We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 27 December 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.
Our Current Affairs December 2024 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2024 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.
Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP
Click here for Current Affairs 26 December 2024
Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Highlights of the 55th GST Council Meeting
The 55th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting chaired by Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MoCA) was held on December 21, 2024 held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- Among several recommendations by the GST Council, the most notable was the reduction of GST rate on Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK) to 5%.
i.It has decided to exempt gene therapy completely from GST. This move aims to make advanced medical treatments more accessible for people.
ii.The Council has decided to reduce the rate of compensation cess on supplies to merchant exporters to 0.1%.
iii.The GST Council has decided to exempt GST on the contributions made by general insurance companies from the 3rd-party motor vehicle premiums to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVA Fund).
About Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council:
GST Council is a constitutional body introduced through 101st Amendment Act, 2016 in the constitutiona. It was constituted under Article 279-A of the constitution.
Chairperson- Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister (Rajya Sabha member- Karnataka)
>> Read Full News
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav releases India State of Forest Report 2023
On December 21 2024, Union Minister, Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the 18th edition of ‘India State of Forest Report(ISFR 2023)’ on Volume I and Volume II at Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
- According to the report, India’s total forest and tree cover in 2023 stands at 827,357 square kilometer(sq km), which is around 25% of the geographical area of India .This marks an overall increase of 1,445 sq km from 2021, with forest cover alone rising by 156 sq km.
- The ISFR report was brought out by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) on a biennial basis in 1987.
i.Total Forest & Tree Cover: 8,27,356.95 sq km(25.17% of India’s area).
- Forest cover: 7,15,342.61 sq km(21.76%)
- Tree cover: 1,12,014.34 sq km(3.41%)
ii.Highest forest cover: MP (77,073 sq km) followed by Arunachal Pradesh(AR) (65,882 sq km) and Chhattisgarh (55,812 sq km) are the top three states having largest forest cover in Area wise.
About Forest Survey of India (FSI):
The Forest Survey of India (FSI) was established in 1981 after the expansion of the Pre-Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR) project initiated in 1965 by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Government of India (GoI).
- The scope of PISFR’s activities was expanded and it was reorganised as the FSI in 1981.
Director General(DG) – Anoop Singh
Headquartered – Dehradun, Uttarakhand
>> Read Full News
GSV and IN signed MoU to Enhance Logistics Education and Research
In December 2024, Vadodara(Gujarat) based Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya(GSV) and Indian Navy(IN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance education, research, and training in logistics-related fields for the IN.
- The agreement was signed by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics of theIN and Professor Manoj Choudhary, Vice-Chancellor of GSV.
i.The partnership aims to enhance the IN’s logistical capabilities by emphasizing supply chain management, integrated transportation systems, and sustainable logistics practices.
ii.The MoU enables the sharing of expertise and case studies in areas like Artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and blockchain technology, aiming to enhance logistics practices.
ii.The collaboration supports important national initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) 2021 and the National Logistics Policy (NLP) 2022.
Note: GDV was established in 2022 as a central university under the Ministry of Railways (MoR).
DoP and MEA signs agreement to establish 600 additional POPSKs
In December 2024, the Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications(MoC), signed an agreement with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to establish 600 additional Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) at post offices nationally.The new POPSKs are expected to be operational by 2028-29.
- These centres will be spread across India, utilizing the 6,40,000 points of sale under India Post.
- By expanding its POPSK network, India Post aims to provide citizen-centric services and establish itself as a logistic company offering postal and life insurance services, alongside Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and parcel delivery.
Note: The POPSK service was launched in 2017. As of December 2024, 442 POPSKs operational across India.
BANKING & FINANCE
SEBI Deferred ESG Disclosure Deadline under BRSR Framework by 1 Year to FY26
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decided to postpone the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosure deadline for value chain partners of listed companies by 1 year. i.e. shifting from the current requirement of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25) to Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).This decision was taken during the 208th meeting of SEBI Board held in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- With this, disclosure of ESG for value chain will remain ‘voluntary’, instead of the present ‘comply-and-explain’ requirement.
