Monthly Current Affairs December 2024
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released extensive data for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, encompassing 42 detailed statistical reports. The voter turnout saw a significant rise, with 64.64 crore votes cast, marking a 7.43% increase in the number of registered electors compared to the previous election. There was a notable surge in the participation of women and third-gender voters. The total number of polling stations also saw an increase, reaching 10.53 lakh, and nominations spiked to 12,459. Women electors now make up 48.62% of the electorate, while the number of female candidates running for office reached 800. The elections showcased enhanced inclusivity, with a marked rise in third-gender and persons with disabilities (PwD) voters. National parties collectively secured 63.35% of valid votes, while independent candidates, despite a large number of 3,921 contestants, secured only modest results, with just 7 of them being elected.
In a significant political development, Justice V Ramasubramanian, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on December 23, 2024. This position had been vacant since Justice Arun Kumar Mishra’s tenure ended on June 1, 2024. Justice Mishra had made history as the first non-Chief Justice of India to hold the NHRC chairmanship following the 2019 amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act. In the interim, NHRC member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani had been handling the responsibilities.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projected a GDP growth of 6.6% for FY25 in its December 2024 Financial Stability Report (FSR). This forecast is supported by strong rural consumption recovery, increased government spending, and robust services exports. Although the growth rate moderated to 6% in the first half of FY25 from 8.2% in the first half of FY24, the RBI highlighted India’s resilience, citing solid macroeconomic fundamentals, improved asset quality in banks, and a stable financial system. Risks, including softening urban demand, global economic uncertainties, and rising protectionist trade policies, were noted. The report also forecasts a decline in inflation due to strong crop harvests, though potential disruptions from climate events and geopolitical tensions could complicate inflation dynamics.
In rail technology, China unveiled its CR450 high-speed train prototype, boasting a maximum test speed of 450 km/h, surpassing the CR400 Fuxing’s top speed of 350 km/h. The CR450 represents a leap forward in rail technology, focusing on energy efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. This innovation is part of China’s larger strategy to expand its high-speed rail network to 70,000 km by 2035, reinforcing its leadership in global rail systems.
The 5th edition of the Filmfare OTT Awards in 2024 celebrated the best in digital entertainment, with major recognition in both films and series. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar led the nominations with 16 nods, followed by Guns & Gulaabs and Kaala Paani. The Railway Men won Best Series, while Amar Singh Chamkila, directed by Imtiaz Ali, dominated the film category, collecting several awards. Stars such as Diljit Dosanjh, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Ananya Panday were honored for their stellar performances.
In the Middle East, the Assad family’s rule in Syria, which had spanned over five decades, came to an end as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), breached Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee. This marked the fall of the Alawite dynasty that had ruled since 1970, when Hafez al-Assad took power.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 167 development projects worth ₹5,500 crore in Prayagraj to enhance infrastructure and facilities for the Maha Kumbh 2025. These initiatives aim to improve city infrastructure, transportation, and amenities for pilgrims. Modi also launched the Sah’AI’yak Chatbot, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline communication with visitors. He underscored the cultural, spiritual, and economic significance of the event, emphasizing its role in fostering national unity.
India’s billionaire count has surged to 185 in 2024, reflecting a 20% rise from the previous year, securing the country’s third position globally, after the US and China. This growth is driven largely by family-owned businesses in sectors like pharma, fintech, and edtech. Meanwhile, China saw a decline in its billionaire population, falling from 520 to 427 due to economic slowdowns and regulatory shifts. Analysts predict that India will continue on a growth trajectory, following patterns seen in China’s pre-2020 rise.
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh temporarily stayed a High Court verdict that had declared ‘Joy Bangla’ as the national slogan. Popularized by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the Bangladesh Liberation Movement, the slogan was officially recognized by the previous government under Sheikh Hasina. The case reflects ongoing political shifts in the country and the complexities surrounding national identity.
Time magazine named Donald Trump as its Person of the Year for 2024, marking his second win. The recognition celebrates his political influence, his stunning comeback to the presidency after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the November 5 election, and his role in reshaping the future of American politics.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron appointed François Bayrou as the new Prime Minister, amidst growing political instability. Bayrou, a centrist ally of Macron, is tasked with navigating the fractured parliament to pass key legislation, including the 2025 budget bill. His appointment followed the ousting of Michel Barnier’s government after a vote of no-confidence, exacerbating political unrest, rising borrowing costs, and a European leadership vacuum.
