Current Affairs — 21 December 2024
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sat, 21 Dec 2024
55th GST Council at Jaisalmer cuts GST on Fortified Rice Kernel to 5%, exempts gene therapy, raises rate on used vehicles to 18%
The GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on 21 December 2024 and recommended a series of rate changes and clarifications.
India State of Forest Report 2023: forest and tree cover at 25.17% of geographical area, up 1,445 sq km since 2021
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released ISFR 2023, the 18th biennial report of the Forest Survey of India, at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, on 21 December 2024.
Amit Shah addresses 72nd NEC Plenary in Agartala; chairs 12th NESAC Society meeting the same day
The 72nd Plenary Session of the North Eastern Council was held in Agartala, Tripura, on 21 December 2024, followed by the 12th meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre Society.
Climate Smart Agro-Textile Demonstration Centre opens in Navsari, Gujarat, under the National Technical Textiles Mission
The Ministry of Textiles and SASMIRA launched a 15,000 sq m demonstration centre for agro-textiles in Navsari, Gujarat, on 21 December 2024 in the presence of Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil.
Mines Ministry holds roadshow in Porbandar, Gujarat, for India's first-ever auction of offshore mineral blocks
The Ministry of Mines presented the auction process for India's first offshore areas mineral blocks to industry at Porbandar, Gujarat, on 21 December 2024, highlighting lime-mud for cement.
First World Meditation Day observed on 21 December 2024 after UN General Assembly proclamation led by core group including India
World Meditation Day, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly with India in the core group of sponsors, was observed for the first time on 21 December 2024.
Bhupender Yadav opens Advanced Pashmina Certification and Next Generation DNA Sequencing facilities at WII Dehradun
The Wildlife Institute of India in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, received two new facilities on 21 December 2024, building on the Pashmina Certification Centre opened a year earlier.
Association of NPS Intermediaries launched in Mumbai; PFRDA Chairperson unveils logo
The Association of NPS Intermediaries (ANI) was launched at the Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai, on 21 December 2024 to bring together stakeholders of the National Pension System.
Gadkari inaugurates India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 at Mansar, Nagpur
The Nagpur–Mansar bypass stretch of NH-44 in Maharashtra, built with lignin-based bio-bitumen, was inaugurated on 21 December 2024.
Ashwini Vaishnaw confers 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 101 railway officials and 22 shields to zones
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the 69th Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 21 December 2024.