DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 01 December 2024

01st Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat National Campaign
 59th DGP, IGP Conference
 Awards for Andhra Pradesh Commercial Tax Department and APSRTC Win SKOCH
 Women’s Samman Savings Certificate Scheme
 Coal India Limited Receives Green World Environment Award
 US-Philippines Military Agreement

Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat National Campaign

 The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat
National Campaign on November 27, 2024, with the aim of eradicating child marriages in
India.
 For the achievement of the "Developed India by 2024" goal, the participation of girls and
women is crucial. Inspired by the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao program launched in 2015, the
Baal Vivah Mukt Bharat National Campaign was initiated.
 The goal of this campaign is to eradicate social evils associated with child marriages by 2030, while ensuring access to
education and employment opportunities to achieve sustainability.
 The main objective of the campaign is to conduct awareness programs across the country on the eradication of child
marriages, implement effective measures to eliminate child marriages, and make India child marriage-free by 2030.
59th DGP, IGPs Conference
 The 59th DGP, IGP Conference was held from November 30 to December 1, (2024) at Lok
Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar (Odisha). The conference, which lasted for three days, was
inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the first day.
 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in this conference. Modi expressed concern
about digital frauds, cybercrimes, and illegal activities involving AI technologies. He urged
police officers to treat the war against cybercrimes as an opportunity and implement smart
policing.
 Discussions during the conference focused on national security, counterterrorism, left-wing extremism, coastal security,
new criminal justice laws, and drug control measures.
Awards for Andhra Pradesh Commercial Tax Department and APSRTC Win SKOCH
 The Andhra Pradesh Commercial Tax Department won gold and silver SKOCH awards for
the use of technology at the SKOCH Awards main ceremony held in Delhi.
 APSRTC was awarded the SKOCH Award for showcasing excellence in the implementation
of cashless transactions, paperless ticketing apps, deposit ticket issuance, and the establishment
of a tracking system for all RTC buses.
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Women’s Samman Savings Certificate Scheme

 As part of promoting the financial independence of women, the central government has introduced the "Women’s
Samman Savings Certificate" savings scheme, which is gaining significant
popularity for providing high returns with low investment. This scheme was
announced in the 2023-24 budget for women and girls.
 Under this scheme, accounts can be opened from April 2023 to March 31, 2025.
Women can open accounts in post offices or designated banks in their name.
Guardians can open accounts in the names of minor girls. A minimum deposit of
Rs.1,000 and a maximum of Rs.2 lakh must be made in a single deposit. The deposited amount will be repaid with 7.5%
interest after two years from the deposit date. Partial withdrawal is also allowed. After one year from the account
opening date, up to 40% of the account balance can be withdrawn. This is a small savings scheme backed by the central
government.
 Recently, the Ministry of Finance revealed that 43.30 million accounts have already been opened under this scheme
nationwide. Maharashtra ranks first with 7,46,223 accounts, while Andhra Pradesh ranks eighth with 2,11,016 accounts.
Top 10 States in Women’s Samman Accounts
State Accounts Count State Accounts Count
1. Maharashtra 7,46,223 6. West Bengal 2,54,777
2. Tamil Nadu 5,47,675 7. Rajasthan 2,22,169
3. Odisha 4,16,989 8. Andhra Pradesh 2,11,016
4. Karnataka 2,93,007 9. Gujarat 1,55,267
5. Uttar Pradesh 2,69,532 10. Himachal Pradesh 1,43,704
Coal India Limited Receives Green World Environment Award
 Coal India Limited (CIL) has received the Green World Environment Award 2024 in the Corporate Social Responsibility
category.
 The award was presented to CIL Director Shri Vinay Ranjan at a ceremony held at arrengery Kensington Palace in
London.
US-Philippines Military Agreement
 A key military agreement was made between the US and the Philippines in Manila. The defense ministers of both
countries signed agreements to conduct large joint exercises along with military defense agreements.
 With the growing dominance of China in the South China Sea, the Philippines will receive weapons, missile systems, and
drone technologies to effectively counter to future threats.
Khelo India Games to be Hosted in Hyderabad in 2026
 Hyderabad will host the Khelo India Games in 2026. The games will be held in venues such as Gachibowli, Saroor
Nagar, LB Stadium, KVBR stadiums, Jinkhana, and the Osmania campus.
 The 2025 games will be held in Bihar.

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Highest number of Non Resident Indians in the United Arab Emirates

 According to the details presented by the Ministry of External Affairs in Parliament, as of November 1, 2024, there are
1,58,50,612 NRIs in various countries worldwide.
 Among the countries with the highest number of NRIs, the United Arab Emirates holds the top position, followed by
Saudi Arabia and the United States.
S.No Country NRIs S.No Country NRIs
1. UAE 35,54,274 6. Qatar 8,35,175
2. Saudi Arabia 24,60,603 7. Nepal 7,00,000
3. USA 20,77,158 8. Oman 6,84,771
4. Canada 10,16,274 9. UK 3,69,000
5. Kuwait 9,93,284 10. Australia 3,50,000
2024-2025 Budget Fiscal Deficit 46.5%
 According to government statistics released on November 29, a budget deficit of 46.5% has been recorded for the
current 2024-2025 financial year for the first seven months. The deficit between government expenditure and revenue
stands at Rs.7,50,824 crore for the period from April to October, according to data from the Comptroller General of
Accounts.
Uttar Pradesh Leads in Unorganised Sector Workers - e-Shram Portal
 To provide easy access to central government schemes for workers in the unorganised sector, the central government
launched the e-Shram portal in 2021.
 It is estimated that there are 50 crore workers in the unorganised sector across the country. As of November 27, 30.42
crore workers have registered on these portals. Of them, 59.88% are aged between 18 and 40 years.
 Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of registered workers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 81.27 lakh and Telangana
with 44.4 lakh.
States with the highest number of unorganised sector workers
State Number of workers (in crore)
1. Uttar Pradesh 8.37
2. Bihar 2.95
3. West Bengal 2.63
4. Madhya Pradesh 1.83
5. Maharashtra 1.72
Chinese Journalist Sentenced to 7 Years in Espionage Case
 In an espionage case, a Beijing court sentenced senior journalist Dong Yuyu of the Communist
Party newspaper to 7 years in prison on November 29. Dong, a senior columnist at the Communist
Party newspaper, was arrested in February 2022.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Visit to Guyana

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the country of Guyana on November 21, 2024.
 This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana after 56 years.
 During this visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral
discussions with Guyana's President, Mohammad Irfaan Ali.
 As part of the meeting, both leaders signed 10 agreements. They decided
to cooperate in sectors such as hydrocarbons, digital payments, defense
trade, energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and culture.
 India will provide two Dornier aircraft to Guyana.
 During this visit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a special session of the Guyana Parliament.
 Modi emphasized that space and oceans should play a major role in international cooperation, not in conflict.
Modi Receives Highest Honors from Guyana and Dominica
 Indian Prime Minister Modi was honored with rare recognition. For his assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, as
well as for his efforts in enhancing bilateral relations and global prosperity, he was awarded the highest honors.
 Guyana’s President Mohammad Irfaan Ali presented Modi with the country’s "Order of Excellence" award.
 President Sylvanie Burton presented Modi with the "Dominica Award of Honor."

FGuyana Capital – Georgetown FCurrency – Guyanese Dollar

FDominica Capital – Roseau FCurrency – East Caribbean Dollar
Quality Issues in 90 Medicines
 The Central Drug Standards Control Organization announced that 90 medicines were found to have quality issues in
October, based on identified risks. The Ministry of Health revealed details of substandard medicines on November 29.
 In October, 56 medicine samples were tested in central drug laboratories, and 34 samples were tested in various state
laboratories, all of which were found to be substandard. The drugs are being produced under other brand names without
proper authorization. Investigations are ongoing.
Dolphin Ambulance Launch
 As part of the National Mission for Clean Ganga, a special ambulance has been launched for the conservation and
protection of the national aquatic animal, the Ganga River's Dolphin.
 This ambulance will be used to rescue injured Ganga River's dolphins. A project called "Advancing Rescue System for
the Protection of Stranded Ganga River's Dolphins" is being implemented with a budget of Rs.1 crore.

F 'Advancing Rescue System for the Protection of Stranded Ganges River Dolphins'

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Significant Decline in HIV Virus

 Due to increased awareness about the deadly AIDS disease and government actions to
control AIDS, the number of AIDS patients in Andhra Pradesh has been steadily decreasing
over the past 14 years. In 2010-11, the percentage of AIDS patients was 4.3%, and in
2023-24 it decreased to 0.49%.
 The use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has reduced the severity of the virus in patients.
This has also significantly reduced the transmission of the disease from patients to others.
 Andhra Pradesh was once among the highest states with AIDS cases in India.
 Recent data indicates almost no transmission of AIDS through blood transfusions, according to Dr. Kameshwar Prasad,
Joint Director of the Andhra Pradesh AIDS Society. With powerful antiretroviral therapy for mothers infected with the
virus, transmission to children has drastically reduced.
 Currently, 2.25 million AIDS patients are being treated in the state. Compared to two decades ago, Maharashtra ranks
first with 3.90 lakh AIDS sufferers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 3.20 lakh, Karnataka with 2.80 lakh, Uttar
Pradesh with 1.97 lakh, and Tamil Nadu with 1.69 lakh, making up the top five ranks in the country.
 Between 2010-23, the number of new HIV infections has decreased by 58% compared to earlier years, according to the
National AIDS Control Organization.
 In 2023, 5,310 people died due to AIDS in Andhra Pradesh.
 The National AIDS Control Organization's report released on December 1, World AIDS Day, stated that there are 6,051
HIV patients for every ten lakh population in the state.
 The report mentioned that the prevalence of the disease in Andhra Pradesh is 0.20% higher than the national average.
 The NTR district in the state has the highest number of HIV patients at 19,865. Other districts with high numbers include
Kakinada (18,324), East Godavari (17,618), Palnadu (17,536), Guntur (16,630), Prakasam (16,280), Visakhapatnam
(15,999), West Godavari (15,612), Eluru (15,573), Anantapur (14,862), Anakapalli (13,491), Krishna (13,166), Sri Sathya
Sai (11,089), Bapatla (11,356), Dr. Ambedkar district (10,567), with other districts having fewer than 10,000 cases.
World AIDS Day
 World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1 to raise awareness about the AIDS epidemic caused by the
HIV infection and to express sympathy for those who have died from the disease.
 2024 Theme: "Take the rights path: my health, my right."
 Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a deadly disease caused by the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The virus attacks the immune system of the patient.
 World AIDS Day has been observed every year since 1988 on December 1.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 December 2024

02nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 India's First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge
 Failed Discussions on Plastic Regulation
 Dominance of Upper Castes in IITs and IIMs
 Medical Robot: An AI-Powered Healthcare Assistant
 Kashyap Patel appoints as US FBI Director
 Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection

India's First Vertical Lift Sea Bridge

 With modern and marveles engineering Indian Railways has constructed a vertical lift sea bridge connecting two islands
in the sea near Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. It is notable that this railway sea
bridge is the first of its kind in India. The bridge, spanning 2.05 kilometers, links
the mainland of Tamil Nadu to the islands of Rameswaram, Pamban, and
Mandapam. The original bridge, built in 1914 using Scherzer technology, had
deteriorated, prompting the construction of a modern vertical lift bridge (where
bridge sections lift vertically). This sea bridge, built using this technology is the
first in the country.
 When ships approach the bridge, they are detected by automatic sensors, causing the sea railway bridge to split into two
parts and lift vertically towards the sky, allowing ships to pass through.
 The bridge has been constructed with electro-mechanical control, an automatic interlocking system, and dual tracks to
facilitate electric train movement.
 Being a major pilgrimage center in the country, Rameswaram is expected to become an even more attractive destination
for pilgrims with this remarkable engineering bridge.
 This engineering marvel, whose construction has been completed, is set to open soon.
Failed Discussions on Plastic Regulation
 Discussions on controlling plastic pollution failed during the 5th International Negotiating Committee (INC-5) held in
Busan, South Korea, from November 25 to December 1, 2024. Around 380
representatives from 170 countries, organizations campaigning against plastic
pollution, and other entities participated in these discussions, which ended without
any decision being made.
 Many points in the draft agreement prepared during the discussions were objected
to by some countries, leading to the conclusion of the meetings without any
resolution.
 About 100 countries expressed support for the goal of regulating plastic. Currently,
an estimated 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually worldwide, which is projected to increase by 70% by
2040.
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 India also opposed the proposal to limit the production of plastic polymers.
 Representatives of various countries expressed differing opinions on the extent of plastic regulation. Some proposed
setting a fixed limit, while others suggested phase wise restrictions based on the production of plastic products.
 As no outcome was reached, the meeting decided to reconvene for INC-5.2 next year.

Dominance of Upper Castes in IITs and IIMs

 It has been confirmed that nearly 90% of the faculty in majority IITs and IIMs, the premier technical and management
institutions in the country, belong to dominant castes.
 In September 2024, when several individuals filed RTI requests, official responses from these institutions revealed that
90% of the faculty members are from dominant castes.
 According to central law, all IITs and IIMs in the country must allocate 27% of faculty positions to OBCs, 15% to SCs,
and 7.5% to STs. However, in all IIMs, 82.8% of faculty belong to dominant castes, 5% to SCs, 1% to STs, 9.6% to
OBCs, and the remaining 1.4% include EWS category dominant castes and differently-abled individuals.
 Across 21 IITs in the country, 80% of faculty belong to dominant castes, 6% to SCs, 1.6% to STs, 11.2% to OBCs, and
the rest include EWS and differently-abled faculty.
 Interestingly, IIT Patna in Bihar has surpassed the reservation allocations, with 38% of faculty from OBCs, 22% from
SCs, and 13% from STs.

Medical Robot: An AI-Powered Healthcare Assistant

 Many educated individuals today do not immediately consult doctors when they fall sick. Instead, they first research
their symptoms on Google.
 If they believe visiting a doctor is unnecessary, they purchase and use medicines
on their own, which sometimes leads to adverse effects.
 Hospitals, especially government ones, are often overcrowded throughout the
year with cases of common and seasonal illnesses. Due to staff shortages, it
becomes difficult for doctors to examine every patient thoroughly.
 As a result, criticisms have arisen about doctors prescribing medicines without
conducting proper examinations like pulse checks or stethoscope tests. AI robots are now emerging as a solution to such
issues.
 The Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG) in Hyderabad has already introduced a medical information robot assistant
named MIRA, making it available for patients.
 Addressing patient queries is sometimes challenging for both staff and doctors. In such cases, AI robots equipped with
generative pre-trained transformers and large language model-based intelligent chatbots or virtual assistants provide
necessary information.
 These robots help patients understand their diseases and guide them on the documents required and tests to be conducted
before visiting a hospital.
 Experts believe that AI can be utilized more effectively in patient services in the future.
MIRA - Medical Information Robot Assistant

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Kashyap Patel appoints as US FBI Director

 Elected President Donald Trump has selected Kashyap Patel as the Director of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), one of the most powerful institutions in
the U.S.
 An Indian-American, Kashyap Patel, served as Chief of Staff to the acting Defense
Secretary during Trump’s first term as U.S. President.
 Kashyap Patel also worked as an international terrorism prosecutor in the
Washington, D.C., Department of Justice for three and half years.
Blood Test for Early Cancer Detection
 Reliance Industries Limited's subsidiary, Strand Life Sciences, announced on
November 30, 2024, the introduction of a blood test that can detect multiple types
of cancer at early stage.
 The test utilizes globally accepted methylation profiling technology to identify
fragments of cancerous tumor DNA. It can be conducted using a simple blood
sample.
 Cancer remains a leading cause of death in India, significantly impacting patients
and their families financially, socially, and emotionally.
Syed Modi International Badminton Tournament
2024
 The 13th edition of the Syed Modi International Badminton Tournament was held
from November 26 to December 1, 2024, at the Babu Banarasi Das Indoor Stadium
in Lucknow.
 In the men's singles final, Lakshya Sen (India) defeated Jia Heng Jason (Singapore)
to emerge as the winner.
 Lakshya Sen received a prize money of $15,570 (Rs.13.31 lakh) for his victory.
 In the women's singles final, P.V. Sindhu (India) defeated Wu Luoyou (China) to claim the title.
 This marks P.V. Sindhu's third victory in this tournament (previously won in 2017 and 2022).
 P.V. Sindhu also received $15,570 (Rs.13.31 lakh) as prize money.
Event Winner Runner-up
Men's Singles Lakshya Sen (India) Jia Heng Jason (Singapore)
Women's Singles P.V. Sindhu (India) Wu Luoyou (China)
Men's Doubles Huang (China), Liu Yang (China) Prithviraj (India), Sai Prateek (India)
Women's Doubles Gayatri Gopichand (India), Bao Lijing (China),
Treesa Jolly (India) Li Qian (China)
Mixed Doubles Dechapol Puavaranukroh (Thailand), Dhruv Kapila (India),
Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Thailand) Tanisha Crasto (India)

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GST Collections for November

 The Central Finance Ministry announced that GST collections for November 2024 amounted to Rs.1.82 lakh crore. This
is an 8.5% increase compared to Rs.1.68 lakh crore collected in November 2023.
 Since the implementation of GST, the highest collections were Rs.2.10 lakh crore in April 2024, while Rs.1.87 lakh crore
in October 2024 ranked second.
Nagaland's 62nd Statehood Day Celebrations
 Nagaland became the 16th state of India on December 1, 1963. On December 1, 2024, Nagaland celebrated its 62nd
Statehood Day.
Hornbill Festival
 The Hornbill Festival is celebrated annually from December 1 to 10 in Kisama, a
village 12 kilometers from the state capital, Kohima.
 The main purpose of the festival is to preserve the culture and traditions of the
Naga tribes in Nagaland.
 The Hornbill Festival was first held in the year 2000.
 Nagaland Capital - Kohima Chief Minister - Neiphiu Rio Governor - La. Ganeshan
CM Chandrababu's Goal to Eradicate AIDS by 2030
 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu stated that the state is progressing with
the goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030 under the slogan "Breaking the Silence."
 He mentioned that nearly 3.25 lakh people in the state are affected by HIV, with the majority
of cases reported among the youth. He shared this information through X (formerly Twitter).
He added that awareness and treatment are being provided through Link ART centers located
every 50 km.
"TEN DAYS IN A MAD HOUSE"
 The book **"TEN DAYS IN A MAD HOUSE"** was written by Nellie Bly and published by the organization Norman
Munro.
"IN PURSUIT OF DEMOCRACY BEYOND PARTY LINES"
 The book **"In Pursuit of Democracy Beyond Party Lines"** was written by Najma Heptulla and published by Rupa
Publications India.
 Najma Heptulla: She is the granddaughter of the prominent freedom fighter Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
 She served as a member of the Rajya Sabha for six terms from 1980 to 2016. She was also the Vice President of the
BJP in 2016.
 She served as the Governor of Manipur from 2016 to 2020.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 03 December 2024

03rd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Re-commencement of Capital Amaravati works with Rs. 11,467 crores
 Extension of the term of the Lok Sabha Secretary General
 Vijayawada Metro First Phase with Rs. 11,009 crores
 Basava Tarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Amaravati
 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Celebrations
 First Maitri Clinics for Transgenders in the Country

Re-commencement of Capital Amaravati works with Rs. 11,467 crores

 The 41st meeting of the CRDA Authority was held on December 2, 2024, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister
Chandrababu at his residence in Undavalli. The CRDA Authority approved 23 items.
 The CRDA Authority approved the re-commencement of various construction works in
the first phase of Amaravati with Rs. 11,467 crores.
 Works on some major roads will be carried out with Rs. 2,498 crores, and development of
Polavagu, Kondaveeti Vagu, and Gravitation canals will be done with Rs. 1,585 crores,
along with the construction of three reservoirs.
 Residential buildings for All India Service officers, Gazetted, Non-Gazetted officers, and
Class IV employees will be completed with Rs. 3,525 crores.
 Development works of layouts where land was allotted to farmers in land pooling will be continued with Rs. 3,859 crores.
 The CRDA Authority approved the revised estimate of Rs. 984.10 crores for the Happiest Project in Amaravati, and
new tenders will be invited. Due to delays in the project, the government will pay Rs. 270.71 crores as compensation for
the losses incurred by CRDA.
 The CRDA Authority approved the flood prevention works in Amaravati to be carried out in three packages with
funding from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Package-1 works will cost Rs. 580.74 crores, Package-
2 Rs. 386.95 crores, and Package-3 Rs. 608.26 crores, with a total expenditure of Rs. 1,585.95 crores.
CRDA - Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority
Extension of the term of the Lok Sabha Secretary General
 The term of Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh has been extended by one
year through an order.
 Utpal Kumar Singh, a 1986-batch IAS officer from Uttarakhand, retired as the Chief Secretary
of the state on July 31, 2020. He assumed the position of Lok Sabha Secretary on September
1, 2020. He was appointed Secretary General three months later.
 With extensive experience in the administration sector, his term was set to end, but the Lok
Sabha Speaker Om Birla extended it until November 30, 2025.
Vijayawada Metro First Phase with Rs. 11,009 crores
 On December 2, 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government approved the Comprehensive Project Reports for the first
phase of the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam Metro Rail projects. The government has planned to complete the projects
in two phases at both locations. The government approved the proposals for the first phase works.
 For the first phase works in Vijayawada, Rs. 11,009 crores will be spent, and for the first phase works in Visakhapatnam,
Rs. 11,498 crores will be spent.

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Basava Tarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital in Amaravati

 The Andhra Pradesh government has allocated 15 acres of land for the construction of Basava
Tarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Center in Amaravati.
 Plans have been made to construct a 300-bed hospital in Phase-1. There are plans to expand it to
1,000 beds in the future.
55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Celebrations
 The 55th International Film Festival of India celebrations were held at Dr. Shyam Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in
Goa from November 20–28, 2024.
 55th IFFI 2024 Theme: "Young Filmmakers - The Future is Now".
 Over 180 international films from 81 countries were exbhited during these celebrations.
Award Winners
1. Golden Peacock Award (Best Film) - Toxic (Lithuanian language)
2. Best Actress - Vestamatulite, Iva Rupayikite (Toxic)
3. Best Actor - Clement Fevo (Holy Cow)
4. Best Director - Bogdan Muresanu (The New Year That Never Comes)
5. Special Jury Award - Louis Corvosier (Holy Cow)
6. Special Mention (Best Actor) - Adam Besa
7. Best Web Series - Lampan (Marathi language)
8. Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award - Philip Noyce (Australian director)
9. Indian Film Personality of the Year - Vikrant Massey
10. Best New Indian Director - Navjyoti Bandi Wadhaker (Gharat Ganapati)
11. ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal - Levan Akin (Crossing)
First Mytri Clinics for Transgenders in the Country
 To provide proper medical facilities for transgenders, the Telangana government has
established Maitri Trans Clinics, the first of their kind in the country. These clinics were
inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy during the Health and Medical
Department’s public administration celebrations.
 These clinics will offer services every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Special staff trained in transgender healthcare have been appointed at these clinics.
38th National Games with 32 Sports
 The 38th National Games will be hosted by Uttarakhand. The games will be held from January 28 to February 14, 2025.
 "The National Games to be held in Uttarakhand will be a milestone in promoting traditional and modern sports in the
country. Our commitment to honoring the country's heritage through the inclusion of sports like Kalari Payattu, Yoga
Asanas, Mallakhamb, and Rafting is reflected," said the President of the Indian Olympic Association, P.T. Usha.

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Gold Deposits in China

 Huge gold reserves have been discovered in the Wangwu Gold Field in Ping jiyand
County, Central Hunan Province, China.
 Scientists estimate that there are over 1,000 tons of gold metal.
 This is the first time such deposits have been identified in a single location. They have
indicated that there are 300 tons 2 kilometers below the surface and 700 tons 3 kilometers
below the surface. The value of this is estimated at 80 billion dollars (Rs. 6.76 lakh
crore).
 Normally in gold mine after a ton of metal processed of soil with 8 grams of gold is considered high-quality gold metal.
However, scientists have confirmed that Hunan contains pure gold at 138 grams per ton of gold metal.
 China accounts for 10% of the gold produced worldwide every year.
Regions with the Highest Gold Reserves in the World
Country Area Gold (in tons) Country Area Gold (in tons)
South Africa South Deep 929 USA Carlin Trend 353
Indonesia Grasberg 856 Australia Badiraghtan 350
Russia Olympiad 737 South Africa Mpangeng 330
Papua New Guinea Lihir 680 Dominican Republic Pablo Viejo 309
Chile North Abierto 657 USA Cortez 246
Telangana Leads in Cybercrimes
 Cybercrimes are increasing day by day in the country. In 2022, they increased by over 15,000 compared to 2020.
 According to the National Crime Statistics Division, 50,035 crimes were recorded in various states and Union Territories
in 2020, and this number rose to 65,893 by 2022.
 Telangana is in the first position in the country for the highest number of cybercrimes. Crimes have tripled in 2022
compared to 2020.
States with the Highest Cybercrimes Recorded
Rank State 2020 2022
1 Telangana 5,024 15,297
2 Karnataka 10,741 12,556
3 Uttar Pradesh 11,097 10,117
4 Maharashtra 5,496 8,249
5 Andhra Pradesh 1,899 2,341
6 Tamil Nadu 782 2,082
7 Odisha 1,931 1,983
8 Rajasthan 1,354 1,833
9 Bihar 1,512 1,621

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Gujarat Leads in Petrochemicals Production

 Petrochemicals such as polymers, plastics, synthetic rubbers, poly propylene, poly vinyl chloride, and lubricants are key
rawmaterials for various industries like construction, pharma, health, and the automobile industry in the country.
 In the financial year 2023-24, Gujarat ranked first, contributing 55% of the total petrochemicals produced in the country.
Rank State Percentage Share
1 Gujarat 56.5
2 Haryana 9.8
3 West Bengal 8.8
4 Maharashtra 5.8 |
5 Punjab 4.1
C.H. Srinivasa Rao Selected for N.S. Randhawa Memorial National Award
 C.H. Srinivasa Rao, Director of the National Academy of Agricultural Research Management
(NAARM), Hyderabad, has been selected for the N.S. Randhawa Memorial National Award.
 The award was given for his distinguished services in the fields of natural resource conservation,
management, and environmental sciences, by the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
 The award will be presented to him at the 26th Agricultural Science Congress in Pantnagar,
Uttarakhand, on February 20, 2025.
F NAARM - National Academy of Agricultural Research Management.
6.2 Lakh Applications for P.M. Internship Scheme
 The P.M. Internship Scheme, introduced in the 2024-25 Union Budget.The Scheme has received a huge response with
6.2 lakh applicants.
 The scheme aims to provide skill training to students with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds from the top 500
industrial companies in the country.
 In October 2024, the government invited applications from students for this scheme as a pilot project. While 1.3 lakh
opportunities were available, 6.2 lakh applicants applied, as announced by the government in the Lok Sabha on December
2, 2024.
U.S. President Joe Biden Grants Pardon to His Son
 U.S. President Joe Biden has pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, who was convicted in a
case involving illegal weapon purchase.
 With his special presidential powers, he granted a full, unconditional pardon. He granted
relief in two criminal cases, including the weapon purchase case. Joe Biden stated that
the cases against his son were politically motivated.
 Joe Biden had previously stated that he would not attempt to pardon Hunter Biden when he was convicted, making this
decision a subject of discussion.
 Former President Donald Trump commented that Joe Biden's decision falls under "judicial interference."

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Oxford Word of the Year 2024 - "Brain Rot"

 Oxford University has selected "Brain Rot" as the "Word of the Year 2024," as announced by Casper Grathwohl,
President of the Oxford Languages Dictionary Division. The meaning of "Brain Rot" in
Telugu is "Mental Deterioration."
 To determine which word had the most impact on public mood and debate that year,
Oxford invited voting from the public. In August of this year, 37,000 people participated in
the voting, which shortlisted six words.
 The words were: 1. LORE 2. DEMURE 3. ROMANTASY 4. DYNAMIC PRICING 5.
SLOP 6. BRAIN ROT. Oxford Publishers’ expert team analyzed and declared "Brain Rot" as this year’s (2024) Oxford
Word, as revealed by Casper Grathwohl.
 This competition has been held since 20 years ago. Words that gained prominence worldwide, such as "PODCAST,"
"SELFE," and "POST-TRUTH," were also selected in previous years. Last year (2023), the Oxford Word of the Year
was "RIZZ" (GEN-Z OR GEN ALPHA). This term could have originated from the core word "CHARISMA," which
means "style, charm, or attractiveness" in local usage, as mentioned by Grathwohl.
 GEN Z stands for "Generation Z," which refers to people born between 1997 and 2012. This generation is highly
accustomed to technology, uses social media extensively, and follows modern ideas.
 The term "Brain Rot" was first used by author Henry David Thoreau in his famous work *Walden* in 1854. According
to the author’s preference for living in nature, he lived for two years in a small cabin by Walden Pond near Massachusetts.
At the same time, attempts were being made in England to combat a disease affecting potatoes (Potato-Rot).
 During the same period, the author lamented that no efforts were made to cure "Brain Rot." Since then, the term entered
common usage and became widespread.
 On the selection of "Brain Rot" as the 2024 Word of the Year, Oxford Dictionary representatives stated that the current
generation, in their excessive search for unnecessary, irrelevant, and unproductive content on social media, is facing
mental issues and deterioration of mental sharpness, which leads to health problems.

Synonyms for "Brain Rot"

 Mind Mush, Mental Fog, Mind Numbing, Mental Decay, Brain Drain, Cognitive Overload, Intellectual Stagnation.

Antonyms for "Brain Rot"

 Mental Acuity, Cognitive Sharpness, Mental Clarity, Brain Fitness, Clear Thinking, Mental Health.

Context-Specific Alternatives for Loss of Mental Sharpness

 Idle Thinking, Mindless Distraction, Unproductive Thoughts, Over Thinking.

For Loss of Mental Sharpness

 Mental Dullness, Cognitive Decline, Brain Fog.

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50 Golden Rules of Life: Timeless Strategies for Success, Fulfillment, and

Inner Peace
 50 Golden Rules of Life: Timeless Strategies for Success, Fulfillment, and Inner Peace* is
published by MBC Books.
National Pollution Control Day
 Every year, India observes National Pollution Control Day on December 2 to commemorate those who lost their lives in
the Bhopal Gas Tragedy on December 2, 1984.
 2024 Theme: "Clean Air, Green Earth: A Step Towards Sustainable Living."
 This day is observed to raise awareness about pollution-related issues and how it impacts our daily lives.
 In 2024, it will mark the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
 The gas released during this tragedy was Methyl Isocyanate.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
 The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated every year on December 3 to promote the political,
social, economic, and cultural inclusion of persons with disabilities.
 2024 Theme: "Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future."
 The United Nations declared 1981 as the "International Year of Disabled Persons" with the goal of ensuring equal
opportunities and rights for persons with disabilities, integrating them into societal development.
 From 1983 to 1992, the United Nations declared this period as the "Decade of Disabled Persons."

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 04 December 2024

04th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Andhra Pradesh as an International IT Hub
 SBI leads in debit cards, HDFC leads in credit cards
 National Award for State Comprehensive Education
 Tiger Population in India: 3,682
 Japan Develops Human Washing Machine
 Indian Navy Day

Andhra Pradesh as an International IT Hub

 A Cabinet meeting was held on December 3, 2024, under the leadership of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu
Naidu. The following decisions were made during this meeting.
 The government stated that the objectives of the IT and GCC policy include giving priority to the development of
organizations engaged in advanced technology, promoting co-working and workspaces, enhancing the convenience of
citizens through data-driven public services, and innovative governance, thereby transforming the state into an IT hub
and a center for skilled human resources.
 The Cabinet approved a new IT policy to be implemented from 2024 to 2029. The primary goal of the IT policy is to
launch the Knowledge Economy Mission to steer the state towards a technology-driven industry, governance, and
entrepreneurial ecosystem. The nationwide IT sector market, currently valued at 250 billion US dollars, is expected to
grow to 500 billion US dollars by 2030.
Goals of the IT Policy:
 Slogan: Making the state into an innovation hub to achieve the goal of "One Family-One Entrepreneur"
Objective: To develop the state into an innovation economy.
 The policy's primary goal is to achieve comprehensive development in this sector by integrating technology into government
and citizen services. The policy has been framed focusing on five key stakeholders:
1. IT/IT-enabled services and Global Capability Center (GCC) companies.
2. Startups and innovators.
3. Co-working space and neighborhood workspace developers.
4. Employees and gig workers.
5. Landowners and realty developers.
 The state government has decided to develop the state into a maritime hub of international standards. It resolved to set
up ports and port-based industries by utilizing the 975-kilometer-long coastline. The government decided to bring this to
the attention of the central government and take steps to establish a mega shipyard in the state. The Cabinet approved
Maritime Policy 4.0, formulated with these goals in mind.
 The Cabinet approved the implementation of Real-Time Governance 4.0, designed to simplify citizen services and
accelerate governance.
 The Cabinet approved the Information Technology Global Capability Centers Policy 4.0, formulated with the goal of
transforming the state into a knowledge hub. This policy facilitates new innovations and human resource development. Its
objectives include establishing advanced service delivery models like remote work, hybrid work, and co-working spaces.

