- National:
- Bihar will host the Women's Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in March 2025. The announcement was made on December 23, 2024. Matches will take place at the Rajgir Sports Academy, featuring a modern indoor stadium with a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators.
.png "Current Affairs One - Liner : 31st December 2024")
- According to figures released by the Election Commission of India, Puducherry had the highest percentage of female voters in the nation during the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.
- International:
- On December 27, 2024, China launched its largest amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, capable of launching fighter jets. This Type 076 class ship features electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technology, enhancing China's naval combat capabilities.
- The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) completed two years on December 29, 2024. Bilateral merchandise trade has doubled, reaching USD 26 billion in 2022-23. The agreement has created new opportunities for MSMEs, businesses, and employment in both nations.
- Banking:
- On December 28, 2024, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance launched two new motor insurance add-ons: Engine Protector Cover and Roadside Assistance Cover. These add-ons offer enhanced protection against engine damage due to waterlogging and provide 24/7 support for breakdowns and minor repairs.
- Shriram Finance launched its new vertical, Shriram Green Finance, on December 20, 2024. The initiative aims for an AUM of Rs 5,000 crore over the next 3-4 years, focusing on financing electric vehicles, renewable energy products, and energy-efficient machinery.
- Aditya Birla Capital is the first BFSI company to offer its entire range of financial services on the ONDC Network. This includes lending, insurance, and mutual fund investments. The integration, which launched on December 23, 2024, aims to enhance financial inclusion across India.
- India has committed Rs 2,371 million for development projects in Sri Lanka's eastern province, focusing on education, health, and agriculture sectors. Announced on December 24, 2024, this initiative aims to enhance infrastructure, promote growth, and empower local communities, strengthening bilateral relations.
- On December 27, 2024, SEBI approved the Enlighten Angel Fund to operate as an Alternate Investment Fund (AIF). The fund, now named Enlighten Capital Micro VC, launched its maiden fund of Rs 200 crore, focusing on emerging technologies and disruptive startups.
- The Finance Ministry imposed an anti-dumping duty on Digital Offset Printing Plates (DOPP) from China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Effective for five years, the duty rates range from $0.13 to $0.77 per square meter. This move aims to protect domestic manufacturers.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed a lookup facility for NEFT and RTGS transactions by April 1, 2025. This feature will allow users to verify the beneficiary's account name before transferring funds.
- Economy:
- In October 2024, India's services industry achieved an all-time high with monthly exports reaching $34.31 billion. This marked a 22.3% increase compared to October 2023. The growth was driven by investments in digital infrastructure and supportive government policies.
- Science & Technology:
- On December 21, 2024, South Korea launched its third homegrown spy satellite into orbit from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This launch is part of South Korea's plan to deploy five spy satellites by 2025 to enhance its surveillance capabilities.
- Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed a needle-free shock syringe for painless injections. This device uses high-energy shock waves to deliver medication without piercing the skin, reducing skin trauma and inflammation.
- ISRO's SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission, launched on December 30, 2024, aims to demonstrate the docking technology of two small spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. This mission represents a significant step towards India's goal of establishing its own space station.
- Reports:
- The Annual Ground Water Quality Report for 2024 was released by the Central Ground Water Board on December 31, 2024. The report highlights the predominance of Calcium-Bicarbonate type water in India. Some regions face contamination from nitrates, fluoride, and arsenic, while over 81% of groundwater is suitable for irrigation. The report adopts a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for consistent monitoring.
- Sports:
- The Haryana Steelers clinched their maiden Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) title by defeating the Patna Pirates with a scoreline of 32-23. The final was held on December 29, 2024 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.
- Kerala won the 53rd Senior National Men's Handball Championship on December 30, 2024, at the St. Berchmans College Grounds in Changanassery. They defeated Chandigarh with a score of 34-31 in the final to clinch the title.
- Hemanth Muddappa won his 15th National Title in Motorcycle Drag Racing at the MMSC FMSCI Indian National Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship 2024. The event took place at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) in Chennai on December 29, 2024.
- Defence:
- On December 30, 2024, the Defence Ministry signed contracts worth Rs 2,867 crore with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug and with Naval Group, France for an Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) to enhance India's submarine capabilities.
- Govt.Schemes:
- On December 30, 2024, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) announced the extension of the Vivad Se Vishwas Scheme deadline to January 31, 2025. This extension allows taxpayers more time to settle disputes and avoid additional penalties.
- Appointments:
- On December 31, 2024, Vitul Kumar assumed the charge of Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He succeeded Anish Dayal Singh, who retired. Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was previously the Special Director General of the CRPF.
- On December 24, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu appointed Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia as the Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court and Justice Narendar G as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
- Awards & Honours:
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) earned the 'Great Place to Work' certification for the period January 2025 to January 2026, announced on December 30, 2024. This recognition marks SAIL's second consecutive year receiving the certification, highlighting its commitment to an excellent workplace culture.
- Books:
- Nobel laureate Abhijit Banerjee launched his new book, "Chhaunk: On Food, Economics, and Society", on November 22, 2024. The book blends memoir, cookbook, and social commentary, exploring the intersections of food, economics, and societal issues.
Questions:
1 Which Nobel laureate authored "Chhaunk: On Food, Economics, and Society"?
- A) Amartya Sen
- B) Malala Yousafzai
- C) Abhijit Banerjee
- D) Muhammad Yunus
2 Which institution developed the needle-free shock syringe?
- A) IIT Kanpur
- B) IIT Bombay
- C) AIIMS Delhi
- D) IISc Bangalore
