PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India (PM-YASASVI) is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at providing financial assistance and educational support to students from Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Denotified Tribes (DNT).
It merged earlier programs like the Dr. Ambedkar Post-Matric and Pre/Post-Matric Scholarships for EBCs and DNTs starting in 2021-22.
The scheme provides scholarships from Class 9 to post-secondary studies.
The objective is to empower disadvantaged groups by removing financial barriers, ensuring they complete their education.
2. Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), the current loan limit has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to? – Rs 20 Lakh
Economic Affairs
3. Which organization released a World Economic Outlook (WEO) report in October 2024? – International Monetary Fund (IMF)
NASA revealed the prototype of six telescopes for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. LISA is a joint mission between National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency (ESA), set to launch in the mid-2030s.
Its goal is to detect gravitational waves using three spacecraft positioned in a triangular formation, 1.6 million miles apart.
It will be the first gravitational wave detector in space, exploring black holes, gravity, and the universe’s expansion.
The spacecraft will use lasers to measure subtle distance changes between free-floating cubes, detecting ripples in spacetime.
Environment
6. What is the current IUCN status of Giant salmon carp, which was recently sighted in the Mekong River? – Critically Endangered
Urmila Chaudhary from Nepal won the Global Anti-Racism Championship Award 2024, presented by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
The award honors her work in advancing racial equity, justice, and human rights.
Urmila was rescued from child servitude at age 17 and co-founded the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, empowering former bonded laborers.
She fights for marginalized castes in Nepal and studies law to further her cause.
The illegal Kamlari system, which sold girls into servitude, was abolished in 2013 after mass protests, but justice and rehabilitation efforts continue.
Exercises & Operations
11. Exercise SIMBEX 2024 is organized between India and which country? – Singapore
Exercise SIMBEX 2024 is being conducted from 23 October to 25 October 2024 at Visakhapatnam. SIMBEX exercise is conducted between the navies of India and Singapore.
Its marine phase will be held on 28-29 October.
State Current Affairs
12. To which state has the Asian Development Bank approved a loan for solar photovoltaic facility? – Assam
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 434.25 million loan for the development of a 500 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
ADB was established in the year 1966, its headquarter is in Manila, Philippines.