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 The Cabinet has approved the Textile and Garments Policy, designed with a target of Rs.10,000 crore investments over
the next five years. Through this policy, it aims to increase textile exports to billions of dollars during the 2024-2029
period. Five new integrated textile parks will be developed through public-private partnerships.
 The Cabinet has approved the Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy, aimed at transforming Amaravati into an electric
mobility city. This policy is estimated to attract Rs.30,000 crore in investments and generate approximately 60,000 jobs.
 Amendments to the Tourism Policy 2024-2029 have been approved. Tourism circuits will be developed, encompassing
temple tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, wellness tourism, and agri-tourism to attract visitors.
 Amendments to the Sports Policy 2024-2029 have been approved.
 Proposals to rename and restructure the boards under the Ayurveda and Homeopathic Medical Practitioners Registration
Act, 1956, have been approved.
 The proposal to restart the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme project has been approved.
 The Cabinet has approved the cost adjustment for three water supply projects in Srikakulam district’s Uddanam, YSR
district’s Pulivendula constituency, and Nandyal district’s Dhone constituency.
Potti Sriramulu Memorial Day as Self-Sacrifice Day
 The proposal to observe December 15 annually as Self-Sacrifice Day in memory of Amarajeevi Potti Sriramulu has
been approved. A short film will be made detailing his life story, and his house will be converted into a museum where his
life’s highlights will be preserved.
SBI leads in debit cards, HDFC leads in credit cards
 In the domestic debit card market, the State Bank of India (SBI) holds the top position, while HDFC Bank leads in the
credit card segment.
 Against the backdrop of the Reserve Bank of India’s warnings to exercise caution in issuing unsecured loans, the
issuance of new credit cards in October 2024 decreased by 45% compared to 2023.
 While 1.6 million new credit cards were issued in October 2023, banks issued 780,000 new cards in October 2024.
Market shares of banks as of October 2024
In terms of active debit cards In terms of active credit cards
Banks Percentage Banks Percentage
SBI 24 HDFC 20.8
Bank of Baroda 10 SBI 18.4
Canara 6 ICICI 16.6
Union 6 Axis 13.9
HDFC 6 Kotak 5.2
Bank of India 4 RBL 5.0
Axis 4 IndusInd 2.9
ICICI 4 IDFC First Bank 2.8
Other Banks 22 Bank of Baroda 2.6

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National Award for State Comprehensive Education

 Andhra Pradesh has been recognized as the best state in the country for implementing schemes aimed at the progress
of persons with disabilities. The AP Samagra Shiksha program has received a national award for its initiatives.
 During the "National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2024" program organized under the aegis
of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyang jan), Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, Government of India, President Droupadi Murmu presented this award to B. Srinivasa Rao, the State
Project Director of AP Samagra Shiksha, in New Delhi.
Tiger Population in India: 3,682
 The Minister of State for Environment and Forests revealed in the Lok Sabha that the tiger population in India has
increased in 2022 compared to 2018.
 In 2018, there were 2,967 tigers, which increased to 3,682 (range: 3,167–3,925) by 2022, according to the Central
Government's estimates. As per the Ministry’s figures, region-wise, the highest number of tigers is in Central India with
1,439, followed by the Western Ghats with 1,087.
 Madhya Pradesh tops the list of states with the highest number of tigers, followed by Karnataka and Uttarakhand in the
second and third positions, respectively. Andhra Pradesh has 63 tigers, while Telangana has 21.
Tiger Population in Different States
Year State 2018 2022
1 Madhya Pradesh 526 785
2 Karnataka 524 563
3 Uttarakhand 442 560
4 Maharashtra 312 444
5 Tamil Nadu 264 306
6 Assam 190 299
7 Kerala 190 213
8 Uttar Pradesh 173 205
Japan Develops Human Washing Machine
 Osaka-based "Science Co." in Japan has developed a human washing machine.
 This machine cleans a person in just 15 minutes and uses AI to customize the cleaning
process based on an individual’s body type.
 Resembling the cockpit of a fighter jet, the transparent plastic pod fills morethan half
of the part with warm water after a person enters. High-speed water jets then spray
water, infused with microbubbles as small as 3 micrometers, which create intense
pressure to remove dirt from the body.
 To keep the person bathing mentally relaxed and enthusiastic, the machine includes special arrangements. The equipment
in the machine collects key information related to the person’s body. Using artificial intelligence, it assesses whether the
person is silent or enthusiastic and streams appropriate videos in the pod. This machine was first showcased by Sanyo
Electric Company (now Panasonic) at the 1970 Japan World Expo. Currently developed experimentally, this machine
will soon be available in the market.

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Indian Navy Day

 Indian Navy Day is celebrated every year on December 4 to commemorate the achievements of the naval forces and
their role in national defense.
 2024 Theme : "Strength and Power through Innovation and Indigenisation."
 The Indian Navy is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President
of India is the Supreme Commander of the Navy. The 17th-century Maratha emperor
"Chhatrapati Shivaji Bhonsle" is regarded as the Father of the Indian Navy.
 On December 4, 1971, the Indian Navy attacked Pakistan's largest naval base, Karachi
Port, sinking three ships. This operation during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, carried out at night, is known as "Operation
Trident."Navy Day is celebrated in India to commemorate this event.
 To honor the critical role played by the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Navy Day celebrations are held
annually in Visakhapatnam. However, the 2024 Navy Day celebrations were held in Odisha, with President Droupadi
Murmu attending as the chief guest.
Country's First Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam
 For the first time in 2016, India conducted an International Fleet Review with the participation of naval forces from 50
countries at the shores of Visakhapatnam.
 The Eastern Naval Command plays a key role in national defense. It started as a small outpost in Visakhapatnam in
1968. Today, it acts as a protective shield for 2,562 km of coastline, covering the coasts of West Bengal, Odisha,
Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu.
Hydrogen Cars for Environmental Protection
 With air pollution increasing in cities worldwide, there is growing interest in eco-friendly cars. As part of this effort,
companies are focusing on hydrogen fuel-powered cars.
 If fully equipped charging stations and hydrogen fuel cars are made available, pollution
levels are expected to reduce. It is estimated that by 2030, hydrogen cars will be
produced on a large scale.
 Currently, widely available electric cars can travel up to 600 kilometers on a single
charge. However, charging them takes 1 to 12 hours.
 Hydrogen cars, on the other hand, can be charged in just 5 minutes and have no issues like carbon emissions. They can
travel up to 900 kilometers on a single charge.
 Hydrogen fuel cells used in these cars are lighter compared to the batteries used in electric vehicles and require only
5 minutes for charging.
 In addition to controlling carbon emissions, they purify the air. For example, a hydrogen car, on a single charge of 6.27
grams of hydrogen, can purify 449,100 liters of air during its journey.
Defense Equipment Worth Rs.9,900 Crores for India
 U.S. President Joe Biden has approved the sale of defense equipment worth approximately Rs.9,900 crores to India.
 The sale includes MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter equipment and related components, as confirmed by Joe Biden.

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Emergency in South Korea
 South Korean President Suk Yeol has declared a state of emergency, alleging that opposition parties are engaging in anti-
national activities.
 However, the opposition-dominated parliament passed a resolution rejecting the president's
decision and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the emergency.
 Following the president's announcement, the military intervened and issued orders prohibiting
parliament and other political gatherings.
 It warned that those defying the emergency orders would be arrested without warrants.
 According to South Korean law, the emergency can be revoked through a majority vote in parliament.
 In this context, the parliament criticized the president's actions and passed a resolution demanding the revocation of the
state of emergency.
Geological Survey of India
 The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was established in 1851 with its headquarters in Kolkata. It
was initially set up to explore coal deposits required for railways.
 Over time, GSI evolved into a repository of geoscientific information and became an institution
providing geotechnological information essential for various sectors in the country.
Wildlife at Risk in India
December 4 - World Wildlife Conservation Day
 While India accounts for only 2.4% of the world's land area (3.287 million square kilometers), it is home to 7.8% of the
world's species, making it historically one of the most biodiverse countries globally.
 Environmental scientists and experts warn that despite India being rich in biodiversity, several
species are at risk of extinction due to the loss of habitat. The extinction of certain species
could disrupt the ecosystem, ultimately threatening human existence.
 India is home to 45,000 plant species and 91,000 animal species.
 India is divided into 10 bio-geographic zones. These diverse zones host 8.58% of mammalian
species (milk-producing animals), 13.66% of bird species, 7.91% of reptiles (land-dwelling), 4.66% of amphibians (living
both in water and on land), 11.72% of fish species, and 11.8% of plant species.
 Globally, scientists have identified 34 biodiversity hotspots, with four of them in India: the Himalayas, the Indo-Burma
region, the Western Ghats, and the Sri Lanka-Southeast Asia surroundings. Scientists suggest undertaking protection
measures on a war footing to safeguard these hotspots.
 If the extinction of species in India is not prevented, the country's economy may face a severe crisis, leading to acute
food shortages and widespread hunger.
 According to a 2022 survey by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, 73 species in India are on the verge of
extinction. This is a significant increase from 47 species in 2011 to 73 species at present. The ministry stated that
species such as the Kashmir stag (kanuzh), Malabar large-spotted civet, Andaman shrew, Jenkins shrew, Nicobar
shrew, Namdapha flying squirrel, and large rock rats are now rarely seen due to the lack of suitable habitats.

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China's Ban on Military Equipment Exports to the U.S.

 On December 2, China imposed a ban on the export of military-related equipment, including gallium, germanium, and
antimony, to the United States. Recently, the U.S. imposed restrictions on importing computer chips and other equipment
from China. The U.S. further expanded the list of restricted imports. In response, China completely halted the export of
its military-related goods, enforcing the ban.
35th Vijayawada Book Festival
 The 35th Vijayawada Book Festival will be held from January 2 to 12, 2025, at the Vijayawada Polytechnic Grounds.
 The literary stage of the 35th Vijayawada Book Festival has been named after Eenadu Group Chairman Ramoji Rao.
The venue has been named after literary figure and former head of Navajeevan Book Links, Pidikiti Ramakoteshwar
Rao. The students' event stage has been named after the late Ratan Tata.
Centenary Celebrations of Renowned Writers
 It is customary to organize centenary celebrations of prominent writers during this book
exhibition. In 2025, centenary celebrations will be held for writers such as Arudra, Dasarathi
Krishnamacharyulu, Najar, Narla Chiranjeevi, Aluri Bairagi, N. Natarajan, and writer-
actor Bhanumathi.
 Organizers announced that around 200 stalls would be set up at the festival, representing
government, private, Telugu, national, and international publishing houses.
International Day of Banks
 The International Day of Banks is celebrated annually on December 4 to recognize the role of banks in providing critical
information for people's financial security.
 2024 Theme : Empowering sustainable development through finance.
 On December 19, 2019, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 74/245, recognizing the crucial capacity of multilateral
development banks and other international development banks to support sustainable development and provide knowledge.
It designated December 4 as the International Day of Banks.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 05 December 2024

05th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Namibia President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa
 The Nagastra-1 Drone Joins the Indian Army's Weaponry
 Beef Ban in Assam Hotels
 Sukhbir Singh Badal Shot at Golden Temple
 India's Foreign Debt Reaches Rs.54 Lakh Crores
 India's First Indegenous Antibiotic for Pneumonia
Namibia President: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa
 Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, from the ruling "Swapo" party, was elected as the President of Namibia in the country's
elections.
 She created a record by becoming the first woman to be elected as the President of
Namibia.
 The Swapo party has been in power for 30 years since Namibia gained independence.
 In Namibia, voting for the presidential post and National Assembly is done separately.
In these elections, Swapo won 51 out of 96 seats (57% of votes), securing a majority.
The Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) party became the main opposition with 20
seats.
 Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, who joined the Swapo party during Namibia's struggle for independence in the 1960s, has
held key positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
 Namibia, with a population of 3 million, is a major exporter of uranium and diamonds.
 Unemployment among the 15-34 age group in Namibia is 46%.
The Nagastra-1 Drone Joins the Indian Army's Weaponry
 The Indian Army has received the advanced Nagastra-1 drone. Developed based on
indigenous technology by Solar Industries in Maharashtra, this drone is now available.
 Solar Industries, using indigenous technology, has supplied 480 weapons to the Indian Army
under the name Nagastra-1 (also known as Kamikaze drones).
 This drone operates based on GPS and weighs 9 kg, capable of flying up to a height of
45 meters. It also has the capability to conduct attacks without being detected by radars.
F Nagastra-1, India's first indigenous suicide drone
Beef Ban in Assam Hotels
 The Assam state government has decided to ban beef dishes in hotels, restaurants, and
other public places. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made this
announcement on December 4, 2024. He stated that new regulations would be introduced
in the law through a Cabinet meeting.
 Although the current law regarding beef consumption in Assam is stringent, there was
no ban on using beef during religious or social events in restaurants and hotels until
now. However, the government has now decided to impose a ban on this practice.

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Sukhbir Singh Badal Shot at Golden Temple

 On December 4, 2024, there was an assassination attempt on Sukhbir Singh Badal, the leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal
party and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar,
Punjab. He was shot at by Narain Singh Choura, a former Khalistani militant.
 From 2007 to 2017, during the Akali Dal government in Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal was
serving as a Sevadhaar (caretaker) at the Golden Temple entrance gate as a penance
for the wrongdoings committed during the government’s tenure, and this incident occurred
during that time.
India's Foreign Debt Reaches Rs.54 Lakh Crores
 India’s total foreign debt reached 646.97 billion dollars (approximately Rs.54 lakh crores) in 2023, as revealed by the
World Bank’s international loan report.
 Compared to 2022, this is an increase of 31 billion dollars (Rs. 2.63 lakh crores). In 2022, interest payments were 15.08
billion dollars, and by 2023, they increased to 22.54 billion dollars.
 In 2023, long-term bonds increased by 7% to reach 498 billion dollars, while short-term bonds saw a slight increase to
126.32 billion dollars.
 Foreign bonds accounted for 10% of exports, and loan expenses (such as interest payments) also accounted for 10% of
exports.
 In 2023, net loans of 33.42 billion dollars flowed into the country, while net equity inflows were even higher at 46.94
billion dollars.
India's First Indegenous Antibiotic for Pneumonia
 India has developed a new antibiotic, "Nafithromycin," for the prevention of antibiotic-
resistant pathogens.
 The "Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council" (BIRAC), part of the
Department of Biotechnology of the central government, developed this medicine.
 This is India’s first Indegenously developed antibiotic for pneumonia. It will be used for
the treatment of antibiotic-resistant community-acquired bacterial pneumonia in adults.
Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup-2024
 The 10th edition of the Men's Hockey Junior Asia Cup was held in Muscat,
Oman, from November 26 to December 4, 2024.
 In the final of the tournament, the Indian team, led by Sharda Nand Tiwari,
defeated Pakistan 5-3 to become the winners.
 With this win, India claimed the title for the 5th time, having previously won in
2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023.
 In the match for third place, Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1.
 The player who scored the most goals in this tournament was Sufyan Khan from Pakistan, with 12 goals.
 The best player of the tournament is Araijeet Singh Hundal from India.
 The best young player is Yamato Kawahara from Japan.
 The best goalkeeper is Rafaizul Saini from Malaysia.

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Increase in Tax Revenue in the Country

 According to the Controller General of Accounts, the tax collection from April to October 2024 has increased by 9.7%
compared to the same period in 2023.
 Direct taxes like corporation tax and personal income tax increased by 11.1%. However, compared to October 2023,
corporation tax in October 2024 decreased by 16.4%, personal income tax decreased by 12.3%, and excise duty
decreased by 12%.
 The total tax revenue amounted to Rs.20.32 lakh crore.
Tax Collections for April-October (in Rs. crores)
Tax 2023 2024
Corporation Tax 4,81,969 4,87,862
Personal Income Tax 5,21,211 6,26,454
Excise Duty 1,50,215 1,51,190
Total Taxes 18,34,518 20,32,634
International Soil Day
 It is everyone's responsibility to use soil efficiently and preserve it for future generations. The Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) of the United Nations observes "International Soil Day" every year on December 5 to remind
people of this responsibility.
 Theme for 2024 : "Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage."
 The main cause of soil health degradation is soil erosion. Statistics show that 8.6 crore hectares of crop land in the
country are affected by erosion due to water and air. Loss of fertile surface soil reduces organic matter and nutrients,
thus diminishing food crop productivity. The decrease in organic carbon levels also contributes to soil health deterioration.
 To maintain soil fertility, organic carbon content should be at least 2.0%. However, experts have identified that it has
dropped to 0.5% or lower in Indian crop lands.
 Another cause of soil degradation is salinization. The country has 67 lakh hectares of saline land, with 2.5% of such
lands found in the coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh. Unscientific crop practices and indiscriminate use of fertilizers are
depleting nutrients in the soil.
 Recent soil tests have revealed that across the country, 86% of crop lands lack nitrogen, 49% lack phosphorus, 30% lack
potassium, 25% lack sulfur, 43% lack zinc, 15% lack iron, and 20% lack boron.
 The central government has allocated Rs.2,481 crore for the "National Mission on Natural Farming" in the 2024-25
budget.
 The "National Academy of Agricultural Sciences" has reported that approximately Rs.2,89,800 crore worth of losses
occur annually due to soil degradation in India. The economic losses due to various factors are as follows:
Cause Loss (in Rs. crores)
Soil Erosion 2,60,000
Nutrient Depletion 15,000
Salinization 9,000
Land Pollution 5,000
Soil Compaction 800

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UPI Lite Wallet Limit Increased to Rs.5,000

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the UPI Lite wallet limit to Rs.5,000.
 It has also raised the per transaction limit to Rs.1,000. This decision was made due
to the significant increase in UPI transactions through mobile phones.
 UPI Lite transactions can be completed without the need for an internet connection.
Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA) will not be required. Currently, the
maximum transaction limit for these transactions is Rs.500, and the wallet limit is
Rs.2,000.
F UPI - UNIFIED PAYMENTS INTERFACE

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 06 December 2024

06th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra
 Sabarimala-Police Guide" Portal for Sabarimala Pilgrims
 Andhra Pradesh State Government agreement with Google
 Ratapani Tiger Reserve as the 57th Tiger Reserve in India
 World’s Most Attractive Cities List - 2024
 Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill Passed in Parliament

Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra

 The second consecutive "Maha Yuti" government was formed in Maharashtra. On December 5, 2024, Devendra Fadnavis
was took oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath to him.
 Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and NCP senior leader Ajit Pawar were given the status
of Deputy Chief Ministers.
 This is the third time Devendra Fadnavis has taken oath as the Chief Minister of
Maharashtra. Ajit Pawar assumed the Deputy Chief Minister post for the sixth time.
 After assuming charge as the 20th Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis reached the state secretariat
"Mantralaya" and held the first cabinet meeting with the two Deputy CMs and senior officials. On this occasion,
Fadnavis announced to the media that the financial assistance under the Ladki Bahin Yojana would be increased to
Rs.2,100 as promised.
 Devendra Fadnavis was born on July 22, 1970. He joined ABVP, affiliated with the RSS, in 1989. At the age of 22, he
was elected as a Nagpur Corporator, and at 27, he became the Mayor.
 In 1999, he won the Assembly elections for the first time from Nagpur South West. In 2013, he assumed the responsibility
of Maharashtra BJP Chief.
 In 2014, he took charge as CM for the first time and served until 2019.
 In 2019, he was took oath as CM for the second time but resigned within five days.
Sabarimala-Police Guide" Portal for Sabarimala Pilgrims
 Kerala Police launched the "Sabarimala Police Guide" portal in English for Ayyappa
devotees visiting during the annual Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrimage, enabling
them to have an easy darshan.
 This portal includes comprehensive information useful for devotees. Police helpline
numbers, police station phone numbers, health services, KSRTC, ambulance, fire
services, and food safety information are made available on the portal.
 In Addition to these details about Sabarimala’s history, vehicle parking, air, rail, and road routes from each district to
Sabarimala have been included, according to police officials.

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Andhra Pradesh State Government agreement with Google

 To enable skill development programs in line with international changes and promote the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
in schools and colleges in Andhra Pradesh, the state government signed an agreement with Google on December 5, 2024.
 At the event held at the Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Google Cloud India Vice President and MD Bikram Singh Bedi and
AP Real-Time Governance Department Secretary Suresh Kumar signed the agreement. Under this, AI-based training
programs essential for traditional industries and small business enterprises will be undertaken.
Key Points of the Agreement
1. Education and Skill Development
2. Startup Ecosystem
3. Sustainability
4. Healthcare Sector
5. AI Pilots
Ratapani Tiger Reserve as the 57th Tiger Reserve in India
 Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, officially declared Ratapani Tiger
Reserve in Madhya Pradesh as the 57th Tiger Reserve in India.
 The Ratapani Tiger Reserve covers a core area of 763.8 square kilometers and a buffer area of 507.6 square kilometers,
with a total area of 1,271.4 square kilometers. It is the 8th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
 Other tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh include Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, and
Veerangana Durgavati.
 The first tiger reserve in India is Bandipur (Karnataka).
 The 56th Tiger Reserve is Guru Ghasidas-Tamour Pingla (Chhattisgarh).
 Tiger reserves in India are established as part of Project Tiger, which started in
1973, and are managed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority of the Government of India.
World’s Most Attractive Cities List - 2024
 Based on 55 parameters, including economy, business, tourism, attractiveness, safety, etc., a data organization named
"Euromonitor International" prepared a list of 100 cities.
 In this list Paris, the capital of France ranked first for the fourth consecutive year,
followed by Madrid, the capital of Spain in second place, and Tokyo, the capital of
Japan in third place.
 From India, Delhi ranked 74th on the list.
 Jerusalem (98th position), Zhuhai in China (99th position), and Cairo (100th position)
were at the bottom of the list.
 In the "International Tourist Arrivals" category, Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, ranked first with 32 million visitors,
Istanbul ranked second with 23 million visitors, and London ranked third with 21 million visitors.

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Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill Passed in Parliament

 With the aim of improving business-friendly conditions in the rapidly growing aviation sector, the "Indian Air Navigation
Bill, 2024" was approved by the Rajya Sabha on December 5, 2024. The Lok Sabha had
approved it earlier on August 9, 2024.
 Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak (The Indian Air Navigation) Bill, 2024, was introduced to
replace the Air Craft Act, 1934.
 On December 5, 2024, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu stated that the
leasing of six airports to the Adani Group was conducted through a completely transparent process. The Airports
Authority of India (AAI) leased six airports—Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Mangalore, Jaipur, Guwahati, and
Thiruvananthapuram—to the Adani Group.
Millionaire Farmer of India Award
 Lokesani Padmareddy, a farmer from Nalgonda district in Telangana, was selected for
the "Millionaire Farmer of India Award" for the year 2024.
 The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) confers this award annually to recognize
the contributions of the best farmers in the country.
 Lokesani Padmareddy established the country’s first nursery of soapnut plants. He cultivates
orchards of citrus, lemon, and papaya using natural and organic fertilizers.
Successful PSLV-C59 Launch
 The PSLV-C59 mission was successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on December 5,
2024. The launch, initially scheduled for December 4, was postponed by a day due to technical issues.
 The mission was conducted at 4:04 PM on December 5, 2024, from the first launch
pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Tirupati district,
Andhra Pradesh.
 Immediately after the countdown, the PSLV-C59 rocket soared into space carrying
the Proba-3 satellite of the European Space Agency. The Proba-3 includes two
satellites that are joined during the launch and designed to separate after reaching
orbit.
 As planned, within 18 minutes and 40 seconds, Proba-3 reached its designated orbit, and the two satellites separated.
These satellites will revolve in a specific formation and study the Sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
 Proba-3, under the Project for Onboard Autonomy, weighs 550 kilograms.
 It entered a geo-elliptical orbit with an apogee of 60,530 kilometers and a perigee of 600 kilometers from Earth.
Rocket Journey
 The PSLV-C59 rocket, measuring 44.5 meters in height and weighing 320 tons at launch, soared towards space.
 The first stage, known as the Core Alone stage, used 139 tons of solid fuel and was surrounded by six strap-on boosters.
Each strap-on booster contained 12.2 tons of solid fuel, totaling 212.5 tons. This stage completed in 109 seconds.
 The second stage, powered by 41 tons of liquid fuel, lasted 262 seconds.
 The third stage, using 7.65 tons of solid fuel, concluded in 482 seconds.

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 The fourth stage was cut off at 1.015 seconds using 2.5 tons of liquid fuel. The Proba-3 mission was successfully placed
into orbit.
 Following the launch, ISRO Chairman Dr. Somanath announced at the Mission Control Center that the mission was
successfully executed and the project objectives were achieved.
 Somanath revealed that the "Space Docking Experiment" mission would be conducted by the end of December using
PSLV-C60.
 ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher stated that signals from Proba-3 have started being received and confirmed
they reached the satellite station in Australia.
 This was the 95th launch from SDSC SHAR and the 61st in the PSLV series.
 The PSLV-C58 launch was conducted on January 1, 2024.
F PSLV-Polar satellite launch Vehicle

Mahesh Babu as Brand Ambassador for Truzone Solar

 Tollywood Superstar Mahesh Babu will serve as the brand ambassador for "Truzone Solar."
Suntech Energy Systems Pvt. Ltd. has launched a new product under the Truzone Solar brand.
 Truzone Solar Director Jyotsna unveiled the TV advertisement featuring Mahesh Babu.
Increased Housing Prices in Tier-2 Cities
 Real estate consulting firm "Prop Equity" revealed in its report that housing prices have significantly increased across
Tier-2 cities in the country.
 According to the report, between January 2023 and October 2024, housing prices in 25 Tier-2 cities rose by up to 65%,
while prices declined in 5 cities during the same period.
 Tier-2 cities with the highest price increases included Jaipur (65%), Agra (59%),
Guntur (51%), Mangalore (41%), and Chandigarh (34%).
 Cities like Bhopal, Mohali, Sonepat, Trivandrum, and Mysore saw price declines of
up to 26%.
 Among cities with significant price increases, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada
stood out. The average price per square foot in Guntur increased from ?3,429 to ?5,169; in Visakhapatnam from ?5,821
to ?7,519; and in Vijayawada from ?3,932 to ?4,743, as per the report.
Political Crisis in France
 A no-confidence motion against French Prime Minister Michel Barnier was passed in the lower house of Parliament,
supported by moderate and extremist lawmakers, leading to a political crisis in France.
 The opposition gained victory as moderate and extremist opposition factions joined
hands to pass the no-confidence motion.
 The motion was introduced in the National Assembly, which has 577 members, on
December 4, 2024, and was passed with 331 votes in favor.
 Just three months after assuming office, Barnier lost his position as Prime Minister.
 With elections held in May 2024, there is no scope for fresh elections, so the
responsibility of selecting a new Prime Minister falls on President Macron.
 The no-confidence motion has no bearing on President Macron's position.

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Jared Isaacman as NASA Chief

 Recently elected U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman as the NASA Chief.
 Jared Isaacman will take over the responsibilities from former Florida Democratic Senator
Bill Nelson.
 Jared Isaacman is recognized as the first private astronaut to perform a spacewalk.
 Currently serving as the CEO of "Shift4 Payments," Jared Isaacman founded the company
at the age of 16.
Babasaheb Ambedkar's Death Anniversary as Mahaparinirvan Diwas
 Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, famously known as "Babasaheb," passed away on December 6, 1956. Toward the
end of his life, he embraced Buddhism.
 Influenced by the teachings of Gautama Buddha, Ambedkar's transition to Buddhism led
to commemorating his death anniversary (December 6) as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
 The central government has decided to observe Mahaparinirvan Diwas as part of the
main commemorations under the "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav."
 In Buddhism, Mahaparinirvana signifies liberation after death.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 07 December 2024

07th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Ban on Junk Food Ads in Britain
 Ananth Technologies' Support for PSLV-C59
 Simorgh Rocket Launch Successful
 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Former Chilean President
 Gujarat Most Affected by Coastal Erosion
 Shammi Silva Appointed as President of Asia Cricket Council

Ban on Junk Food Ads in Britain

 The British government has imposed restrictions on junk food-related advertisements during
daytime after a recent report by the National Health Service revealed that junk food
consumption is increasing obesity among children.
 These restrictions are set to come into effect from October 2025. Once the new policy is
implemented, junk food advertisements will only be permitted after 9 PM.
 The British government aims to control nearly 20,000 cases of childhood obesity.
Ananth Technologies' Support for PSLV-C59
 Recently, Ananth Technologies provided various services for the PSLV-C59 vehicle,
which carried the Proba-3 spacecraft.
 The company supplied 29 subsystems for this mission.
 These included data acquisition units, power modules, and control modules. Additionally,
the company offered design and testing services for PSLV-C59.
 Following the success of PSLV-C59, Ananth Technologies CMD Subbarao Pavuluri
stated on this occasion that Ananth Technologies has been recognized as India’s first private sector satellite operator to
provide geostationary communication satellites.
Simorgh Rocket Launch Successful
 Iran successfully launched the Simorgh rocket into space on December 6, 2024.
 Iran stated that this rocket carried three payloads into orbit.
 The launch was conducted from the Imam Khomeini Space Center in Semnan
Province.
 Simorgh is a satellite launch vehicle that had failed multiple times in the past.
 In its latest mission, Iran says the rocket successfully deployed an orbital propulsion
system and two research systems into orbit, 400 kilometers away from Earth.
 The orbital propulsion system facilitates spacecraft to adjust their orbits.

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Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for Former Chilean President

 Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and a prominent advocate for human
rights, has been chosen for the 2024 Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.
 The Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced that an international jury chaired by
former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon selected Michelle Bachelet for
the award.
 Michelle Bachelet, who has served as the founding director of UN Women, High
Commissioner for Human Rights, and President of Chile, has worked tirelessly for gender equality and the rights of the
most vulnerable communities worldwide.
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize Establishment- 1986 Prize Money: Rs. 25 lakhs
Gujarat Most Affected by Coastal Erosion
 The central government’s “NV Stats India 2024” report highlights that coastal areas are being eroded due to human
activities, mangrove deforestation, unchecked construction, sand mining, and other factors.
 The report reveals that between 1990 and 2018, 33.6% of the country’s coastline experienced erosion.
The states with the longest coastal erosion, in kilometers, are as follows:
S.No. State Length (in kms)
1. Gujarat 537.30
2. Tamil Nadu 422.94
3. West Bengal 323.07
4. Andhra Pradesh 294.89
5. Kerala 275.33
6. Maharashtra 188.26
7. Odisha 140.72

Shammi Silva Appointed as President of Asia Cricket Council

 Shammi Silva from Sri Lanka has been appointed as the President of the Asia Cricket Council (ACC).
 This appointment was made following the selection of Jai Shah, the former ACC President, as the Chairman
of the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Four Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh Win National Awards
 Four Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh have been selected for national awards under the Deendayal Upadhyaya Panchayat
Satat Vikas Puraskar.
 In the health sector, the Bomma Samudram Panchayat from Irala Mandal in Chittoor district was chosen. In the drinking
water facility category, Nyayampudi Panchayat in Nakapalli Mandal, Anakapalli district, was selected. In the cleanliness
and greenery category, Tagarampudi Panchayat from Anakapalli Rural Mandal in the same district was awarded. In the
social justice and security category, the Muppalla Panchayat from Chandrlapadu Mandal in N.T.R. district was chosen.
 Each of the selected Panchayats will receive Rs.1 crore from the central government. On December 11, 2024, the
President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will present these awards to the respective village Sarpanches at Vigyan Bhavan
in Delhi.

