Context: UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday urged Afghanistan’s Taliban to reverse their ban on Afghan women working for NGOs. Taliban will Close All NGOs Employing Women
Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)
Context: India and other Quad member-nations on Tuesday reaffirmed the grouping’s steadfast commitment to work towards a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific amid China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. Quad: A Cooperative Alliance in Politics
Current Affairs 1 January 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz1 January, 2025 International Affairs 1. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) Context: India and other Quad member-nations on Tuesday reaffirmed the grouping’s steadfast commitment to work towards a free, open, and peaceful Indo-Pacific amid China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region. Quad: A Cooperative Alliance in Politics 2. UN condemns Taliban ban on Afghan women working at NGOs Context: UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday urged Afghanistan’s Taliban to reverse their ban on Afghan women working for NGOs. Taliban will Close All NGOs Employing Women 3. China shared COVID Information Context: Beijing insisted on Tuesday that it had shared information on COVID-19 “without holding anything back”, after the World Health Organization implored China to offer more data and access to understand the disease’s origins. Covid 19 Coronavirus disease 2019 is a contagious illness caused by a new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The disease rapidly spread across the world, bringing about the COVID-19 pandemic. World Health Organization 4. H1B Visa Context: With Donald Trump poised to return to power in 2025 after winning the election, his administration is expected to implement stricter H1B visa policies, including higher wage thresholds, reduced visa caps, and a focus on prioritising USeducated or higherskilled applicants, according to industry experts. H1B Visa Programme 5. COP294: Climate Change Negotiations and Finance Context: Finance has been a key point of climate change negotiations since the UN-led negotiations in 1991.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified finance, capacity-building, and technology transfer as critical enablers of climate action in developing countries. COP29: Takeaways and Stand of India Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) refers to an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. They are tasked to enhance scientific information on climatechange brought about by some human activities. National Affairs 1. Creation of a Mineral Exploration Master Plan Context: The government of Rajasthan is planning to create a mineral exploration master plan for five years. Who is Responsible for Mines Exploration in India? The Ministry of Mines (MoM) is responsible for the exploration and survey of minerals in India, except for petroleum, natural gases, and atomic minerals. The MoM also administers the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957 for all minerals and mines other than fossil fuels. Constitutional Provision Some other Organizations related to Mining in India: 2. Protests against Abolition of Districts in Rajasthan Context: Protests against the Rajasthan government’s decision to abolish nine newly created districts continued for a third day on Tuesday. Constitutional Provisions There is no clear provision in the Constitution for the abolition of districts. The district is a creation of the state governments, which have the authority to modify administrative divisions, reorganize districts, or even merge or bifurcate them. Such administrative reorganization comes under the matter of state policy rather than constitution. Creation of State The creation of a new state is governed by Articles 2, 3, and 4 of the Constitution. 3. Social Hostilities Index Report Context: Pew Research Center‘s religion-related hostilities report for the year 2022. Highlights: Important Indexes and India’s Position Index India’s Position (2023/2024) Description Issuing Organization Human Development Index (HDI) 132nd (2022) A composite index measuring average achievement in three basic dimensions: life expectancy, education, and per capita income. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) 58th (2023) Measures factors that drive long-term productivity and prosperity, including institutions, infrastructure, and innovation. World Economic Forum (WEF) Ease of Doing Business Index 63rd (2020) Ranks countries based on the conduciveness of their regulatory environment to business operations. (Note: Discontinued in 2021) World Bank Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 86th (2023) Ranks countries based on perceived public sector corruption, determined by expert assessments and surveys. Transparency International World Press Freedom Index 161st (2024) Measures media freedom in different countries, based on pluralism, independence, and transparency. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Global Innovation Index (GII) 40th (2023) Assesses innovation capability based on R&D, infrastructure, and education. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 168th (2022) Ranks countries on environmental health and ecosystem vitality. Yale University, Columbia University Global Hunger Index (GHI) 107th (2023) Multidimensional index measuring hunger and malnutrition around the world. Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe World Happiness Index 126th (2023) Measures happiness levels based on income, freedom, trust, and social support. United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 11th (2023) Assesses terrorism impact based on incidents, fatalities, and threats. Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) World Economic Forum’s Social Mobility Index 52nd (2023) Assesses how well countries offer opportunities for social mobility, including access to education, health, and economic opportunities. World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) 10th (2020) Measures countries’ commitment to cybersecurity, considering legal, technical, organizational measures, and capacity building. International Telecommunication Union (ITU) International Tax Competitiveness Index (ITCI) 61st (2023) Ranks countries on the competitiveness of their tax systems, evaluating corporate taxes and individual taxes. Tax Foundation Global Peace Index (GPI) 135th (2023) Measures peacefulness based on violence, conflict, incarceration rates, and access to weapons. Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Sustainable Development Goals Index 120th (2023) Measures countries’ progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN. Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 44th (2023) Ranks countries on logistics performance, including trade efficiency, infrastructure, and customs procedures. World Bank Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) 80th (2023) Assesses a country’s ability to develop, attract, and retain talent based on education, training, and employment. INSEAD, Adecco Group, Google 4. Judges appointment Context: Unlike the U.S., Indian judges are not appointees of the ruling party and are selected through a collegium of senior judges. Appointment of Judges The Constitution of India provides for the appointment of judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts under Articles 124(2) and 217. Impeachment of High Court Judge 5. India’s Foreigner Deportations and Visits Context: The highest number of foreigners deported from India were from Nigeria, followed by Bangladesh and Uganda, the Union Home Ministry said in its annual report for 2023-24. Key Highlights: The Foreigners Registration Office The Foreigners Registration Office is a department of the Indian government which is responsible for registering foreign nationals visiting India on a long-term visa. Its registration is within 14
Core Sectors Grow
Context: Output in India’s eight core infrastructure sectors that constitute about 40% of overall industrial production, grew at a four-month high pace of 4.3% in November, led by a 13% surge in cement, marking the sharpest rise in the key construction input’s production in well over a year. Core Sector in India The core sectors of India are the eight key industries that have a significant impact on the economy and other industries: electricity, steel, refinery products, crude oil, coal, cement, natural gas, and fertilizers. The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) refers to the index of eight core industries: This is a monthly production index. Its performance measures eight sectors, regarded as the backbones of the economy and also its capital base. The ICI is, therefore, the lead indicator for monthly industrial performance, showing the growth rates in different industry groups.
Restrictions on Sangli Sahakari Bank Curb
Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has lifted restrictions on Sangli Sahakari Bank, which had been in place for two and a half years. RBI Jurisdictions The RBI can ban NBFCs from sanctioning and disbursing loans if they violate regulations. For example, in October 2024, the RBI banned four NBFCs from doing so due to excessive interest rates and other violations The RBI can impose restrictions on banks for a variety of reasons, including:
Recovery of Domestic Equity Markets
Context: Domestic equity markets recorded annual profit for the ninth consecutive time because of a level of 10% below all-time high. Domestic Equity Markets A domestic equity market is an interface for buying and selling shares of companies within a country.
National Payments Corporation of India
NPCI, an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, is an initiative of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) under the provisions of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. It is a “Not for Profit” Company under the provisions of Section 25 of Companies Act (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013), with an intention to provide infrastructure to the entire Banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.
Draft National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing in India
Key Highlights:
Standard Operating Procedure of India for Liquidation of Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies (PACS)
Context: A new standard operating procedure (SOP) has been issued regarding the liquidation of PACS and LAMPS, according to which a liquidator should not take more than 15 days to complete the process after taking custody of property, claims, books, records, and documents. Key Highlights: Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) are the grassroots-level cooperative credit institutions in India that serve as a vital part of the country’s cooperative credit structure. They play a crucial role in providing financial assistance and credit to farmers, particularly in rural areas. PACS are an instrument of financial inclusion of rural India and empower farmers to get community support. Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) are specialized cooperative organizations in India, primarily focused on promoting the welfare of tribals and people residing in hilly and remote areas. These societies are particularly important in rural and underserved regions, providing financial and non-financial services to their members.
Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS)
Large Area Multipurpose Cooperative Societies (LAMPS) are specialized cooperative organizations in India, primarily focused on promoting the welfare of tribals and people residing in hilly and remote areas. These societies are particularly important in rural and underserved regions, providing financial and non-financial services to their members.
