This is the current affairs of 16 to 18 December 2024. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
PDF Download: Click here
1. President Draupadi Murmu gave the honorary title of ‘General of the Indian Army’ to which country’s Army Chief ‘Ashok Raj Sigdel’?
a. maldives
b. Sri Lanka
c. Nepal
d. myanmar
Answer: c. Nepal
– This honorary title was conferred upon him at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in December 2024.
– Both countries give the honorary title of General to each other’s army chiefs. This is a tradition and reflects the strong relations between the two armies.
– The last time, Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel conferred the honorary title of General of the Nepalese Army on Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on November 21, 2024.
– This tradition was started by both countries in 1950.
– For this, the Chiefs of the Indian and Nepalese Armies visit each other’s countries.
– These exchanges highlight the strong defense partnership and mutual respect between India and Nepal.
India-Nepal Border
– Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 kilometers with five Indian states – Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Nepal
– Prime Minister: KP Sharma Oli
– President: Ramchandra Paudel
– Capital: Kathmandu
————-
2. Where was the 10th World Ayurveda Congress (WAC 2024) held?
a. Kolhapur
b. Patna
c. Nawada
d. Dehradun
Answer: d. Dehradun
– The theme of the 2024 event was “Digital Health: An Ayurvedic Perspective.”
– Organizers: World Ayurveda Foundation (WAF), Vigyan Bharati.
————–
3. Name the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, who rejected the notice of opposition parties to remove the Vice President from the post?
a. Jagdeep Dhankhar
b. Harivansh Narayan Singh
c. Om Birla
d. Radheshyam Yadav
Answer: b. Harivansh Narayan Singh
– In fact, for the first time in Indian parliamentary history, on December 10, 2024, opposition party MPs submitted a notice to remove the Vice President (ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) from his position.
– The opposition submitted this notice under Article 67(b) of the Constitution.
– This notice was rejected by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Why the notice was rejected:
– The reasons for rejecting the notice included incorrect spelling of the Vice President’s name in the notice.
– In his decision, he stated that the notice was an improper act aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Vice President.
– He also mentioned that the notice contained claims intended to defame Mr. Dhankhar by listing events from the time of his assumption of office in August 2022.
Process for Removing the Vice President:
– According to Article 67(b) of the Constitution, “The Vice President can be removed from office by a resolution passed by the majority of all members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha.”
– However, for this purpose, no resolution can be presented unless at least fourteen days’ notice of the intention to introduce the resolution is given.
Process for Removing the President:
– The only condition for impeachment of the Indian President is “violation of the Constitution.” There is no definition of “violation of the Constitution” in the Indian Constitution. The President can be removed with a two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
– However, this rule does not apply to the removal of the Vice President. The Vice President can only be removed with the majority of the Rajya Sabha and the approval of the Lok Sabha.
Why the opposition submitted the proposal:
– The opposition has accused the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Vice President), Jagdeep Dhankhar, of being “clearly biased” in conducting the proceedings of the House and of acting as an “emotional spokesperson” for government policies on public platforms.
– In fact, whenever the opposition raises significant issues like Adani or others in the Rajya Sabha, it is alleged that the Chairman suspends the session. On the other hand, the ruling party is allowed to speak on similar matters.
Why the notice was submitted despite the lack of majority:
– The opposition does not have the majority to remove the Vice President, but through this notice, they intend to send a message.
– In fact, during Rajya Sabha proceedings, whenever opposition MPs accuse the Chairman of arbitrary actions, it is not recorded in the official records.
————–
4. The Parliament of which country passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yol, thereby stripping him of his powers?
a. north korea
b. south korea
c. taiwan
d. China
Answer: b. south korea
– In fact, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law (military rule) in the country on December 3.
– This was the first time in the 44-year history of South Korea.
– The opposition parties in South Korea united against the sudden imposition of martial law. Within half an hour, an emergency session of the parliament was called.
– As soon as the information about the emergency session was received, the President sent the military to take control of the parliament.