- It has also decided that ESG disclosure for “assessment or assurance” will be applicable from FY27 instead of the current requirement of FY26.
- This move aimed to promote ease of doing business for listed companies and their value chain partners in achieving Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) requirement.
Key Changes:
i.The board members of SEBI has further decided to reduce the scope of value chain to cover the top upstream and downstream partners of a listed company, individually accounting 2% or above of the listed entity’s purchases and sale by (by value), respectively.
- Companies can limit disclosures to 75% of their total purchases and sales by value.
ii.It will be voluntary to report the data of previous year for the 1st year of ESG value chain disclosures.
iii.SEBI has introduced a new leadership indicator in Principle 6 of BRSR under mandates listed companies and their top-10 value chain partners to disclose green credits created or procured.
iv.It has further decided to replace the word “assurance” with “assessment or assurance” in SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, related to BRSR.
v.Assessments will be conducted by 3rd parties as per the standards outlined by the Industry Standards Forum (ISF) in consultation with SEBI.
- This will be applicable to BRSR Core disclosures for listed companies from FY25 and for value chain from FY27 onwards.
Recent Related News:
In December 2024, SEBI notified a new asset class between Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and Mutual Funds (MFs) and referred it as “Specialised Investment Fund (SIF)”.The notification came following the amendment made to the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.
RBI Imposed Rs.47.30 Lakh penalty on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance for Non-Compliance
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs. 47.30 lakh on IndusInd Bank Limited and Manappuram Finance Limited for non-compliance with certain provisions issued by RBI directions.
- The penalty of Rs. 27.3 lakh on IndusInd Bank was imposed under the provisions of Section 47A(1)(c) read with Section 46(4)(i) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, for non-compliance with specific provisions of the ‘RBI (Interest Rate on Deposits) Directions, 2016’.
- The penalty of Rs. 20 lakh on Manappuram Finance was imposed under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 58G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of Section 58B of the RBI Act, 1934, for non-compliance with certain provisions of the “RBI (Know Your Customer, KYC) Direction, 2016.”
Penalty on IndusInd Bank:
i.The RBI conducted the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation (ISE 2023) based on IndusInd Bank’s financial position as of March 31, 2023. After finding non-compliance with its directions, RBI issued a notice asking the bank.
ii.After reviewing the bank’s response, additional submissions, and oral statements during the hearing, the RBI concluded that the bank had opened certain savings accounts for ineligible entities, justifying the monetary penalty.
Penalty on Manappuram Finance:
i.The RBI conducted a statutory inspection of Manappuram based on its financial position as of March 31, 2023, and issued a notice for failing to comply with its directions.
ii.After reviewing the company’s reply and oral submissions during the hearing, the RBI found that the company failed to verify customers’ Permanent Account Number(PAN) using the issuing authority’s facility and assigned multiple identification codes to some customers instead of a Unique Customer Identification Code (UCIC), warranting a monetary penalty
About IndusInd Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Sumant Kathpalia
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established – 1994
About Manappuram Finance Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – V.P. Nandakumar
Headquarters – Thirissur, Kerala
Incorporated – 1992
SEBI unveils website for Association of Registered Research Analysts of India
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the website for the Association of Registered Research Analysts of India (ARRAI)- http://arrai.org.in.
- ARRAI, a trade body for SEBI-registered research analysts, was established in March 2024 as a Section 25 company.
- Objective– To build a strong community among analysts, collaborate with SEBI and other bodies to shape industry policies, promote ethical standards and best practices in research, and boost investor trust.
- The platform was inaugurated by Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, Whole-Time Member of SEBI, and Jeevan Sonparote, CGM-in-charge of the Market Intermediaries Regulation and Supervision Department (MIRSD).
About Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
SEBI is a statutory body and market regulator that oversees the securities market in India. It was established as an executive body under the Ministry of Finance on 12 April 1988 and granted statutory powers on 30 January 1992 through the SEBI Act, 1992.