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RBI Monetary Policy Review

 In the latest bi-monthly monetary policy review by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), while borrowers did not receive
any relief, banks struggling with liquidity issues were given some respite.
 The RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged for the 11th consecutive time, maintaining it at 6.5%.
 To ensure greater liquidity in the system, the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) has been reduced from 4.5% to 4%, which will
bring Rs. 1.16 lakh crore into the banking system.
 The growth forecast for the current fiscal year has been revised from 7.2% to 6.6%. However, inflation estimates have
been raised from 4.5% to 4.8%.
RBI Inflation Projections
Quarter Projection (%)
2024-25, October - December 5.7%
2024-25, January - March 4.5%
2025-26, April - June 4.6%
2025-26, April - June 4.0%
 The RBI has announced an increase in the interest rate cap on Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) bank deposits
to attract more funds from the Indian diaspora. This move aims to control the depreciation of the rupee and reduce the
pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
 The RBI has also raised the loan limit for individual farmers without any collateral guarantee from Rs.1.6 lakh to
Rs.2 lakh.
 To detect and prevent digital financial frauds, the RBI has developed an AI-based solution called "MuleHunter AI." This
tool was developed at the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub in Bengaluru.
 The RBI has urged banks to collaborate with MuleHunter AI to detect and close fake accounts opened under others'
names to prevent financial frauds and money laundering activities.
8 New Kendriya Vidyalayas for Andhra Pradesh
 In a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 7,
2024, the government allocated 8 new Kendriya Vidyalayas to Andhra Pradesh. A total of 85 schools were assigned
across the country under the Civil/Defence sector.
 The total estimated expenditure for these 85 schools is Rs.5,872 crore. Each school will have the capacity to accommodate
960 students.
 The new Kendriya Vidyalayas in Andhra Pradesh will be established in Anakapalli, Madanapalle in Chittoor district,
Palasamudram in Gorantla Mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district, Tallapalli in Macharla Mandal of Guntur district, Rompicherla
in Palnadu district, Nandigama in Krishna district, Nuzvidu in Eluru district, and Donakonda in Nandyal district.
 The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the establishment of seven new Navodaya Vidyalayas for
Telangana. In total, 28 new Navodaya Vidyalayas will be set up across seven states. The estimated expenditure for
setting up these schools between 2024 and 2029 is Rs.2,359 crore, with Rs.1,944 crore for capital expenditure and
Rs.415 crore for school management.

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SIT Constituted on Ration Rice Smuggling in Andhra Pradesh

 To conduct a comprehensive investigation into the illegal transportation and smuggling of ration rice in Andhra Pradesh,
the government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT). CID IG Vineet Brijlal has been appointed as its
head. Other members of the team include:
1. B. Umamaheswar - SP, CID
2. T. Ashok Vardhan - DSP
3. M. Bala Sundar Rao - DSP
4. R. Govinda Rao - DSP
5. M. Ratthayya - DSP
 On November 27, 2024, Kakinada Collector Shan Mohan announced that 640 tons of rice meant for the poor were
found aboard the "Stella L-Panama" ship, prepared for export to African countries from Kakinada Port. Two days later,
Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan inspected the Kakinada Port and ordered the seizure of the
"Stella L-Panama" ship.
National Conclave on Deep Tech Innovation Conference
 On December 6, 2024, the National Conclave on Deep Tech Innovation Conference was held in Visakhapatnam under
the auspices of the Global Forum for Sustainable Transformation (GFST). Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu
Naidu attended the event as the chief guest.
 Chandrababu Naidu stated that they are preparing the Swarnandhra Pradesh-2047 vision with a focus on ten strategic
principles such as poverty eradication, water management, logistics, green and hydro energy, and zero-budget natural
farming. He added that they aim to achieve a 15% growth rate in the state by 2047.
 "We plan to transform every place in the state into an innovation hub. This will be named the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub.
We will establish five zones in the state with Amaravati as the center. Zone-1 will include the North Andhra districts,
Zone-2 will have the Godavari districts, Zone-3 will comprise the combined Guntur and Krishna districts, Zone-4 will
include Prakasam, Nellore, and Chittoor, and Zone-5 will consist of Kurnool, Kadapa, and Anantapur districts. We will
bring large-scale industries, educational institutions, and venture capital to these zones to create a knowledge economy.
We are currently promoting the 'One Family - One Entrepreneur' policy," Chandrababu said.
 Seven agreements were signed with GFST by organizations such as Samagra, GSR Point Grid Limited, GAME Company,
and German universities to collaborate on technology, advanced studies, women's empowerment, and other aspects in
the fields of education and healthcare.
Armed Forces Flag Day
 The Armed Forces Flag Day is celebrated every year on December 7 in India.
 On this day, the nation pays tribute to the martyred soldiers of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and other defense
forces who lost their lives serving the country.
 The Armed Forces Flag Day has been observed annually on December 7 in India since 1949.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 08 December 2024

08th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 BCCI Temporary Secretary Devajit Saikia
 Podili Rajasekhar Raju Receives Global Transversality Award
 Andhra Pradesh Mega Parents-Teachers Meetings
 Most Stylish People of 2024 - Radhika and Anant Ambani
 World's Smallest Robot
 Harimau Shakti Exercise in Malaysia
 Special Research University in Electricity sector.
 World meditation Day.
BCCI Temporary Secretary Devajit Saikia
 Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the temporary secretary of BCCI. He is from Assam
and was serving as the joint secretary of BCCI.
 This appointment was made as Jai Shah, the previous secretary of BCCI, was appointed
as the ICC Chairman.
 Elections for the BCCI executive committee will be held in September 2025.
Podili Rajasekhar Raju Receives Global Transversality Award
 The Ministry of Jal Shakti announced the "Global Transversality Award-2024" for individuals who have worked for rural
development through water conservation and rainwater harvesting in the country.
 Podili Rajasekhar Raju from Darsi, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, has received
this award.
 Rajasekhar Raju has been working for 17 years in rural areas of Telangana, Andhra
Pradesh, and Karnataka on water resource protection, management, and bringing about
changes suited to farmers.
 According to the award committee, through his plans, he has developed a rainwater storage capacity of 50 million cubic
meters across three states, providing water security to 200,000 families.
Andhra Pradesh Mega Parents-Teachers Meetings
 The Andhra Pradesh state government conducted the Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) on December 7, 2024, in
45,094 schools to improve standards in government schools with the participation of parents.
 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Human Resource Development
Nara Lokesh attended this event held at Bapatla Municipal High School.
 On this occasion, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu urged parents of students, saying,
"There is no wealth greater than education. Anything can be achieved with education,
so encourage your children towards education. Remember, education is the key to
change your life."

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 He also stated that the initiative would pave the way for significant reforms in the education system in the coming days.
"Parents should know what their children are studying and doing. With this objective, for the first time in the history of
the country, the state’s school education department organized these meetings in 45,094 schools on the same day," he
said.
 He mentioned that, "This program, where teachers, students, and parents collectively participated, with 12 million people
involved, is worthy of being recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records."
Most Stylish People of 2024 - Radhika and Anant Ambani
 Radhika and Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance
Industries, have been featured in the "63 Most Stylish People of 2024" list compiled by The
New York Times.
 The report mentions that the clothes and jewellery worn by the young couple at their grand
wedding in July 2024, along with the pre-wedding celebrations, attracted fashion enthusiasts
worldwide.
World's Smallest Robot
 Scientists at Cornell University in the USA have developed a micro-robot. These robots are so small that 30,000 of them
can fit on the tip of a needle. Despite being this tiny, they have the ability to move.
 It can easily perform actions with light waves and can reach specific locations, including body cell patterns.
 This technology has applications in medical needs and various areas of physics.
 The robot was primarily developed for a field called "diffractive robotics" and operates
without external tools like wires.
 The Cornell University scientists have already set a world record in the category of
moving robots. Previously, they had created robots sized between 40-70 microns.
The latest diffractive robot is between 2-5 microns in size. One micron is one-millionth
of a meter.
 The diffractive robot works based on the principle of light diffraction. Diffraction refers to the bending of light when it
passes through a hole or encounters an obstacle.
 The robot moves on solid surfaces like larvae and can swim in liquids.
 These robots can also be used with microscope lenses to capture images. In other words, they can be extensively used
with microscope lenses.
 The robot can capture clear images that cannot be seen with a normal microscope. It can also measure pressure exerted
in small structures. It can be used in fields like DNA research.
 Scientists believe that in the future, diffractive micro-robots will work in groups to provide high-resolution microscopic
observation. They will help in-depth research on cells and cell networks and can be used effectively in disease diagnosis.
Harimau shakti Military Exercise in Malaysia
 The 4th joint military exercise between India and Malaysia, named Harimau shakti, will take
place in Bentong, Pahang District, Malaysia, from December 2-15, 2024.
 This exercise has been held for the first time since 2012.
 The drills involve practicing sudden attacks, surveillance patrolling, and counter-terrorism
operations.
F Malaysia Capital-Kuala Lumpur F Currency-Malaysian Ringgit F Prime Minister of Malaysia-Anwar Ibrahim

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Pension for Sex Workers in Belgium

 Belgium has introduced a new law granting rights to sex workers, including pensions, official employment contracts,
health insurance, maternity leave, and sick leave.
 Belgium decriminalized sex work in 2022 and has now become the first country to introduce a law specifically for sex
workers.
Special University for Research in the Electricity Sector
 The "Urjaveer" program, organized by the Ministry of Power, the state government, and Energy Efficiency Services
Limited, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu along with Union
Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at Poranki, Vijayawada.
 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphasized that the future of the country and
state depends on electricity, and everything from home appliances to vehicles will
soon become electrical.
 He announced plans to establish a special university for research in the electricity
sector, covering solar, wind, green energy, and all related aspects, and said that over the next five years, the state will
attract Rs.10 lakh crore in investments and provide jobs for 7.5 lakh people in the power sector.
 Under the recently launched Urjaveer program, the central government has provided induction stoves, cookers, and
cooking equipment to 55,607 Anganwadi workers in Andhra Pradesh.
 As part of the PMAY 2.0 agreement, the government will provide appliances under Urjaveer to house beneficiaries, and
EESL appliances are expected to save 20% electricity. He also encouraged households and farms to set up solar panels
to reduce electricity bills.
 To promote the use of electric vehicles, more than 5,000 EV charging stations will be set up every 30 km across the state.
World Meditation Day
 The United Nations has approved a resolution, brought forth by India and other countries, to observe World Meditation
Day on December 21.
 Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Harish Parvathani, revealed this at
the "X" platform.
 He stated that India, which strongly believes in the principle of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"
(the world is one family), is working towards the global welfare, and the UN General Assembly,
consisting of 193 members, unanimously approved this on December 6, 2024 (local time).
 The International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on June 21.
F 2024 Theme: ''Yoga for self and society''.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 09 December 2024

09nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Bobbili Woman as Bank of China Director
 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Flees
 57th Anniversary of India's First Submarine, INS Kalvari
 Modern Weapon System for India
 AgniWarrior Joint Military Exercise2024
 $1 Trillion FDI into India

Bobbili Woman as Bank of China Director

 Kolli Bharati (43) from Vadada village in Badangi Mandal of Bobbili constituency, Vizianagaram
district, has been appointed as a director of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
(ICBC), it is the largest bank in the world.
 Bharati completed her engineering at MCBT College, affiliated with JNTUC in Madanapalle.
Twelve years ago, Dell sent her to the United States for a three-month project. Impressed by
her work, the company offered her a permanent position.
 While working, she completed her MBA at Duke University in the United States. Later, she
was selected for ICBC. She has been serving as a director at the bank's headquarters in New
York for four years.
F ICBC Established: 1984 F Headquarters: Beijing
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad Flees
 The nearly five-and-a-half-decade-long Assad family rule in the West Asian country of Syria has finally come to an end.
 Rebel forces, led by Abu Muhammad al-Julani of "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham," played a crucial role
and entered Syria's capital Damascus on December 8, 2024, forcing President Bashar al-
Assad to flee the country.
 Consequently, his government fell, and Syria is now entirely under the control of rebel forces.
 Assad, along with his family, sought refuge in Russia and is currently residing in Moscow.
F Syria Currency:Syrian Pound
57th Anniversary of India's First Submarine, INS Kalvari
 The 57th anniversary of India’s first submarine, INS Kalvari, was celebrated grandly on December 8, 2024, at RK
Beach in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
 INS Kalvari was dedicated to the nation on December 8, 1967. To commemorate the
occasion, a display of photographs and war equipment models was organized at the Kursura
Submarine Museum premises at RK Beach.
 The exhibits included naval uniforms, a deep-sea rescue vehicle, and torpedo models,
which captivated the visitors.
F Model:Diesel-Electric attack submarine
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Modern Weapon System for India

 The U.S. Congress has approved the sale of advanced weapon systems worth $1.17 billion to India.
 These include MH-60R multi-mission helicopter components, joint tactical radio systems, advanced data transfer systems,
external fuel tanks, and other equipment.
AgniWarrior Joint Military Exercise2024
 The 13th edition of the India-Singapore joint military exercise, Agnivaar Warrior-2024,
was conducted at the Devlali Field Firing Range in Maharashtra from November 28
to 30, 2024.
 The exercise involved mutual understanding of joint operations, firepower planning,
and training in the use of new artillery equipment.
$1 Trillion FDI into India
 India has emerged as a highly attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI). Between April 2000 and
September 2024, India surpassed the milestone of $1 trillion (over Rs.84 lakh crore)
in FDI inflows, as revealed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal
Trade (DPIIT).
 Of the total FDI, 25% came from Mauritius, followed by Singapore (24%), the U.S.
(10%), the Netherlands (7%), Japan (6%), the UK (5%), and the UAE (3%).
 Investments of $177.18 billion from Mauritius, $167.47 billion from Singapore, and
$67.8 billion from the U.S. were recorded.
 The sectors attracting the most FDI include services, computer software and hardware, telecommunications, trading,
construction, automobiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
 According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India received $667.7 billion in FDI between 2014 and 2024,
which is 119% more compared to the total FDI between 2004 and 2014.
China Launches self-Drive satelites
 For the first time in the world, China has launched two self-driving satellites named
“Gaojing -2 03” and “Gaojing -2 04” in space.
 These satellites, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, were
launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-2C rocket. They
are intended for survey and mapping purposes.
Nepal Signs Key Agreement with China
 Nepal has joined China’s "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI). Recently, Nepal’s Prime Minister
KP Oli Sharma held discussions in Beijing regarding Nepal’s inclusion in the BRI.
 Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that both countries have officially signed the
agreement.

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U-19 Asia Cricket Cup-2024

 The 11th edition of the U-19 Asia Cricket Cup was held in the United Arab Emirates from November 29 to December 8, 2024.
 In the final, Bangladesh defeated India by 59 runs to emerge as the winner. This marked
Bangladesh's second title win in the tournament.
 Iqbal Hussain Emon from Bangladesh was named the Player of the Series.
 The player with the most runs (335) was Shah Zain Khan (Pakistan).
 The player with the most wickets (13) was Iqbal Hussain Emon (Bangladesh).
Delhi Tops In Home Sales Value
 According to a JLL India report, a record 2,30,000 homes were sold in seven major cities across the country between
January and September 2024, with a total value of Rs.3.80 lakh crore.
 The average home value in Delhi was Rs.3 crore, the highest, while the lowest was in Kolkata at Rs.65 lakh. In terms
of the number of homes sold, Bengaluru ranked first.
City Homes Sold Value ( Crore)
Delhi 39,322 1,21,927
Mumbai 50,209 94,883
Bengaluru 51,512 62,128
Hyderabad 26,331 42,020
Pune 39,723 39,393
Kolkata 13,548 8,869
Chennai 9,263 8,041
GI Tag For Warangal Chapata Chilli
 The Chapata Chilli, grown uniquely in the combined Warangal districts, has been granted
the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
 Telangana has already received GI recognition for several special products like
Pochampally Ikat, Karimnagar Silver Filigree, Nirmal Toys, and Hyderabad Haleem.
 The Thimmapet Chilli Farmer Producer Company had applied for the GI tag for Chapata
Chilli two years ago, and the Indian Patent Office (IPO) recently approved it.
 The unique characteristic of this chilli is its mild spice level and bright red tomato-like color.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 10 December 2024

10th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of RBI
 The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit-2024
 Gujarat: State with the Most Dialysis Centers and Machines
 Y.J. Rao, First Project Director of SHAR, Passes Away
 Andhra Pradesh to Host the 2027 Asian Roller Skating Championship
 English: The popular / most - learned Language in the World

Sanjay Malhotra as the 26th Governor of RBI

 Sanjay Malhotra has been appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The Cabinet Appointments
Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved this appointment.
 He will serve in this position for three years starting from December 11,
2024.
 Sanjay Malhotra has been appointed to succeed the current Governor,
Shaktikanta Das, whose term ends on December 10, 2024.
 Sanjay Malhotra is a 1990-batch IAS officer of the Rajasthan cadre. Over
his 33-year career, he has worked in the fields of power, finance, taxation,
IT, and mining. He is currently serving as the Secretary of the Department
of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance.
Shaktikanta Das Retirement
 He first assumed the role of RBI Governor in 2018, and in 2021, the Central Government extended his term by three years.
 During his six-year tenure, economic growth remained above 7% for the past four years.
 The Global Finance Magazine, a publication based in the United States, named him the Best Central Banker twice.
 During the 2016 demonetization of high-denomination notes (?1,000 and ?500), the then RBI Governor Urjit Patel
distanced himself from the process, while Shaktikanta Das, as the Secretary of Economic Affairs, played a pivotal role
in implementing the initiative.
 He directly participated in the drafting of eight Union Budgets.
F RBI Established: April 1, 1935 F RBI Headquarters: Mumbai
First RBI Governor - O.B. Smith (1935–37)
First Indian RBI Governor - C.D. Deshmukh
First Telugu RBI Governor (21st Governor) - Y.V. Reddy
Second Telugu RBI Governor (22nd Governor) - Duvvuri Subbarao
Longest-serving RBI Governor (4th Governor) - Benagal Rama Rao (7 years, 195 days)
Second Longest-serving RBI Governor (25th Governor) - Shaktikanta Das (6 years)
Shortest-serving RBI Governor (16th Governor) - Amitav Ghosh (20 days)

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The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit-2024

 The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit-2024 commenced on December 9, 2024, at the Jaipur Exhibition
Convention Center (JECC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This summit will be held for three days, from December 9-11, 2024,
and was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 Theme : Replete, Responsible, Ready.
 The Government of Rajasthan is organizing the Rising Rajasthan Global
Investment Summit-2024 with the support of the Department of Industry
and Commerce, the Bureau of Investment Promotion (BIP), and Rajasthan
State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation Limited (RICCO).
 At the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that the mantra of Reform, Perform, Transform is driving
development in every sector. He emphasized that global investors are currently enthusiastic about investing in India.
Gujarat: State with the Most Dialysis Centers and Machines
 Kidneys constantly purify blood in the human body. When kidneys fail to function properly and cannot filter the blood
effectively, dialysis is needed to clean the blood externally.
 Dialysis is an expensive process, and to provide it free of cost to the poor, the Central Government launched the
Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program (PMNDP) in 2016. By October 31, 2024, 1,542 dialysis centers were
established across the country under this program, equipped with 10,663 dialysis machines.
States with the Most Dialysis Centers and Machines
State Dialysis Centers Dialysis Machines
Gujarat 272 1,286
Kerala 107 1,271
Tamil Nadu 139 1,237
Uttar Pradesh 75 884
Karnataka 185 840
Andhra Pradesh 53 624
Telangana 86 597

Y.J. Rao, First Project Director of SHAR, Passes Away

 Y. Janardhan Rao (Y.J. Rao), the first project director of the Satish Dhawan Space Center
(SDSC), passed away at the age of 94.
 Hailing from Kolavennu village in Kankipadu Mandal, Krishna district, he played a pivotal
role in the establishment of the Sriharikota Rocket Center.
 He served as the Director of SHAR from 1972 to 1977.

F SDSC Established-1971 F Current Director-Arumugam Rajarajan

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Andhra Pradesh to Host the 2027 Asian Roller Skating Championship

 Andhra Pradesh will host the 21st Asian Roller Skating Championship, scheduled for September 2027.
 India has been chosen as the venue for the championship, and the National Roller Skating Federation has designated
Andhra Pradesh as the host state.
 Around 3,000 skaters from 30 countries will participate in 11 categories in this championship.
English: The popular / most - learned Language in the World
 "Duolingo," an internationally recognized education app, released a report on the study
of various languages worldwide.
 According to the Duolingo Language Report-2024, English ranks first as the popular /
most - learned language globally (in 135 countries), followed by Spanish in second
place (in 33 countries) and French in third place (in 16 countries).
Top 10 Most Studied Languages in the World
1. English 3. French 5. Japanese 7. Korean 9. Portuguese
2. Spanish 4. German 6. Italian 8. Chinese 10. Hindi
First Flight Lands at Noida Airport
 On December 9, 2024, the first flight landed at Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar near Delhi, set to commence
operations in 2025. This marked a significant step in obtaining the “Aerodrome License” for the new airport.
 The flight, an Indigo A320, landed under the supervision of Union Civil Aviation
Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, carrying only the flight crew. Systems for airport
navigation, air traffic control operations, and other protocols were tested.
 Airport authorities stated that safety and operational standards required for
commencing commercial operations were reviewed, and an application for a license
from DGCA would be submitted soon.
“Bima Sakhi Yojana” Scheme
 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the "Bima Sakhi Yojana" scheme in Panipat, Haryana, on December 9, 2024.
 Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) introduced the scheme aimed at empowering
women. LIC MD and CEO Siddhartha Mohanty announced plans to appoint one
lakh “Bima Sakhis” within the next 12 months. Around Rs.840 crores will be
spent on registering women, and the initiative is expected to generate five times
the expenditure (Rs.4,000 crores) in business through Bima Sakhis.
Scheme Details
 Women aged between 18 and 70 with a 10th-grade qualification can join the Bima Sakhi Yojana. Financial and insurance
training will be provided for three years.
 A stipend will be given: Rs7,000 per month in the first year, Rs.6,000 in the second year, and Rs.5,000 in the third year.
After training, participants can work as LIC agents.
 The scheme's primary objective is to provide job opportunities for women, promote financial literacy, and raise awareness
about insurance.

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Arpith Kapil Defeats Grandmaster at Age 9

 In the KIIT International Chess Tournament, India’s Arpith Kapil defeated American Grandmaster Russet Ziat Dinov
to emerge as the winner.
 Arpith Kapil, at the age of 9 years, 2 months, and 18 days, set a record as the
youngest Indian player to defeat a Grandmaster in classical chess.
 Overall, he became the third-youngest player in history to win against a GM. The
list is topped by Indian-origin Singaporean player Ashwath Kaushik (8 years, 6
months), followed by Serbia's Leonid Ivanovic (8 years, 11 months).
India Internet Governance Forum
 The India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF)-2024 was held from December 9-10, 2024, at Bharat Mandapam Convention
Center, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
 Theme for 2024:Innovating Internet Governance for India.*
 The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the National Internet
Exchange of India jointly organized the event.
IIGF
 Initiated in 2021, the India Internet Governance Forum was created to provide a platform for global internet governance
discussions. It operates under the United Nations Internet Governance Forum.

Ashtalakshmi Mahotsavam
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsavam on December 6, 2024, to showcase the
cultures, handicrafts, handloom textiles, and diverse lifestyles of Northeast India to the world and the rest of India. It
was held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, Delhi, from December 6-8, 2024.
 Over 250 traditional handicrafts, GI-tagged products, handloom textiles, and
agricultural produce from the eight Northeastern states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, and Sikkim were displayed.
The primary objective of the festival was to increase demand for these products
and create economic opportunities in tourism.
 These eight states, called Ashtalakshmi, symbolize the eight forms of Goddess
Lakshmi representing prosperity, wealth, purity, fortune, knowledge, duty, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

Methane and Carbon Dioxide as Green Fuels

 Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed an innovative process to convert harmful methane and carbon dioxide in
the environment into clean biofuels.
 A specific type of bacteria was used in the process, which scientists claim addresses two major issues: the impact of
greenhouse gas emissions on the environment and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves.
 Methane, 30 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, is a significant contributor to global warming.
 The new process notably reduces carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulfide, and smoke emissions by 87%.

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INS Tushil Inducted into the Navy

 The advanced guided-missile frigate INS Tushil was ceremoniously inducted into the Indian Navy on December 9, 2024.
 With its induction, the Navy's combat capabilities in the Indian Ocean have
significantly increased.
 INS Tushil was built in Russia under a $2.5 billion agreement signed in 2016
between India and Russia to construct four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.
As per the agreement, two warships were to be built in Russia, while the remaining
two were to be constructed in India.
 INS Tushil weighs 3,900 tons and is 125 meters long. Indian technology accounts for 26% of the warship’s components,
and it is equipped with powerful weaponry.
 Tushil means defense shield. The warship bears the motto "Abhedya Kavach" (Impenetrable Shield).
Next / Second : Tamal

Solidified Water Beyond the Solar System

 Astronomers have discovered traces of water in the form of ice in a newly identified planetary system outside the solar system.
 This discovery was made using the James Webb Space Telescope from the United States.
 The traces of water were found in a massive proto-planetary disk within the Orion Nebula, located 1,500 light-years
from Earth.
 The icy water was detected around the star system named "114-426" at a wavelength of 3 microns, indicating
dust-filled ice.
 The proto-planetary disk is 1,000 times larger than the distance between Earth and the Sun.
 These findings could shed new light on the role of water ice in the formation of planetary systems.

International Anti-Corruption Day

 International Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on December 9.
 2024 Theme : Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity.
 It was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2003 and has been
observed since December 2005.

Human Rights Day

 Human Rights Day is celebrated worldwide on December 10 every year.
 The day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the
United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
 2024 Theme : Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 5
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 December 2024

11nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Madhav Gadgil awarded the "Champions of the Earth" Award
 Most searched topic on Google in 2024: IPL
 Maharashtra Tops in Corporate Social Responsibility Funds
 One Country, One Subscription
 No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar
 Gaganyaan Crew Module Recovery Experiment Successful

Madhav Gadgil awarded the "Champions of the Earth" Award

 Renowned environmental scientist and educator Madhav Gadgil (82) has been awarded
the "Champions of the Earth" award by the United Nations.
 The United Nations selects six individuals globally for this award every year, and Madhav
Gadgil from India is one of them.
 Madhav Gadgil received this honor for his services in the conservation of the Western
Ghats in India, which are crucial to global biodiversity and the environment.
Most searched topic on Google in 2024: IPL
 According to the "Google Blog," the most searched topics in India this year were related to sports and politics.
 Among the trending topics, the Indian Premier League (IPL), T-20 World Cup, and election results were at the forefront.
 In sports, the IPL, T-20 World Cup, Olympics, Pro Kabaddi League, and Indian Super League attracted the highest
search interest. Among individuals, five athletes (Vinesh Phogat, Hardik Pandya, Shashank Singh, Abhishek Sharma,
Lakhya Sain) were in the top 10, while Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan ranked fifth in the list.
Top Trending Searches Movies People Tourist Places
1. IPL 1. Stree-2 1. Vinesh Phogat 1. Azerbaijan
2. T-20 World Cup 2. Kalki 2898 A 2. Nitish Kumar 2. Bali
3. Bharatiya Janata Party 3. Twelfth Fail 3. Chirag Paswan 3. Manali
4. Election Results 2024 4. La Pata Ladies 4. Hardik Pandya 4. Kazakhstan
5. Olympics 5. Hanuman 5. Pawan Kalyan 5. Jaipur
6. Excessive Hit 6. Maharaja 6. Shashank Singh 6. Georgia
7. Ratan Tata 7. Manjumel Boys 7. Poonam Pandey 7. Malaysia
8. Indian National Congress 8. The Greatest of All Time 8. Radhika Merchant 8. Ayodhya
9. Pro Kabaddi League 9. Salar 9. Abhishek Sharma 9. Kashmir
10. Indian Super League 10. Aavesham 10. Lakhya Sain 10. South Goa

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Maharashtra Tops in Corporate Social Responsibility Funds

 Corporate companies (CSR) are carrying out various activities under social responsibility. The Ministry of Corporate
Affairs has stated that these companies are spending hundreds of crores in various sectors such as education, healthcare,
agriculture, and skill development across the states.
 The CSR funds spent across all states in the country are increasing every year. In 2018-19, the expenditure was Rs.20,217
crores, and by 2022-23, it had reached Rs.29,988 crores.
 Maharashtra received the highest funds in 2022-23, while Andhra Pradesh received Rs.955 crores.
Rank State Funds (in Rs. Crores)
1. Maharashtra 5,495
2. Karnataka 1,985
3. Gujarat 1,982
4. Tamil Nadu 1,559
5. Delhi 1,462
6. Uttar Pradesh 1,152
7. Rajasthan 1,102
8. Telangana 1,007

One Country, One Subscription

 A "One Country, One Subscription" program will be launched on January
1, 2025, to benefit the 1.8 crore students in higher educational institutions,
including IITs and universities funded by the government. Under this
program, research papers published in renowned journals worldwide will
be made accessible to Indian students.
 The program will provide access to publications in 13,400 international
journals in subjects like knowledge, technology, engineering, medicine, mathematics, management, social sciences,
and humanities, as revealed by the Chief Technical Advisor to the Central Government, A.K. Sood. Under the first
phase of the "One Country, One Subscription" program, these publications will be available to all researchers in the
country.

No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar

 For the first time in independent India's history, opposition parties filed a notice on December 10, 2024, for a no-
confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar. The India alliance parties have alleged that
Dhankhar has shown partiality in the management of the upper house (Rajya Sabha). Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh
and Naseer Hussain submitted this notice to the Rajya Sabha Secretary-General, P.C. Modi, on behalf of the alliance.
 Sixty MPs from Congress, RJD, TMC, CPI, CPI(M), JMM, AAP, DMK, and Samajwadi parties signed the motion.
 Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh stated that a no-confidence motion notice was filed because Chairman
Jagdeep Dhankhar crossed all limits in managing the Rajya Sabha. He alleged that Dhankhar had allowed the ruling
party to make accusations against the Congress leadership and had prevented the opposition from speaking on the
Adani issue. This biased behavior caused significant distress, he added.

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 TMC MP Sagarika Ghosh expressed that while they are aware that the no-confidence motion will not be approved in
the house due to lack of numbers, it still sends a strong message for the protection of parliamentary democracy.

Notice to Proceed in the House

 To file a no-confidence motion notice against the Rajya Sabha Chairman, at least 50 MPs must sign it. The notice must
be submitted 14 days in advance. Before introducing the motion in the house, the approval of the Rajya Sabha Deputy
Chairman is required.
 There have been instances in the past where no-confidence motion notices were submitted for the removal of the
Speaker in the Lok Sabha. On December 18, 1954, opposition parties filed a motion against Speaker G.V. Moulankar,
on November 24, 1966, against Hukam Singh, and on April 15, 1987, against Balram Jakhar.
 While the motions against G.V. Moulankar and Balram Jakhar were rejected by the Lok Sabha, the notice against
Hukam Singh was dismissed because fewer than 50 members expressed willingness to participate in the vote. For a
vote to occur, at least 50 members must agree.
Gaganyaan Crew Module Recovery Experiment Successful
 The Crew Module Recovery Experiment, a preparatory experiment for Gaganyaan, was successfully completed, as
announced by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on December 10,
2024.
 The experiment, conducted with the cooperation of the Eastern Navy near the
Visakhapatnam coast, ensured the safe retrieval of the crew module from the
sea.
 After the crew module landed in the sea during the Gaganyaan experiment, ISRO
tested the "Well Deck" method to retrieve the astronauts as quickly as possible.
 As part of this, the crew module, along with the astronauts, is secured once it lands on the sea and then connected to the
"Well Deck Ship." The module is brought aboard the ship, and the astronauts are safely retrieved.
 ISRO stated that the Navy personnel successfully brought the crew module on board the Well Deck ship during this
experiment.
 ISRO mentioned that these preparatory tests are being conducted to develop standard operating procedures for the
module recovery process.
Brain in the Fetus
 The human brain is a wonder, the feature that distinguishes humans from other species. IIT Madras has studied how the
brain develops in the fetal stage and released a 3D high-resolution image.
 IIT Madras Director Professor Kamakoti announced that this is the first time in the world that high-resolution images
of the fetal brain have been created.
 IIT Madras affiliated Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Center achieved this milestone using advanced brain mapping
technology.
 This research, initiated in 2022, collected around 5,132 images from the early stages of fetal brain development until
birth and converted them into 3D form. These studies are expected to help in early detection and treatment of conditions
like autism.

