CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.

in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

INDEX OF CURRENT AFFAIRS

SERIAL NO. SECTION/TOPIC PAGE NO

1) AWARDS/MEDALS/HONORS/PRIZE 3

2) REPORTS /INDEX/COMMITTEE/SURVEY/STUDY 8

3) GOVT. SCHEMES/PORTAL /APPS/INITIATIVES 10

4) ECONOMY/BANKING 12

5) DEFENCE NEWS / MILITARY EXERCISE 13

6) ENVIRONMENT 15

7) INTERNATIONAL NEWS 18

8) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 20

9) SPORTS 21

10) IMPORTANTS DATES & EVENTS 22

11) PERSONS IN NEWS 24

12) PLACES IN NEWS – SUMMITS/CONFERENCE 26

13) STATES IN NEWS 28

14) BOOKS 29

15) MISCELLANEOUS 30

Copyright © by OneClass.in (MissionCAPFHub)

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission of OneClass.in (MissionCAPFHub).

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 2

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

AWARDS/MEDALS/HONORS/PRIZE
 Sahitya Akademi has announced its annual Sahitya Akademi Awards in 24 languages. 9 books of
poetry, 6 of novel, 5 of short stories, 3 Essays and 1 Literary Study have won the Sahitya Akademi
Awards 2023.
Sahitya Academy 2023 Awardees:
Category Awardees
Poetry Vijay Verma (Dogri), Vinod Joshi (Gujarati), Manshoor Banihali (Kashmiri),
Sorokkhaibam Gambhini (Manipuri), Ashutosh Parida (Odia), Swarnjit Savi (Punjabi),
Gaje Singh Rajpurohit (Rajasthani), Arun Ranjan Mishra (Sanskrit) and Vinod Asudani
(Sindhi)
Novel Swapnamay Chakrabarti (Bengali), Neelum Saran Gour (English), Sanjeev (Hindi),
Krushnat Khot (Marathi), Rajasekaran (Devibharathi) (Tamil) and Sadiqua Nawab
Saher (Urdu)
Short Pranavjyoti Deka (Assamese), Nandeswar Daimari (Bodo), Prakash S. Parienkar
Stories (Konkani), Taraceen Baskey (Turia Chand Baskey) (Santali) and T. Patanjali Sastry
(Telugu)
Essays Lakshmisha Tolpadi (Kannada), Basukinath Jha (Maithili) and Judhabir Rana (Nepali)
Literary E.V. Ramakrishnan (Malayalam)
Studies

About Sahitya Akademi Award:

1. The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of the most
outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the 22 languages of the 8th Schedule to the
Indian constitution as well as in English and Rajasthani language.
2. Established in 1954, the award comprises a plaque and a cash prize of ₹ 1, 00,000.
3. The plaque awarded by the Sahitya Akademi was designed by the Indian film-maker Satyajit Ray.
4. The Sahitya Akademi award is the second-highest literary honour by the Government of India, after
the Jnanpith award.
5. Other Sahitya Akademi Awards: Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar is given to an author based
on his/her total contribution to children literature and relates to books first published during the five
years immediately preceding the year of Award. Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar relates to books
published by an author of the age of 35 and below.

 Iceland’s Leif Erikson Lunar Prize: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been
honored with the prestigious Leif Erikson Lunar Prize in recognition of its groundbreaking
Chandrayaan-3 mission. The award, presented by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland,
acknowledges ISRO’s exceptional contributions to lunar exploration and understanding celestial
phenomena.
About Leif Erikson Lunar Prize:
1. The Leif Erikson Awards, sometimes referred to as the Exploration Awards, are awarded annually
by the Exploration Museum in Húsavík, Iceland, for achievements in exploration and for work in the
field of exploration history.
2. They are awarded in three categories; (1)To an explorer for a lifetime achievement in exploration;
(2)To a young explorer under the age of 35 for achievements in exploration; and (3)To a person or an
organization that has worked to promote and preserve exploration history.
3. The award was first awarded in 2015.
4. The awards are named for Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, considered as the first European to land
in North America.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 3

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Title of ISAE Fellow 2023: Dr P. Indira Devi, ICAR Emeritus Professor at Kerala Agricultural
University, is conferred with title of ISAE Fellow 2023, by the Indian Society of Agricultural
Economics during its 83rd Annual Conference held at Odisha University of Agriculture and
Technology recently. Currently, Dr Indira Devi serves as the Director of Kerala State Farmers’
Welfare Board and is an ICAR Emeritus Professor at the Kerala Agricultural University. She has
an illustrious background working across critical roles encompassing agricultural economics, rural
development and extension activities.
About ISAE Fellow:
1. The title is in recognition of the outstanding achievements in the field of agricultural economics and
rural development.
2. It is awarded by a distinguished panel of agricultural economists.
3. Indian Society of Agricultural Economics is one of the oldest professional societies in India established
in 1939.

 National Sports Awards 2023: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announces National Sports
Awards 2023. 26 Sports persons will receive Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports
and Games 2023.
A. 26 Arjun Awards:
Shri Ojas Pravin Deotale Ms Divyakriti Singh (Equestrian Shri Aishwary Pratap Singh
(Archery) Dressage) Tomar (Shooting)
Ms Aditi Gopichand Swami Ms Diksha Dagar (Golf) Ms Esha Singh (Shooting)
(Archery)
Shri Sreeshankar M Shri Krishan Bahadur Pathak Shri Harinder Pal Singh
(Athletics) (Golf) Sandhu (Squash)
Ms Parul Chaudhary Ms Pukhrambam Sushila Chanu Ms Ayhika Mukherjee (Table
(Athletics) (Hockey) Tennis)
Shri Mohameed Shri Pawan Kumar (Kabaddi) Shri Sunil Kumar (Wrestling)
Hussamuddin (Boxing)
Ms R Vaishali (Chess) Ms Ritu Negi (Kabaddi) Ms Antim (Wrestling)
Shri Mohammed Shami Ms Nasreen (kho-Kho) Ms Naorem Roshibina Devi
(Cricket) (Wush)
Shri Anush Agarwalla Ms Pinki (Lawn Bowls) Ms Sheetal Devi
(Equestrian) (ParaArchery)
Shri Illuri Ajay Kumar Ms Prachi Yadav (Para Canoeing)
Reddy (Blind Cricket)

B. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2023:

Sr Awardees Sport
1 Shri Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty Badminton
2 Shri Rankireddy Satwik Sai Raj Badminton

1. Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2023 had awarded to 5 coaches
namely in regular category: Shri Lalit Kumar: Wrestling, Shri R. B. Ramesh: Chess, Shri Maheveer
Prasad Saini: Para Athletics, Shri Shivendra Singh: Hockey, Ganesh Prabhakar Devrukhkar:
Mallakhamb.
2. Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2023 had awarded to 3 coaches
in lifetime category namely: Shri Jaskirat Singh Grewal: Golf, Shri Bhaskaran E: Kabaddi, Shri

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 4

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

Jayanta Kumar Pushilal: Table Tennis.

3. Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime achievement in Sports and Games 2023: Ms Manjusha Kanwar:
Badminton, Shri Vineet Kumar Sharma: Hockey and Ms Kavitha Selvaraj: Kabaddi.
4. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2023: Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar:
Overall winner university, Lovely Professional University Punjab: 1st runner up University and
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra: 2nd runner up University.

About National Sports Awards:

1. The National Sports Awards is the collective name given to the six sports awards namely: Maulana
Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Dhyan
Chand Award and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar.
2. It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. They are presented by the
President of India in the same ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
3. Since 2004, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award is also given alongside the other sports
awards as follows.
Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2022: 1. Late Ms Savita Kanswal (Land Adventure) 2.
Shri Tulsi Chaitanya Mothukuri (Water Adventure) 3. Shri Anshu Kumar Tiwari (Air Adventure)
4. Shri Parveen Singh (Life time Achievement)

 Time Magazine’s Person of The Year for 2023: Taylor Swift Named Time Magazine’s Person of
The Year for 2023. This recognition comes on the heels of her title as the most-played artist on
Spotify, underscoring the widespread impact of her music and influence.

 Time Magazine ‘Athlete of the Year’ For 2023: Time Magazine Names Lionel Messi ‘Athlete of
the Year’ For 2023. This prestigious honor comes on the heels of Messi’s historic eighth Ballon d’Or
win, solidifying his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time.

 “Outstanding Contribution to Brand India” award: The Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO) and the Chandrayaan-3 team were recently honored with the “Outstanding Contribution to
Brand India” award at the 19th India Business Leader Awards (IBLA), held in Mumbai.

