21st-23rd December, 2024

1. 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2024
2. Union Cabinet Approved “One Nation, One Election” Bill
3. Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar Attended 50th Foundation Day Celebration of IP&TAFS in New Delhi
4. CSC e-Governance and IFFCO Sign MoU to Support 10,000 FPOs with Agricultural Inputs
5. India participated in the 2nd meeting of the SCC
6. Centre for Joint Warfare Studies and NDMA signed an MoU to strengthen disaster management
7. Former football player Mikheil Kavleashvili appointed as 6th President of Georgia
8. R Subramaniakumar reappointed as MD & CEO of RBL Bank
9. RBI Approves Manish Jain as Executive Director of YES Bank
10. Manika Batra’s Team Asia Wins the Waldner Cup 2024
11. Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir announce retirement from international cricket
12. NCVET recognized IN-SPACe as an Awarding Body (Dual)
13. World Bank Approves USD 325 million loan to boost agriculture in Uttar Pradesh
14. RBI Grants Full Authorisation to ISG as Payment Aggregator
15. TCS Partners with Landis+Gyr to Enhance Energy Efficiency for Utilities
16. IDFC First Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millenia 2024: D-Mart’s Radhakishan Damani tops the list for 2nd Consecutive Year
17. Suman Berry Appointed Chairman of EAC-PM with Additional Charge
18. Survey Vessel INS Nirdeshak Commissioned into Indian Navy
19. IA Receives 360 NAGASTRA-1 Loitering Munitions from EEL
20. Seventh MCA Barge ‘LSAM 14’ launched in Maharashtra
21. Legendary Cricketer, India’s 2nd highest wicket-taker, Ravichandran Ashwin retires from International cricket
22. FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 to be held in Chile
23. Padma Shri Awardee Baiga Tribal Artist Jodhaiya Bai Passed away
24. International Human Solidarity Day 2024 – December 20
25. India’s First Bio-Bitumen Stretch Inaugurated by Nitin Gadkari
26. India Clinches Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup title
27. Govt Infuses ₹500 Cr in IFCI to Boost Financial Health
28. Kejriwal Launches Dr Ambedkar Scholarship for Dalit Students Abroad
29. Govt Forms Committee to Assess IAF’s Capability Development Amid Rising Threats
30. National Farmers Day 2024: Date, History, and Importance
31. Justice Madan Lokur Appointed Chairperson of UN Internal Justice Council
32. Trump Appoints Sriram Krishnan as Senior AI Policy Advisor
33. India to Host ISSF Junior World Cup 2025
34. SEBI Bans 9 Entities, Impounds ₹21 Crore in Front-Running Case
35. SpaDeX Mission: ISRO’s Leap Towards Space Docking Technology
36. PM Modi Honoured with Kuwait’s Top Civilian Award
37. India-Kuwait Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership
38. National Mathematics Day 2024: Celebrating Srinivasa Ramanujan
39. Ukraine Strikes Russian High-Rises in Kazan: 9/11-like Attack
40. 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM)
41. Delhi to Host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships
42. NTPC to Establish Nuclear Power Project in Bihar, Says CMD Gurdeep Singh
43. Tata Power and Canara Bank Partner for Rooftop Solar Loans
44. ICICI Bank, Times Internet Launch Premium Metal Credit Card
45. RBI Fines Manappuram Finance and IndusInd Bank for Non-Compliance
46. A Book Titled ‘BRING IT ON: The Incredible Story of My Life’ By Dr. Deepa Malik
47. MoD Contracts L&T for K9 VAJRA-T Guns
48. $350M India-ADB Loan Agreement Finalized
49. Richa Ghosh Smashes Record-Breaking Fifty in Women’s T20Is
50. World Basketball Day 2024: Date, Significance and History
51. Meena Ganesh, Iconic Malayalam Star, Dies
52. Goa Liberation Day 2024: Date, History, and Significance
53. International Human Solidarity Day 2024: UN Theme & Significance
54. Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025: India’s Automotive Milestone
55. India Men’s Hockey Team Moves to 5th in Latest FIH Rankings for 2025
56. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Raising Day and Amit Shah To Attend Event
57. Salman Khan Named Brand Ambassador for Kho Kho World Cup
58. Masali: India’s First Border Solar Village
59. Reappointment of Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma as Nepal’s Ambassador to India
60. Centre, ADB Sign $42 Million Loan for Coastal Protection in Maharashtra
61. Chennai-Born Caitlin Sandra Neil Crowned Miss India USA 2024
62. India and France Collaborate to Establish World’s Largest Museum
63. Tansen Samaroh 2024: Swapan Chaudhuri, Sanand Nyas Honored
64. Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024 Announced
65. India Ranks 39th in Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024