Chairperson – Madhabi Puri Buch
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
RBI Lifts Business Restrictions on ECL Finance and Edelweiss ARC
In December 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lifted the business restrictions imposed on 2 Edelweiss Group entities – Mumbai(Maharashtra) based ECL Finance Limited and Mumbai based Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company(ARC) Limited. This move comes after both companies successfully addressed the central bank’s concerns regarding their operations.
- In May 2024, the RBI invoked its powers under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act(SARFAESI Act), 2002 to impose restrictions on the 2 non-banking financial entities
i.ECL Finance was directed to cease and desist from undertaking any structured transactions in respect of its wholesale exposures, other than repayment and/or closure of accounts in its normal course of business.
ii.Edelweiss ARC was prohibited from acquiring financial assets and restructuring existing Security Receipts (SRs) into senior and subordinate tranches.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
HPCL Signed Agreement with NLDS to Integrate its API with ULIP
In December 2024, Mumbai(Maharashtra) based Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited(HPCL) has signed an agreement with New Delhi(Delhi) based National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) Logistics Data Services Limited(NLDS) to integrate its Application Programming Interface (API) with Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)
- The MoU was signed by Girish Kumar Supur, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NLDS and Anju Jai Misra, General Manager (GM), Delhi Retail Region, HPCL in the presence of Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO & Managing Director (MD) of NICDC and Chairman of NLDS; and Avinash Jain, Chief General Manager (CGM), North Zone, HPCL.
i.The collaboration marks a crucial advancement in promoting transparency, improving operational efficiency, and fostering innovation within India’s logistics sector.
- It aims to build a smarter logistics system by offering real-time data and easy access to resources, helping stakeholders innovate and improve efficiency in India’s supply chain.
ii.The HPCL API on ULIP offers real-time details on fuel station locations and prices across India, aiding logistics providers, traders, and transporters in planning efficiently, reducing costs, and supporting ULIP’s mission to streamline and digitize India’s supply chain.
iii.NLDS is a joint venture between the Government of India (GoI) represented by NICDIT and Japanese Information technology(IT) major Nippon Electric Company Limited (NEC) Corporation, with 50:50 equity participation.
Note: ULIP is a digital platform that connects industry players to logistics data from 41 systems across 11 ministries through 125 APIs, covering over 1800 data fields
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Tansen Samaroh 2024: Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri honoured Rashtriya Tansen Samman; Sanand Nyas with Mansingh Tomar Award
The 100th edition of the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, one of India’s most celebrated classical music festivals, was held from December 15 to 19, 2024 in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (MP). The Department of Culture, MP organizes the music festival, with Dharmendra Singh, the Culture Minister of MP, serving as the chief guest at the award function.
- The event honored tabla player Padma Shri Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri with the ‘Rashtriya Tansen Samman 2023’ and Indore’s Sanand Nyas Institution with the ‘Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman 2023’. The awards recognize their contributions to Indian classical music and cultural preservation.
- Sanand Nyas President Jayant Madhav Bhise and Secretary Sanjeev Babikar accepted the award on behalf of the institution.
Note: Gwalior is a city recognized as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) City of Music.
About Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri:
i.Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri was born in 1945 in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB). He is a renowned Indian tabla player.
ii.In 1996, he received the Sangeet Natak Academy Award and in 2019 he was honored with the Padma Shri in the field of Art-Music-Tabla.
iii.He also received the American Academy of Artists Award and was nominated for the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame.
About Sanand Nyas:
Sanand Nyas is an institution in Indore, MP, dedicated to promoting classical music, drama, and cultural festivals. It has been actively working for over 35 years.
About Rashtriya Tansen Samman:
i.Established in 1980 by the MP Government, it is the highest national music award in the field of Indian classical music.
ii.The award is presented at the Tansen Sangeet Samaroh in Gwalior, a festival that honors the legacy of Tansen.
iii.The award comprises a cash prize of Rs.5 lakh along with a citation plaque.
About Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman:
i.The award recognizes outstanding contributions to Indian classical music, drama, and cultural events.
ii.The award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh along with a citation plaque.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conferred ‘69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2024’to 101 Railway officials
In December 2024, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways(MoR), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MoI&B) and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY), conferred “69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar (AVRSP 2024) to 101 Railway officials and 22 shields to the best-performing Railway Zones in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Delhi)
- The theme for this year’s ceremony was “Mai Hoon Bhartiya Rail,” symbolizing pride and dedication to the Indian Railways.
Dignitaries:
The event was graced by Satish Kumar, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Railway Board , Union Minister of State(MoS) V Somanna, MoR and Ministry of Jal Shakti(MoJS), Union MoS Ravneet Singh, MoR and Ministry of Food Processing Industries(MoFPI), Members of the Railway Board and General Managers(GM) from various Railway Zones and Production Units.
About Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar(AVRSP):
The Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar was conferred to employees for outstanding performance. These awards are given into two categories, the individual awards and Shields presented to the best-performing Railway Zones.
i.Innovation and Productivity Enhancement:15 employees and officers honored for driving innovation and improving productivity towards reducing import dependency and promoting indigenous technology.
ii.Bravery and Selflessness in Safeguarding Lives:16 employees recognized for exceptional bravery in protecting lives and Railway property in ensuring the safety of passengers and staff.
iii.Revenue Generation and Combating Malpractices:17 officers and employees acknowledged for enhancing Railway revenue in preventing ticketless travel and curbing revenue theft.
iv.Operational Excellence and Security:22 employees celebrated for excellence in operations, safety, and asset protection.
v.Record-Breaking Project Completion:16 officers recognized for completing Railway projects within record time.
vi.Honoring Sports Achievements:Two sportsmen were awarded for their exceptional performances in national and international sports.
vii.Celebrating Contributions Across Departments:13 officers from diverse departments, including medical, track maintenance, and personnel, were recognized.
viii.In addition to the individual awards, 22 Shields presented to the best-performing Railway Zones in various categories, recognizing their outstanding achievements and contributions to the overall performance of the Indian Railways.
Click here to view the List of Officials selected for 69th AVRSP
Note: The Indian Railways(IR) has set a target of achieving 100% electrification in 2025.
About Indian Railways(IR):
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Satish Kumar
Headquarters- New Delhi (Delhi)
Established- 1853
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Former SC Judge Madan Lokur Appointed as Chairperson of UN IJC
The Former Supreme Court (SC) Judge of India Justice Madan B Lokur has been appointed as the chairperson of the United Nations (UN) Internal Justice Council (IJC) from 19th December 2024 to 12th November 2028 by the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
- He would head the council which also comprises other distinguished jurists.
About Justice Madan Lokur:
i.Justice Lokur became a judge of the SC on 4th June 2012, and retired on 30th December 2018.
ii.He was the standing counsel for the Central government for six years, from 1990 to 1996. In 1997, he was named a senior advocate, and in 1998, he was appointed as the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) of India.
iii.In October 2017, he and Justice Deepak Gupta increased the legal age of consent for marriages to 18.
iv.He was appointed Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in June 2010 and later became the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh(AP) High Court in November 2011.
v.In 2019, Justice Lokur was appointed as a judge on the non-resident panel of the Supreme Court of Fiji. He was the first Indian judge to be appointed to the Supreme Court of another country.
About UN Internal Justice Council (IJC):
i.The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) created the IJC as part of a new system to ensure independence, professionalism, and accountability in the UN’s justice system.
ii.According to UNGA resolution 62/228, the UNGA appoints the judges of the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT) based on recommendations from the IJC.
- No two judges in either tribunal can be from the same country.
iii.The IJC recommends two or three candidates for each vacancy to the General Assembly, considering geographical distribution.
Members of the Council:
i.The IJC consists of five members who are appointed by the Secretary-General. The other 4 members of the council sare
- Carmen Artigas (Uruguay), distinguished external jurist nominated by staff
- Rosalie Balkin (Australia), distinguished external jurist nominated by management
- Stefan Brezina(Austria), staff representative
- Jay Pozenel (United States of America, USA), management representative
ii.The members are responsible for managing the UN’s internal justice system, which includes the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), the UNDT, and the UNAT.