 The 4th edition of the Asian Awards in Riyadh: Indian para archer Sheetal Devi emerged victorious
at the fourth edition of the Asian Awards in Riyadh securing the prestigious title of Best Youth
Athlete. The Asian Awards, organized by the Asian Paralympic Committee, is a ceremony dedicated
to honoring outstanding achievements of Asian para athletes and officials.

 UN Global Climate Action Awards: Amidst the global efforts to combat climate change, two
remarkable individuals, Michelle Zárate Palomec from Mexico and Sebastian Mwaura from
Kenya, are set to be honored as winners of the UN Global Climate Action Awards. Their outstanding
contributions, aimed at creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities, will be celebrated
during the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai.

 National Award for ‘Best Personality- Empowerment of Differently-abled': In a ceremony

organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Prashant Agrawal, the
President of Narayan Seva Sansthan, was honored with the prestigious National Award for ‘Best
Personality- Empowerment of Differently-abled.’ The award was presented by President Draupadi
Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The event highlighted Agrawal’s commitment to the cause of
disability empowerment.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 5

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US government for 2023: Indian social activist
Nikhil Dey has been honored as an International Anti-Corruption Champion by the US government
for 2023. This recognition highlights his decades-long commitment to empowering peasants and
workers while exposing corruption in the delivery of government services. Dey is the co-founder
of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS), a Rajasthan-based organization at the forefront
of transparency and anti-corruption movements in India.

 “Order of Merit of the Italian Republic” (Merito della Repubblica Italiana): Veteran actor Kabir
Bedi was awarded the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Merito della Repubblica Italiana), the
highest Italian civilian award.
About award:
1. Established in 1951, it is the highest-ranking honour of the Italian Republic.
2. It is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public
service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service
in civilian and military careers.
3. The post-nominal letters for the order are OMRI.

 The 33rd Vyas Samman: The literary world is set to celebrate as the 33rd Vyas Samman, 2023, is
announced to honor the accomplished Hindi writer Pushpa Bharati for her 2016 memoir, "Yaadein,
Yaadein aur Yaadein." This prestigious award is bestowed by the KK Birla Foundation, recognizing
outstanding contributions to Hindi literature.
About Vyas Samman:
1. The Vyas Samman is a literary award in India, first awarded in 1991.
2. It is awarded annually by the K.K. Birla Foundation and includes a cash payout of Rs 4,00,000.
3. To be eligible for the award, the literary work must be in the Hindi language and have been published
in the past 10 years.

 Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award 2023: The veteran lyricist-screenwriter Javed Akhtar is
set to be honored with the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming 9th Ajanta-
Ellora International Film Festival to be held in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

 2023 REACH Game Changing Innovator award: Dr. Atul Shah, a plastic surgeon, has been
honored with the 2023 REACH Game Changing Innovator award for his groundbreaking contribution
to leprosy care. Three decades ago, Dr. Shah devised a simple surgery technique, ‘One in Four
Lasso,’ to address deformities in leprosy patients. His journey took a transformative turn when he
observed the challenges of managing unhealed foot wounds.

 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2023: Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace 2023 jointly conferred upon
renowned classical pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim and Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu.
About Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace:
1. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development award has been conferred every
year since 1986 by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust in honor of Indira Gandhi, the former Prime
Minister of India.
2. The award recognizes individuals or organizations for their exceptional contributions in three
categories of international peace, disarmament, and development.
3. The prize is awarded annually and is considered one of the highest honors in the field of peace and
development.
4. It consists of a monetary award of 25 lakh rupees along with a citation.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 6

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education: In a significant recognition of her
outstanding contributions to chemistry education, Professor Savita Ladage from Mumbai’s Homi
Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, has been awarded the
prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education. Her unwavering dedication
to advancing chemistry education in India and mentoring fellow educators has placed her among
the esteemed winners of this accolade.

 The 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) concluded with a momentous highlight as the
Israeli film ‘Children of Nobody’ secured the prestigious Golden Royal Bengal Tiger Award for
Best Film. Inspired by a true story, this compassionate Israeli drama sheds light on the often unnoticed
and uncared-for individuals on the periphery of society.

 Bhutan’s National Order of Merit (NOM) Gold Medal: Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, the
Regional Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) South-East Asia, has been honored
with Bhutan’s National Order of Merit (NOM) Gold Medal. The prestigious award was presented by
Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the Druk Gyalpo (dragon king) of Bhutan, during the
celebration of Bhutan’s 116th National Day on December 17, 2023, in Thimphu, Bhutan.

 SASTRA Ramanujan Awards 2022 and 2023: In a prestigious ceremony at the SASTRA campus in
Kumbakonam, the SASTRA-Ramanujan Awards for 2022 and 2023 were bestowed upon
mathematicians Yunqing Tang and Ruixiang Zhang, both affiliated with the University of
California in Berkeley. The awards, instituted by SASTRA in 2005, honor individuals under the
age of 32 who have made remarkable contributions to the field of mathematics.

 UNESCO’s Prix Versailles 2023 for ‘world’s most beautiful airports': In a recent announcement
from UNESCO’s Prix Versailles 2023, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA)
Terminal 2 (T2) has achieved global acclaim, being recognized as one of the ‘world’s most beautiful
airports.’ The world judges panel, chaired by renowned fashion designer Elie Saab, bestowed this
honor, making it the sole Indian airport to receive such esteemed recognition.

 6th Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize: The renowned Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize has
named poet-critic Sukrita Paul Kumar as its sixth recipient for her book, “Salt & Pepper: Selected
Poems”. Founded in 2018 by US-based publisher Peter Bundalo, the Rabindranath Tagore Literary
Prize has established itself as a valuable platform for celebrating literary excellence and championing
human rights and world peace.

 “Man of the Year-2023″ award: Mr. L.P. Hemanth K. Srinivasulu, the newly appointed Director
of the Latin America and Caribbean Trade Council, was bestowed with the prestigious "Man of the
Year-2023" award. The honor, presented by Shri Amit Shah, the Home Minister of India, serves
as recognition of Mr. Hemanth’s outstanding contributions to trade diplomacy and global economic
relations. Mr. Hemanth has recently received several accolades, including an International Award
from the Indo-African Trade Council, an Appreciation of Service Award from James Marape,
the President of Papua New Guinea, and the Trade Excellence Award from the Cuban Ministry.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 7

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

REPORTS /INDEX/COMMITTEE/SURVEY/STUDY
 Quality of Living Index 2023 by Mercer: Hyderabad secured first position followed by Pune in
India. At global level their ranking is 153rd and 154th respectively. At global level Vienna, Zurich
and Vancouver received the 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively.

 World Bank's Report on Global Remittances: According to the latest report from the World Bank,
India is set to become the largest recipient of remittances, with inflows expected to increase by
12.4% to $125 billion in 2023, constituting 3.4% of the country’s gross domestic product. India is
followed by Mexico, China and Philippines.

 2023 World Malaria Report: In the recently published 2023 World Malaria Report by the World
Health Organization (WHO), it was revealed that India accounted for a staggering 66% of malaria
cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2022. Notably, almost half of all cases in the region
(46%) were attributed to Plasmodium vivax, a protozoal parasite and the primary cause of
recurring malaria.
About Malaria disease:
1. Malaria is disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite.
2. This parasite is transmitted to humans through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
3. Malaria is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including sub-Saharan
Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America.
4. While Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more deaths, Plasmodium vivax is the most
widespread of all of the malaria species.
5. Till now, no malaria vaccine has shown the benchmark efficacy of 75% set by WHO.
6. Only vaccine with 30 to 40% efficacy is RTS,S or Mosquirix developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK),
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation etc. In India it is manufactured by Bharat Biotech.

 United Nations said Agriculture is took 40% share of Impacted economic sectors due to Global
Climate change. This report, released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) adds
significant weight to the ongoing discussions at the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Dubai, UAE.

 Global Drought Snapshot: The recently launched report by the UN Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) 'Global Drought Snapshot' highlights the urgent need for global resilience
towards droughts. The report reveals alarming statistics, including severe drought conditions in
China, food insecurity in the Horn of Africa, and reduced crop production in Brazil-Argentina.