National News

1. IP&TAFS Celebrates 50th Foundation Day in New Delhi
   • What:
     • The Indian Posts & Telecommunications Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) celebrated its 50th Foundation Day in New Delhi.
   • Why:
     • The celebration aims to recognize the contributions of IP&TAFS to India’s telecommunications and postal financial landscape over the past 50 years.
   • Tell me more:
     • IP&TAFS was established in 1974 and has played a vital role in financial governance related to telecommunications and postal services.
     • IP&TAFS (now known as Indian Communication Finance Service / ICFS) is a Group “A” Central Civil Services of the Union of India.
     • IP&TAFS manages spectrum auctions and generates significant revenue, which supports the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
     • IP&TAFS oversees seamless pension disbursement to 4.5 lakh retirees via the SAMPANN portal.
     • The SARAS portal by IP&TAFS digitizes revenue assurance, ensuring accountability in non-tax government revenue.
       Source: pib
2. India Participates as Vice-Chair in Supply Chain Council Meeting
   • What:
     • India took part in the 2nd meeting of the Supply Chain Council (SCC) as vice-chair.
   • Why:
     • The meeting aimed to discuss progress since the last meeting in September 2024.
     • It focused on promoting chemicals trade, diversifying sources, and enhancing international business matchmaking.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Supply Chain Council was formed under the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement within IPEF to strengthen supply chains critical to national security, public health, and economic well-being in the Indo-Pacific region, which accounts for 40% of global GDP and 28% of global trade.
     • India signed the Supply Chain Resilience Agreement (Pillar-II) in November 2023 under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), a 14-member group in the region.
     • The Agreement aims to enhance supply chains for national security and economic stability and officially took effect on February 24, 2024.
     • The Supply Chain Council (SCC) was established, with India as Vice Chair and the United States as Chair.
     • India proposed to host the next in-person SCC meeting early next year.
       Source: pib
3. IN-SPACe Recognized as Awarding Body for Vocational Training
   • What:
     • The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) recognized the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) as an Awarding Body (Dual).
   • Why:
     • It ensures that training programs meet national and global standards, supporting initiatives like Skill India Mission.
   • Tell me more:
     • IN-SPACe will offer training in areas such as Satellite Manufacturing and Space Technology in Agriculture.
     • NCVET has approved six National Occupational Standards (NoS) submitted by IN-SPACe for specialized training.

4. Nitin Gadkari Inaugurates Asia’s First Bio-Bitumen Highway
   • What:
     • Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated a 1 km stretch of Asia’s first highway with a bio-bitumen blended surface. The trial patch is located near the ‘Kamptee 22Km’ milestone on the Jabalpur-Nagpur route.
   • Tell me more:
     • The bio-bitumen is blended with 10% rubber powder and is designed to replace conventional bitumen by 15%.
     • The Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) will monitor the road’s performance over two years.
     • If successful, this technology could cut imports of petroleum bitumen by at least Rs 4,500 crore initially.
     • The bio-bitumen was developed by Praj Industries in collaboration with CRRI.
       Source: TOI

5. India Forms Committee to Enhance Air Force Capabilities
   • What:
     • The Indian government has established a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh to improve the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities.
   • Why:
     • The committee aims to explore indigenous design, development, and acquisition projects for the IAF.
   • Tell me more:
     • The committee was formed after presentations made by the IAF during the Air Force Commanders’ Conference.
     • The committee is expected to submit its report within two to three months.

6. Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
   • What:
     • The Indian automobile industry is evolving from vehicle manufacturing to providing mobility solutions.
     • This transformation will be highlighted at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo from January 17-22, 2025, in Delhi-NCR.
   • Why:
     • The industry aims to adopt advanced technologies like autonomous driving, electrification, and connected features.
   • Tell me more:
     • Car and SUV prices are expected to rise in 2025 due to increasing input costs.
     • Government initiatives like PM E-DRIVE and PM E-SEWA aim to promote electric mobility.
     • Mercedes-Benz India achieved record BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) adoption in 2024 and plans new electric launches in 2025.
       Source: ET
7. India Partners with France for National Museum Project
   • The Union Ministry of Culture has partnered with France Museums Développement (FMD) to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum (YYBNM) in Delhi.
   • The project builds on a Letter of Intent signed in 2020 and a second agreement during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Paris in 2023.
     Source: HT

State News

1. World Bank Approves Agriculture Project in Uttar Pradesh
   • What:
     • The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved a new project in Uttar Pradesh (UP) to improve farmers’ incomes.
   • Why:
     • The project aims to address low productivity and inadequate infrastructure faced by small farmers in UP.
   • Tell me more:
     • The project, named Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Growth and Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Strengthening (UP-AGREES), has a budget of $325.10 million.
     • It seeks to leverage $15 million in private finance to support agricultural initiatives.
     • It will benefit one million producers across Eastern UP and Bundelkhand regions.
     • Sustainable practices promoted include low-methane rice varieties and optimized fertilizer use.

2. Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship in Delhi
   • What:
     • Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP leader, announced the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship for free foreign education for Dalit students in Delhi.
   • Tell me more:
     • The scholarship will cover all costs related to education, travel, and accommodation for eligible Dalit students.
     • Children of government employees will also qualify for the scholarship.
     • Kejriwal emphasized that education is essential for progress, referencing Ambedkar’s own achievements.
       Source: HT
3. Masali Becomes India’s First Border Solar Village
   • What:
     • Masali village in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district has been declared the first “border solar village” in India after completing solar rooftop installations in all 199 houses.
   • Tell me more:
     • The project was completed under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana at a cost of Rs 1.16 crore.
     • Masali, located just 40 kilometers from the Pakistan border, produces 225.5 kilowatts of electricity, exceeding the village’s needs.

4. ADB and India Sign $42 Million Loan for Coastal Protection
   • What:
     • The Central government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $42 million loan to enhance coastal and riverbank protection in Maharashtra.
   • Tell me more:
     • The project will restore and stabilize Maharashtra’s coastline, protecting the livelihoods of coastal communities.
     • ADB will also support capacity building for the Maharashtra Maritime Board in shore management planning.
     • Additionally, ADB has extended $200 million for Phase II of the ongoing Nagpur Metro Rail Project.
       Source: ET

International News

1. India Participates in 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting
   • What:
     • Shri Jaideep Mazumdar represented India at the 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) hosted virtually by Thailand.
   • Why:
     • The purpose of the meeting was to review progress in BIMSTEC since the last meeting in March 2023.
   • Tell me more:
     • Several documents regarding Plans of Action for cooperation and new mechanisms were finalized during the meeting.
     • The Indian delegation reaffirmed India’s commitment to BIMSTEC and its vision for a robust and prosperous region.
       Source: MEA

Banking and Economy

1. In-Solutions Global Receives RBI Approval as Payment Aggregator
   • What:
     • In-Solutions Global (ISG) has received full authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a payment aggregator.
   • Tell me more:
     • ISG currently processes over 28 billion transactions annually and serves more than 70% of banks in India.
     • The company also holds a prepaid payment instrument (PPI) license, enabling a wide range of payment solutions.

