Current Affairs 12 April 2024

In Current Affairs for 12 April 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS,...

Ruby Thakur
April 12, 2024
201

In Current Affairs for 12 April 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Current Affairs 12 April 2024

India Invokes Peace Clause

India has once again utilized the peace clause at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for the fifth consecutive time, citing rice subsidies exceeding the prescribed limit during the 2022-23 marketing year.
Despite breaching the 10% domestic support ceiling, India faces no immediate repercussions due to the peace clause provision, agreed upon at the 2013 Bali ministerial.

India’s rice production in 2022-23 amounted to $52.8 billion, with subsidies totaling $6.39 billion, surpassing the 10% domestic support ceiling by 2%.
This breach, though acknowledged, doesn’t trigger penalties under the peace clause agreement. India justified its actions to the WTO, clarifying that the subsidies were essential for meeting domestic food security needs, particularly for the impoverished and vulnerable population.
The government emphasized that these subsidies were not intended to distort trade or adversely impact other WTO members.
The current subsidy ceiling calculation, based on the reference price of 1986-88, is deemed outdated by India, necessitating an update to reflect current economic realities.

A permanent solution is imperative as certain developed nations have raised concerns regarding India’s minimum support price program, especially for rice. India’s repeated breaches of suggested subsidy limits have drawn scrutiny under WTO trade norms, making a lasting resolution crucial for future trade negotiations and stability.

QS World University Rankings

IIT Bombay has ranked 45th in Engineering and Technology with an overall score of 79.1 out of 100 in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject for 2024.

The Institute has been ranked in 4 out of 5 broad subject areas, which include Engineering & Technology, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Management, and Arts and Humanities.
The Institution improved its 2023 performance by two places in Engineering and Technology. The QS World University Rankings by Subject identifies the world’s strongest universities in individual subject areas, covering 55 disciplines as of 2024.

Hepatitis B and C

World Health Organisation’s (WHO) 2024 Global Hepatitis Report reveals that India is second only to China in the number of Hepatitis B and C infections, with 3.5 crore cases.

Hepatitis, characterized by liver inflammation, poses significant health risks and can be fatal. The report highlights that 254 million people are affected by Hepatitis B and 50 million by Hepatitis C globally. Hepatitis comprises five main strains: A, B, C, D, and E, each differing in transmission methods, severity, and geographical prevalence.
Despite these differences, all strains can lead to liver disease. The report emphasizes that individuals aged 30–54 bear half the burden of chronic Hepatitis B and C infections.

This demographic insight underscores the urgency of targeted interventions and healthcare strategies to address this public health challenge.
WHO pledges its support to countries in deploying effective tools at accessible prices to combat Hepatitis and reduce its impact on global health. This commitment aims to save lives and reverse the upward trend of Hepatitis infections worldwide.

Peter Higgs

British physicist Peter Higgs died at the age of 94. Peter Higgs gained fame for the discovery of ‘Higgs-Boson Particle’ i.e. ‘God Particle’.
Peter Higgs was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2013 for this groundbreaking discovery, which helped explain how the universe was created after the Big Bang.

Higgs showed how bosons hold the universe together, a crucial understanding in the field of physics.
In the 1960s, Higgs and other physicists tried to understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe.
In 2012, scientists finally obtained conclusive evidence of the Higgs boson particle, confirming its existence.

The Higgs boson or ‘God particle’ was a theoretical concept until its confirmation on July 4, 2012.
The ‘Higgs’ in ‘Higgs Boson’ is named after British physicist Peter Higgs, while the ‘Boson’ is named after Indian scientist Satyendra Nath Bose. In a 2012 New York Times article, Satyendra Nath Bose was described as the ‘Father of the God Particle’.

Global Unicorn Index 2024

In 2024, the global unicorn landscape witnessed significant developments and challenges, as outlined in the Hurun Global Unicorn Index.
While the United States maintained its lead with 703 unicorns and China followed with 340, India ranked third with 67 unicorns.
However, India experienced a notable decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017, attributed primarily to a lack of investment despite robust stock market performance.

India, once a burgeoning hub for startups, witnessed a notable decline in unicorn creation for the first time since 2017, according to the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2024.
Despite ranking third globally with 67 unicorns, India experienced a slowdown attributed mainly to a lack of investment, despite robust stock market performance.

Contrary to the domestic slowdown, Indian founders showcased remarkable entrepreneurial prowess abroad.
The report highlighted India’s role as a significant contributor to offshore unicorns, with 109 unicorns founded outside the country, surpassing the count within India. The Hurun Global Unicorn Index cataloged 1,453 unicorns across 53 countries and 291 cities, reflecting the diverse and expansive nature of the startup ecosystem.

While the US and China led in unicorn count, the index underscored the emergence of unicorns from diverse locations, including Australia and Malta.
The year 2024 was hailed as “the year of AI,” marked by notable advancements and valuation surges in AI-driven startups.
OpenAI’s valuation soared to $100 billion, symbolizing the growing influence of AI technologies globally, with notable contributions from startups in China and elsewhere.

The top 10 unicorns represented a substantial portion of the world’s unicorn valuation, contributing $198 billion in value addition.
Notable newcomers like OpenAI, Canva, and Binance reshaped the unicorn hierarchy, highlighting the evolving dynamics of the global startup ecosystem.

India 4^th Largest Exporter Of Digitally Delivered Services

According to a report on Global Trade Outlook and Statistics released by the World Trade Organization (WTO), India has now become the fourth largest exporter of digitally delivered services.