 NCRB Report on Farmer Suicide 2022: India saw 11,290 suicides in the farming sector in 2022. Of
these victims, 5,207 were farmers and 6,083 were agricultural labourers.
Findings of Report:
1. Between 2018 and 2022, India saw a steady increase in farm suicides, barring 2019, when there
was a decline. In the two years after the Covid-19 pandemic, suicides by agricultural labourers far
outnumbered those by farmers.
2. The report showed that in 2022, India saw 11,290 suicides in the farming sector, a 3.75 per cent rise
from the 10,881 suicides reported in 2021.
3. The NCRB report does not specify its definition of farmers and agricultural labourers. The trend of
more farm labourer suicides than farmer suicides began only after 2020.
4. Farm suicide constitutes around 7-8 per cent of the total suicides reported in the country.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 8

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Maharashtra reports around 37-38 per cent of the entire farm suicides in the country, with better
reporting in the state being said to be one of the reasons for the high numbers. Vidharbha and
Marathwada district report most of the suicides in the state.

 NCRB Annual Report: Recently the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released annual
comprehensive reports on crime in India, offering insights into various offenses and trends.
Findings of report:
1. Overall Crime Statistics: In 2022, India reported a total of 58,24,946 cognizable crimes, comprising
35,61,379 Indian Penal Code (IPC) crimes and 22,63,567 Special & Local Laws (SLL) crimes. This
represented a 4.5% decline in the registration of cases compared to 2021.
2. Crime Rate: The crime rate, indicating crimes registered per lakh population, decreased from 445.9
in 2021 to 422.2 in 2022, offering a more nuanced view than absolute numbers.
3. Crimes Against Women: There was a 4% increase in crimes against women, with 4,45,256 cases
registered. The majority of crimes fell under categories such as ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’
(31.4%) and ‘Kidnapping & Abduction of Women’ (19.2%).
4. Cyber Crimes: Reporting of cyber crimes surged by 24.4%, reaching 65,893 cases. Fraud accounted
for 64.8% of registered cases, followed by extortion (5.5%) and sexual exploitation (5.2%).
5. Suicides: The report noted a 4.2% increase in reported suicides in 2022 (1,70,924 suicides). ‘Family
Problems,’ ‘Marriage Related Problems,’ and ‘Illness’ constituted 54.9% of total suicides.

 NITI Aayog releases the 1st Delta Ranking of ABP: Tiriyani Block of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad
district, Telangana secured the top position in the first delta rankings of Aspirational Blocks
Programme (ABP) announced by NITI Aayog today. The second position was bagged by Kaushambi
block of Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh. The rankings were announced in a virtual event at NITI
Aayog which saw participation of 329 districts and 500 aspirational blocks from across the country.
In a novel initiative, the top rankers of ABP and ADP will be displayed on the Wall Fall made at NITI
Aayog.

 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024: India's secured 7th position in recently released
Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024 underscoring its notable role and contribution in the
ongoing global efforts aimed at mitigating climate change. It is published by Germanwatch, the New
Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network International. It indicates the climate mitigation
efforts of 63 countries and the EU, which collectively account for over 90% of global greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions. Denmark claimed the 4th spot, Estonia followed in 5th place, and the
Philippines secured the 6th position among the top ranks (Top 3 positions remains vacant).

 Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023: The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported
a 5% decrease in annual road traffic deaths worldwide from 2010 to 2021, totaling 1.19 million
fatalities. However, India experienced a concerning 15% increase in fatalities during the same
period.

 Global ranking among the highest-funded geographies in 2023: India, once a powerhouse in the
global startup ecosystem, has experienced a significant downturn in its funding trajectory, slipping
to the fourth position in the global ranking among the highest-funded geographies in 2023. This
decline comes after securing the third spot in both 2021 and 2022. After consecutively holding the
third position, India finds itself behind the US, the UK, and China in 2023, receiving a meager $7
billion in total funding, according to data from Tracxn.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 9

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

GOVT. SCHEMES/PORTAL /APPS/INITIATIVES

 "DIGI-PHARMed": Pharmacy Council of India to launch revamped "DIGI-PHARMed" application.
The revamped "DIGI-PHARMed" Portal is cloud-based application to provide end-to-end services
to Pharmacy institutions/Pharmacist/Pharmacy student/Pharmacist jobseeker. Pharmacy Council of
India comes under ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 “Gram Manchitra” App: Ministry of Panchayati Raj had launched the Geographic Information
System (GIS) application “Gram Manchitra.” This application facilitates and supports Gram
Panchayats to perform planning at Gram Panchayat level using geo-spatial technology. It provides
a single/ unified Geo Spatial platform to better visualize the various developmental works to be taken
up across the different sectors and provide a decision support system for Gram Panchayat Development
Plan (GPDP). Ministry has also launched mActionSoft, a mobile based solution to help in
capturing photos with Geo-Tags (i.e. GPS Coordinates)

 ‘India’s fastest’ solar-electric boat Barracuda launched at the Navgathi Panavally Yard in
Alappuzha (kerala).
About boat Barracuda:
1. It is engineered to navigate through waves as tall as four metres and operates without noise, vibration
and air pollution. Named after the swift, long fish, Barracuda.
2. It was designed by Navalt and can be deployed even in the rough seas as a workboat to ferry up to 12
passengers and cargo.
3. The 14-metre-long, 4.4-metre-wide vessel can attain a top speed of 12.5 knots (23 kmph) and has a
range of seven hours on a single charge.
4. It has twin 50 kW electric motors, a marine-grade LFP battery, and 6 kW solar power, epitomising
efficient and clean energy usage.

 National Geoscience Data Repository Portal: Ministry of Mines is to launch the National Geoscience
Data Repository (NGDR) Portal. NGDR is a comprehensive online platform for accessing, sharing,
and analyzing geospatial information across the nation.
About Geological Survey of India:
1. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the
Railways.
2. GSI’s core competence in survey and mapping is continuously enhanced through accretion,
management, coordination and utilization of spatial databases (including those acquired through
remote sensing).
3. It functions as a ‘Repository’ for the purpose and uses the latest computer-based technologies for
dissemination of geoscientific information and spatial data, through cooperation and collaboration
with other stakeholders in the Geo-informatics sector.
4. GSI, headquartered in Kolkata, has six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur,
Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata and state unit offices in almost all states of the country.
5. GSI is an attached office of the Ministry of Mines.

 CISF will be the force who gives protection to Indian Parliament: The decision was taken after an
inquiry committee formed following the December 13 Parliament security breach found that there
were lapses at the security entrance, especially during the frisking of visitors. (On 13 December 2001
the terrorist attack happened on Indian Parliament Building).

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 10

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 French President Emmanuel Macron to Grace India’s Republic Day: In a testament to the enduring
friendship between India and France, President Emmanuel Macron is set to be the chief guest at the
Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. This marks the sixth instance of a French leader gracing
this prestigious occasion, highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship.

 ‘Bhashini’: In a groundbreaking move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi utilized an AI-powered

Indian language translation tool, ‘Bhashini’, during a recent speech in Uttar Pradesh. Bhashini’
operates as an AI-driven language translation system, facilitating conversations between speakers
of different Indian languages.

 Gajraj System: The Indian Railways has initiated a pioneering step towards wildlife conservation
by deploying the “Gajraj system,” an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based solution designed to prevent
elephant fatalities on railway tracks. This surveillance system is being implemented along a 700-
kilometer stretch in forest areas to alert locomotive pilots of elephants’ presence on the tracks,
thereby mitigating the risk of collisions.

 India has unveiled the world’s first portable disaster hospital, Aarogya Maitri Cube, a
groundbreaking facility in Gurugram that can be airlifted and consists of 72 cubes. This extraordinary
endeavor is a component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious “Project BHISHM” (Bharat
Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri), unveiled in February 2022.

 The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated the Muslim League Jammu Kashmir
(Masarat Alam faction) as an “unlawful association” for a five-year period under the anti-terror
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). As a response to these concerns, the outfit was officially
declared an unlawful association under Section 3 (3) of the UAPA, with the designation set to last
for five years.

 Bharat GPT: Reliance Jio is launching the 'Bharat GPT' program in collaboration with IIT-Bombay,
aiming to leverage large language models and generative Al to transform sectors in India.
Bharat GPT: (launched earlier):
CoRover.ai, in collaboration with Google Cloud as its technology partner, launch of BharatGPT, an
Indigenous generative Al platform meticulously tailored for the Indians.

 'Paat-Mitro' App: Ministry of Textiles launches “Paat-Mitro” application to facilitate jute farmers.
The application is designed by the Jute Corporation of India which provides MSP information to
40 lakh jute farmer families. Farmers will also be able to track status of their payments for the raw
jute sold to JCI under MSP Operation.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 11

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

ECONOMY/BANKING
 eSvarna: IndusInd Bank has launched a pathbreaking new corporate credit card – eSvarna – on
the RuPay network. It is India’s first corporate credit card that allows linking with UPI apps for
payments. The card offers comprehensive features tailored to frequent business travellers.