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Quantum Computing Willow Chip Invention

 International technology giant Google has unveiled a quantum computing chip
named Willow. It was developed in the company's lab in Santa Barbara. This chip
solved complex mathematical problems in just 5 minutes.
Chip Features:
 This chip easily solved a problem that would take even supercomputers a long
time to process.
 Willow chip easily solved a problem in quantum error correction that had remained unsolved in supercomputers for 30
years, creating ripples in the tech world. This is considered the biggest revolution in the tech world.
How the Chip Works:
 To understand information, regular chips operate based on binary language, using bits (0 or 1).
 When transistors in a computer stop, the code is 0, and when they are on, it is 1.
 Current computers store and process information in binary code, while quantum computers use qubits.
 Quantum computers process vast amounts of information quickly with the help of superposition. Google has incorporated
105 qubits in this new chip.
International Mountain Day
 International Mountain Day is celebrated every year on December 11.
 The day was established by the United Nations in 1992, and it was first celebrated in 2003.
 2024 Theme: "Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Innovation, Adaptation, and Youth."
 This day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of mountains and the restoration of their environmental
ecosystems.
UNICEF Founding Day
 UNICEF was established on December 11, 1946, by the United Nations Relief Rehabilitation Administration to provide
immediate relief to children and mothers affected by World War II. Therefore, UNICEF Founding Day is celebrated
globally on December 11 each year.
F UNICEF – United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund.
F UNICEF Headquarters: New York (USA) F UNICEF Executive Director – Catherine A. Russell
Death of Former Karnataka Chief Minister S.M. Krishna
 Former Karnataka Chief Minister and former Union Minister S.M. Krishna (92) passed
away on December 10, 2024. He was born on May 1, 1932, in Somnahalli, Karnataka.
 He first contested and won as an independent candidate from the Maddur constituency
in 1962. He later won the Mandya Lok Sabha seat in 1968, 1971, and 1980.
 In 1972, V. Krishna resigned from the Lok Sabha and served as a member of the
Karnataka Legislative Council and as Minister for Legislative Affairs.
 He served as Finance Minister in 1984, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly from
1989 to 1992, and Karnataka's first Deputy Chief Minister from 1992 to 1994.
 He lost the 1995 Legislative Assembly elections but was elected Chief Minister in 1999. He served as the Governor of
Maharashtra from 2004 to 2008 and as the Union Minister of External Affairs from 2009 to 2012.
 He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

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"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 December 2024

12nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Citizen Services via WhatsApp in Andhra Pradesh
 7th Smart India Hackathon-2024
 RH 5.1/Matrix-M Vaccine for Malaria Prevention
 Guinness Record for Bhagavad Gita Recitation
 Recognition of 47 Words for the 'India in Future Tense' Dictionary
Citizen Services via WhatsApp in Andhra Pradesh
 For the first time in the country, the Andhra Pradesh government has initiated
WhatsApp governance to provide citizen services, accept grievances from the
public, and deliver necessary information to them. As part of this initiative, the
government will soon announce an official WhatsApp number, which will have a
verified tag (tick mark). This number will act as a one-stop center.
 In the initial phase, 153 types of services will be provided through this platform.
These include delivering government information, accepting and resolving grievances, sharing details of government
schemes, providing information on tourist destinations, paying electricity bills, taxes, and offering various other citizen
services.
7th Smart India Hackathon-2024
 The 7th Smart India Hackathon (SIH)-2024 commenced on December 11, 2024. This two-day event is being
simultaneously conducted across 51 nodal centers nationwide. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the program
through video conference.
 Modi virtually interacted with young innovators at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Tirupati.
 SIH is the world’s largest open innovation model.
 Modi remarked that the responsibility of providing solutions to the challenges faced by the country lies with the youth,
emphasizing that India possesses young talent with the capability for innovative inventions and technical excellence.
 In this program, student teams work on problems presented by various ministries, government departments, and industries
related to 17 issues of national importance. Under the Student Innovation category, they will submit their ideas.
Themes of Smart India Hackathon
1. Smart Automation 10. Tourism
2. Fitness & Sports 11. Renewable/ sustainable Energy
3. Heritage & Culture 12. Blockchain & Cybersecurity
4. MedTech/BioTech/ HealthTech 13. Smart Education
5. Agriculture, FoodTech & Rural Development 14. Disaster Management
6. Smart Vehicles 15. Toys and Games
7. Transportation & Logistics 16. Miscellaneous
8. Robotics and Drones 17. Space Technology
9. Clean & Green Technology

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RH 5.1/Matrix-M Vaccine for Malaria Prevention

 Scientists are developing a new safe and powerful malaria vaccine. Recent Phase
2B clinical trials conducted on children in Africa have shown promising results.
This vaccine, known as "RH 5.1/Matrix-M," has been published in the "Lancet
Infectious Diseases Journal." The vaccine targets the blood-stage Plasmodium
parasite that causes malaria, boosting immunity.
 Oxford University and scientists from Burkina Faso tested the RH 5.1/Matrix-
M vaccine on 361 children. Some received three doses monthly, while others
had a four-month gap between the second and third doses.
 The vaccine showed 40% efficacy in those who received monthly doses and 55% efficacy in those with a longer
interval. Currently used vaccines like RTS,S/AS01 and R21/Matrix-M can only prevent malaria when the parasite is in
the liver stage, but they do not provide immunity once it enters the bloodstream. Scientists claim the RH 5.1/Matrix-M
vaccine addresses this limitation.

Guinness Record for Bhagavad Gita Recitation

 On the occasion of Bhagavad Gita's birth anniversary, a recitation event held in Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh, on December 11, 2024, earned a Guinness World Record. Organized
by the Madhya Pradesh government at Lal Parade Ground, the event saw 6,000 devotees
recite the Gita, securing a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Recognition of 47 Words for the 'India in Future Tense' Dictionary

 Ahead of India completing 100 years of independence in 2047, the United Nations Foundation and the Council of
Energy, Environment, and Water have identified 47 words for a dictionary titled "India in Future Tense: 47 Words for
2047."
 Words like Blue Carbon, Culturenomics, Digital Nomad, 15-Minute City, and Flax are included in this dictionary.
 The dictionary aims to capture the values and trends that will shape India’s journey by 2047. It is designed to empower
the youth with the knowledge and language required to achieve a sustainable and prosperous India by then. It emphasizes
the need for new nouns, verbs, and phrases to articulate the evolving lifestyle and environment. Words included in the
dictionary also feature Gamification, Gender Bonds, Heritage Hubs, Jugaad, and Robocare.

Voronezh Radar in India’s Defense System

 The Indian government has decided to establish the "Voronezh Radar System" in Chitradurga, Karnataka. For this, an
agreement worth ?34,000 crores is being finalized with Russia’s Almaz-Antey.
 The Voronezh Radar System can detect enemy ballistic missiles up to 8,000
kilometers away. It can also identify warplanes, stealth fighters, and space objects,
providing immediate information. The array technology in these radars quickly
detects enemy targets.

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"Operation Arrow of Bashan"

 Israel launched "Operation Arrow of Bashan" targeting Syrian air and naval bases.
 "Bashan" refers to the land in northern Israel towards Syria, a term used in the country's spiritual texts.
 Monitoring rebel movements in Syria, Israel deployed 350 fighter jets, damaging 80% of Syria’s air force and naval
weapons. The ports of Al Bayda and Latakia were destroyed in this attack.
 Israel utilized intelligence and planning gathered over several years for this operation.
 Violating the 1974 Line of Control agreement between Israel and Syria, Israeli forces advanced into Syrian territory
from Tel Aviv. They moved tanks up to 25 kilometers away from the Syrian capital, Damascus. The goal of "Operation
Arrow of Bashan" is to weaken Syria militarily.
QS World University Sustainability Rankings - 2025
 London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the third edition of the "World University Sustainability Rankings."
 Based on environmental impact, social responsibility, and governance, 1,740 universities from 107 countries were
ranked.
 The University of Toronto (Canada) secured the top position, ETH Zurich (Switzerland) ranked second, and Lund
University (Sweden) along with the University of California (USA) jointly held the third position.
Indian Universities in the Rankings:
University India Rank World Rank Score
IIT-Delhi 1 71 80.6
IIT-Kharagpur 2 202 78.6
IIT-Bombay 3 234 76.1
IIT-Kanpur 4 245 75.6
IIT-Madras 5 277 74.0
IISC-Bengaluru 6 376 67.5
VIT-Vellore 7 396 66.5
Growth in IT Hardware Production in India
 According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT and the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics,
the production of electronic equipment increased from ?5.33 lakh crores in 2019-20 to ?9.52 lakh crores in 2023-24. IT
hardware production also saw significant growth.
 Export value in 2023-24 grew more than three-and-a-half times compared to 2019. Central government incentives and
initiatives like "Make in India" have reduced the value of imports over the past three years.
Production and Export Values by Year:
Year Production Value Export Value
(Million USD) (Million USD)
2019-20 2,986 106
2020-21 3,009 123
2021-22 3,978 159
2022-23 4,548 221
2023-24 4,928 372

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India's Growth Rate Estimate for FY 2024-25 at 6.5% - ADB

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has projected India's GDP growth rate for the current fiscal year (2024-25) to be
limited to 6.5%. Earlier, it was estimated at 7%, but the latest forecast has revised it downward.
 ADB stated that the reason for this is lower-than-expected private investments and housing prices. The growth estimates
for the next fiscal year (2025-26) have also been reduced from 7.2% to 7%.
 ADB opined that changes in U.S. trade and immigration policies could adversely affect the growth of Asia-Pacific
countries, and inflation may also rise.

Inhalable Insulin Powder for Diabetes Treatment

 Cipla has received approval from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to market "Afrezza," an
inhalable insulin powder, in India.
 Developed by MannKind Corporation, USA, this medication is used in the treatment of diabetes patients.

Saudi Arabia to Host FIFA World Cup 2034

 The FIFA Football World Cup 2034 will be hosted in Saudi Arabia, as officially
announced by FIFA.
 Saudi Arabia was the sole bidder for hosting this World Cup. The bidding
process lasted for 15 months, and with no competing bids, the hosting rights
were approved for Saudi Arabia during an online meeting chaired by FIFA
President Gianni Infantino.
 The FIFA World Cup 2030 will be jointly hosted by six nations. Most matches
will be held in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with one match each in Argentina,
Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Jitender Reddy Elected as the President of Telangana Olympic Association
 Jitender Reddy has been elected as the President of the Telangana Olympic Association.
In the elections held at the Olympic Bhavan, LB Stadium, Jitender Reddy won against
Chamundeshwarinath with a margin of 34 votes.
 Mallareddy was elected as Secretary, and Satish Goud as Treasurer. The newly elected
executive committee will serve until 2028.

Bashir Appointed as Interim Prime Minister of Syria

 Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and other rebel groups, which ended Assad's authoritarian rule, have appointed Mohammad al-
Bashir as the interim Prime Minister of Syria. He will serve as interim PM until March 1, 2025.
F Syria Capital : Damascus F Currency : Syrian Pound
Universal Health Coverage Day
 The United Nations observes Universal Health Coverage Day annually on December 12.
 On December 12, 2017, through resolution 72/138, the United Nations declared December 12 as Universal Health
Coverage Day.
F 2024 Theme : Health: It's on the Government.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 December 2024

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 5
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 13 December 2024

13nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Golden Andhra @2047 Vision Document Launch
 No Orders on Places of Worship – Supreme Court
 8 Principles for Determining Alimony
 World Health Innovation Forum 2024
 ISKCON International University in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
 Indian Aviation Code Signed by President

Golden Andhra @2047 Vision Document Launched

 With the goal of achieving a prosperous, healthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh, the
Andhra Pradesh state government launched the *Golden Andhra @2047* document
on December 13, 2024, at the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium in Vijayawada.
 The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu,
several ministers, and public representatives. Prominent individuals who
contributed significantly in fields like education, women’s empowerment,
technology, health, agriculture, voluntary service, and other sectors were invited as guests to this event.
Golden Andhra @2047 Ten Principles
 Eradication of poverty, provision of employment, skill and human resource development, water security for every
household, farmer agricultural technology, world-class distribution system (logistics), energy and fuel cost control,
complete productivity across all sectors, clean Andhra with comprehensive technology at all stages.
No Orders on Places of Worship – Supreme Court
 The Supreme Court has directed that no new lawsuits be accepted by any court in
the country regarding religious places, particularly mosques and dargahs. It
clarified that no interim or final orders should be passed on the existing pending
cases. The court stated that this order should be followed until further instructions.
 Amid the pending approximately 18 lawsuits filed by various Hindu organizations
on 10 mosques, including the Gyanvapi in Varanasi, Shahi Idgah in Mathura, and
Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, the Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna,
Justice Sanjay Kumar, and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan issued orders on December 12, 2024.
 The Supreme Court heard petitions filed by six individuals, including lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, challenging the
*Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Court directed the central government to respond to the petitions
filed both in favor and against the Act within four weeks.

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 The 1991 Act prohibits the transfer of any place of worship to another religion. It permits a place of worship that
existed on August 15, 1947, to continue as it was. However, the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute is
excluded from the scope of this Act.
 To preserve religious harmony, several petitions have been filed requesting that this Act be continued, stating that
rulers in the past demolished temples and built mosques in their place, and all such mosques should be preserved. The
Supreme Court Bench, considering the validity, scope, and procedures of the 1991 Act, stated that no other courts
should intervene in this matter until further orders and that it would examine the petitions.

8 Principles for Determining Alimony

 The Supreme Court delivered a key ruling while deciding on the permanent alimony to be paid to a wife at the time of
divorce. It stated that the alimony paid by the husband should not be punitive, but must ensure that the wife lives a
dignified life. The Court suggested an 8-principle approach, as outlined by Justice Vikramnath and Justice Prasanna B.
Varale.
 A couple lived together for six years and then separated for nearly two decades before seeking a divorce. After hearing
arguments, the bench issued guidelines on the aspects to be considered when determining the final alimony. These
include:
1. The financial and social status of both the wife and the husband.
2. The reasonable needs of the wife and any children dependent on her.
3. The educational qualifications and employment status of the couple.
4. The wife’s own income and assets.
5. The standard of living the wife experienced at her in-laws’ home.
6. Any sacrifice made by the wife in giving up her career for family responsibilities.
7. The wife’s expenses incurred in seeking justice in courts if she was not employed.
8. The husband’s income, loans, and burden of alimony.
 The Supreme Court suggested that these factors should be considered while determining alimony, and all courts should
follow these guidelines. However, the Court clarified that there is no fixed formula for determining alimony and that
decisions should be made according to the circumstances of each case.

World Health Innovation Forum 2024

 The second edition of the *World Health Innovation Forum* 2024 was
inaugurated on December 12, 2024, at the Kalam Institute of Health
Technology (KIHT) Center in the state's MedTech Zone in Visakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh. The conference will last for three days.
 On the first day of the conference, discussions focused on new innovations
in the medical field. Around 1,000 delegates from 100 countries attended the event. The CEO of the MedTech Zone,
Jitendra Sharma, was present.

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ISKCON International University in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

 Uttar Pradesh's Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay announced that ISKCON is set to establish an
international university in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, to teach the Bhagavad Gita and Sanatana Dharma. He stated that
this educational institution, being established by ISKCON, will contribute to the future of our country.
 ISCKON means International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
Indian Aviation Code Signed by President
 President Droupadi Murmu signed the "Indian Aviation Code 2024", which replaces the Aircraft Act, 1934 (90 years
old aircraft act).
 The "Indian Aviation Code Bill" was approved by the Rajya Sabha on December
5, 2024, and by the Lok Sabha on August 9, 2024.
 The new law enables the designing and manufacturing of aircraft in the country. It
also brings under its scope regulations concerning the use, sale, export, and import
of aircraft.
 Authorities established to oversee BVV (Bharateeya Vayuyan Vidheyak)
F DGCA : Regulatory Functions and Sefety Oversight
F BCAS : Security Oversight
F AAIB : Aircraft Accident Investigations
Central Government Oversees above bodies
India Maritime Heritage Conclave 2024
 The "India Maritime Heritage Conclave (IMHC)" 2024 was held from December
11–12, 2024, at the Yashobhumi Convention Center in Dwarka, New Delhi.
 The event was organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
 The primary objective of the event was to preserve India's maritime heritage and
highlight its historical and cultural significance.
 The conclave plays a key role in charting the path towards realizing India's vision
of becoming a leading maritime hub by 2047.
World Chess Champion - Dommaraju Gukesh
 The "World Chess Championship" was held from November 25 to December 12, 2024, in Singapore.
 Indian Grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh won the championship.
 In the 14-game battle against defending champion, Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren,
Dommaraju Gukesh emerged victorious with a score of 7.5–6.5 points.
 At the age of 18 years, 8 months, and 14 days, Gukesh made history as the youngest
player to achieve this feat. He surpassed the previous record held by Russian Garry
Kasparov (22 years, 6 months, and 27 days in 1985).
 Dommaraju Gukesh became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the World
Chess Championship.
 Viswanathan Anand became the World Chess Champion five times (2000, 2007, 2008,
2010, 2012).
 Viswanadhan Anand won FIDE world rapid chess championship twice (2003, 2017)
 As the winner, Dommaraju Gukesh received a prize money of $1.35 million (Rs.11.45
crore), while the runner-up Ding Liren received $1.15 million (Rs.9.75 crore).

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Elon Musk: First Person to Accumulate Wealth Over $400 Billion

 According to Bloomberg Billionaires Real-Time Index, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon
Musk became the first person in world history to accumulate a wealth of over 400
billion dollars.
 Musk's wealth increased significantly due to the rise in the value of his companies'
shares after Donald Trump was elected as the President of the United States.
 Tesla's stock value increased by 65% after the U.S. presidential election. Additionally,
the artificial intelligence company X AI reached $50 billion in value in May.
Mallapalli Lakshmiah as International President of ABTO
 Senior journalist and social activist Mallapalli Lakshmiah has been appointed as the international president of the
Association of Buddhist Tour Operators (ABTO).
F ABTO Estd : 2015 F Head quarters : Nalanda, Bihar
2024 Asia Women's Handball Championship
 The 20th edition of the Asia Women’s Handball Championship was held in New Delhi, India, from December 3–10,
2024.
 This was the first time India hosted the championship.
 In the final, Japan defeated South Korea 25–24 to become the winner. With this, Japan secured the title for the second
time.
 India finished in 6th place in the championship.
Women in MSMEs
 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a key role in providing employment within the country. The
government has stated that these enterprises also have a significant share in exports.
 A large number of MSMEs in India are run by women. From July 2020 to November 25, 2024, a total of 2.18 crore
MSMEs were registered on the Udyam Portal and Udyam Assistance Platform.
States with High MSME Registrations (in lakhs)
State MSMEs State MSMEs
Maharashtra 25 Bihar 15.20
West Bengal 24.83 Madhya Pradesh 13.37
Uttar Pradesh 19.59 Andhra Pradesh 13.25
Tamil Nadu 18.36 Telangana 9.43
Karnataka 16.19
CE-20 Cryogenic Test Successful
 The ISRO announced that the CE-20 cryogenic engine, with a 100% nozzle area ratio, successfully completed a hot test
at sea level at the Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
 The engine's performance capabilities for the multiple-element igniter required for restart were demonstrated successfully
in this test.
 With this India joins small group of succesful flight (first time) : US, Japan, France, China, Russia, India.

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Air Pollution Causes 1.5 Million Deaths Annually in India

 An article published in the "Lancet Planetary Health Journal" revealed that air pollution caused 1.5 million deaths
annually in India between 2009 and 2019 due to prolonged exposure.
 It also mentioned that over 1.4 billion people in the country live in areas with PM 2.5 levels higher than the World
Health Organization's (WHO) standard (5 micrograms per cubic meter annually).
 This study was conducted with the participation of Ashoka University in Haryana and the Center for Long-Term
Disease Control in Delhi. The research team found that approximately 82% of the population lives in areas with an
annual average PM 2.5 level higher than the national air quality standard (40 micrograms per cubic meter).
 The study also indicated that air pollution increased by 8.6% every year. The lowest PM 2.5 levels were recorded in
2019 in Arunachal Pradesh's Subansiri district (11.2 micrograms per cubic meter), while the highest levels were recorded
in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh in 2016.
Reliance Signs Major Deal with Rosneft
 Reliance Industries has signed a deal with Russia's state-owned oil company, Rosneft, to supply 5 lakh barrels (25
million tons annually) of crude oil for the next ten years.
 This is the largest energy deal between India and Russia to date.
 After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European countries stopped buying oil from Russia. As a result,
Russia now sells oil to India at $3-$4 less per barrel.
 Before the war, Russia’s oil supply accounted for 1% of India's oil imports, which has now risen to 40%.
 In October 2024, China accounted for 47% of Russia's oil exports, while India followed with 37%.
 Under the 10-year deal, Reliance Industries will import crude oil equivalent to 0.5% of global supply.
 At current prices, this deal is valued at $12–13 billion annually (around ?1.02–1.1 lakh crore).
F Rosneft Headquarters : Russia F Founded : 1993
F Reliance Headquarters : Maharashtra F Founded : 1958
Time's Person of the Year-2024 : Donald Trump
 Donald Trump, the future U.S. president, has been recognized as Time magazine's
"Person of the Year."
 Trump was also named "Person of the Year" in 2016, marking this as the second time
he has received the honor.
 Franklin D. Roosevelt is only person to be named person of the year thrice.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

14nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Swarnandhra-2047 Vision Document Released
 Rekha Sharma Elected Unopposed as Rajya Sabha Member
 Impeachment Notice Against Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Shekhar Yadav
 Process for Removal of a Judge
 Forbes Most Powerful Women List - 2024

Swarnandhra-2047 Vision Document Released

 In the next five years, the Andhra Pradesh state government has released the
Swarnandhra-2047 Vision Document with ambitious goals, including eradicating
poverty in society, achieving 100% literacy by 2047, raising per capita income
from $3,200 to $42,000, growing the state’s economy to $2.4 trillion, increasing
the average life expectancy of the people to 80 years, establishing an industrial
park in every constituency, creating one entrepreneur in each family, and ensuring
sustainable development through public-private partnerships.
 To achieve the goals of Swarnandhra, the state government will implement 10 principles.
Key Objectives of Swarnandhra-2047:
Aspect Currently in 2024 Target for 2047
Population 5.30 Crores 5.80 Crores
Literacy Rate 72% 100%
Economic System (GSDP) $170 Billion $2.4 Trillion
Average Life Expectancy 70.6 Years 85 Years
Female Labor Force 45.8% 80%
Per Capita Income $3,200 $42,000
Urban Population 36% 60%
Unemployment Rate 4.1% Less than 2%
Exports $19.3 Billion Over $450 Billion
Other Goals:
 Andhra Pradesh’s share in exports, which currently stands at 5.5%, should increase to 35% by 2029 and to over 50% by 2047.
 Presently, only 50% of the agricultural land in the state receives irrigation. This should be increased to 75% in the next
five years, and 90% by 2047.
 Crop post-harvest losses, currently above 25%, should be reduced to 15% by 2029 and to below 4% by 2047.
 By 2047, 40% of the state’s agricultural land should be converted to natural farming practices, with 15% conversion by 2029.

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 The production of food grains should increase from 6 tons per hectare to 7 tons, pulses from 1 ton to 2.5 tons, oilseeds
from 0.9 tons to 2.5 tons, fruits from 24.1 tons to 35 tons, aromatic crops from 2.9 tons to 6 tons, and oil palm from 20
tons to 30 tons.
 Andhra Pradesh’s current share in domestic marine fish production is 14%. The target is to achieve 18% by 2029 and
25% by 2047. The share in total fish production, which is 19%, should be increased to 40%. Aquaculture should
expand from 2.12 lakh hectares to 3 lakh hectares by 2029 and to over 5 lakh hectares by 2047.
 The export of dairy products is currently less than 1%, and the goal is to increase it to 10% by 2047. This can be
achieved by reaching 5% by 2029. Egg production should increase from 20.4% to 33%, and meat production from 11%
to 20%. Post-production losses should be reduced from 25% to 5%.
 With the goal of making the state a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047, four pathways have been identified in the plan to
achieve these goals. These are:
1. Strengthening traditional revenue channels.
2. Public-private partnerships.
3. Partnerships with financial institutions.
4. Green finance and sustainable bonds.
 The goal is to develop five major cities in the state as special economic centers. These cities are:
1. Amaravati 2. Visakhapatnam 3. Kurnool 4. Tirupati 5. Kakinada
 xThe government aims to achieve world-class standards through skill training and employment-oriented education.
Amaravati, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati will be developed as knowledge cities with the establishment of an Artificial
Intelligence (AI) university, a national AI center, and world-class multi-disciplinary educational and research universities.
 To meet 100% skill requirements, 26 skill colleges, 350 knowledge hubs, and a skill university in Tirupati will be
established.
 The government has set the target of making the state a leader in the tourism sector in the country. Measures will be
taken to develop the tourism sector through the establishment of 7 anchor hubs and 40 tourist circuits. Specifically,
Tirupati will be developed as the largest spiritual hub in Asia.
 As part of Swarnandhra-2047, vocational education will be introduced at the school level. Vocational teaching will
start for classes 6 to 8. It will include field visits, activity-based learning, and other practicals.
 Swarnandhra-2047 Targets an ambitious Growth rate of 15%.

Rekha Sharma Elected Unopposed as Rajya Sabha Member

 In the Rajya Sabha by-elections, former chairperson of the National Commission for Women and BJP leader Rekha
Sharma was elected unopposed from the Haryana constituency. No one filed nominations
against her. The deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended on December 13, 2024, and
she was elected.
 BJP’s Krishanlal Panwar resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat after winning the recent
Legislative Assembly elections. Rekha Sharma was elected to the vacant seat.
 She served as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women from August 7, 2018,
to August 7, 2024.

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Impeachment Notice Against Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Shekhar Yadav
 Opposition parties have decided to move an impeachment motion for the removal of
Allahabad High Court judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav due to his controversial
remarks. A notice signed by 55 MPs was submitted to Rajya Sabha Secretary General
P.C. Modi on December 13, 2024.
 Justice Shekhar Yadav's speech at a seminar on "Common Civil Code" organized by the
Vishwa Hindu Parishad Legal Cell on December 8, 2024, within the Allahabad High
Court premises, became controversial. The MPs mentioned in the notice that the speech
was biased and inflammatory, targeting Muslims.
 The Supreme Court had issued a "Code of Conduct for Judicial Life" on May 7, 1997,
emphasizing the ethical values to be upheld in the judiciary, and Justice Shekhar Yadav's
speech was contrary to these values. They requested approval to send the notice to the President and introduce it in
Parliament under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1963.
Process for Removal of a Judge
 If a judge is considered incapable of continuing in office, provisions for removal are included in Article 124(4) of the
Constitution and the Judges Inquiry Act of 1968. A motion for removal must be introduced in either the Rajya Sabha or
Lok Sabha. In the Lok Sabha, 50 MPs must sign the motion. If the Speaker permits, an inquiry committee is formed as
per the Judges Inquiry Act. The committee will be headed by a Supreme Court judge and consist of three members.
 The committee conducts an inquiry and submits its report to the Speaker. If the charges are found to be true, a debate
will take place in both houses of Parliament. The concerned judge may also appear before Parliament to present their
defense. Afterward, voting on the motion will take place in both houses. The motion will be passed only if it receives
a two-thirds majority of those present or a majority of the total members. Afterward, the report recommending the
judge's removal is sent to the President.
Forbes Most Powerful Women List - 2024
 Forbes has released the list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.
 In this list, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ranked first for the
third consecutive year. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde secured
second place, while Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ranked third.
 From India, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made her mark for the
sixth consecutive year. She ranked 28th in the list, while HCL Technologies
Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra ranked 81st, and Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw ranked 82nd.
Tributes Paid to Martyrs of the 2001 Parliament Attack
 On December 13, 2024, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om
Birla, and several MPs paid tributes to the martyrs who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament. The
tribute was paid at an event held in the premises of the old Parliament building, Sansad Bhavan.
 In 2001, five terrorists attacked Parliament. The security staff of Parliament, along with Delhi Police, courageously
killed the attackers and prevented them from entering Parliament. In this process, six Delhi police officers, two Parliament
security staff, a gardener, and a TV cameraman lost their lives.

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World's Richest Families List - 2024

 Bloomberg News has released a list titled "World's Richest Families - 2024."
 In this list, the Walton family, founders of the American retail giant Walmart, holds the position of the richest family in
the world, with a wealth of 432.4 billion dollars (approximately ?36.65 lakh
crores). This is slightly less than the personal wealth of Tesla CEO Elon Musk
(447 billion dollars).
 The Al Nahyan family from the United Arab Emirates ranks second with a
wealth of 323.9 billion dollars, while the Al Thani family from Qatar ranks
third with a wealth of 172.9 billion dollars.
 In this list, the Mukesh Ambani family from India ranks 8th with a wealth of 99.6 billion dollars (approximately ?8.44
lakh crores), and the Mistry family of Shapoorji Pallonji Group ranks 23rd with a wealth of 41.4 billion dollars
(approximately Rs.3.5 lakh crores).
AI Chatbot Services at Kumbh Mela
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, which will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh,
from January 13 to February 26, 2025, will reach new cultural and spiritual
heights for the country.
 On December 13, 2024, Modi launched 167 development projects worth ?5,500
crores in Prayagraj, during a public meeting.
 Modi mentioned that for the first time at the Maha Kumbh Mela, multilingual
AI chatbot services will be provided for devotees and pilgrims. These services
will be available in Telugu, Hindi, English, and several other languages. The
chatbot will offer details on Kumbh Mela events, history, rituals, and travel facilities to pilgrims free of charge. Modi
also conducted special prayers at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers in Prayagraj.
INS Nirdeshak Ship
 The INS Nirdeshak ship, built for naval purposes, will be dedicated to the nation on December 18, 2024, from the
Naval Dockyard.
 It has been built for hydrographic and oceanographic studies in the country's maritime
waters, as well as for surveys.
 This ship is the second large vessel project built by the Ministry of Defence.
 The ship is 110 meters long, weighs 3,800 tons, and is equipped with 2 diesel
engines. It recently successfully completed sea trials in Kolkata.
 The ship will be dedicated to the nation by the Minister of State for Defence, Shri
Sanjay Sethi, according to naval sources.
Hottest Year on Record - 2024
 According to the European Climate Agency Copernicus, 2024 has been recorded as the hottest year, with average
temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees.
 November 2024 was recorded as the second hottest month after November 2023, with an average temperature of 14.10°C.
 It was reported that in November 2024, the temperature was 1.62°C higher than pre-industrial revolution levels.

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 According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the highest temperatures were recorded in November 2024, the
highest since 1901.
 The average maximum temperature was recorded at 29.37°C, which is 0.62°C higher than the normal temperatures.
 In 2024, the global average temperature remained around 0.72°C, which is higher compared to the 1991-2020 average,
as reported by the Copernicus Organization.

