In Current Affairs for 15 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 14 December 2024
Bharatmala Project
- Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary said that the country has witnessed unprecedented growth in transport infrastructure in the past ten years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the media in New Delhi, the Minister said that the national highway network has increased by 1.6 times, in 2014, there were nearly 91,287 kilometers of national highways, which now has increased to 1,46,195 km by November this year.
- Mr Chaudhary mentioned that under the Bharatmala Project, 34,800 km of national highways are to be constructed in the first phase, and about 18,714 km of work has already been completed.
- The Union Minister highlighted that the number of operational airports in the country has more than doubled, in 2014, flights were operated from 74 airports, whereas now, air services are being operated from 158 airports in the country.
- He asserted that India has emerged as the third-largest domestic aviation market globally and praised the government’s DigiYatra initiative for making contactless and seamless travel a reality. Highlighting the achievements of railways, the minister informed us that 97 percent of rail routes have been electrified.
- He added, that under the AMRUT Bharat Abhiyan, 1,337 stations across the country are being redeveloped as per world-class standards. The Minister lauded that the introduction of 68 Vande Bharat Express trains, two Amrit Bharat trains, and one Namo Bharat Rapid Rail has revolutionized rail traffic, increasing speed as well as passenger convenience.
Projects Worth Rs 5,500 Crore
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mahakumbh 2025 will be such a Mahayagya of Unity and Equality, which will guide the nation and it will be discussed all over the world. He was speaking at a public gathering in Sangam area of Prayagraj after formally inaugurating the Mahakumbh-2025, which will officially start from 13th of January next year and will continue till 26th of February.
- On the occasion, Prime Minister Modi launched development projects worth around 5,500 crore Rupees, which includes various rail and road projects to boost infrastructure and provide seamless connectivity in Prayagraj.
- Prime Minister also inaugurated major temple corridors on the occasion which include Bharadwaj Ashram corridor, Shringverpur Dham corridor, Akshayvat corridor, Hanuman Mandir corridor among others. He said that his government is working towards enrichment of the culture and heritage.
- In line with his commitment towards Swachh and Nirmal Ganga, Prime Minister inaugurated projects of interception, tapping, diversion and treatment of minor drains leading to river Ganga, which will ensure zero discharge of untreated water into the river.
- He said that his government is working towards the goal of clean Ganga. He also gave advanced tanks to the people involved in keeping the mela premises clean. Prime Minister Modi also launched the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot that provides details to give guidance and updates on the events to devotees on Mahakumbh Mela 2025. He said that this Kumbh will be remembered for the Sangam of Technology and Artificial intelligence.
EU’s Schengen Area
- Romania and Bulgaria are set to fully join the European Union border-free Schengen Area on January 1, 2025. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament in a post on social media congratulated the people of both countries.
- Notably, the border-free Schengen Area guarantees free movement to more than 425 million European Union citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU.
- The Schengen provisions abolish checks at the EU’s internal borders while providing a single set of rules for controls at the external borders applicable to those who enter the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
- The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed in 1985 by five member states (Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) of the European Economic Community.
- The agreement aims to create a border-free area in Europe that allows the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital called the Schengen Area, where internal border checks are largely abolished. All EU member states without opt-outs must join Schengen upon meeting technical requirements.
- Non-EU countries like Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland are part of Schengen through special association agreements. Over time, the Schengen area has grown to encompass 27 countries, spanning over 4 million square kilometres and hosting nearly 420 million inhabitants.
Elon Musk Reaches Historic $400 Billion Net Worth
- Elon Musk is the first person to achieve a net worth of $400 billion, a milestone driven by financial moves and political developments. Musk sold shares of SpaceX, which greatly increased his wealth, and the recent U.S. election results also played an important role in this financial surge.
- Musk’s sale of SpaceX shares added approximately $50 billion to his net worth. This brought his total to $439.2 billion. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index marks this remarkable increase.
- His net worth had previously declined by over $200 billion in late 2022. The election of Donald Trump as president impacted Musk’s financial status. As a key supporter of Trump, Musk anticipated favorable policies for his companies. Tesla’s stock rose by 65% after the election.
- Investors expected Trump to expedite self-driving car approvals and reduce tax credits for competitors. Musk is expected to play a very important role in Trump’s administration. He will serve as co-head of the new Department of Government Efficiency.
