Dear Readers, Here we have given the list of Important Weekly Current Affairs of Dec 08th to 14th Dec 2024. Candidates those who are preparing for Upcoming SBIClerk 2024 and other competitive exams can make use of it.

Weekly Current Affairs December 08th to 14th PDF Download

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

• International Anti-Corruption Day 2024 is observed on the 9th of December 2024.
• Human Rights Day 2024 is observed on the 10th of December 2024.
• Nobel Prize Day 2024 is observed on the 10th of December 2024.
• UNICEF Foundation Day 2024 is observed on the 11th of December 2024
• International Mountain Day 2024 is observed on the 11th of December 2024.
• Universal Health Coverage Day 2024 is observed on the 12th of December 2024.
• The International Day of Neutrality, celebrated annually on December 12, is dedicated to promoting global peace, sovereignty, and the resolution of conflicts through diplomatic and impartial means.
• National Energy Conservation Day 2024 is observed on the 14th of December 2024.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL NEWS

• The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of the Rithala-Narela-Nathupur (Kundli) corridor, part of Delhi Metro's Phase-IV project, aiming to enhance connectivity between Delhi and Haryana.
• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled Channel 31, India’s first television channel in Indian Sign Language (ISL).
• Three books based on the late Sitaram Yechury's writings on culture, media, science, and secularism were released, marking a tribute to his intellectual legacy
• In a historic milestone, India has been elected to chair the 68th Session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) for the first time
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 and the Rajasthan Global Business Expo at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
• The PM POSHAN Scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative by the Government of India, continues to play a pivotal role in providing nutritional support to students in Government and Government-aided schools
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bima Sakhi Yojana, an initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), designed to promote women’s empowerment by enhancing financial literacy and insurance awareness across underserved communities.
• The Indian government has clarified that the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act will not apply to coffee plantations for loan recoveries
• Starting January 1, 2025, around 8 crore students from state-funded higher education institutions (HEIs), including universities and IITs, will gain access to research papers from leading global journals under the government’s ‘One Nation, One Subscription’ (ONOS) initiative
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the complete works of the legendary Tamil poet, freedom fighter, and visionary Subramania Bharati at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has introduced the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, aiming to repeal and replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
• The Government of India has launched a series of impactful programs aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, empowering farmers, and fostering sustainable practices
• Renowned Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil has been named one of the six Champions of the Earth for 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• In a significant stride for the INROAD project, the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII), Kottayam, has introduced a genetically modified (GM) rubber clone—RRII 417—tailored specifically for the climatic conditions of India’s Northeast region.
• India is poised to introduce 5G mobile connectivity at airports, a transformative step aimed at enhancing passenger services and operational efficiency

• The Narendra Modi government aims to more than double defence exports from ₹21,083 crore in March 2024 to over ₹50,000 crore by 2029.

• The Union Cabinet has approved two Bills aimed at facilitating the implementation of simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL NEWS

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Qatar and Bahrain from December 6-9, 2024, to strengthen bilateral ties and discuss various sectors such as trade, investments, and security.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATE NEWS

• The 25th edition of Nagaland's renowned Hornbill Festival is currently underway, drawing attention due to a debate over relaxing the 35-year-old liquor prohibition law during the festival.
• Gujarat’s traditional “Gharcholas,” worn during weddings in Hindu and Jain communities, have received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Government of India.
• The Bihar government will host the “Bihar Business Connect 2024 Ambassadors’ Meet” on December 9, 2024 in New Delhi to promote its investor-friendly policies and ease of doing business.
• The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly adopted a resolution on December 9, 2024, urging the Union government to cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Nayakkarpatti village, Melur taluk, Madurai district.

• Kerala Tourism launched a multi-language microsite and e-brochure aimed at providing comprehensive information about the Sabarimala temple.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS NEWS

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has recommended that the government adhere to fiscal deficit targets of 4.9% of GDP for 2024-25 and 4.5% for 2025-26 in the upcoming Union Budget 2024-25, cautioning against overly aggressive targets that might hinder economic growth
• The Telangana government has announced securing ₹7,000 crore in investments, marking the first anniversary of the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government
• Google Play has announced its Best of 2024 awards for India, recognizing significant mobile app and game innovations, particularly in the artificial intelligence (AI) and gaming sectors
• Dale Vaz, ex-CTO of Swiggy, launched Sahi, a stock trading platform, aiming to empower retail investors and traders.