– A military helicopter landed in the parliament grounds, and the soldiers were about to enter the parliament building when they faced heavy opposition from opposition party MPs and activists.
– Meanwhile, the parliament passed a resolution against the martial law, and the state of emergency was automatically lifted.
Impeachment Proposal Passed for the Second Time:
– For the second time, South Korea’s parliament moved for impeachment against President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, 2024, over his decision to impose short-term martial law.
– The President was charged with rebellion in the impeachment.
– This proposal was passed. A similar impeachment proposal had been introduced earlier but was rejected.
– With the impeachment proposal passed, the powers of the President were transferred to the Prime Minister.
– Now, the Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide whether Mr. Yoon should be removed from office or have his powers reinstated. If he is removed, a national election to choose his successor should be held within 60 days.
Travel Ban Imposed:
– South Korea’s Ministry of Justice has imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol at the request of the police, prosecutors, and the anti-corruption agency.
– The Ministry of Justice is investigating the circumstances surrounding President Yoon’s seizure of power.
– The President of South Korea enjoys immunity from prosecution while in office, but this immunity does not apply in cases of rebellion or treason.
– This means that Yoon can be questioned by the police about his martial law orders.
South Korea:
– Capital: Seoul
– President: Yoon Suk Yeol
– Prime Minister (Acting President): Han Duck-Soo
– Currency: South Korean Won
– Neighboring Country: North Korea
– Seas: Sea of Japan, Yellow Sea
————-
5. Name the acting President of South Korea?
a. Yoon Suk Yeol
b. Han Duk-soo
c. Yoo Wo Kin
d. None of the above
Answer: b. Han Duk-soo
– After the impeachment proposal against President Yoon Suk Yeol was passed in parliament, Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo assumed the role of Acting President.
– In South Korea, executive powers are primarily concentrated in the hands of the President, but if the President becomes incapacitated, the Prime Minister leads the country.
– The focus is now on South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which faces the challenge of either upholding the impeachment proposal and removing Yoon from office or rejecting it and restoring his presidential powers.
– The court has 180 days to make its decision. If Yoon is removed or decides to resign, South Korea will have to hold a presidential election within 60 days.
————-
6. Who has been chosen as ‘Person of the Year 2024’ by Time magazine?
a. Joe Biden
b. Kamala Harris
c. Narendra Modi
d. Donald Trump
Answer: d. Donald Trump
– Time magazine has named Donald Trump as the “Person of the Year” for 2024.
– This is the second time he has received this honor.
– Trump was first named Person of the Year in 2016, when he secured his first victory at the White House.
– This selection by Time reflects Trump’s significant influence in American politics and on the global stage.
– Donald Trump won against his presidential rival Kamala Harris on November 5, 2024.
————-
7. When is International Migrants Day observed?
a. 23 December
b. 12 December
c. 18 December
d. 19 December
Answer: c. 18 December
– International Migrants Day is observed every year on December 18.
– It is celebrated by the United Nations agency, the International Organization for Migration.
– This day is celebrated to encourage contributions to the development of migrants around the world.
– The first observance of this day took place in 1990.
International Organization for Migration:
– Established: December 6, 1951
– Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
————–
8. Name the new Prime Minister of France, who has been appointed by President Emmanuel Macron?
a. Michel Verma
b. Attal Richard
c. Francois Bayrou
d. Roger Gabriel
Answer: c. Francois Bayrou
– He is the third Prime Minister of France in 2024.
– Before him, Michel Barnier (for 90 days) and Gabriel Attal (for 240 days) had served as Prime Ministers in 2024.
– Due to political instability in France, the Prime Minister had to change at short intervals. No party had won a majority in the parliamentary elections, which is why the Prime Minister kept changing.
– However, Prime Ministers have been changed frequently even before this.
– François Bayrou is the sixth Prime Minister during the presidency of Emmanuel Macron.
