NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Cabinet approved National Mission on Natural Farming: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the launching of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.2481 crore (Government of India share – Rs.1584 crore; State share – Rs.897 crore) till the 15th Finance Commission (2025-26).Objective – To promote natural farming in mission mode across the country as a standalone Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.Rooted in the traditional knowledge inherited from their forefathers, farmers will practise Natural Farming (NF) as a chemical free farming which involves local livestock integrated natural farming methods, diversified crop systems, etc. NF follows local agro-ecological principles rooted in local knowledge, location specific technologies and is evolved as per the local agro-ecology.
2. Cabinet approves ₹7,927 crore multitracking projects to boost rail connectivity: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three major multitracking projects for Indian Railways at a cost of approximately ₹7,927 crore.The initiative aims to enhance rail connectivity, reduce congestion, and contribute to economic growth.These tracks are part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, designed to integrate multi-modal connectivity and ensure the seamless movement of people and goods.The projects span seven districts across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, impacting around 1,319 villages and benefiting a population of approximately 38 lakh. Notably, the improved connectivity will serve two aspirational districts, Khandwa and Chitrakoot, and enhance the Mumbai-Prayagraj-Varanasi route, a key rail corridor.
3. Centre approves ₹3,689 crore investment for two hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved an investment of ₹3,689 crore for the construction of two hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi district. Both projects are expected to be completed within 50 months.An outlay of ₹1,939 crore has been sanctioned for the Heo Hydroelectric Project (HEP), while ₹1,750 crore has been approved for the Tato-I Hydroelectric Project (HEP), according to an official statement issued after the CCEA meeting.The Heo Hydroelectric Project (HEP), with an installed capacity of 240 MW (3 x 80 MW), is expected to generate 1,000 Million Units (MU) of energy annually. The power produced will enhance the electricity supply in Arunachal Pradesh and contribute to balancing the national grid.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. 29 November – International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: Every year since 1977, the United Nations calls for the observance of November 29 as the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.The General Assembly passed a resolution to that effect in 1977, selecting this particular day as this was when, in 1947, the Assembly adopted a resolution partitioning the Palestinian territory into an Arab State and a Jewish one.
2. 30 November – Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare: The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is observed annually on November 30.Established during the 20th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, this memorial day honors the memory of victims and strengthens the commitment of the international community to the complete eradication of chemical weapons.
This observance not only pays tribute to the victims but also reinforces the principles of peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Amit Shah inaugurated 59th All India Conference of DGP/IG in Odisha: The Union Minister for Home Affairs, Amit Shah, has inaugurated the 59th All India Conference of Director Generals (DGP)/ Inspector General (IG) of Police in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.For the first time, the state of Odisha hosted the All India Conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police.The 58th All-India Conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police was held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on January 6 and 7, 2024.The 59th All India Conference of Director Generals/ Inspector Generals of Police brings together the central government and the state government apparatus responsible for the country’s internal security.
2. India UK sign agreement on Electric Propulsion System for Indian Navy: India and the U.K. signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on cooperation on the design & development of Electric Propulsion Systems for the Indian Navy.The signing was part of the third joint working group meeting of electric propulsion capability partnership as part of efforts by both sides to promote the indigenous development of niche technologies.The SoI would serve as a broader framework intended for cooperation in the co-design, co-creation and co-production of electric propulsion capability for future naval ships.The development of Electric Propulsion Systems for the Indian Navy will be done through a collaboration between the United Kingdom’s GE Power Conversion and Indian government-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL).
3. 13th edition of India -Singapore Agni Warrior Military Exercise concluded: The 13th edition of Joint Military Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024), a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and Singapore Armed Forces, concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra).The three-day exercise conducted witnessed participation by the Singapore Armed Forces contingent comprising 182 personnel from the Singapore Artillery and the Indian Army contingent comprising 114 personnel from the Regiment of Artillery.The aim of XAW-2024 was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to achieve jointness as a multinational force under the United Nations Charter.The exercise showcased joint firepower planning, execution and use of New Generation Equipment by the Artillery of both Armies.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Nirmala Sitharaman Reviews Performance of 4 states RRB in Bihar: A meeting of the eight Regional Rural Banks (RRB) operating in four states of the Eastern Region- Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal was held in Patna, Bihar.The Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the meeting.The Union Ministry of Finance periodically holds meetings with the heads of the RRBs to review banks’ performance.In addition to the Union Finance Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Samrat Choudhary, and the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services, M. Nagaraju, were present.Representatives of the Reserve Bank of India, National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD), and Small Industrial Development Bank of India( SIDBI), the Chairperson of these eight RRBs, and the senior officers of these four states attended the meeting.
2. Economy growth rate dips to 5.4 % during July-September Quarter 2024: The Indian real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate dipped to 4 % in the July-September quarter of 2024 compared to the 2023 July-September quarter growth rate of 8.1 %, according to National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).The Indian economy’s second-quarter growth rate was lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s forecast of 7 per cent.The mining and quarrying sector was the only sector which recorded a negative growth of 0.1 %.India’s real GDP growth rate was estimated at 6.0% in the first six months (April-September) of 2024, compared to 8.2 % in the first six months of the previous 2023-24 financial year.released the latest data on 29 November 2024.
3. India signs $98 million loan agreement with ADB to boost horticulture productivity: India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $98 million loan agreement to enhance horticulture crop productivity in the country.The funding will support the establishment of disease-free planting material systems, boosting crop yields, quality, and resilience to climate change.The loan amount will be used to target crops like almonds, apples, avocados, berries, citrus, grapes, guava, litchi, mango, pomegranate, and walnuts.The government will establish dedicated clean plant centres to maintain disease-free foundation materials that accredited nurseries will later propagate.The government will provide licences to private and public nurseries to whom the dedicated clean plant centres will supply the disease-free foundation materials. These nurseries will further propagate these disease-free plants and distribute them to the horticulture farmers.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Lithuanian drama ‘Toxic’ wins Golden Peacock Award for Best Film at the 55th IFFI: The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was concluded in Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Panaji, Goa.The 55th International Film Festival of India was organised by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Entertainment Society of Goa, Government of Goa.This year, the festival received 1,676 submissions from 101 countries. The nine-day festival presented over 180 international titles from 81 countries, which include 16 premieres in World, three in International, 43 in Asian, and 109 in Indian categories. The Director of the 55th IFFI was noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.
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