National News
Govt Should Include Coking Coal in Critical Minerals List: NITI Aayog
1. Which organization recommended adding coking coal to India’s critical minerals list? answer: NITI Aayog
2. What is the significance of coking coal for India? answer: It is important for steel production and infrastructure development
Gwalior Unveils India’s First Self-Sufficient Gaushala with a State-of-the-Art CBG Plant
3. In which city was India’s first self-sufficient gaushala inaugurated? answer: Gwalior
4. What type of plant is established in the Adarsh Gaushala? answer: Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant
International News
UK and India to Relaunch FTA Talks in Early 2025
5. When are UK and India set to resume Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations? answer: Early 2025
6. What is the annual bilateral trade value between the UK and India? answer: GBP 42 billion
Bali Celebrates Hindu Festival of Gratitude
7. What is the major Hindu festival of gratitude celebrated in Bali? answer: Ngusaba Goreng
8. Which sacred dances are central to the Ngusaba Goreng festival? answer: Rejang Dewa and Rejang Pucuk
Mali’s Junta Replaces Prime Minister Choguel Maiga with Abdoulaye Maiga
9. Who has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Mali? answer: Abdoulaye Maiga
10. What is the name of the former Prime Minister of Mali who was replaced? answer: Choguel Maiga
State News
Cyclone Fengal: Heavy Rains Predicted for Tamil Nadu
11. Which country suggested the name ‘Fengal’ for the cyclone? answer: Saudi Arabia
12. Which state in India is predicted to receive heavy rains due to Cyclone Fengal? answer: Tamil Nadu
Defence News
Sea Vigil 24 Culminates A Step Towards Coastal Resilience
13. What coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) were covered in the Sea Vigil 24 exercise? answer: 11,098 km coastline and 2.4 million sq. km EEZ
14. How many agencies participated in the Sea Vigil 24 exercise? answer: Over 21 agencies*
Economy News
Zomato to Replace JSW Steel on BSE Sensex from December 23
15. Which company will replace JSW Steel in the BSE Sensex 30-stock index? answer: Zomato
16. From when will the reconstitution of the Sensex take effect? answer: December 23, 2024
India’s Forex Reserves See Sharpest Weekly Fall in Record, Hit 4-Month Low
17. By how much did India’s foreign exchange reserves fall, marking the sharpest weekly drop? answer: $17.76 billion*
18. What are the main reasons for the decline in India’s forex reserves? answer: Strengthening of the US dollar, RBI’s intervention, and declining gold prices*
Ranks & Reports News
World Bank Launches ‘Jobs at Your Doorstep’ Report in Delhi
19. Which organization released the ‘Jobs at Your Doorstep’ report? answer: World Bank
20. The report focuses on job diagnostics for young people in how many states? answer: Six states*
Banking News
RBI Doubles UPI 123Pay Limit to ₹10,000 for Feature Phones
21. What has the RBI increased the UPI 123Pay transaction limit to? answer: ₹10,000*
22. In which year was UPI 123Pay launched? answer: March 2022*
Agreements News
ISRO and ASA Join Hands for Gaganyaan Mission
23. Which foreign space agency has ISRO collaborated with for the Gaganyaan mission? answer: Australian Space Agency (ASA)*
24. What is the main focus of this collaboration? answer: Crew and crew module recovery*
Science and Technology News
IISc Introduces STRONG for Nanopore Research
25. Which new language has IISc introduced for nanopore research? answer: STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry)*
26. What is the primary purpose of the STRONG language? answer: To enable machine learning models to accurately predict nanopore properties*
Important Days News
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Shaheedi Divas 2024: A Tribute to the Ninth Sikh Guru’s
27. When is Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Shaheedi Divas observed? answer: November 24*
28. Which Sikh Guru is Guru Tegh Bahadur? answer: Ninth Sikh Guru*
Sports News
Sony Sports Secures Rights for All ACC Tournaments (2024-2031)
29. Which network has secured broadcasting rights for all ACC tournaments? answer: Sony Sports Networks*
30. What is the duration of the broadcasting rights deal? answer: 2024 to 2031*
Awards News
PM Modi Receives Global Peace Award in Washington
31. Which organization awarded PM Modi the Global Peace Award? answer: Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM)*32. To whom is this award dedicated?answer: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
23rd November Current Affairs 2024
National News
NITI Aayog Recommends Adding Coking Coal to Critical Minerals List
The NITI Aayog has urged the inclusion of coking coal in India’s critical minerals list, highlighting its essential role in steel production and infrastructure development. This aligns with global practices, such as the European Union’s designation of coking coal as a critical raw material. With India relying on imports for 85% of its coking coal, the report titled “Enhancing Domestic Coking Coal Availability to Reduce Imports” suggests policy reforms to utilize the country’s 16.5 billion tonnes of reserves. The move aims to reduce dependency on imports while aligning with India’s Net Zero commitments by 2070.
