Staying updated with current affairs is essential for competitive exams like CDSE and OTA. This week’s updates cover a wide range of topics, from the ambitious Ken-Betwa Link Project and India’s first bio-bitumen highway to global collaborations like the India-Vietnam Coast Guard exercise. These developments reflect India’s progress in infrastructure, defense, and international relations while addressing key issues such as water scarcity, renewable energy, and youth employment. Let’s dive into the key highlights of the week to stay informed and exam-ready!
DECEMBER 4TH WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS CDSE & OTA
- The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is a river interlinking initiative that transfers water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh: Purpose the project aims to address water scarcity in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region by providing water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial purposes. Components the project includes the Daudhan Dam, canals, and powerhouses. The Ken-Betwa Link Canal is 221 km long and includes a 2 km tunnel. Phases the project is implemented in two phases: Phase I: Construction of the Daudhan Dam complex and its subsidiary units. Phase II: Construction of the Lower Orr Dam, Bina Complex Project, and Kotha Barrage Benefits. The project is expected to generate significant socio-economic and ecological benefits. Approval The project received Union Cabinet approval in December 2021. About: The KBLP is India’s first initiative under the NPP, formulated in 1980 for river interlinking, implemented by Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority. It aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken River in Madhya Pradesh to the Betwa River in Uttar Pradesh, both of which are tributaries of the Yamuna.
- The PM SVAMITVA scheme, or Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology, is a program that aims to establish clear property ownership in rural areas of India: Objectives the scheme’s objectives include: Providing property ownership solutions Empowering rural households economically Reducing property-related disputes. Facilitating monetization of properties enabling bank loans providing a basis for property tax assessment.
- Implementation the scheme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department, and Survey of India. States must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Survey of India to implement the scheme. Technology the scheme uses drone technology to map land parcels and provide legal ownership cards to property owners. Progress as of December 2023, drone flying has been completed in 2.89 lakh villages, and about 1.63 crore property cards have been prepared for 1.06 lakh villages. Recently, the Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj has issued guidelines regarding the SVAMITVA scheme. The scheme was launched on the National Panchayati Raj Day (April 24). SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) scheme is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Panchayati Raj Departments, State Revenue Departments and Survey of India Aim: To provide an integrated property validation solution for rural India. It is a scheme for mapping the land parcels in rural inhabited areas using drone technology and Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS). The mapping will be done across the country in a phase-wise manner over a period of four years – from 2020 to 2024.
- SpaDeX along with 24 PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) payloads was launched on a PSLV-C60 rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh). The spacecraft was designed and realised by the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) with support of other ISRO centres. U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), Bengaluru, is lead centre of ISRO for building satellites and developing associated satellite technologies. Orbit Details: 470 km circular orbit at 55° inclination. Mission Life: Up to two years post-docking operations. Objectives: Primary: To develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft (SDX01(Chaser), and SDX02(Target)) in a low-Earth circular orbit. Secondary: Transfer of electric power between docked spacecraft and Composite spacecraft control and payload operations post-undocking. Indigenous technologies Developed Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between spacecraft. GNSS Based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor: To determine relative position and velocity of other spacecraft. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) refers to any satellite constellation that provides global positioning, navigation, and timing services. E.g. Galileo (EU) GPS (USA) etc.
- Recently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has launched the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme, which was announced in the Union budget 2024. About the Scheme: The scheme aims to provide students with internship opportunities to address youth unemployment. It seeks to provide internships to 1 crore young people over the next five years. Applicants will get a monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the government, and an additional ₹500 by companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives consisting of one year. A one-time grant of ₹6,000 will be provided upon enrollment, along with insurance coverage under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. About the Scheme: The scheme aims to provide students with internship opportunities to address youth unemployment. It seeks to provide internships to 1 crore young people over the next five years. Applicants will get a monthly stipend of ₹4,500 from the government, and an additional ₹500 by companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives consisting of one year. A one-time grant of ₹6,000 will be provided upon enrollment, along with insurance coverage under the PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana. Eligibility Criteria: Age: 21- 24 years. Education: At least Class 10th; graduates from premier institutions and professional qualifications (CA) are excluded. Employment Status: Must not be in full-time employment. Income Restriction: Family income must not exceed ₹8 lakh annually; families with government employees are ineligible. Benefits of the Scheme: Offers practical skills in real-world environment. It will provide financial support to the youngsters.
- The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 is a law in India that prohibits the marriage of people under the legal age. The Act was enacted to replace the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929. The Act’s main objectives are to: Prohibit child marriages protect and provide relief to victims. Increase punishment for those who promote, abet, or solemnize child marriages. Here are some of the Act’s key provisions: The minimum age of marriage is 18 years for females and 21 years for males. The Act applies to all Indian citizens, regardless of religion, and beyond India. The Act does not apply to the State of Jammu and Kashmir or renunciants of the Union territory of Pondicherry. The Act provides for the maintenance and residence of the female contracting party. The Act gives the court the power to issue injunctions to prohibit child marriages. The Act makes child marriages in contravention of injunction orders void. The Act provides that children conceived or begotten from child marriages are legitimate, even if the marriage is annulled by the court. The Act also provides punishment for those who perform, conduct, direct, or abet child marriages.
