Current Affairs November 2024 Part 1: Top News and Updates
1. Women’s Reservation Bill
Economic and Social Contribution
- Aims to address the current disparity in political representation: women constitute only 14.4% of the Lok Sabha and less than 10% in state legislatures.
- Potential to promote gender-sensitive economic and social policies.
Growth Potential
- May lead to higher GDP growth through inclusive governance.
- Evidence from other nations (Rwanda, Sweden) shows a correlation between increased representation and robust socio-economic development.
Key Initiatives and Provisions
- Reservation Mandate: 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures for women.
- Sub-Quota Proposals: Reservation within SC/ST groups for women, under discussion.
- Capacity Building: Support mechanisms like leadership training for women in politics.
2. One Nation, One Election
Economic Contribution
- Potential savings of ₹10,000–₹12,000 crore in election expenses every five years.
Administrative Growth Potential
- Synchronization will ensure governance stability and prevent policy paralysis due to continuous electoral cycles.
- May reduce bureaucratic disruptions and administrative burdens.
Key Challenges and Initiatives
- Federal Dynamics: States’ concerns over losing autonomy.
- Infrastructure Development: Strengthening the Election Commission’s capacity to conduct simultaneous elections at scale.
- Legislative Amendments: Necessary changes to Articles 83, 85, and 172 of the Constitution.
3. 75th Anniversary of the Constitution
Economic and Historical Significance
- Highlights the adaptive resilience of the Constitution in shaping India’s socio-economic trajectory over 75 years.
- Boosts national unity and the vision of a $5 trillion economy through governance reforms.
Commemorative Growth Potential
- Initiatives like Constitution Clubs and public lectures can deepen awareness.
- Potential to engage youth in participative democracy.
Government Initiatives
- Samvidhan Diwas Campaigns: National programs promoting constitutional values.
- Global Outreach: Seminars showcasing India’s democratic strength.
4. Judicial Reforms
Economic and Administrative Contribution
- Pendency reduction can add ₹1.5 trillion annually to GDP by accelerating dispute resolution.
Growth Potential
- E-Courts and AI tools like SUPACE expected to cut case pendency by 30% within a decade.
- Faster judgments may boost investor confidence in India.
Key Initiatives
- E-Courts Project (Phase III): Digital integration across courts.
- AI Integration: Predictive analysis for case prioritization.
- Lok Adalats: Reducing the burden on traditional court systems.
5. Manipur Crisis
Social and Political Contribution
- Impacted over 50,000 displaced people and stifled economic activity in the region.
Growth Challenges and Potential
- Immediate restoration of peace can revive halted infrastructure projects worth ₹2,000 crore.
- Long-term reconciliation may foster regional stability and growth.
Government Interventions
- Rehabilitation Policies: Focused aid for displaced families.
- Committee for Peacebuilding: Engaging local leaders and communities for resolution.
6. India’s Economic Growth (Q2 2024)
Contribution to GDP
- Achieved 7.9% growth, driven by sectors like IT and renewable energy.
Future Growth Projections
- India on track to become the third-largest economy globally by 2027.
Government Strategies
- Expansion of the PLI Scheme for manufacturing.
- Infrastructure push under PM Gati Shakti.
7. Semiconductor Manufacturing Policy
Economic Contribution
- The global semiconductor industry is worth $600 billion; India aims for a 10% share by 2030.
Growth Potential
- Expected to create 1 lakh direct jobs and attract ₹76,000 crore in investment under the PLI scheme.
- Reduces reliance on imports, strengthening India’s self-reliance.
Key Initiatives
- Strategic Alliances: Collaboration with the US under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
- Infrastructure Boost: Creation of Semiconductor Parks in Gujarat and Karnataka.
8. Ethanol Blending
Economic and Environmental Contribution
- Achieved 12% blending, saving $4 billion annually on crude imports.
- 3 million tons CO2 emissions reduction annually.
Growth Potential
- Target of 20% blending by 2025 could increase rural employment and energy security.
Government Support
- Financial incentives under the National Bio-Energy Mission.
- Creation of dedicated ethanol plants in states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
9. COP29 in the UAE
Global Environmental Contribution
- Focused on climate finance and methane emission control.
- India led efforts for climate justice and equitable global carbon budgets.
Growth Potential
- Investments in green hydrogen and solar energy projected to attract $100 billion in funding by 2030.
Key Outcomes
- Strengthened the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) with new international partners.
- India’s recognition as a leader in sustainable energy development.
10. Child Protection Measures
Social Contribution
- Enhanced funding under Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS).
- Support for over 2 lakh vulnerable children in 2024.
Challenges and Growth Opportunities
- Addressing underreporting of abuse (only 40% cases reported) through digital monitoring.
- Long-term investments in child counseling centers to improve recovery outcomes.
Government Initiatives
- Nationwide rollout of AI-based grievance platforms to track child safety.
- Partnership with NGOs for rehabilitation programs.
11. ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission
Economic and Technological Contribution
- Budget allocation: ₹12,500 crore for the mission, creating new opportunities in aerospace manufacturing.
- Strengthens India’s share in the global space economy (currently 2%).
Growth Potential
- Expected to generate ₹4,000 crore annually through satellite launches and spinoff technologies.
- Enhances India’s capabilities in human spaceflight technology.
Key Milestones
- Successful crew module re-entry test in 2024.
- First crewed flight scheduled for 2025, with a three-member team.
12. India-Iran Relations (Chabahar Port)
Economic and Strategic Contribution
- Facilitates trade access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.
- Positioned as a counterbalance to China’s Gwadar Port under CPEC.
