Dear Readers, Daily Current Affairs Questions Quiz for SBI, IBPS, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 of 27th Sep 2024. Daily GK quiz online for bank & competitive exam. Here we have given the Daily Current Affairs Quiz based on the previous days Daily Current Affairs updates. Candidates preparing for IBPS, SBI, RBI, RRB, SSC Exam 2024 & other competitive exams can make use of these Current Affairs Quiz.

 

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1) According to SEBI's new guidelines, what payment method must retail investors use when applying for public issues of debt securities through stock brokers for amounts up to Rs 5 lakh?

(a) UPI
(b) Net banking
(c) Cheque
(d) Debit card
(e) Demand draft

2) Bank of India (BoI) recently raised Rs 2,500 crore through which type of financial instrument at a coupon rate of 7.49%?

(a) Tier-I bonds
(b) Tier-II bonds
(c) Equity shares
(d) Commercial paper
(e) Debentures

3) According to ICRA's assessment, what is the projected size of the organized gold loan market by March 2027?

(a) ₹9.2 lakh crore
(b) ₹10 lakh crore
(c) ₹12 lakh crore
(d) ₹15 lakh crore
(e) ₹18 lakh crore

4) According to data from the Clearing Corporation of India, which bank was the largest issuer of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in September 2024?

(a) HDFC Bank
(b) Bank of Baroda
(c) Canara Bank
(d) State Bank of India
(e) ICICI Bank

5) What is the full form of UPI, that India is using as a model for building digital payment systems in several countries in Africa and South America?

(a) Unified Payment Interface
(b) Universal Payment Integration
(c) User Payment Initiative
(d) United Payment Initiative
(e) Universal Payment Interface

6) Which five states were announced by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) for the establishment of ship-building and repair clusters?

(a) Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra
(b) Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Odisha
(c) Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha
(d) Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala
(e) West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Gujarat

7) Which state has Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited to inaugurate the Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial and other projects recently (Sep 2024)?

(a) Gujarat
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Karnataka
(d) Andhra Pradesh
(e) Rajasthan

8) In September 2024, What gift did Prime Minister Narendra Modi present to US President Joe Biden during their meeting?

(a) A handcrafted wooden sculpture
(b) An antique silver, hand-engraved train model
(c) A traditional Indian textile
(d) A book on Indian history
(e) A brass statue of Mahatma Gandhi

9) As per the latest news (Sep 2024), Which state in India has the largest base of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), with 96 lakh MSME units across 75 districts?

(a) Maharashtra
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) West Bengal
(d) Gujarat
(e) Uttar Pradesh

10) What is the proposed change in the GST rate on education materials discussed by the Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalization in September 2024?

(a) From 5% to 12%
(b) From 12% to 5%
(c) From 18% to 12%
(d) From 12% to 8%
(e) No change proposed

11) Which telecom company has launched India's first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution to address the issue of spam calls and messages?

(a) Vodafone Idea
(b) Reliance Jio
(c) MTNL
(d) BSNL
(e) Bharti Airtel

12) Which organization hosted the 5th edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) 2024 from 23-24 September?

(a) Indian Coast Guard
(b) Ministry of Defence
(c) Goa Maritime Board
(d) Indian Navy
(e) Naval Research Institute

13) Which Bengaluru-based space startup unveiled Project 200, an innovative satellite designed to operate at an Ultra-Low Earth Orbit, during the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024?

(a) Bellatrix Aerospace
(b) Agnikul Cosmos
(c) Skyroot Aerospace
(d)AeroZen Spacy
(e) SatSure

14) On which date is the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons celebrated annually?

(a) September 21
(b) September 26
(c) October 20
(d) August 16
(e) December 11

15) What is the theme for World Maritime Day, which is observed on September 26 this year?

(a) “Sustainable Seas: A Future for All”
(b) “Empowering Maritime Nations”
(c) “Innovation in Maritime Transport”
(d) “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”
(e) “Protecting the Ocean”

16) Which country is hosting World Tourism Day in 2024, celebrated on September 27th?

(a) Spain
(b)Georgia
(c) Italy
(d) Thailand
(e) Brazil

17) Which two major products were introduced by Zoho at its annual user conference, Zoholics India recently (Sep 2024)?

(a) Vikra and Zoho Finance
(b) Zoho Mail and Zoho Projects
(c) Zoho Creator and Zoho Analytics
(d) Vikra and Zoho IoT
(e) Vikra and Zoho CRM

18) What is the purpose of the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, announced by the Ministry of Textiles?

