShram portal. 
• This portal was launched with the objective of creating a ‘National Database of Unorganised Workers’ and providing workers with a Universal Account Number (UAN). 
• More than 30 crore unorganised workers have enrolled on the eShram portal. 
• The Labour Ministry is offering services in some regional languages and is also conducting outreach programs. 

5. RTI museum foundation stone has been laid in Beawar, Rajasthan. 

• The foundation stone for the Right to Information Museum was laid in Beawar, Rajasthan. It is the birthplace of the RTI movement. 
• A stone slab with the Preamble of the Constitution inscribed in Hindi and English was laid on the RTI museum’s land. 
• The museum would act as a resource centre for reference and learning on rights-based movements. 
• It will also serve as a central repository and archive all the documents, materials and film footage available with the MKSS and other organisations. 
• About 13.5 lakh people in Rajasthan have been waiting for the release of their pensions. 
• During the annual verification exercise, these people's pensions have been cancelled for reasons marked as ‘dead’ or ‘out of State’. 
• “The Right to Information Act” was notified in the Gazette of India on 21st June 2005. 
• The State of Tamil Nadu enacted the first Right to Information Act. 

6. According to the 'Travel Trends Report', Shillong surpasses Baku as the most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025. 

• 'Travel Trends Report' has been released by international travel service Skyscanner. 
• The only city listed in the annual report is Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. 
• Sixty-six percent of Indians intend to "travel more" in the upcoming year, according to the report. 
• Known as the Scotland of the East, Shillong in India is followed by Baku, Azerbaijan and Langkawi, Malaysia. 
• The report also mentions al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, Tromso in Norway, and Tashkent in Uzbekistan. 
• Additionally, a new list titled "Best Value Destinations category" has been released. 
• This lists the places that offer the best value and have shown the most decrease in airline costs from India in the past 12 months. 
• Almaty, Kazakhstan, is at the top of the list, with flight costs having decreased by 44%. 
• Jakarta, Indonesia, comes in second with 27%, followed by Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia, with 19%. 

7. United Nations Day: 24 October 

• United Nations Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. 
• October 24th is United Nations Day. This day commemorates the anniversary of the UN Charter's adoption in 1945. 
• After World War II, the United Nations was founded. 
• Fifty government officials met in San Francisco on April 25, 1945, to draft the United Nations Charter. 
• On June 25, this proposal was approved, and on October 24, the United Nations was formally established. 
• Despite the fact that the charter was adopted in 1945, the United Nations did not officially recognise October 24 as United Nations Day until 1948. 
• The UN General Assembly later suggested that member states declare it a public holiday in 1971. 
• The phrase 'United Nations' was first used by former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. 
• On January 1, 1942, it was first stated in the United Nations Declaration. 
• There are currently 193 member states in the organisation, up from 51 at its founding. 

8. Israel has joined Asian Development Bank (ADB) as 69 th member. 

• Israel is the newest non-regional member of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 
• Israel’s entry was approved by the bank’s board of governors in April 2022. 
• This was subject to completion of membership requirements. 
• Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich will be the country’s representative. 
• The bank now has 69 members. Japan and the United States are the major contributors to its capital. 

Asian Development Bank (ADB): 

• It is a regional development bank established in 1966. 
• Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines 
• Current President: Masatsugu Asakawa 

9. Kazan Declaration adopted at the BRICS summit. 

• On October 23, the 16th BRICS summit concluded with the adoption of the Kazan Declaration, a comprehensive document outlining key areas of cooperation and the bloc's unified stance on global issues. 
• The summit held in Kazan, Russia, saw useful discussions on strengthening multilateralism, combating terrorism, promoting economic growth and addressing concerns of the global south. 
• The summit was attended by leaders from more than 20 countries, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. 
• Under the theme "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security," the Kazan Declaration stressed the importance of BRICS solidarity and strategic partnership. 
• The declaration reaffirmed support for the aspirations of member states to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. 
• Cooperation in the financial sector was another element of the declaration, including elements such as payment settlement in national currencies. 
• During the summit, climate change was also another area of interest for all the leaders. 

10. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is planning to make a new law to promote the youth population. 

• Concerned about the ageing population in southern states, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has urged his state's citizens to have more children. 
• He also said that his government is planning to bring a law under which only people who have more than two children will be eligible to contest local body elections. 
• The government is considering giving incentives to families who have more children and encouraging couples to have more children. 
• Naidu said that in many districts only elderly people are left in the villages as the younger generation has migrated to other parts of the country and abroad. 
• India's average population growth has declined from 6.2% in the 1950s to 2.1% in 2021, and in Andhra Pradesh the number has declined to 1.6%. 
• After 2047, the number of elderly people in Andhra Pradesh will be more than that of youth. 

11. The International Incoming Spoofed Call Prevention System launched by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in New Delhi on 22 October. 

• The system has been jointly developed by the Department of Communications and Telecom Services to identify and block international fraudulent calls coming to Indian telecom consumers. 
• The system was rolled out and within 24 hours, about 1.35 crore international calls to Indian phone numbers were identified as fraudulent and blocked by telecom service providers. 
• These fake calls are often used for financial scams, impersonating government officials, and to spread panic. 
• Besides this, cases of threats of shutting down mobile numbers, fake digital arrests, sending drugs or narcotics in couriers, pretending to be police officers, arrests in sex rackets, etc. have also come to light under cybercrime. 
• Those who have already lost money or become victims of cyber crime can report it on the cyber crime helpline number 1930 or on the website https://www.cybercrime.gov.in. 

12. Luong Cuong elected as president of Vietnam. 

• Luong Cuong is the member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat. 
• On 21 October, Kuong was elected president at the ongoing 8th session of the 15th term National Assembly (NA) for a term until 2026. 
• All 440 delegates present at the meeting, which was 91.67% of the total number of NA delegates, voted in favour of it. 
• Kuong replaced Toh Lam, who was formally appointed secretary-general of the ruling Communist Party in August. 
• The role of secretary-general is the most powerful position in Vietnam, while the presidency is mostly ceremonial and involves meeting foreign dignitaries. 
• The current Prime Minister is Phạm Minh Chính of Vietnam. The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, and the currency is the Vietnamese đồng. 

13. Justice Yahya Afridi has been elected as the next Chief Justice of Pakistan. 

• A special parliamentary committee has selected Justice Yahya Afridi as the next chief justice of Pakistan. 
• The committee has selected Justice Yahya Afridi from among the three most senior Supreme Court judges. 
• Recently, the 26th Constitutional Amendment has been passed. 
• This amendment has introduced significant changes to the judiciary.
• Justice Yahya Afridi has been chosen over Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, who was previously in line to become chief justice under the old system. 
• The committee’s decision will now be presented to the prime minister and then to the president for final approval. 

14. India will host the 16th Women’s Indian Open in Gurugram. 

• India will host the 16th edition of the Women’s Indian Open in Gurugram, Haryana. 
• 114 players from 31 nations, including 27 from India, will participate in this tournament. 
• In 2016, Aditi Ashok made history as the first Indian to win the Women’s Indian Open. 
• The Women’s Indian Open is India’s most prestigious women’s golf event. It was started in 2007. 

15. Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi launches retail of Bharat Chana Dal Phase – II in Delhi-NCR 

• Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution & New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi has launched the retail of Bharat Chana Dal Phase – II in Delhi-NCR by flagging off mobile vans of NCCF, NAFED and Kendriya Bhandar. 
• In Phase – II of Bharat Chana Dal, 3 lakh tons of Chana stock from the price stabilisation buffer is being converted to Chana Dal and Chana Whole for retail sale to consumers at MRP of Rs.70 per kg and Rs.58 per kg, respectively. Apart from Chana, the government had also expanded the Bharat brand to Moong and Masur Dals. 
• The Bharat Moong Dal is retailed at Rs.107 per kg, Bharat Moong Sabut at Rs.93 per kg and Bharat Masur Dal at Rs.89 per kg. 
• The resumption of Bharat Chana Dal at this time will enhance the supplies to consumers of Delhi-NCR in this festive season. 