PM Modi Unveils India’s First Self-Sufficient Gaushala in Gwalior
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Adarsh Gaushala in Laltipara, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, marking a milestone in sustainable development. Equipped with a state-of-the-art Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant, the gaushala transforms organic waste into green energy, embodying the “Waste to Wealth” philosophy. The initiative sets a precedent for integrating renewable energy solutions with environmental conservation.
International News
India-UK FTA Talks to Resume in 2025
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) discussions with India in early 2025. This decision follows his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where both leaders reinforced their commitment to a strategic partnership spanning security, defense, technology, and education. Bilateral trade between the two nations is currently valued at GBP 42 billion annually.
Bali Celebrates Thanksgiving Festival with Traditional Dances
Bali’s Ngusaba Goreng festival, a two-week-long celebration of gratitude for a bountiful harvest, showcases the island’s unique blend of Hindu philosophy and local traditions. Sacred dances like Rejang Dewa and Rejang Pucuk, performed by prepubescent girls, are integral to this festival, emphasizing the deep spiritual connection between the Balinese community and their heritage.
State News
Cyclone Fengal Likely to Impact Tamil Nadu
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported the formation of Cyclone Fengal in the Bay of Bengal. Expected to intensify into a depression by November 24, it could bring heavy rainfall to Tamil Nadu. This weather system follows closely on the heels of Cyclone Dana, which caused significant damage in Odisha last month.
Defense News
Sea Vigil 24 Strengthens India’s Coastal Security
The fourth edition of Sea Vigil, a nationwide coastal defense exercise, concluded on November 21, 2024. Covering India’s 11,098 km coastline and 2.4 million sq. km Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the exercise involved 21 agencies across six ministries. The 36-hour tactical operation reinforced India’s maritime readiness to counter evolving security threats.
Economy News
Zomato to Join BSE Sensex in December 2024
Zomato, the leading online food delivery platform, is set to replace JSW Steel in the BSE Sensex index from December 23, 2024. The reconstitution reflects the changing dynamics of India’s economy and highlights the growing importance of technology-driven businesses.
India’s Forex Reserves Witness Record Fall
India’s foreign exchange reserves plunged by $17.76 billion to $657.8 billion, marking the sharpest weekly decline since records began in 1998. The drop, attributed to the strengthening US dollar, Reserve Bank of India interventions, and declining gold prices, raises concerns over external economic stability.
Science and Technology News
IISc Launches STRONG Language for Nanopore Research
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has introduced STRONG (STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry), a novel language for encoding nanopore structures. Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, STRONG enables machine learning models to predict nanopore properties, advancing the integration of computational tools in materials science.
Sports News
Sony Sports Secures Exclusive ACC Broadcasting Rights (2024–2031)
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has partnered with Sony Sports Networks for the exclusive broadcast of all ACC tournaments from 2024 to 2031. Announced by Jay Shah, this deal aims to enhance the visibility and reach of cricket in the region.
Jhulan Goswami Honored with Eden Gardens Stand
Indian cricket legend Jhulan Goswami will have a stand named in her honor at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens. This recognition, the first for a woman cricketer at the iconic venue, celebrates her extraordinary contributions to women’s cricket. The inauguration will coincide with the India-England T20I on January 22, 2025.
Important Days
Guru Tegh Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day Observed on November 24
Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, is remembered for his unparalleled sacrifice in defending religious freedom. His Martyrdom Day, observed on November 24, honors his legacy of bravery and spiritual resilience.
World Philosophy Day Celebrated on November 21
World Philosophy Day, observed annually on the third Thursday of November, highlights the role of philosophy in addressing global challenges and fostering critical thought. This year, it was celebrated on November 21, emphasizing its importance in promoting intercultural dialogue and understanding.