(a) To promote traditional textiles
(b) To establish stringent quality standards for critical medical textile products
(c) To regulate pricing of textiles
(d) To support handloom weavers
(e) To increase exports of textiles

19) What is the loan amount threshold for cases that Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs) can handle, as mentioned by the Finance Ministry?

(a) ₹10 lakh
(b) ₹15 lakh
(c) ₹20 lakh
(d) ₹25 lakh
(e) ₹30 lakh

20) In September 2024, Who announced that the State Bank of India (SBI) has secured a strong credit pipeline of ₹4 lakh crore from Indian corporates?

(a) Rajnish Kumar
(b) Dinesh Kumar Khara
(c) C. S. Setty
(d) Arundhati Bhattacharya
(e) Aditya Puri

Answers :

1) Answer: A

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new guidelines to streamline the application process for public issues of debt securities.

Retail investors applying for public issues of debt securities through stock brokers for amounts up to Rs 5 lakh should only use UPI to block funds.

Detailed Solution:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has introduced new guidelines to streamline the application process for public issues of debt securities.

Retail investors applying for public issues of debt securities through stock brokers for amounts up to Rs 5 lakh should only use UPI to block funds.

Individual investors would continue to have the choice of availing other modes through the stock exchange platform for making an application in the public issue.

The new rules apply to:

Public issues of debt securities

Non-convertible redeemable preference shares

Municipal debt securities

Securitised debt instruments

The new rules will come into effect on November 1, 2024.

Key Changes :

Bank Account Linking: Investors need to provide their UPI-linked bank account details in the application form.

Shorter Review Periods: SEBI reduced the period for seeking public comments on the draft offer documents from 7 working days to 1 day for issuers whose specified securities are already listed and 5 days for other issuers.

Flexibility in Price Band Revisions: Issuers can now extend the bidding period by one working day in case of price band or yield revisions.

The minimum subscription period has been cut from 3 working days to 2 working days.

Further, in case of revision in the price band or yield, the bidding period disclosed in the offer documents, can be extended by one working day instead of 3 working days.

Alternative Options: Investors will continue to have the option of using Self-Certified Syndicate Banks or the stock exchange platform for applications.

Mandatory UPI for Public Debt Issues:SEBI has mandated that individual investors applying for public issues of debt securities through intermediaries (syndicate members, stock brokers, registrars, depository participants) for amounts up to ₹5 lakh must use UPI for blocking funds.

Rationale for the Change:Alignment: This move aligns the application process for debt securities with that of equity shares and convertibles.

Efficiency: UPI adoption is expected to streamline the application process, reduce paperwork, and save time.

Benefits to Investors:

Investors will experience a more convenient and efficient application process.

The use of UPI minimises the need for physical documentation.

UPI transactions are faster and more efficient than traditional banking methods.

2) Answer: B

Bank of India (BoI) raised Rs 2,500 crore through tier-II bonds at a coupon rate of 7.49%.

Detailed Solution:

Bank of India (BoI) raised Rs 2,500 crore through tier-II bonds at a coupon rate of 7.49%.

Key Highlights :

Investor Demand:The total order book was around ₹6,000 crore, reflecting strong investor interest.

76 investors, including banks and insurance companies, submitted bids for the issuance.

Market Context:The issuance followed a 50-basis-point rate cut by the US Federal Reserve, which influenced market sentiment and softened bond yields.

Capital Adequacy Impact:The funds raised will improve BoI’s capital adequacy ratio by approximately 40 basis points, bringing it to around 16% (from 16.18% as of June 30).

Future Fundraising Plans:BoI plans to raise an additional ₹2,500 crore through Additional Tier-I bonds by December 2024.

It also plans to raise ₹5,000 crore through infrastructure bonds.

Previous Fundraising:In July2024 BoI raised ₹5,000 crore through 10-year infrastructure bonds at a 7.54% coupon rate.

The coupon rate for the recent Tier-II bonds was lower than a previous issuance, where the rate was 7.88%.

Comparison with SBI:In Sep 2024, State Bank of India (SBI) raised ₹7,500 crore at a coupon rate of 7.33% via Tier-II bonds, part of its ₹15,000 crore fundraising through Basel III-compliant bonds in FY25.

3) Answer: D

According to an assessment by ICRA, the organised gold loan market, comprising banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), is set to cross the ₹10-lakh-crore mark in the current fiscal from ₹9.2 lakh crore in FY24 and touch ₹15 lakh crore by March 2027.

