INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Russia will launch visa-free travel for Indian tourists in 2025.
• Russia will introduce visa-free travel for Indian tourists starting in 2025.
• In June 2024, Russia and India signed a bilateral agreement to ease visa regulations.
• The main objective is to facilitate visa-free group tourist exchanges between the two countries.
• From spring 2025, Indian tourists may be able to visit Russia without the need for a visa.
• E-visas for Indian travelers were introduced in August 2023, with processing completed in four days.
• Most Indian visitors to Russia travel for business or work purposes. Over 60,000 Indians visited Moscow in 2023.
• China and Iran citizens currently enjoy visa-free access to Russia under a similar program.
• Indian passport holders currently have visa-free access to 62 countries worldwide.
Former football player Mikheil Kavelashvili became the President of Georgia.
• Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former football player, was elected as the President of Georgia.
• Kavelashvili won the election easily as he was the only candidate on the ballot.
• His victory was guaranteed by the dominance of the Georgian Dream party, which controls the 300-seat electoral college.
• The electoral college system replaced direct presidential elections in Georgia in 2017.
• Georgian Dream also retained control of the parliament in October 2024, amid allegations of rigged elections with support from Moscow.
• Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-Western leader, served as president since 2018, with her six-year term now concluded.
• Kavelashvili's presidency marks a shift in Georgia’s leadership following Zourabichvili’s term.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Begins 3-Day India Visit
• Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka visited India from December 15-17, 2024.
• This marked Dissanayaka's first official visit to India since assuming office.
• During his visit, he met with Indian President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Kumar Doval.
• The President visited New Delhi and the World Heritage Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar.
• Dissanayaka, elected as Sri Lanka’s President in September 2024, chose India as the destination for his first foreign visit.
• The visit highlights Sri Lanka's commitment to strengthening ties with India.
• The trip focused on enhancing bilateral relations and deepening diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.
STATE NEWS
The first yoga policy in India will be implemented in Uttarakhand.
• Uttarakhand will implement India’s first Yoga Policy, announced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
• The announcement was made at the 10th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2024, hosted in Uttarakhand.
• The event has seen participation from delegates across 50+ countries, with over 6000 experts in attendance.
• The new Yoga Policy aims to combine yoga and ayurveda to drive a health revolution.
• Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the need for the Central Government to establish the All India Institute of Ayurveda in the state.
• The state government plans to promote Ayurvedic herb cultivation by designating one model AYUSH village in each district.
• The Prakriti Parikshan Abhiyan, launched by the Central Government on October 29, aims to promote Ayurveda nationwide.
• Uttarakhand is taking significant steps to integrate traditional practices like yoga and Ayurveda for holistic health development.
Gujarat’s 1st semiconductor assembly and testing plant inaugurated by Jal Shakti Minister in Surat.
• Gujarat's first semiconductor assembly and testing plant was inaugurated in Surat by Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil.
• Minister C.R. Patil highlighted that Gujarat is set to become a global hub for semiconductor production.
• Semiconductors are vital raw materials for the electronics industry.
• Suthi Semicon has invested 840 crore rupees to establish the plant in Bagumra, Palsana taluka.
• The plant will have the capacity to produce 300,000 semiconductor chips daily.
• Production of electronic chips has already commenced at the new facility.
• The plant is part of Gujarat's efforts to boost its electronics and semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
• This facility marks a significant step in the state’s growing role in the global semiconductor supply chain.
The 10th International Forest Fair in Bhopal has been inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
• The 10th International Forest Fair was inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in Bhopal.
• The fair is being held in Bhopal from December 17 to December 23, 2024.
• It provides a platform for discussions among collectors, traders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers in the forest sector.
• Representatives from Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Australia are participating in the event.
• This year’s theme is "Women Empowerment through Minor Forest Produce."
• The theme emphasizes the role of women, as half of Madhya Pradesh’s minor forest produce is managed by them.
• The fair aims to highlight the importance of women’s contribution to forest-related livelihoods and sustainability.
DEFENCE
Joint naval exercise SLINEX 2024 between India and Sri Lanka started from December 17.
• SLINEX 2024 began on December 17 off the Visakhapatnam coast and will conclude on December 20.
• The exercise is being conducted by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of India.
• SLINEX 2024 is split into two phases: Harbour Phase (December 17-18) and Sea Phase (December 19-20).
• Initiated in 2005, SLINEX has played a key role in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
• INS Sumitra, an Indian offshore patrol vessel, along with a Special Forces team, is participating on India’s behalf.
• SLNS Sayura, Sri Lanka’s offshore patrol vessel, will join the exercise with an embarked Special Forces team.
• The exercise aims to enhance maritime security and operational cooperation between the two nations.
• SLINEX 2024 is focused on promoting a safe, secure, and rules-based maritime environment in the Indian Ocean.
New survey vessel ‘INS Nirdeshak’ has been commissioned into Indian Navy.
• The Indian Navy has inducted the new survey vessel, INS Nirdeshak.
• INS Nirdeshak will provide critical deep-sea data for the Navy's operations.
• The vessel will support the functioning of warships and submarines.
• It was officially inducted into the Navy fleet in Visakhapatnam on December 18.
• Over 80% of the materials used in the construction of INS Nirdeshak are indigenous.
• The survey vessel was built by GRSE Kolkata, weighing 3800 tonnes and measuring 110 meters in length.
• Powered by two diesel engines, it is equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic survey technology.
• Designed for hydrographic surveys, it will also assist with navigation and support maritime operations.
BANKING, ECONOMY AND FINANCE
India's total exports came to $67.79 billion, a 9.59% increase over November 2023.
• India's total exports reached $67.79 billion in November 2024, marking a 9.59% increase compared to November 2023.
• From April to November 2024, merchandise exports totaled $284.31 billion, up by 2.17% from the same period in 2023.
• Merchandise exports dropped slightly from $33.75 billion in November 2023 to $32.11 billion in November 2024.
• Non-petroleum exports amounted to $28.40 billion in November 2024, reflecting a 7.75% growth from $26.36 billion in November 2023.
• Key drivers of export growth in November 2024 included electronics, technical items, rice, marine products, and ready-made clothing.
• Imports in November 2024 were estimated at $87.63 billion, a significant increase of 27.47% over November 2023.
• Total imports for the period from April to November 2024 stood at $619.20 billion, a rise of 9.55% from 2023.
• The surge in gold imports contributed to an increase in the merchandise trade imbalance, rising from $27.14 billion to $37.84 billion in November 2024.
SPORTS
India clinched the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 hockey championship
• India won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 hockey championship on December 15 in Muscat, Oman.
• In the final, India defended its title, defeating China 3–2 in a penalty shootout.
• Goalkeeper Nidhi made three crucial saves during the penalty shootout, securing India’s victory.
• Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunita Toppo scored for India in the penalty shootout.
• Hockey India announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for each player and Rs 1 lakh for each support staff member for their outstanding performance.
• Deepika Sehrawat was the top scorer of the tournament, with 12 goals.
• India had previously won its first Women’s Junior Asia Cup in 2023 by defeating Republic of Korea.
• The victory highlights India’s growing strength in women’s hockey at the junior level.