One-Time Elections Bill (Jaya Meli Elections Bill)

 Why in the news : The Union Cabinet has approved two bills for holding simultaneous elections (Lok Sabha and
Assembly elections at the same time).
Bill-1 : Amending the Constitution to implement simultaneous elections.
Bill-2 : Amending provisions in the legislation concerning Union Territories' Assemblies.
Recommendation : Committee led by Ram Nath Kovind.
Need for Simultaneous Elections
 Frequent elections and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) disrupt development activities.
 Simultaneous elections can justify the costs of elections held every year.
 It can prevent disruption in security forces and other machinery duties.
 Higher voter participation, reduction in court burden, and more.
Concerns Related to Simultaneous Elections :
 It may negatively impact the electoral prospects of parties.
 Reduced political accountability due to people’s scrutiny only once
every 5 years.
 Logistic issues may arise due to the simultaneous deployment of large numbers of personnel.
Committee Recommendations (Ram Nath Kovind)
Amendments : Amendments to three provisions
1. Adding 12 new sub-clauses to the existing provisions.
2. Adjusting three laws related to Union Territories' Assemblies.
3. One Voter List : By amending Article 325, the Election Commission will consult with the State Election Commissions.
Simultaneous Elections for Municipalities and Panchayats :
 These elections should be held within 100 days of the Parliament and Assembly elections.
 Scheduled Date: The President will notify the date of the first session of the Lok Sabha as the scheduled date after
general elections by synchronizing the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

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France's New Prime Minister: François Bayrou

 Amid a political crisis in France, President Emmanuel Macron announced François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister
of France on December 13, 2024.
 Recently, Michel Barnier's government collapsed following a vote of no confidence.
 François Bayrou is a senior leader in French politics. Macron believes his experience will be useful in garnering
support from all parties in parliament.
Trends in Fertilizer Use
 The sales of diammonium phosphate (DAP), a key fertilizer for rabi crops, have significantly decreased by 25.4%,
while the sales of urea, sulphur, potash, and other fertilizers have increased.
Reasons
 The reduced DAP imports are encouraging farmers to opt for alternatives that provide balanced soil nutrition.
Authority : FAI (Fertilizer Association of India)
Establishment : 1955, Headquarters - New Delhi
Various Types of Fertilizers Used in Agriculture
Nitrogen Fertilizers - Urea (46% Nitrogen)
- Ammonium Sulphate (21% Nitrogen)
- Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (26% Nitrogen)
Phosphatic Fertilizers - DAP (Diammonium Phosphate, Phosphorus (46%), Nitrogen (18%))
Potassic Fertilizers - MOP (Muriate of Potash) (60% Potassium)
- SOP (Sulfate of Potash) (50% Potassium)
Complex Fertilizers - NPKS (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur)
- NPK (10:20:26, 12:32:16) for balanced nutrition
Government Initiatives Related to Fertilizers - PM PRANAM Scheme
- ONOP (One Nation One Fertilizer)
- NCV (Neem Coated Urea)
- NBS (Nutrition Based Subsidy)

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 6
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 15 December 2024

15d Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 UrjaVeer Program Launch in Andhra Pradesh
 India's First Integrated Waste Management City
 Nikshay Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan Awareness Campaign
 National Energy Conservation Award for Andhra Pradesh
 Ira Bindra Appointed as President of HR at Reliance Industries Group
 UPI Transactions Worth ?15,547 Crores

UrjaVeer Program Launch in Andhra Pradesh

 The UrjaVeer program was launched in Porankil, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh,
in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited, by Union Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
 As part of this program, local electricians from various districts across the country
will be trained and converted into UrjaVeers.

India's First Integrated Waste Management City

 To promote innovative and sustainable waste management solutions, India’s first
integrated waste management city and learning center will be established in Sutni
village in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, by September 2025.
 The Ministry of Environment unveiled this project at a national conference of
chief secretaries in Delhi.
 The project, spread across 40 acres in Sutni village, aims to make the city free of waste through sustainable waste
management methods.

Nikshay Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan Awareness Campaign

 Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, launched the state-level Nikshay
Niramay Chhattisgarh Abhiyan 100-day health awareness campaign at the All
India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) campus in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
 The campaign aims to eradicate diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, and malaria in
the state and will continue for 100 days until March 24, 2025.

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National Energy Conservation Award for Andhra Pradesh

 Andhra Pradesh has been awarded the National Energy Conservation Award 2024. This award was given for promoting
and implementing energy-saving and efficiency measures in buildings, industries,
municipalities, agriculture, and transportation sectors.
 The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, classified
states into four groups based on electricity consumption, with Andhra Pradesh
placed in Group 2.
 Andhra Pradesh scored 87.25 points in the State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI)-
2024.

Ira Bindra Appointed as President of HR at Reliance Industries Group

 Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has appointed Ira Bindra (47) as the new President of
Human Resources (HR) Group. The announcement was made by Chairman and Managing
Director (CMD) Mukesh Ambani.
 She is currently serving as the Head of Human Resources at Medtronic in the U.S., holding
the position of Vice President for Global Regions.

UPI Transactions Worth Rs.15,547 Crores

 From January to November 2024, Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions worth
Rs.15,547 crore were conducted, with a total value of Rs.233 trillion, as revealed by
the Ministry of Finance.
 The digital payment revolution in India is rapidly expanding to other countries. Currently,
UPI is operational in key markets like UAE, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
France, and Mauritius.
 Launched by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016, UPI has
revolutionized India's payment system, enabling seamless fund transfers and payments for businesses.
Three Sports Removed from 2026 Youth Olympics
 The International Olympic Committee has decided to remove hockey, shooting, and weightlifting from the 2026 Youth
Olympics.
 The 2026 Youth Olympics will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026.

Diamond Battery Development

 Researchers from the University of Bristol, UK, and the Atomic Energy
Authority of the UK have developed a diamond battery.
 This battery is said to work continuously for 11,000 years.
 It generates electricity through carbon-14 radioactive isotope radiation.
 These batteries can be used in pacemakers, hearing aids, spacecraft, and
satellites to operate continuously.

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First Hindu Police Officer in Pakistan: Rajender Meghwar

 Rajender Meghwar has become the first Hindu police officer in Pakistan.
 He passed the CSS (Central Superior Services) exam in Sindh province and hails
from Badin.
 Currently, he is serving as the ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police) in
Faisalabad. Along with Rajender, a young woman named Roopmati from the
minority community also cleared the CSS exam.
Honorary General Rank in Nepal
 The Chief of Nepal Army, Ashok Raj Sigdel, was conferred the honorary General rank in the Indian Army by the
President of India, Droupadi Murmu.
 In November 2024, the Chief of the Indian Army, Upendra Dwivedi, was honored
with the honorary General rank in the Nepal Army by the President of Nepal,
Ramchandra Poudel.
 Since 1950, India and Nepal have been honoring each other's chief military officers
in this way.
Impeachment Motion Against South Korean President
 South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has faced an impeachment motion. Opposition parties filed the motion in
Parliament (National Assembly) on December 14, 2024, accusing him of
pushing the country into a crisis by issuing martial law orders.
 204 members voted in favor of the motion, while only 85 opposed it.
 As a result, Yoon Suk-yeol will have to hand over his presidential powers
and duties to the Prime Minister of the country, Han Duck-soo.
 The motion will be sent to the Constitutional Court by Parliament.
 The court will decide within 180 days whether to remove Yoon from office
or allow him to continue.
 If the court decides to remove him from office, presidential elections must be held within 60 days.
 A political crisis erupted in South Korea on December 3, 2024, when Yoon Suk-yeol issued martial law orders.
Book: Tipu Sultan - The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760-1799)
 The book "Tipu Sultan: The Saga of Mysore's Interregnum (1760-1799)" was written by Vikram
Sampath.
1 This book was published by Penguin Random House India.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 3
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 16 December 2024

16nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Cyclone "Chido" Devastates Mayotte
 Jalvahak Scheme for Promoting Inland Water Transport
 Drone Surveillance on Illegal Activities in Andhra Pradesh
 Cloud Patrolling Launched in Vijayawada
 11 Resolutions for Achieving Developed India by 2047
Cyclone "Chido" Devastates Mayotte
 The "Chido Cyclone" caused havoc in Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian
Ocean. Officials reported that nearly 11 people were killed, and 246 others were
seriously injured.
 Authorities mentioned that the death toll could rise to as high as 1,000. This is the
first cyclone of this magnitude to hit Mayotte in the last 90 years.
Jalvahak Scheme for Promoting Inland Water Transport
 The central government launched the "Jalvahak" scheme on December 15, 2024,
to promote cargo transportation through inland waterways. The aim is to enhance
cost-effective and sustainable transport through national waterways 1 (Ganga), 2
(Brahmaputra), and 16 (Barak River).
 As part of the initiative, three cargo vessels were flagged off by the Union Minister
for Ports and Shipping, Sarbananda Sonowal, on December 15, 2024. Under this
scheme, cargo operators transporting goods up to 300 km can claim up to 35% of the costs incurred. The scheme will
be in effect for three years and is being jointly implemented by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Inland and
Coastal Shipping.
Drone Surveillance on Illegal Activities in Andhra Pradesh
 Drones will be deployed to curb illegal activities such as eve-teasing,
ganja cultivation, public drinking, traffic violations, and illegal sand
transportation.
 As part of this initiative, the Vijayawada police launched a drone patrol
under the name "Cloud Patrolling" on December 15, 2024. MP Kesineni
Srinivas and other donors provided 14 drones to the police. In addition to
these, the Commissioner of Vijayawada, SP Rajasekhar Babu, handed over a total of 28 drones, including 4 from the
Command Control Center, to police stations within the commissionerate's jurisdiction.
 Experts demonstrated an experimental approach where geo-mapping of crime-prone areas is linked to drones for
surveillance.
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Cloud Patrolling Launched in Vijayawada

 SP Rajasekhar Babu explained that Vijayawada has launched "Cloud Patrolling" for the first time in the
country. He mentioned that 500 women secretaries from the Secretariat and 100 women police officers
were trained in drone flying. These drones will go to designated locations, capture photos and videos, and
return without staff assistance. This initiative will be useful for disaster management, identifying criminals,
and search operations.
11 Resolutions for Achieving Developed India by 2047
 On the 75th anniversary of the implementation of the Indian Constitution, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
announced 11 resolutions for achieving a "Developed India" (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. They are:
1. Development for all with "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (inclusive development).
2. Corruption-free government systems.
3. Pride in following the rule of law.
4. Freedom from colonial mindset.
5. Moving away from dynastic politics.
6. Respect for the Constitution and not using it for political gains.
7. No removal of reservations.
8. Stopping religious reservations.
9. Making India an example for women's empowerment.
10. State-centric growth from state to nation.
11. "Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat" (One India, Great India).
National Energy Conservation Day
 National Energy Conservation Day is observed every year on December
14 to raise awareness about the importance of energy conservation and
encourage people to contribute to using and saving energy resources
efficiently.
 This day has been celebrated since 1991 by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
under the Ministry of Power.
 2024 Theme: "Powering Sustainability : Every Watt Counts"
Vijay Diwas
 Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on December 16 to commemorate
India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.
 Vijay Diwas celebrations were held in Kolkata, West Bengal, on December
16, 2024. A team of freedom fighters from Bangladesh, known as Mukti
Jodhas (freedom fighters), attended the event. West Bengal Governor
CV Anand Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also participated.
 The Indian Army played a major role in defeating Pakistan and creating
Bangladesh during the 1971 war. The Eastern Command of the Indian
Army conducts annual Vijay Diwas celebrations.

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Syed Mushtaq Ali T-20 Trophy 2024-25

 The 17th edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was held from November 23 to December 15, 2024.
 In the final, Mumbai defeated Madhya Pradesh by 5 wickets at
the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, winning the title for
the second time. Mumbai had also won the title previously in 2022.
 The Player of the Match award went to Suryansh Shedge (Mumbai).
 Player of the Series: Ajinkya Rahane (Mumbai).
 Highest Run Scorer: Ajinkya Rahane (468 runs, Mumbai).
 Highest Wicket Taker: Jagjeet Singh (18 wickets, Chandigarh).
Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024
 The 9th edition of the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup was held from
December 7 to 15, 2024, in Muscat, Oman.
 In the final, India defeated China 4-2 in a shootout to win the title for the
second time.
 The tournament's top scorer was Deepika Sehrawat (12 goals, India).
Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain Passed away
 Renowned tabla maestro Zakir Hussain (73) passed away on December
15, 2024. He was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai.
 He was the eldest son of the famous tabla maestro Ustad Alla Rakha
Khan. Zakir Hussain started mastering the tabla at the age of seven and
gave his first concert at the age of twelve.
 He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and
Padma Vibhushan in 2023. He won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990.

Uttar Pradesh Has the Largest Number of Elderly People Above 70

 Under the Ayushman Bharat - PM Jan Arogya Yojana, the government recently decided to provide free
medical treatment up to Rs.5 lakh annually for all citizens aged above 70.
 The government estimates that there are around 6 crore elderly people in about 4.5 crore families across
the country.
Elderly Population (Above 70) in States

S.No. State citizens S.No. State citizens

1. Uttar Pradesh 89.06 6. Karnataka 33.40
2. Maharashtra 66.26 7. Rajasthan 31.45
3. Tamil Nadu 43.19 8. Gujarat 28.53
4. Bihar 43.19 9. Kerala 26.84
5. Madhya Pradesh 34.73 10. Andhra Pradesh 25.94

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Jobs for 23 Crore People through MSME

 From July 1, 2020, to November 30, 2024, 3.13 crore MSMEs were registered, providing job opportunities to
23.39 crore people.
 Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh were the states where more than 2 crore job opportunities
were created. There are 8 states where job opportunities exceeded 1 crore.
States Job Opportunities
(in crores)
Maharashtra 2.48
Tamil Nadu 2.40
Uttar Pradesh 2.29
Karnataka 1.90
West Bengal 1.55
Rajasthan 1.32
Telangana 1.30
Gujarat 1.28
Andhra Pradesh 1.19
Bihar 1.05
Madhya Pradesh 1.01

India’s First Diabetes Biobank

 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has established
India’s first diabetes biobank in Chennai to strengthen scientific
research by preserving biological samples related to people.
 The biobank is set up in collaboration with the Madras Diabetes
Research Foundation (MDRF). The biobank’s goals include the
collection, processing, preservation, and distribution of
biospecimens.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 4
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 17 December 2024

17th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Former Football Player Kavelaashvili as President of Georgia
 German Chancellor Loses Parliament’s Confidence
 Damaged Idols Identified in Temple Well at Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
 Tamil Nadu as the State with the Most Industries
 Cases Against Those Who Give Alms in Indore from January 1, 2025
 Preeti Lobana as Google India Manager

Former Football Player Kavelaashvili as President of Georgia

 Former football player Mikheil Kavelaashvili (53) has become the President of Georgia.
The appointment of Mikheil Kavelaashvili from the "Georgian Dream Party" has been opposed
by the opposition.
 The opposition stated that the latest development disrupts Georgia's aspirations to become
part of European society.
 Mikheil Kavelaashvili was first elected as an MP in 2016. In 2022, he established the People's
Power political movement party. Later, he merged his party into the Georgian Dream Party.
 Mikheil is recognized as one of the authors of a controversial law in Georgia.
Capital of Georgia – Tbilisi Currency – Georgian Lari
German Chancellor Loses Parliament’s Confidence
 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has lost the confidence of Parliament. In a voting held in
Germany’s Parliament on December 16, 2024, which has 733 members, only 207 votes were
in favor of him. A total of 394 voted against, and 116 members were absent.
 As per the earlier decision, Germany will prepare for elections in February 2025. Olaf Scholz
has been leading the minority government since the coalition collapsed on November 6, 2024.
Damaged Idols Identified in Temple Well at Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh
 Officials stated on December 16, 2024, that three damaged idols were found in a well at an ancient temple recently
reopened after 46 years in the Sambhal region of Uttar Pradesh.
 The Shri Kartik Mahadev (Bhasma Shankar Temple) in the Sambhal region has been
closed since 1978. Recently, during anti-encroachment operations, officials discovered
the temple and reopened it on December 13, 2024.
 The Bhasma Shankar Temple contains a Shiva Lingam and a Hanuman idol. There is
also a well in the temple. During excavations, officials first identified a damaged Parvati
idol on December 16, 2024, followed by the idols of Ganesh and Lakshmi, the District Magistrate stated.
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Tamil Nadu as the State with the Most Industries

 According to the Annual Industrial Survey conducted in 2022-23, there are a total of 2,53,334 factories in the country. In
2020-21, the number of industries was 2,50,454.
 Tamil Nadu ranks first as the state with the most industries, while Andhra Pradesh secured the 5th position.
Rank State Industries
1 Tamil Nadu 39,666
2 Gujarat 31,031
3 Maharashtra 26,446
4 Uttar Pradesh 19,102
5 Andhra Pradesh 16,483
6 Karnataka 14,510
7 Punjab 13,228
8 Telangana 13,063

Cases Against Those Who Give Alms in Indore from January 1, 2025
 Authorities are taking several measures to make Indore in Madhya Pradesh a city free
of beggars. As part of this, the district authorities, who have already banned begging,
have warned of strict action against those who give alms to beggars.
 It was announced that FIRs would be filed against those who give money to beggars.
Indore Collector Aashish Singh stated on December 16, 2024, that this rule would be
implemented from January 1, 2025. He advised the public not to help those engaged in
begging and to cooperate in transferring them to rehabilitation centers.
Preeti Lobana as Google India Manager
 Preeti Lobana has been appointed as the new Country Manager and Vice President of Google
India.
 She replaced Sanjay Gupta, who was recently promoted as the Asia Pacific President at
Google.
FGoogle Founded – 1998 FHeadquarters – California (USA)
FCurrent Google CEO – Sundar Pichai
Environmentalist Tulasi Gowda Passes Away
 Environmentalist and Padma Award recipient Tulasi Gowda (80) passed away. Hailing
from Karnataka, Tulasi Gowda was known as the “Tree Mother.”
 She dedicated her entire life to environmental conservation and the protection of trees
and plants. Tulasi Gowda planted over 35,000 saplings in the forests around the Western
Ghats, Karwar, and Ankola.
 In recognition of her services, then-President Ram Nath Kovind conferred the Padma
Shri award on her in 2021.

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Acharya Umamaheshwar Rao as CSAB Chairman

 Acharya Karanam Umamaheshwar Rao from Nalgonda, Telangana, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Central
Seat Allocation Board (CSAB) for the 2025-26 academic year. The Ministry of Education issued the orders to this
effect.
 He is a professor at IIT Kharagpur and has been serving as the Director of NIT Rourkela in Odisha since February
2022.
Jamshed Ji Tata Award for Kiran Mazumdar Shaw
 Biocon Group Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has been honored with the Jamshed Ji
Tata Award-2024.
 The Indian Society for Quality (ISQ) announced this award for her leadership in pioneering
the biosciences movement in the country.
 ISQ presents this award to recognize business leaders who have made significant contributions to Indian society.
Medicover Agreement with Lupin Digital
 Lupin Digital Health, a subsidiary of pharmaceutical company Lupin, has entered into a
partnership agreement with Hyderabad-based Medicover Hospitals.
 The primary objective of this agreement is to provide post-operative care at home for
patients who have undergone heart surgeries at Medicover Hospitals. For this, Lupin
Digital Health's advanced digital therapeutics (DTX) platform, “Lyfe,” will be utilized.
 “Lyfe” has received a “Class-C” medical device license from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO),
India’s drug regulatory authority.
Hydrothermal Sulfide Traces in the Ocean Floor
 For the first time, Indian scientists have successfully explored hydrothermal sulfides on the ocean floor.
 Officials stated that this exploration was carried out in the southern Indian Ocean under the leadership of the National
Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
 On December 15, 2024, a team of scientists led by Dr. Ramesh, NIOT Scientist-In-Charge, embarked on this mission
aboard the research ship “Sagar Nidhi.”
 The team conducted a geological and biological survey using NIOT’s autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), the
Ocean Mineral Explorer (OME-6000).
 The exploration was successful in identifying the presence of hydrothermal sulfide at a depth of 4,500 meters. Scientists
noted that this is the first time OME-6000 has been used for such research.
 OME-6000 captured rare images of the hydrothermal sulfide field in the southwest part of the southern Indian Ocean
floor.

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Three Andhra Pradesh Members Sworn into Rajya Sabha

 Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar administered the oath of office on
December 16, 2024, to TDP members Sana Satish Babu, Beeda Mastan Rao, and
BJP member R. Krishnayya, who were recently elected unopposed in the Rajya
Sabha by-elections.
 Sana Satish and R. Krishnayya took the oath in Telugu, while Beeda Mastan Rao
took the oath in English. The Election Commission of India released the schedule for these by-elections on November
26, 2024. As no other candidates filed nominations, the three were elected unopposed.
Justice Sudarshan Reddy as IAMC Permanent Trustee
 Former Supreme Court Judge Justice G. Sudarshan Reddy has assumed the role of permanent trustee of the International
Arbitration and Mediation Centre (IAMC). He replaced Justice Lavu Nageswara Rao, who resigned from the position
due to personal reasons.
 Established internationally in 2019 by then-Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana,
the IAMC has Supreme Court former judges Justice R.V. Raveendran, Justice Lavu
Nageswara Rao, and Justice Hima Kohli as permanent trustees.
 Born in 1964, Justice Sudarshan Reddy enrolled as a lawyer in 1971. He was appointed
as the Chief Justice of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh High Court in 1995 and later
served as the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court before retiring in July 2011.
 The IAMC was established in Hyderabad to resolve disputes promptly and impartially.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 4
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 18 December 2024

18th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Sri Lanka President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s Visit to India
 Jamili Elections Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha
 Millet Research Center in Rajasthan
 Women Empowerment in Iron Mining
 Maharashtra Tops in Voluntary Surrender of Gas Subsidies
 Uttar Pradesh: State with the Highest Number of Differently-Abled Individuals

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumar Dissanayake’s Visit to India

 Sri Lankan President Anura Kumar Dissanayake visited India for the first time as the
President from December 15-17, 2024.
 This was his first foreign trip as the country’s President.
 During the three-day visit, Sri Lankan President was welcomed at Delhi Airport by
Union Minister Murugan.
 On December 16, 2024, Sri Lankan President Dissanayake met with Indian Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
 During the meeting, Dissanayake emphasized that Sri Lanka would never allow its territory to be used by others in a
way that would harm India’s interests.
 Given China’s aggressive attempts to expand its influence over Sri Lanka, his statements have gained significance.
 Prime Minister Modi, during the meeting, stated that the security interests of India and Sri Lanka are interlinked. They
decided to expedite the finalization of a bilateral security cooperation agreement.
 Modi assured that India would continue to support Sri Lanka in its efforts to recover from economic challenges and
achieve stability.
 Modi also directed officials to sign a bilateral understanding agreement to provide flexibility in the repayment of loans to
India.
Rameswaram-Sri Lanka Ferry Service
 Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for strengthening India-Sri Lanka relations.
 As part of this effort, he announced the decision to start a ferry service between Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu and
Talaimannar in Sri Lanka.
 Modi expressed hope that the Sri Lankan government would fulfill the aspirations of Tamils in Sri Lanka. He also
highlighted the importance of investments based growth and connectivity in Colombo's economic partnership. He mentioned
strengthening energy relations through the establishment of electricity grid connectivity and petroleum pipelines between
the two nations.
F Sri Lanka Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte F Currency: Sri Lankan Rupee F Sri Lankan Prime Minister: Amarasuriya Harini
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Jamili Elections Bill Introduced in Lok Sabha

 To facilitate simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections across the country, the central government introduced the
129th Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on December 17, 2024. Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun
Ram Meghwal presented the bill before the House through a voting process. After a 90-minute discussion, a vote was
conducted, where 269 members voted in favor and 190 opposed. Speaker Om Birla gave
his approval for the introduction of the bill.
 However, the opposition raised objections, stating that the central government acted
dictatorially by introducing the bill. They demanded that the bill, which they claimed threatens
the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, be sent to a Joint Parliamentary Committee
(JPC). The ruling party clarified that the bill does not deviate from the basic structure of the
Constitution and expressed no objection to sending it to the JPC as all parties called for a
wider discussion.
Bill Summary
 Such simultaneous elections may be implemented starting in 2034.
 Once the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill is enacted into law, the President will issue a notification for the first
sitting day of the Lok Sabha formed after the next general elections. This notification will be referred to as the "Appointed
Day." From that day, the Lok Sabha's tenure will be five years. All Assemblies formed after the Appointed Day will end
their tenure along with the Lok Sabha. Thereafter, all Lok Sabha and Assembly elections will be held simultaneously.
The bill specifies that if either the Lok Sabha or an Assembly is dissolved before completing its full term, elections for the
remainder of the five-year period will be conducted.
Millet Research Center in Rajasthan
 Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on December 17, 2024, that a
"Millet Research Center" will be established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICMR) in Badmer, Rajasthan. He revealed that Rs.8.50 crore will be allocated for this purpose.
 The Rajasthan government has allocated 98.8 acres of land for the Millet Research Center.
Women Empowerment in Iron Mining
 Physical labor-intensive mining operations are typically male-dominated. However, Tata Steel announced that a shift in
the Noamundi iron mine in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, is now entirely operated
by women. The company stated that this is the first such instance in the country.
 Tata Steel mentioned that women employees manage all activities during the shift,
including operating moving machinery, loaders, drills, dozers, and supervising the shift
along with all mining operations.
Daikin Industries Investment in Andhra Pradesh
 Japan-based air conditioner and refrigeration equipment manufacturer Daikin Industries is set to establish a compressor
manufacturing unit with an investment of Rs.1,000 crore at Sri City (Tirupati) on a 75-acre site.
 The investment will be made in partnership with Taiwan-based Rechi Precision. Daikin India and Rechi Precision will
produce rotary compressors used in inverter and non-inverter ACs and export them to other countries.

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Maharashtra Tops in Voluntary Surrender of Gas Subsidies

 The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that the central government has undertaken numerous initiatives
to implement the LPG gas subsidy more effectively for the poor.
 By November 2024, a total of 1.14 crore people across the country voluntarily surrendered their subsidies. This has
saved the government Rs.31,944 crore since 2018-19.
 Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are the top states with the highest number of individuals who voluntarily gave up their
subsidies. In Andhra Pradesh, the number stands at 2.41 lakh, while in Telangana, it is 3.88 lakh.
Top States/UTs in Subsidy Surrender (in lakhs)
Rank State/UT Subsidy
Surrendered
1 Maharashtra 19.65
2 Uttar Pradesh 14.08
3 Delhi 9.23
4 Karnataka 7.75
5 Rajasthan 7.57
6 Tamil Nadu 6.92
7 Gujarat 5.46
Uttar Pradesh: State with the Highest Number of Differently-Abled Individuals
 As of December 12, 2024, there are 1,15,32,504 unique disability ID cards issued nationwide. According to the 2011
Census, the total population of differently-abled individuals was 2.68 crore.
 Based on the current ID data, Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of differently-abled individuals, accounting for
12.35% of the total, followed by Maharashtra with 10.28%.
Rank State Number of
Cards Issued
1 Uttar Pradesh 14.25
2 Maharashtra 11.86
3 Andhra Pradesh 9.64
4 Madhya Pradesh 9.02
5 Tamil Nadu 8.55
6 Karnataka 8.28
7 Telangana 7.75
8 Odisha 7.52
National Digital Transformation Award for Telangana Police
 The Telangana Police Department has been awarded the 15th National Digital Transformation Award for its use of
technology.
 This award was given for the efficient management of technology during the Ganesh immersion processions by the
Telangana Police.

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Mangalagiri AIIMS First Convocation

 The first convocation of AIIMS Mangalagiri in Andhra Pradesh was held on December 17, 2024, with President Droupadi
Murmu as the chief guest.
 Along with the medical students, the faculty wore Mangalagiri handloom garments
featuring Kalamkari prints. Portraits of prominent figures were displayed on the stage
under the title "Mana Telugu Ratnalu" (Our Telugu Gems).
 President Droupadi Murmu presented gold medals to students who exhibited exceptional
performance in the first MBBS batch. Degrees were awarded to 49 students.
India Skills Report-2025
 The Vibox company, in collaboration with AICTE and CII, conducted a survey and released the "India Skills Report-
2025," stating that job skills among the youth across the country are improving. On average,
54.81% of individuals in 2025 have acquired the skills necessary for employment, compared
to 45.90% in 2021, marking a 9% increase over five years.
 MBA students rank first in acquiring job skills, with 78% of them eligible for employment.
B.Tech graduates secured the second position, with 71.50% meeting the required criteria,
according to the report.
 Maharashtra leads the list of states with the highest percentage of skilled youth at 84%,
followed by Delhi (78%), Andhra Pradesh (72%), Kerala (71%), Uttar Pradesh (70%),
Haryana (68%), Telangana (63%), Tamil Nadu (64.06%), and Gujarat (62%).
 Maharashtra also tops the list in English language skills, with 67.45%. Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh follow in the
subsequent positions.
 In numerical skills (statistics and mathematical proficiency), Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh
occupy the top three positions. Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Maharashtra lead in computer skills.
 The report identified Guntur (68.50%), Lucknow (67.80%), and Hyderabad (64.70%) as emerging talent hubs.
Julian Goswami’s Name at Eden Gardens
 In recognition of the services rendered to the Indian Women's Cricket Team, former bowler Julan Goswami’s name will
be placed on an Ostend at Eden Gardens, as officially announced by the Bengal Cricket
Association.
 Julan Goswami has played 12 Tests, 204 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 68 T20 matches
for India. She took 44 wickets in Tests, 255 wickets in ODIs, and 56 wickets in T20 matches.
 Along with Julan Goswami, the Bengal Cricket Association has decided to place the name of
Colonel N. J. Nayar on an Ostend as well. Colonel N. J. Nayar, who rendered exceptional
services in the Indian Army, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra.
International Migrants Day
 International Migrants Day is observed annually on December 18 to raise awareness about the protection of migrants
and refugees.
 2024 Theme:"Honouring the contributions of migrants and respecting their rights."