Detailed Solution:

According to an assessment by ICRA, the organised gold loan market, comprising banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), is set to cross the ₹10-lakh-crore mark in the current fiscal from ₹9.2 lakh crore in FY24 and touch ₹15 lakh crore by March 2027.

Banks are the dominant players in the gold loan segment, primarily driven by gold jewellery-backed agricultural loans.

Key Highlights :

NBFC Growth:Non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) are positioned to lead in retail gold loans, with an expected growth rate of 17-19% in FY25 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14-15% during FY26-27.

Market Share Trends:Public Sector Banks (PSBs) held about 63% of the gold loan market as of March 2024, up from 54% in March 2019.

The share of NBFCs and private banks decreased during the same period, while NBFCs maintained a stable share in retail gold loans over the past 3-4 years.

Competitive Landscape:A moderation in competitive intensity has led to some expansion in loan yields for NBFCs, although these yields still lag behind previous peaks by 200-300 basis points.

CAGR Performance:The organised gold loan segment experienced a CAGR of 25% during FY2020-24, with bank gold loans growing at a CAGR of 26% and NBFCs at 18%.

Retail Loan Dynamics:Bank retail gold loans grew by 32% on a lower base, resulting in a reduced share for NBFCs as they focused more on retail loans for consumption or business.

Collateral Growth:Growth in the gold loan book for NBFCs is largely influenced by gold prices, with modest branch additions and gold jewellery tonnage growth at 3-4%, compared to a higher growth of 18% during FY2020-24 for larger players.

Concentration of Market Share:The top four NBFC players accounted for 83% of the gold loan book share in March 2024, down from 90% two years ago, as new players entered the market.

Yield Pressures: While yield pressures faced by NBFCs in FY2022 and FY2023 have eased, they remain 200-300 basis points lower than their peak in FY20-21.

Credit costs have consistently remained below 0.5% over the past five years.

4) Answer: C

Impact of RBI Guidelines: New RBI guidelines could increase demand for high-quality liquid assets (HQLA), particularly statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) investments, necessitating funding from borrowings and deposits.

Significant Contributors: Canara Bank was the largest issuer with Rs 68,250 crore, followed by Bank of Baroda (Rs 63,325 crore) and HDFC Bank (Rs 60,230 crore).

Dominance of State-Owned Banks: The top five issuers included four state-owned banks and HDFC Bank, which collectively accounted for 61% of total CD issuances, with state-owned banks making up 68% of the total amount raised.

Issuance Duration: Approximately 72% of the issuances in September were for the three-month segment, totaling Rs 3.8 trillion.

Detailed Solution:

According to data from the Clearing Corporation of India, Banks issued ₹1.35 trillion worth of Certificates of Deposit (CDs) in September 2024, a 65% increase compared to August.

Key Highlights :

Highest Issuance in FY25: The issuance in September is the second-highest monthly CD issuance for FY25, after ₹1.45 trillion in June.

Year-on-Year Growth: Banks issued ₹7.78 trillion in CDs between January and August 2024, compared to ₹4.9 trillion in the same period of 2023, reflecting a 59% growth.

Future Pressure on Deposits: Banks are expected to face ongoing pressure to raise deposits in Q3 (October-December 2024), driven by upcoming Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines related to liquidity coverage ratio (LCR).

Impact of RBI Guidelines: New RBI guidelines could increase demand for high-quality liquid assets (HQLA), particularly statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) investments, necessitating funding from borrowings and deposits.

Significant Contributors: Canara Bank was the largest issuer with Rs 68,250 crore, followed by Bank of Baroda (Rs 63,325 crore) and HDFC Bank (Rs 60,230 crore).

Dominance of State-Owned Banks: The top five issuers included four state-owned banks and HDFC Bank, which collectively accounted for 61% of total CD issuances, with state-owned banks making up 68% of the total amount raised.

Issuance Duration: Approximately 72% of the issuances in September were for the three-month segment, totaling Rs 3.8 trillion.

Rising Rates: Interest rates on three-month and six-month CDs have increased by 2 basis points in September 2024.

5) Answer: A

India is in discussions with several countries in Africa and South America to help them build digital payment systems using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a model.

Detailed Solution:

India is in discussions with several countries in Africa and South America to help them build digital payment systems using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as a model.

Two UPI-like systems are expected to launch by late 2026 or early 2027.