2. TCS Partners with Landis+Gyr for Energy Solutions
   • What:
     • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with Landis+Gyr to provide innovative energy-efficiency solutions.
   • Why:
     • The collaboration aims to help utilities and commercial customers achieve sustainability goals and reduce carbon emissions.
   • Tell me more:
     • Over the next three years, TCS will integrate its TCS Clever Energy™ system with Landis+Gyr’s technologies.
     • The solutions will include real-time energy optimization, demand response, and smart EV charging.
     • TCS Clever Energy™ has already helped organizations reduce CO2 emissions by over 250,000 metric tonnes.

3. Government Infuses Rs 500 Crore into IFCI
   • What:
     • The Indian government has decided to inject Rs 500 crore into the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) to enhance its financial health.
   • Tell me more:
     • This capital infusion was approved through the first Supplementary Demand for Grants for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha.
     • The government’s holding in IFCI is expected to increase from 71.72% following this infusion.
     • Earlier in 2024, IFCI raised Rs 500 crore by issuing equity shares to the government.
     • The company reported a loss of Rs 22 crore in the second quarter of FY24 and a total loss of Rs 170 crore in the first half of FY24.

4. SEBI Bans PNB Met Life Dealer for Front-Running
   • What:
     • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned Sachin Bakul Dagli, an equity dealer at PNB Met Life Insurance, along with eight other entities from the stock market.
   • Why:
     • It responds to findings from an investigation into suspicious trading linked to PNB Met Life.
   • Tell me more:
     • This action is due to their involvement in front-running activities that resulted in illegal profits of Rs 21.16 crore.
     • The investigation revealed that Dagli and his associates used confidential information about trading decisions to execute front-running trades.

5. Tata Power and Canara Bank Launch Rooftop Solar Financing
   • What:
     • Tata Power Renewable Energy has partnered with Canara Bank to promote rooftop solar systems.
   • Why:
     • This initiative is part of the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, providing affordable financing options for Indian households.
   • Tell me more:
     • Loans of up to Rs 2 lakh are available for solar systems with a capacity of up to 3 kW, requiring a 10% margin and no collateral.
     • For larger systems (3 kW to 10 kW), loans of up to Rs 6 lakh are offered with a 20% margin and a 10% interest rate over ten years.
     • Under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme, subsidies are available for eligible applicants covering a significant portion of the solar unit cost.

6. Times Internet Launches Super-Premium Credit Card
   • Times Internet, in partnership with ICICI Bank and Visa, launched the Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card.
   • This card is a super-premium metal credit card aimed at affluent Indians and high net-worth individuals (HNIs).
     Source: TOI
7. RBI Imposes Penalties on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance
   • What:
     • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on IndusInd Bank and Manappuram Finance.
   • Why:
     • The penalties were imposed following a statutory inspection conducted by the RBI regarding the companies’ financial positions as of March 31, 2023.
   • Tell me more:
     • IndusInd Bank was fined Rs 27.3 lakh, while Manappuram Finance was fined Rs 20 lakh for non-compliance with regulations.
     • Manappuram Finance failed to verify customer PANs at the time of acceptance and issued multiple identification codes instead of Unique Customer Identification Codes (UCIC).
     • The penalty on IndusInd Bank was due to opening savings deposit accounts in the names of ineligible entities.
       Source: BS
8. India Signs $500 Million Loan with ADB for Green Projects
   • What:
     • India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $500 million loan agreement to support green and sustainable infrastructure projects in line with India’s climate commitments.
   • Why:
     • The funding aims to facilitate long-term capital for infrastructure projects focusing on connectivity and energy transition.
   • Tell me more:
     • The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee from the Ministry of Finance and ADB’s Country Director Mio Oka.
     • The loan will be provided to the India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL).