France:
– Capital: Paris
– President: Emmanuel Macron
– Prime Minister: François Bayrou
– Currency: Euro
– Neighboring Countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, – Switzerland, Italy, Spain
– Maritime Borders: United Kingdom
– Seas: Mediterranean Sea, Bay of Biscay, Celtic Sea, English Channel, North Sea
————-
9. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved how much loan to Indian company IIFCL for developing environmentally sustainable infrastructure in the country?
a. $400 million
b. $500 million
c. $600 million
d. $800 million
Answer: b. $500 million (Rs 4,256 crore)
– The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved the loan on December 12, 2024.
– The loan was given to India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL).
– The loan will be used for the development of solar rooftops and green infrastructure in India.
– About the loan: The loan is backed by a sovereign guarantee from the Government of India. This means that if IIFCL fails to repay the loan, the Government of India will repay the loan to ADB.
What will be achieved with the loan amount?
– The loan of $500 million will be used for both greenfield (new projects) and brownfield (existing projects) sustainable infrastructure projects.
– IIFCL will provide loans for various solar rooftop and green infrastructure projects.
These projects will support connectivity, energy transformation, urban projects, education, and healthcare, primarily through green technologies.
– These plans will help address the impacts of climate change.
– According to ADB, India is one of the most affected economies in the world due to climate change and threats such as floods, droughts, and cyclones.
About IIFCL:
– India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited is a fully government-owned company.
– It was established in 2006.
– It is a non-banking financial company (NBFC-ND-IFC) focused on infrastructure financing.
Note: India has set a target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.
Asian Development Bank (ADB):
– Established: 1966
– Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Metro – Manila, Philippines
– Member countries: 69
– President: Masatsugu Asakawa (until February 23, 2025)
– Elected President: Masato Kanda (will assume office on February 24, 2025)
– Due to mutual understanding among Western countries, a Japanese person has been selected as the President of ADB since its establishment in 1966.
– The bank lends to member countries for development and helps in poverty eradication.
ADB Shareholding and Voting Power:
– United States: 15.6%, 12.75%
– Japan: 15.6%, 12.75%
– China: 6.4%, 5.43%
– India: 6.3%, 5.34%
– Australia: 5.77%, 4.91%
– Indonesia: 5.43%, 4.64%
– Canada: 5.21%, 4.46%
– South Korea: 5.02%, 4.46%
– Germany: 4.31%, 3.74%
– Malaysia: 2.71%, 2.46%
– Philippines: 2.37%, 2.19%
————–
10. Who became the new MD and CEO of TransUnion CIBIL?
a. Rajni Kumari
b. Anand Vidrohi
c. Bhavesh Jain
d. Akhil Srivastava
Answer: c. Bhavesh Jain
– He replaced Rajesh Kumar in December 2024.
– Prior to this, Bhavesh Jain had been serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the past five years.
TransUnion CIBIL:
– This company serves MSMEs, banks, NBFCs, housing finance firms, microfinance companies, and insurance companies.
– It prepares credit scores.
—————
11. Where was the first ‘India Maritime Heritage Conference’ 2024 held?
a. Delhi
b. Mumbai
c. Chennai
d. Kanyakumari
Answer: a. Delhi (at Yashobhoomi Convention Center)
– The two-day conference was held on December 11 and 12, 2024. Representatives from 11 countries participated in it.
– Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the event.
– Theme of the conference: Understanding India’s Position in Global Maritime History
– Organizer of the conference: Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MOPSW)
– This prestigious conference celebrated India’s rich maritime heritage and its significant contribution to global trade, culture, and innovation.
Modern India’s Maritime Power:
– 7,500 kilometers of coastline
– 13 major ports
– 200 non-major ports
– Indian ports have an annual cargo handling capacity of 1,200 million tons. This highlights the significant role of the maritime sector in our economic landscape.
National Maritime Heritage Complex:
– The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is developing a National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal (Gujarat).
