Daily Current Affairs and GK | 20 December 2024

Topic: Indian Economy

1. As of December 17, gross direct tax revenue for 2024–25 had increased by 20.32% year over year to ₹19.21 lakh crore.

• Higher refunds of ₹3.39 lakh crore contributed to a 16.45% increase in net collection in 2024–25 as on December 17 to ₹15.82 lakh crore.
• As of December 17, 2024, gross corporate tax revenue for FY 2024–25 was ₹9,24,693 crore, representing an annual growth of 16.92%.
• As of December 17, 2023, corporate refunds increased 70.32% to ₹1,82,086 crore from ₹1,06,904 crore in FY2024.
• Compared to ₹7,81,737 crore in the same period previous year, gross non-corporate tax increased by just over 22% to ₹9,53,871 crore in 2024–25 (up to December 17).
• Individual income tax revenue is primarily included in gross non-corporate tax.
• In 2024–2025, the tax department issued refunds of ₹1,56,792 crore.
• Compared to the ₹1,30,901 crore that was reimbursed during the same period previous year, this represents a rise of almost 19.78%.
• As of December 17, 2024–2025, the net non-corporate tax had increased 22.47% to ₹7,97,080 crore.
• Compared to November 2023, when gross GST income stood at ₹1,67,929 crore, November 2024 saw an 8.5% increase to ₹1,82,269 crore.
• After refunds, net collection increased by 11.1% to ₹1,63,010 crore from ₹1,46,786 crore.

Topic: National News

2. TRAI has successfully created and implemented a framework that ensures the traceability of all commercial SMS.

• This is a significant step towards developing a more secure and spam-free messaging ecosystem.
• This program represents a key milestone in the TRAI's continuous efforts to protect consumers against spam.
• At the same time, the transparency and accountability of commercial messaging platforms are improving.
• All major principal entities have registered their message transmission chains with access providers.
• SMS communication received through unregistered channels was denied beginning December 11th, 2024.
• This framework required all principal entities to declare and register their message transmission pathways using blockchain-based distributed ledger technology.
• All principal entities include corporations, banks, and government bodies, as well as their telemarketers.
• This chain declaration and binding method enables end-to-end traceability of all messages, from origin to delivery, without jeopardising data security or slowing SMS delivery.

Topic: State News/ West Bengal

3. 'Banglar Bari' housing scheme launched by the West Bengal Government.

• On 17 December, 'Banglar Bari,' a housing scheme fully funded by the West Bengal government, was launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
• She accused the Centre of not sending funds for the 'Awas Yojana' to the state for the last three years.
• The survey conducted by the state for the 'Banglar Bari' scheme has identified more than 28 lakh genuine beneficiaries, for which a total of Rs 1.2 lakh will be transferred to them by next December.
• The Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs 60,000 was transferred to the bank accounts of 12 lakh beneficiaries as the first installment.
• She said the state will have to bear a total expenditure of Rs 14,773 crore for this purpose.
• If the central government does not make the payment, the state government will make the payment to the remaining 16 lakh families.
• Of these, the state government will make the payment to eight lakh people by May-June and to the remaining eight lakh people by December in two installments.
• Banerjee said the Centre owes Rs 24,000 crore for this purpose.

Topic: Defence

4. AI Incubation Centre unveiled by the Indian Army to lead in technological innovation and warfare.

• Taking a significant step towards enhancing its technological capabilities, the Indian Army AI Incubation Centre (IAAIIC) was launched by the Indian Army in Bengaluru on 18 December.
• The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi led the virtual inauguration, marking a pivotal moment in the Army’s ongoing transformation as it embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize its operational capabilities.
• IAAIIC is part of the Indian Army's broader strategy to modernise and stay ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of military technology.
• The centre seeks to enhance decision-making, increase efficiency, and equip the Army to handle the challenges of future warfare by promoting the development of AI-driven solutions.
• This development has come against the backdrop of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and unrest in the West Asia region.
• The centre, developed in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), will benefit from BEL's strong infrastructure and IT support, with personnel from the Indian Army managing its operations.
• IAAIIC will bring together academia, startups, and experts to develop AI solutions for the specific needs of the Indian Army.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. Central government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan of 42 million dollars.

• This financing is intended to promote coastal preservation and boost community resilience in Maharashtra.
• ADB funding will contribute to the restoration and stabilisation of Maharashtra's coastline.
• ADB funding will also contribute to the protection of coastal populations' livelihoods.
• ADB will assist the Maharashtra Maritime Board in increasing its capability for shore management planning, including the development of a coastal infrastructure management unit.
• The initiative will help stakeholders build capacity in gender equality and social inclusion, coastal management, and livelihood activities.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements  

6. India has partnered with France to set up the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.

• India has partnered with France Museums Développement to set up the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum.
• This project is a key component of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project.
• This project will cover roughly 1 lakh 55 thousand square meters over New Delhi's iconic North and South Blocks.
• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended the signing ceremony between the National Museum and France Museums Developpement in New Delhi.
• As part of this agreement, India and France will work together on a complete feasibility assessment that includes museum case studies, interpretive planning, and building programming.
• France's recognised expertise in museum development, as demonstrated by the Grand Louvre, will be critical in designing this project.
• Grand Louvre refers to project started in 1981 of expanding and remodeling the Louvre.
• Louvre is a national art museum in Paris, France. It is one of most famous museums in world. It is situated on the right bank of the Seine River.