16. NESTS launches ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ for Eklavya Model Residential Schools 

• National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) launched the Third Phase of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura. 
• The third phase would include an orientation on blockchain, artificial intelligence, coding, block programming and AI sessions. 
• The third phase of the Amazon Future Engineer Program will be rolled out across 410 proposed EMRSs in India. 
• The Amazon Future Engineer Program has been running for two years, has already introduced over 7,000 students in grades 6 to 8 to the fundamentals of computer science and block programming, with over 50 teachers trained in the previous phases. 
• Additionally, project-based virtual sessions will be provided for class 10 students, further aligning with the CBSE AI Skills Curriculum. NESTS remains committed to fostering technological literacy and modernizing education for tribal students across the nation. 

17. BSNL unveils new brand identity, launches seven digital services for pan-India connectivity 

• Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) revealed its new logo and introduced seven digital services focusing on secure, affordable, and reliable connectivity across India. The launch event was led by Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M Scindia in New Delhi. 
• The company also introduced automated SIM kiosks offering 24/7 services with UPI payment options and an intranet TV service providing 500+ channels through its FTTH network at no additional cost. 
• BSNL’s security-focused services feature an automatic spam-blocking system and a dedicated network for disaster relief operations. 
• The company launched a national Wi-Fi roaming service for FTTH customers and pioneered private 5G connectivity for mining operations in collaboration with C-DAC. 
• The new logo incorporates green and white arrows surrounding India against an orange backdrop, emphasizing nationwide coverage and inclusivity. The company’s tagline, “Connecting Bharat,” underscores its mission to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas. 
• These developments represent BSNL’s strategic push to modernize its services and strengthen its position in India’s competitive telecommunications market. 

18. RBI approves Pranav Chawda’s appointment as JP Morgan Chase Bank India CEO 

• India’s central bank approved the appointment of Pranav Chawda as chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s local banking unit for a period of three years. 
• Chawda, who heads commercial banking, will expand his current responsibility to become head of the corporate banking entity. 
• The position fell vacant after former CEO Prabdev Singh stepped down before the end of his term. 
• Chawda joined J P Morgan in 2019 and has been heading the commercial banking vertical. 

Recent Appointment in Banking & Insurance Sector 

• Chairperson of the Board of National Pension System (NPS) Trust – Chitra Jayasimha (replace Venkata Rao Yadagani) 
• CEO of Acko Life Insurance – Sandip Goenka 
• MD & CEO of Bandhan Bank – Partha Pratim Sengupta (for 3 year) 
• MD of Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company – Ravindra Kumar Kunda 
• Deputy Governor of RBI – M. Rajeshwar Rao (reappointment for 1 year) 
• Executive Director of RBI – Aviral Jain 

19. Himanshu Pathak appointed as DG of ICRISAT 

• Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has been appointed as the new Director General of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). 
• Pathak is the first Indian to hold this prestigious position and only the second individual of Indian origin, following Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, to lead a research institute within the global CGIAR system. 
• Swaminathan was the Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the CGIAR rice research laboratory in the Philippines, from 1982 to 1988. Currently, Dr. Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes is the Director General of ICRISAT. 