- This position could further enhance his influence over government policies affecting his businesses. Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has also seen substantial growth. Its value doubled to $50 billion after successful fundraising efforts. The boost from Trump’s election win contributed to this increase.
- Recently, SpaceX completed a $1.25 billion deal, involved buying shares from employees and insiders. It valued SpaceX at $350 billion, making it the most valuable private startup globally. Much of SpaceX’s revenue relies on U.S. government contracts. Trump’s presidency is expected to favour the company’s interests.
UP Set To Lead India In Cow Milk Production
- Cow Protection And Welfare Have Always Been A Key Focus In Uttar Pradesh, Especially Under The Leadership Of Yogi Adityanath, Both As The Chief Minister And The Peethadheeshwar Of Gorakshapeeth.
- The State Has Seen Significant Efforts To Promote Indigenous Cow Breeds, Enhance Milk Production, And Provide Welfare To Cows. These Initiatives, Supported By Infrastructure Developments Such As Veterinary Colleges, Are Set To Transform Uttar Pradesh Into A Leader In Cow Milk Production.
- Gorakhnath Temple In Gorakhpur Houses A Cowshed Known For Preserving Native Cow Breeds. The Peeth Is Committed To Cow Protection, With Efforts Directed At Safeguarding Cows And Improving Their Welfare.
- As Both Chief Minister And Peethadheeshwar, Yogi Adityanath Prioritizes Cow Welfare, Initiatives Include, Rescuing Stray Cows. , Providing Incentives To Cow Herders. , Ensuring Regular Vaccination And Breed Improvement.
- Currently, this distinction belongs to Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh holds the second position in Cow milk production in India.
- The state produces 5.29 million tonnes of milk annually. Of this, 4.2 million tonnes come from mixed and indigenous breeds, and 1.7 million tonnes are from foreign breeds. The state has around 0.66 crore milch cows. Milk from indigenous breeds is considered superior due to the cows’ natural adaptation to the Indian climate.
- The Yogi government emphasizes the conservation and promotion of these breeds to enhance milk quality.
- New veterinary colleges are being established in Gorakhpur and Bhadohi. These colleges will serve as research hubs, benefiting cattle herders in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Purvanchal.
- Uttar Pradesh contributes 16% of India’s total milk production.
- The state aims to become the top producer of cow milk.
- The veterinary college in Gorakhpur is being developed as a model project with an 80-acre campus and a budget of Rs 350 crore.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has emphasized the need for adequate land reserves for animal housing, pastures, and the creation of a Gau Sarovar.
BMW And UNICEF Collaborate To Empower Rural India
- BMW Group and UNICEF have partnered to revolutionize the educational landscape for 100,000 children in rural India, focusing on providing quality STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
- The program targets marginalized girls in Assam, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, aiming to bridge educational gaps and promote gender equality. This initiative is part of a broader global partnership between BMW and UNICEF, which seeks to impact over 10 million children worldwide.
- The partnership will concentrate on foundational literacy and numeracy skills for primary school children, laying a strong cognitive base for advanced STEM learning.
- As these children transition into adolescence, the program will provide innovative, engaging learning experiences, particularly for girls, in low-cost maker spaces to spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Focusing on adolescent girls from Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and Tribal Ashramshalas, the program aims to reach the most marginalized groups in rural areas.
- The initiative will provide tailored teacher training in STEM instruction, addressing gender stereotypes, and empowering girls through leadership programs.
- The collaboration will establish maker spaces in schools to facilitate hands-on STEM learning, such as design thinking and computational analysis. This effort aligns with national goals for gender equality and inclusive education, ensuring long-term empowerment for underprivileged children in rural India.
- BMW Group’s partnership with UNICEF emphasizes the transformative power of education in empowering underprivileged girls, especially in STEM fields.
Global Sustainability Film Award
- Indian film “The Kumbaya Story” has achieved international recognition by winning the Transforming Society Short Film category at the 13th tve Global Sustainability Film Awards (GSFA). The event was held at the iconic BAFTA venue in London.
- This accolade underscores India’s growing influence in the realm of sustainability-focused storytelling. The awards celebrate powerful narratives that inspire solutions for a sustainable future.
