Daily Current Affairs 17th Dec, 2024: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
Dear Readers,
This post contains important current affairs of 17th Dec, 2024. It includes all Major National, International, Business and Sports related current affairs of 17th Dec, 2024. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these current affairs we would recommend to you to try 17th Dec, 2024 Current affairs test.
International News
Gympie-Gympie: Nature’s Most Toxic Plant
- The Gympie-Gympie, scientifically named Dendrocnide moroides, is considered the world’s most toxic plant.
- Found in rainforests across Australia, Indonesia, and the Moluccas, this plant features heart-shaped leaves covered with fine trichomes containing powerful neurotoxins.
- Contact with the plant induces severe pain, often compared to “being burnt with acid and electrocuted simultaneously,” with effects lasting weeks or months.
Italy Grants Citizenship to Argentine President
- Argentina’s President Javier Milei has been granted Italian citizenship due to his ancestral ties to Italy.
- This decision has sparked criticism in Argentina, igniting debates about Italy’s citizenship policies.
- Critics highlight the disparity between descendants of Italian emigrants who easily obtain citizenship and children of immigrants born in Italy who often face rejection.
- The move also paves the way for stronger political and economic collaborations between Italy and Argentina.
National News
Visa-Free Travel to Russia for Indians Starting in 2025
- Indian nationals may soon travel to Russia without visas, starting in spring 2025.
- This initiative follows bilateral discussions in June 2024, aimed at easing travel restrictions and encouraging group tourism.
- While Indians currently require visas to visit Russia, this agreement is expected to simplify travel, boost tourism, and strengthen ties between the two nations.
“VIRAASAT” Sari Festival: Showcasing India’s Handloom Legacy
- The Ministry of Textiles has launched the “Viraasat Sari Festival 2024,” a grand handloom sari exhibition, at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi.
- Running from December 15 to December 28, the festival celebrates India’s rich handloom heritage, emphasizing the artistry and craftsmanship of handwoven saris from various regions.
- The event aims to preserve and promote the handloom sector, highlighting its cultural and economic significance.
Vice President Dhankhar Opens GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior
- Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the state-of-the-art GSI Geoscience Museum in Gwalior, accompanied by several prominent dignitaries.
- The museum, housed within the historic Victoria Market Building, stands as a hub for geological knowledge and a tribute to Earth’s geological diversity.
- The inauguration celebrated a blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing the Geological Survey of India’s (GSI) efforts in exploring and preserving the nation’s geological resources.
Defence News
MoU Between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and Indian Navy
- Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) has partnered with the Indian Navy through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance education, research, and training in logistics.
- This collaboration aims to strengthen the Navy’s logistics capabilities, particularly in supply chain management and sustainability, while aligning with national strategies like the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022.
SLINEX 2024: Strengthening India-Sri Lanka Naval Cooperation
- The Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) 2024 will take place in Visakhapatnam from December 17 to December 20 under the Eastern Naval Command.
- Since its inception in 2005, SLINEX has fostered maritime collaboration between the two nations.
- The exercise will include Harbour and Sea Phases, focusing on interoperability, regional security, and enhancing mutual understanding between the two navies.
INS Nirdeshak: A New Chapter in India’s Naval Strength
- The Indian Navy is commissioning its new survey ship, INS Nirdeshak, on December 18, 2024, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
- Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth will preside over the event.
- Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, this ship is the second in the Survey Vessel (Large) Project.
- INS Nirdeshak will bolster India’s maritime presence in the Indian Ocean Region, succeeding its predecessor that served the Navy for 32 years before being decommissioned in 2014.
Economy News
RBI Raises Collateral-Free Agricultural Loan Limit
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the collateral-free agricultural loan limit from ₹1.6 lakh to ₹2 lakh, effective January 1, 2025.
- This measure aims to provide small and marginal farmers with greater financial support to counter rising input costs and inflationary pressures while supporting their operational and developmental needs.
Government Collects ₹8,625 Crore via Disinvestment
- The Indian government has raised ₹8,625 crore so far in FY 2024-25 through minority stake sale disinvestments, as per MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary’s report to the Lok Sabha.
- While no specific disinvestment target was set for FY25, the government continues to promote privatization to improve efficiency and economic output in mature market sectors.
Wholesale Inflation Declines to 1.9% in November
- India’s wholesale inflation dropped to 1.9% in November, down from 2.4% in October, owing to a sharp reduction in food price inflation, which decreased from 11.6% in October to 8.9%.
- However, inflation in manufactured goods, including furniture, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment, remained high.
- Retail inflation also saw a decline, although certain items like edible oils and potatoes continued to be expensive.
Science & Technology News
ISRO Successfully Tests CE20 Cryogenic Engine
- ISRO achieved a major milestone on December 12, 2024, by successfully conducting the sea-level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Tamil Nadu.
- The test, conducted on November 29, 2024, validated the engine’s restart-enabling systems under ambient conditions.
- The indigenously developed CE20 engine is pivotal for India’s advancing space exploration missions.
Banking News
RBI Tackles Unclaimed Deposits
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has initiated steps to address the growing issue of unclaimed deposits, which include inactive savings/current accounts and term deposits untouched for over 10 years.
- These measures aim to protect depositor interests while introducing streamlined mechanisms to reclaim dormant funds.
Public Sector Banks Report ₹85,520 Crore Net Profit
- In the first half of FY 2024-25, Public Sector Banks (PSBs) achieved a net profit of ₹85,520 crore, a 26% rise compared to ₹67,850 crore in the same period last year.
- Improved asset quality, robust credit monitoring, and enhanced operational efficiency contributed to this growth, underscoring the financial resilience of PSBs.
Sports News
India Wins Women’s Junior Asia Cup Title
- The Indian women’s junior hockey team defended its Women’s Junior Asia Cup title by defeating China 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
- The final took place in Muscat, Oman, marking India’s victory in the 10th edition of the tournament.
- This accomplishment reinforces India’s position in international junior hockey.
Important Days
Pensioners Day: Honoring D.S. Nakara’s Legacy
- Pensioners Day, observed annually on December 17 in India, pays homage to D.S. Nakara, a crusader for pensioners’ rights.
- This day commemorates the landmark Supreme Court ruling of 1982, which upheld equality and justice for retired officials and pensioners.