• Uber has introduced a new service in Bengaluru called Uber Moto Women, designed to offer women a safer, more comfortable commuting option by connecting female riders with female drivers

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BANKING AND ECONOMY

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the introduction of a new benchmark for the interest rate derivatives market based on secured money markets.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is launching podcasts to expand its communication efforts and improve the dissemination of information to the public.
• SBI Card surpassed 20 million credit cards in circulation, marking a significant achievement in its credit card business, which started in 1998.
• As per World Gold Council (WGC) data, Central bank gold buying surged to 60 tonnes in October 2024, with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) leading the increase by adding 27 tonnes to its reserves.
• The KLEMS (K: Capital, L: Labour, E: Energy, M: Materials and S: Services) database published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), provides employment estimates for both the public and private sectors at the national level.
• India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows crossed the $1 trillion mark from April 2000 to September 2024, solidifying its status as a key global investment destination.
• Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on December 9, 2024, following the presentation of the bi-monthly monetary policy on December 8, 2024.
• A proposal to rationalize GST on insurance premiums is gaining support from the Financial Services Department and Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) ahead of the GST Council meeting on December 21 in Rajasthan.
• Axis Bank, a private sector bank in India, launched the 'ARISE Women's Savings Account', aimed at addressing the financial needs of women.
• Top-rated private and government-owned non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) are increasingly turning to external commercial borrowings (ECBs) to raise funds due to lower borrowing costs compared to domestic bank loans.
• The Federal Bank launched an initiative called "Kaliyum Karyavum" to teach life skills to school children through traditional art forms.
• IDFC FIRST Bank has introduced India's first AI-powered holographic digital avatar of legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
• BharatPe, a rapidly growing UPI payment service in India, has introduced 'Shield', a comprehensive fraud protection plan aimed at safeguarding digital UPI transactions.
• Bank of Baroda introduced two initiatives aimed at enhancing lending to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs):Baroda Mahila Swavalamban: A loan scheme for women-led MSMEs., Baroda Smart OD: A digital overdraft facility offering short-term working capital finance for GST-registered MSMEs.
• HSBC India, in collaboration with Mastercard, launched an invitation-only premium credit card for its private banking clients.
• Deutsche Bank India provided a €91 million (₹814 crore) sustainability-linked loan to SMFG India Credit (SMICC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG).
• Public Sector Banks (PSBs) wrote off loans worth ₹42,035 crore in the first half of FY25 (April-September).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is rolling out an Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) based model called MuleHunter.
• The Real GDP growth for FY25 has been revised downward to 6.80% in the latest round of the RBI’s Survey of Professional Forecasters (SPF) on Macroeconomic Indicators, down from 6.90% in the previous round.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a 50 basis points cut in the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), reducing it from 4.5% to 4% of banks' deposits.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the limit for collateral-free agriculture loans from ₹1.6 lakh to ₹2 lakh per borrower.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted small finance banks (SFBs) to offer pre-sanctioned credit lines through Unified Payments Interface (UPI), expanding the scope beyond scheduled commercial banks, which were previously the only entities allowed to do so.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed the formation of a committee to develop a Framework for Responsible and Ethical Enablement of AI (FREE-AI) in the financial sector.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed banks to urgently take necessary actions to reduce the number of inoperative/frozen accounts and ensure that the process of activating such accounts is made smoother and hassle-free.
• The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has urged the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) to blacklist customers who attack or abuse bank staff, closing their accounts and preventing them from opening new accounts for at least 3 years.
• S&P Global retained India’s GDP growth forecast for FY24-25 at 6.8%, despite the RBI’s reduction to 6.6%.
• Public sector banks (PSBs) wrote off approximately ₹7 lakh crore between FY2019-20 and FY2024-25 (till September) , the Finance Ministry has informed the Rajya Sabha.
• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced the expansion of the optional T+0 settlement cycle to the top 500 stocks by market capitalization, starting from December 31, 2024.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased the interest rate ceilings on Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank (FCNR(B)) deposits to attract more foreign investment.
• The Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has partially reversed its decision to disable the cash retraction facility in ATMs, which was initially done in January 2012 due to fraud concerns.
• For the first time since at least five years, the number of ATMs in the country has fallen with a decrease seen across all segments - metro cities, urban and semi-urban centres as well as rural areas.
• The rate of interest on Government of India Floating Rate Bond 2031 (FRB 2031) applicable for the half year December 07, 2024 to June 06, 2025 shall be 7.59% per annum.
• PhonePe launched a Dengue and Malaria Insurance Plan starting at ₹59 per year on its platform.
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to link the FX-Retail platform with the Bharat Connect platform of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