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Launching of PSLV C60 Rocket

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct the PSLV-C60 rocket launch from the Satish Dhawan
Space Centre, SHAR.
 The launch will take place on December 30, 2024, at 9:30 PM from the first launch pad
at SHAR.
 Isro developed the Space Docking Experiment, which is a twin satellite mission. It
matures technologies related to orbital rendezvous, docking, and formation flying, with
the scope of applications in human spaceflights, in-space satellite servicing and other
proximity operations.
 The two 400-kg satellites called 'Chaser' and 'Target' will be launched together aboard a PSLV-class rocket. These
satellites perform highly coordinated rendezvous after reaching a height of 700 kilometres, culminating in an autonomous
docking to form a single unit in orbit. The manoeuvre will play a vital role in the execution of future missions that need
docking like space station assembly, satellite refueling, and transporting astronauts or cargo between spacecraft.
 The mission aims to achieve multiple objectives which include Autonomous rendezvous and docking, controlling one
spacecraft using the Attitude Control System of another while docked, Formation flying, and Remote robotic arm
operations.
 The SpaDEX will position India next to the US, Russia, and China, one of the few countries to possess space docking
capabilities.
 The success of the mission is crucial for Isro's future plans, including the Chandrayaan-4 mission aiming to collect lunar
samples as well as the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and the Gaganyaan space flights.
 This docking technology would extend the lifespan of geostationary satellites as it will allow them to replace the propulsion
systems directly in orbit.
Minorities Rights Day
 Minorities Rights Day is observed annually on December 18 in India to protect and promote
the rights of minority communities.
 2024 Theme: "Promoting diversity and protecting rights."
 The day commemorates the adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons
Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious, and Linguistic Minorities on December 18, 1992.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 5
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 December 2024

19th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Canada Deputy Prime Minister Resigns
 New Disease Spreading in Uganda
 Caitlin Sandra Neil Crowned Miss India USA 2024
 India’s First Anti-Pesticide Bodysuit: Kisan Kavach
 Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for Simultaneous Elections
 Implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand from January 2025
Canada Deputy Prime Minister Resigns
 Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, has stepped down
from her position. Known as one of the most powerful figures in Canada’s cabinet, her
resignation is considered a significant development in Canadian politics.
 Chrystia Freeland noted on this occasion that Prime Minister Trudeau is losing public support.
F Capital of Canada: Ottawa F Currency: Canadian Dollar
New Disease Spreading in Uganda
 A new disease, the “Mystery Disease,” is causing concern among the public in Uganda, Africa. So far, around 300
people in the country have been affected by this disease.
 Locals in Bundibugyo District, Uganda, have named this disease “Diriga Diriga.”
 The disease primarily affects women and young girls, with Ugandan doctors revealing that those affected find it difficult
to walk.
Capital of Uganda: Kampala
Currency: Ugandan Shilling
Caitlin Sandra Neil Crowned Miss India USA 2024
 The Miss India USA 2024 crown has been awarded to Kathleen Sandraneel (19) from Chennai.
 She won the title in a competition held in New Jersey, USA. Kathleen is currently studying at
the University of California, Davis.
 Sanskruti Sharma was crowned Mrs. India USA, while Arshita Katpalia from Washington
was crowned Miss Teen USA.
 A total of 47 contestants from 25 states participated in the competition held across three
categories.
India’s First Anti-Pesticide Bodysuit: Kisan Kavach
 The anti-pesticide bodysuit “Kisan Kavach” was unveiled by Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh in
New Delhi.
 The suit provides protection to farmers from harmful chemicals while using pesticides during agricultural activities,
thereby preventing severe health issues.
 It has been developed jointly by BRICS-InStem and Cipio Health Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, with support from the Department
of Biotechnology (DBT).
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Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for Simultaneous Elections

 The Central Government has formed a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) with 31 MPs to study the 129th Constitutional
Amendment Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha for simultaneous elections. The resolution was presented by Union Law
Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on December 19, 2024, in the Lok Sabha.
 The committee includes 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha.
 Members from Andhra Pradesh in the committee are C.M. Ramesh (BJP – Anakapalli), Vallabhaneni Bala Shouri
(Janasena – Machilipatnam), and G.M. Harish Balayogi (TDP – Amalapuram). Other members include BJP MPs P.P.
Chaudhary (Rajasthan), Bhansuri Swaraj (Delhi), Purushottam Rupala (Gujarat), Anurag Singh Thakur (Himachal
Pradesh), Vishnu Dayal Ram (Jharkhand), Bhartruhari Mahtab (Odisha), Sambit Patra (Odisha), Anil Baluni (Uttarakhand),
and Vishnudutt Sharma (Madhya Pradesh). Congress representatives include Priyanka Gandhi (Kerala), Manish Tewari
(Chandigarh), and Sukhdev Bhagat (Jharkhand). Other members are Dharmendra Yadav (SP – Uttar Pradesh), Kalyan
Banerjee (TMC – West Bengal), Selva Ganapathy (DMK – Tamil Nadu), Supriya Sule (NCP), Eknath Shinde (Shiv
Sena – Maharashtra), and Chandan Chauhan (RLD – Uttar Pradesh).
Implementation of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand from January 2025
 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced on December 18, 2024, that the Uniform Civil Code
(UCC) will be implemented in the state from January 2025.
 Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to implement the UCC after the country gained
independence.
What is Uniform Civil Code?
 The Uniform Civil Code is a law related to social matters, applying equally to people of all religions
in aspects such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance. It aims to provide uniform justice to
all citizens.
Tragic Accident off Mumbai Coast
 A tragic incident occurred on December 18, 2024, in the Arabian Sea during a sightseeing tour. A Navy speed boat
(Navy craft) collided with a tourist ferry heading to the famous Elephanta Island near
Mumbai, causing a severe accident.
 The ferry, carrying passengers, departed from the Gateway of India in Mumbai and
was en route to Elephanta Island when the accident occurred.
 Thirteen people lost their lives in the incident, including three naval personnel and ten
ferry passengers.
 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced compensation of ?5 lakh for the family of each deceased
person from the CM’s relief fund.
Central Sahitya Akademi Award for Penugonda
 Progressive writer, poet, and critic Penugonda Lakshminarayana has been honored with the Central Sahitya Akademi
Award for the year 2024.
 The award was announced for his 2021 collection of essays titled *Deepika.*
 The Central Sahitya Akademi has announced awards for literature in 21 languages across
the country.
 Currently, Penugonda Lakshminarayana serves as the National President of the Progressive
Writers’ Association and works as a lawyer in Guntur.

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Rama Mohana Rao Amara Appointed as SBI's 4th Managing Director

 Rama Mohana Rao Amara has been appointed as the Managing Director of the State Bank of India (SBI).
 The Cabinet Appointments Committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved this appointment.
 Rao is currently serving as the Deputy MD of SBI.
 This appointment was made following the promotion of C. Srinivasulu Setty, the existing MD, as Chairman.
 The SBI board comprises a Chairman and four Managing Directors. Rama Mohana Rao is the 4th MD.
 A native of Cheepurupalli, Andhra Pradesh, Rama Mohana Rao joined SBI in 1991 as a Probationary Officer in
Visakhapatnam.
F SBI Established: 1955 F Headquarters: Mumbai F Current Chairman: Challa Srinivasulu Setty
F Managing Directors - 1. Ashwini Kumar Tewari 2. Vinay E. Tonse 3. Rana Ashutosh Kumar

Andhra Pradesh Becomes the First State to Issue Digital Certificates in Sports
 To enable athletes to obtain certificates for participation in various sports, the Andhra Pradesh government has developed
the "Kreeda APP." Andhra Pradesh Sports Minister Mandipalli Ram Prasad Reddy and SAAP Chairman Animini Ravi
Naidu launched the app in Vijayawada on December 19, 2024.
Ravichandran Ashwin Announces Retirement from International Cricket
 Indian spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from
international cricket. The second Test between India and Australia in Adelaide
was Ashwin's final international match.
 Ashwin, who made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka on June 5, 2010, has taken
537 wickets in 106 Tests, 156 wickets in 116 ODIs, and 72 wickets in 65 T20
matches.
 Ashwin is the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket (537
wickets), with Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), James Anderson (704), Anil Kumble (619), Stuart Broad
(604), and Glenn McGrath (563) occupying the top six positions.
 Ashwin is tied for second place with Shane Warne (37 times) for the most five-wicket hauls in Tests, with Muttiah
Muralitharan (67 times) leading the list.
 Ashwin is the third player in Tests to score over 3,000 runs and take 500 wickets, following Shane Warne and Stuart
Broad.
 Of Ashwin's 537 Test wickets, 383 were taken on home soil. He is the fourth-highest wicket-taker on home soil, after
Muttiah Muralitharan (493), James Anderson (438), and Stuart Broad (398).
Goa Liberation Day
 At the time of India's independence on August 15, 1947, Goa was under Portuguese rule.
Goa became part of India on December 19, 1961, fourteen years after the country gained
independence. Since then, December 19 is celebrated every year as Goa Liberation Day.
 The Government of India launched "Operation Vijay" to liberate Goa from Portuguese
rule, which resulted in Goa's independence.

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India's Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennium List - 2024

 A list of 200 self-made entrepreneurs who have become billionaires through their efforts was jointly released by IDFC
First Private Banking and Hurun India.
 Radhakishan Damani, owner of Avenue Supermarts (DMart), topped the list with a wealth of Rs.3.42 lakh crore.
Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal ranked second with Rs.2.51 lakh crore.
 The list includes 19 women, including Falguni Nayar. Zepto founder Kaivalya Vohra (21) is the youngest entrepreneur
on the list.
Rank Entrepreneurs Company Value (Rs. Crore)
1 Radhakishan Damani Avenue Supermarts 3,42,600
2 Deepinder Goyal Zomato 2,51,900
3 Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy Swiggy 1,01,300
4 Deep Kalra, Rajesh Magow MakeMyTrip 99,300
5 Abhay Soi Max Healthcare 96,100
6 Yashish Dahiya, Alok Bansal Policy Bazaar 78,600
7 Bhavit Sheth, Harsh Jain Dream 11 66,500
8 Nithin Kamath, Nikhil Kamath Zerodha 64,800
9 Harshil Mathur, Shashank Kumar Razorpay 62,400
10 Falguni Nayar Nykaa 56,600
From Telugu States
25 Vamsi Gokaraju, GS Raju Deccan Fine Chemicals 31,600
31 Satyanarayana Reddy MSN Laboratories 26,200
34 Satyanarayana Chava Laurus Labs 24,900
40 Bhaskar Rao KIMS 21,900
98 Aravind Vanka, Pawan Guntupalli Rapido 9,200

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Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024

 The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 1, 2024. This bill
amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005, under which:
(I) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
(II) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), and
(III) District Disaster Management Authority are constituted. These authorities are responsible for disaster management
at the national, state, and district levels, respectively.
 Preparation of Disaster Management Plans: The Act provides for the establishment of a National Executive Committee
and State Executive Committee to assist the NDMA and SDMAs in discharging their functions. These committees are
primarily responsible for preparing national and state disaster management plans.
 Functions of NDMA and SDMA: According to the Act, the key responsibilities of the NDMA and SDMA at their
respective levels include: (I) Reviewing disaster management plans of government departments, (II) Setting guidelines
for preparing disaster management plans for subordinate authorities, (III) Recommending allocation of funds for disaster
mitigation.
 Regulation-Making Authority: The bill grants NDMA the authority to frame rules under the Act with prior approval of
the Central Government.
 Urban Disaster Management Authorities: The bill empowers state governments to establish special Urban Disaster
Management Authorities for state capitals and cities with municipal corporations. In such urban authorities, the Municipal
Commissioner acts as Chairperson, the District Collector as Vice-Chairperson, and other members are appointed by the
state government. These authorities are responsible for preparing and implementing disaster management plans within
their jurisdiction.
 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) : This Act provides for the establishment of a National Disaster Response
Force to respond to disaster situations effectively. The bill authorizes state governments to establish State Disaster
Response Forces (DRF). The state government defines the functions of the DRF and prescribes service conditions for
its members.
 Statutory Status to Existing Committees : The bill provides statutory status to existing institutions like the National Crisis
Management Committee (NCMC) and High-Level Committee (HLC). The NCMC serves as the nodal body to handle
major disasters with severe or national consequences. The HLC provides financial assistance to state governments
during disasters, approving funds from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund. The Cabinet Secretary serves as Chairperson
of the NCMC, and the Minister in charge of the administrative control of disaster management acts as Chairperson of
the HLC.
 Appointments in NDMA : The Act provides for the appointment of necessary officers, consultants, and employees for
the NDMA by the Central Government. Instead, the bill empowers the NDMA to specify the number and categories of
officers and employees with the prior approval of the Central Government. NDMA may also appoint experts and
consultants as needed.

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An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 20 December 2024

20th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 US Population Reaches 340 Million
 SEEDAP Agreements with Three Organizations
 Gayatri Prasad Appointed as BDL Finance Director
 Endoscope the Size of a Pill
 Illiterates in the country
 Rathasaptami as Andhra Pradesh State Festival

US Population Reaches 340 Million

 The US government announced on December 19, 2024, that the country’s population has reached 340 million. Due to
immigration, the population growth rate in 2024 has been the highest in the past 23 years.
 Notably, the 1% population growth rate recorded this year is the highest since 2001.
 In 2021, the growth rate was only 0.2% due to reduced immigration caused by COVID-
19. This year, immigration contributed to an increase of 2.8 million people.
 During 2023–24, the population grew by 3.3 million, 84% of which was due to immigration.
 In 2023–24, births outnumbered deaths. During this period, 519,000 people were born.
FCurrent US President: Joe Biden FCapital: Washington, D.C.
SEEDAP Agreements with Three Organizations
 The Society for Employment Generation and Enterprise Development in Andhra Pradesh (SEEDAP) has entered into
agreements with three organizations to provide employment opportunities for the youth
in Andhra Pradesh.
 2. To provide employment opportunities for skilled professionals, SEEDAP has entered
into agreements with the 2Coms Group, AP Food Processing Society to train 679 district
resource persons to encourage entrepreneurship in food processing industries, and
Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) in Nellimarla to train
and provide employment to school and college dropouts aged 18–35 in rural areas.
 These agreements were signed by 2Coms Group Vice President M. Augustine, Food Processing CEO Shekhar Babu,
CUTM Regional Director J.M. Rao, and SEEDAP CEO Narayanaswamy.
 The agreements were made in the presence of SEEDAP Chairman Gunupati Deepak Reddy and Andhra Pradesh
Education Minister Nara Lokesh.
Gayatri Prasad Appointed as BDL Finance Director
 Gayatri Prasad has been appointed as the Finance Director of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
 A graduate from Nagarjuna University, she joined BDL as a Management Trainee in 1997.
FBDL Headquarters: Hyderabad ; Established: 1970 ; It is a Category-1 Miniratna company.

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Endoscope the Size of a Pill

 A new technology for complex endoscopy tests using a capsule is now available. When swallowed, this capsule’s tiny
camera and mini robot travel through the stomach and intestines, examining the gastrointestinal system and live-
streaming high-resolution images and videos to a computer screen connected via a remote.
 This enables doctors to diagnose diseases accurately and easily.
 Developed by US-based medical innovation company Indiatix in collaboration with
Mayo Clinics, this technology is now accessible.
 This capsule, called the "PillBot," is being tested on patients at the Asian Institute
of Gastroenterology in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. It will soon be widely available.
 The robotic capsule endoscopy is wireless, remotely connected to an external computer monitor, and can be performed
without anesthesia or pain. After the test, it is expelled through the patient’s bowel movement.
 Currently, capsule endoscopy costs Rs.30,000–Rs.40,000. The upcoming advanced remote-controlled robotic capsule
aims to reduce this cost to Rs.5,000–Rs.7,000, according to AIG Chairman Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy.
Illiterates in the country
 Education helps in understanding basic aspects and in improving life. It is not only useful for understanding various
aspects without relying on others but also essential for achieving economic progress.
 According to NABARD All India Rural Financial Inclusion Survey-2, the literacy level of household heads in rural and
semi-urban areas of India in agricultural and non-agricultural families is as follows:
Education Status Agricultural Non-Agricultural
Family Family
Illiterates 22.5 23.1
Can read and write
without going to school 7.3 4.5
Primary Education 18.3 15.7
Classes 6-10 33.6 32.4
Senior Secondary 11.5 13.3
Diploma, Graduate,
and Higher 6.8 11
Increase in the number of members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee for the
General Elections to 39
 The Central Government has increased the number of members in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed to
study the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill related to the General Elections to 39. Of these, 27 members are from
the Lok Sabha and 12 members are from the Rajya Sabha.

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Rathasaptami as Andhra Pradesh State Festival

 The Andhra Pradesh Government has declared Rathasaptami as a state-level festival.
This festival will be celebrated for three days at the Sri Arasavelli Surya Narayana
Swamy Temple in Srikakulam district.
 Recently, the Andhra Pradesh Government has declared Kanakadasa Jayanti, Kaviyitri
Molla Jayanti, Vishwakarma Jayanti, Valmiki Jayanti, and Vemana Jayanti as state
festivals.
34th Vyasa Samman Awardee Surya Bala
 The 34th Vyasa Samman Award for the year 2024 has been conferred on Hindi writer Surya Bala.
 She received this award for her novel "Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary." Surya
Bala, born in 1943 in Varanasi, completed her MA and PhD in Hindi literature from
Banaras Hindu University.
 She has written over 50 novels, biographies, and children's stories, many of which
have been adapted into television serials.
 This award was established in 1991 and is presented by the KK Birla Foundation.
 The prize money for this award is Rs. 4 lakhs.
 The first Vyasa Samman Awardee - Ram Vilas Sharma (1991) ; 33rd Vyasa Samman Awardee - Puspha Bharati (2023) .
Coal 2024: Analysis and Forecast for 2027 (IEA Report)
 The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published the report "Coal 2024: Analysis and Forecast for 2027."
 The report provides trends and forecasts for coal demand, supply, and trade, categorized
by grade and region.
Path of Coal Consumption
 Coal Demand : It is estimated that coal demand will decrease in some developing
economies.
Example: India, China, Indonesia
 India : It is expected that India will see the largest increase in demand, based on high electricity demand associated
with economic growth.
Coal Production : It is estimated that global coal production will reach its peak in 2024 and will start declining by
2027.
 India is the largest contributor to global coal production growth.
 Indian coal production increased by 10% (in 2023). It exceeded 1 billion tons for the first time.
 Coal production is estimated to grow by 8% in 2024.
Reasons for Continued Coal Consumption
 Increasing Demand : Coal is linked to energy, industrial development, and infrastructure development to meet economic
growth targets.

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 Climate-related Fluctuations : (Fluctuations in power) Coal-based power replaces renewable resources like wind
and solar power, which are stable, reliable, and affordable.
 Electrification of services previously provided by other fuels.
Example : Mobility, Industrial Heat, and emerging industries like Data Centers and AI.
 Profitability of Coal Exporters: This has increased post-COVID-19 and the 2022 energy crisis.
 India's Initiatives for Increased Coal Consumption: Promotion of renewable energy: Schemes like PMKUSUM (Pradhan
Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan), PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
 Mine Opening Permission Module: This speeds up the approval process to open coal mines.
 Reducing Emissions from Thermal Power Plants: Using technologies like Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) and
Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP).
Artificial Intelligence Glasses: New Friend for the Blind
 AI (Artificial Intelligence) is becoming a new friend for the blind. Specially designed
glasses for them using this technology will be available soon.
 They alert users about approaching people and vehicles, protecting them from accidents.
 They guide the user to the desired location, providing directions. With the aim of launching
innovative solutions for blind students and professionals with AI assistance, Meta and Ray-Ban companies collaborated
on research and launched these smart glasses four months ago.
 Currently, they are available only in Europe and America. They will be available in India soon.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 4
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 December 2024

21nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Joint Elections Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman P.P. Choudhary
 NEET-UG Special Counseling for Admissions
 Increase in Minimum Support Price for Copra
 Wakemate Appoints Cricketer Sanju Samson as Brand Ambassador
 PM National Child Award - Mathru Jeesee Raj's Selection
 World Bank Board Approves Loan for Amaravati

Joint Elections Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman P.P. Choudhary

 The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which will study the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill introduced by
the central government for joint elections, will be headed by Rajasthan MP P.P. Choudhary (BJP). This decision was
made by Speaker Om Birla, as announced by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
 P.P. Choudhary, a lawyer by profession, has been representing the Pali Lok
Sabha constituency in Rajasthan for the third consecutive time.
 The deadline for the JPC to submit its report to Parliament is the first day of
the last week of the 2025 Budget session.
 Along with the Joint Elections Bill, the Parliament approved resolutions to
send the Bill for amendments to the laws of Union Territories to the JPC and to
increase the number of committee members to 39. These resolutions were
introduced separately by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on December
20, 2024.
 The Election Commission for Joint Elections has named 12 members from the Rajya Sabha for the Joint Parliamentary
Committee. Among them are BJP member Dr. K. Lakshman from Telangana and YSR Congress member V. Vijay Sai
Reddy from Andhra Pradesh.
 Other members include BJP’s Ghanashyam Tiwari (Rajasthan), Bhubaneshwar Kavita (Assam), Kavita Patidar (Madhya
Pradesh), Sanjay Kumar Rao (JD(U)-Bihar), Congress's Randeep Singh Surjewala (Rajasthan), Mukul Balakrishna
Vasnik (Rajasthan), Saket Gokhale (TMC-West Bengal), P. Wilson (DMK-Tamil Nadu), Sanjay Singh (AAP-Delhi),
and Manas Ranjan Mangaraj (BJP-Odisha).
 Among the total 39 members, BJP has 16, NDA allies TDP, Janasena, JD(U), LJP, Shiv Sena, and RLDP have one each,
Congress has five, Samajwadi Party has two, TMC has two, DMK, CPM, NCP, Shiv Sena UBT, YSR Congress, AAP,
and BJD have one each. Among these, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha have the highest number, with four members from
each.
 The 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill-2024 proposes amendments to three articles of the Constitution, along with
the inclusion of a new Article 82A for the simultaneous conduct of elections.

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Six Clauses to be Introduced in Article 82 A (1-6)

Article 82 A (1)
 After the Joint Bill is approved and after the general elections, the President must notify these clauses in the first Lok
Sabha that will be formed. That day shall be considered as the appointed day.
Article 82 A (2)
 After the appointed day, the term of all state assemblies formed will end along with the term of that Lok Sabha. If
necessary, the term of the assemblies may be shortened. Similarly, the term of assemblies formed before the Lok Sabha
will be extended in accordance with the Lok Sabha’s term.
Article 82 A (3)
 The Election Commission (EC) will conduct elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies.
Article 82 A (4)
 This clause deals with the conduct of joint elections. The goal is to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha
and the assemblies.
Article 82 A (5)
 In case of unavoidable circumstances, the EC has the flexibility to not conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok
Sabha and any assembly.
Article 82 A (6)
 If elections for any assembly are held with a delay, its term will end along with the Lok Sabha, except in the case of any
delay.
Articles to be Amended
Article 83
 This article contains five clauses. The first clause mentions that the term for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies will be
five years.
 The second clause states that if the Lok Sabha is dissolved in the middle of its five-year term, the remaining period will
be considered as "unexpired term." The third clause states that after the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, a midterm
election will form a new Lok Sabha. The fourth clause mentions that the new Lok Sabha formed through the midterm
elections will be for the remaining period (less than five years). The fifth clause states that once the new Lok Sabha
completes five years, a general election must be held, combining the remaining term of the previous Lok Sabha.
Article 172
 Just as the five clauses in Article 83 explain the rules for the term of the Lok Sabha, the clauses in Article 172 apply
similarly to the state assemblies. The term of the assemblies will align with the term of the Lok Sabha.
Article 327
 Article 327 mentions that the Parliament will decide on matters related to the conduct of elections for state assemblies
(such as electoral rolls, reorganization of constituencies, etc.).
NEET-UG Special Counseling for Admissions
 In view of the severe shortage of doctors in the country, the Supreme Court commented that valuable medical seats
should not go to waste. It directed the authorities to conduct special counseling to fill the remaining vacant seats in
NEET-UG. This process must be completed by December 30, 2024.
 On petitions requesting special counseling to fill vacant seats, the bench of Justice
B.R. Gavai and Justice K.V. Vishwanathan issued orders on December 20, 2024. The
special counseling should not affect the already completed admission process and
will be limited to candidates on the waiting list.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 21 December 2024

Increase in Minimum Support Price for Copra

 The central government has increased the minimum support price for copra for the year 2025. The price for milling
copra has been set at ?11,582 per quintal, and the price for ball copra has been set at ?12,100. This was approved in the
Cabinet meeting held under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 20, 2024.
 Compared to last year (2023), the price for milling copra has been increased by ?422
per quintal, and the price for ball copra has been increased by Rs.100. In 2023, the
price for milling copra was Rs.11,160, and the price for ball copra was Rs.12,000.
 Taking into account factors such as crop cultivation costs, demand for copra and coconut
oil, and other related aspects, the minimum support price was decided in accordance
with the recommendations made by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(CACP), said Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw.
F CACP - Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices - 1985.
Wakemate Appoints Cricketer Sanju Samson as Brand Ambassador
 Footwear manufacturing company Wakemate India Private Limited has appointed
cricketer Sanju Samson as its brand ambassador.
 Once a domestic company, Wakemate has now expanded its operations into international
markets.
 With the appointment of Sanju Samson as the brand ambassador, Wakemate aims to get
closer to consumers, said the company director.
PM National Child Award - Mathru Jeesee Raj's Selection
 Mathru Jeesee Raj (14), a skating athlete from Mangalagiri, Guntur district, has been selected
for the Prime Minister's National Child Award 2025.
 The central government grants this award annually to 25 children nationwide who show
talent in various fields.
 Jeesee Raj has won 50 medals and awards in national and international competitions. She won a gold medal in the
"Inline Free Skating" category at the competition held in New Zealand in June 2024.
World Bank Board Approves Loan for Amaravati
 The World Bank Executive Directors’ Board has approved a proposal for an $800 million loan for the construction of
the capital city Amaravati. Of the total ?15,000 crore loan, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank will
jointly provide ?13,500 crore. The remaining amount will be provided by the central government.
Agreement Between Andhra Pradesh Government and TBI for Higher Education Modernization
 The Andhra Pradesh government has entered into an agreement with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI)
to modernize the higher education system.
 In line with global changes in the education system, this agreement will provide the
government with advice on necessary reforms in higher education in Andhra Pradesh.
It will particularly focus on identifying educational policies that enhance employment
opportunities for youth. It aims to improve educational policies in universities and
polytechnic colleges.
 The EdTech company Physicswala, in partnership with Amazon Web, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding
with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish the first Institute of Eminence Innovation (IOE) focused on Artificial
Intelligence in the state.
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First Kho-Kho World Cup Brand Ambassador - Salman Khan

 Bollywood actor Salman Khan has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the first
Kho-Kho World Cup.
 This Kho-Kho World Cup, hosted by India, will take place from January 13-19, 2025, in
New Delhi.
 Teams from 24 countries, including 20 women's teams and 21 men's teams, will participate
in this competition.
Taste Atlas Best Food Cities List 2024-25
 The food and travel guide, Taste Atlas, has released the list of the best food cities in the world for 2024-25.

Rank Country City Dish

1. Italy Naples Pizza Margherita

2. Italy Milan Risotto alla Milanese
3. Italy Bologna Tagliatelle al Ragu
4. Italy Florence Bistecca alla Fiorentina
6. Italy Rome Spaghetti alla Carbonara
7. France Paris Crème Brûlée
8. Australia Vienna Wiener Schnitzel
9. Italy Turin Agnolotti
10. Japan Osaka Takoyaki

In India
5. India Mumbai Vada Pav
43. India Amritsar Amritsari Kulcha
45. India New Delhi Butter Chicken
50. India Hyderabad Hyderabad Biryani
71. India Kolkata Rasgulla
75. India Chennai Dosa

First World Meditation Day

 The first World Meditation Day was observed on December 21, 2024.
 2024 Theme: "Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony."
 To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the United Nations General Assembly
declared December 21 as World Meditation Day.
Former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala Passes Away
 Former Haryana Chief Minister, Jat leader, and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Om Prakash Chautala (89)
passed away on December 20, 2024. He was born on January 1, 1935.
 He served as Haryana’s Chief Minister five times between 1989 and 2005.
 He was imprisoned from 2013 to July 2021 in connection with a teacher recruitment scam.

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Houses without Tap Connections - 4 Crores

 The central government stated on December 19, 2024, that 4 crore houses in rural areas
across the country still need to be provided with tap water connections.
 It also mentioned that the deadline (with 2024) to provide 100% of houses with tap water
facilities has ended. In this context, the government has directed the states to expedite the
process.
 It stated that currently only 79% of the houses in rural areas have tap connections.
Russia’s "Visa-Free Entry" for Indians
 From 2025, the Russian government officially announced "visa-free entry" for Indian
citizens.
 In the list of countries with visa-free entry to Russia, there are 63 countries, including
India.
 Those who reach Russia with just their passport or other identification documents
must apply for "visa-free entry" at the Russian airport.
 This decision is the result of recent discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin to
strengthen and improve the friendly relations between the two countries.
 In 2023, a record 60,000 Indians visited Moscow, which is a 26% increase from 2022.
 Indians can visit 62 countries worldwide without a visa.
F Russia’s Prime Minister : Mikhail Mishustin F Currency : Russian Ruble F Capital : Moscow
National Archery Championship 2024
 In the Senior National Archery Championship held in Jamshedpur, Dheeraj Bommadevara
from Vijayawada won a gold medal in the Men’s Individual Recurve event.
 Representing Services, Dheeraj defeated Divyansh Chaudhary (Haryana) 6-2 in the final.
 In the Women’s Individual Recurve event, Deepika Kumari (Petroleum Sports Promotion
Board) won the gold medal. She defeated Ankit Bhakat (Jharkhand) 6-2 in the final.
India-France National Museum Project Agreement
 A significant cultural cooperation agreement was officially announced between India and France.
 This decision was made by signing a memorandum of understanding to set up a new national museum in India, inspired
by the famous "Louvre Museum" in Paris.
 The new museum will be built in the historic North Block and South Block areas in New Delhi, under the name "Yug
Yugan Bharat."
 Once completed, this museum will become the largest museum in the world.
F France President : Emmanuel Macron F Capital : Paris F Currency : Euro

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 22 December 2024

22nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Cancer Vaccine Developed by Russia
 New Life in the Pacific Ocean
 SLINEX-2024 Exercise
 Cabinet Subcommittee for Study on "Free Bus Service" for Women
 72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council
 55th GST Council Meeting

Cancer Vaccine Developed by Russia

 Russian scientists have announced the development of the "VeeRcheeA" vaccine
for the prevention of deadly cancer.
 This vaccine is expected to be available in Russia in 2025.
 Russian scientists stated that this vaccine effectively prevents the spread of cancer
cells in the human body. Additionally, it prevents the growth of cancerous tumors.
New Life in the Pacific Ocean
 A new life form has been discovered along the coastal waters of Peru and Chile in
South America.
 Scientists have confirmed that this organism resides at the bottom of the Atacama
Trench, which is part of the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
 This creature, belonging to the amphipod category, has been named "Dulcibella
comanche."
SLINEX-2024 Exercise
 The India-Sri Lanka naval exercise, named SLINEX-2024, took place in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, from December
17-20, 2024.
 The exercise was conducted in two phases, called Harbor Phase and Sea Phase.
 This exercise aims to strengthen naval ties between the two countries and enhance maritime security, defense cooperation,
and bilateral relations in the Indian Ocean region.
Cabinet Subcommittee for Study on "Free Bus Service" for Women
 The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a cabinet subcommittee to study the implementation of the free travel
scheme for women on RTC buses. The subcommittee is chaired by Transport
Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, with Women and Child Welfare Minister
Gummadi Sandhya Rani, and Home Minister Anita as members. The Transport
Department's Principal Secretary Kanti Lal Dande will act as the convenor.
 Currently, the free bus travel scheme for women is being implemented in states
like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, and Delhi.

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72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council

 The 72nd Plenary Meeting of the North Eastern Council (NEC) was inaugurated
by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on December 21, 2024, at Pragya Bhavan
in Agartala, the capital of Tripura.
 During the event, Amit Shah explained the measures taken by the central
government for the development of the northeastern region. He mentioned that
Prime Minister Modi had established peace in the northeastern states with 20
peace agreements over the past 10 years, and during this period, 9,000 militants
had surrendered.
 The North Eastern Council is a statutory advisory body established under the North Eastern Council Act of 1971.
 The eight states of Northeast India—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura,
and Sikkim—are members of the North Eastern Council.
 The headquarters of the North Eastern Council is located in Shillong.

55th GST Council Meeting

 The 55th GST Council meeting was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, under the leadership of Union Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman.
 Various issues such as the rationalization of tax rates on several items and changes in tax slabs were discussed during
the meeting.
Decisions Made in the Meeting
 The 12% GST on pre-packed, labeled ready-to-eat snacks like popcorn will continue, while caramelized popcorn will
fall under the 18% GST bracket.
 If ready-to-eat popcorn mixed with spices is not pre-packed and labeled, it will fall under the 5% GST category.
 The 18% GST rate on fortified rice will be reduced to 5%. GST exemption will apply to gene therapy. Payments under
Rs.2,000 and to aggregators will be exempt from GST. Payment gateways and fintech companies will not be affected.
 GST will be removed on penalties imposed by banks and NBFCs on loan defaulters.
 GST on sales of electric vehicles in business policies will be increased from 12% to 18%. However, GST exemption
will continue on the sale of vehicles by individuals.
 There will be a GST exemption when farmers supply black pepper and dried grapes.

"BRING IT ON: The Incredible Story of My Life"

 The book "BRING IT ON: The Incredible Story of My Life" was written by Dr. Deepa Malik
(Haryana). It is a auto-biography.
 This book was published by HarperCollins India.
 She made history by winning a silver medal in shot put at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming
India’s first female Paralympic medalist.
 She has been honored with the Padma Shri Award (2017), Arjuna Award (2012), and Major
Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2019).