- China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) on the Tibetan plateau. The ambitious project aims to produce 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually, more than tripling the capacity of the Three Gorges Dam, the current world leader in hydropower. Course of the river Brahmaputra. The Brahmaputra, originating in Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo, flows through India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Assam before entering Bangladesh and emptying into the Bay of Bengal. As a perennial river, it sustains communities through irrigation, fisheries, and inland transport. While it enriches agriculture by depositing fertile alluvial soil, its lower course poses challenges with recurring, devastating floods in Assam and Bangladesh due to climatic and geographical conditions. China is constructing the dam in Medog County, Tibet Autonomous Region, where the Yarlung Tsangpo drops 2,000 meters, creating ideal hydropower conditions. The project is part of China’s renewable energy initiatives, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 while promoting regional development in Tibet. The project, costing $137 billion, is part of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) and Long-Range Objectives through 2035.
- The average monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) in India for 2023-24 is estimated to be: Rural: Rs 4,122 Urban: Rs 6,996. These estimates do not include the value of items that households receive for free through social welfare programs. Here are some other findings from the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES): Non-food items contribute the most to the average monthly expenditure, accounting for 53% in rural areas and 60% in urban areas. The gap between urban and rural MPCE has decreased from 84% in 2011-12 to 70% in 2023-24. The increase in average MPCE in 2023-24 was the highest for the bottom 5% to 10% of India’s population, both in rural and urban areas. In real terms, the average rural Monthly Per Capita Expenditure or MPCE rose 3.53% over 2022-23 levels to ₹2,079 and grew at a fractionally slower pace of 3.48% for urban households to ₹6,996.
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday (January 1, 2024) said that disposal of the toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal will not have a negative impact on the environment in Pithampur where it is to be incinerated.
- The H-1B is a visa in the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act section 101(a)(15)(H), that allows United States employers to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. It is the largest visa category in the United States in terms of guest worker numbers. A “specialty occupation,” as defined by the Act, requires the application of specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience. The duration of stay is three years, extendable to six years, after which the visa holder can reapply. There exist congressionally mandated caps limiting the number of H-1B visas that can be issued each fiscal year to 65,000. An additional 20,000 visas can be issued to those graduating with a master’s degrees or a higher qualification from a U.S. college or university. An employer must sponsor individuals for the visa.
- Fisheries extension services are programs that help fishers and aquaculture stakeholders improve their skills, knowledge, and practices. The goal of these services is to help fishers and their communities improve their quality of life and socioeconomic conditions. Fisheries extension services help fishers by: Transferring knowledge. Providing guidance on water quality, disease control, rearing technologies, and species lifecycle management. Building capacity training fishers on sustainable practices and promoting fisheries as a viable business model Addressing challenges helping fishers address challenges posed by climate change and overfishing through conservation and regenerative management facilitating access to modern technologies. Helping fishers access modern technologies. Fisheries extension services are important because they help bridge the gap between scientific advancements and fish farmers’ daily operations. Fisheries extension services can be carried out through extension agencies and extension agents. Extension education can be carried out through higher level institutions like State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs).
- Prime Minister Modi paid an official visit to Kuwait marking a historic moment in India-Kuwait relations. The last Indian prime minister to visit Kuwait was Indira Gandhi in 1981. Key Highlights. Strategic Partnership: India and Kuwait agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of defense was signed, aiming to strengthen ties through joint military exercises, training, coastal defense, and maritime safety. Both the nations signed the Executive Program on Cooperation in the Field of Sports for 2025-2028. It will strengthen cooperation in the area of sports. Constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakh). Indian workers top the private sector as well as the domestic sector workforce list. Trade relations: Kuwait remains one of India’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade valued at $10.47 billion in the financial year 2023-24. Medical Cooperation: An MoU on Medical Cooperation was signed in 2012, with a Joint Working Group set up to review progress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kuwait supplied over 425 metric tons of liquid medical oxygen, oxygen concentrators, ventilators etc.
- Recently, India’s first bio-bitumen national highway was inaugurated in Nagpur district of Maharashtra. The 1 km stretch of Nagpur-Mansar National Highway project has been made using asphalt mixed with 15% bio-bitumen.