• Axis Bank predicts India's Gross domestic product (GDP) growth will rise to 7% in FY26.
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY2024-25 to 6.5%, a reduction of 50 basis points from the previous projection of 7%.
• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) expects a minimum of five times the business (measured by stipend paid to a 'Bima Sakhi') through this initiative aimed at empowering women by training them as insurance agents.
• MobiKwik has reduced its Initial Public Offering (IPO) size from ₹700 crore to ₹572 crore due to volatile market conditions and increased regulatory scrutiny of fintech players.
• The World Bank has approved a $200 million project to help Kerala farmers adapt to climate change and promote agri-entrepreneurship.
• Karnataka Bank has launched its first 'Retail Assets Centre' (RAC) in JP Nagara, Bengaluru, to streamline the bank's retail loan processing.

• The Government has been proactively supporting the banking ecosystem and taking care of both business and employee welfare to maintain stability, transparency, and growth.
• The Finance Ministry seeks approval for over ₹44,000 crore in additional cash expenditure through the first Supplementary Demands for Grants (SDG).
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $500 million loan to support India’s economic growth by promoting environmentally sustainable infrastructure projects.
• State Bank of India (SBI) is seeking a ¥30 billion ($197 million) loan facility, marking its involvement in a record volume of yen loans raised by Asian borrowers excluding Japan in 2024.
• India is better positioned than many of its peers to handle global challenges but needs to accelerate structural reforms.
• Axis Asset Management Company (Axis AMC) has opened a new branch in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), marking a significant step in its global strategy.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

• The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2024 has been awarded to Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and a globally recognized advocate for human rights and equality
• US President-elect Donald Trump was awarded the "Patriot of the Year" honor at the Tilles Centre in New York.
• Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s feature debut, All We Imagine As LUNICEF Foundation Day 2024 is observed on the 11th of December 2024ight, has achieved a significant milestone with two nominations at the 82nd Golden Globes Awards:
• Bharati Kolli, a trailblazer in the banking sector, has been recognized as one of the Rising Star Women Leaders of Banking for 2024 by the esteemed group, Women We Admire
• Renowned filmmaker Shaji N Karun has been awarded the JC Daniel Award 2023, the highest honor in Kerala cinema, for his extraordinary lifetime contributions to Malayalam cinema
• Renowned Hindi writer Suryabala has been awarded the prestigious 34th Vyas Samman for her novel "Kaun Des Ko Vasi: Venu Ki Diary", published in 2018
• Two-time Oscar-winning composer R. Rahman has been named the Honorary President of Trinity Laban, the United Kingdom's leading conservatoire for music, musical theatre, and contemporary dance.
• Time magazine has named Donald Trump its Person of the Year for 2024, marking the second time the former and now re-elected U.S. President has received the honor.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

• The government has appointed Vaibhav Chaturvedi as an ex-officio member of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
• Rahul Narwekar, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, is set to be elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
• United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump appointed Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and space enthusiast, as his choice to lead NASA.
• Sanjay Malhotra has been appointed as the 26th Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• Mohammad al-Bashir was appointed as the transitional Prime Minister of Syria following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

• Ajay Seth, the Economic Affairs Secretary, has been given the additional charge of the Revenue Department.
• Salil Hajarnis has been appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Poonawalla Fincorp, a non-banking finance company (NBFC) promoted by the Cyrus Poonawalla Group.
• Bhavesh Jain has been appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO)  of TransUnion CIBIL, replacing Rajesh Kumar, who resigned after a five-year tenure.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: MOUS AND AGREEMENT

