Current Affairs 30 November 2024

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated Conference of Chairpersons of State and UT Haj Committees in New Delhi; Launches Haj Suvidha App 2.0
On November 23 2024, Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Conference of Chairpersons of State and Union Territories (UT) Haj Committees held in New Delhi(Delhi). The conference was organised by the Haj Committee of India(HCI), Ministry of Minority Affairs(MoMA).

• During the event, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju launched the Haj Suvidha Application(App) 2.0, aimed at enhancing the pilgrimage experience for smoother travel.

Note: Haj Suvidha App 1.0 was launched in March 2024.
Key People:
The event was attended by key officials, including George Kurian, Minister of State (MoS) for MoMA, A. P. Abdullakutty, Chairman of the HCI, and Aseem R. Mahajan, Joint Secretary(Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
About Haj Suvidha App 2.0:
i.Haj Suvidha App 2.0 was developed by Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics(BISAG-N) under the guidance of the MoMA.
ii.Building on the success of the previous version Haj Suvidha App 1.0, the new version introduces key features such as the selection process, boarding pass and air travel details, a navigation system with Mina maps, and medical history and health advisories for Indian pilgrims etc.
iii.The App also offers solutions to common problems faced by the pilgrims during their journey and will be a boon especially to those performing Hajj for the first time in their life.
iv.The App will further ensure better access to facilities by the pilgrims and better administrative coordination and control, with emergency response.
Points to Note:
i.Haj Guide -2024 was also released which has been prepared to make pilgrims aware of various aspects of the pilgrimage with special emphasis on the use of Haj Suvidha App 2.0 for the pilgrims.
ii.The Guide was published in 10 languages and will be issued to all the Haj pilgrims.
About Haj Committee of India(HCI):
It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Minority Affairs(MoMA). It is set up under the provisions of Haj Committee Act, 2002.
Chairman– A. P. Abdullakutty
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 2002

Government should add Coking Coal to Critical Minerals List: NITI Aayog’s Report
The National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog’s report titled 'Enhancing Domestic Coking Coal Availability to Reduce the Import of Coking Coal' recommended that the Government of India(GoI) include coking coal in its list of critical minerals to enhance domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.

• The report emphasizes the strategic importance of coking coal for India's steel industry and overall economic growth. It meets all the criteria to declare coking coal as a ‘critical mineral’ for India.
• The report suggested to amend the Coal Bearing Areas (CBA) Act, 1957, to allow the SPV under PPP mode to remain a deemed lessee of Jharkhand even after majority shares are transferred to the private sector.

About NITI Aayog:
Chief Executing Officer (CEO)- B. V. R. Subrahmanyam
Chairperson– Narendra Modi
Established – 2015
>> Read Full News

President Droupadi Murmu Graced 6th Sahitya AajTak 2024 in New Delhi
On 23rd November 2024, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, graced the 6^th edition of Sahitya AajTak, a prestigious literary festival organised by India Today Group at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi.

• She conferred the AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award on Padma Bhushan awardee Gulzar (Real name: Sampooran Singh Kalra), the legendary poet, lyricist, and filmmaker, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Indian literature and cinema.
• She also presented the prestigious Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Samman Awards, recognising the outstanding contributions of established luminaries and emerging talents in the literary award.

About AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Samman Awards:
i.These awards were introduced in 2023 by India Today Group in collaboration with the Jagriti Foundation as part of “Sahitya AajTak”.
ii.The recipient of the prestigious AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award received a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a commemorative plaque, and a citation.

• While, other winners received monetary prizes ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh alongside commemorative plaques and citations.

iii.The awards were given across 7 main categories in the field of literature.
Note: In 2023, noted poet and screenwriter Javed Akhtar was honoured with the 1st AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Om Birla, Speaker of Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Parliament).
Winners of AajTak Sahitya Jagriti Samman Awards 2024:

RBI organized a High-Level Policy Conference of Central Banks from Global South in Mumbai
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hosted the “High-Level Policy Conference of Central Banks from the Global South” in Mumbai, Maharashtra from November 21 to 22, 2024. The conference was inaugurated by RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.