 Unemployment Trends in Indian States: In the recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), concerning data has emerged regarding
unemployment rates in the age group of 15 to 29 years. Himachal Pradesh stands out with the highest
overall unemployment rate at 33.9%. Rajasthan closely follows with a rate of 30.2%.
National Overview: The overall unemployment rate in the 15-29 age group in urban areas across the
country is 17.3%, with females experiencing a higher rate of 22.9% compared to males at 15.5%.
This data provides a snapshot of the employment landscape, highlighting the challenges faced by
the youth in various states.

 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved the release of the second tranche, amounting
to approximately $337 million, under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) to Sri Lanka.
About International Monetary Fund (IMF):
1. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an
international financial institution funded by 190 member countries (India is founding member of
IMF) with headquarters in Washington, D.C. on 27 December 1945.
2. It is regarded as the global lender of last resort to national governments, and a leading supporter of
exchange-rate stability.
3. Its stated mission is "working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability,
facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce
poverty around the world."
4. It now plays a central role in the management of balance of payments difficulties (providing short-
term capital to aid the balance of payments) and international financial crises.
5. Through a quota system, countries contribute funds to a pool from which countries can borrow if they
experience balance of payments problems.
6. The quotas are increased periodically as a means of boosting the IMF's resources in the form of
special drawing rights.
7. The current managing director (MD) and chairwoman of the IMF is Bulgarian economist
Kristalina Georgieva (Previously Indian-American economist Gita Gopinath).

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has adjusted India’s growth projection for the current financial
year, FY24, from 6.3% to a more optimistic 6.7%.
About Asian Development Bank (ADB):
1. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December
1966, which is headquartered in Philippines.
2. As of 31 December 2020, Japan and the United States each holds the largest proportion of shares
at 15.571%. China holds 6.429%, India holds 6.317%, and Australia holds 5.773%.
3. Total membership is 68.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 12

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

DEFENCE NEWS / MILITARY EXERCISE

 Indian Navy Receives Third ACTCM Barge: Third Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile
(ACTCM) Barge, LSAM 17 (Yard 127) has been Delivered to Indian Navy (IN). It is made under
“Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence. These Barges are being built under the classification
rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The availability of ACTCM Barges will provide impetus
to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating embarkation and disembarkation of articles /
ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

 Sandhayak (Yard 3025): The first of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships Sandhayak (Yard 3025), being
built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian
Navy. (Chinese research vessel, Yuan Wang 5 has the same type of capabilities and threatened India
by docking it at Hambantota port of Sri Lanka.)
About Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL):
1. The primary role of the ship would be full scale coastal and deep-water Hydrographic Survey of
Port/ Harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels/ routes. Zone of operation
includes maritime limits upto EEZ/ extended continental shelf.
2. The ships will also collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civil applications. In
their secondary role, ships will provide limited defence and function as Hospital ship during war/
emergencies.
3. With a displacement of about 3400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters, Sandhayak is fitted
with state of the art hydrographic equipment such as Data Acquisition and Processing System,
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS Long range positioning systems,
Digital side scan sonar etc.
4. Powered by two Diesel Engines, the ship is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 18 knots.
5. Sandhayak has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.

 Exercise “VINBAX-2023”: The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 45 personnel. The Indian
contingent comprises 39 personnel from an Engineer Regiment of Bengal Engineer Group and six
personnel of Army Medical Corps, reached Hanoi, Vietnam to take part in the fourth edition of
Joint Military Exercise VINBAX-2023. Exercise VINBAX was instituted in 2018 and the first
edition was conducted at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. It is an annual training event conducted
alternatively in India and Vietnam. Last edition was conducted at Chandimandir Military Station in
August 2022.

 India’s Akash Missile Achieves Global First: India has achieved a global first by demonstrating the
capability of its indigenous Akash missile system to engage four aerial targets simultaneously at a
range of 25 kilometers. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) proudly
announced this historic achievement. The remarkable feat took place during the ‘Astrashakti’
military exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force.
About Akash Missile:
1. It is a Short-range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM).
2. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), produced by Bharat
Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
3. Capable of targeting multiple threats concurrently in group or autonomous modes. Equipped to
counter enemy jamming and evasion tactics. Configured on mobile platforms for rapid deployment
and relocation.
4. Effective range of 4.5 km to 25 km, with an altitude range of 100 meters to 20 km with weight 710 kg.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 13

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Table-top exercise for ASEAN women officers: The Indian Army recently conducted a table-top
exercise (TTX) for women officers from the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This exercise, held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi as part of the ongoing joint military training
initiatives between India and ASEAN member states. The initiative is spearheaded by the Centre for
United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), reflecting a broader commitment to international cooperation
and capacity-building in the realm of peacekeeping. The exercise stands as a landmark initiative,
explicitly designed to promote gender inclusivity and elevate the capabilities of women military
personnel operating in peacekeeping environments.

 ‘Honour Run –Indian Army Veteran’s Half Marathon’: In a tribute to the historic military triumph
during the Kargil War, the Indian Army orchestrated the ‘Honour Run – Indian Army Veteran’s
Half Marathon’ in Delhi. The event, conducted under the theme ‘Honour Run,’ aimed to foster a
stronger connection between the Indian Army, veterans, and the public, especially the youth.

 INS Tarmugli: The Indian Navy is set to re-induct a refurbished 22-year-old fast attack craft, INS
Tarmugli, in a ceremonial commissioning ceremony at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. INS
Tarmugli returns to active service more than seventeen years after being gifted to the Maldives and
subsequently returned to India in May of the current year.
About INS Tarmugli:
1. INS Tarmugli is being commanded by Cdr Satpal Singh Sangwan and would operate under the Naval
Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh).
2. The 46 metre ship, named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, displaces 320-tonne
and can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.
3. Formally known as INS Tillanchang, the ship is a Trinkat Class FAC which was gifted to the
Maldivian Naval Defence Forces (MNDF) in 2006 by the Government of India.

 ‘SAMAR’ Air Defense Missile System: In a significant triumph for its indigenous design and
development capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has proudly announced the successful test
firing of its Surface to Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) air defence missile system.
This accomplishment marks a milestone for the IAF’s strategic self-reliance efforts.
About SAMAR:
1. SAMAR is a quick reaction surface-to-air missile system.
2. IAF officials highlight that the SAMAR system can engage aerial threats with missiles operating at a
speed range of 2 to 2.5 Mach. (1 Mach = speed of Sound)
3. Ingeniously crafted by the IAF’s 7 Base Repair Depot (BRD) and 11 BRD, in collaboration with
Simran Flowtech Industries and Yamazuki Denki.
4. Notably, the system repurposes old Russian-origin Vympel R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles,
demonstrating an innovative approach to maximize existing resources.
5. The SAMAR air defence missile system, equipped with refurbished Vympel R-73E infrared-guided
air-to-air missiles which have effective range of 12km against low-level flying aerial targets,
including UAVs, helicopters, and fighter jets.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 14

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

ENVIRONMENT
 COP 28: The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the
UNFCCC, more commonly known as COP28, was the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference,
held at Expo City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The event is intended for governments to agree on
policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change.
What are COPs?
1. The COP conference has been held annually (except 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), since
the first UN climate agreement in 1992. These meetings, denoted by the acronym COP, serve as the
official sessions of the Conference of the Parties.
2. During these sessions, participating countries (Parties) evaluate global endeavors aligned with the
primary goal of the Paris Agreement, aiming to restrict global warming to approximately 1.5
°C above pre-industrial levels.
3. The COPs are the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Key Highlights of the COP28:
1. Loss and Damage (L&D) Fund:
i. COP28, member countries reached an agreement to operationalize the Loss and Damage
(L&D) fund aimed at compensating countries grappling with climate change impacts.
ii. The World Bank will be the "interim host" of the fund for four years, aligning with
UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement.
iii. All developing countries are eligible to apply, and every country is "invited" to contribute
voluntarily.
iv. A specific percentage is earmarked for Least Developed Countries and Small Island
Developing States.
2. Global Stocktake Text:
i. The Global Stocktake (GST) is a periodic review mechanism established under the Paris
Agreement in 2015.
ii. The fifth iteration of the Global Stocktake (GST) text was released at COP28 and adopted
with no objection. The text proposes eight steps to keep the global temperature rise within
the ambit of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
3. Nearly 200 countries agreed to "transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems" at the COP28.
4. Global Methane Pledge:
i. Several countries, including India, are extremely opposed to any mandate to cut methane
emissions, mainly because one of the major sources happens to be agriculture and livestock.
ii. This pledge is known as the Global Methane Pledge. However, India is not a part of the
Global Methane Pledge.

5. Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy: The declaration launched at COP28 by 22 countries aims to
triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

6. India Led Initiatives at COP28: 1. Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) 2. Green Credit Initiative.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 15

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

About Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA):

i. It has been initiated by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the implementing body for
the government’s flagship Namami Gange program.
ii. The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA) is a collaborative initiative modeled after India’s River
Cities Alliance, established by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry
of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs under the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs in November 2021.
iii. The GRCA is an international coalition of cities and countries dedicated to the conservation,
sustainable management, and protection of river systems worldwide.
iv. GRCA's membership extends to cover 275+ river-cities across 11 countries, (India, Egypt,
Netherlands, Denmark, Ghana, Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, and river-cities like The Hague
(Den Haag), Adelaide, and Szolnok), along with international funding agencies (World Bank, AIIB,
ADB).

About Global Green Credit Initiative:

i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi together with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of
UAE, co-hosted the High-level event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28
ii. Green Credit refers to a unit of incentive provided to individuals and entities engaged in activities
that deliver a positive impact on the environment.
iii. It is a voluntary program initiated by the government to incentivize various stakeholders in
contributing to environmental preservation and sustainable practices.
iv. This program is part of the broader 'LiFE' campaign (Lifestyle for Environment), and it encourages
and rewards voluntary environmentally-positive actions.

 UNEP Report on Sustainable Cooling: Report says, implementing a slew of measures to make the
global cooling sector sustainable could cut predicted 2050 greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent.
The cooling sector accounts for 20 per cent of electricity use. The resulting emissions could be more
than 10 per cent of global projected emissions that year.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
1. It was established by Maurice Strong, its first director, after the United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment in Stockholm in June 1972.
2. Its mandate is to provide leadership, deliver science and develop solutions on a wide range of issues,
including climate change, the management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and green
economic development.
3. UNEP hosts the secretariats of several multilateral environmental agreements and research bodies,
including The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), The Minamata Convention on Mercury,
The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
and The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
etc.
4. In 1988, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNEP established the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
5. The headquarters of the agency is in Nairobi, Kenya. Executive Director: Inger Andersen (since
2019).

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 16

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Kiwi Bird: In a major boost to conservation efforts of the national bird of New Zealand,
conservationists registered the first wild Kiwi births in Wellington in over 150 years.
Capital Kiwi Project: The mission of the project is "to restore a large-scale wild kiwi population to
Wellington’s backyard." The project also aims to protect kiwis from introduced predators –
specifically, stoats. Kiwis, the flightless birds which form an integral part of the island nation's culture
and identity, had a huge population of around 12 million in New Zealand at one stage. IUCN Status:
Vulnerable.

 Article 6 of the Paris Agreement: It outlines ways in which countries can collaborate to fulfil their
nationally determined contributions (NDC), widely recognised as the provision for carbon markets
(and non-market approaches) within the Paris Agreement. Current discussions on Article 6 aim to
finalise frameworks previously created and discussed at past COPs for Article 6.2, Article 6.4 and
Article 6.8.

 Saiga Antelope: The Saiga (Saiga tatarica) species category was changed from Critically
Endangered to Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
About Saiga Antelope:
1. Saiga Antelope is a large migratory herbivore. This antelope has an extremely unusual appearance
with an oversized and flexible nose, the internal structure of which acts like a filter.
2. It inhabits open dry steppe grasslands and semi-arid deserts. It is found in fragmented populations
within Kazakhstan, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Uzbekistan.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 17

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

INTERNATIONAL NEWS
 MonkeyPox (mpox) in Democratic Republic of Congo: the World Health Organization (WHO)
revealed that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was experiencing its largest, most deadly
outbreak of mpox ever, with more than 12,000 suspected cases so far this year and nearly 600 deaths,
far surpassing those from the global outbreak of the same viral disease over the past 2 years. (See all
bounder countries of DRC in map)
About Monkeypox (mpox):
1. It is a viral disease that primarily spread to the human population through zoonotic spillovers, with
rodents and primates serving as potential reservoirs.
2. The first case in humans was reported in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
3. It can be transmitted between humans through close contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids or
lesions. (Recently as per WHO, the monkeypox (mpox) is also sexually transmitting disease).
4. Incubation period: The incubation period (the period between exposure to an infection and the
appearance of the first symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5
to 21 days.
5. Symptoms: Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, Fever, rash and swollen
lymph nodes which may lead to a range of medical complications.
6. There is no effective vaccine available for Monkeypox infection.

 Italy Withdraws from BRI: Italy has officially withdrawn from China’s Belt and Road infrastructure
initiative, marking the end of its participation more than four years after becoming the only G7 nation
to sign up.
About China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):
1. The BRI, represents a multifaceted development strategy aimed at enhancing global connectivity and
cooperation.
2. It was launched in 2013 and aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and
Europe with a network of land and sea routes.
3. The project was first named the ‘One Belt, One Road’ but renamed as the BRI to convey a more open
and inclusive initiative as opposed to a Chinese-dominated one.
4. The initiative includes two principal components: the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime
Silk Road.

 Salton Sea: In a groundbreaking study, scientists exploring Southern California’s Salton Sea, the
state’s largest lake, have uncovered a remarkable lithium reservoir estimated to be worth $540 billion.
Now a days Lithium is called as the “White Gold”. (See the location in map)

 Gelephu Special Administrative Region: Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck recently
announced the Gelephu Smartcity Project, a mega “international city” near the Indian border. This
project, officially named the Gelephu Special Administrative Region (SAR), spans 1,000 square
kilometers and aims to be an economic corridor connecting South Asia with Southeast Asia via India’s
northeastern states.

 Century's Largest Flood Hits Far North Queensland (Australia): A deluge, brought about by the
remnants of Tropical Cyclone Jasper, has caused the largest flood in more than a century in
Australia’s Far North Queensland (FNQ). Jasper made landfall last week along the FNQ coast in the
mid of the December. This is the first time since records began in the 1970s that a tropical cyclone has
arrived so early in the season in an El Nino year. (See the El Nino effect, Great Barrier Reef and
Ocean Currents around the Australia).

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 18

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 World's Oldest Known Fort: An international team of archaeologists has uncovered what is believed
to be the world’s oldest-known fort in a remote region of Siberia. The groundbreaking discovery
challenges conventional beliefs about early human societies, suggesting that complex defense
structures existed among hunter-gatherers much earlier than previously thought.

 Indonesia’s Marapi Volcano Eruption: Indonesia’s Mount Marapi, located in West Sumatra,
recently erupted, leading to a tragic incident resulting in the loss of lives and the disappearance of several
climbers. Indonesia is situated on the “Ring of Fire,” a volatile tectonic region known for its seismic
and volcanic activity. The country boasts 127 active volcanoes and Mount Marapi, standing at 2,891
meters (approximately 9,500 feet), is among the most active on Sumatra. Currently at the second-
highest alert level on Indonesia’s four-step warning scale, the volcano has a history of eruptions, with
the deadliest recorded in 1979, claiming the lives of 60 people.

 India to Acquire Five Lithium Blocks in Argentina: The deal is on the verge of finalization between
Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) and Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado
(CAMYEN), an Argentine state-owned mining and energy company. (Argentina is very much in
news, see the boundary countries, mineral and specially Grasses).

 Angola to quit OPEC: Angola is leaving the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) with effect from 1 January 2024, after exits from Ecuador in 2020 and Qatar in 2019.
OPEC was founded in 1960 by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Venezuela, Iran and Iraq. Since 2017, OPEC
has worked with Russia and other non-members as part of the OPEC+ group to manage the market.
Headquarters: Vienna, Austria. Currently, the Organization has a total of 12 Member Countries.
India is NOT the member of OPEC.

 New Chairman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC): Samir Shah Picked as New
Chairman of the BBC. Samir Shah has worked in television for more than 40 years and has held a
number of roles at the BBC, including as head of current affairs.

 Noma: Recently, World Health Organization (WHO) added noma to its list of neglected tropical
diseases (NTDs) underscoring the urgent need to address this health challenge and allocate resources
for prevention and treatment. Noma, also known as cancrum oris. Evidence indicates that noma is
caused by bacteria found in the mouth. Blood flow to a large area of tissue is cut off.