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 22 December 2024

Appointment of Dr. Kotha Madhumurthi as Chairman of

Andhra Pradesh Higher Education Council
 The Government issued orders on December 21, 2024, appointing Dr. Kotha Madhumurthi,
Senior Professor of Mechanical Engineering at NIT Warangal, as the Chairman of the Andhra
Pradesh Higher Education Council. He will serve as Chairman for a term of three years.
 Currently, Dr. Kotha Madhumurthi is serving as a Senior Professor of Mechanical Engineering
at NIT Warangal and as a member of the Board of Governors.
 Dr. Kotha Madhumurthi hails from Jagarlamudi village in the Tenali mandal of Guntur district.
National Mathematics Day
 National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the
renowned mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
 The celebration of NMD was officially launched by then PM Manmohan Singh in December 2012, Coined with the
125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, familiar with "1729".
F 2024 Theme : "Mathematics: Bridge to innovation,"

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 December 2024

23rd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi's Kuwait Visit
 2025 Republic Day Parade Features Etikoppaka Toy Cart
 United Nations Legal Committee Chairperson - Justice Madan B. Lokur
 Under-19 Women's Asia T-20 Cup 2024
 National Farmers' Day
 "Vavilapalli" Receives Prestigious Railway Award

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi's Kuwait Visit

 Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi visited Kuwait from December 21-22,
2024.
 This is the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Kuwait after 43 years. The
then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Kuwait in 1981.
 During this visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Emir of Kuwait,
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and held bilateral discussions.
 During the discussions, Modi mentioned that cooperation in key areas like defense, pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, and
others was discussed.
 He revealed that the relationship between the two countries had been elevated to a strategic partnership. He also discussed
the measures needed to strengthen relations in trade, investment, and the energy sectors with the Emir of Kuwait.
 Modi expressed his gratitude to the Emir for the actions taken for the welfare of the 1 million Indians in Kuwait.
 In the presence of both leaders, delegations signed four memorandums of understanding. They also decided to cooperate
in combating terrorism and cybersecurity.
 During this visit, Modi addressed the "Hello Modi" event organized with the Indian diaspora.
 Modi stated that India has the potential to become the world’s skills capital.
 Modi remarked that while it takes 4 hours for all of you to travel from India here, it took 4 decades for the Prime
Minister of India to visit here.
 Modi congratulated Abdullah Al-Brown and Abdul Latif Al-Nasif, who translated and published the Mahabharata and
Ramayana in Arabic, and signed the books.
 Retired IFS officer Mangal Sen Honda (101) met Modi at the request of his granddaughter "X".
 Modi visited a camp where Indian workers have taken shelter and interacted with them. He also inaugurated the
Arabian Gulf Cup Football Tournament.
 Modi stated in an interview with Kuwait News Agency "KUNA" that India, which has strong and historic bonds in the
energy sector with Kuwait, has the opportunity to turn this into a partnership.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 December 2024

Participate in "Rann Utsav" – Modi

 Modi called upon people to participate in the "Rann Utsav" in Kutch, Gujarat, and
experience a lifetime experience.
 He invited people to experience the unique culture and hospitality of the salt-making
region via social media, requesting them to consider this as his personal invitation.
 The event will continue from December 1 to February 28 of the following year.
Modi Receives Kuwait's Highest Award
 Prime Minister Modi was presented with Kuwait's highest civilian award, "The Order of Mubarak the Great," by the
Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
 Previous recipients of this award include former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Britain’s Prince Charles,
among others.
2025 Republic Day Parade Features Etikoppaka Toy Cart
 The Etikoppaka toy cart from Andhra Pradesh has been selected for display in the
Republic Day parade to be held in Delhi on January 26, 2025.
 he design of this cart was created to reflect the traditions of Telugu people. The
depiction of Lord Venkateswara in the cart is captivating. It also features idols of
Lord Ganesha, Haridasu, a display of toys, and images related to children's games
and songs. Etikoppaka village is located 64 kilometers from Visakhapatnam, on the
banks of the Varaha River.
 On August 30, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned this Etikoppaka toy while urging people to promote
locally made toys.
United Nations Legal Committee Chairperson - Justice Madan B. Lokur
 Former Supreme Court Justice Madan B. Lokur has been appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal
Legal Committee. He will serve in this position until November 12, 2028, as announced
by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
 In 2019, Justice Madan B. Lokur was appointed as a judge of the non-resident panel of
the Fiji Supreme Court. This is the first time an Indian Supreme Court judge has been
appointed to a foreign Supreme Court.
 Justice Madan B. Lokur served as a judge of the Supreme Court of India from 2012 until
his retirement in December 2018.
Under-19 Women's Asia T-20 Cup 2024
 The first edition of the Under-19 Women's Asia T-20 Cup was held in Malaysia from December 15-22, 2024.
 In the final of the tournament, India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs to become the
champion.
 The Player of the Series in this tournament was Gongadi Trisha (India).
 The player with the most runs in the tournament was Gongadi Trisha (India).
 The player with the most wickets in the tournament was Ayush Shukla (India).
National Farmers' Day
 National Farmers' Day is celebrated every year on December 23. It is also known as "Rashtriya Kisan Divas."
 The day is celebrated in honor of the birth anniversary of India's fifth Prime Minister, Chaudhary Charan Singh.
 2024 Theme: "Empowering 'Annadatas' for a Prosperous Nation."

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 December 2024

"Vavilapalli" Receives Prestigious Railway Award

 The highest "Most Distinguished Railway Service Award" in Indian Railways was presented to Senior DCM Vavilapalli
Rambabu from the Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway.
 He received this award for his innovative plans in railway operations, contributing to
railway development and for his excellence in ensuring passenger safety.
 In the financial years 2022-23 and 2023-24, the division earned Rs. 5,000 crore in
revenue consecutively, and he played a key role in achieving Rs.4,000 crore in freight
revenue.
Highest Road Accidents in Uttar Pradesh
 The details of the four states with the highest road accidents in the country were revealed by Union Minister for Road
Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Parliament.
 In 2024, Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of road accidents with 23,652, followed by Tamil Nadu (18,347),
Maharashtra (15,366), and Madhya Pradesh (13,798).
 It was stated that annually 1,78,000 people die in accidents, with 60% of them being in the age group of 18-34 years.
Highest Fire Accidents in Uttarakhand Forests
 The "India State of Forest Report-2023" released by the Ministry of Environment, Forests,
and Climate Change mentioned that forest fire incidents have gradually decreased from
2020-21 to 2023-24.
 The report revealed that the highest number of fire accidents occurred in Uttarakhand
between November 2023 and June 2024.
 The districts with the highest number of fire accidents in Andhra Pradesh were Alluri
Sitarama Raju (6,399), Prakasam (2,226), Nandyal (1,934), and in Telangana, they were
Bhadradri (2,600) and Mulugu (2,599).
Fire Accidents in 2023-24
S.No State Fire Accidents S.No State Fire Accidents
1 Uttarakhand 21,033 6 Madhya Pradesh 15,878
2 Odisha 20,973 7 Telangana 13,479
3 Chhattisgarh 18,950 8 Himachal Pradesh 10,136
4 Andhra Pradesh 18,174 9 Assam 7,634
5 Maharashtra 16,008 10 Jharkhand 7,525

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 December 2024

24th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Donald Trump includes Sriram Krishnan in his advisory team
 Justice V. Ramasubramanian as NHRC Chairperson
 "No Detention Policy" revoked for Classes 5 and 8
 Justice G. Narender appointed as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
 Decline in Migration in the Country
 Rudrankksh Patil's World Record

Donald Trump includes Sriram Krishnan in his advisory team

 Donald Trump, the incoming President of the United States, has appointed Indian-origin Sriram Krishnan as one of his advisors.
 Sriram Krishnan, a businessman, venture capitalist, and author, will serve as an advisor
for artificial intelligence (AI) in Trump's team.
 Sriram Krishnan will work with David Osvax, who oversees AI and crypto-related
matters in the White House.
 Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Sriram began his career as a Program Manager at
Microsoft in 2007.
 Sriram was also part of Twitter when Elon Musk acquired it in 2022.
Justice V. Ramasubramanian as NHRC Chairperson
 Former Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian has been appointed as the 9th Chairperson of the National
Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
 The appointment was approved by President Droupadi Murmu following the decision of the
high-power committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 Priyank Kanungo and Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi have been appointed as NHRC members.
 Justice Arun Kumar Mishra, who served as the 8th NHRC Chairperson, retired on June 1,
2024, and member Vijayabharati Sayani is currently serving as the Acting Chairperson.
 Born on June 30, 1958, in Tamil Nadu, Justice V. Ramasubramanian enrolled as a lawyer on February 16, 1983, and
practiced in the Madras High Court for 23 years.
 He served as an Additional Judge of the Madras High Court on July 31, 2006, and became a Permanent Judge on
November 9, 2009.
 On June 22, 2019, he assumed charge as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and was elevated as a
Supreme Court Judge on September 23, 2019.
 NHRC member Priyank Kanungo previously served as the Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of
Child Rights. He hails from Madhya Pradesh. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, another member, is from Odisha and
served as the Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court from July 5 to July 19, 2024, before retiring.
F  NHRC establishment-1993 F Headquarters : New Delhi F NHRC- Statutory body

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 December 2024

"No Detention Policy" revoked for Classes 5 and 8

 The central government has made a key decision regarding primary education by revoking the "No Detention Policy" for
Classes 5 and 8 in schools. As per this decision, students in these classes must pass exams to progress to the next grade.
 Previously, students were promoted to the next class based on attendance, regardless
of passing or failing, as per the Right to Education Act.
 According to the government notification, students failing the regular exams will be
allowed to take a re-exam within two months of the announcement of results. If they
fail again, they must repeat Classes 5 or 8.
 During this time, teachers must guide the students and parents, addressing identified learning gaps with special teaching.
The students' progress must be closely monitored. The re-exams should aim for the holistic development of the students,
focusing on their capabilities rather than relying solely on memorization and procedural skills. However, the government
clarified that no student should be expelled until the completion of primary education. Since primary education falls under
the Concurrent List, states will make the final decision on this matter.
Justice G. Narender appointed as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court
 Justice G. Narender has been appointed as the Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court. Currently ranked second in
seniority among Andhra Pradesh High Court judges, he was transferred to Uttarakhand High Court based on the
Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation on September 24, 2024, which was approved by
President Droupadi Murmu on December 23, 2024.
 The Collegium recommended Justice Narender's appointment after Justice Ritu Bahri, Chief
Justice of Uttarakhand High Court, retired on October 10, 2024.
 Justice Narender, hailing from Karnataka, was appointed as a judge of Karnataka High Court
on January 2, 2015, and was transferred to Andhra Pradesh High Court on October 30, 2023.
Decline in Migration in the Country
 Migration in the country has declined, as estimated by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council. According to
the 2011 Census, 45,57,87,621 people migrated across the country, whereas by 2023, this number decreased to 40,20,90,396.
 This is a reduction of 11.78% compared to 2011. The migration rate, which was 37.6% as
per the 2011 Census, has now decreased to 28.88% as per the latest data.
 The Economic Advisory Council opines that improvements in education, healthcare,
infrastructure, connectivity, and better economic opportunities are the reasons for the
decline in migration.
Rudrankksh Patil's World Record
 Rudrankksh Patil (Maharashtra) set a world record in the junior category during the 67th National Shooting Championship
held in Bhopal.
 In the 10-meter air rifle final, Rudrankksh Patil won the gold medal with a score of 254.9
points. In the process, he surpassed the record held by Sheng Lihao (China, 254.5 points).
 67th National Shooting Championship held in New Delhi and Bhopal.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 December 2024

Prestigious Award for Jaishankar

 The "South Indian Education Society" presented the National Eminence Award 2024 to External
Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in the public leadership category.
 This award was instituted in the name of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati.
Commercial Tea Bags Release Large Amounts of Microplastics
 Spanish scientists have found that the use of commercial tea bags releases millions of nano-plastics.
 These particles can penetrate human cells, enter the bloodstream, and spread throughout
the body, posing a significant risk.
 Plastic waste pollution is a major challenge for the environment and a threat to the health
of future generations.
 Food packaging is the main cause of micro and nano plastic pollution. These particles
enter humans through respiration and food.
 In this context, scientists from the University of Barcelona studied the micro and nano plastic content in various
commercially available tea bags.
 They researched tea bags made of polymers like Nylon-6, polypropylene, and cellulose. They found that large amounts
of nano-particles and fibers were released during tea preparation.
 Polypropylene released 120 billion particles per millimeter, with an average particle size of 136.7 nanometers.
 Cellulose released 13.5 billion particles per milliliter, while Nylon-6 released 8.18 million particles.
China's Spacewalk Record
 China broke America’s record in space research. Chinese astronauts Kai Xure and Song
Lingdong conducted a spacewalk for 9 hours wearing Feitian space suits.
 They are members of the Shenzhou-19 spacecraft crew.
 In 2001, American astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms conducted an 8.56-hour
spacewalk, which has now been surpassed.
Director Shyam Benegal Passes Away
 Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal (90), who brought Indian cinema to international platforms, passed away on
December 23, 2024. He was born on December 14, 1934, in Hyderabad.
 He began his career in 1959 as a copywriter at an ad agency in Mumbai and gained
significant recognition with his first film, "Ankur." Known for his realistic filmmaking, he
showcased his unique style with films like "Charandas Chor," "Manthan," "Bhumika,"
"Anugraham," and "Junoon." His last work, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation," was released
in 2023.
 For his contributions to cinema, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma
Bhushan in 1991. He received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005 and the ANR National Award in 2013.

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Junior Shooting World Cup in India in 2025

 India will host the Junior Shooting World Cup in 2025. Competitions will be held in rifle, pistol, and shotgun categories.
 This tournament is scheduled to take place in September-October or October-November 2025.
 2024 event was held at Lima Peru .
Medals Gold Silver Bronze Total
India 13 3 8 24
Italy 5 4 4 13
Norway 4 3 3 10

National Consumer Rights Day

 National Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 24.
 2024 Theme : "Virtual Hearings and Digital Access to Consumer Justice."
 National Consumer Rights Day was first observed in the year 2000.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 25 December 2024

25nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Kiluea Volcano Eruption in America
 Appointment of New Governors for 5 States
 11,000 Cooperative Societies Dedicated to the Nation
 Flight of the Eagle" Book Unveiled by Satya Nadella
 ISRO-NASA Joint Mission "NISAR"
 Russia Leads in Global Forest Area
KILUEA VOLCANO ERUPTION IN AMERICA
 Two of the world’s most active volcanoes are located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:
1. Kilauea Volcano 2. Mauna Loa Volcano
 Officials reported that the highly active "Kilauea" volcano erupted massively on
December 23, 2024, at 2 a.m. in Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
 Videos released by American volcanologists show lava spewing up to 80 meters (260 feet)
high from the volcano.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW GOVERNORS FOR 5 STATES
 The central government has appointed new governors for a total of 5 states. Three governors were transferred
from one state to another, and two were newly appointed.
 Kambhampati Haribabu, who was the Governor of Mizoram and hails from Andhra
Pradesh, has been appointed as the Governor of Odisha. Former Union Minister
General V.K. Singh will take charge as the Governor of Mizoram in Haribabu’s place.
 Former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as the
Governor of Manipur.
 Arif Mohammad Khan, who was the Governor of Kerala, has been transferred to
Bihar, and Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was the Governor of Bihar, has
been transferred to Kerala by the central government.
Governor State Governor State
Kambhampati Haribabu Odisha Ajay Kumar Bhalla Manipur
General V.K. Singh Mizoram Arif Mohammad Khan Bihar
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar | Kerala

BPCL OIL REFINERY IN ANDHRA PRADESH

 Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) will set up a Greenfield refinery and petrochemical complex
in Andhra Pradesh. For this, it plans to invest ?95,000 crores in phases.
 BPCL, which has already established three oil refineries in Mumbai, Kochi, and
Madhya Pradesh, has chosen Andhra Pradesh for its fourth refinery.
 The company's board of directors approved preliminary activities related to the
project setup with an estimated cost of Rs.6,100 crores on December 24, 2024.
FBPCL is a Maharatna company (since 2017),F and its headquarters is in Mumbai.

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11,000 COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES DEDICATED TO THE NATION

 On December 25, 2024, Union Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah dedicated 11,695 multi-purpose primary
agricultural, dairy, and fisheries cooperative societies across the country.
 Amit Shah dedicated these societies at the National Cooperative Conference held at the Indian Agricultural
Research Center in Delhi.
 These include 849 dairy and one fisheries cooperative society from Andhra Pradesh, and 15 dairy and 67
fisheries cooperative societies from Telangana.
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE" BOOK UNVEILED BY SATYA NADELLA
 On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Hyderabad Public School (HPS), an
event was held on December 24, 2025, where HPS alumni Satya Nadella and
Shantanu Narayan, CEOs of Microsoft and Adobe, were present. During this event,
they unveiled the book "Flight of the Eagle," which showcases the school's excel-
lence and achievements, in the school premises.
 "The Flight of the Eagle" book author - J. Krishnamurthy
 The HPS management mentioned that the book was created with interviews from teachers, staff, and
former students, and that it symbolizes the school's educational skills over a century and the school’s
commitment to shaping future leaders.
ISRO-NASA JOINT MISSION "NISAR"
 The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is ready for a joint mission with the
American space agency NASA.
 The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite will be launched in
March 2025.
 This mission is valued at Rs.5,000 crores and is aimed at advanced space research.
The NISAR satellite weighs 2.8 tons and will study Earth processes and climate change.
RUSSIA LEADS IN GLOBAL FOREST AREA
 According to the "India State of Forest Report 2023" released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and
Climate Change, forest cover in India is 25.17%, and globally it constitutes 2% of the world's land area.
 According to the "Global Forest Resources Assessment" released by the United Nations' Food and Agricul-
ture Organization in 2020, Europe has the largest forest area.
 Globally, nearly one-fifth of the forest area is in Russia. India ranks 10th in the world.
 In terms of annual average net increase in forest area, China, Australia, and then India hold the top three
positions.
Forest Area Share by Continents (Percentage)
Continent Rank Percentage Continent Rank Percentage
Europe 25% 1 Africa 16% 4
South America 21% 2 Asia 15% 5
North & Central America 19% 3 Oceania 5% 6
Countries with the Largest Forest Area (Percentage)

Country Percentage Rank Country Percentage Rank

i
Russia 20% 1 USA 8% 4
Brazil 12% 2 China 5% 5 Coop

Canada 9% 3

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 25 December 2024

KARNATAKA TOPS IN EV CHARGING STATIONS

 The usage of electric vehicles in India is growing daily. While 1.025 million vehicles were sold in 2022, the sales
increased to approximately 2 million by 2024.
 The Central Government aims to ensure that 30% of all vehicles in the country will be electric by 2030.
 To promote EVs, the Prime Minister's e-Drive Scheme was launched in 2024, with a budget allocation of ?10,900
crores for two years. Out of this, ?2,000 crores will be spent on setting up public charging stations for electric
vehicles.
 Currently, there are 25,202 EV public charging stations in India, with Karnataka having the highest number of these
stations. Andhra Pradesh has 601, and Telangana has 956 stations.

State Stations Rank State Stations Rank

Karnataka 5,765 1 Tamil Nadu 1,413 5
Maharashtra 3,728 2 Kerala 1,212 6
Uttar Pradesh 1,989 3 Rajasthan 1,129 7
Delhi 1,941 4

ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE'S CENTENARY

 On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a Rs.100 commemo-
rative coin and a postal stamp on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari
Vajpayee's 100th birth anniversary.
 These were unveiled at an event in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the
foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa project, India's first national river interlinking
project, was laid.
 December 25 is celebrated annually as Good Governance Day in honor of Vajpayee’s contributions.
About Atal Bihari Vajpayee
 Born on December 25, 1924, in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
 Served as India’s Prime Minister thrice (1996, 1998, 1999): - 1996: 13 days - 1998: 13 months - 1999: 5 years
 As External Affairs Minister under Morarji Desai’s government, Vajpayee became the first leader to address the
United Nations General Assembly in Hindi.
 He was awarded Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor, in 1992, and the Bharat Ratna, the
highest civilian award, in 2015. He was also recognized as the Best Parliamentarian in 1994.
 Co-founded the BJP with L.K. Advani in 1980. He passed away on August 16, 2018.
BOOKS WRITTEN BY VAJPAYEE

1. Meri Ekyavan Kavitayen :1995 2. Sankalp-Kaal : 2009

3. A Constructive Parliamentarian : 2012 4. Four decades in parliament : 1996 ### Karnataka Leads in EV Charging
Stations

"Face It If You Can"

1. The use of electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing day by day in the country. While 1.025 million EVs were sold in 2022, around 2 million vehicles were sold in 2024.

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on

2. The central government’s target is for 30% of all vehicles in the country to be electric by 2030.

above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

3. To promote EVs, the Prime Minister's e-Drive Scheme, launched in 2024, has been allocated a budget of ?10,900 crore for two years. Of this, ?2,000 crore will be dedicated to setting up public EV charging

stations.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 December 2024

26th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Veer Bal Diwas
 100 Years of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
 Inauguration of 10,000 Multi-Purpose Societies
 Kakinada JNTU Hosts Flags of UNO Countries
 2025 Declared as the Year of Artificial Intelligence
 The Unyielding Judge: The Life and Legacy of Justice A.N. Grover
VEER BAL DIWAS
 Veer Bal Diwas is observed annually on December 26 to honor the courage, bravery, and sacrifices
of Baba Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar Singh, the younger sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh, the
10th Sikh Guru.
 The Central Government announced the commemoration of December 26 as Veer Bal Diwas on
January 9, 2022, during the birth anniversary of Sri Guru Gobind Singh. This day was first
observed starting December 25, 2022.
 On the occasion of Veer Bal Diwas, the Prime Minister praised the Sikh Guru tradition, stating that it inspires Ek
Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (One India, Best India).
100 YEARS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF INDIA (CPI)
 Due to British restrictions, M.N. Roy and a few others formed the Communist Party in Tashkent,
Russia, on October 17, 1920.
 However, the party's establishment in India was not immediately feasible. Communists from
Kolkata, Bombay, Madras, Lahore, and other cities convened in Kanpur on December 26,
1925, to officially establish the Communist Party of India (CPI).
- CPI(M) and other leftist parties recognize the Tashkent meeting date as the founding date of the
Communist Party.
- CPI considers the Kanpur meeting date as the official founding date.
INAUGURATION OF 10,000 MULTI-PURPOSE SOCIETIES
 On December 25, 2024, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated 10,000 new Multi-
Purpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). He expressed confidence that the target
of establishing 200,000 PACS within five years would be achieved ahead of schedule.
 Amit Shah stated that they had already set up 10,000 new PACS within three months and are
determined to achieve the five-year goal early.
 8. He stated that the target would be achieved in two phases. In the first phase, NABARD will
establish 32,750 new MPACS, NDDB will establish 56,500 dairy cooperative societies, and NFDB will establish 6,000
fisheries cooperative societies. In the second phase, NABARD will establish 45,000 MPACS, NDDB will establish
46,000 dairy cooperative societies, NFDB will establish 5,500 fisheries cooperative societies, and state governments
will establish 25,000 new cooperative societies, as explained by Amit Shah.
F NDDB**: National Dairy Development Board F NFDB: National Fisheries Development Board
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 December 2024

KAKINADA JNTU HOSTS FLAGS OF UNO COUNTRIES

 For the first time in Indian universities, 194 UNO member country flags were unveiled
at Kakinada JNTUK, as informed by the university's in-charge Vice-Chancellor, KVS
G Murali Krishna.
 Murali Krishna mentioned that flags of 194 countries recognized by the United Nations
are present in Geneva, New York in the USA, Seoul in South Korea, Shanghai in
China, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
 With the cooperation of university alumnus and Sundar Associates Chairman, Badam
Sundara Rao, the "Walk with Nations" project was initiated on the university campus, and the national flags were
unveiled by in-charge Vice-Chancellor Murali Krishna on December 25, 2024.
 Badam Sundara Rao stated that the main objective is "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The World is One Family), and each
flagpole is equipped with a QR code through which details of the respective country can be accessed. He also mentioned
that this project was undertaken with his personal funding as an alumnus.
 As part of this, 193 national flags of United Nations-recognized countries, along with the flag of Palestine, recognized
as a sovereign state by 146 of the 193 UN member countries, were installed, making a total of 194 flags on the campus.

2025 DECLARED AS THE YEAR OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has declared 2025 as the Year of Artificial Intelligence.
 In light of the growing reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the future, AICTE took this decision with the aim of
making India a global leader in AI.
 AICTE plans to integrate AI into courses like engineering, management, and polytechnic, transforming students into
experts in the field. It has also prepared a plan to implement several initial steps toward this goal.
 Additionally, AICTE has written to the principals and directors of nearly 14,000 educational institutions under its
purview across the country, requesting them to submit an AI implementation plan by December 31, 2024.
 AICTE suggested several programs to widely promote AI in educational institution campuses, including:
Awareness Weeks: Conducting workshops, expert lectures, and hackathons.
Establishing Student Chapters: Encouraging collaborative learning, AI innovations, and setting up AI labs in colleges.
Career Guidance: Organizing career counseling for students on opportunities in the AI field.
Training Teachers: Updating syllabi to include basic and advanced AI topics in all branches. AICTE plans to conduct
workshops to train teachers to become proficient in teaching AI.
AICTE- Full Form: All India Council for Technical Education - Headquarters: New Delhi
Established:1945 - Chairman:T.G. Sitharam
THE UNYIELDING JUDGE: THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JUSTICE A.N. GROVER
 The book "The Unyielding Judge: The Life and Legacy of Justice A.N. Grover" was authored by Gauri Grover.
 This book was published by OakBridge Publishing.
 Notable Contribution of A.N. Grover:His role in the historic Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973 was commendable.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 December 2024

ARUNISH CHAWLA APPOINTED AS CENTRAL REVENUE SECRETARY

 Arunish Chawla has been appointed as the Central Revenue Secretary. This appointment was made as
Sanjay Malhotra, the previous Central Revenue Secretary, has been appointed as the RBI Governor.

FAVORABLE FDI INFLOWS IN INDIA IN 2025

 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows into the country are expected to remain strong
in 2025, according to DPIIT Secretary Amarjeet Singh Bhatia.
 He mentioned that the increase in FDI limits across various sectors, removal of
regulatory barriers, and improvement in business-friendly conditions are the reasons
for this trend.
 From April 2000 to September 2024, FDI worth $1 trillion (over ?85 lakh crore) has
flowed into India, making the country an internationally recognized safe and major
hub for investments.
 Currently, most sectors are allowed FDI under the automatic route. However, sectors like telecom, media, pharmaceuticals,
and insurance require approvals for foreign investments.
 During January-September 2024, India attracted FDI worth $42.13 billion, which is a 42% increase compared to
$29.73 billion during the same period in 2023.
 In 2023-24, the total FDI reached a record high of $71.28 billion.
 Between 2004-2014, the domestic manufacturing sector received $98 billion in FDI, whereas from 2014-2024, the
sector attracted $165 billion in FDI.

TELANGANA LEADS IN MALWARE ATTACKS

 Malware attacks are emerging as a significant challenge to Digital India's progress. Hackers, often operating remotely,
infiltrate government and private organizations' online systems to steal critical information.
 States most affected by malware attacks from October 2023 to September 2024 (in percentage):
Rank State Malware Attacks (%)
1 Telangana 15.03
2 Tamil Nadu 11.97
3 Delhi 11.79
4 Gujarat 10.34
5 Rajasthan 9.69
6 Karnataka 9.37
7 Uttar Pradesh 8.82
8 Madhya Pradesh 8.28

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.
 3
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 December 2024

27nd Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Key Agreement Between ISRO and European Space Agency
 ‘Ironman’ Robot to Assist Disabled Individuals
 Cherukupalli Srinivasa Rao Appointed Director of IARI
 Economic Reforms Architect, Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passes Away
 Ayodhya Surpasses Agra in Tourist Attraction
 CWCs Meeting Held in Belagavi
KEY AGREEMENT BETWEEN ISRO AND EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has entered into a key agreement
with the European Space Agency for cooperation in astronaut training and various space
research activities.
 1According to the agreement, space research organizations from both countries will
collaborate in the establishment of human habitats in space.
 The collaboration includes astronaut training, experiments, utilization of European Space
Agency facilities in space, conducting human biomedical research experiments, and working together in education and
public awareness activities.
 This agreement further strengthens the cooperation between the space research organizations of both countries.
‘IRONMAN’ ROBOT TO ASSIST DISABLED INDIVIDUALS
 A team of researchers from South Korea has developed the ‘Ironman’ robot to assist disabled individuals in walking.
 This robot helps especially those with paraplegia (paralysis from the waist down) to walk and climb stairs.
 It was developed at the Exoskeleton Laboratory of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
 The 'Ironman' robot, known as WALKON SUIT F1, is a powerful "exoskeleton" made from a mixture of aluminum and
titanium weighing 50 kilograms. It operates with 12 electronic motors, mimicking joint movements while walking. Wearing
the WALKON SUIT F1, an individual can walk at a speed of 3.2 km per hour.
CHERUKUPALLI SRINIVASA RAO APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF IARI
 Cherukupalli Srinivasa Rao, a scientist from Andhra Pradesh, has been appointed as the Director of
the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
 He is the first Telugu person to hold this position after India's independence. He was born on October
4, 1965, in Anigandla Padu, Krishna District.
 He completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Agriculture at Bapatla Agricultural College and his Ph.D. at
the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI).
 He began his career as a scientist in 1992 and has worked in various positions in the Indian Agricultural
Council for three decades.
 He is currently serving as the Director of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Management Academy in
Rajendranagar, Hyderabad. IARI is a research organization managed by ICAR.

F IARI - Indian Agricultural Research Institute-New Delhi F ICAR -Indian Council of Agricultural Research-New Delhi

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 December 2024

ECONOMIC REFORMS ARCHITECT, FORMER PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH PASSES AWAY
 Former Indian Prime Minister and architect of the country's economic reforms, Manmohan Singh (92), passed away on
December 26, 2024. He was born on September 26, 1932, in Gupla, West Punjab, which is now in Pakistan.
 During the partition of the country, his family migrated to India. He completed his higher education with scholarships,
demonstrating exceptional talent.
 He graduated in Economics from Punjab University in 1952 and completed his Master's degree in 1954. He then
obtained a Ph.D. from Nuffield College, Oxford.
 From 1957 to 1959, he served as a Senior Lecturer at Punjab University and as a Reader from 1959 to 1963.
Positions Held by Manmohan Singh:

 In 1972, he served as the Chief Economic Advisor to the Ministry of Finance.

 He was a member of the Planning Commission from 1980 to 1982.
 From 1982 to 1985, he served as the 15th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
 From 1985 to 1987, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission.
 From 1987 to 1990, he worked as the Secretary General of the South Commission in Geneva.
 In 1990, he was appointed as the Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister.
 In 1991, he served as the Chairman of the Bastroj Committee.
 In 1991, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha for the first time from Assam.
 He served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha in 1995, 2001, 2007, 2013, and 2024.
 From 1991 to 1996, he was the Finance Minister in the PV Narasimha Rao government.
 From 1998 to 2004, he was the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
 From 2004 to 2014, he served as the Prime Minister of India.
 He became the 4th longest-serving Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Narendra Modi.
Awards Received by Him:
 In 1987, he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan award by the Government of India.
 In 2010, he received the World Statesman Award.
 In 2017, he was awarded the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.
Books Written by Him:
 India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth- 1964  Changing India - 2019
 India's Economic Reforms: An Agenda for the Future - 2006  A Decade of Economic Reforms - 2004
 Making Democracy Work for Pro-Poor Development- 2003
AYODHYA SURPASSES AGRA IN TOURIST ATTRACTION
 IAyodhya, with the Ram Mandir, has surpassed Agra’s Taj Mahal, which was previously the most visited tourist destination,
to secure the top spot.
 IFrom January to September 2024, Ayodhya recorded the highest number of tourists. During this period, Agra was
visited by 12.51 crore people, while Ayodhya saw 13.55 crore visitors, as announced by the Ministry of Tourism.
 On January 22, 2024, the grand inauguration of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir attracted global attention, making it one of the
leading domestic spiritual tourism destinations.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 27 December 2024

CWC MEETING HELD IN BELAGAVI

 On December 26, 2024, a meeting of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) was held in Belagavi, Karnataka, to
mark the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi assuming the position of Congress President. The meeting was named the
"Nav Satyagraha Baithak." The All India Congress Committee (AICC) passed a resolution calling for readiness to
protect the Constitution, in line with the movement Mahatma Gandhi led for India's independence.
 This meeting was chaired by AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, with over 200
national-level leaders participating.
 13-Month Long Foot March: The CWC resolved that the path Mahatma Gandhi chose for India's independence should
be followed for the protection of the Constitution. The resolution called for a nationwide foot march and public meetings
over 13 months, leading up to January 26, 2026.
 Given that the Constitution will complete 75 years on January 26, 2025, the resolution also called for rallies and public
meetings at the booth level across Karnataka for one month, spreading messages about protecting the Constitution.