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) oversees retail payment systems in India and operates UPI, the most popular digital payment method in the country.

UPI’s monthly transaction volume surged by 41% to nearly 15 billion in August, 2024.

Key Highlights:

NPCI International (NIPL):NPCI’s international arm, NIPL, promotes the adoption of India’s payment systems overseas.

NIPL has held discussions with at least 20 countries in Africa and South America for developing UPI-like payment systems.

Agreements with Peru and Namibia have been signed to help them develop real-time payment systems, with expected launches by 2026-2027.

Global Linkages:NIPL is working to link UPI with other countries’ real-time payment systems, like Singapore’s PayNow. Currently, there are seven such links with more in development.

NIPL Team Expansion:NIPL plans to double its current 60-member team by March 2025, expanding its overseas operations beyond Singapore and the Middle East.

CEO of NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL): Ritesh Shukla

6) Answer: B

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) announced the establishment of ship-building and repair clusters in five states: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Odisha.

Detailed Solution:

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) announced the establishment of ship-building and repair clusters in five states: Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Odisha.

These clusters aim to enhance the strategic importance of India’s shipbuilding and ship repair industry.

Container Handling Projections:

Over the next five years, container handling capacity across Indian ports is expected to reach 40 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).

This expansion is projected to create 2 million job opportunities.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) will increase its capacity from 6 million TEUs to 10 million TEUs, becoming the first Indian port to reach this milestone.

Hydrogen Manufacturing Hubs:

The ministry has allotted 3,900 acres of land in Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and O. Chidambaranar Port Trust (VoCPA) for the development of hydrogen manufacturing hubs.

This initiative is expected to attract investments worth over ₹5 lakh crore.

International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay:

Galathea Bay, located in Great Nicobar Island, will become a major transshipment hub, improving shipping connectivity.

Vadhvan Port:

Vadhvan Port, India’s first major port project of the 21st century, is positioned to become one of the largest all-weather deep-water ports with a capacity of 298 MMTPA.

The port is expected to generate 1.2 million employment opportunities and rank an Indian port among the top 10 container ports globally, significantly reducing transit times and costs.

7) Answer: B

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pune in Maharashtra.

He will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone, and dedicate to the nation various projects worth over 22 thousand 600 crore rupees

Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial

Foundation Stone:

Location: Bhidewada

Significance: First Girls’ School initiative

Detailed Solution:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Pune in Maharashtra.

He will inaugurate, lay the foundation stone, and dedicate to the nation various projects worth over 22 thousand 600 crore rupees

Pune Metro (Phase-1) Completion

Inauguration:

Metro Section: District Court to Swargate

Cost: ₹1,810 crore

Foundation Stone:

Project: Swargate-Katraj Extension (5.46 km, underground)

Cost: ₹2,950 crore

Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule Memorial

Foundation Stone:

Location: Bhidewada

Significance: First Girls’ School initiative

Supercomputing and Meteorology Initiatives

PARAM Rudra Supercomputers:

Count: Three

Cost: ₹130 crore

Locations: Pune, Delhi, Kolkata

High-Performance Computing (HPC) System:

Investment: ₹850 crore

Purpose: Enhancing weather and climate research

Names of Systems: ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’

Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector Projects

Total Investment: ₹10,400 crore

Focus Areas: Energy infrastructure, clean mobility, driver conveniences

Way Side Amenities for Truck Drivers:

Number of Locations: 1,000 retail outlets

Cost: ₹2,170 crore

Energy Stations Launch:

Investment: ₹6,000 crore

Objective: Providing multi-energy options

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging and LNG Stations

EV Charging Facilities:

Number: 500

Target: 10,000 charging stations by FY 2025

Investment: ₹1,500 crore

LNG Stations:

Count: 20 across the country

Future Development: 50 LNG Fuel Stations worth ₹500 crore

Solapur Airport Inauguration

Capacity: 4.1 lakh passengers annually

Impact: Improved connectivity

Bidkin Industrial Area Dedication

Area: 7,855 acres

Program: National Industrial Corridor Development

Overall Project Cost: Over ₹6,400 crore

Significance: Economic hub development in Marathwada

8) Answer: B

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presented gifts to United States (US) President Mr Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, symbolizing India’s rich cultural heritage.

President Biden received an antique silver, hand-engraved train model with “Delhi-Delaware” inscribed on the main carriage, signifying strong India-US ties.

First Lady Jill Biden was gifted a Pashmina shawl in an intricately designed Papier Mache box.