 Essequibo region: The region is disputed by Guyana and Venezuela. The Essequibo region is a
159,500 KM² area west of the Essequibo River. The territory is controlled by Guyana based on the
1899 Paris Arbitral Award, but is also claimed by Venezuela.

 PM Modi Proposes to host COP33 in India in 2028: This offer was made during his address at the
inaugural session of the World Climate Action Summit at COP28 in Dubai.

 Israel claims to have fought the world's first 'AI' war: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) of Israel that
carried out the recent operation 'Guardian of the Walls' said that it relied heavily on machine
learning and data gathering and did it against Palestine. Israel used AI platforms such as 'Gospel',
'Alchemist' and 'Depth of Wisdom' for their attacks during war against hamas.

 World's First Artificial Intelligence Law: European Union (EU) has passed the world's first
comprehensive regulation for artificial intelligence, called the Al Act.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 19

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

 JT-60SA: JT-60SA, the world’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion reactor started its
official operations in Japan's Ibaraki Prefecture. JT-60SA is a joint initiative between the
European Union and Japan. Fusion differs from fission, the technique currently used in nuclear power
plants. The process includes fusing two atomic nuclei instead of splitting one.

 Oldest Evidence of Yak Domestication in Bangga: In a groundbreaking discovery, the oldest record
of humans domesticating yaks has been found in Bangga, a settlement in the Shannan prefecture of
the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China. The study sheds light on the fascinating history of
domestication in the region.

 Advancing Stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) Technology: In a significant stride
toward developing stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), India conducted a successful
flight trial of an “autonomous flying wing technology demonstrator” at the aeronautical test range in
Chitradurga, Karnataka.

 The fourth unit of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-4) in Gujarat, with 700 MWe
capacity, started controlled fission chain reaction and thus became critical. Kakrapar is situated
about 80 km from Surat. The 700 MWe units are the largest indigenous nuclear power reactors to be
built by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), a public sector undertaking of
the Department of Atomic Energy. (DAE works under the Prime Minister's Office-PMO office)
What is meant by Criticality: It is the normal operating condition of a nuclear reactor, in which nuclear
fuel sustains a fission chain reaction. A reactor achieves criticality (and is said to be critical) when
each fission releases a sufficient number of neutrons to sustain an ongoing series of nuclear
reactions.

 X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat): The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has
recently announced its ambitious plan to launch the country’s first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite
(XPoSat). The XPoSat spacecraft is designed for observation from Low Earth Orbit, with a non-sun
synchronous orbit of approximately 650 km altitude and a low inclination of around six degrees. The
spacecraft is expected to have a mission life of approximately five years, during which it will carry
out observations during the eclipse period, when the spacecraft transits through Earth’s shadow.

 Gemini: Google parent company Alphabet made a significant announcement to unveiling Gemini,
its latest and most advanced AI model to date. Gemini sets itself apart by being “multimodal,”
demonstrating the ability to comprehend and process diverse types of information concurrently. This
includes text, code, audio, images, and videos, positioning Gemini as a versatile tool for a wide range
of applications. Gemini marks the first AI model to emerge from Alphabet following the merger of its
renowned AI research units, DeepMind and Google Brain. The amalgamation has given rise to a
unified division named Google DeepMind, helmed by DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.

 Fattah 2 Hypersonic Cruise Weapon: Iran recently unveiled its new and improved hypersonic
weapon, the Fattah-2. The precision-guided two-stage missile can hit targets within a range of 1500
kilometres with a velocity of Mach 15 (fifteen times the speed of sound i.e., 18522 km/hr).

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 20

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

SPORTS
 Title of Grandmaster: Vaishali Rameshbabu, a 22-year-old chess player from India, has recently
earned the title of Grandmaster at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain. This achievement makes her
only the third woman from India to become a Grandmaster, following in the footsteps of Koneru
Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. Her victory over Turkish FM Tamer Tarik Selbes was pivotal in
crossing the 2500 FIDE rating threshold required for the Grandmaster title.

 Decacorn status to Indian Premier League (IPL): In a major milestone, the Indian Premier League
(IPL) has achieved decacorn status, with its combined brand value seeing a remarkable 28% surge to
reach an impressive $10.7 billion. This significant growth is reported by Brand Finance, marking a
phenomenal 433% increase in the IPL system’s brand value since its launch in 2008. The key
difference between a decacorn and a unicorn lies in their valuation. Decacorn: A startup with a
valuation of $10 Bn or more. Unicorn: A startup with a valuation of $1 Bn or more but less than $10
Bn.

 Rising Star of the Year among women: Indian wrestler Antim Panghal has been named the Rising
Star of the Year among women by the United World Wrestling (UWW), the sport’s global governing
body. The 19-year-old dynamo, competing in the 53 kg category.

 MS Dhoni and No.7 jersey: In a move echoing the tribute to cricket legends, the Board of Control
for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to retire the iconic No.7 jersey worn by former captain
MS Dhoni. This decision follows the precedent set by Sachin Tendulkar’s No.10, retired in 2017.
Going forward, no other Indian cricketer will sport the No.7 jersey. MS Dhoni is considered as the
most successful Indian cricket Team Captain.

 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy: In a historic turn of events at the Saurashtra Cricket Association
Stadium in Rajkot, Haryana emerged victorious in the 2023 Vijay Hazare Trophy, securing their
first-ever title with a 30-run triumph over Rajasthan in the summit clash. The victory marked one
of the greatest campaigns in Indian domestic cricket history, as Haryana showcased their dominance by
remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

 First ever Khelo India Para Games- New Delhi: First ever edition of the event saw Haryana clinched
the top spot, securing a total of 105 medals, including 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze. Uttar Pradesh
claimed the second position followed by Tamil Nadu.

 Men's FIH Player of the Year 2023: Indian hockey team midfielder, Hardik Singh, clinched the
prestigious title of Men’s FIH Player of the Year at the FIH Hockey Star Awards 2023. Dutch player
Xan de Waard emerged victorious as the Women’s FIH Player of the Year, showcasing outstanding
prowess in the field of hockey.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 21

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

IMPORTANTS DATES & EVENTS

 World AIDS Day: 1 December Theme: “Let communities lead” (The first World AIDS Day was
observed in 1988).

 Nagaland statehood day: 1 December. Nagaland became 16th State of the Union of India on 1 st
December 1963.

 Border Security Force raising day: 1 December. This day marks the creation of BSF on December 1,
1965. (IPS K F Rustamji: Founding father of BSF).

 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery: 2 December Theme: Fighting Slavery’s Legacy of
Racism through Transformative Education.

 International Day of Persons with Disabilities: 3 December Theme: United in action to rescue and
achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities

 Indian Navy Day: 4 December Theme: "Operational Efficiency, Readiness and Mission Achievement
in the Maritime Domain". It is celebrated to respect the Indian Navy's counter-attack in Operation
Trident during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.

 International Cheetah Day: 4 December.

 World Soil Day: 5 December Theme: Soil and water, a source of life. (First celebrated in 2014).

 Armed Forces Flag Day: 7 December Objective: Also the Flag Day of India - dedicated towards
collection of funds from people of India for the welfare of the Indian Armed Forces personnel.
Observed since 1949.

 International Civil Aviation Day: 7 December Theme: “Advancing Innovation for Global Aviation
Development”.

 International Anti-Corruption Day: 9 December Theme: ‘UNCAC at 20: Uniting the World Against
Corruption.’

 Human Rights Day: 10 December Theme: Freedom, Equality and Justice for All.

 UNICEF Day: 11 December Theme: “For every child, every right”.

 National Energy Conservation Day: 14 December. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE),
established under the Union Ministry of Power, has been organizing the National Energy
Conservation Day since 1991.

 Vijay Diwas: 16 December. Bijoy Dibos or Vijay Diwas or Victory Day is commemorated in
Bangladesh and India, to observe India’s victory over Pakistan in War of 1971 for the liberation of
Bangladesh from Pakistan.

 Goa's Liberation Day: 19 December. Goa got its freedom from Portuguese on 19th December, 1961
after 450 years. On December 18, 1961, India launched a 36-hour military operation called
Operation Vijay.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 22

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 National Mathematics Day: 22 December Theme: to mark the birth anniversary of legendary Indian
mathematician, Srinivasa Ramanujan. Started in 2012.

 Kisan Diwas/ National Farmer's Day: 23 December. Commemorates birthday of the 5th Prime
Minister of India, Choudhary Charan Singh, also a farmer's leader. He served twice as Chief
Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

 Good Governance Day (India): 25 December. The day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of
former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Since 2014 Good Governance Week from December
19 to 25 (3rd edition).

