In Current Affairs for 21 December 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 21 December 2024
World Meditation Day
- First-ever World Meditation Day is set to be observed 21 December, marking a global initiative to promote well-being, peace and mindfulness across nations.
- Earlier this month, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, co-sponsored by India, to designate the 21st of December as World Meditation Day.
- This historic event marks the beginning of an annual global celebration of this age-old practice, revered for its benefits to both physical and mental health, and overall well-being.
- The UN’s recognition of the day highlights the practice’s universal potential to address contemporary global challenges, including stress, violence, and societal discord.
- To commemorate the occasion, renowned spiritual leader Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will deliver a keynote address at an event, to mark the first commemoration of World Meditation Day, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. He will also guide a live, global meditation session tomorrow. The event is being organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.
- Themed “Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony,” the occasion highlights the transformative benefits of meditation for fostering peace, mental well-being, and societal harmony.
Winter Session Of Parliament Comes To An End
- Both The Houses Of Parliament Were Adjourned Sine Die. Something Done Sine Die Has No Definite Date Or Period To Resume. Lok Sabha Has Registered Over 54 Per Cent Productivity While The Rajya Sabha Has 40 Per Cent During The Winter Session Of Parliament.
- Conclusion Of The Session In New Delhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Said The Productivity Of The Two Houses Was Low And Everyone Should Think About It. The Minister Also Condemned Incident In Parliament House In Which Two BJP Mps Got Injured.
Centre, ADB Sign $350 Million Loan Agreement
- Centre and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a 350 million dollar policy-based loan agreement. This loan is part of the second subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) program.
- The program the government in undertaking wide-ranging reforms in the country’s logistics sector. It includes two subprograms aimed at boosting manufacturing and improving supply chain resilience. The loan agreement was signed yesterday by the Department of Economic Affairs, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, and the ADB.
- The Commerce and Industry Ministry in a statement said the development of India’s logistics sector is vital to enhancing the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector. The Ministry also stated that the collaboration between India and ADB reflects a shared commitment to fostering growth and innovation in the logistics sector, supporting India’s broader economic development goals.
India State Of Forest Report
- Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav will release the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun.
- The report is published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI) and provides vital information on the forest and tree resources of the country. The information is based on two major activities, namely, forest cover mapping and the National Forest Inventory of the FSI.
- The report has been published on a biennial basis since 1987, and this report will be the 18th such report in the series. The event will also be attended by the senior officers of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
- Centre said that so far 1337 railway stations have been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS) in the country.
- Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed that under this scheme 157 railway stations have been selected falling in the Aspirational District of the country. The Minister added that the ABSS scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for Divyangjans, sustainable and environment-friendly solutions, and provision of ballastless tracks as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centre at the station in the long term.
- Introduction of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to enhance and modernize railway stations throughout the Indian Railways network. These enhancements encompass bettering station accessibility, waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator installations as needed, cleanliness, offering free Wi-Fi, setting up kiosks for local products through initiatives like ‘One Station One Product’, enhancing passenger information systems, establishing Executive Lounges, designating spaces for business meetings, incorporating landscaping, and catering to the unique requirements of each station.
- Ultimate goal is to transform these stations into vibrant city centres over the long term.
Gram Nyayalayas Scheme
- Government has said the 313 Gram Nyayalays are functional in 11 States to provide access to justice to the citizens across the country at their doorstep. Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said this in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
- He said the Gram Nyayalays Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizens by reason of social economic or other disabilities. Mr Meghwal said that, as of date 15 States have implemented the Gram Nyayalayas scheme by notifying 488 gram Nyayalays.
- Government has said the 313 Gram Nyayalays are functional in 11 States to provide access to justice to the citizens across the country at their doorstep.
- Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said this in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today. He said the Gram Nyayalays Act ensures that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizens by reason of social economic or other disabilities.
- Mr Meghwal said that, as of date 15 States have implemented the Gram Nyayalayas scheme by notifying 488 gram Nyayalays. Gram Nyayalayas, or village courts, are established under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, for speedy and easy access to the justice system in the rural areas of India.
- The Act extends to the whole of India, except to the States of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim and to the tribal areas specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India. Gram Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps.
Humanitarian Aid To Lesotho
- India has extended humanitarian assistance to Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa. In a social media post, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that a consignment of one thousand metric tonnes has departed from Nhava Sheva Port for Lesotho. He also said that the consignment would help in addressing food security and nutritional requirements of the people of that country.
Bhutan Confers Royal Honour On Indian Educationist
- Indian educationist Arun Kapur, known for his contributions to education in India, Bhutan, and Oman, has been honoured by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel.
- At the 117th Bhutanese National Day celebrations, held at the Changlimithang stadium in Thimphu, Kapur was conferred the prestigious Red Scarf and the title ‘Dasho’, a rare honour usually given to senior Bhutanese officials.
- The title ‘Dasho’ is traditionally reserved for senior Bhutanese officials and is rarely given to non-residents.
- Previous Honour: In 2019, Kapur was awarded the ‘Druk Thuksey’ for his significant role in establishing The Royal Academy school and developing the Bhutan Baccalaureate educational system. Arun Kapur also served as the head of Delhi’s Vasant Valley School for 29 years, shaping the educational landscape before retiring in April 2020.
China Sets New Spacewalk Record
- China has achieved a major milestone in space exploration with two astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station completing a nine-hour spacewalk, setting a new global record.