– Lothal was one of the major cities of the ancient Harappan civilization dating back to 2600 BCE.
– Archaeological excavations here have revealed a man-made dockyard over 5,000 years old.
– Establishing a maritime heritage complex at such a significant site is considered to be in line with the historical importance of Lothal.
Note: Minister of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MOPSW) – Sarbananda Sonowal.
————–
12. World famous tabla player Zakir Hussain passed away on 15 December 2024, how many Grammy Awards did he win?
a. 7
b. 4
c. 3
d. 2
Answer: b. 4
About the Award:
– Ustad Zakir Hussain was nominated for the Grammy Award 7 times and won it 4 times.
– He won his first Grammy Award in 2009.
– In 2024, he won 3 Grammys for 3 different albums.
– Padma Shri in 1988.
– Padma Vibhushan in 2023.
About Zakir Hussain:
– He was born on March 9, 1951, in Mumbai.
– His father’s name was Ustad Allah Rakha Qureshi and his mother’s name was Bavi Begum.
– Ustad Allah Rakha was a renowned tabla player of his time and was Zakir’s first music teacher.
– Zakir Hussain has also acted in a few films. He made his debut in the 1983 British film Heat and Dust, which also starred Shashi Kapoor.
Zakir Hussain also appeared in the 1998 film Saaz, where he starred opposite Shabana Azmi.
– In 1970, Zakir Hussain co-founded a music group called Shakti, which was a unique blend of Indian classical music and jazz.
————–
13. In which country the volcano ‘Mount Semeru’ erupted with an explosion and thousands of people were evacuated from the area?
a. America
b. Indonesia
c. India
d. Australia
Answer: b. Indonesia (Mount Semeru is a volcano located in East Java)
– Mount Semeru is located in East Java, Indonesia.
– It erupted in December 2024, sending gray ash up to about one kilometer high.
– A danger zone has been declared within 3 to 8 kilometers of the volcano.
– It is a 3,676-meter (12,000 feet) tall mountain.
Most Active Volcanoes in Indonesia
– There are 1,500 active volcanoes in the world.
– The highest number, 130 active volcanoes, is in Indonesia.
– Seven volcanoes have been erupting continuously for the past two years. These are: Krakatoa, Merapi, Lewotolo, Karangetang, Semeru, Ibu, and Dukono.
– In December 2023, Mount Marapi (Fire Mountain) erupted on Sumatra Island, killing 23 people.
– Additionally, the Anak Krakatoa volcano in the Sunda Strait erupted in November 2023.
– In 2024, Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupted twice.
Ring of Fire
– This country is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
– This region experiences the highest levels of geological and geophysical activity.
– In Indonesia’s location, the Eurasian tectonic plate is shifting southward.
– The Indian-Australian tectonic plate is shifting northward, and the Philippine plate is moving westward.
– The collisions or shifts of these three plates cause volcanic eruptions.
What is a Volcano and How Does it Erupt?
– Before discussing volcanic eruptions, it’s important to understand what a volcano is.
– A volcano is an opening or crack in the Earth’s surface through which magma—hot liquid and semi-liquid rock—along with volcanic ash and gases, is expelled.
– In other words, a volcano is a vent in the Earth’s surface through which lava, ash, molten rocks, and gases are released from the Earth’s interior.
– The Earth’s mantle (one of the three layers of the Earth) has a weak zone called the asthenosphere, which contains magma.
– Volcanic hotspots are areas where tectonic plates meet.
– There are an estimated one million volcanoes under the sea, most of which are near tectonic plates.
– When tectonic plates collide, the temperature and pressure rise, leading to the formation of magma, which is molten material inside the Earth’s surface.
– When this magma rises to the Earth’s surface, it is called lava.
Indonesia
– Capital: Jakarta
– President: Joko Widodo (Prabowo Subianto is the defense minister; there seems to be a mix-up in the provided text)
– Currency: Indonesian Rupiah
– Population: Approximately 280 million
————–
PDF Download: Click here
