Context: Data from the VAHAN portal (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) showed that total new vehicle registrations were 24.16 million in 2019, 18.6 million in 2020, 18.9 million in 2021, and 21.5 million in 2022. The VAHAN portal The VAHAN portal is an online platform that offers many services related to vehicles, including registration, permits, taxes, and enforcement. The portal is part of the National Transport Project, a Mission Mode Project (MMP) under the National eGovernance Program (NeGP). The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) The National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) is a government plan to integrate e-governance initiatives across India. The plan’s goals are to: The plan was approved by the government on May 18, 2006. It includes: 31 Mission Mode Projects (MMPs), 8 components, Core infrastructure components, and Support components. Mission Mode Project (MMP) A Mission Mode Project (MMP) is a project that focuses on a specific aspect of electronic governance. MMPs are part of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) and are characterized by clearly defined objectives, timelines, and measurable outcomes. e.g. e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) and Vehicle Registration and Driving License (
Nuclear Power Sector Ready to Welcome Private Investment
Context: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) invites interest from private players for the establishment of Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs). The BSRs will be commercially available small reactor systems with capacity up to 220 megawatts. Bharat Small Reactors BSRs NPCIL has invited the private sector proposals for setting up Bharat Small Reactors BSRs, having a capacity of 220 MW. The Nuclear reactors would replace coal fired thermal power plants with captive usage by energy intensive units like steel, aluminium, copper and cement units. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) Some Important Nuclear Power Plants in India Power Plant Name Location Installed Capacity (MW) Type of Reactor Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project Maharashtra 9,600 (6 units of 1,600 MW each) European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Tamil Nadu 2,000 (2 units of 1,000 MW each) Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Chutka Nuclear Power Project Madhya Pradesh 2,000 (2 units of 1,000 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Tarapur Nuclear Power Station Maharashtra 1,400 (2 units of 500 MW each, 2 units of 1,000 MW each) Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Kakrapar Atomic Power Station Gujarat 1,400 (2 units of 700 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Rajasthan 1,180 (2 units of 220 MW each, 2 units of 700 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Haryana 1,400 (2 units of 700 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Kaiga Nuclear Power Station Karnataka 880 (4 units of 220 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Narora Atomic Power Station Uttar Pradesh 440 (2 units of 220 MW each) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Bhavini (Fast Breeder Reactor) Tamil Nadu 500 Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
Ukraine Diverted Russian Gas Supplies
Context: Following the lapse last year of a pre-war transit agreement, Ukraine diverted Russian gas supplies from European customers. Who is World’s Largest Producer of Crude Oil? The United States is the world’s largest producer of crude oil.
Current Affairs 2 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz2 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. Ukraine Diverted Russian Gas Supplies Context: Following the lapse last year of a pre-war transit agreement, Ukraine diverted Russian gas supplies from European customers. Who is World’s Largest Producer of Crude Oil? The United States is the world’s largest producer of crude oil. 2. Pakistan as Non-Permanent Member of UNSC Context: Pakistan has commenced its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) The UNSC is a core organ of the UN responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security, recommendation of new members to the General Assembly, and approval of amendments to the UN Charter. It has powers such as creating peacekeeping missions, imposing sanctions, and conducting military operations. National Affairs 1. Will Accept SC Decision: Centre Context: According to Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture, it would abide by whatever going happen as a result of the Supreme Court directive regarding the indefinite hunger strike by farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. Key Highlights: Some Government Loan Waiver Schemes The Minimum Support price (MSP) 2. India’s Education Development in 2024 and 2019 Context: The continuation of education into higher grades has remarkably increased in 2024 compared to 2019. Key Highlights: Schemes to Minimise Dropout Rates in in India Scheme Name Year Launched Ministry Key Features Mid-Day Meal Scheme 1995 Ministry of Education (MoE) Provides free meals to students from Class 1 to 8 in government schools to improve enrolment, attendance, and retention rates. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao 2015 Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Education Focuses on girls’ education, ensuring their participation and retention in schools, while promoting their safety and well-being. Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan 2018 Ministry of Education (MoE) Integrated scheme for school education from pre-school to senior secondary level. Focuses on quality education, teacher training, and reducing dropout rates. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE) 2008 Ministry of Education (MoE) Provides financial incentives to girls who pass Class 8 and enrol in Class 9, aiming to reduce the dropout rates among girls at the secondary education level. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PMPSN) 2022 Ministry of Education (MoE) A new initiative for revamping and strengthening the Mid-Day Meal Scheme to enhance the nutritional value, further promoting school attendance and retention. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) 2004 Ministry of Education (MoE) Provides quality education to girls, especially in rural areas, to reduce dropout rates. Special focus on vulnerable girls from disadvantaged groups. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 2009 Ministry of Education (MoE) Focuses on improving access to secondary education and reducing dropout rates at the secondary level. Offers financial support for infrastructure and teacher development. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS) 2008 Ministry of Education (MoE) Provides scholarships to talented students from economically weaker sections to prevent dropout after Class 8. Encourages continuation of education at the secondary level. Shiksha Sahyog Yojana 2019 Ministry of Education (MoE) Provides additional resources and support for students from weaker socio-economic backgrounds to keep them in schools and prevent early dropouts. Saakshar Bharat Programme 2009 Ministry of Education (MoE) Aimed at reducing illiteracy, this scheme focuses on adult education to prevent dropouts in rural areas by enabling the community to value education. The Right to Education Act (RTE) 2009 Ministry of Education (MoE) Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years, aiming to reduce dropouts by making education accessible to all children, regardless of their background. 3. Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) Context: Today, the Indian Air Force has only 31 fighter squadrons left, compared to its authorized strength at 42 fighter squadrons. The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) is a program by the Indian Air Force (IAF) which aim is to acquire 114 fighter jets to bolster the country’s air combat capabilities. The IAF announced the program back in April 2018, and the government issued a request for proposals in 2018. The valuation of program is expected to be $20 billion. A multirole combat aircraft (MRCA) is a combat aircraft that can perform a variety of roles, including air to air combat, air support, aerial bombing, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare. 4. Scorpene-Class Submarine Context: Scorpene-class submarine among 3 frontline platforms to be inducted by Navy on Jan. 15 INS Vagsheer (s-26) and INS Tushil 5. Report FCRA violations by NGOs, govt. asks CAs Context: The home ministry of the Union has now published the terms necessary for audit return filing by these CAs on behalf of the NGOs. It is a known fact that as per the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, the CAs cannot just specify the name of NGO but must also certify that the organization does not violate any provision of the Act. Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) It is an independent, as well as non-profit organization that operates outside of government control. NGOs are basically a part of the “third sector” of society, along with the public and private sectors. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can receive funds from multiple sources such as, Donations, Membership fees, Grants from state govt. as well as private donors, Crowdfunding as well as MSMEs. In order to receive foreign donations, the NGOs must: The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) is a law that primarily regulates accepting and use of foreign funds by certain individuals, organizations, and companies in India. The FCRA was first enacted in 1976 and was later revised in 2010. 6. Annual Report from Indian Cyber Coordination Center against Crime Context: The 2023-24 annual report from the Indian Cyber Coordination Center against Crime. Against cyber crime, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and State governments have added 54,800 volunteers. The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) is a government program that assists the government in addressing issues related to cybercrime in the country. Set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it provides a platform for coordinated comprehensive action on issues
RBI’s Intervention in Foreign Exchange Markets for Growth Support
Context: Reserve Bank of India is in a supportive mood and accepts rupee depreciation to grab the growth cycle. The Foreign Exchange Market The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized OTC market for currency trading, determining foreign exchange rates for each currency. It encompasses buying, selling, and exchanging currencies at current prices, making it the largest trading market globally, following the credit market.
MSMEs Seek Exemption from Audits
Context: Industry bodies representing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have asked the government to exempt MSMEs with turnovers below ₹ 5 crore from unnecessary audits and inspections unless major discrepancies are detected. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) MSME stands for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. These are businesses that are relatively small in budget and have limited operations. MSMEs are a vital part of the Indian economy, contributing to employment, industrialization, and the socio-economic development of the country. The MSMED Act of 2006 defines the classification of MSMEs, which was revised in 2020:
Credit Expansion in the Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Sector of India
Context: Compared to the credit growth during the same fortnight of 2023, the credit growth for the NBFC sector shrank to 7.8% for the fortnight ending November 29, 2024. Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
Major Developments of RBI in 2024
Context: Lists all major developments of RBI in 2024 such as: Next Generation Data Warehouse, RBI Retail Direct Mobile Application, Fintech Repository, PRAVAAH portal, and Internationalization of UPI. 1. Next Generation Data Warehouse (NGDW): 2. RBI Retail Direct Mobile Application 3. Fintech Repository 4. PRAVAAH Portal 5. Internationalization of UPI (Unified Payments Interface)
Resolution of Public Grievances in Banking
Context: The Finance Ministry on Wednesday urged public sector banks and insurance companies to expedite the resolution of public grievances. Resolution of Public Grievances in Banking The resolution of public grievances in banking is crucial for ensuring consumer satisfaction and maintaining trust in the financial system. India has established several frameworks and regulatory mechanisms to address complaints and disputes related to banking services. Banking Ombudsman Scheme and RBI’s Consumer Protection and Complaints Redressal Mechanism
Bank Loan Growth Dropped for the Fifth Month
Context: For the fifth month, Indian banks reported a drop in their loan growth in November due to continued “crackdown” by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on “exuberant” lending activities. Bank Loan Growth Bank loan growth is the change in the total amount of credit that banks provide to the economy over a year. It includes loans for food, non-food, cash, and overdrafts