Detailed Solution:

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presented gifts to United States (US) President Mr Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, symbolizing India’s rich cultural heritage.

President Biden received an antique silver, hand-engraved train model with “Delhi-Delaware” inscribed on the main carriage, signifying strong India-US ties.

First Lady Jill Biden was gifted a Pashmina shawl in an intricately designed Papier Mache box.

About Antique Silver Train Model:

Crafted by artisans from Maharashtra, known for its heritage in silver craftsmanship.

Made of 92.5% silver with intricate detailing achieved through techniques like engraving, repousse, and filigree work.

Inscribed with “Delhi-Delaware” on the carriage and “Indian Railways” on the engine in both English and Hindi, reflecting standard passenger train formats in India.

About Pashmina Shawl:

A Pashmina shawl, known for its high quality, was gifted to First Lady Jill Biden.

The shawl is sourced from Jammu and Kashmir and features vibrant hues from natural dyes derived from plants and minerals.

9) Answer: E

Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) has the largest base of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, with 96 lakh MSME units spread across 75 districts.

MSMEs are the second-largest job creators in the U.P. after agriculture, playing a major role in the state’s industrial transformation.

Detailed Solution:

Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) has the largest base of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India, with 96 lakh MSME units spread across 75 districts.

MSMEs are the second-largest job creators in the U.P. after agriculture, playing a major role in the state’s industrial transformation.

Key Highlights :

One District One Product (ODOP) Scheme: U.P.’s ODOP scheme promotes unique products from each of the 75 districts, boosting local industries.

P. Infrastructure: 6 expressways are operational, and construction is ongoing for seven more.

11 airports are operational, with work progressing on 10 others.

4 international airports are functional, with Noida International Airport (Jewar) expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The Ganga Expressway, the longest in the country, is expected to be completed before the Prayagraj Mahakumbh in 2025.

P. International Trade Show-2024: Over 2,500 exhibitors and 350 foreign buyers attended the trade show, highlighting U.P.’s potential in business, culture, and diversity.

G2G and G2B Initiatives: Government-to-Government (G2G) and Government-to-Business (G2B) initiatives are being showcased to emphasize U.P.’s growth and industrial capabilities.

10) Answer: B

Short Solution:

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation is leaning towards reducing the GST on education materials from 12% to 5%. This move is intended to provide relief to a large section of people.

Detailed Solution:

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on GST rate rationalisation is leaning towards reducing the GST on education materials from 12% to 5%. This move is intended to provide relief to a large section of people.

Increase in GST on Textiles and Apparel:

The GoM is also considering raising the GST rate on textiles and apparel priced above ₹1,000 from the current 5% to either 12% or 18%.

The goal is to achieve revenue neutrality, raising the weighted average GST rate closer to its original target of 15.5%, as it had fallen below 11% due to various rate reductions since the introduction of GST in July 2017.

Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR):

When GST was implemented, the Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) was calculated at 15.5%, but subsequent tax rate cuts on various items reduced the actual weighted average GST rate to below 11%.

Pending Issues:

Health insurance and its possible exemption from GST, as well as changes to the four-slab GST structure (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%), were not discussed in this meeting. These will be taken up in subsequent GoM meetings scheduled for October 19 and 20.

Potential GST Structure Changes:

There have been discussions about moving to a three-slab GST structure. The proposed slabs are 9%, 18%, and 27%, which would replace the existing four-slab structure.

The fitment committee of the GST Council has already submitted its recommendations to the GoM, which will deliberate on them in future meetings.

GoM Members:

The GoM is led by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary and includes six members, such as Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Rajasthan Health Services Minister Gajendra Singh, Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal, and West Bengal FM Chandrima Bhattacharya.

11) Answer: E

In a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the growing issue of spam calls and messages in India, Bharti Airtel has launched the country’s first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution.

This pioneering tool aims to reduce spam communication for its customers significantly.

Detailed Solution:

In a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the growing issue of spam calls and messages in India, Bharti Airtel has launched the country’s first network-based, AI-powered spam detection solution.

This pioneering tool aims to reduce spam communication for its customers significantly.

Key Features of the Spam Detection Solution

Real-Time Alerts:
The solution notifies customers in real-time about suspected spam calls and SMS, enhancing protection against unwanted communications.

Automatic Activation:
The spam detection service is free of charge and will be automatically activated for all Airtel customers, eliminating the need for service requests or app downloads.