Topic: Indian Economy

7. India’s coal imports declined 3.1% in FY 2024-25.

• India imported 149.39 million tonnes (MT) of coal between April and October of FY 2024–25.
• India’s imports in April and October of FY 2024–25 declined 3.1 percent from 154.17 MT during the same period in FY 2023–2024.
• A rise in domestic coal production was cause for this decline, according to data released by the Ministry of Coal.
• Compared to April-October 2023, the non-regulated sector (apart from power) saw decline of 8.8% during April-October 2024.
• This decrease demonstrates India's resolve to become self-sufficient in coal production and less dependent on imports.
• Between April and October of 2024, coal production increased by 6.04 percent to 537.57 MT from 506.93 MT during the same period in FY 2023–2024.

Topic: Indian Economy

8. Ind-Ra projected the Indian economy to grow by 6.6% in FY26.

• On 18 December, India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) forecasted a 6.6% growth for the Indian economy in 2025–26, an increase from 6.4% in the current fiscal year.
• Ind-Ra expects investments to remain a major growth driver for the Indian economy in FY26, as they were in FY22 and FY24.
• GDP growth till FY24 was impacted by the impact of COVID-19, with base effects on quarterly growth rates.
• Ind-Ra observed that the Indian economy is experiencing monetary, fiscal, and external tightening.
• According to the agency, although monetary conditions are expected to ease, fiscal and external tightening is likely to continue in FY26.
• Ind-Ra said if the dollar continues to strengthen, growth and inflation forecasts could be impacted by any tariff war and capital outflows.
• Ind-Ra expects retail inflation to average 4.4% in FY26, lower than the 4.9% forecast for FY25.
• Ind-Ra projects the merchandise trade account to remain in deficit at $308 billion in FY26, compared to $277.4 billion in FY25 and $244.9 billion in FY24.

Topic: Sports

9. Kiran Jadhav won the National 50m Rifle 3 Position title.

• On December 18, Kiran Jadhav defeated Asian Games silver medallist Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Paris 2024 Olympics bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale to win the men's 50m rifle 3 positions title at the National Shooting Championships 2024.
• In the competition played at Bhopal's MP Shooting Academy, Kiran scored 155.8 points in the kneeling position, 155.3 points in the prone position, and 155.2 points in the standing round.
• With this, she secured the first position with a total of 465.8 points.
• Aishwarya Pratap Singh finished second with 463.1 points and Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal with a total of 451.8 points.
• Earlier, in the qualification, Swapnil Kusale equaled the national record by scoring 593 out of 600 points.
• While Aishwarya Pratap Singh secured second place with 592 points.
• The National Shooting Championship 2024 for rifle shooters in Bhopal will conclude on December 31.
• The National Championship for Pistol Shooters is being held at Dr. Karni Shooting Range in New Delhi, which will end on January 5.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

10. 2023 National Tansen Samman awarded to renowned Tabla Maestro Pt. Swapan Choudhary.

• On 18 December, the National Tansen Award and Raja Mansingh Tomar Award were presented during the world-famous Tansen Festival, organized in Gwalior, the music capital of Madhya Pradesh.
• The "National Tansen Samman" for the year 2023 was conferred upon renowned tabla player of Indian classical music, Pt. Swapan Choudhary of Kolkata.
• In the National Tansen Award ceremony, honorarium of Rs. 5 lakh, citation and shawl-shriphal were presented.
• Established by the Madhya Pradesh government in honor of Music Emperor Tansen, this award is the highest national recognition in the field of Indian classical music.
• The "Raja Mansingh Tomar Samman" for the year 2023 was conferred upon Sanand Nyas, an institution of Indore.
• This institution has been working in the field of classical music, drama and cultural festivals in Indore for the last 35 years.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

11. Bhutan’s royal honor conferred to Indian educationist Arun Kapur.

• On December 17, Renowned Indian educationist Arun Kapur, who established schools in India, Bhutan, and Oman, has been honored by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel.
• He was conferred the ‘Bura Marp’ (red scarf) and ‘Patang’ (ceremonial sword) during the 117th Bhutanese National Day celebrations at Thimphu’s Changlimathang Stadium.
• This honour is rarely given to non-Bhutanese residents and is accompanied by the honorific title 'Dasho', which is otherwise used for senior officials.
• In 2019, the ‘Druk Thuksey’ was also awarded to Mr. Kapur for his work in establishing The Royal Academy school and developing the Bhutan Baccalaureate educational system.
• In October 2024, Mr. Kapur was appointed by King Jigme Khesar to the GMC to oversee the training and upskilling of Bhutanese people to lead institutions in the country.
• In India, Mr. Kapoor has taught at several educational institutions, and is the founder of the NGOs Ritinjali and the Pallavan Schools Network.
• Earlier in 2024, the ‘Order of Druk Gyalpo’ was also conferred to PM Narendra Modi by Bhutan in recognition of India’s support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topic: National News

12. Masali Village became India’s first solar border Village.

• Masali village of Gujarat in Banaskantha district has become the country’s first solar border village.
• Masali village is located 40 kilometres from the Pakistan border.
• Masali has become a 100 percent solar-powered village in the country.
• Under PM Suryaghar Yojana, solar rooftops have been installed on a total of 119 houses in Masali village having a population of 800 people.
• The houses of this village generate more than 225 kilowatts of electricity.
• Under the Border Development Project, the administration has also taken the initiative to make 11 border villages.

Topic: State News/ Delhi

13. Arvind Kejriwal announced a new health scheme for the elderly population.

• Sanjeevani Yojana has been launched by the Delhi government to provide free healthcare to Delhi residents aged 60 and above.
• Under this scheme, if a necessary procedure cannot be performed at a government facility or has a long wait time, patients will be referred to private hospitals at no cost.
• The main aim of the scheme is to provide free healthcare facilities for elderly people.
• All medical expenses in both government and private hospitals, with no income restrictions, will be covered under this scheme.
• The state government has also expanded its old-age pension scheme, with an additional 80,000 beneficiaries.