Daily Current Affairs and GK | 22 and 23 December 2024

Topic: State News/ Maharashtra

1. Maharashtra Assembly passed a bill to reform the prison system in the State.

• The Maharashtra Prisons and Correctional Services Act, 2024 is based on the Model Prisons Bill, 2023.
• A high-security prison and detention centre will be set up in Mumbai.
• The Bill has the provision of categories of prisons such as special prisons, open prisons for women, temporary prisons and open colonies.
• Open prisons and open colonies will help with the rehabilitation and reintegration of former jail inmates.
• The bill has also the provision of the constitution of a ‘prison and correctional prison force.

Topic: Sports

2. The Indian U19 team wins the first-ever T20 Asia Cup.

• India won the first-ever Under-19 ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup in women's cricket in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
• In the final, India won by 41 runs over Bangladesh.
• Aayyushi Shukla took three wickets for India.
• Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia both claimed two wickets.
• India had previously scored 117 for seven in their allocated 20 overs while batting first.
• The leading scorer, Gongadi Trisha, scored a strong 52 runs off 47 balls.
• Six of the top teams from the continent competed for the title in the competition, which started on December 15.
• Under the leadership of Niki Prasad, India won every match.

Topic: National News

3. The first Bio-Bitumen national highway in India inaugurated.

• In the Nagpur-Mansar Bypass project on National Highway 44 in Nagpur District, the Union Transport Minister officially inaugurated India's first national highway built with bio-bitumen.
• Speaking at the event, Mr. Gadkari said that the environmentally friendly road building would lower construction costs, create jobs, and minimise pollution from stubble burning.
• This is the nation's first national highway constructed with bitumen derived from lignin, a crop residue.
• This bio-bitumen road is 40% more durable than a conventional asphalt one.
• A 1-kilometer section of the Nagpur-Mansar National Highway project has been built by incorporating 15% bio-bitumen into the asphalt.
• Praj Industries, a biotech company based in Pune, and the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) worked together to build this road.
• Mr. Gadkari emphasised the use of non-traditional energy sources, such as bio-CNG, and encouraged farmers to make it from bamboo and agricultural waste.
• The Minister added that companies in paddy-growing regions like Bhandara-Gondia in eastern Vidarbha might be given a new direction by this biomass-to-bio CNG conversion technology.

Topic: International Appointments

4. Justice Madan Lokur, a former Supreme Court judge, appointed chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council.

• The council will be led by Justice Madan B. Lokur till his term ending on November 12, 2028.
• Ms. Carmen Artigas from Uruguay, Ms. Rosalie Balkin from Australia, Mr. Stefan Brezina from Austria, and Mr. Jay Pozenel from the United States of America are the other members of the Council.
• On June 4, 2012, Justice Lokur was named a Supreme Court justice.
• When he reached the age of superannuation, he demitted office on December 30, 2018.
• Justice Lokur joined the Supreme Court of Fiji as a judge of its non-resident panel in 2019.
• His appointment to the Supreme Court of another nation made him the first Indian judge to hold that position.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

5. The several bilateral agreements in the field of Defence and other key areas signed between India and Kuwait.

• On 22 December, a meeting was held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
• They discussed cooperation in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, IT, fintech, infrastructure and security.
• MoU on Defence Cooperation: It institutionalizes bilateral cooperation in training, joint exercises, defence industry collaboration, and research and development.
• Cultural Exchange Programme (2025-2029): It facilitates cultural exchanges in art, literature, music, dance, theatre, and preservation of cultural heritage.
• Executive Programme for Sports Cooperation (2025-2028): It promotes exchange of expertise in sports medicine, management, media, and science, along with experience-sharing programs.
• Kuwait’s Membership in International Solar Alliance: It focuses on scaling solar energy deployment and fostering low-carbon growth among member countries.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. Jago Grahak Jago App, Jagriti App, and Jagriti Dashboard to be launched by the government on the occasion of National Consumer Day.

• Jago Grahak Jago App, Jagriti App, and Jagriti Dashboard will be launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs on 24 December 2024, on the occasion of National Consumer Day.
• The objective of these apps is to enhance the ability of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to take automatic action against dark patterns.
• The ‘Jago Grahak Jago App’ aims to provide essential e-commerce information about all Universal Resource Links (URLs) during a consumer’s online activities.
• It alerts users if any URL may be unsafe and requires caution.
• The ‘Jagrati app’ will allow users to report URLs where they suspect the presence of one or more dark patterns that have been declared illegal.
• These reports are then registered as a complaint with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for possible redressal and subsequent action.
• Further, CCPA is being strengthened with the ‘Jaagruti Dashboard’, which is used to generate real-time reports on e-commerce URLs for the presence of the above dark patterns.
• This enhances the ability to effectively monitor and regulate online consumer interactions.
• This solution will assist CCPA in identifying dark patterns, expedite resolution of consumer disputes, and curb practices that are harmful to consumer interests.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Days

7. National Farmers’ Day observed on 23rd December 2024.

• National Farmers’ Day honours farmers’ contribution to the nation’s growth and development.
• It is a reminder of the extremely important role farmers have in ensuring food security, sustaining rural economies, as well as preserving the agricultural heritage of country.
• National Farmers’ Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the fifth Prime Minister of India.
• Government has taken many initiatives to support socio-economic upliftment of farmers.
• These programmes include the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is effective from 1 December 2018. It is a Central Sector scheme with 100% funding from Government of India.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana was launched on 12 September 2019 by PM Modi from Ranchi, Jharkhand. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

