- National:
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- On December 30, 2024, the central government declared the Wayanad landslide a disaster of "severe nature". The landslide, triggered by heavy rains on July 30, 2024, resulted in over 200 fatalities and displaced thousands. This declaration enables additional financial aid from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for relief and reconstruction.
- The Defence Ministry declared 2025 as the "Year of Reforms" on January 1, 2025. The focus is on integrated theatre commands, simpler procurement processes, and emerging technologies like cyber, space, AI, and robotics. The initiative aims to modernize the armed forces and enhance combat readiness.
- Forty years after the Bhopal gas tragedy, 337 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory were lifted for safe disposal to a facility in Pithampur for incineration. This action follows a directive from the Madhya Pradesh High Court to clear the waste within a month.
- On December 25, 2024, Gujarat launched the 'Atlas of Indian Wolf Habitats' to protect wolf habitats using advanced technology. The initiative covers 13 districts and aims to maintain ecological balance and agricultural sustainability. It highlights critical corridors for wolf movement and genetic diversity.
- On December 29, 2024, Pune's Noble Hospitals installed Maharashtra’s first made-in-India surgical robot, SSI Mantra. This advanced system, with five robotic arms and immersive 3D HD optics, aims to enhance surgical precision and patient outcomes.
- International:
- China unveiled the world's fastest high-speed train, the CR450, on December 29, 2024. This train can reach speeds of 450 km/h, with an operational speed of 400 km/h. It surpasses the previous CR400 Fuxing trains, setting a new benchmark in high-speed rail technology.
- Banking:
- On December 20, 2024, YES Bank and FICCI FLO launched the YES PowherUp program to empower women entrepreneurs. This initiative provides financial solutions like SME loans, business accounts, trade services, investment opportunities, credit cards, and insurance plans. It aims to support the growth and success of women-led businesses.
- On December 26, 2024, the RBI imposed penalties totaling ₹5.50 lakh on four cooperative banks in Karnataka for regulatory non-compliance. The highest penalty of ₹3 lakh was levied on Bharat Cooperative Bank, Bengaluru.
- ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, in collaboration with Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), launched the ICICI Pru Wish insurance product on December 27, 2024. Tailored for women, it covers critical illnesses like breast, cervical, and uterine cancers, as well as heart ailments.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on December 27, 2024, that full-KYC Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs) can now be used for Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions. This change, effective immediately, aims to enhance the interoperability and convenience of digital payments.
- Swiggy and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launched a financial literacy program for delivery partners on December 24, 2024. This initiative focuses on improving financial awareness and planning, particularly for women.
- RBL Bank has sold its entire 8.16% stake in DAM Capital Advisors. The sale, part of DAM Capital's IPO, concluded on December 23, 2024, and amounted to ₹163.32 crore. With this transaction completed on December 26, 2024, RBL Bank no longer holds any equity in DAM Capital.
- On December 31, 2024, the Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID) signed a green loan agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). This $200 million loan, denominated in Japanese yen, will fund renewable energy infrastructure and support India's sustainable energy transformation.
- On December 31, 2024, the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) invested Rs 745 crore in long-term bonds issued by NDR InvIT. These 15-year bonds, rated AAA/Stable by India Ratings (FITCH) and CARE, aim to support infrastructure growth in India's warehousing and industrial parks sector.
- On December 31, 2024, SBI Life acquired a 10% stake in Bima Sugam India Federation for ₹6.6 crore. This acquisition involves the purchase of 66 lakh equity shares at a face value of ₹10 each to create a centralized marketplace for insurance products.
- Economy:
- In October 2024, India's services industry hit an all-time high in monthly exports, reaching $34.31 billion. This achievement marks a significant 22.3% increase compared to October 2023. The growth is attributed to investments in digital infrastructure and supportive government policies.
- MoUs:
- On December 31, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement aims to enhance medical training for Coast Guard medical officers, focusing on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training.
- Science & Technology:
- ISRO launched the PSLV-C60 mission on December 30, 2024, featuring the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX). The mission involves two spacecraft, SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target), aiming to demonstrate in-space docking technology. The docking maneuver is scheduled for January 7, 2025.
- A new species named Stellaria bengalensis was discovered in Kalimpong, West Bengal, on December 31, 2024. Researchers Arya S. and Harsh Singh identified the plant thriving at altitudes of 2,245 to 2,450 meters.
