Current Affairs One - Liner : 21st December 2024

The Union Cabinet approved the "One Nation, One Election" Bill on December 12, 2024. This bill aims to conduct simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies, and local bodies across the country in a phased manner.

Between January and September 2024, Uttar Pradesh welcomed 476.1 million visitors, setting new tourism records. Ayodhya emerged as the top destination, attracting 135.5 million domestic tourists and 3,153 international visitors, surpassing the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The Telangana State Assembly passed the Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Bill, 2024 on December 20, 2024. The bill aims to replace the Dharani portal, streamline land records, and protect landowners' rights.
The Government of India launched the Udaan Yatri Cafe at Kolkata Airport on December 21, 2024. This initiative aims to provide budget-friendly refreshments to passengers, especially those under the UDAN scheme. The scheme will be expanded to other airports managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) if successful.

The United Kingdom became the first European country to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15, 2024. This historic move is expected to boost the UK economy by £2 billion annually in the long term.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) invested $75 million (₹630 crore) in a domestic Sustainability-Linked Bond (SLB) issued by NDR InvIT on December 20, 2024. This is India's first SLB issued by a warehousing InvIT, aimed at enhancing sustainable warehousing infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly practices.
On December 18, 2024, the RBI imposed a Rs. 47.30 lakh penalty on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance for non-compliance with regulatory norms. IndusInd Bank was fined Rs. 27.30 lakh for ineligible savings accounts, and Manappuram Finance was fined Rs. 20 lakh for KYC non-compliance.
The Bank of Baroda approved a bond issuance of ₹10,000 crore on December 18, 2024, to finance infrastructure and affordable housing projects. The bonds will be issued in single or multiple tranches during the fiscal year 2024-25 and beyond, depending on market conditions.
The PB Fintech Board approved the incorporation of a healthcare subsidiary on December 3, 2024. The new wholly-owned subsidiary, tentatively named PB Healthcare Private Limited, will focus on healthcare and allied services. The initial paid-up capital will be ₹5 lakhs, aiming to bridge the gap between hospitals and insurance companies.

China is the dominant supplier of critical minerals to India, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, rare earth elements, and graphite. India's net import bill for critical minerals was over ₹42,000 crore, with China being the largest supplier for many of these minerals.
The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra for the 2025 season was increased by the government on December 20, 2024. The MSP for milling copra was set at ₹11,582 per quintal, and for ball copra, it was set at ₹12,100 per quintal. This hike aims to ensure better returns for coconut growers and incentivize increased copra production.
CareEdge Ratings revised down India's GDP growth forecast to 6.5% for FY25 on December 15, 2024. This adjustment was due to weaker than expected economic expansion in the first half of the fiscal year. A rebound is expected in the second half.

The Common Services Centres (CSC) e-Governance Services India Limited signed an MoU with the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) on December 12, 2024. The partnership aims to provide essential agricultural inputs to 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) under the Central Sector Scheme.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the report "State Finances: A Study of Budgets of 2024-25" on December 19, 2024. The report provides a positive fiscal outlook for Indian states due to strong economic activity and improved tax collections. It highlights the need for prudent debt management, transparency in off-budget borrowings, and rationalization of centrally sponsored schemes.

Richa Ghosh smashed a record-breaking fifty in the Women's T20I against West Indies on December 19, 2024. She reached her fifty in just 18 balls, equalling the joint-fastest fifty in women's T20Is. Her incredible innings of 54 off 21 balls helped India set their highest-ever T20I total of 217/4.
The 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will be hosted in New Delhi, India, from September 26 to October 5, 2025. This is the first time India will host this prestigious event, and it will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir announced their retirements from international cricket on December 13 and 14, 2024, respectively. Both players expressed gratitude for the support they received throughout their careers and plan to continue playing domestic and franchise cricket.
Manika Batra and Team Asia won the inaugural Waldner Cup 2024 in Oslo, Norway, defeating Team World with a score of 14-10 on December 15, 2024. The tournament featured top players from around the world and was established by Swedish legend Jan-Ove Waldner.

The Defence Ministry signed a contract worth ₹7,629 crore with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army on December 20, 2024.
The Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered two state-of-the-art warships, INS Nilgiri and INS Surat, to the Indian Navy on December 20, 2024. INS Nilgiri is the first stealth frigate of Project 17A, and INS Surat is the fourth stealth destroyer of Project 15B.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the 12th meeting of the NESAC Society in Agartala, Tripura, on December 21, 2024. The meeting aimed to expand NESAC's scope in the North Eastern states, promote space technology education, and enhance infrastructure. Attendees included Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and several Chief Ministers from the North Eastern region.

World Basketball Day was celebrated for the first time on December 21, 2024. The theme was "Teamwork and Unity", reflecting basketball's global impact. The day commemorated Dr. James Naismith's introduction of basketball in 1891 and featured clinics and games worldwide to celebrate the sport.

The RBL Bank Board reappointed R Subramaniakumar as the Managing Director and CEO for a new term of three years effective June 23, 2025. The announcement was made on December 16, 2024, subject to RBI approval.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Manish Jain as the Executive Director of YES Bank on December 11, 2024. His appointment is effective immediately and will last for three years, until December 10, 2027.

Questions:

1 What is the revised GDP growth forecast for India by CareEdge Ratings for FY25?

2 Which country is the dominant supplier of critical minerals to India?