Growth Potential
- Trade volume via Chabahar projected to grow to $30 billion by 2030.
- Enhances India’s role in regional connectivity initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
Key Developments
- Completion of the first terminal phase by India.
- Plans to expand rail links from Chabahar to Afghanistan.
13. AI in Governance
Economic and Administrative Contribution
- Improves efficiency in service delivery, saving ₹20,000 crore annually in administrative costs.
- Supports predictive policing, already piloted in Telangana and Delhi.
Growth Potential
- AI adoption in governance projected to add $100 billion to India’s GDP by 2035.
- Enhances citizen experience in areas like taxation, agriculture, and public grievances.
Key Initiatives
- AI4Bharat Program: Government-funded AI tools for Indian languages.
- Integration of AI Chatbots on platforms like UMANG for seamless services.
14. India’s South Asia Strategy
Economic and Geopolitical Contribution
- India remains a major trading partner for Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Growth Potential
- Regional projects, such as the energy grid with Bhutan, can boost exports by ₹10,000 crore annually.
- Strengthens India’s influence amidst China’s growing presence in the region.
Key Developments
- MoUs with Nepal for energy exports.
- India’s investments in Sri Lanka’s East Container Terminal.
15. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)
Economic Contribution
- DPI enables annual savings of ₹45,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs).
Growth Potential
- Expansion into health and education projected to impact over 1 billion citizens by 2030.
- DPI adoption by countries like Singapore boosts India’s global soft power.
Government Initiatives
- India Stack: Set of open APIs for digital payments and authentication.
- Collaboration with World Bank for DPI promotion globally.
16. Indo-US Strategic Partnership
Economic and Defense Contribution
- Bilateral trade reached a record $191 billion in 2024.
- Defense deals include jet engine technology transfer under GE partnership.
Growth Potential
- Trade expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030.
- Joint initiatives in semiconductors and green technology promise long-term economic benefits.
Key Developments
- Launch of the iCET Framework to enhance tech collaboration.
- Expansion of the QUAD grouping for regional security.
17. Renewable Energy Targets
Economic and Environmental Contribution
- India added 25 GW of solar capacity in 2024, the highest globally.
Growth Potential
- Projected investment of $1 trillion by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions.
- Creation of over 10 million jobs in the renewable sector by 2035.
Key Government Initiatives
- Green Hydrogen Mission: ₹19,744 crore investment to lead the global hydrogen market.
- Solar parks and wind energy projects under PM-KUSUM scheme.
18. 5G Rollout in India
Economic Contribution
- Adds ₹1.2 trillion annually to the economy through improved connectivity.
Growth Potential
- Expected to increase internet penetration to 95% by 2026.
- Boosts sectors like telemedicine, agriculture, and manufacturing with smart IoT solutions.
Key Government Initiatives
- Allocation of ₹50,000 crore under the Digital India Program for rural 5G infrastructure.
- Collaboration with private players like Jio and Airtel for nationwide rollout.
19. Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA)
Economic and Environmental Contribution
- Promotes the use of biofuels, reducing reliance on crude oil imports by $12 billion annually.
Growth Potential
- Biofuel market projected to grow to $25 billion by 2030 in India.
- Supports 2.5 million farmers through biofuel crop cultivation.
Key Initiatives
- Global Biofuel Alliance launched at the G20 Summit.
- Policies incentivizing the blending of biodiesel and ethanol.
20. Agniveer Scheme Updates
Economic Contribution
- Provides employment to 45,000 youth annually under the armed forces recruitment framework.
Growth Potential
- Trained personnel expected to contribute to the defense and private sectors post-service.
- Reduces pension liabilities, saving ₹50,000 crore annually for the government.
Key Developments
- Introduction of skill development programs for Agniveers during service.
- Collaboration with industries for post-retirement employment opportunities.
21. Chandrayaan-3’s Lunar Success
Technological and Economic Contribution
- First successful south pole landing, paving the way for lunar resource exploration.
Growth Potential
- Potential mining of lunar resources like Helium-3 could add $1 trillion to the economy by 2040.
- Strengthens India’s position in the global space economy.
Key Achievements
- Precision landing technologies validated for future missions.
- Global collaboration opportunities with NASA and ESA.
22. National Logistics Policy
Economic Contribution
- Aims to reduce logistics costs from 13% to 8% of GDP, saving ₹10 lakh crore annually.
Growth Potential
- Expected to add ₹2 trillion to India’s economy through improved trade competitiveness.
Key Initiatives
- PM Gati Shakti Program: Integration of infrastructure planning across ministries.
- Development of multimodal logistics parks nationwide.
23. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
Economic and Social Contribution
- Enables 15 crore digital health IDs, improving access to healthcare services.
Growth Potential
- Digital healthcare market expected to grow to $10 billion by 2025.
Key Features
- Unified Health Interface (UHI) for seamless teleconsultations and e-pharmacies.
- Integration with private healthcare players to expand coverage.
24. India’s Soft Power Initiatives
Economic and Cultural Contribution
- Bollywood, yoga, and cuisine drive $10 billion in annual cultural exports.
Growth Potential
- Indian cultural diplomacy through ICCR programs targets markets in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Key Developments
- Launch of India@75 Celebrations Abroad.
- Expansion of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) initiatives.
25. Food Processing Sector
Economic Contribution
- Contributes 10% to India’s GDP and employs 13 million people.
Growth Potential
- Market expected to reach $500 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 11%.
Key Initiatives
- PM FME Scheme: ₹10,000 crore for micro-enterprises.
- Creation of Mega Food Parks to boost exports and reduce wastage.
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