President Droupadi Murmu Appointed New Governors in 5 States: Kerala, Odisha, Bihar, Mizoram and Manipur 
On December 25 2024, President of India, Droupadi Murmu, appointed new Governors in 5 states Kerala, Odisha, Bihar, Mizoram and Manipur at the Rashtrapati Bhavan,New Delhi (Delhi).
- All the appointments will be effective from the dates the Governors assume charge of their respective offices.
- President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of Raghubar Das as Governor of Odisha and appointed Hari Babu Kambhampati as the new Governor of Odisha.
New Governors of the 5 States:
| State | New Governor | Previous Governor |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar | Arif Mohammed Khan |
| Odisha | Hari Babu Kambhampati | Raghubar Das |
| Bihar | Arif Mohammed Khan | Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar |
| Mizoram | General (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retired) | Hari Babu Kambhampati |
| Manipur | Ajay Kumar Bhalla | Lakshman Prasad Acharya |
>> Read Full News
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ISRO & ESA signed agreement for Human Space Exploration and Research Activities
In December 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and the European Space Agency(ESA) signed an agreement to collaborate on activities related to astronaut training, mission implementation, and research experiments in space.
- The agreement was signed by Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairman, Secretary, Department of Space (DoS), and Dr Josef Aschbacher, Director General(DG) of ESA.
Key Points:
i.The agreement establishes a framework for collaborative human space exploration and research activities in astronaut training, experiment development and integration, use of ESA facilities on the International Space Station (ISS), biomedical and human research experiments implementation, and joint outreach and education initiatives.
ii.Both organisations are working together to implement experiments shortlisted by Indian Principal Investigators on ISS for the next Axiom-4 mission, which will include ISRO’s Gaganyatri and ESA’s astronaut as crew members.
- Additionally, involvement in ESA’s technology demonstration tests, human physiological studies, and cooperative educational outreach initiatives are being pursued.
iii.The leadership of both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to continuing joint efforts in the field of human spaceflight.
Two Chinese Astronauts Set New World Record of Longest Spacewalk, Break USA Record
According to China Manned Space Agency (CMSA), two Chinese astronauts of Shenzhou-19 mission aboard the Tiangong Space Station (TSS) have successfully completed the 1st Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) of their mission in 9 hours, setting a new world record for the longest duration of spacewalk.
- Mission Commander Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, carried out the historic spacewalk outside TSS in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
- The duration of the spacewalk exceeded the previous record of 8 hours (hrs) and 56 minutes (min) set by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms in 2001.
Key Points:
i.Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong, wore second-generation “Feitian” spacesuits and had successfully completed an array of tasks including installing debris protection on the station’s exterior.
- This is a major improvement over the first-generation suits, which were used in China’s first spacewalk in 2008.
ii.With this spacewalk, Song Lingdong became the 1st Chinese astronaut born in the 1990s to complete an EVA.
iii.This marked the 2nd spacewalk for Mission Commander Cai Xuzhe, who had previously completed a 5.5 hr spacewalk during the Shenzhou-14 mission in November 2022.
History of Spacewalks:
i.The former Soviet Union became the 1st country to carry a spacewalk in 1965 for about 12 minutes.
ii.In 2008, Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang conducted China’s 1st spacewalk during the Shenzhou-7 mission, which lasted for nearly 19 minutes.
iii.In May 2024, Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu and Li Guangsu set China’s previous EVA record of about 8.5 hrs working outside TSS.
About Shenzhou-19 Mission:
In October 2024, China successfully launched its Shenzhou-19 spaceship with 3 astronauts namely: Mission Commander Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze on board, for a period of 6 months to its low-orbit space station, TSS.
- The spacecraft aboard Long March-2F carrier rocket which was lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China.
