Current affairs 01 December 2024

India Re-elected to U.N. Peacebuilding Commission for 2025–2026.

• India has been re-elected to the United Nations Peacebuilding for a 2-year term, continuing its efforts to promote global peace and stability.
• As a founding member and major peacekeeping contributor, India deploys about 6,000 personnel across several UN missions, including South Sudan, Lebanon, and the Central African Republic.
• 180 Indian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives in service.

India’s Core Sector growth rebounds to 3.1% in October.

• Core sector growth improved to 3.1% in October 2024, marking the second consecutive month of recovery, following a low of 0.1% in August.
• The eight core industries (coal, oil, gas, steel, etc.) account for 40% of India's industrial output, showing signs of a gradual rebound.
• Despite the recovery, growth in the first half of FY25 remains lower at 4.2%, down from 8.2% in the previous year.

India, UK signed pact for Electric Propulsion Systems for Warships.

• India and the UK have signed a framework agreement to co-design and co-produce electric propulsion systems for future warships.
• The Statement of Intent (SoI) aims to enhance cooperation in the development of electric propulsion for landing platform docks to be built at Indian shipyards.
• The pact reflects a commitment to promoting indigenous technology and strategic defense collaboration.

1.4 Million Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards issued for senior citizens.

• 14 lakh Ayushman Vay Vandana cards have been issued to senior citizens aged 70+ under AB-PMJAY as of November 25, 2024.
• 4.5 crore families with senior citizens are covered under the scheme, benefiting over 6 crore individuals.
• A three-tier grievance redressal system has been set up at district, state, and national levels to address healthcare issues faced by beneficiaries.

IIT Guwahati Hosts IISF 2024, First in Northeast Region.

• The 10th India International Science Festival (IISF) is hosted by IIT Guwahati from November 30 to December 3, 2024, marking the first IISF in the Northeast.
• Coordinated by CSIR and its lab CSIR-NIIST, the event promotes science-society engagement, initiated in 2015 by Vijnana Bharati.
• Curtain-raiser outreach saw participation from over 200 school students in Guwahati.