- Kumbaya Story : Produced by the Kumbaya Producer Co. Ltd. , Chronicles the journey of resilient women transforming their lives through weaving. Depicts the establishment of the Kumbaya Producer Company.
- Other Indian Achievements
- “GOBUK – Harmony in the Highlands” : Produced by Greenhub India. Shortlisted in the Young Filmmakers category.
- “Laapataa Ladies” : India’s official Oscar 2025 entry in the Best International Feature category. Shortlisted for the Founder’s Award.
Current Affairs 14 December 2024 Question
- Schengen Agreement Is A Treaty Signed In
A. 1975
B. 1980
C. 1985
D. 1987
ANSWER: C - UNICEF Collaborated With Which Group To To Empower Rural India In STEM
Learning
A. Tata
B. Reliance
C. BMW
D. Hyundai
ANSWER: C - Which Country Will Host The 2034 FIFA Football World Cup
A. United Arab Emirates
B. United States of America
C. Saudi Arabia
D. Portugal
ANSWER: C - Khelo India Winter Games 2025 Will Be Hosted By Which State/UTs
A. Sikkim
B. Ladakh and J&K
C. Himachal Pradesh
D. Arunachal Pradesh
ANSWER: B - Under Which Constitution Amendment Act Granted Constitutional Status To
Panchayats As Institutions Of Local Self-governance
A. 71st
B. 73rd
C. 84th
D. 91st
ANSWER: B - _ Officially Launched Its Much-anticipated AI Video Generation Model, Sora
A. Google
B. Meta
C. Open AI
D. X (Twitter)
ANSWER: C - Which Players Won The ICC Player Of The Month Award In Both Categories For
November 2024
A. Haris Rauf and Danni Wyatt
B. Jasprit Bumrah and Ellyse Perry
C. Harry Brook and Smriti Mandhana
D. Yashshwi Jaiswal and Megan Schutt
ANSWER: A - Recently Passed The Railways (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Grants Which Powers
To The Railway Board
A. Executive Powers
B. Statutory Powers
C. Quasi Judicial Powers
D. Concurrent Powers
ANSWER: B - Government Of India Plans To Triple Atomic Power Capacity By Which Year
A. 2027-28
B. 2034-35
C. 2025-26
D. 2031-32
ANSWER: D - Who Has Been Named The Recipient Of The Directors Guild Of America (DGA)
2025 Lifetime Achievement Award
A. Quentin Tarantino
B. Ang Lee
C. Steven Spielberg
D. Martin Scorsese
ANSWER: B - Smart Cities Mission Was Launched In Which Year By The Central Government
Of India
A. 2019
B. 2017
C. 2021
D. 2015
ANSWER: D - Trump Nominated Harmeet Dhillon To Which Post
A. An Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
B. U.S. Attorney
C. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation
D. Senator
ANSWER: A - Which Individual Gets Recognition In The Lifetime Achievement Category In
The 2024 Champions Of The Earth Award
A. Gabriel Paun
B. Lu Qi
C. Sonia Guajajara
D. Madhav Gadgil
ANSWER: D - On Which Day Foundation Day Of UNICEF Is Observed
A. 10th December
B. 11th December
C. 12th December
D. 13th December
ANSWER: B - Jay Shah Was Appointed As __ Position In The International Cricket
Council
A. President
B. Chairman
C. Head of Financial Committee
D. Treasurer
ANSWER: B - International Day For Abolition Of Slavery Observed Annually On Which Day
A. 29th November
B. 30th November
C. 1st December
D. 2nd December
ANSWER: D - Web Series Was Awarded Best Web Series At Filmfare OTT Awards 2024
A. The Railway Man
B. Killer Soup
C. Kota Factory
D. Mumbai Diaries
ANSWER: A - Which Movie Won The Best Film, Web Original Award At Filmfare OTT Awards
2024
A. Maharaj
B. Jaane Jaan
C. Amar Singh Chamkila
D. Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan
ANSWER: C - Which Country Emerged As The Largest Source Of FDI In India For July-
September Quarter Of 2024-25
A. USA
B. Japan
C. Russia
D. Singapore
ANSWER: D - Who Drafted The “Declaration Of Independence” Pledge In 1930
A. Motilal Nehru
B. Jawahar Lal Nehru
C. Mahatma Gandhi
D. C R Das
ANSWER: C