8. The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Kuwait's highest honour, has been conferred on PM Modi.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received Kuwait's highest honour, the Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer.
• This is the 20th time a nation has bestowed an international honour upon Prime Minister Modi.
• The Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer is a knighthood order of Kuwait. 
• As a sign of friendship, it is given to heads of state, foreign sovereigns, and members of foreign royal families.
• Foreign leaders including Prince Charles of the United Kingdom and former US Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton have already received the honour.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Environment and Ecology

9. India’s forest cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometres.

• As per the India State of Forest Report 2023, India’s forest cover has increased by 1,445 square kilometres.
• India's total forest and tree cover stood at 8 lakh 27 thousand 357 square kilometers, which is 25.17 percent of India’s total geographical area.
• Out of this 7 lakh 15 thousand 343 square kilometers is classified as forest cover while 1 lakh 12 thousand 14 square kilometers is tree cover.
• The highest increase in forest and tree cover has been registered in Chhattisgarh with 684 square kilometers.
• It is followed by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, each with a 559 square kilometer increase.
• In terms of forest cover, Mizoram, Gujarat, and Odisha were the top three leading states.
• Mizoram registered an increase of 242 square kilometers, followed by Gujarat (180 square kilometers) and Odisha (152 square kilometers).
• Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra are leading in total area covered by forests and trees.
• Lakshadweep (91.33%) has the highest percentage in terms of forest cover relative to total geographical area.
• It is followed by Mizoram (85.34%) and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (81.62%).
• As per the assessment, 19 states and union territories have more than 33 per cent of their geographical area under forest cover.
• Eight states have forest cover exceeding 75 per cent.
• India’s mangrove cover is estimated at 4,992 square kilometers. Bamboo-bearing areas have also seen growth.
• The potential annual timber production from trees outside forests has been estimated at 91.51 million cubic meters.
• The carbon stock in India’s forests is another key highlight of the report. The current estimate stands at 7,285.5 million tonnes.

Topic: Sports

10. India will host the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup for the first time.

• In the second half of 2025, the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup will be hosted by India.
• The ISSF awarded the hosting rights for the top junior international shooting competition for Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun to the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).
• It will be the third top ISSF-level event to be held in India after the senior World Cup in Bhopal in 2023.
• This will be the ninth top-level shooting championship to be held in India.
• Earlier, India has hosted continental championships and six ISSF competitions, including two World Cup Final competitions besides four senior ISSF World Cups.

Topic: Indian Economy

11. In a domestic SLB issued by NDR InvIT, IFC has invested $75 million (₹630 crore).

• This is India's first warehouse InvIT to issue a sustainability-linked bond (SLB).
• This SLB is the nation's first to be issued by any InvIT.
• The goal of this strategic investment is to improve sustainable, high-quality warehouse infrastructure.
• The funding is intended to help NDR InvITs expand its storage operations.
• It will support EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Certification, an international green building certification system by IFC.
• NDR InvIT is an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) sponsored by NDR Warehousing Private Ltd.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of the World Bank Group. It was formed in 1956. It is headquartered in Washington, US.

Topic: Banking System

12. A monetary penalty of ₹27.30 lakh has been imposed by RBI on IndusInd Bank for violation of regulatory norms.

• RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹20 lakh on Manappuram Finance for violation of regulatory norms.
• RBI found that certain savings deposit accounts were opened by IndusInd Bank in the name of ineligible entities.
• Manappuram Finance did not verify PAN of customers from verification facility of the issuing authority at the time of customer acceptance.
• Manappuram Finance also allotted multiple identification codes to customers in place of a Unique Customer Identification Code for each customer.

Topic: Miscellaneous

13. Centre said that Indian pharma sector is recognized as the third largest globally, valued at $50 billion in FY 2023-24.

• According to Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel, India's pharmaceutical industry is considered the third largest globally and was worth $50 billion in the financial year 2023-24.
• The domestic pharmaceutical market was valued at $23.5 billion, with exports contributing $26.5 billion in financial year 2023-24.
• The Indian pharmaceutical industry has a strong presence globally and ranks 14th in terms of production value.
• It has a highly diversified product portfolio, including generic drugs, bulk drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vaccines, biosimilars and biologics.
• The National Accounts Statistics 2024, released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, reported that the pharmaceutical, medicinal, and botanical products industry had a total output of ₹4,56,246 crores at constant prices for FY 2022-23.
• The industry contributed ₹1,75,583 crores in value addition during the same period.
• During the same period, 9,25,811 persons got employment in this sector.
• Seven National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) have been established by the Department of Pharmaceuticals as Institutes of National Importance.

Topic: Important Days

14. National Mathematics Day 2024: 22 December

• Every year on December 22, National Mathematics Day is celebrated across the country.
• It is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, who gave 3500 mathematical formulas to the world.
• The main objective of this day is to raise awareness among people about the importance of mathematics for the development of humanity.
• In 2012, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared 22 December as National Mathematics Day on the 125th birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
• Srinivasa Ramanujan:

• He was born on 22 December 1887 in Tamil Nadu.
• He was the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College.
• He is also known as the “man who knew infinity”.
• He had contributed to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions.
• In 1918, Ramanujan became the second Indian to be chosen a Fellowship of the Royal Society.
• He was also one of the youngest people to receive the fellowship of the Royal Society.