• The theme of the conference is “Building Synergiesacross the central banking fraternity of the Global South“.
• The focus of the conference was on sharing experiences and perspectives on issues of contemporary relevance to foster mutually beneficial partnerships for a more prosperous, stable and sustainable future for the Global South.

Key Points:
i.Participants: Central bank governors, deputy governors, and officials from 18 Global South countries attended, along with senior RBI officials, including Directors of the RBI Central Board and Deputy Governors.
iiRBI@90 Initiative: This event was part of RBI’s 90th-anniversary celebrations, under its flagship program, RBI@90, marking the third international conference in this series. Previous conferences included:

• Global Conference on ‘Digital Public Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies’ held in Bengaluru, Karnataka in August 2024.
• High-Level Conference on ‘Central Banking at Crossroads’ held in New Delhi, Delhi in October 2024.

What is the Global South?
The term, first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby, refers to the developing and underdeveloped countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. It contrasts with the Global North, which includes wealthy, industrialized nations like North America, Europe, and parts of Asia-Pacific.

King cobra found in Western Ghats officially named as Ophiophagus Kaalinga
Eshwar Khandre, Cabinet Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka, officially named the king cobra found in the Western Ghats as ‘Ophiophagus Kaalinga’.

• The specific name “Kaalinga” derives from Kannada, meaning “dark” reflecting the snake's coloration and cultural significance in Karnataka.
• It features a blackish-brown body adorned with pale bands and a lighter creamy yellow belly. It is recognized for its impressive size, often exceeding 10 feet in length.

i.This announcement was made following extensive research led by wildlife biologist P. Gowri Shankar and his team, which identified the distinct genetic lineage of this snake, previously classified under a single species.
ii.Alongside Ophiophagus kaalinga, the other identified species include Ophiophagus hannah (the northern king cobra), Ophiophagus bungarus (the unda king cobra), and Ophiophagus salvatana (the Luzon king cobra).

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

11^th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus held in Vientiane, Lao PDR
The 11^th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) was conducted from 20^th to 22^nd November 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Meeting exchanged views on regional and international security issues in order to strengthen security and defense cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

• The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Laos General Chansamone Chanyalath.
• The 11^th ADMM-Plus forum consisted of 10 ASEAN countries, 8 Plus countries (dialogue partners) and Timor Leste.

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
Secretary-General – Kao Kim Hourn
Headquarters – Jakarta, Indonesia
Founded – August 1967
Member States– 10 (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam)
>> Read Full News

Highlights of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s visit to Nepal from November 20-24, 2024
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), made a 5-day visit to Nepal from 20th to 24th November 2024. The visit aimed to bolster the close defence cooperation between India and Nepal and explore new avenues of collaboration between the two nations.

• He was accompanied by Sunita Dwivedi, chair of the Army Wives Welfare Association(AWWA) of the IA.

i.General Upendra Dwivedi was honoured with the Guard of Honour and Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Ram Chandra Paudel, President of Nepal at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu.
ii.The central theme of the visit was “Strengthening India-Nepal ties”. General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, called on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, and discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation.
About Nepal:
President- Ram Chandra Poudel
Prime Minister(PM)– Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli
Capital- Kathmandu
Currency– Nepalese Rupee(NPR)
>> Read Full News

75 Years of Hindi Diwas: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration at the UN in New YorkOn 22 November 2024, the Permanent Mission of India the United Nations (UN) hosted a significant event in New York, the United States of America (USA) to mark the 75th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of Hindi Diwas, emphasizing the global significance of Hindi.

• Hindi Diwas is annually celebrated on September 14th to commemorate the adoption of Hindi as an officiall language of India in 1949.
• The celebration also brought together representatives from over 40 countries, including Permanent Representatives (PRs), Deputy PRs, UN officials, academics, members of the Indian diaspora.

