- National:
- The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a national conference on ‘Integration of Yoga in School Education System-Manifesting the thought’, organized by Kaivalyadhama as part of its centenary year celebrations at Lonavala, Maharshtra on November 29, 2023.
- The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved continuation of the fast track special courts scheme for the next three years, till March 2026, for expeditious disposal of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases.
- The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) scheme has indeed been extended for another five years. This scheme provides 5 kg of free foodgrains per month to over 81 crore poor. The extended PMGKAY will cost the exchequer about Rs 11.80-lakh crores. This extension will start from January 1, 2024.
- The Empowering Women in Agriculture: Central Sector Scheme for Drones is a groundbreaking initiative approved by the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The scheme is valued at Rs 1,261 crore and is aimed at providing drones to Women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
- The Sixteenth Finance Commission is a constitutional body that is constituted every 5 years by the President of India under Article 280 of the Indian Constitution. The commission is tasked with making recommendations related to the distribution of tax revenues between the Union (central government) and the states.
- According to a report by global think tank Ember, India is planning to more than triple its renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, to achieve this, it requires $293 billion in financing. The report also states that India’s 14th National Electricity Plan (NEP14) has put the country on track to more than triple its renewable energy.
- The Indian Coast Guard Ship Sajag, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, arrived at Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman, on November 29, 2023, for a three-day visit as part of the overseas deployment of ICG ships to West Asia.
- International:
- The data revealed a significant increase in suicides among individuals over 35 years old, with the highest rates observed in those aged 75 and older. Overall, the 49,449 suicides in 2022 marked the highest number ever recorded in the United States, according to the CDC.
- On November 29, 2023, a gay couple in Nepal became the first in the country to receive official same-sex marriage status. This makes Nepal one of the first countries in Asia to allow it.
- The world’s first transatlantic flight powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) took off on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, from London and flew to New York. The flight was operated by Virgin Atlantic.
- “Our embassy and consulates in India issued an all-time record of more than 140,000 student visas,” the US State Department said in a statement. It added that the they issued more than 600,000 student visas during this fiscal year, the highest since FY 2017.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) has highlighted the deadly consequences of overworking worldwide. According to a paper published by the ILO and the World Health Organization (WHO), each year, three-quarters of a million people are dying from ischaemic heart disease and stroke due to working long hours.
- According to a report by the Global Energy Monitor (GEM) and the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, China has been approving new coal power projects at an unprecedented rate.
- Banking:
- Godrej Capital Nirmaan on 29th November 2023 announced partnership with DBS Bank India, Visa and Amazon to aid MSME growth. Rooted in the ethos of 'nation-building' and fortified by the trust of Indian consumers in the brand Godrej, Godrej Capital is betting bigger on its Nirmaan platform by significantly expanding its collaborative network.
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has increased scrutiny on the ultimate beneficiaries in share transfers within the insurance broking sector, leading to extended approval timelines.
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted an 11-member taskforce under the chairmanship of Randip Singh Jagpal, Executive Director (Non-Life) at IRDAI, to examine the implications of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 on the insurance sector.
- Tata AIG has recently launched a new health insurance product called ‘Health Supercharge’that offers enhanced coverage for overall well-being. The product has two plans: Value Plan and Geo Plan, with different premium rates based on the residential zone of the customer. The product covers persons in the age group of 91 days to 65 years, with no maximum cover ceasing age.
- Economy:
- The unemployment rate in urban areas has decreased from 7.2% to 6.6%. This is a decrease of approximately 8.33%. This could be due to various factors such as increased job opportunities, government initiatives, or economic growth.
- Mous:
- The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Haridwar on November 28 for procurement of 16 Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) along with associated equipment/accessories for the Indian Navy under the Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 2956.89 crore.
- Sports:
- The young boy had patiently awaited the conclusion of the marathon final between Punjab and Haryana, where the former emerged victorious with a 9-8 win on penalties in the recent Hockey India 13th Senior National Men's Championship held in Chennai.
- Science & Technology:
- The swift spin of Sagittarius A* marks a milestone in our cosmic exploration, offering astronomers new perspectives on black hole dynamics and their impact on the fabric of space-time. As the study unfolds, it promises to deepen our understanding of the universe's intricacies and unlock further cosmic mysteries.
- Important Days:
- The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed every year on 30th November. This day allows us to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism.
- The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is a day observed by the United Nations to raise public awareness about the Palestinian issue and promote peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine. It is celebrated every year on November 29. The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People 2023 theme is "Voices of Resilience: Palestinian Perspectives".
- Appointments:
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the appointment of IAS officer Atal Dulloo as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. He is replacing Arun Mehta1. Atal Dulloo is an IAS officer of the 1989 batch.
- The Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI) has appointed Puneet Vidyarthi as its president for the term 2023-2025. He takes over from the previous president, Biswabaran Chakrabarti. Puneet Vidyarthi is the head of marketing and business development at CASE New Holland, a construction equipment business.
- Awards & Honors:
- Safeena Husain, the founder of the NGO Educate Girls, is indeed the first Indian woman to win the WISE Award for Education 2023. She has been recognized for her advocacy for girls’ education in India.
- Abdullahi Mire, a former refugee from Somalia, has been named the 2023 Global Laureate of the UNHCR Nansen Refugee Awards. Abdullahi Mire is a former refugee and journalist who has championed the right to education while putting 100,000 books in the hands of refugee children in Kenya.
- Obituaries:
- Marty Krofft, the Emmy Award-winning Canadian TV producer, passed away at the age of 86. He was one half of the creative duo alongside his brother Sid, responsible for a lot of beloved television shows spanning from Saturday morning delights to prime time hits.
- C K Gopinathan, a director on the board of Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank and one of the major shareholders, passed away on November 27 following a major heart attack. Gopinathan had a 7.5 percent stake in the bank as of September 2023 and had permission to hold up to 9.99 percent.
Questions:
Q.1 Who has been appointed as the president of the Rural Marketing Association of India (RMAI) for the term 2023-2025?a. Ravi Shankar
b. Puneet Vidyarthi
c. Anil Kapoor
d. Suresh Raina
Q.2 Who won the 13th Senior Men National Hockey Championship 2023?
a. Haryana
b. Delhi
c. Punjab
d. Uttar Pradesh