Source: ANI PIB

Defence News

1. Indian Army Receives Indigenous Loitering Munitions Nagastra-1
   • What:
     • The Indian Army has received 480 loitering munitions called Nagastra-1 from Solar Industries, a Nagpur-based defense firm.
     • These munitions have over 75% indigenous content and are designed for precision strikes.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Nagastra-1 system is man-portable and lightweight, making it suitable for field operations.
     • Solar Industries is developing advanced versions, Nagastra-2 and Nagastra-3, with improved performance.
     • The Indian Army plans to acquire 97 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones to bolster surveillance capabilities.
     • Solar Industries has also proposed the design and development of MALE drones under the IDDM category.
       Source: BS
2. Launch of Seventh MCA Barge, LSAM 14
   • What:
     • The seventh Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 14, was launched on December 12, 2024, at Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra.
   • Tell me more:
     • The contract for building eight barges was signed with SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd on February 19, 2021.
     • Six barges have already been delivered and are actively used by the Indian Navy.
     • The barges have over 75% indigenous content and were tested for seaworthiness at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory in Visakhapatnam.
     • They are built according to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) regulations.

3. Defence Ministry Signs Contract for K9 VAJRA-T Guns
   • What:
     • The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for Rs 7,628.70 crore.
   • Tell me more:
     • The K9 VAJRA-T is designed for cross-country mobility and can operate in extreme conditions, including sub-zero temperatures.
     • The project is expected to generate over nine lakh man-days of employment over four years.
     • The K9 VAJRA-T artillery gun is equipped with advanced technology for long-range firing.
       Source: pib

Science and Technology

1. India to Launch Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEX)
   • What:
     • India will launch the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDEX) on December 30, 2024.
     • The mission will use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C60) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
   • Why:
     • SpaDEX aims to demonstrate in-space docking capabilities, which are essential for future space missions.
   • Tell me more:
     • The mission will involve two identical satellites, Chaser (SDX01) and Target (SDX02), each weighing about 220 kg.
     • They will be placed in a low-Earth orbit of 470 km with a mission life of up to two years.
     • The objectives include demonstrating precision maneuvers for docking and validating power transfer between the satellites.

Source: ET

Awards

1. 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2024
   • What:
     • Indian Railways will honor 101 employees and officers with the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
   • Tell me more:
     • The theme of the event is “Mai Hoon Bhartiya Rail.”
     • The awards cover various categories, including innovation, safety, revenue generation, and project completion.
     • Notable attendees include Union Minister of Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and other key officials from the Railway Board.

2. IDFC FIRST and Hurun India Release Top Entrepreneurs List
   • What:
     • IDFC FIRST Private Banking and Hurun India launched the second edition of ‘IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennium 2024’ list.
   • Why:
     • The list aims to celebrate entrepreneurs who have significantly transformed India’s business landscape since the year 2000.
   • Tell me more:
     • The top entrepreneurs:
     1. Radhakishan Damani (Avenue Supermarts)
     2. Deepinder Goyal (Zomato)
     3. Sriharsha Majety & Nandan Reddy (Swiggy)
     4. Deep Kalra & Rajesh Magow (Makemytrip)
     5. Abhay Soi (Max Healthcare Institute)
     6. Yashish Dahiya & Alok Bansal (Policy Bazaar)
     7. Bhavit Sheth & Harsh Jain (Dream11)
     8. Nithin Kamath & Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha)
     9. Harshil Mathur & Shashank Kumar (Razorpay)
     10. Falguni Nayar (Nykaa)
         Source: ET
3. PM Modi Receives Kuwait’s Highest Civilian Honor
   • What:
     • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded Kuwait’s highest civilian honor, the ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’.
     • This is the 20th international award received by PM Modi, highlighting his global stature.
   • Tell me more:
     • During the visit, four agreements were signed, including a defense cooperation agreement covering training and joint exercises.
     • Modi invited the Amir to visit India, and discussions included cooperation in pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure, and security.
     • This visit is significant as it marks Modi’s first trip to Kuwait in 43 years.
       Source: TOI IE
4. Chennai Teen Crowned Miss India USA 2024
   • Caitlin Sandra Neil, a Chennai-born Indian American teenager, was crowned Miss India USA 2024 at a pageant held in New Jersey.
   • The pageant also crowned Sanskriti Sharma as Mrs. India USA and Arshita Kathpalia as Miss Teen India USA.
     Source: IN
5. Tansen Fest Honors Music Legends in Gwalior
   • What:
     • The Tansen festival in Gwalior concluded with the presentation of the Tansen Award to tabla maestro Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri and the Raja Mansingh Tomar award to Indore’s Sanand Nyas institution.
   • Tell me more:
     • The event took place at a stage designed to resemble the Fort of Maheshwar, with Culture Minister Dharmendra Singh Lodhi attending virtually.
     • Both awards come with a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and a citation.
     • Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri expressed that receiving the Tansen Award was particularly special for him.
     • Jayant Madhav Bhise accepted the Raja Mansingh Tomar award on behalf of Sanand Nyas, which has promoted classical music for over 35 years.
       Source: TOI
6. Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024
   • What:
     • The Sahitya Akademi Award recognizes outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, along with English and Rajasthani.
   • Tell me more:
     • Established in 1954, the award includes a plaque and a cash prize of ₹1,00,000.
     • The award plaque was designed by filmmaker Satyajit Ray.
     • The award is given for works published in the preceding twelve months to ensure that current contributions are celebrated.
     • The Sahitya Akademi is located in New Delhi and plays a vital role in promoting Indian literature.
     • Winners 2024:

Source: GOV

Important Days

1. International Human Solidarity Day 2024 – December 20
   Source: UN
2. National Farmers’ Day – December 23
   • India’s agricultural sector contributed 17.7% to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in FY 2023-24.
   • Approximately 54.8% of India’s 328.7 million hectares are agricultural land, with a cropping intensity of 155.4%.
   • In 2023-24, India achieved a record foodgrain production of 332.2 million tonnes, surpassing the previous year’s output of 329.7 million tonnes.
   • Indian farmers play a vital role in shaping a resilient and prosperous India through hard work, innovation, and dedication.

3. National Mathematics Day – December 22
   • Theme: “Mathematics: A bridge to innovation”
   • It marks the birth anniversary of the brilliant Indian mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan.
     Source: ET
4. World Basketball Day – December 21
   Source: UN
5. Goa Liberation Day – December 19
   • It marks the end of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa and the integration of the territory into India in 1961 via Operation Vijay.
     Source: IN
6. SSB Raising Day – December 20
   • Union Home Minister Amit Shah will participate in the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Frontier Headquarters’ Raising Day celebrations in Siliguri, West Bengal.
     Source: BS

Sports

1. Team Asia Wins Inaugural Waldner Cup 2024
   • What:
     • Team Asia won the first edition of the Waldner Cup 2024 table tennis tournament. They defeated Team World with a score of 14-10 in Oslo, Norway.
   • Why:
     • It aims to honor Jan Ove Waldner, a legendary table tennis player and Olympic gold medalist.
   • Tell me more:
     • Manika Batra from India was part of Team Asia, which also included Ma Long and Chen Meng from China, among others.
     • The Waldner Cup is named after Jan Ove Waldner, who won a gold medal at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
       Source: OC
2. Santiago to Host 2025 FIH Women’s Junior World Cup
   • What:
     • Santiago, Chile, will host the 11th edition of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup in 2025. This marks the fourth time Chile has hosted this prestigious event.
   • Tell me more:
     • For the first time, the tournament will feature 24 teams, including those from Europe, Pan America, and later qualifiers from Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
     • Teams already qualified include Netherlands, Spain, England, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Argentina, USA, Uruguay, and Canada.
     • FIH Rankings for 2025:

Source: FIH FIH

3. India Wins Inaugural Women’s U-19 Asia Cup
   • India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs to win the inaugural Women’s U-19 Asia Cup at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
     Source: TH
4. India to Host ISSF Junior World Cup 2025
   • What:
     • India has been chosen to host the ISSF Junior World Cup 2025, announced by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
   • Tell me more:
     • The competition will include events in rifle, pistol, and shotgun disciplines.
     • The NRAI is coordinating with the ISSF to confirm suitable time slots for the event.
     • This will be the first time India hosts the Junior World Cup, marking its third major ISSF event in three years.
     • The upcoming edition will be the 11th Junior World Cup.