About China:
President – Xi Jinping
Capital -Beijing
Currency – Renminbi(CNY)
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited launches inaugural vessel of six 3800 TDW General Cargo Vessels built for Wilson ASA
Udupi Cochin Shipyard Limited (UCSL), a subsidiary of Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), launched the inaugural vessel of the Series of Six 3800 TDW General Cargo Vessels being built for M/s Wilson ASA, Norway.
- Martine Aamdal Bottheim, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi(Delhi) launched the vessel along with Einar Tornes, Wilson ASA Chief Financial Officer(CFO) and Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director (MD) of CSL
i.Wilson ASA placed the order for the diesel-electric vessels in May 2023. With a total length of 89.43 meters(m), a width of 13.20 m, and a design draft of 4.30 m, the vessel can reach a speed of 10.30 knots.
- The vessel’s propulsion power is 750 kilowatt (kW), and it is propelled by two 375 kW electric motors each. It is powered by three 416-kW diesel generators each and can accommodate 7 people.
ii.The launch underscores the CSL group’s commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, as well as the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Make for the World’ programmes of the Government of India.
Note: Bergen (Norway) based Wilson ASA is the leading short sea fleet operator in Europe and transports about 15 million tonnes of dry cargo across Europe.
SPORTS
Riya Shirish Thatte clinches Gold medal in Women’s 25m Pistol at 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions
In December 2024, Riya Shirish Thatte from Aurangabad clinched the gold medal in her first senior national title in the women’s 25m pistol event at the 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions (NSCC) at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in New Delhi, Delhi.
i.She defeated Simranpreet Kaur Brar of Punjab 7-2 in a shoot-off after they had tied 2-2 at 31 hits in the eighth series of five-shot deciding. Rahi Sarnobat, a former Asian Games champion and Olympian, finished third with 25 hits.
ii.Simranpreet won the junior women’s title to add to her senior silver. She defeated Payal of Haryana 5-2 in a shoot-off after the two had matched at 34 hits apiece. Riya’s 30-hit total earned her bronze in this category.
Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024: India won the trophy by defeating China
India won the 2024 Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup (8th edition) by defeating China in a penalty shootout in the final, securing the title for the second consecutive time. The event was held from 7 to 15 December 2024 and the finals held at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Muscat, Oman.
- The Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup (WHJAC), also known as the Women’s International Under-21 Field Hockey Championship of Asia, will be organized by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) once every four years.
i.The Women Indian team led by Jyoti Singh, with Sakshi Rana serving as vice-captain.
ii.This victory also served as a qualifier for the Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 in Chile, with the top five teams earning their spots in the upcoming World Cup.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | India (Winner) |
| 2 | China (Runner Up) |
| 3 | South Korea |
| 4 | Japan |
| 5 | Malaysia |
iii.Deepika Sehrawat from India, with 12 goals in the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, was the top scorer.
iv.India won their maiden Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup title in 2023 by defeating the Republic of Korea in the final.
Note – The India women’s national under-21 field hockey team represents India in women’s under-21 field hockey competitions which includes Junior World Cup and Junior Asia Cup.
India to host first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour event in August 2025
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) confirmed that India is set to host its first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour, a bronze level global meet on August 10, 2025 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- This will be the first time and most prestigious global event after India organised the 2004 World Half Marathon Championships in New Delhi,Delhi.
i.A bronze level meet in the World Athletics Continental Tour is a mid-tier event where athletes compete for world ranking points (category C).
ii.World Athletics Championships 2025, to be held from September 13 to 21,2025 in Tokyo, Japan.
iii.The World Athletics Continental Tour, established in 2020, consists of events at different levels: bronze, silver, and gold. These levels represent the standard of competition and the prize money offered at each event.
- World Athletics (formerly known as the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)) is the organizer of the event.
IMPORTANT DAYS
National Consumer Rights Day 2024 – 24 December 
National Consumer Rights Day, also known as Bharatiya Grahak Diwas or National Consumer Day, is annually observed across India on 24 December to raise awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities.