Key Attendees:
A delegation of Members of Parliament (MPs) from India, including Birendra Prasad Baishya, Pradan Baruah, Sushmita Dev, Akshay Yadav, Sandhya Ray, Tejasvi Surya, and Bansuri Swaraj, attended the event.
Key Highlights:
i.The Director of Global Communications at the UN praised India’s efforts to promote Hindi on the international stage, especially through the establishment of the UN Hindi Project.
ii.MP Birendra Prasad Baishya highlighted the inclusion of Hindi in the UN's Multilingualism Resolution, a significant achievement attained in September 2024
iii. The PR of India, Ambassador to the UN, Parvathaneni Harish, emphasized Hindi's role in national integration, with global representatives, including the PRs of Mauritius and Nepal, highlighting its cultural significance and shared heritage. The Deputy PR of the Republic of Suriname noted its presence in schools, and the Deputy PR of the Republic of Guyana praised its cultural impact.
iv.The event also featured competitions in essay writing, poetry, and recitation in Hindi, with winners receiving certificates and cash prizes.
About United Nations (UN):
Secretary-General (SG)– António Guterres
Permanent Representative (PR) of India to the UN– Parvathaneni (P) Harish
Headquarters– New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded– 24 October 1945
About the United States of America (USA):
President– Joe Biden
Capital– Washington, D.C.
Currency– United States Dollars (USD)

BANKING & FINANCE

RBI Infused Rs 25,000 Crore via VRR Route to Boost System Liquidity
On 22nd November 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused funds worth Rs 25,000 crore through a Variable Repo Rate (VRR) into the banking system as the weighted average call rate, a parameter for short-term borrowing costs, increases 23 basis points (bps) above the policy repo rate (6.50%) at 6.73%.

• This move aims to ensure that recent overseas outflows from local debt and equity do not drive up banks’ cost of funds.
• This marked 2nd such auction that the RBI has conducted post change in its stance to neutral from the withdrawal of accommodation.

Key Points:
i.As per RBI data, surplus liquidity as measured by absorption of funds by the RBI, has declined to a one-month low of Rs 84,154.75 crore.
ii.RBI aims to keep liquidity surplus and roughly about 1% to 1.2% of Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL), to ensure that the call rates don’t move away from the repo rate.
iii.RBI received bids worth Rs 35,420 crore from banks against the notified amount of Rs 25,000 crore, reflecting the need for funds from lenders.
iv.As in November 2024, the Indian Rupee (INR) has depreciated nearly 0.5% to Rs 84.45 against 1 United States Dollar (USD) and foreign investors have sold USD 4 billion from Indian stocks and bonds.
Important Terms:
i.VRR: It acts as means to infuse short-term liquidity into the banking system. It is a process through which RBI allows banks to borrow at rate determined by the market generally lower than Repo rate for maximum period of 14 days.
ii.Repo rate: It is the rate at which RBI lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. It is an important part of RBI’s monetary policy to keep inflation under control.
About Reserve Bank of India(RBI):
Governor– Shaktikanta Das (25th Governor of RBI)
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established– 1 April, 1935

Punjab National Bank becomes a PCAF Signatory
New Delhi(Delhi) based Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become a signatory to the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials(PCAF), reaffirming its commitment to climate responsibility and sustainability. This move aligns with PNB’s broader agenda of transparency in climate-related financial practices.
Key Points:
i.By joining PCAF, PNB commits to using global standards for measuring and disclosing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions linked to its lending and investment activities.
ii.PNB disclosed its financed emissions in the Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24) Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) using the PCAF Standard.
iii.The decision supports the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) draft framework on climate-related financial risk disclosures, effective from FY26 for all banks.
iv.As a PCAF signatory, PNB gains technical support, industry training, and India-specific emission data to improve its GHG management and reporting. It will also participate in international working groups and share knowledge through workshops and webinars on sustainable finance.
About PCAF:
i.PCAF is a global initiative founded in 2015 by 14 Dutch financial institutions under the leadership of The Hague(Netherlands)-based ASN Bank.
ii.It provides a standardized framework for financial institutions to measure and disclose GHG emissions from their lending and investment activities, helping them identify climate risks and align with global climate goals.
iii.Union Bank of India was the first major Indian bank to sign the PCAF.
About Punjab National Bank (PNB):
Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– Atul Kumar Goel
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Tagline– The name you can Bank Upon
Established– 1894