- This significant achievement underscores China’s growing presence in space and highlights its ambitions for future lunar exploration.
- Chinese astronauts Cai Xuzhe and Song Lingdong set a new global record with a 9-hour extravehicular activity (EVA) outside the Tiangong space station. The spacewalk was confirmed by the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) as a “full success.”
- The record surpasses the previous 8 hours and 56 minutes held by U.S. astronauts James Voss and Susan Helms on March 12, 2001. This marked the longest EVA since that mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. t Milestones
- Cai Xuzhe: Mission commander Cai Xuzhe completed his second spacewalk, following a 5.5-hour EVA in November 2022.
- Song Lingdong: This was Song Lingdong’s first EVA, making him the first Chinese astronaut born in the 1990s to perform an extravehicular activity.
Haryana Teen Suruchi
- In shooting, Haryana teenager Suruchi clinched three gold medals in the women’s air pistol competitions in the ongoing 67th National Shooting Championship Competitions in New Delhi.
- Suruchi went into the eight-woman final as the in-form shooter, topping the qualifications with a solid 585.
- Haryana girl, however, shot confidently throughout the 24-shot final, staying in contention from shot one. Her statemate Rhythm came second and Krushnali Rajput of Maharashtra was third. In the junior final also, she left Chandigarh’s Sainyam behind to clinch with 245.1.
- However, Suruchi’s most brutal win came in the youth final with a score of 245.5. an enormous 6.3 ahead of silver-winning Sanskriti Bana of Uttar Pradesh. Palak won bronze in the youth final category.
Current Affairs 21 December 2024 Question
- World Meditation Day Celebrated For The First Time In
A. 2021
B. 2022
C. 2023
D. 2024
ANSWER: D - Name Of The Affordable Housing Scheme Launched By West Bengal Chief
Minister Mamata Banerjee
A. Griha Nirman Yojana
B. Awas Bangla Yojana
C. Banglar Bari
D. Swasthya Sathi Housing Scheme
ANSWER: C - Which Indian Temple Won ‘Sword Of Honour’ Award For Safety Excellence
A. Ram Temple, Ayodhya
B. Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi
C. Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, Mathura
D. Maa Vindhyavasini Temple, Mirzapur
ANSWER: A - Name Of India’s First Anti Pesticide Bodysuit Launched
A. Kisan Rakshak
B. Kisan Kavach
C. Agro Shield
D. None of the Above
ANSWER: B - Jodhaiya Bai, Belonged To Which Indian Tribal Community
A. Gond Tribe
B. Baiga Tribe
C. Santhal Tribe
D. Bhil Tribe
ANSWER: B - Which Day Is Celebrated As Minority Rights Day
A. December 16
B. December 17
C. December 18
D. December 19
ANSWER: C - Which Country Has Joined The International Solar Alliance (ISA) By Signing The
ISA Framework Agreement In December 2024
A. Russia
B. Moldova
C. Ukraine
D. Kenya
ANSWER: B - Which Women Cricketer Scored The Fastest Test Century In Test International
A. Smriti Mandhana
B. Nat Sciver-Brunt
C. Ellyse Perry
D. Laura Wolvaardt
ANSWER: B - The Gadhimai Festival Is Held In Which Country
A. India
B. Nepal
C. Bangladesh
D. Sri Lanka
ANSWER: B - Who Was Awarded The Prestigious Jamsetji Tata Award By The Indian Society
For Quality
A. Ratan Tata
B. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
C. N. R. Narayana Murthy
D. Sundar Pichai
ANSWER: B - Which Ministry Launched A Scheme To Promote International Cooperation
For AYUSH Systems Worldwide
A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
B. Ministry of AYUSH
C. Ministry of External Affairs
D. Ministry of Science and Technology
ANSWER: B - In Which City Was Uber’s ‘Moto Women’ Pilot Program Launched
A. Mumbai
B. Bengaluru
C. Hyderabad
D. Chennai
ANSWER: B - What Is The Theme For International Migrants Day In 2024
A. “Empowering Migrants for the Future”
B. “Strengthening Global Solidarity”
C. “Honouring the contributions of migrants and respecting their rights”
D. “Building Inclusive Communities”
ANSWER: C - Which Organization Primarily Uses The SARAT Tool
A. National Institute of Oceanography
B. Indian Coast Guard
C. Ministry of Shipping
D. Indian Navy
ANSWER: B - Which Position India Achieved In Global Smartphone Exports In 2024
A. 2nd
B. 3rd
C. 5th
D. 10th
ANSWER: B - Which Species Satellite-tagged For First Time Globally Under Project Dolphin
A. Irrawaddy Dolphin
B. Ganges River Dolphin
C. Indus River Dolphin
D. Bottlenose Dolphin
ANSWER: B - Which Indian Space Tech Firm Is Part Of Collaboration On Space Debris
Removal
A. Pixxel
B. InspeCity
C. Skyroot Aerospace
D. Dhruva Space
ANSWER: B - Where Was The Indian Army AI Incubation Centre (IAAIIC) Launched
A. Pune
B. Delhi
C. Hyderabad
D. Bengaluru
ANSWER: D - What Is The Mascot For The 38th National Games 2025
A. Mauli
B. Himalayan Tiger
C. Gaur
D. Monal
ANSWER: A - Kotada Timba, Which Contains Ruins Of An Ancient Harappan City Is Located
In Which Among The Following States
A. Punjab
B. Rajasthan
C. Uttar Pradesh
D. Gujarat
ANSWER: D