 International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: 27 December. Declared by UNGA in 2020. The

decision is part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 International Day for Biological Diversity: 29 December Theme: “From Agreement to Action: Build
Back Biodiversity"

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 23

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

PERSONS IN NEWS
 Former USA's Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has died. O'Connor made history as
the first woman to serve on the country's highest court in 1981. O'Connor was a trailblazer for women
in law and was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1981 by then-President Ronald Reagan. She
retired as an associate justice in 2006.

 First Woman Director General of ICFRE: Kanchan Devi, a 1991-batch Indian Forest Service
Officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of the
Indian Council of Forestry Research Education (ICFRE). This marks a historic moment as Kanchan
becomes the first woman officer to hold this prestigious position in the premier council under the
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

 Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah: Kuwait is in mourning as Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-
Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has passed away at the age of 86. The announcement, made by Sheikh
Mohammed Abdullah al-Sabah, the minister of the emiri court, was aired on state television.

 Kuwait’s new emir, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, formally assumed leadership in a
swearing-in ceremony before parliament following the passing of his half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-
Ahmad al-Sabah. The ceremony, held during a special session of the National Assembly, marked the
beginning of Sheikh Mishal’s rule over the Gulf monarchy.

 Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Wins Third Term as Egypt's President: Abdel Fattah El-Sisi secures a
resounding third term as Egypt’s president, winning a staggering 89.6% of the votes in an election
where serious challengers were notably absent. The National Election Authority made the
announcement marking a continuation of El-Sisi’s presidency amid economic challenges and regional
tensions. (Amid Israel-Palestine war, Egypt will remain in the news. So see geographical and
economical aspects of Egypt).

 Mohini Giri, an icon of women’s rights movement, dies at 86. Dr Giri was the former Chair of the
National Commission for Women (NCW) (1995–1998) and of the Central Social Welfare Board. She
was also the Chairperson of the Guild of Service, a New Delhi–based social service organisation. She
founded the War Widows Association in 1972. For her efforts in the field of women’s rights, she was
awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2007.

 Nina Singh Becomes First Woman Chief of Industrial Security Force: Senior Indian Police Service
officer Nina Singh took charge as Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
recently. She was first woman IPS officer in Rajasthan’s history. Also headed the State
Commission for Women. Worked as Joint Director at CBI overseeing major criminal probes. She
also Co-authored research on police reforms with Nobel laureates.

 South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun, widely recognized for his role in the Oscar-winning film
Parasite, has been found dead.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 24

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Nobel Peace Prize winner Henry Kissinger passed away. Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace
Prize in 1973 for his role in the Paris Peace Accords. He is considered as one of promoter of US-
China relation in post-cold war period.

 Exposed AIDS epidemic, Dr. Gao Yaojie passed away. Chinese doctor Gao Yaojie, known for having
exposed the AIDS epidemic in the rural part of the country, died at the age of 95.

 Savita Kanswal: Savita Kanswal who known for ‘Land Adventure’ recently passed. She made
history by becoming the first Indian woman to climb both Mt. Everest and Mt. Makalu within a
remarkable 16-day period. Savita Kanswal died in Uttarkashi avalanche while climbing Draupadi
Ka Danda peak. President Droupadi Murmu honoured late Savita Kanswal posthumously with Tenzing
Norgay National Adventure Award 2022.

 The 16th Finance Commission (2026-2031): Dr Arvind Panagariya, former Vice-Chairman, NITI
Aayog, and Professor, Columbia University will be the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission.
Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey has been appointed as Secretary to the 16th Finance Commission.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 25

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

PLACES IN NEWS – SUMMITS/CONFERENCE

 40th Coast Guard Commanders’ Conference: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurates 40th Coast
Guard Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi. The three-day conference aims at addressing
contemporary maritime challenges and fortifying the country’s coastal surveillance mechanisms.

 Kurukshetra, a sacred town resonating with cultural heritage and spiritual significance, witnessed a
grand spectacle as it hosted the inauguration of the International Gita Mahotsav – 2023. This week-
long celebration promises a unique blend of spirituality, cultural diversity, and global participation,
captivating visitors.

 AI City Lucknow: In a groundbreaking move, Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest state, is set to establish
the country’s first AI city in Lucknow. This initiative aims to create a thriving hub for artificial
intelligence, integrating cutting-edge technology, research centers, and educational institutions to
foster innovation and nurture the workforce of the future.

 Second edition of the Infinity Forum: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the second
edition of the Infinity Forum, a premier Financial Technology event. The event, hosted by the
International Financial Services Centers Authority (IFSCA) and GIFT City, is under the auspices
of the Government of India.

 Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the GPAI Annual Summit. India will assume the Lead Chair position, showcasing its dedication to AI
advancement. The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), established in June 2020, is a
groundbreaking multi-stakeholder initiative. India is one of the founding members of GPAI in
2020. Initially launched with 15 member countries, GPAI has significantly expanded its membership
to include 28 member countries and the European Union.

 City of Music Gwalior: Gwalior, often hailed as the City of Music, recently witnessed an
extraordinary spectacle as 1500 tabla performers converged at the historic Karna Mahal of
Gwalior Fort. This monumental gathering not only set a Guinness World Record for the most
persons performing tabla simultaneously but also marked a significant moment in the city’s rich
musical heritage.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 26

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

STATES IN NEWS
 Inauguration of SAMRIDHI Conclave: The SAMRIDHI Conclave, inaugurated by Shri
Banwarilal Purohit, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh, marks a significant
step towards fostering innovation in agriculture and water technology.

 Sijimali Bauxite Mines: The public hearing for grant of environmental clearance for Vedanta’s
proposed bauxite mining in Sijimali area of Odisha’s Koraput district ended abruptly and seen
violence between villagers and Police. (Bauxite is very in news. see all major bauxite mines in India)

 Miyawaki Method Adopted for Forest Plantation in Chhattisgarh's Coal Belt.

Miyawaki Method: The Miyawaki method, pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki,
involves planting native trees, shrubs, and groundcover plants closely within every square meter.
This technique, suitable for small parcels of land, creates a dense canopy layer of tall trees, enabling
rapid green cover growth.

 'Suchitwa Theeram' Project: Kerala's Kozhikode district administration is taking a significant step
towards maintaining the cleanliness of its coastal areas through the initiation of the ‘Suchitwa
Theeram’ project.

 ‘Ten Cities Development Concept’ (Doh Shaher, Ek Rupayan): Assam Government Unveils 'Ten
Cities Development Concept' for Rapid Urban Growth. The ten cities identified for comprehensive
development are Silchar, Dibrugarh, Nagaon, Bangaigaon, Biswanath Chariali, Karimganj, Tinsukia,
Golaghat, Jorhat, Tezpur, Sibsagar, and North Lakhimpur.

 Khadi Mati Kala Mahotsav: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah,
recently addressed the Khadi Mati Kala Mahotsav in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, emphasizing the
multidimensional and multi-purpose aspects of the Khadi movement.

 New Chief Minister of Mizoram: Lalduhoma, the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader and
legislature party leader, is poised to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Mizoram.

 Lakadong turmeric: Meghalaya’s Lakadong turmeric, known for its exceptional quality, has been
granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. Alongside Lakadong turmeric, three more
products from Meghalaya were honored with the GI tag: Garo Dakmanda (traditional dress),
Larnai pottery, and Garo Chubitchi (alcoholic beverage).

 New Chief Minister of Rajasthan: Bhajan Lal Sharma, a prominent figure in Rajasthan’s political
landscape, is set to become the state’s next Chief Minister. At 56 years old, he brings a wealth of
political experience and accomplishments to the position.

 India’s first submarine tourism venture: The Gujarat government, in collaboration with Mazgaon
Dock Limited (MDL), is set to make waves in the tourism industry by introducing India’s first
submarine tourism venture. This ambitious project aims to explore the mesmerizing marine life
surrounding Bet Dwarka, a sacred island off the coast of Dwarka city, steeped in mythological
significance within Hinduism.

 Statue of ‘Jatayu’ installed at Ayodhya Mandir complex: A bronze idol of ‘Jatayu’ has been
installed at historic ‘Kuber Tila’ located in the Ram Janmabhoomi complex in Ayodhya.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 27

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 Ayodhya Airport to be Renamed Maharishi Valmiki Airport: The airport currently boasts the
lengthy name “Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International Airport.” The Yogi Adityanath
government is reportedly considering renaming it “Maharishi Valmiki Airport,” honoring the revered
poet who authored the epic Ramayana.