In 2023, India’s digitally delivered services exports were estimated at $257 billion, which is 17% higher than the previous year.
This growth has allowed India to surpass Germany in the rankings, but it still lags behind the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Digitally delivered services, which include professional services in education, gaming, and streaming music and videos, have seen a significant increase over the past two decades.

They now account for over one-fifth of global services trade, compared to 14% in 2005. Despite the decline in goods trade due to the COVID-19 pandemic, exports of digitally delivered services have increased by 50% and are now higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The report also highlights the rapid increase in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating content, such as text, images, music, and videos, which is expected to further boost trade in digitally delivered services.
The WTO expects the global economy and trade to improve, with a forecasted 2.6% increase in goods trade volume in 2024.

Candidates Have Right To Privacy

On April 9, 2024, the Supreme Court of India made a significant ruling regarding the right to privacy of election candidates.
The decision came in response to a petition filed by Arunachal Pradesh MLA Karikho Kri, challenging a Gauhati High Court decision that declared his election void due to non-disclosure of three vehicles as assets in his affidavit.
The case was heard by a bench consisting of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Sanjay Kumar. Justice Kumar authored the judgment, which held that a candidate’s choice to retain privacy on matters irrelevant to their candidature for public office does not amount to a ‘corrupt practice’ under the Representation of People Act, 1951.

The Representation of People Act, 1951 is a key piece of legislation in India that governs the conduct of elections. Section 123 of the Act defines ‘corrupt practices’ in the context of elections, while Section 36(4) deals with the rejection of nomination papers due to defects of a substantial nature.

The Supreme Court emphasized that a candidate is not compelled to disclose every aspect of their personal life and possessions to the electorate.
The judgment stated that non-disclosure of assets that are not of substantial value or irrelevant to the candidate’s lifestyle and candidature would not be considered a defect of a substantial nature,

Current Affairs 12 April Question

India Is Ranked In Number Of Hepatitis B And C Infections
A. First
B. Second
C. Third
D. Fourth
ANSWER: B
India Ranked Third With __ Unicorns
A. 63
B. 65
C. 67
D. 69
ANSWER: C
India Invokes Peace Clause For _ In WTO
A. 2nd
B. 3rd
C. 4th
D. 5th
ANSWER: D
Peter Pellegrini Became The New President Of Which Country
A. Norway
B. Slovakia
C. Denmark
D. Romania
ANSWER: B
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary Is Located In Which State/UT
A. Chandigarh
B. Ladakh
C. Odisha
D. Uttarakhand
ANSWER: A
Which Country Declared A Federal Emergency In Orenburg Region Due To The
Ural River Flooding Orsk
A. Ukraine
B. Kazakhstan
C. Russia
D. Tajikistan
ANSWER: C
Recently, Yoga Mahotsav Has Been Organized At Which Place
A. Indore, Madhya Pradesh
B. Pune, Maharashtra
C. Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh
D. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
ANSWER: B
What Kind Of Satellite Is ‘TSAT-1A’
A. Earth observation satellite
B. Climate monitoring satellite
C. Communication satellite
D. Navigation satellite
ANSWER: A
Which Organization Recommended Imposing An Anti-dumping Duty On
Sodium Cyanide
A. World Trade Organization (WTO)
B. International Monetary Fund (IMF)
C. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
D. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
ANSWER: C
Neptis Philyra Discovered For The First Time In India In Tale Valley Wildlife
Sanctuary, Belongs To Which Specie
A. Butterfly
B. Spider
C. Fish
D. Snake
ANSWER: A
Which Country Has Invoked The Peace Clause For Rice At The World Trade
Organization
A. Bhutan
B. India
C. Argentina
D. Afghanistan
ANSWER: B
Gangu Ramsay, Was Associated With Which Field
A. Cinematography
B. Sports
C. Politics
D. Music
ANSWER: A
Who Has Been Appointed As The Coach Of The Senior National Women’s
Hockey Team
A. PR Sreejesh
B. Amit Rohidas
C. Harendra Singh
D. Harmanpreet Singh
ANSWER: C
What Forms Of Assistance Is India Providing To Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, And Mauritius Under The United Nations’ Initiative
A. Early warning weather system
B. Scientific research facility
C. Educational infrastructure
D. Cybersecurity measures
ANSWER: A
Angara A5 Space Rocket Developed By Which Country
A. Russia
B. Ukraine
C. Japan
D. China
ANSWER: A
Who Became First Indian To Win A Match In A Masters 1000 Tournament On
Clay Courts
A. Sagar Kashyap
B. Sumit Nagal
C. Nitin Kirtane
D. Ramesh Krishnan
ANSWER: B
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Is Located In Which Country
A. Ukraine
B. Russia
C. China
D. Israel
ANSWER: A
What Is ‘Funding Winter’, In The Context Of Startups
A. Term Used To Describe A Period Of Reduced Capital Inflows To Startups
B. A Season Characterized By Heavy Snowfall That Affects Startup Operations
C. A Time When Startups Receive An Influx Of Funding From Large Investors
D. A Period Marked By Increased Profitability For Startups
ANSWER: A
What Is The Theme Of ‘World Homeopathy Day 2024
A. Homeoparivar: One Health, One Family
B. Homeopathy: People’s Choice for Wellness
C. Homeopathy – Roadmap for Integrative Medicine
D. Homoeopathy in public health
ANSWER: A
Vasudhara Tal, Maban Lake And Pyungru Lake, Recently Seen In News, Are
Located In Which State
A. Uttarakhand
B. Himachal Pradesh
C. Odisha
D. Madhya Pradesh
ANSWER: A