NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. BJP Sweeps Haryana, NC & Cong alliance wins J&K Assembly election: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was swept back to power for the historic third consecutive time in Haryana. In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Conference-led alliance secured the majority to form a government.For the first time, an election was held to constitute a new legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir after its status was changed from a state to a Union Territory in 2019.The BJP won 48 seats, while the main opposition party, Congress, won 37 seats. The Indian Lok Dal won 2 seats, while independents won 3 seats.Since the formation of the Haryana state on 1 November 1966, no party has been able to win three consecutive legislative elections in the state.BJP became the first political party in the history of the state to be voted back to power for the third consecutive time. It won the 2014, 2019 and 2024 legislative assembly elections.
2. Govt releases advance instalment of Rs 1.78 lk cr for state govts amid festive season: The central government released tax devolution of over ₹ 1,78,173 to state government as against the normal monthly devolution of ₹89,086.50 crore.It includes one advanced installment, in addition to the regular installment due in October 2024.According to the Finance Ministry, an advance installment was released in view of the upcoming festive season and to enable states to accelerate capital spending and finance their development and welfare-related expenditures.Uttar Pradesh received the largest chunk of tax devolution of 31,962 crore rupees, followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
3. Govt to set up 10 new ESIC medical colleges, extend unemployment allowance: The government will set up 10 new ESIC medical colleges and extend the unemployment allowance scheme for ESI Corporation members until June 2026.Labour & Employment Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya at a meeting of ESI Corporation here announced several key decisions for further strengthening the infrastructure and medical facilities of ESIC.The establishment of 10 New ESIC Medical Colleges across various locations in the country. This decision will support the announcement made by Prime Minister during the Independence Day (2024) speech of creating new 75000 medical seats in the next 5 years.He has given an extension to Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna for a period of another two years starting July 1, 2024, upto June 30, 2026.
4. Cabinet approves supply of fortified rice under welfare schemes till Dec 2028 at cost of Rs 17,082 cr: The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the universal supply of Fortified Rice under all schemes of the Government including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and Other Welfare Schemes etc. in its present form, from July 2024 and upto December 2028.The rice fortification initiative will continue as a central sector initiative with 100% funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy), thus providing a unified institutional mechanism for implementation. Food fortification has been used globally as a safe and effective measure to address anaemia and, micronutrient malnutrition in the vulnerable population. Rice is an ideal vehicle for supplying micronutrients in the Indian Context as 65% of India’s population consumes rice as a staple food. Rice fortification involves the addition of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) enriched with micronutrients (Iron, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12) as standards prescribed by FSSAI regular rice.
5. IIT Indore launches Affordable Device for Early Breast Cancer Detection: IIT Indore has introduced a new device for the early detection of breast cancer, specifically designed to help women in rural and remote areas.This device, created by Prof. Srivathsan Vasudevan, is an important step in making cancer screening more affordable and accessible.The device uses Photoacoustic Spectral Response (PASR) technology, which combines light and sound to detect abnormal changes in tissue. This helps identify cancer at an early stage.What makes this device special is its low cost. Once it is commercially produced, it will cost about one-tenth of traditional methods like MRI and CT scans, making it much more affordable for people in poor and underserved areas.This new cost-effective device, made in India, could change that by offering a cheaper, reliable option for early cancer detection, helping to close the gap in healthcare for rural communities.
6. Manish Tiwary appointed as MD of Nestlé India Limited: Manish Tiwary, former head of Amazon India, has been appointed as the Managing Director of Nestlé India Limited.His tenure will begin on 1st August 2025, following the retirement of the company’s current Chairman and Managing Director, Suresh Narayanan, who will step down on 31st July 2025.This transition comes as the current chairman and managing director, Suresh Narayanan, prepares to retire after a 26-year tenure with the Nestlé group. Tiwary brings nearly three decades of diverse experience to the role, currently serving as a director at Amazon Digital Services and More Consumer Brands.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Sanjeev Kr Singla appointed as India’s next Ambassador to France: Diplomat Sanjeev Kumar Singla has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to France.An Indian Foreign Service officer of batch 1997, Singla presently serves as the Ambassador of India to Israel. His contributions to shaping India’s foreign policy towards Israel have been described as significant.Singla handled sensitive matters, particularly the complex Israel-Palestine conflict, with caution and diplomacy.
His careful approach to these issues ensured that India maintained balanced relations in the region during volatile times.
2. Kais Saied reelected President of Tunisia for a second 5 year term: Tunisian President Kais Saied has been re-elected for the second time for a five-year term.The Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE) announced the election result, with President Saied securing 90.7 per cent of the votes polled.The Presidential election was marked by a very low voter turnout of 28.8 per cent. This was the lowest voter turnout in an election since the Jasmine Revolution of 2011, which overthrew the dictator Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s government and introduced democracy.
3. 11 October – International Day of the Girl Child: The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on October 11.Objective – To raise awareness about the unique challenges girls face worldwide and promote their empowerment.Theme 2024 – Girls’ Vision for the Future
International Day of the Girl Child was established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011 to recognise the challenges and discrimination faced by girls worldwide and to promote their rights and empowerment.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from Tennis: One of the greatest men’s tennis players in the open era, Rafael Nadal (from Spain), has announced his retirement from professional tennis.The upcoming Davis Cup Final in Spain will be his last tournament as a professional player.
The 2024 Davis Cup Final will take place from 19 to 24 November 2024 in Malaga, Spain.Rafael Nadal will be part of the Spanish team that will take on the Netherlands in the quarter-finals on 19 November 2024.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. DigiLocker Partners with UMANG: Unlock Seamless Access to Government Services: The National e-Governance Division has announced the integration of the UMANG app with DigiLocker to provide citizens seamless access to a wide range of government services.This collaboration will allow users to manage multiple services through a single platform.The UMANG app is accessible to all Android users, and its services can be accessed through the DigiLocker app.
2. National Space Commission approves India’s Fifth Lunar Mission ‘Lupex’: After the success of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, India’s National Space Commission (NSC) has approved a new lunar mission, called the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex).This mission is a partnership between India’s space agency ISRO and Japan’s space agency JAXA, and it will focus on exploring the Moon’s resources, especially water at the lunar south pole.The collaborative moon expedition, set to touch down at the precise southern tip of the moon (90-degree latitude), is focused on exploring the moon for water and other valuable resources.In this mission, JAXA (Japan) will build the rover and the rocket, while ISRO (India) will build the lander that will carry the rover to the Moon’s surface.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. David Baker, Demis Hassabis & John Jumper win Nobel Prize 2024 for Chemistry: The Royal Swedish Academy of Science, Stockholm, has chosen David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.American David Baker was honoured for his work on ‘computational protein design’.British Demis Hassabi and American John M. Jumper were honoured for their work in predicting protein structures from their amino acid sequences.The cash prize of 11 million kroner will be shared among the three winners. Half of the prize will go to David Baker, and the other half will be equally shared between Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper.The award will be conferred to them in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden, on 10 December 2024.
2. Indian/Indian origin scientists to win Chemistry Nobel Prize: The Indian-born Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, who holds dual nationality of Britain and the United States, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2009. Madame Marie Curie was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for discovering polonium and radium.
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