Current Affairs - December 22, 2024 Current Affairs

Tata Power Renewable Energy has partnered with Canara Bank to offer affordable loans for rooftop solar installations as part of the PM Surya Ghar Scheme. This initiative provides financing options with favorable terms, including low-interest rates and long repayment periods, for systems ranging from up to 3 kW to 10 kW capacity. The collaboration aims to promote clean energy adoption, supporting India’s renewable energy targets and enabling residential customers to transition to sustainable energy solutions.

The 2025 Para Athletics World Championships will be hosted in New Delhi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This marks the first time India is hosting this prestigious event, scheduled from September 26 to October 5, 2025. Additionally, Delhi will also host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix earlier in the year, from March 11 to 13, 2025. The event's 12th edition being held in New Delhi signifies India's growing importance in the global sports arena.

Rajya Sabha nominated 12 members to the joint committee tasked with examining the "One Nation, One Election" proposal. This nomination brings the total membership of the joint committee to 39, including 27 members from the Lok Sabha and 12 from the Rajya Sabha. The nominated members include prominent figures such as Ghanshyam Tiwari, Bhubaneshwar Kalita, and Sanjay Singh, reflecting a balanced representation to deliberate on this significant electoral reform initiative.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $350 million policy-based loan agreement with the Government of India under the second subprogram of the Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) initiative. This loan aims to enhance India's logistics sector through reforms, infrastructure development, and digital integration, contributing to the efficiency of logistics, strengthening the manufacturing sector, and promoting sustainable economic growth. The agreement involves stakeholders such as the Department of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties on IndusInd Bank (₹27.3 lakh) and Manappuram Finance (₹20 lakh) due to non-compliance with regulatory norms. Inspections revealed deficiencies, such as the opening of savings accounts for ineligible entities by IndusInd Bank and failure to verify customer PANs or assign Unique Customer Identification Codes by Manappuram Finance. These actions highlight the importance of strict adherence to RBI’s regulatory guidelines.

The first-ever World Meditation Day will be celebrated on December 21, 2024. This day was established following a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly on November 29, 2024. The theme for the day is "Meditation for Global Peace and Harmony," which reflects the vision of meditation as a tool to connect individuals and nations. The celebrations aim to highlight the mental, physical, and social benefits of meditation while fostering peace, unity, and collective well-being globally. Prominent figures like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will lead global meditation sessions.

The Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary is located in Assam, a state known for its rich biodiversity, including approximately 950 bird species. A study conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 revealed a 72% decline in bird species count over 27 years, dropping from 167 species in 1997 to 47 species. The major causes include overfishing, poaching, and habitat degradation. Assam's unique ecosystems underscore the need for urgent conservation efforts to restore the sanctuary's biodiversity.

UltraTech Cement, a flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, received approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for its ₹3,954-crore acquisition of India Cements Ltd (ICL). This strategic deal involves a significant stake acquisition, including shares from ICL promoters and associates, to enhance UltraTech’s market presence in the southern cement market, especially in Tamil Nadu. The acquisition aligns with UltraTech’s growth strategy to expand its installed capacity and strengthen its position as a global leader in the cement industry.

ICICI Bank partnered with Times Internet to introduce the ‘Times Black ICICI Bank Credit Card,’ a super-premium co-branded card targeting high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) in India. Designed with a unique metallic finish, it incorporates exclusive benefits such as global lounge access, concierge services, and a rewards program, catering to the luxurious lifestyle of affluent customers.

National Mathematics Day is celebrated annually on December 22, marking the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, a mathematical genius from India. Ramanujan made significant contributions to mathematics, including his work in number theory and infinite series. This day, established in 2012 by Dr Manmohan Singh, highlights the importance of mathematics in everyday life and honours Ramanujan’s lasting legacy, whose brilliance continues to inspire mathematicians worldwide.