Dual-Layer Protection:
Developed in-house by Airtel’s data scientists, the solution employs a dual-layered AI shield:

Network Layer: Filters spam at the network level.

IT Systems Layer: Offers an additional layer of security.

High Processing Capability:
The system processes approximately:

1.5 billion SMS and

2.5 billion calls daily. This efficiency allows it to evaluate up to 1 trillion records in real-time.

How the AI Algorithm Works

Dynamic Analysis:
The AI algorithm analyzes various real-time factors, including:

Caller or sender’s usage patterns

Frequency and duration of calls/SMS

Other communication parameters

Spam Pattern Recognition:
By cross-referencing communication behaviors against known spam patterns, the system effectively flags suspected spam calls and messages.

Protection Against Malicious Links:
The solution alerts customers about potentially harmful links received via SMS:

A centralized database of blacklisted URLs is utilized.

Each SMS is scanned in real-time to warn users against clicking suspicious links.

Anomaly Detection:
The system can also identify unusual activities, such as frequent changes in IMEI numbers, which are common indicators of fraudulent behavior.

Impact and Performance

Spam Identification:
Since its implementation, the solution has successfully identified:

100 million potential spam calls and

3 million spam SMS on a daily basis.

12) Answer: D

The 5th edition of Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) 2024 was hosted by the Indian Navy from 23-24 September 24 under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.

This edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium was conducted in the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art Chola building of the Naval War College.

Goa Maritime Symposium 2024 is a forum for fostering collaborative thinking, cooperation, and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations of the Indian Ocean Region.

Theme: The theme for GMS 2024 was “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as IUU Fishing and Other Illegal Maritime Activities.”

Detailed Solution:

The 5th edition of Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) 2024 was hosted by the Indian Navy from 23-24 September 24 under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.

This edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium was conducted in the newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art Chola building of the Naval War College.

Goa Maritime Symposium 2024 is a forum for fostering collaborative thinking, cooperation, and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations of the Indian Ocean Region.

Theme: The theme for GMS 2024 was “Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) – Progressing Lines of Effort to Mitigate Dynamic Threats such as IUU Fishing and Other Illegal Maritime Activities.”

The theme aligns with the Indian Government’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Participants: Representatives from 12 Indian Ocean Littoral countries: Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Observers from Kenya and Tanzania.

Participants were officers of Captain/ Commander equivalent rank from the navies or maritime security agencies of friendly foreign countries.

Key Discussions: Focused on non-traditional maritime threats in the IOR, such as Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and other maritime crimes.

Discussions on collaborative information-sharing mechanisms, regional cooperation, and strategies to mitigate emerging maritime threats.

Strategic Importance: Deliberations from GMS 2024 will feed into the Goa Maritime Conclave scheduled for 2025.

About Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS):

It was conceptualised and instituted by the Indian Navy in 2016.

The symposium is conducted biennially by the Naval War College (NWC), Goa.

4th edition of the biennial Goa Maritime Symposium was conducted successfully by the Indian Navy at Goa from 31 October to 01 November 2022.

13) Answer: A

Short Solution:

Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace unveiled Project 200, an innovative satellite designed to operate at an Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (180 km-250 km) on the inaugural day of the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.

Detailed Solution:

Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace unveiled Project 200, an innovative satellite designed to operate at an Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (180 km-250 km) on the inaugural day of the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.

About Project 200:        

“Project 200 is a technology demonstration mission to qualify a new unconventional satellite powered by an innovative propulsion system at around 200 km.

Traditionally, satellites have been deployed in orbits at altitudes well above 450 km.

This altitude choice has been influenced by various considerations, such as the desire to minimise the impact of atmospheric interference on satellite operations.

Though it is known that a satellite’s capabilities improve significantly at 200 km, limitations on propulsion technology have prevented satellites from operating at this orbit.

According to Bellatrix, at 200 km, a satellite’s capability would improve significantly since the communication latency is reduced by half and image resolution is improved by three times.

The cost of the satellite is also less when compared to spacecraft placed in 450 km orbits.

14) Answer: B

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26th every year to raise awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons and to promote their elimination.

Detailed Solution:

The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26th every year to raise awareness about the threat of nuclear weapons and to promote their elimination.

Overview

Purpose: To raise awareness about the threat posed by nuclear weapons and promote their elimination.

Established: Declared by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in 2013.

Historical Context

1978: First Special Session of the UNGA focused on disarmament, reaffirming the priority of nuclear disarmament.