Switzerland has decided to suspend the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) clause in its tax treaty with India, potentially raising taxes on Indian companies operating in Switzerland. Following a 2023 Indian Supreme Court ruling that altered the interpretation of the MFN clause, Switzerland will now impose a 10% withholding tax on dividends paid to Indian companies, an increase from the previous 5%, effective January 1, 2025.
The Bloomberg list of the world’s richest families for 2024 revealed significant wealth disparities, with the Walton family (Walmart) leading at $432.4 billion, surpassing Elon Musk. Other notable families include the Al Nahyan (UAE), Al Thani (Qatar), and Hermès (France). Indian families such as the Ambanis and Mistrys are also featured among the top 25, marking the growing global influence of Indian billionaires.
Flipkart has signed an MoU with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to accelerate tech startup growth in India. This partnership expands on Flipkart’s $100 million venture fund and will focus on mentoring and investing in early-stage startups to help them scale and expand internationally.
In sports, the FIFA The Best Awards 2024 were held in Doha, Qatar, on December 17. Vinicius Jr. was awarded Best Men’s Player, while Aitana Bonmati retained her title as Best Women’s Player. Emiliano Martinez and Alyssa Naeher were recognized as the Best Goalkeepers. The awards were determined through votes from national team coaches, captains, media members, and fans.
The 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on key reforms affecting luxury items, food delivery platforms, and insurance products. Proposals included higher GST on premium goods, reducing rates for food delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato, and exempting specific insurance products from GST to make policies more affordable.
The year 2024 was marked by multiple global crises, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Hamas-Israel conflict, and severe climate disasters. These challenges, along with global food shortages and humanitarian crises in regions like Afghanistan and North Korea, underscored the need for international cooperation and urgent global interventions.
The Top 10 Global Crises That Defined 2024
Russia-Ukraine War:
- Despite international efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution, the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensified through 2024, leading to significant casualties, economic turmoil, and disruptions to global supply chains. The war escalated into a battle for control over strategic territories, with ongoing foreign military aid and sanctions exacerbating tensions. The humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced, continues to dominate international diplomatic discussions.
Hamas-Israel Conflict:
- The Israeli-Palestinian conflict erupted into full-scale violence in 2024, particularly after Hamas launched a series of deadly attacks on Israeli cities, prompting large-scale military retaliation by Israel. The devastating toll on both sides, including massive civilian casualties and the destruction of critical infrastructure, led to global calls for a ceasefire, yet a sustainable peace agreement remained elusive.
Climate Change-Driven Disasters:
- Extreme weather events, including catastrophic floods, wildfires, and cyclones, became more frequent and severe, leading to widespread devastation across regions such as Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Climate change continued to strain governments and communities as they struggled with recovery efforts, while international climate summits failed to implement binding solutions. The global warming crisis had a profound impact on agriculture, leading to food security concerns worldwide.
Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan:
- The withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan in late 2021 resulted in a collapse of the Afghan government, but the country continued to face economic and political instability in 2024. Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by poverty, hunger, and Taliban rule, remained one of the most pressing global issues, with millions relying on international aid for survival.
Global Food Shortages:
- Scarcity of key agricultural products, worsened by the Ukraine war and climate change, caused widespread food shortages across several countries. In Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America, rising food prices and the inability to access essential supplies led to mass hunger and unrest. Global food security was further threatened by trade disruptions and poor harvests.
North Korean Military Tensions:
- North Korea’s continued missile tests and military provocations in 2024 heightened tensions in the Korean Peninsula and sparked concerns globally about a potential military conflict. Despite UN sanctions, North Korea’s expanding weapons program and continued defiance of international norms posed a direct threat to regional security.
Sudanese Civil War:
- Sudan’s internal conflict reached new heights in 2024 as the civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces escalated. The war displaced millions of people, resulting in widespread famine and economic collapse. Efforts by international peacekeepers and UN agencies to stabilize the region have thus far been unsuccessful, and the crisis remains unresolved.