- This is the country’s first national highway built with bitumen obtained from a crop residue called lignin. Pune-based Biotech Company Praj Industries and Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) have jointly constructed this road. Bio-bitumen road construction will: – Reduce construction costs Create jobs Reduce pollution caused by burning stubble. What is bio-bitumen? Bio-bitumen is a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based bitumen. It is free from petroleum. It is also known as bio-asphalt. Production: – It is produced from organic materials such as bio-char, vegetable oils, crop stubble, algae, lignin and similar substances. Utility: – Depending on the source material and production methods, bio-bitumen may have a lower environmental impact than conventional bitumen. Bio-bitumen production uses renewable resources, promoting more renewable resources for road construction. Bio-bitumen road is 40% more sustainable than conventional asphalt road.
- INS Surat is a stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy: Features The INS Surat is the fourth and final ship of the Visakhapatnam class, which is part of Project 15B. It’s the first AI-enabled warship of the Indian Navy, and is equipped with advanced weapons and sensors. Armament the INS Surat has a variety of weapons, including:16 Brahmos anti-ship cruise missiles 32 Barak 8ER surface-to-air missiles. Leonardo 76mm naval gun twin 533mm torpedo launchers. Anti-submarine rocket launchers four AK-630M 30mm close-in weapon systems Two 12.7mm heavy machine guns Speed the INS Surat can reach speeds of over 30 knots (56 km/h). Construction the INS Surat was built using the block construction methodology, which involves building the hull in two different locations and joining them together. Naming the INS Surat is named after the commercial capital of Gujarat, India. The city has a rich maritime history and vessels built there in the 16th and 18th centuries were known for their longevity. Delivery the INS Surat was delivered to the Indian Navy within 31 months, making it the fastest indigenous destroyer ever built.
- The India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 was released on December 21, 2023 by the Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The report includes the following key findings: Forest and tree cover the total forest and tree cover in India is 25.17% of the country’s geographical area, which is an increase from 24.62% in 2021. This includes 21.76% forest cover and 3.41% tree cover. Mangrove cover the total mangrove cover in India is 4,992 sq km, which is a decrease of 7.43 sq km from 2021. Bamboo bearing area the estimated bamboo bearing area in India is 1,54,670 sq km, which is an increase of 5,227 sq km from 2021. Carbon stock India’s carbon stock has reached 30.43 Bt of CO2 equivalent, which is 2.29 Bt more than 2005. States with the most forest and tree cover. The top three states with the largest forest and tree cover are Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra. States with the most increase in forest and tree cover. The top four states with the most increase in forest and tree cover are Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) was originally called the Pre-Investment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR) when it was established in 1965. It was reorganized as the FSI in 1981.
- Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro Limited for procurement of 155 mm/52 calibre K9 VAJRA-T Self-Propelled Tracked Artillery Guns for the Indian Army under Buy (Indian) category at a total cost of Rs 7,628.70 crore. The contract was signed by senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of L&T in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh in South Block, New Delhi on December 20, 2024. The procurement of K9 VAJRA-T will catalyse the artillery modernisation and enhance overall operational readiness of the Indian Army. This versatile artillery gun, with its cross-country mobility, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the firepower of the Indian Army, enabling deeper strike with precision and its lethal firepower will bolster the capability of artillery in all terrains. The gun being equipped with cutting-edge technology is capable of delivering long-range lethal fires with high accuracy & higher rate of fire and will be able to operate in sub-zero temperature in high-altitude areas to its full potential. The project will generate an employment of more than nine lakh man-days over a period of four years and encourage active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs. The project will be a proud flag-bearer of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in consonance with the ‘Make-in-India’ initiative. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) conducted a joint sea exercise on December 20, 2024, off the coast of Kochi, Kerala: Exercise name the exercise was called “Sahayog-Hop Tac”. Objectives the exercise aimed to improve maritime security, enhance interoperability, and strengthen coordination in search and rescue operations. It also focused on developing responses to environmental hazards, such as oil spills, and combating drug trafficking. Activities the exercise included various scenarios, such as pollution response, search and rescue, and counter-drug operations. The ICG also showcased its expertise in pollution response, external fire fighting, and medical evacuation. Other activities the visit also included beach clean-up activities, sports exchanges, and a friendly volleyball match. Farewell the ICG bid a ceremonial farewell to the visiting VCG ship and escorted it till territorial waters. The exercise was a centerpiece of a four-day visit by the Vietnam Coast Guard ship CSB 8005 to Kochi. The visit strengthened the partnership between the two coast guards and underscored the growing maritime security partnership between India and Vietnam.
- HDFC Bank became the first Indian lender to execute a gold forward deal from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). HDFC Bank Carries Out First Gold Forward Deal from GIFT City. The deal was executed by HDFC BANK GIFT City IBU in collaboration with Hindustan Platinum Pvt. Ltd., a global refiner and manufacturer of high purity precious metal products and industrial services. Anahat Singh Clinches Western India Slam 2024 Squash Title, Wins Ninth PSA Challenger of the Year. Anahat Singh won her ninth PSA Challenger title this year by winning the West India Slam 2024 women’s singles title, defeating Akanksha Salunkhe 3-0.