1946: Formation of the Atomic Energy Commission aimed at proposing measures for controlling nuclear energy and eliminating weapons of mass destruction.

Key UNGA Initiatives

Comprehensive Disarmament (1959)

Special Session on Disarmament (1978)

Support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

International Cooperation

Membership in Groups:

Wassenaar Arrangement: Controls the transfer of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.

Australia Group (AG): Aims to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons.

Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR): Aims to prevent the proliferation of missile technology capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

15) Answer: D

World Maritime Day, is observed annually on the last Thursday of September, This year, World Maritime Day is taking place on September 26

Recognize and honour the contributions of those in the maritime industry, including seafarers, marine officials, and service agents.

Theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”

Detailed Solution:

World Maritime Day, is observed annually on the last Thursday of September, This year, World Maritime Day is taking place on September 26

Recognize and honour the contributions of those in the maritime industry, including seafarers, marine officials, and service agents.

Theme for 2024

Theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”

Focus: The theme emphasises:

Enhancing safety and security in the maritime sector.

Protecting the marine environment while adapting to technological advancements.

Alignment with SDGs:

Connected to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

SDG 7: Affordable and sustainable energy.

SDG 8: Economic growth and decent work.

SDG 9: Resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization.

SDG 13: Climate action.

SDG 14: Conservation of oceans and marine resources.

Key Events and Initiatives

WMO-IMO Symposium on Extreme Maritime Weather:

Dates: September 23-26, 2024

Location: IMO Headquarters, London

Purpose: Discussing extreme maritime weather and its impacts.

Historical Context

Formation of IMO:

An international conference in Geneva in 1948 led to the creation of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The IMO was established to oversee technological collaboration, environmental regulation, legal issues, and ensure safety within the maritime sector.

First World Maritime Day:

Celebrated for the first time on March 17, 1978, marking the establishment of the IMO Convention.

16) Answer: B

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on 27th September. For 2024, the host country is Tbilisi, Georgia, and the theme is “Tourism and Peace”.

First Observance: World Tourism Day was first celebrated as an international observance on 27th September 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Detailed Solution:

World Tourism Day is celebrated annually on 27th September. For 2024, the host country is Tbilisi, Georgia, and the theme is “Tourism and Peace”.

History and Background

First Observance: World Tourism Day was first celebrated as an international observance on 27th September 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

Significance of the Date: The date was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the statutes of the UNWTO on 27th September 1970.

Host Country Selection: At the Twelfth Session in Istanbul, Turkey in 1997, the UNWTO General Assembly decided that each year a different country would host World Tourism Day as a partner in the celebration.

Initiation of the Day
The idea for World Tourism Day was proposed by the late Ignatius AmaduwaAtigbi, a Nigerian who played a key role in advocating for its establishment.

World Tourism Day Symbolism
The colour associated with World Tourism Day is blue, symbolizing peace, the sea, and the sky, which are closely linked with travel and tourism.

17) Answer: D

Chennai-based global technology company Zoho has introduced two major offerings at its annual user conference, Zoholics India.

These new products—Vikra and Zoho IoT—represent significant advancements in digital commerce and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Detailed Solution:

Chennai-based global technology company Zoho has introduced two major offerings at its annual user conference, Zoholics India.

These new products—Vikra and Zoho IoT—represent significant advancements in digital commerce and Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Vikra: Seller App for ONDC

Purpose:
Vikra is designed to facilitate the onboarding of businesses onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). It streamlines the process of setting up online stores and managing product catalogues within the ONDC network.

Features:

Business Onboarding: Simplifies the integration of businesses into the ONDC ecosystem.

Operational Management: Provides tools for managing operations and reconciling payments from the ONDC network.

Customer Dispute Resolution: Offers solutions for addressing and resolving customer disputes.

Integration: Can be integrated with Zoho’s existing applications like Zoho Books, Zoho Inventory, and Zoho Commerce.

Cost: Introductory fee of 1% of the total transaction amount per sale.

Zoho IoT: Low-Code Platform for Custom IoT Solutions

Purpose:
Zoho IoT enables businesses to build and deploy custom IoT solutions with ease. It is a low-code platform designed to collect, manage, and analyze IoT device data in real time.

Features:

Real-Time Data Management: Collects and manages data from IoT devices.

AI Capabilities: Provides actionable insights, predicts system outages, identifies anomalies, and forecasts trends.

Operational Optimization: Helps in optimizing operations and improving customer experiences.

