Current affairs 22 December 2024

India Becomes the Third Largest Pharma Market Globally.

• India’s pharmaceutical industry, valued at $50 billion, is the third largest globally by volume, with exports totaling $26.5 billion.
• The industry is diverse, covering generic drugs, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics, with a global presence.
• The Department of Pharmaceuticals has established seven NIPERs for research and education, further strengthening India's position in the sector.

Ayodhya Becomes UP’s Top Tourist Destination in 2024.

• Ayodhya overtook the Taj Mahal as UP's most visited spot, attracting 135.5M domestic and 3,153 international visitors in 2024.
• Ram temple's inauguration drove Ayodhya's rise as a spiritual tourism hub, boosting UP's total visitors to 476.1M by September 2024.
• Varanasi - 62 million visitors
• Mathura - 68 million visitors
• Prayagraj - 48 million tourists
• Mirzapur - 11.8 million visitors.

India, France Partner for World's Largest Museum.

• India and France signed an MoU to develop the Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum, modeled after the Louvre, in New Delhi's North and South Blocks.
• Once completed, it will be the largest museum in the world.
• The agreement was signed by France Museums CEO Herve Barbaret and India’s National Museum DG B.R. Mani on December 19, 2024.

India's Renewable Energy Sector Sees Record Investment in 2023.

• India's renewable sector attracted a record Rs 30,255 crore ($3.66 billion) in project finance in 2023.
• Solar power projects received 49% of the total renewable energy investment, followed by hybrid projects (46%) and wind energy (6%).
• Gujarat attracted the highest renewable energy investment, with Rs 9,857 crore ($1,193 million), followed by Karnataka with Rs 4,593 crore ($556 million).

Delhi to Host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships.

• India will host the Para Athletics World Championships for the first time in 2025 at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from September 26 to October 5.
• This 12th edition marks the event's fourth time in Asia.
• Delhi will also host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix from March 11-13, 2025.