Current Affairs One - Liner : 24th December 2024

• National:
• On December 4, 2024, the Arunachal Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Indian Army to manage the Major Ralengnao Bob Khathing Museum of Valor in Tawang. The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Tawang Deputy Commissioner Kangki Darang, and Brigadier V.S. Rajput.

• Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24 each year, marking the evening before Christmas Day. It's a time for festive gatherings, decorating trees, singing carols, and preparing for the arrival of Santa Claus. This occasion is filled with joy, reflection, and togetherness.
• The central government removed the 'no-detention policy' for Classes 5 and 8, effective from December 16, 2024. Students failing year-end exams will get a second chance within two months. Failing again will result in repeating the grade. This change aims to improve learning outcomes.
• On December 24, 2024, the Wall Street Journal recognized Madhya Pradesh as one of the "Go-To Global Destinations for 2025". This accolade highlights the state's rich heritage, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes, positioning it as a top travel destination for the coming year.
• Banking:
• On December 3, 2024, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) signed a deal with the Bank of Bhutan to modernize its digital core using the TCS BaNCS Global Banking Platform. This partnership aims to enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and support Bhutan's digitization initiatives.
• On December 17, 2024, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Ramon Investments Pte Ltd, an arm of Temasek Holdings, to acquire a stake in Speed JVco. Speed JVco is involved in visa outsourcing and travel-related services.
• The GST Council approved the Track and Trace Mechanism on December 23, 2024. This system will use Unique Identification Marking (UIM) on goods to prevent tax evasion. It aims to improve compliance, starting with products like cigarettes and pan masala.
• In November 2024, the All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) and Rural Labourers (CPI-RL) increased by 5 points each, reaching levels of 1320 and 1331, respectively. The year-on-year inflation rates were 5.35% for CPI-AL and 5.47% for CPI-RL.
• On December 18, 2024, ICICI Bank and Times Internet launched the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card, a premium metal credit card for high-net-worth individuals. It offers benefits like unlimited lounge access, luxury travel perks, and curated lifestyle services.
• Economy:
• On December 22, 2024, HDFC Securities projected that India's GDP would moderate to 6.4% in 2024-2025. This projection is due to rural demand and government spending, while urban demand and private investment remain sluggish.
• On December 17, 2024, UP Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna presented the second supplementary budget for FY 2024-25, totaling Rs 17,865.72 crore. This budget covers allocations for departments like Energy, Finance, Family Welfare, Animal Husbandry, Public Works, Primary Education, and Medical Education.
• Science & Technology:
• NASA discovered the exoplanet TOI-3261 b on December 9, 2024, using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). This Neptune-sized planet orbits its host star in just 21 hours and falls into the rare category known as the "hot Neptune desert".
• The European Union (EU) unveiled the Euro 10 billion IRIS² Satellite Network on December 19, 2024. The project aims to deploy 290 satellites in low and medium Earth orbits by 2030, providing secure and high-speed connectivity across Europe.
• On December 18, 2024, ISRO started the launch campaign for the HLVM3-G1 mission. This milestone marks a significant step toward India's first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission. The assembly of the Human-Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) began at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
• Sports:
• Russian tennis player Daniil Savelev has been banned for two years by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) for doping. He tested positive for the substance meldonium in July 2024, and his suspension lasts until August 2026.
• The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 schedule was announced on December 24, 2024. The tournament will be held from February 19 to March 9, 2025, with matches in Pakistan and the UAE. The highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan match is set for February 23, 2025, in Dubai.
• Shahu Tushar Mane won the gold medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the 67th National Shooting Championship held at the Madhya Pradesh Academy Shooting Range in Bhopal on December 23, 2024. He edged out Dhanush Srikanth by just 0.1 point to claim his first senior national title.
• Defence:
• The United States successfully tested the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle, on December 14, 2024. The test demonstrated speeds exceeding Mach 5 and an operational range of 1,725 miles. This advanced weapon system enhances global defense capabilities from land, sea, and submarines.
• Committees:
• On December 22, 2024, the government formed a committee chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to evaluate the IAF's overall capability development. The committee includes senior officials from the Defence Ministry, DRDO, and the IAF, aiming to address the IAF's needs through indigenous projects.
• Important Days:
• The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) celebrates its foundation day on December 24 each year. This year, DMRC marks its 30th anniversary, having been established in 1995. The celebration highlights the achievements and milestones of DMRC over the years.
• Appointments:
• On December 23, 2024, former Supreme Court judge V. Ramasubramanian was appointed chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). His appointment followed the recommendation of a high-powered committee led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• On December 23, 2024, the Centre notified the appointment of Justice GS Sandhawalia as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court. He was the senior-most puisne judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
• Pat Gelsinger retired as CEO of Intel Corporation on December 1, 2024, after a distinguished career spanning over four decades. He was succeeded by David Zinsner and Michelle Johnston Holthaus as interim co-CEOs.
• On December 23, 2024, Donald Trump appointed Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-American entrepreneur, as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
• Awards & Honours:
• On December 21, 2024, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar received the Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership from the South Indian Education Society (SIES).
• On December 24, 2024, Amantya Technologies was awarded a grant under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme. The grant supports developing a 'Made in India' carrier-grade standalone (SA) 5G Core solution compliant with 3GPP Release 16/17 standards.
• On December 3, 2024, ESIC received four awards at the Regional Social Security Forum for Asia and the Pacific (RSSF Asia-Pacific) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The awards recognized ESIC's excellence in service deliveries, occupational safety, sustainable investment, and system resilience.
• Books:
• "The Unyielding Judge: A Tribute to Justice A.N. Grover’s Legacy," written by Gauri Grover, highlights Justice Grover’s contributions to Indian jurisprudence, particularly the Kesavananda Bharti case. The book was launched on December 21, 2024, with remarks from Attorney General R Venkataramani.
• Obituaries:
• Renowned filmmaker Shyam Benegal passed away on December 23, 2024, at the age of 90. He was a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement and made iconic films like Ankur, Nishant, and Manthan.
• Former World Snooker Champion Terry Griffiths passed away on December 1, 2024, at the age of 77. He battled dementia and was celebrated for winning snooker's "Triple Crown."
• Renowned folk artist and Padma Shri awardee Darshanam Mogilaiah passed away on December 19, 2024, at the age of 73. He was celebrated for his exceptional skill in playing the Kinnera, a traditional string instrument.

Questions:

1 Who is the author of the book "The Unyielding Judge: A Tribute to Justice A.N. Grover’s Legacy"?

• A) R. Venkataramani
• B) Gauri Grover
• C) Kesavananda Bharti
• D) Nani Palkhivala

Answer: B) The book "The Unyielding Judge: A Tribute to Justice A.N. Grover’s Legacy" was written by Gauri Grover, highlighting Justice Grover’s contributions to Indian jurisprudence.

2 Who won the gold medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the 67th National Shooting Championship?

• A) Dhanush Srikanth
• B) Abhinav Bindra
• C) Divyansh Singh Panwar
• D) Shahu Tushar Mane

Answer: D) Shahu Tushar Mane claimed the gold medal in the men's 10m Air Rifle event at the 67th National Shooting Championship held in Bhopal on December 23, 2024.