RBI Approves CBI to Enter Insurance Sector with Generali Group
In November 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the Central Bank of India (CBI)’s proposal to enter into the insurance sector through a Joint Venture (JV) with the Generali group under “Future Generali India Insurance Company Limited (FGIICL) and Future Generali India Life Insurance Company Limited (FGILICL)”.
i.The RBI’s approval follows the Competition Commission of India (CCI) clearance for CBI’s acquisition of stakes in FGIICL and FGILICL.
ii.FGIICL provides personal insurance, commercial insurance, social, and rural insurance while FGILICL provides savings insurance, Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIP), term insurance plans, health insurance plans, child plans, retirement plans, rural insurance plans and group insurance plans.
Note: In August 2024, CBI acquired the stake of debt-ridden ‘Future Enterprises Limited’ (FEL) in life and general insurance venture.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Launches ‘Increasing Income’ Feature with 5% Annual Annuity Product
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited has launched the Life Insurance industry’s first ‘Increasing Income’ feature in its regular pay annuity product, ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi, providing a 5% annual increase in annuity payments to help retirees cope with inflation and sustain their quality of life.

• The new features of ICICI Pru Guaranteed Pension Plan Flexi provide retirees financial stability and flexibility by allowing them to make manageable long-term contributions, grow their retirement savings, and guaranteed permanent income that grows annually.

Note: ICICI Prudential Life Insurance reported a claim settlement ratio of 99.35% for Q1FY25, with an average turnaround time of 1.2 days to settle death claims during the same period.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

S&P Global Lowers India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 6.7% for FY26; 6.8% for FY27
On 25th November 2024, S&P Global Ratings (previously known as Standard & Poor’s) released its latest “Economic Outlook Asia-Pacific Q1 2025: US Trade Shift Blurs the Horizon”. It has lowered India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth projection for Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to 6.7% from its previous estimate of 6.9% and for FY27 to 6.8% from 7%.

• However, it has retained its growth forecast for the current financial year (FY25) at 6.8%. This projection is based on the prevailing high interest rates and reduced fiscal support, dampening urban demand.
• It has also projected that the Indian economy will grow at 7% in FY28.

i.The Global Ratings Agency has increased its inflation projection for India to 4.6% for FY25, from its previous estimate of 4.5%.
ii.The report has projected overall GDP growth for Asia-Pacific region (including China) in 2024 at 4.5%, from its previous estimate of 4.4%.
About S&P Global Ratings:
President- Martina L. Cheung
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded – 1860
>> Read Full News

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Upamanyu Chatterjee’s book “Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life”Wins 2024 JCB Prize for Literature
On November 23 2024, Upamanyu Chatterjee’s book “Lorenzo Searches for the Meaning of Life”, won the 7th Edition JCB (Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Limited) Prize for Literature. The book, published by Speaking Tiger Books, The book follows protagonist Lorenzo Senesi’s journey of self-discovery and faith.

• The award ceremony was held at JCB India’s headquarters Ballabgarh, Faridabad where Upamanyu Chatterjee received a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, along with a trophy titled “Mirror Melting”, designed by Delhi artist duo Thukral and Tagra.
• In 2023, “Firebird” by Perumal Murugan, translated from the Malayalam by Janani Kannan won the prestigious award.

