Current Affairs — 18 December 2024

📋 State Schemes 📍 Tamil Nadu Must know

Tamil Nadu releases additional ₹400 crore for Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin announced an additional ₹400 crore for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing scheme on 18 December 2024.

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🛡️ Weapons & Induction 📍 India Must know

INS Nirdeshak, second Survey Vessel (Large), commissioned into Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam

INS Nirdeshak, the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 18 December 2024.

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🌿 Wildlife & Protected Areas 📍 Assam Must know

India tags a Ganges River Dolphin for the first time, in Assam

The first-ever Ganges River Dolphin was satellite-tagged in Assam on 18 December 2024 under Project Dolphin.

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🎓 Education, Health & Society 📍 India Important

EPFO gives employers final chance till 31 January 2025 on 3.1 lakh pending higher-wage pension applications

EPFO on 18 December 2024 gave employers a final opportunity till 31 January 2025 to upload wage details for over 3.1 lakh pending applications for pension on higher wages.

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📅 Important Days & Themes 📍 India Important

National Commission for Minorities observes Minorities Rights Day on 18 December 2024

The National Commission for Minorities celebrated Minorities Rights Day on 18 December 2024, marking the UN declaration adopted on 18 December 1992.

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🔬 Health & Medicine 📍 Tamil Nadu Important

National Institute of Siddha sets Guinness World Record for mass Varmam therapy to 567 people

The National Institute of Siddha set a Guinness World Record on 18 December 2024 by providing Varmam therapy to 567 people at the same time in Chennai.

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💹 GDP, Inflation & Economic Data 📍 India Important

ESIC adds 17.80 lakh new workers and 21,588 establishments in October 2024

Provisional ESIC payroll data released on 18 December 2024 showed 17.80 lakh new employees enrolled under the ESI Scheme in October 2024.

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🔬 Research & Discoveries 📍 Karnataka Important

CeNS Bengaluru develops boron nitride nanosheet strategy to regulate infrared radiation

Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences, Bengaluru developed a way to regulate infrared radiation using hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets, DST said on 18 December 2024.

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🎭 Heritage & UNESCO 📍 Delhi Important

National Museum marks 64th Foundation Day with 'Heritage Unlocked' exhibition

The National Museum, New Delhi marked its 64th Foundation Day on 18 December 2024 with a special exhibition titled 'Heritage Unlocked'.

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