Daily Current Affairs 20 December, 2024 International Affairs 1. UN General Assembly Context: UN General Assembly Adopt CAH Treaty Highlights: UN General Assembly Crimes Against Humanity (CAH)  It approve the text of a proposed treaty on crimes against humanity (CAH). This resolution is the beginning of negotiations between states to finalize the treaty. more>> 3. What is H1B Visa? H-1B non immigrant visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, defined by statute as occupations that require highly specialized knowledge and a bachelor’s or higher degree in the specific specialty, or its equivalent National Affairs 1. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre’s Polar Sundial Context: An unusual sundial designed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and put on display in the ‘Rocket Garden’ of its Space Museum at Thumba in Kerala is likely to find many takers in the days ahead. Key Highlighhts: The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which mainly focused on rocket and space vehicles for India’s satellite programme. It is located in Thiruvananthapuram, in the Indian state of Kerala. 2.  Spot-Billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) Context: A spot-billed pelican feeding its young one at the Uppalapadu Bird Sanctuary in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. The spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) or gray pelican is a member of the pelican family. 3. Biomedical Waste Context: The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday directed the Kerala government and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) to remove in three days the biomedical and mixed solid waste dumped in villages of Tirunelveli district in Tamil Nadu. What is Biomedical Waste? Biomedical waste (BMW) is any waste that’s generated during the diagnosis, treatment, or immunization of humans or animals 4. Uttar Pradesh Assembly adjourned sine die Adjournment sine die is a term used to describe when a legislative assembly or organizational board ends a meeting without setting a date to reconvene. The term comes from the Latin phrase sine die, which means “without a day” 5. How does PM Vidyalaxmi differ from other schemes? PM Vidyalaxmi: A Central Sector Scheme for Meritorious Students Introduction Eligibility Read more>> 6. PVTG sub-quota Context: About four years after the Centre introduced a sub-quota of 5% for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in admissions to Eklavya Model Residential Schools for tribal students across the country. What is Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)? Also Read: INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES ‘EKLAVYA’ ONLINE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR OFFICERS’ TRAINING 7. Indian Solar Panel Manufacturing Context: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a deadline of June ’26 for solar companies to use only India-made solar photovoltaic cells in their panels. Key Highlights: PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is a government scheme that aims to provide free electricity to households in India. It launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024. The scheme facilitates, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Surakshaevam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme The PM-KUSUM scheme provides Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) with a Procurement-Based Incentive (PBI) to buy solar or other renewable energy 8. No impact of MFN status to India: Nestlé India Nestlé India on Thursday said the suspension of the MFN (most favoured nation) clause granted to India by Switzerland will have ´no impact´ on the company. What is MFN (most favoured nation) ? Also Read: MFN treatment for India by Switzerland 9. Violation of SBO norms: LinkedIn appeals Context: LinkedIn has appealed against the order of the corporate affairs ministry that held it in violation of significant beneficial owner (SBO) norms and penalised Microsoft´s CEO Satya Nadella and LinkedIn´s chief Ryan Roslansky, among seven others. significant beneficial owner (SBO) Significant Beneficial Owner (SBO) norms are a set of rules that identify individuals who have ultimate beneficial ownership in a company in India. The rules were introduced by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.  10. Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Context: NITI Aayog Plan: VGF has now been recommended to provide up to 40 percent support for mega housing development projects close to the manufacturing units. VGF stands for Viability Gap Funding, it is a scheme by the Government of India that provides financial support to infrastructure projects that are economically desirable but not commercially viable. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance administers the scheme. NITI Aayog Plan 11. PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman Program Context: The PM POSHAN Shakti Nirman Program receives its subsidies through underpaid labor, saving over half of the Centre’s annual budget for the scheme at Rs 7,400 crore. 90% of women workers are included. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM Poshan) Yojana is a scheme to provide hot cooked meals to children in government as well as government aided schools. Scheme Benefits and Conditions 12. Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Context: A 11-month-old child afflicted with a rare disease, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) About the Diseases: 13. The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) Context: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) has refused to grant a stay to the broadcasters challenging the July 8 tariff regulation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) concerning pay channels on DD Free Dish. About: The Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) is a body that settles disputes and appeals in the telecommunications sector of India.  Banking/Finance 1. SEBI Introduces Fund Deployment Timelines Context: SEBI mandates timelines for NFO fund deployment Key Highlights: Also Read: What measures has Sebi introduced? What is SEBI? 2. RBI State Finances Report Key Highlights: RBI and it’s Monetary Policy Comparing GVA and GDP 5. US, India Bond Yields Hit 20-Year Lows The yields of US 10-year treasury bonds and Indian 10-year government securities have shrunk to almost 20-year minimum levels; they now impact foreign portfolio investors consistent with inflows to India’s government debt. Government securities (G-Secs) are debt instruments issued by the government to raise funds for public expenditure.  Treasury Bond 7. Foreign Exchange (