Key Points to Note:
i.The award was presented on behalf of JCB Chairman, Lord Bamford, by Deepak Shetty, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of JCB India.
ii.Upamanyu Chatterjee’s novel emerged as the winner from a shortlist of six books, which included Sanatan by Sharankumar Limbale, translated by Paromita Sengupta; Chronicle of an Hour and a Half by Saharu Nusaiba Kannanari, The One Legged by Sakyajit Bhattacharya, translated by Rituparna Mukherjee; and Maria, Just Maria by Sandhya Mary, translated by Jayasree Kalathil.
iii.The jury included author-translator Jerry Pinto (Chair), art historian-curator Deepthi Sashidharan, scholar-writer-translator Tridip Suhrud, filmmaker-writer Shaunak Sen, and artist Aqui Thami.
About Upamanyu Chatterjee:
i.Upamanyu Chatterjee (65) was born in Patna, Bihar, an author and a retired Indian civil servant. His works include the novel English, August: An Indian story, The Last Burden, The Mammaries of the Welfare State and Weight Loss.
ii.In 2009, he was awarded the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in recognition of his exemplary contribution to literature.
iii.In 2004, he was awarded the “Sahitya Akademi Award” for The Mammaries of the Welfare State. The novel “Way To Go” was shortlisted for The Hindu Best Fiction Award in 2010.
About (Joseph Cyril Bamford Excavators Limited) JCB Prize:

• JCB Prize for Literature was established in 2018, awarded annually with Rs 25,00,000 (USD 30,000) prize and a unique sculpture highlighting the value of Indian literature and its diverse storytelling styles.
• JCB Prize has been considered as “India’s most valuable literature prize”.

Ashok Gopal wins NIF book prize 2024 for “BR Ambedkar’s biography”
In November 2024, the New India Foundation announced writer Ashok Gopal has won the Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay National Innovation Foundation(NIF) Book Prize 2024 for his biography “A Part Apart: The Life and Thought of B R Ambedkar”.

• He will be honoured at the Bangalore Literature Festival in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a trophy, and a citation.

i.The book was published by Navayana and it delivers a vivid account of Ambedkar’s life journey from facing systemic oppression to shaping India’s constitution as an advocate for marginalised communities.
ii.In 2023, Akshaya Mukul won the award for his biography of writer Agyeya, titled ‘Writer, Rebel, Soldier, Lover: The Many Lives of Agyeya’.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Dr. Jacqueline Hughes, DG of ICRISAT, took over as Secretary General of WAF
Dr Jacqueline d’Arros Hughes, the outgoing Director General (DG) of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), headquartered in HyderabadTelangana, took over as the Secretary General(SG) of the World Agriculture Forum (WAF).

• ICRISAT has appointed Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), as the DG-designate of ICRISAT.
• Dr. Pathak will take over as DG of ICRISAT in 2025. Until then Stanford Blade, the Deputy DG (Research) at ICRISAT, will serve as the Interim DG.

About Dr. Jacqueline Hughes:
i.Dr. Hughes assumed leadership roles in renowned agricultural organizations across Africa and Asia.
ii.A plant virologist by training, she is recognized for her expertise in modern agricultural technologies, including remote sensing, digital innovations, and plant quarantine systems.

• Her commitment to promoting gender equity and ethical use of intellectual property (IP) further highlights her visionary approach.

iii.During her tenure as Director General of ICRISAT, Dr. Hughes successfully navigated the organization through the global pandemic. Notable milestones under her leadership include:

• Winning the Africa Food Prize in 2021.
• Hosting Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi during ICRISAT’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2022.
• She enhanced ICRISAT’s reputation as a leader in dryland agriculture by participating in G20 agricultural meetings in 2023 and co-chairing the International Steering Committee for the United Nations’(UN) International Year of Millets.