• India and Australia conducted a three-day review of their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), aiming to expand trade and strengthen economic ties
• Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IIT Roorkee for a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative valued at 20.73 crore
• India and the United Kingdom have signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to cooperate on the design and development of electric propulsion systems for the Indian Navy.
• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a landmark partnership between Google and the Andhra Pradesh Government, aimed at fostering artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in Visakhapatnam

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND REPORTS

• The QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2025 were released, showcasing universities' global and environmental contributions
• According to the WHO World Malaria Report 2024, India has emerged as a leader in reducing malaria cases and deaths, contributing significantly to the decline in malaria across the WHO South-East Asia Region

CURRENT AFFAIRS: ACQUISITION AND MERGERS

• Paytm's wholly-owned Singapore unit (One97 Communications Singapore) is set to sell its stake in PayPay, a Japanese fintech company, to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for ₹2,364 crore.

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the open offer by the Burman family, the promoters of Dabur, to acquire an additional 26% stake in Religare Enterprises Limited (REL).
• One97 Communications (OCL), the owner of Paytm, is selling its 5.4% shareholding in Japan's PayPay to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for ₹2,364 crore (~$280 million).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DEFENCE NEWS

• The two-day Commanders' Conference of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Western Air Command (WAC) was held on 06 & 07 December 2024 in New Delhi.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit the Russian Federation from December 08-10, 2024.
• The Indian Navy conducted an 'Operational Demonstration' on December 4, 2024, showcasing various naval operations, including those by ships, submarines, aircraft, marine commandos, and Indian Army personnel, at Blue Flag Beach, Puri, Odisha.
• INS Tushil, a multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 9, 2024, at Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
• The Indian Light Tank (ILT) successfully fired rounds at different ranges at an altitude of over 4200 meters in a High Altitude Location, achieving consistently accurate results.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹13,500 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of 12 Russian-origin Su-30MKI fighter jets to address the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet strength deficiency.
• The 9th India-Thailand Defence Dialogue took place in New Delhi on December 12, 2024.
• The 4th edition of SAMPARK, an outreach initiative by the ECHS (Navy), is aimed at ensuring the well-being of Naval Veterans, Veer Naris, and their families by providing direct communication and healthcare services.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

• Iran conducted a successful satellite launch using the Simorgh rocket, designed to carry payloads to low Earth orbit. 

• IISR Surasa is a new ginger variety developed by the ICAR – Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) through a farmers participatory breeding programme.
• Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) became the first research organization globally to release the most detailed 3D high-resolution images of the fetal brain.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

• Indian Grandmaster Gukesh (18) secured a critical victory against defending champion Ding Liren (32) of China in Game 11 of the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore
• Lando Norris triumphed at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix capping off an extraordinary Formula One season by clinching the Constructors' Championship for McLaren
• SkaSports Investments Private Limited, an Indian sports business, has partnered with Angkor Tiger Football Club in Cambodia to inaugurate a state-of-the-art football stadium in Siem Reap, renowned for its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Wat.
• Indian archers continue to achieve remarkable success in the international indoor circuit, with Jyothi Surekha Vennam and Abhishek Verma making significant podium finishes at the GT Open, part of the Indoor Archery World Series, held in Strassen, Luxembourg
• World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered a bogey-free final round to claim the Hero World Challenge title at the Albany course.

• Aryna Sabalenka, the 26-year-old Belarusian tennis star, received the prestigious WTA Player of the Year award for 2024.

• The 2030 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
• Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh, aged 18, has made history by defeating reigning champion Ding Liren to become the youngest World Chess Champion.
• Odisha continues its commitment to advancing sports infrastructure with the inauguration of a Badminton High-Performance Centre at the prestigious Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARIES

• S M Krishna, former Chief Minister of Karnataka, passed away at the age of 92.
• Nikki Giovanni, the charismatic and iconoclastic poet, activist, children’s book author and professor who wrote, irresistibly and sensuously, about race, politics, gender, sex and love, passed away in Blacksburg at the age of 81.