Economic Crisis in Venezuela:
- Venezuela continued to grapple with an ongoing economic collapse, characterized by hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and government instability. In 2024, the country experienced worsening power shortages, food scarcity, and a deteriorating health system. Millions of Venezuelans fled to neighboring countries, exacerbating the regional refugee crisis.
Refugee Crisis in the Mediterranean:
- The Mediterranean continued to be a focal point for global migration as tens of thousands of refugees fleeing conflict, persecution, and poverty in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and Asia sought to reach Europe. In 2024, humanitarian organizations warned of worsening conditions for migrants attempting the dangerous sea crossings, leading to calls for stronger international cooperation on migration policy.
Drug Cartel Violence in Mexico:
- Mexico’s escalating war on drugs continued in 2024, with cartel violence leading to thousands of deaths. The government’s military-led approach struggled to contain the rise in violence, and cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Guerrero became hotspots of intense conflict. Despite efforts to combat cartel power, the drugs trade remained a significant problem, with a growing impact on neighboring countries.
MCQs: December 2024 – Key Events and Reports
1. According to the Election Commission of India’s 2024 data, what was the voter turnout for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
a) 64.64 crore
b) 62.45 crore
c) 68.22 crore
d) 60.12 crore
Answer: a) 64.64 crore
2. Which gender now comprises 48.62% of the total electorate in India as per the 2024 Election Commission report?
a) Men
b) Women
c) Third-gender voters
d) Senior citizens
Answer: b) Women
3. In the December 2024 Financial Stability Report, the Reserve Bank of India projected India’s GDP growth for FY25 at:
a) 5.6%
b) 6.6%
c) 7.2%
d) 8.5%
Answer: b) 6.6%
4. Which country introduced the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train prototype, in December 2024?
a) Japan
b) Germany
c) China
d) France
Answer: c) China
5. The 5th edition of the Filmfare OTT Awards 2024 recognized which show for winning the Best Series award?
a) Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar
b) Guns & Gulaabs
c) Kaala Paani
d) The Railway Men
Answer: d) The Railway Men
6. Who was appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in December 2024?
a) Justice Arun Kumar Mishra
b) Justice V Ramasubramanian
c) Justice Ranjan Gogoi
d) Justice K.G. Balakrishnan
Answer: b) Justice V Ramasubramanian
7. As per India’s growing billionaire count in 2024, which sector contributed significantly to the rise?
a) Real estate
b) Technology
c) Pharma, fintech, and edtech
d) Automobile
Answer: c) Pharma, fintech, and edtech
8. Time magazine named which political figure as the Person of the Year for 2024?
a) Joe Biden
b) Donald Trump
c) Narendra Modi
d) Xi Jinping
Answer: b) Donald Trump
9. Which country suspended the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ clause in its tax treaty with India in December 2024?
a) Switzerland
b) United States
c) United Kingdom
d) Germany
Answer: a) Switzerland
10. What major change in taxation was proposed for luxury items in the 55th GST Council meeting held in December 2024?
a) Reduction in GST rates for luxury items
b) GST increase for wristwatches priced above ₹25,000
c) Elimination of GST on luxury goods
d) Introduction of GST on all food items
Answer: b) GST increase for wristwatches priced above ₹25,000
11. Which international body was recognized for the 2024 FIFA Best Awards in football, with Vinicius Jr. winning the Best Men’s Player title?
a) UEFA
b) FIFA
c) AFC
d) CONCACAF
Answer: b) FIFA
12. In December 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth ₹5,500 crore in which Indian city?
a) New Delhi
b) Prayagraj
c) Varanasi
d) Lucknow
Answer: b) Prayagraj
13. As of 2024, which family topped the Bloomberg list of the world’s richest families?
a) The Walton family
b) The Ambani family
c) The Al Nahyan family
d) The Hermès family
Answer: a) The Walton family
14. The 2024 FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper was awarded to which player?
a) Mary Earps
b) Alyssa Naeher
c) Cata Coll
d) Sarah Bouhaddi
Answer: b) Alyssa Naeher
15. Which major global crisis continued in 2024, significantly affecting energy supplies, food production, and regional security?
a) The War in Ukraine
b) The Syrian Civil War
c) The Gaza Conflict
d) The Hong Kong Protests
Answer: a) The War in Ukraine