Pricing: Plans start from INR 2,940 for up to 25 devices and INR 29,940 for up to 500 devices.

18) Answer: B

The Ministry of Textiles has announced the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, which will come into effect on October 1, 2024.

This landmark initiative aims to establish stringent quality standards for critical medical textile products.

Detailed Solution:

The Ministry of Textiles has announced the Medical Textiles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, which will come into effect on October 1, 2024.

This landmark initiative aims to establish stringent quality standards for critical medical textile products.

Scope of the Regulation
The Quality Control Order (QCO) applies to essential medical textile products including:

Sanitary Napkins

Baby Diapers

Reusable Sanitary Pads

Dental Bibs

Objectives and Compliance

Mandatory Certifications: To ensure that these products consistently meet essential quality benchmarks.

Legal Requirement: Compliance with the standards will be legally required, with penalties for non-compliance.

Exemptions: Small-scale enterprises and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are exempt from the QCO requirements to address potential challenges.

Specifications and Testing

Standards: The QCO refers to specific standards such as:

IS 5404:2019 for sanitary napkins

IS 17509:2021 for disposable baby diapers

Performance Criteria: Includes testing for:

pH Levels

Hygiene

Bacterial and Fungal Bioburden

Biocompatibility Evaluations

Biodegradability

Phthalate Levels: Special emphasis on testing for phthalates in baby diapers due to their potential health and environmental risks.

Implementation and Licensing

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) License: Required for manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, hiring, leasing, storing, or displaying products covered by the QCO.

Objective: To ensure all products meet high safety standards, protecting public health and environmental safety.

19) Answer: C

Regulatory Updates: The DRT Regulations 2024 will introduce improved features compared to the earlier 2015 regulations, aiming to make the DRT process more effective and less time-consuming.

Role of DRTs: DRTs are specialized judicial bodies set up under the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 (DRT Act), crucial for enforcing creditor rights and expediting debt recovery.

Case Threshold: DRTs can handle cases involving disputed loans exceeding ₹20 lakh.

Detailed Solution:

The Finance Ministry has urged banks to establish a clearly defined policy for handling small and high-value cases pending in Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs).

It has been emphasised that some of the best practices can be adopted across DRTs for better outcomes.

Key Highlights :

Regulatory Updates: The DRT Regulations 2024 will introduce improved features compared to the earlier 2015 regulations, aiming to make the DRT process more effective and less time-consuming.

Role of DRTs: DRTs are specialized judicial bodies set up under the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 (DRT Act), crucial for enforcing creditor rights and expediting debt recovery.

Case Threshold: DRTs can handle cases involving disputed loans exceeding ₹20 lakh.

SARFAESI Act: The Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets & Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) allows banks and financial institutions to recover secured debts without court intervention at the initial stage.

Current Infrastructure: There are currently 39 DRTs and 5 Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunals (DRATs) operating across India, each led by a Presiding Officer and a Chairperson, respectively.

Debt Recovery Importance: The effectiveness of DRTs is crucial for maintaining creditor confidence and improving the overall financial health of banks and financial institutions in India.

20) Answer: C

State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman C. S. Setty announced that the bank has secured a strong credit pipeline of ₹4 lakh crore from Indian corporates.

There is an expectation for an increase in private sector capital expenditure in the second half of the fiscal year.

Detailed Solution:

State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman C. S. Setty announced that the bank has secured a strong credit pipeline of ₹4 lakh crore from Indian corporates.

There is an expectation for an increase in private sector capital expenditure in the second half of the fiscal year.

Key Highlights:

Key sectors for infrastructure financing include:

Roads

Renewable energy

Refineries

Government Capital Expenditure:Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed an 11.1% increase in capital expenditure to ₹11.11 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.

This proposed expenditure represents 3.4% of India’s GDP.

Corporate Capital Expenditure:Some corporates are undertaking brownfield expansion funded by their own cash accruals and balances.

SBI General Insurance:SBI infused an additional capital of ₹489.67 crore into SBI General Insurance Company Ltd during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

The bank’s stake in SBI General Insurance has decreased from 69.95% to 69.11% due to the allotment of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to employees.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Policy Rate:Setty indicated that the RBI is unlikely to ease the benchmark policy rate in 2024, citing concerns over food inflation.

US Federal Reserve Interest Rate Cut:The US Federal Reserve recently cut the interest rate by 50 basis points, marking its first reduction in over four years.

The federal funds rate is now in the range of 4.75% to 5%.