The last week of December has been full of important updates that are especially relevant for NDA exam aspirants. From major government projects like the Ken-Betwa Link Project to advancements in space technology and sustainability, these topics can play a crucial role in your exam preparation. This blog covers all the key highlights you need to know, including national developments, global updates, and science and technology achievements. Stay informed and get a step closer to acing your NDA exam!
DECEMBER 4TH WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fisheries extension services are programs that help fishers and aquaculture stakeholders improve their skills,8 knowledge, and practices. The goal of these services is to help fishers and their communities improve their quality of life and socioeconomic conditions.
- 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.
- 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.
- HDFC Bank became the first Indian lender to execute a gold forward deal from Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). 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.
