Current Affairs One - Liner : 17th December 2024

On December 7, 2024, Uttar Pradesh became the first state in India to fully adopt the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform. This initiative replaces over 33 old procurement rules and aims to enhance transparency and efficiency, potentially saving the state over Rs 2,000 crore annually.

On December 9, 2024, Punjab became the first state in India to enact the Development and Promotion of Sports Act 2024. This legislation aims to adopt best practices for sports development, ensure fair player selection, and enhance transparency in sports associations.
On December 10, 2024, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced that December 10 will be celebrated as Pravasi Rajasthani Divas every year to honor the contributions of the Rajasthani diaspora.
On December 9, 2024, Uttarakhand became the first state in India to implement a dedicated yoga policy. This initiative aims to integrate Ayurveda and Yoga into the healthcare sector, promoting wellness and holistic health.
On December 16, 2024, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil inaugurated Gujarat's first semiconductor assembly and testing plant in Surat. Established by Suchi Semicon, this facility spans 30,000 square feet and aims to produce up to 3 million semiconductor chips daily. This plant is part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

On December 10, 2024, Edelweiss Mutual Fund launched India's first ETF focused on the capital markets and insurance sectors. The ETF, named Edelweiss BSE Capital Markets & Insurance ETF, aims to provide diversified exposure to these sectors by tracking the BSE Capital Markets & Insurance Total Return Index.

The total exports for November 2024 were reported on December 14, 2024. These exports amounted to $67.79 billion, showing a 9.59% increase over the exports from November 2023. This growth was driven by significant increases in exports of electronic goods, engineering goods, rice, marine products, and ready-made garments.
For the fiscal year 2023-24, India's pharmaceutical market is valued at USD 50 billion. Out of this, domestic consumption accounts for USD 23.5 billion, while exports are valued at USD 26.5 billion.

On December 10, 2024, the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the BodhiGaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute in Gandhinagar. This MoU aims to conserve and promote Buddhist heritage sites in Gujarat and globally promote the state's Buddhist circuit.
On December 5, 2024, CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd signed an MoU with the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The aim is to enroll traders and citizens in social security schemes like the National Pension System (NPS) and Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana, empowering them with better financial security.
On December 17, 2024, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Tally Solutions Pvt Ltd at the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi. The aim is to mentor manufacturing startups by providing training in financial management, marketing strategies, and digitization tools, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The India Skills Report 2025, released by Wheebox with CII and AICTE on December 11, 2024, shows employability among Indian graduates improved to 54.81%, with Maharashtra topping the list. The report highlights the impact of quality skill training and emerging technologies on employability.

On December 8, 2024, Lando Norris won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit. This victory secured the Formula One Constructors' Championship title for McLaren for the first time since 1998.

The Indian Army received the AT-15 VTOL drones from Asteria Aerospace on December 11, 2024. This marks Asteria's largest-ever contract and aims to enhance the Army's surveillance capabilities.

On December 17, 2024, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh chaired a Consultative Committee meeting in New Delhi. The meeting included senior officials like Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The aim was to discuss the roles and functions of the new Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) to ensure their contribution to indigenisation and achieving self-reliance in defence production.

Pensioners Day in India is observed on December 17th each year. It honors the late D.S. Nakara, whose landmark Supreme Court judgment on December 17, 1982, secured the rights and dignity of pensioners. The day emphasizes the importance of social welfare for retired officials.

Former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili became the President of Georgia on December 14, 2024. He was elected by a 300-member electoral college and is known for his anti-Western stance.

Aryna Sabalenka won the WTA Player of the Year 2024 award for the first time on December 9, 2024. She secured this title after winning two Grand Slam titles and finishing the year as the world number one.

Questions:

1 Where is Gujarat's first semiconductor assembly and testing plant located?

2 Which state in India was the first to enact the Development and Promotion of Sports Act 2024?