About International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) 

• ICRISAT is a pioneering International Organization committed to developing and improving dryland farming and agri-food systems. 
• Founded- 1972 
• Headquarters- Hyderabad, Telangana 
• Founders- M. S. Swaminathan, C. Fred Bentley, Ralph Cumming 

20. Pam Kaur appointed as first female CFO of HSBC 

• The British multinational bank Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) made history by appointing Pam Kaur as its first female Chief Financial Officer (CFO). 
• She succeeds Georges Elhedery, who has been appointed HSBC’s chief executive officer (CEO). 
• The 60-year-old Indian-born British citizen Pam Kaur joins a growing list of women who occupy top posts in the global banking system. 
• She joins the ranks of Morgan Stanley’s CFO Sharon Yeshaya, JP Morgan’s Mary Erdoes, Marianne Lake, and Jennifer Piepszak, as well as Citi’s chief executive officer (CEO) Jane Fraser. 

About Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Limited 

• HSBC is a British multinational bank established in Hong Kong in 1865. 
• It started its India operation in 1959 by buying a local bank – Mercantile Bank of India. 
• HSBC India is a registered foreign bank regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. 
• Headquarters- London, UK 
• CEO of HSBC India Operation- Hitendra Dave 
• Global CEO – Georges Elhedery  Tagline- The world’s local bank 

21. BOBCARD appoints cricketer Shreyanka Patil as brand ambassador 

• BOBCARD Limited, a subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, has appointed cricketer Shreyanka Patil as its brand ambassador. 
• Shreyanka will represent the company in upcoming campaigns and initiatives, as BOBCARD LIMITED works to promote its vision of ‘Reimagine Credit for Everyone in India.’ 
• BOBCARD LIMITED aims to redefine the credit card experience by offering solutions that address the evolving needs of consumers. 

Recent Brand Ambassador 

• Rashmika Mandanna – National Ambassador for Promoting Cyber Safety 
• Rahul Dravid – Shriram Finance Ltd 
• Manu Bhaker – Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) 
• Alia Bhatt – French cosmetic maker L’Oreal Paris 
• Salman Khan – GRM Basmati Rice 
• Dinesh Karthik – SA20 league 
• Shikhar Dhwan – MotoGP India 

22. SAIL Wins SHRM HR Excellence Awards for Inclusion and Workforce Management 

• Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been honored with prestigious awards at the SHRM India Annual Conference 2024, held in New Delhi. 
• SAIL received recognition in two key categories: ‘Excellence in Inclusion, Equity & Diversity’ and ‘Excellence in Managing the Distributed Workforce.’ 
• These accolades underscore SAIL’s commitment to innovative and forward-thinking human resource practices, which are being implemented across its various plants and units nationwide. 
• The awards highlight SAIL’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment where equity and diversity thrive, ensuring the holistic growth of its workforce. 
• The company is recognized for continuously motivating and engaging its employees, understanding their central role in driving organizational success. 

22. Ferrari’s Leclerc wins US Grand Prix 

• Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc clinched his third Formula One race of the season as he finished ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz to win the United States Grand Prix. 
• Monaco native Leclerc helped Ferrari finish the race one-two as Spaniard Sainz was placed second, 8.562 seconds behind Leclerc’s winning time of 1:35:09.639 in a memorable race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. 
• Leclerc had also won the Monaco Grand Prix and Italian Grand Prix this year. 

Recent 2024 F1 Grand Prix Winner 

• US Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) 
• Singapore Grand Prix – McLaren’s Lando Norris (British) 
• Azerbaijan Grand Prix – McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (Australia) 
• Italian Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) 
• Dutch Grand Prix – McLaren’s Lando Norris (British) 
• Hungarian Grand Prix F2 – Kush Maini (India) 
• Belgian Grand Prix – Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton (UK) 
• Hungarian Grand Prix – McLaren’s Oscar Piastri (Australia) 
• British Grand Prix – Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton (UK) 
• Austrian Grand Prix – Mercedes’s George Russell (UK) 
• Spanish Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Canadian Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Monaco Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (Monaco) 
• Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Miami Grand Prix – McLaren’s Lando Norris (British) 
• Chinese Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Japanese Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Australian Grand Prix – Ferrari’s Carlos Saina (Spain) 
• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands) 
• Bahrain Grand Prix – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Netherlands)