Source: OC

5. New Delhi to Host Para Athletics World Championships
   • What:
     • The Para Athletics World Championships will take place in New Delhi.
   • Tell me more:
     • This is the first time India will host this event, scheduled from 26 September to 5 October 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
     • This will be the 12th edition of the Para Athletics World Championships and the fourth time it is hosted in Asia.
     • New Delhi will also host a World Para Athletics Grand Prix from 11 to 13 March 2025.

6. Richa Ghosh Equals Fastest T20I Half Century Record
   • Richa Ghosh equalled the record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20Is.
   • India’s previous highest total in women’s T20Is was 201/5 against UAE at the Asia Cup in July 2024.
   • Smriti Mandhana also contributed with a half-century earlier in the match.
     Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. MoU Signed to Support Farmer Producer Organizations
   • What:
     • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between CSC e-Governance Services India Limited and Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
   • Why:
     • The agreement aims to provide critical agricultural inputs to 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) under the Central Sector Scheme.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Central Sector Scheme for “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 FPOs” was launched in 2020.
     • Under this collaboration, FPOs will receive fertilizers, seeds, and agrochemicals from IFFCO.
     • CSC SPV has been involved in various rural empowerment initiatives, including crop insurance and Kisan Credit Card facilitation.
       Source: pib
2. India Enhances Disaster Management through Strategic MoU
   • What:
     • The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
   • Tell me more:
     • CENJOWS is the only tri-services think tank under the HQ Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence.
     • The MoU highlights the commitment to a technology-driven approach in disaster management.
       Source: pib

Appointments

1. RBL Bank Reappoints MD and CEO for Three More Years
   • RBL Bank’s board has reappointed R Subramaniakumar as Managing Director and CEO for three years.
   • The reappointment is effective from June 23, 2025, pending approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
   • The MoU for reappointment is under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1935.
     Source: bs
2. Suman Bery Appointed Chairman of EAC-PM
   • What:
     • Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM).
     • He replaces Bibek Debroy, who passed away on November 1.
   • Tell me more:
     • The EAC-PM is an independent body that advises the government on economic matters.
     • Current members of EAC-PM include Sanjeev Sanyal, Shamika Ravi, and Rakesh Mohan, among others.
     • Suman Bery has been serving as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog prior to this appointment.
       Source: ET
3. Madan B Lokur Appointed Chairperson of UN Justice Council
   • What:
     • Retired Supreme Court judge Madan B Lokur has been appointed as the chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council.
     • The appointment was confirmed in a letter from UN Secretary-General António Guterres dated December 19, 2024.
   • Tell me more:
     • The Internal Justice Council consists of five members, including Lokur and representatives from Uruguay, Australia, Austria, and the USA.
     • The council will manage the Office of Staff Legal Assistance (OSLA), the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT), and the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
     • Lokur retired from the Supreme Court on December 31, 2018, after serving for over six years.
       Source: IE
4. Sriram Krishnan Appointed Senior Policy Advisor for AI in US
   • Sriram Krishnan has been appointed as the Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
   • Krishnan, an Indian-origin entrepreneur, previously worked at Microsoft and has a background in technology.
     Source: ET
5. Salman Khan Named Brand Ambassador for Kho Kho World Cup
   • The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has officially announced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as the brand ambassador for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled to take place from January 13 to January 19, 2025, in New Delhi.
   • KKFI President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal
     Source: THI
6. Nepali President Appoints New Ambassadors
   • Nepali President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Shankar Prasad Sharma as the ambassador to India and Netra Prasad Timilsina as the ambassador to Malaysia.
     Source: ANI

Miscellaneous

1. Renowned Baiga Artist Jodhaiya Bai Passes Away
   • Jodhaiya Bai, a famous Baiga tribal artist and Padma Shri recipient, has passed away at the age of 86 in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.
   • Her contributions to the arts were celebrated, and she received the Padma Shri award in 2023 for her work.
     Source: TP
2. New Book by Deepa Mallik
   • “Bring It On: The Incredible Story of My Life” is a book by Dr. Deepa Malik, sharing her inspiring journey and experiences overcoming challenges as an athlete and a person with disabilities.
3. Malayalam actress Meena Ganesh passes away at 82
   Source: TOI

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