Below is a concise overview of the most important current affairs from the last six months (October 2024–April 2025) relevant for Bank, SSC, and State PSC exams, focusing on key topics like national and international events, banking and economy, government schemes, science and technology, sports, and awards. These topics are curated based on their significance and relevance to competitive exams.
1. National Affairs
- Government Schemes and Policies:
- PM Suryaghar Free Electricity Scheme: Launched to provide free electricity up to 300 units per month to households installing solar panels, aiming to promote renewable energy.
- Unified Pension Scheme (UPS): Introduced for central government employees, offering a guaranteed pension of 50% of the last drawn salary for those with 25+ years of service.
- Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024: Replaced the Aircraft Act of 1934 to modernize aviation regulations, focusing on ease of doing business and safety.
- Key Events:
- Cyclone Dana: Hit Odisha and West Bengal in October 2024, causing significant damage but no major casualties due to effective disaster management.
- Jharkhand and Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Conducted in November 2024, with JMM-led alliances and BJP-led Mahayuti retaining power, respectively.
- Delhi Air Pollution Crisis: AQI levels crossed 400 in November 2024, prompting GRAP-IV measures like school closures and vehicle restrictions.
- Appointments:
- Justice Sanjiv Khanna: Appointed as the 51st Chief Justice of India in November 2024.
- Lt Gen Ajith Nilakantan: Took over as Director General of Assam Rifles in October 2024.
2. International Affairs
- Global Summits and Agreements:
- G20 Summit 2024 (Brazil): Focused on sustainable development, climate finance, and global health. India emphasized its role in the Global South.
- COP29 (Baku, Azerbaijan): Held in November 2024, discussed climate finance and carbon neutrality goals, with India pushing for equitable funding for developing nations.
- India-ASEAN Summit (Vientiane, Laos): India announced a 10-point plan to strengthen ties, including trade and digital connectivity.
- Geopolitical Developments:
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Continued with India maintaining a neutral stance, advocating for peace talks.
- Israel-Palestinian Conflict: Escalated in Gaza, with India calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid.
- BRICS Summit (Kazan, Russia): India supported expansion and local currency trade to reduce dollar dependency.
- Reports and Indexes:
- Global Hunger Index 2024: India ranked 105th, categorized as “serious,” sparking debates on methodology.
- Human Development Index 2024: India improved marginally, reflecting progress in education and health.
3. Banking and Economy
- RBI Updates:
- Repo Rate: Unchanged at 6.5% in the December 2024 Monetary Policy Committee meeting to balance growth and inflation.
- Digital Rupee: RBI expanded the scope of the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot, integrating it with UPI for retail transactions.
- SLR and CRR: Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) remained at 18.25%, and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 4.5% as of April 2025.
- Banking Reforms:
- Merger of Banks: Continued focus on consolidating public sector banks, with discussions on further mergers to strengthen financial stability.
- Financial Inclusion: RBI launched campaigns to promote digital banking in rural areas, emphasizing PM Jan Dhan Yojana.
- Economic Indicators:
- GDP Growth: India’s GDP growth projected at 6.8–7% for FY 2024–25 by IMF and RBI.
- Inflation: Retail inflation hovered around 5–6%, driven by food prices, prompting RBI’s cautious monetary policy.
4. Science and Technology
- Space and Defense:
- Chandrayaan-4 Mission: Approved by the Union Cabinet, aimed at lunar sample return by 2027.
- Gaganyaan Mission: Preparations advanced for India’s first manned space mission, scheduled for 2026.
- DRDO Developments: Successful testing of the Hypersonic Missile and Agni-5 with MIRV technology.
- Digital and Tech Innovations:
- 5G Expansion: India achieved 98% 5G coverage in urban areas, with focus on rural connectivity.
- AI and Semiconductors: National AI Mission and Semiconductor Mission gained momentum with new R&D centers.
5. Sports
- Cricket:
- India vs Australia Test Series: Ongoing in December 2024, part of the World Test Championship.
- IPL 2025: Retention lists announced, with players like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni retained by RCB and CSK, respectively.
- Other Sports:
- Paris Paralympics 2024: India won 29 medals, including 7 golds, its best-ever performance.
- Chess Olympiad 2024: India’s men’s and women’s teams won gold in Budapest, Hungary.
6. Awards and Honors
- Nobel Prizes 2024:
- Economics: Awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A. Robinson for work on institutions and prosperity.
- Peace: Nihon Hidankyo (Japanese atomic bomb survivors’ group) for anti-nuclear advocacy.
- Indian Awards:
- Bharat Ratna 2024: Conferred on former PM PV Narasimha Rao and others for contributions to economic reforms.
- Padma Awards 2025: Announced, recognizing grassroots innovators and cultural icons.
- Others:
- Oxford Word of the Year 2024: “Brain rot” for excessive exposure to low-quality online content.
7. Miscellaneous
- Health:
- JN.1 COVID Variant: Detected in India with 21 cases by December 2024, prompting health advisories.
- National Health Mission: Expanded to include mental health programs in rural areas.
- Environment:
- Ban on Single-Use Plastics: Enforced strictly in multiple states, with focus on biodegradable alternatives.
- Namami Gange Progress: Over 70% of sewage treatment plants completed by March 2025.
- Education:
- NEET 2025: Scheduled for May, with reforms to enhance transparency post-2024 paper leak controversies.
- New Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Implementation accelerated with focus on vocational training.