 Bihar Police to Launch ‘Mission Investigation@75 Days’ From January 1, 2024: Bihar Police have
decided to make it binding on investigators to complete investigation of cases within 75 days of
registration of FIR from January 1 next year. The performances of all police stations and district
police will also be reviewed on a monthly basis from January 1, 2024.

 Bihar Launches ‘Mission Daksh’ to aid 25 Lakh Academically Weak Students:

1. 'Mission Daksh' (Dynamic Approach for Knowledge and Skill) is made on principle of aiding around
25 lakh students facing academic challenges in Classes 3-8 in government-operated schools.
2. Each teacher will mentor only five students, specifically those struggling with fluency in Hindi and
English and facing challenges in basic Mathematics.
3. To ensure the effective implementation of ‘Mission Daksh,’ district-wise monitoring committees, led
by district magistrates, will oversee the program’s progress.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 28

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

BOOKS

Sr. No. Book/Autobiography Author/Writer/Compiled by

1. 'RESILIENT INDIA: How Modi Transformed India's Released by Uttarakhand CM Pushkar

Disaster Management Paradigm’ Singh Dhami.

2. Novel ‘Zeba’. Huma Qureshi

3. “ Naye Bharat ka Samveda” Launched by Former President of

India, Ram Nath Kovind

4. 'Welcome to Paradise' Twinkle Khanna

5. “The Babri Masjid Ram Mandir Dilemma” Madhav Godbole

6. ‘Breaking the Mould: Reimagining India’s Economic Former Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Future.’ governor, Raghura Rajan in
collaboration with Rohit Lamba.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 29

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

MISCELLANEOUS
 Historic Peace Agreement with UNLF: In a historic development, the Government of India and
Government of Manipur signed a Peace Agreement with United National Liberation Front
(UNLF), the oldest valley-based armed group of Manipur in New Delhi. The UNLF was formed
in 1964 and has been operating both within and outside Indian Territory. The agreement is poised to
give a fillip to usher in a new era of peace in the North East in general and Manipur in particular. The
agreement was signed in New Delhi by senior officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and
Government of Manipur and representatives of United National Liberation Front.

 India re-elected to International Maritime Organisation Council for the 2024–25 biennium.
About International Maritime Organisation Council:
1. The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is responsible for regulating
shipping and preventing marine pollution from ships.
2. IMO was established in 1948 following a UN conference in Geneva and came into existence in 1958.
3. IMO has 175 Member States and three Associate Members, and its headquarters are in London,
United Kingdom.
4. India joined the IMO in 1959. India maintains to be in Category B of IMO Council, highlighting
its consistent commitment to maritime affairs.
5. IMO celebrates World Maritime Day every last Thursday of September, to highlight the importance
of shipping and maritime activities.

 Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Chhatrapati
Shivaji Maharaj and unveiled a grand statue of the 17th-century Maratha king at Sindhugarh,
Maharashtra’s coastal fort. The Prime Minister acknowledged Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s
understanding of naval power and announced that naval officers’ epaulettes would soon carry his
emblem.

 UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage: The vibrant and culturally rich dance form, ‘Garba of
Gujarat,’ has earned a prestigious place in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
(ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO. The recognition was formalized during the 18th meeting of the
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Kasane,
Botswana.
List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in India: Ramlila(2008), Vedic Chanting
(2008), Kudiyattam (2008), Ramman (2009), Chhau Dance (2010), Kalbelia (2010), Mudiyettu (2010),
Buddhist Chanting (2012), Sankirtana (2013), Traditional Brass and Copper Craft of Utensil Making
(2014), Yoga (2016), Nowruz (2016), Kumbh Mela (2017), Durga Pooja in Kolkata (2021) and Garba
of Gujarat (2023).
India has a total of 42 tangible heritage sites (34 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed) and 15 intangible
cultural heritage sites recognised by UNESCO.

 Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is set to
inaugurate the first-ever Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB) 2023 at the Red Fort.
About Red Fort:
1. Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned construction of the Red Fort on 12 May 1639, when he decided
to shift his capital from Agra to Delhi.
2. Originally red and white, its design is credited to architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also constructed
the Taj Mahal.
3. The fort represents the peak in the Mughal architecture under Shah Jahan and combines Persian palace
architecture with Indian traditions.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 30

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

4. The Red Fort was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 as part of the Red Fort
Complex.

 Article 99 of the UN Charter: In his letter to the UNSC President, Guterres invoked Article 99,
stating that he is bringing to the attention of the Security Council a matter that may aggravate
existing threats to international peace and security. Article 99 of UN charter says, “The Secretary-
General may bring to the attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion may threaten
the maintenance of international peace and security.” Article 99 has been rarely invoked in the past.
Instances include the upheaval in the Republic of the Congo in 1960 and a complaint by Tunisia in
1961 against France’s military actions. Guterres done it to make world attention towards the
humanitarian crisis in Israel-Hamas War.

 Constitutional Bench Examines Challenge to Citizenship Act's Section 6A: A five-judge

Constitution bench of the Supreme Court commenced hearings on petitions challenging Section 6A
of the Citizenship Act. This provision, introduced following the Assam Accord of 1985, determines
who is considered a foreigner in the state and was the basis for the final National Register of
Citizens (NRC) in Assam in 2019.

 World's Deepest Underground Physics Laboratory: China has launched the world’s deepest and
largest underground physics laboratory, the Deep Underground and Ultra-low Radiation Background
Facility for Frontier Physics Experiments (DURF), located beneath Jinping Mountain in Sichuan
Province.

 Supreme Court Verdict on Article 370: The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, declared
Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, a temporary provision of the Indian
Constitution. The ruling was a response to the 2019 move by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led
government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 Cyclone Michaung: The deep depression looming over the Bay of Bengal has rapidly intensified,
evolving into a severe cyclonic storm named ‘Michaung’ as per the latest update from the Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD). The name of the cyclone 'Michaung' was proposed by
Myanmar, which signifies resilience and fortitude. This is the sixth cyclone to develop in the Indian
Ocean this year and the fourth to form in the Bay of Bengal.

 Oxford University Press word of the year: Oxford University Press has unveiled “Rizz” as its Word
of the Year, reflecting the linguistic choices of Generation Z. The term, used to describe someone’s
ability to attract or seduce another person, triumphed over finalists like “Swiftie,” “situationship,”
and “prompt” in the annual decision made by language experts at the renowned publisher of the
Oxford English Dictionary.

 ‘Guinness World Record‘ of largest reading activity: In a momentous occasion for India, Pune has
etched its name in the prestigious ‘Guinness World Record‘ books by hosting the largest reading
activity in collaboration, surpassing China’s previous record. On December 14th, 2023, from 8-10 am
at SP College, a remarkable total of 3,066 parents gathered to read aloud to their children, creating
a magical atmosphere and leaving an indelible mark in history.

 “Smishing”: The Indian government has issued a warning regarding a new and sophisticated scam
known as “Smishing.” This term is a combination of “SMS” (Short Message Service) and
“phishing,” signifying a malicious practice that exploits text messages to deceive individuals into
divulging confidential information.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 31

 CURRENTTIT-BITSInitiative by OneClass.in (MISSIONCAPFHUB)

 2024 as International Year of Camelids: The United Nations has declared 2024 as the International
Year of Camelids. This decision aims to spotlight the diverse contributions of camelids, including
alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos, llamas, and vicuñas, in promoting food security,
nutrition, and economic growth, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
What are camelids?
Camelids are a group of animals that includes alpacas, Bactrian camels, dromedaries, guanacos,
llamas, and vicuñas. They are considered guardians of livelihoods because of their diverse roles,
impacting millions of households in over 90 countries. Their contributions go beyond being mere
animals, playing an integral role in the fabric of societies globally.

 ISRO to Launch 50 Satellites in 5 Years to Boost Intelligence Ability: The Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) would launch 50 satellites over the next five years to collect vital spatial
intelligence. These satellites will be placed at several levels in different orbits. This satellite will be a
military satellite mainly for military use. USA has 239, China 140 and Russia 105 Military
Satellites.

 Pantoea Tagorei: A team of researchers from Visva-Bharati University discovered a new species of
good bacteria, Pantoea Tagorei, named after Rabindranath Tagore. The bacteria promote plant growth
and have properties to solubilize potassium, replenish nitrogen, and solubilize phosphorus. The
researchers found the bacteria in the soil of the Jharia coal mines. The breakthrough, published in the
Indian Journal of Microbiology, addresses the adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on soil.

Dec 2023|Download App-OneClass.in| www.missioncapfhub.com| www.OneClass.in|Page 32