- On the occasion of National Consumer Day 2024, Union Minister, Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution& Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MOCAF&PD) inaugurated and launched several pro-Consumer initiatives at an event held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi (Delhi).
- The theme of National Consumer Day 2024 was “Virtual Hearings & Digital Access to Consumer Justice”.
Background:
i.The day commemorates the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) of 1986, which received the assent of the President of India on 24 December 1986.
- The 1st National Consumer Rights Day was observed on 24 December 1986.
Highlights of the event:
On the occasion of National Consumer Day 2024, Union Minister, Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MOCAF & PD) & Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, inaugurated and launched several pro-Consumer initiatives at an event held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi (Delhi).
Initiatives under Digital Empowerment
i.Signing of Safety Pledge by 13 major (electronic) e-Commerce platforms.
ii.Launch of ‘Jago Grahak Jago App,’ ‘Jagriti App,’ and ‘Jagriti Dashboard to protect consumers from the Dark Pattern.
iii.Launch of ‘e-Mapp’ portal for all services of Legal Metrology Services.
iv.Launch of Artificial Intelligence (AI)- enabled National Consumer Helpline (NCH) 2.0.
v.Launch of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) Standards from 2025.
vi.Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC),establishing the Software Testing Facilities at 6 Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs).
Other key initiatives
i.Inauguration of the ‘Organic Food Testing Laboratory’ at National Test House (NTH), Guwahati (Assam) & ‘Low Voltage Switchgear Testing Facility ‘at NTH, Mumbai (Maharashtra).
ii.Exchange of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Legal Metrology Department and Gujarat National Law University (GNLU) for collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
iii.Launch of various e-Books and submissions of Reports.
- Submission of Report on ‘Reorientation of Consumer Commissions and Impact Assessment’, conducted by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak (Haryana).
- Launch of updated eBook on ‘Packaged Commodities Rules’ summarising all the amendments at one place.
- Three teams have been selected by the Department of Consumer Affairs as winning solutions under Tomato Grand Challenge (TGC). These winning teams were felicitated during the National Consumer Day celebrations on December 24, 2024.
About Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MOCAF&PD):
Union Minister- Pralhad Joshi (Lok Sabha-Karnataka)
Ministers of State (MoS)- B. L. Verma ,and Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya
>> Read Full News
STATE NEWS
UP & Manipur Sign MoU for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Program
In December 2024, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Manipur governments signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ program in Lucknow, UP.
- The program aims to enhance the interaction and promote mutual understanding between people of different states/Union Territories (UTs) through the concept of state/UT pairing.
Key Points:
i.The Uttar Pradesh Department of Tourism and Culture organized the signing ceremony in Lucknow.
- Manipur artists performed Thougal Jagoi, a traditional Meitei folk dance, and Thang Ta, a traditional martial art, during the event.
ii.The MoU between two states lasts for three years from the signing date and can be extended for another three years if both states agree.
Points to Note:
i.Manipur is the third state to sign an MoU with Uttar Pradesh(UP) under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme after Arunachal Pradesh (AR) and Meghalaya.
ii.For Manipur, it was the second agreement with a state after a similar MoU with Madhya Pradesh(MP).
About ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Program:
i.On 31st October 2015, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi announced the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ program to mark the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy PM and Home Minister.
ii.The initiative aims to foster active interaction between people from diverse cultures across different States and UTs in India, with the goal of promoting greater mutual understanding among them.
- Each state or UT is paired with another for a set period, during which they engage in cultural events, festivals, language, literature, cuisine, tourism, and more.
- Nodal ministry for coordinating programmes under the ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ Program is the Ministry of Education (MoE).
iii.Bhasha Sangam: It is an initiative by MoE aimed at teaching basic everyday sentences in 22 Indian languages, developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Chief Minister (CM)-Yogi Adityanath
Governor – Anandiben Patel
Capital- Lucknow
National Park- Dudhwa National Park
About Manipur:
Chief Minister (CM) – N. Biren Singh
Governor –Ajay Bhalla
Capital – Imphal
National Park – Keibul Lamjao National Park
*******
Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)