- Reports:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Financial Stability Report (FSR) on December 30, 2024. The report assesses the resilience of the Indian financial system and highlights potential risks, projecting a 6.6% GDP growth for FY25 while noting concerns about rising non-performing assets (NPAs) and vulnerabilities in microfinance and consumer credit segments.
- Sports:
- Denmark's Anders Antonsen won the inaugural King Cup International Badminton Open 2024 on December 29, 2024, in Shenzhen, China. This men's singles event saw Antonsen defeat China's Hu ZheAn in the final.
- West Bengal won the Santosh Trophy for the 33rd time, defeating Kerala 1-0 in the final. The decisive goal was scored by Robi Hansda in added time. The match was held in Hyderabad on December 31, 2024.
- Vaishali Rameshbabu won the bronze medal in the Women's Blitz category at the 2024 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships. The event took place on December 31, 2024, at Wall Street, New York.
- Index & Ranking:
- The Global Aging Index was released by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Columbia University on December 31, 2024. India was ranked 123rd out of 143 countries, while Switzerland secured the 1st position.
- Govt.Schemes:
- The Union Cabinet extended the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) until 2025-26. This decision, made on January 1, 2025, has an overall outlay of ₹69,515.71 crore. The extension aims to provide continued support to farmers against crop losses due to weather conditions.
- The Delhi government launched the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana on December 31, 2024. This scheme aims to honor and support priests and granthis by providing financial assistance and recognition for their dedicated service.
- Important Days:
- World Introvert Day is observed annually on January 2. The theme for 2025 is "Some peace and calm in a noisy world", emphasizing the importance of tranquility. This day honors and acknowledges introverts, promoting understanding and appreciation of their unique qualities.
- Appointments:
- Bhuvnesh Kumar was appointed as the CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on January 1, 2025. He is an IAS officer from the 1995 batch of the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Kumar also serves as Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra took over the command of the Indian Air Force's Western Air Command on January 1, 2025. With over three decades of experience and more than 3,000 flying hours, he succeeds Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha.
- Manish Singhal was appointed as the Secretary General of ASSOCHAM on January 1, 2025. He succeeds Deepak Sood and brings over 35 years of experience in both corporate India and chambers of commerce.
- DBS Bank India announced on December 30, 2024, that Rajat Verma will be appointed as CEO, effective March 1, 2025. He will succeed Surojit Shome, who is retiring on February 28, 2025.
- Cherukumalli Srinivasa Rao was appointed as the Director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) on December 26, 2024, becoming the first Telugu person to hold this position.
- Sanjiv Ranjan, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer from the 1993 batch, was appointed as the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on December 30, 2024. He will soon assume his new responsibilities, marking a significant step in his diplomatic career.
- Dr. Anup Kumar Sinha was reappointed as the Non-Executive Chairman of Bandhan Bank on December 31, 2024. His new term will last until July 4, 2026. He has been serving as Chairman since January 7, 2022, and is an experienced economist.
- Awards & Honours:
- On December 27, 2024, twelve students and two teachers from Dyal Singh Public School in Karnal were honored by NASA for discovering a main belt asteroid, TD40. Class XI student Diksha played a pivotal role, and the asteroid has been named after her.
- Books:
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the book "Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages" in New Delhi on January 2, 2025. The book is authored by the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and edited by Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar. The event featured Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, as the Guest of Honour.
- Former Indian wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani released his autobiography, "Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond the Twenty-Two Yards," on December 29, 2024, in Bengaluru. The event took place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and featured cricket legends like Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid, and Anil Kumble.
- Obituaries:
- Former Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons passed away on December 27, 2024 at his Manhattan home. He was 76 years old and had been battling multiple myeloma since 2015.
- Dr. Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat, a renowned French Indologist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on December 31, 2024 in Paris. He was celebrated for his contributions to Sanskrit studies, literature, and grammar.
Questions:
1 Who authored the book "Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages"?
- A) Prof. Raghuvendra Tanwar
- B) Union Minister Amit Shah
- C) Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
- D) Dharmendra Pradhan
2 Who has been appointed as the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on January 1, 2025?
- A) Ravi Agrawal
- B) Bhuvnesh Kumar
- C) Rajesh Gera
- D) Nitin Gupta