About World Agriculture Forum (WAF):
The World Agricultural Forum (WAF) is a global, policy-neutral platform dedicated to addressing agricultural challenges. It connects governments, farmers, businesses, and experts to promote sustainable agriculture, support smallholder farmers, and strengthen value chains.
Chairman– Rudy Rabbinge (The Netherlands)
Headquarters– Rome, Italy
Established– 1997
About International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT):
Interim Director General (DG)- Stanford Blade
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
Established– 1972

Yamandú Orsi elected as 43rd President of Uruguay
On November 24 2024, Yamandú Ramón Antonio Orsi Martíne, a leftist opposition candidate, was elected as the 43rd President of Uruguay after he won the presidential election, bringing a shift in leadership to the South American (SA) nation. He secured 50.2% of the vote, defeating his opponent Alvaro Delgado, who received 45.6%.

• Yamandú Orsi will assume office as the new President on March 1, 2025 for a period of 5 years. He will replace incumbent President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou.
• Carolina Cosse is elected as the vice president of Uruguay. She is set to become the third consecutive woman vice president for the country.

About Yamandú Orsi:
i. YamandúOrsi, teacher and former mayor, was a member of the Movement of Popular Participation(MPP), held significant roles within the Broad Front (left-wing political coalition) since 2005.

• He served as the Secretary General of the Municipality of Canelones during the term of Marcos Carámbula.

ii.He served as the Intendant of the Canelones Department from 2015 to February 2020 and from November 2020 to 2024.
iii.Following the Broad Front’s defeat in the 2019 general election, he emerged as a strong contender for the 2024 presidential primaries.
About Uruguay:
Uruguay is South America’s 2nd smallest country bordered by Brazil and Argentina and lies along the Atlantic Ocean.
President– Luis Lacalle Pou
Capital- Montevideo
Currency- Uruguayan peso (UYU)

SPORTS

Italy won the Davis Cup 2024 defeating Netherlands
Italian team captained by Filippo Volandri won the Davis Cup 2024 (the World Cup of Tennis) for the second consecutive year and for third time in their history, by defeating the Netherlands team captained by Paul Haarhuis with 2-0 in the finals held in Málaga, Spain. Davis Cup final 8 was held from 19th to 24th November 2024 in Málaga, Spain.
2024 Davis Cup was the 112th edition of the tournament between the national teams in Men’s tennis.
Highlights:
i.Italy has previously won the Davis Cup in 1976 and 2023.
ii.Italy became the first team to win 2 consecutive since the Czech Republic (2012 & 2013).
iii.The Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time.
iv.Italy is ranked number 1 in the 2024 year end Davis Cup National Ranking, while Australia is ranked 2nd and Canada is ranked 3rd.
Results of Finals:
i.Matteo Berrettini of Italy defeated Botic van de Zandschulp of Netherlands (6-4, 6-2)
ii.Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated Tallon Griekspoor of Netherlands (7-6 (2), 6-2)
About Davis Cup:
i.The Davis Cup is an international team event in men’s tennis organized by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).
ii.The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States of America (USA).
iii.By 2023,155 nations participated in the competition which makes it the world’s largest annual team sporting competition.
iv.The United States of America (USA) is the most successful country in the history of Davis Cup with 32 victories.

Prajnesh Gunneswaran Announces Retirement from Professional Tennis
In November 2024, Prajnesh Gunneswaran, an Indian former tennis player who earned a bronze medal in singles tennis at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, announced his retirement from professional tennis at the age of 35.

• He was the sixth Indian male athlete to win a medal in tennis at the Asian Games.
• Prajnesh Gunneswaran, who turned professional in 2010, reaching a career high ATP ranking of No. 75 in 2019 and career high doubles ranking of No. 248 in 2018.

i.He won two Association of Tennis Professionals(ATP) Challenger singles titles, 8 International Tennis Federation (ITF) titles in singles and and 1 ITF title in doubles.

• He also won national titles in every age group from under-12 to under-18.

iii.Throughout his career, he participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments, though he was unable to advance past the first round.

• His best performance came at the Australian Open, where he competed in 2019 and 2020.

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