KEN-BETWA PROJECT INAUGURATED BY MODI

 On December 25, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation
stone for the Ken-Betwa river interlinking national project at Khajuraho in
Madhya Pradesh, marking the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee. This is the first project under the National River Linking
Plan.
 From the same venue, the foundation stone for the Omkareshwar Floating
Solar Project in Khandwa district and the Daudhan irrigation project, part of
the river linking project, was also laid.
 The project, costing approximately Rs. 44,000 crores, will provide drinking water to 44 million people across 10 districts
in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh once completed.
 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the project will generate 703 MW of hydropower
and benefit 7.18 lakh farming families in 2,000 villages. He also noted that this will be the country’s largest irrigation
project using an underground pressurized pipe irrigation system.
 The Ken and Betwa rivers originate in Madhya Pradesh. These two rivers are tributaries of the Yamuna River.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 28 December 2024

28th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Lovlina Borgohain appointed to the Asian Boxing Athletes Commission
 Sachin receives MCC Honorary Membership
 Namith Joshi appointed as Chairman of Pharmagild
 National Academy of Agricultural Sciences "Fellow" Bhanuprakash Reddy
 Grand Kuchipudi Golden Jubilee Celebrations
 Swamitva Scheme
Lovlina Borgohain appointed to the Asian Boxing Athletes Commission
 Tokyo Olympics medalist Lovlina Borgohain has been appointed to the Asian Boxing Federation
Athletes' Commission.
 In the newly established Asian Council by World Boxing (WB), the Boxing Federation of India
(BFI) representatives have been given positions. BFI President Ajay Singh has been appointed
as a board member, while Secretary Hemant Kumar Kalita and Treasurer Digvijay Singh have
been given opportunities in the Olympic Commission, Finance-Audit Committees.
Sachin receives MCC Honorary Membership
 Indian former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has been honored by the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC).
 The club, which was established in 1938, has granted honorary membership to Sachin. The record for
the most Test runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is held by Sachin. In 5 Tests, with an average of
44.90 and a strike rate of 58.69, Sachin scored 449 runs.
Namith Joshi appointed as Chairman of Pharmagild
 Namith Joshi has been appointed as the Chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmagild).
 He is currently serving as the Vice Chairman of Pharmagild. A resident of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, he has over three
decades of experience in various sectors including Pharma, Diagnostics, Biologics, Retail Pharmacy, Healthcare, and more.
National Academy of Agricultural Sciences "Fellow" Bhanuprakash Reddy
 Bhanuprakash Reddy, a scientist at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and head of the Biochemistry department,
has been selected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS).
 Bhanuprakash Reddy received this recognition for his extensive research in the field of nutrition. For decades, he has
been conducting research on topics such as how much nutrition is required for humans, nutritional deficiencies, and how
to prevent various diseases with commonly used cooking ingredients.
F NAAS - National Academy of Agricultural Sciences F NAAS Headquarters - New Delhi
F NAAS President - Himanshu Pathak F NAAS Established - 1990

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Grand Kuchipudi Golden Jubilee Celebrations

 The Kuchipudi Flag Golden Jubilee celebrations were grandly inaugurated on
December 27, 2024, at Vedantam Rattayya Sharma stage in Kuchipudi village,
Krishna district, jointly organized by Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, Sri
Siddhendra Yogi Kuchipudi Kalapeetham, and Kuchipudi Heritage Arts Society.
These celebrations will last for three days.
 On the last day of the celebrations, a 50-foot high flag pole will be unveiled.
Already prepared on the pole are Kuchipudi handprints. The Kuchipudi dance
flag will be unveiled on this. Cane, Sathibhama Zed, and stick marks are symbols
of the Kuchipudi flag created by the late dance master Vedantam Parvateesham 50 years ago.
Swamitva Scheme
 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on December 27, 2024, through video conferencing, distributed nearly 50 lakh
property certificates (property cards) under the Swamitva Scheme to
landowners in villages across 10 states and 2 Union Territories – Chhattisgarh,
Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha,
Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and the two Union Territories of Jammu
Kashmir and Ladakh.
 The Swamitva (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improved Technology
in Village Areas) scheme was launched by the central government in 2020
with the aim of recording details of vacant plots in villages using drone survey technology, preparing online records, and
distributing property cards to landowners.
 Currently, drone surveys have been completed in 3.1 lakh villages, and the central government has prepared 2.2 crore
property cards for nearly 1.5 lakh villages so far.
 This scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj of the central government in cooperation with the
Panchayati Raj departments and Revenue departments of the respective states, as well as the Survey of India.
Former Suzuki Motor Corporation Chairman Osamu Suzuki passes away
 Osamu Suzuki (94), the international industrial giant who inspired the rapid growth of the automobile industry in India and
modern car manufacturing with world-class standards through his bold decisions,
has passed away.
 He was the former chairman of the Japanese automobile giant Suzuki Motor
Corporation. He served as the Honorary Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India.
 Osamu Suzuki, who was suffering from blood cancer, passed away while receiving
treatment on December 25, 2024.
 Maruti Suzuki India becoming the leading automobile company in the country was
due to the bold decision taken by Osamu Suzuki in 1981.
 The Government of India honored Osamu Suzuki with the Padma Bhushan award in 2007.

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EC releases statistics of general elections

 The Central Election Commission (CEC) stated that there are 97.97 crore voters in the country for the 2024 general
elections. This is 7.43% higher compared to 91.19 crore voters in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In 2019, 61.4 crore
votes were cast, while in 2024, 64.64 crore votes were cast, with 64.21 crore votes registered in EVMs.
 Of these, 32.93 crore were male voters, 31.27 crore were female voters, and 13,000 were third-gender voters who
exercised their voting rights. Similarly, 42.81 lakh postal ballots were registered in the general elections.
 The highest voter turnout was recorded in the Dhubri constituency of Assam with 92.3% voting, while the lowest was
in Srinagar with 38.7%. However, the EC informed that in 2019, the
voter turnout in Srinagar was only 14.4%.
 Along with the Lok Sabha elections, the CEC released comprehensive
statistics of the world's largest elections held simultaneously for the
state assemblies of 4 states, including Andhra Pradesh. In 2024,
10.52 lakh polling booths were set up to ensure smooth conduct of
the election process. This is 14,816 more than in 2019. While 540 re-
polling stations were held in 2019, only 40 polling stations required
re-polling in 2024.
 Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of 1.62 lakh polling stations, and compared to 2019, Bihar saw the highest
increase of 4,739 polling stations in 2024.

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An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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 3
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 December 2024

29th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan
 Writer MT Vasudevan Nair passes away
 Nigambodh Ghat - The oldest cremation ground
 Family Consumption Expenditure 2023-24 Report
 The state with the highest forest fires is Andhra Pradesh
 Tiger deaths down in 2024

Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan

 The central government has launched a new program called "Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyan" to address nutritional
deficiencies, promote healthy living, and improve community welfare with the participation of local people in all the
Gram Panchayats across the country.
Objective:
 To encourage the village population to follow better nutritional practices for health.
 Specifically, this program focuses on issues such as eliminating nutritional deficiencies, healthy competition between
Gram Panchayats and Anganwadis, and sustainable development.
 Through Anganwadis in a total of 1,000 Gram Panchayats across the country, better nutrition will be provided to
children, with Rs. 1 lakh allocated for each Panchayat.
 This program will play a key role in achieving sustainable development goals such as alleviating hunger, ensuring food
security, improving nutrition, healthcare, and enhancing living standards by 2030.
Writer MT Vasudevan Nair passes away
 Malayalam writer and film producer MT Vasudevan Nair (91) passed away.
 He wrote famous works such as Randamoozham, Manju, Jnanam, Asuravithudu, Irutinte Atmavu.
 He was awarded the Jnanpith Award in 1995 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Nigambodh Ghat - The oldest cremation ground
 The Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi, where the funeral of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
was held, is one of the oldest, largest, and busiest cremation grounds. Situated on the banks of
the Yamuna River, this cremation ground is a paradise for bird lovers and photographers.
 In 1898, when Delhi was known as Shahjahanabad, the prominent businessman Bissa Agarwal
established the Nigambodh cremation ground. It is currently managed by the Municipal Corporation
of Delhi.
 Funerals of leaders such as BJP leader Arun Jaitley, Janata Party founder Sundar Singh Bhandari,
Deendayal Upadhyaya, former Vice President Krishna Kant, and former Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit have taken place at Nigambodh.
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Family Consumption Expenditure 2023-24 Report

 According to the "Family Consumption Expenditure 2023-24" report released by the Ministry of Statistics, people across
the country are spending the highest portion of their monthly expenses on beverages, snacks, and processed food
(refined food), with rural people spending 9.84% and urban residents spending 11.09%.
 For food and non-food needs, people in rural areas are spending an average of Rs.4,122, while urban residents are
spending ?6,996.
 According to this report, urban residents of Sikkim (Rs.13,927) and rural residents of Sikkim (Rs.9,377) are at the top for
highest expenditure, while urban residents of Chhattisgarh (Rs.4,927) and rural residents (Rs.2,739) are at the bottom.
 Rural people spend 47.04% on food, while urban people allocate 39.68%. For non-food needs, rural people spend
52.96%, and urban people spend 60.32%.
Average monthly expenditure Average Monthly Expenditure in
In Rural Areas of the Country Urban Areas of the Country
Percentage Expenditure (in Rs.) Percentage Expenditure (in ?)
95-100 10,137 95-100 20,310
90-95 6,929 90-95 12,817
80-90 5.763 80-90 10,139
70-80 4,885 70-80 8,353
60-70 4,304 60-70 7,199
50-60 3,886 50-60 6,334
40-50 3,498 40-50 5,622
30-40 3,162 30-40 4,979
20-30 2,833 20-30 4,353
10-20 2,473 10-20 4,353
5-10 2,126 5-10 3,093
0-5 1,677 0-5 2,376

 In Andhra Pradesh, urban residents spend 34% more than rural residents on a monthly basis, while in Telangana, this
difference is up to 65%.
 In terms of rural and urban expenditure, Telangana ranks 11th and 15th, while Andhra Pradesh ranks 13th and 18th.
 In food expenses, sugar and salt occupy the last positions. For non-food needs, both rural and urban residents prioritize
transportation. Rural people give secondary importance to healthcare, while urban residents allocate this position to
entertainment.
 Rural residents give third priority to clothes, footwear, and bedding, while urban residents give this position to electronics
and electrical appliances.
 In rural expenditure, education ranks 9th, while in urban residents' lives, it ranks 5th.

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The state with the highest forest fires is Andhra Pradesh

 The "India Forest Situation Report-2023" mentioned that sudden forest fires occurring
domestically are burning vast areas of forests.
 Despite detecting the fires immediately with the help of satellites, forest staff are unable to
extinguish them promptly.
 Between November 2023 and June 2024, the forest area burnt by fires in various states in
India (in square kilometers):
State Area (sq. km) State Area (sq. km)
Andhra Pradesh 5,286 Odisha 2,463
Maharashtra 4,095 Karnataka 2,088
Telangana 3,983 Uttarakhand 1,808
Chhattisgarh 3,812 Tamil Nadu 1,322
Madhya Pradesh 3,172 Jharkhand 1,086

Tiger deaths down in 2024

 The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) revealed that
tiger deaths in 2024 have significantly decreased compared to 2023.
The decrease in deaths is attributed to strengthened tiger conservation
efforts, strict implementation of wildlife laws, and measures to curb
poaching in wildlife sanctuaries. The total number of deaths last year
(2023) was 182, whereas this year (2024) only 122 deaths occurred.
 Among the deaths in 2024, Madhya Pradesh had the highest with 44
deaths, followed by Maharashtra with 21 tiger deaths. The report
mentioned that in January 2024, two tigers died in the Kawal Reserve area of Telangana.
 From 2012 to December 25, 2024, statistics show that a total of 1,366 tigers died across the country. In this, 106 tigers
died in 2020, 127 in 2021, 122 in 2022, and 182 in 2023. The highest number of deaths occurred in Madhya Pradesh with
355, Maharashtra with 261, and Karnataka with 179. In Andhra Pradesh, 14 tigers died, and in Telangana, 11 tigers died.
 27. 50% of the deaths occurred within wildlife sanctuaries, 42% occurred outside, and 8% were cases of tigers seized
from poachers. The report stated that tigers are dying due to leaving their territories in search of food and water,
conflicts with other tigers over food, and competing with other animals for hunting.
 However, the report estimated that in the previous year (2023), tiger deaths were reduced due to measures under
Project Tiger, including increasing green cover, controlling construction activities in buffer zones, halting land transfer of
forest lands, continuous surveillance on poachers, suspending safari operations at night, and restricting construction
activities in tiger reserves.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 December 2024

Rs. 912 crore for PM-CARES Fund in 2022-23

 The donations to the "PM CARES" fund, which was initiated during COVID-
19, are decreasing. In the financial year 2020-21, the fund received donations
of Rs.7,184 crores, whereas in 2022-23, this was limited to Rs.912 crores.
 This is the first time since the establishment of the fund in 2020 that donations
have reached such a low level. In the financial year 2021-22, the fund received
Rs.1,938 crores in donations. In 2020-21, Rs.495 crores were donated from
abroad, and by 2022-23, this amount had increased to Rs.2.57 crores.
 The central government started this fund in 2020 with the objective of addressing the urgent situations arising from the
COVID-19 pandemic and helping those who suffered losses.
Indian Army unveils statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in Ladakh
 The Indian Army unveiled a 30-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at an altitude
of 14,300 feet above sea level, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the
eastern Ladakh sector, along the banks of Pangong Lake.
 This statue has gained significance to remind of cultural and historical heritage.
 Shivaji was celebrated for his military prowess, administrative skills, and efforts
to promote justice and society.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
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 4
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 30 December 2024

30th Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Bald Eagle as the National Bird of the USA
 China Unveils the Advanced Train ‘CR-450’
 117th Episode of Mann Ki Baat
 World Telugu Writers’ Conference in Vijayawada
 K. Vijayanand Appointed as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary
 Koneru Humpy Becomes FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion

Bald Eagle as the National Bird of the USA

 Current U.S. President Joe Biden officially declared the "Bald Eagle" as the national
bird of the United States.
 This bird has been used as an emblem of the U.S. for decades. Since 1782, it has
been featured on the Great Seal of the United States and official documents.
 Although it was present on the country's seal, it was not granted official status.
With Biden’s approval, the Bald Eagle received the status of the national bird 240
years later.
China Unveils the Advanced Train ‘CR-450’
 China unveiled a new bullet train with the highest speed in the world.
 In trial runs, this train traveled at a speed of 450 km/h and is being referred to as
"CR-450."
 It travels faster than the CR-400 model, which currently operates at 350 km/h.
 The Beijing-Shanghai journey, which takes 4 hours, can now be completed in just
2.5 hours with this train.
 The new train is lighter in weight and consumes 20% less electricity, as stated by
officials.
117th Episode of Mann Ki Baat
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the public during the 117th episode of Mann Ki Baat on December 29, 2024.
 He stated that the 75th anniversary of the Constitution's implementation makes Republic Day (2025) special.
 He encouraged people to visit the website “Constitution75.com” to understand the
greatness and impact of the Constitution.
 Modi called for unity through the Maha Kumbh Mela starting in Prayagraj (Uttar
Pradesh) on January 13, 2025.
 He mentioned that the centenary celebrations of cinema legends such as Akkineni
Nageswara Rao, Raj Kapoor, Mohammed Rafi, and Tapan Sinha are being held in 2024.

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 Modi announced the first-ever World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) to be held in Delhi from February
5-9, 2025.
 He highlighted the popularity of Ayurveda even in countries like Paraguay, which has only 1,000 Indians.
 Modi shared that malaria deaths in India reduced by 80% between 2015-23, as per a WHO report.
 He noted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme played a critical role in providing timely treatment to 90% of cancer patients.
 He spoke about the success of Tamil teaching programs in Fiji, the Bastar Olympics held in Chhattisgarh (November 5-
10, 2024), and the vegetable revolution in Odisha's Kalahandi, once synonymous with poverty and drought.
World Telugu Writers’ Conference in Vijayawada
 The World Telugu Writers’ Conference was held at KBN College in Vijayawada, Andhra
Pradesh, from December 28-29, 2024. Former Chief Justice of India, Justice N.V.
Ramana, inaugurated the event.
 Over two days, the conference featured 25+ sessions, poetry, and literary seminars.
More than 1,500 language enthusiasts and poets from India and abroad participated.
K. Vijayanand Appointed as Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary
 The Andhra Pradesh government appointed K. Vijayanand as the Chief Secretary (CS) of
the state. He was serving as the Special Secretary for the Energy Department before this
appointment. The government issued orders on December 30, 2024, appointing him as CS
until November 30, 2025.
 Current CS Nirab Kumar’s term ends on December 31, 2024, and Vijayanand will take over
from him.
Koneru Humpy Becomes FIDE Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion
 Telugu chess player Koneru Humpy (37) emerged as the winner in the FIDE Women’s World Chess Championship held
in New York.
 She scored 8.5 points by securing two draws and one victory in the last three rounds. Humpy shared points with Wenjun
(China) in the 9th round and Kateryna (Russia) in the 10th round. She secured victory against Irene Karisma (Indonesia)
in the 11th round to claim the title.
 She became the first Indian woman to win the World Rapid Chess Championship title for the
second time (she also won in 2019).
 In men’s chess, Viswanathan Anand won the Rapid Chess title once (2017). Globally,
Humpy became the second female player after Wenjun (China) to win this title twice.
 Humpy received prize money of $60,000 (Rs.51.23 lakh) as the winner.
 In the World Rapid Chess Championships, Humpy won a bronze medal in 2012, gold in 2019, silver in 2023, and gold in 2024.
 In the Open category of Rapid Chess, Russia’s Volodar Murzin won the title by scoring 10 points over 13 rounds.
Alexander Grischuk (Russia) won silver, and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) won bronze.
 At 18, Murzin became the second youngest player to win the World Rapid Chess title. Uzbekistan’s Abdusattorov won
the title at 17, becoming the youngest.
 Among Indians, Arjun Erigaisi finished 5th, while Praggnanandhaa ranked 17th.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 30 December 2024

Haryana Steelers Wins Pro Kabaddi League Season 11

 Haryana Steelers emerged as the winner of the 11th season of Pro Kabaddi. In the final, Haryana defeated three-time
champions Patna Pirates with a score of 32-23.
 Haryana Steelers, the champions, received a prize money of Rs.3 crore, while the runners-
up Patna Pirates received Rs.1.8 crore.
 Top Scorer-Devank Dalal (301, Patna Pirates)
 Most Tackle Points-Mohammedreza Chiyaneh (82, Haryana Steelers)
 Most Successful Raider- Devank Dalal (226, Patna Pirates)
 Most Successful Tackler- Mohammedreza Chiyaneh (78, Haryana Steelers)
Uttar Pradesh Leads in Jan Aushadhi Kendras
 Non-communicable and other diseases are increasing due to changes in climate and lifestyle. On the other hand, rising
medicine costs are adding to the burden of common people.
 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are emerging as a solution to this. These centers provide medicines at low costs and, as of
November 2024, 14,320 centers are functioning across the country. The central government aims to increase this
number to 25,000 by 2027.
States with the Highest Number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras
State Jan Aushadhi Kendras State Jan Aushadhi Kendras

Uttar Pradesh 2,533 Maharashtra 702

Kerala 1,458 Odisha 644
Karnataka 1,373 West Bengal 546
Tamil Nadu 1,300 Andhra Pradesh 270
Bihar 747 Telangana 198
Gujarat 726
Maharashtra Leads in National Highways
 As of 2019, the total length of national highways in the country was 1,32,500 km, which increased to 1,46,145 km by
March 2024.
 In Andhra Pradesh, the length of national highways was 6,914 km five years ago, which has now increased to 8,683 km,
making it the state with the highest growth over the past five years.
 Maharashtra ranks first in terms of the total length of national highways, while Andhra Pradesh stands in 5th place.
 Telangana has 4,926 km of national highways.
State Length of National
Highways (km)
Maharashtra 18,459
Uttar Pradesh 12,292
Rajasthan 10,706
Madhya Pradesh 9,105
Andhra Pradesh 8,683

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India Tops in Foreign Remittances

 People working in other countries or those who have roots in one country and settle in another regularly send money to
their family members in their home countries.
 According to World Bank estimates, India ranked first among the countries that sent the highest amount of remittances
in 2024.
Country Total Received Country Total Received
(in Billion Dollars) (in Billion Dollars)
India 129 France 37
Mexico 68 Pakistan 33
China 48 Bangladesh 26
Philippines 40
IIT Kharagpur’s String Fest
 The prestigious technical institution IIT Kharagpur will host its annual cultural event "String Fest" for the 66th edition
from January 26-28, 2024. It will be held under the theme "Hitch Hike".
ISRO's Own Space Station by 2035
 ISRO's Chairman, Somnath, revealed that the goal is to set up its own space station by
2035. The first module will be sent into space in 2028.
 He also mentioned that ISRO is working on sending astronauts to the Moon by 2040.
The central government has allocated Rs.31,000 crore for space research. He stated
that every rupee spent on space research has yielded Rs.2.52 in revenue.
Rare Bird Korean Flycatcher Found in Telangana
 A rare bird, the "Korean Flycatcher", was spotted near the Bhimuni Falls in the Mahabubabad district of Telangana.
 It has been recorded as the 445th bird species in Telangana by biologists.
 The Korean Flycatcher is native to East Asia and migrates to South Asia in November
and December to withstand the harsh winter conditions.
 This bird had previously been spotted in Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and
Odisha, but this is the first time it has been seen in Telangana.

"Face It If You Can"

An exciting and Challenging Quiz on
above topics tomorrow at same time 7 P.M.

 4
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

31st Dec 2024

HEADLINES
 Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away
 Vitthal Kumar as CRPF Director General
 Godavari-Banakacharla Link Project Named as "Jal Haarathi to Telugu Thalli"
 Glass Bridge Inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
 Rs.1,82,162 Crore Investments for Andhra Pradesh
 N. Chandrababu Naidu Becomes the Richest Chief Minister in the Country

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away
 American politician and former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter (100), passed
away on December 29, 2024, in Plains, Georgia.
 A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a Georgia Senator from 1963-67 and as
the Governor of Georgia from 1971-75
 He served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977-81.
 He is the longest-living individual to have served as the President of the superpower to date.
 In recognition of his visit to India in 1978, a village in Haryana was named "Carterpuri."
 Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Vitthal Kumar as CRPF Director General
 IPS officer Vithul Kumar has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). This appointment was made as the current
DG, Anish Dayal Singh, is retiring on December 31, 2024.
 Until a regular DG is appointed or further orders are issued, Vithul Kumar will
continue in this position. Vithul Kumar is currently serving as the Special DG of
CRPF.
 CRPF is a Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It assists states and union territories in
maintaining law and order.

F CRPF Establishment - 1939 F CRPF Headquarters - New Delhi

F CISF Director General - Daljeet Singh Choudhary F CISF Director General - Rajwinder Singh Bhatti
F Sashastra Seema Bal Director General - Amrit Mohan Prasad
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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

Godavari-Banakacharla Link Project Named as "Jal Haarathi to Telugu Thalli"

 The Andhra Pradesh government has named the Godavari-Banakacharla Link Project as "Jal Haarathi to Telugu Thalli."
 On average, 2,989 TMC of Godavari water flows into the sea annually. Out of this, 300 TMC of water will be diverted
into this project.
 The main objective of this project is to connect the Godavari waters to Banakacharla near Nagarjuna Sagar. This project
is expected to transform the Rayalaseema region into a hub for horticultural crops. Through this project, drinking and
irrigation water will be provided to Nellore and Prakasam districts.
 Banakacharla is a region in the Kurnool district.
Glass Bridge Inaugurated in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
 For the first time in the country, a glass bridge built in the middle of the sea at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, was inaugurated
by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin on December 30, 2024.
 In Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, the Vivekananda Memorial is situated in the middle of
the sea. Nearby, the statue of Thiruvalluvar was inaugurated on January 1, 2000, by
the then Chief Minister Karunanidhi. As the 133-foot-tall statue completes 25 years,
silver jubilee celebrations are set to begin on January 1, 2025.
 As part of these celebrations, a 77-meter-long, 10-meter-wide glass bridge has been
constructed at a cost of Rs.37 crore, connecting the Vivekananda Memorial and the
Thiruvalluvar statue—the first of its kind in the country in the middle of the sea.
Tourists can now walk on this bridge from the Vivekananda Memorial to the Thiruvalluvar statue, which was previously
accessible only by boat.
Rs.1,82,162 Crore Investments for Andhra Pradesh
 The Andhra Pradesh government has approved investments worth Rs.1,82,162 crore in industrial and energy sectors.
The proposals from respective companies were approved during the State Investment Promotion Board meeting chaired
by Chief Minister Chandrababu at the Secretariat on December 30, 2024.
Investments in the Industrial Sector
Company Name Location Investment (Rs. Crore)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ramayapatnam 96,862
Tata Consultancy Services Visakhapatnam 80
Azad Mobility India Sri Sathya Sai District 1,046
Balaji Action Buildwell Anakapalli District 1,174
Investments in the Energy Sector
Company Name Location Investment (Rs. Crore)
AM Green Ammonia India Kakinada 12,000
John Cockerill Green Co Hydrogen Solutions Kakinada 2,000
Tata Power Renewable Energy Kurnool 2,000
Clean Renewable Energy Hybrid Three Nandyal, Kadapa 2,000
Reliance Industries Various Locations in the State 65,000

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

N. Chandrababu Naidu Becomes the Richest Chief Minister in the Country

 According to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Andhra
Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu has emerged as the richest Chief Minister in the
country. The report stated that his assets are valued at Rs,931 crore.
 In this list, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu (Rs.332 crore assets) ranked
second, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah (Rs.51 crore assets) stood third.
 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ranked last in this list with assets worth Rs.15 lakh.
 The report mentioned that the average assets of Chief Ministers of states and union territories in the country amount to
Rs.52.59 crore. The total assets of 31 Chief Ministers across the country are valued at Rs.1,630 crore.
Election Commission Releases 2024 Election Statistics
 The Election Commission of India released details of those who secured the highest and lowest majorities in the 2024
general elections. The details are as follows:
Candidates with the Highest Majorities
Rank Candidate Constituency State Party Majority
1. Shankarlal Vani Indore Madhya Pradesh BJP 11,75,092
2. Rakibul Hussain Dhubri Assam Congress 10,12,476
3. Shivraj Singh Chauhan Vidisha Madhya Pradesh BJP 8,21,408
4. C.R. Patil Navsari Gujarat BJP 7,73,551
5. Amit Shah Gandhinagar Gujarat BJP 7,44,716
6. Abhishek Banerjee Diamond Harbour West Bengal Trinamool 7,10,930
7. Hemang Joshi Vadodara Gujarat BJP 5,82,126
8. Brijmohan Agrawal Raipur Chhattisgarh BJP 5,75,285
9. Kunduru Raghuveer Nalgonda Telangana Congress 5,59,905
10. Mahesh Sharma Gautam Buddha Nagar Uttar Pradesh BJP 5,59,472
14. Matukumilli Sribharat Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh TDP 5,04,247
22. Rama Sahayam Raghurama Reddy Khammam Telangana Congress 4,67,847
Candidates with the Lowest Majorities
Rank Candidate Constituency State Party Majority
1. Ravindra Dattaram Waikar Mumbai North West Maharashtra Shiv Sena 48
2. Adoor Prakash Attingal Kerala Congress 684
3. Rabindra Narayan Behera Jajpur Odisha BJP 1,587
4. Rao Rajendra Singh Jaipur Rural Rajasthan BJP 1,615
5. Bhojraj Nag Kanker Chhattisgarh BJP 1,884
16. D.K. Aruna Mahbubnagar Telangana BJP 4,500
 Transgenders Show Little Interest in Voting in Lok Sabha Elections Only 27% of registered transgender voters cast
their votes. According to the details released by the Election Commission, 48,194 transgenders had registered as voters
by the time of the Lok Sabha elections. However, only 13,058 of them voted. Tamil Nadu had the highest number of
transgender voters, with 8,467 registered. Out of these, only 2,709 voted.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

PSLV-C60 Launch Successful

 The PSLV-C60 mission undertaken by the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO) was successfully conducted on December 30, 2024.
 The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) was launched into space from the
First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SHAR) in Sriharikota, Tirupati
District, Andhra Pradesh, at 10:15 PM on December 30.
 15.09 minutes after the launch, SpaDeX-1B (Target) separated from the rocket, and SpaDeX-1A (Chaser) separated at
15.12 minutes. SpaDeX is one of ISRO's most significant missions to date.
 PSLV deployed twin satellites (Chaser and Target), weighing 420 kilograms and designed with advanced technology,
into their designated orbit.
 The mission's objective is to demonstrate docking technology in space using these two small satellites.
 Until now, only China, Russia, and the United States have been performing satellite docking in space. India has now
joined their ranks in this technology.
Scientific Research with PS4
 The PSLV-C60 mission has many unique features, including the PS-Orbital Experiment Module, referred to as POEM.
 After the PSLV rocket launch, several experiments will be conducted in PS4 (the fourth stage).
 Scientific research will involve microgravity experiments for three months in orbit. POEM-4 (PS-Orbital Experiment
Module-4) will carry a total of 24 payloads into orbit. Of these, 14 payloads belong to ISRO, while the remaining 10
payloads are from various non-governmental organizations and startups.
 Once the docking experiments are completed, the two satellites will separate, a process called undocking. After separation,
they will function like regular satellites, conducting research.
 The high-resolution camera in SpaDeX-1A will be used for Earth observation, while the miniature multispectral equipment
in SpaDeX-1B will monitor natural resources and study vegetation.
 The radiation monitor payload will measure radioactivity encountered in space. The satellites have a lifespan of 2 years.
 The PSLV-C60 launch was scheduled for 9:58 PM but was conducted at 10:15 PM, with a delay of 2 minutes and 15
seconds.
 Following the rocket launch, ISRO Chairman Somnath stated that the PSLV rocket placed the SpaDeX satellites in their
precise orbit. He added that the satellites, currently 20 kilometers apart, will be brought closer within a week and will
start functioning from January 7.
 This was the 99th launch from the SHAR center and the 62nd in the PSLV series, of which 60 have been successful—
a remarkable achievement.

F Docking is a complex process where two spacecraft connect while orbiting the Earth.
F The American space agency NASA is a pioneer in docking technology. In the 1960s, its Gemini Program successfully
launched two spacecraft into orbit for docking.

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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 December 2024

2024 Words of the Year

 Leading English dictionary organizations announce a "Word of the Year" annually. The words chosen by various
organizations for 2024 are:
Organization Word
Oxford Brain rot
Merriam Webster Polarisation
Cambridge Manifest
Dictionary.com Demure
The Macquarie Dictionary Enshittification
Collins Brat
 Brain rot means mental decay.
 Polarisation means division, but it refers to a very specific kind of division.
 Manifest means visualizing a goal as if it has been achieved.
 Demure means calm and composed.
 Enshittification refers to the pattern of decline in the quality of online products and services.
 Brat refers to a personality full of self confidence and independent spirit.
Andhra Pradesh Tops in Fruits Production
 According to a report by the Union Ministry of Agriculture, Andhra Pradesh ranked first in the country in fruits production.
 In 2022 23, over 1.81 crore tonnes of fruits were produced in Andhra Pradesh. The total fruit production in the country
for that year was 11.02 crore tonnes, with Andhra Pradesh contributing 16.43%.
State Fruits Produced
(in lakh tonnes)
Andhra Pradesh 181.20
Maharashtra 136.21
Uttar Pradesh 118.38
Madhya Pradesh 91.42
Gujarat 82.84

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