Kapil Kathpal
WPI & CPI (DEC 2024)
• India’s wholesale price inflation rose to 2.37% in December 2024,
up from 1.89% in November, driven by higher prices in
manufactured products, non-food articles, and fuel and power.
• Retail inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI),
decreased to a four-month low of 5.22% in December, down
from 5.48% in November
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Reconstitution of the Atomic Energy Commission
• The Government of India has recently reconstituted the Atomic Energy
Commission incorporating new members to enhance its oversight and policy
formulation capabilities.
• The reconstituted AEC now includes figures such as T V Somanathan and Manoj
Govil, who serve as the Cabinet Secretary and Expenditure Secretary, respectively.
• Ajit Kumar Mohanty, the Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, has been
appointed as the Chairman of the commission.
• Other notable members include National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign
Secretary Vikram Misri
• The Atomic Energy Commission was established in August 1948 as part of the
Department of Scientific Research.
• The Department of Atomic Energy was formed later, on August 3, 1954, under the
direct supervision of the Prime Minister.
• The AEC was officially constituted in March 1958, following a Government
Resolution.
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Odisha Joins AB PM-JAY Health Scheme
• The National Health Authority (NHA) of India has recently signed a
Memorandum of About (MoU) with the State Health Agency of Odisha.
This agreement marks milestone as Odisha becomes the 34th state to
implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB
PM-JAY).
• The scheme aims to provide comprehensive health coverage to a large
portion of the state’s population, enhancing healthcare accessibility and
quality.
• It aims to provide health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family per annum.
• Women members are entitled to an additional ₹5 lakh coverage.
• In Odisha, AB PM-JAY will be implemented in conjunction with the
existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).
• Since its inception, AB PM-JAY has recorded 8.19 crore hospital
admissions. Approximately ₹1.13 lakh crore has been spent on healthcare
for marginalized communities.
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Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern
Rajasthan Canal Project
• The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project
(PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in
Rajasthan.
• This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing
water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use.
• The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37
sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to
57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation.
• The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river
basin
• The project includes a 39-metre-high dam across the Banas river,
located near Doongri, about 30 km from Sawai Madhopur.
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Discovery of Carnivorous Plant in Rajasthan
• Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan has gained attention for the large
presence of the rare carnivorous plant, Utricularia, commonly known as
bladderworts.
• Utricularia uses bladder-like traps to capture small organisms.
• The growth of Utricularia in Keoladeo National Park is attributed to the
abundant water supply from the Panchana Dam.
• This water source creates ideal conditions for the plant’s proliferation.
• Keoladeo National Park was designed by Maharaja Suraj Mal of
Bharatpur. It became a bird sanctuary in 1956 and was declared a
protected area in 1971. In 1982, it was officially designated as a national
park.
• The park was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985
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C-DOT, IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu Collaborate to
Develop Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip
• The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has recently
partnered with the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi)
and IIT Jammu.
• This collaboration aims to develop a Wideband Spectrum-Sensor
ASIC-Chip to enhance spectrum utilisation.
• The agreement, signed under the Telecom Technology
Development Fund (TTDF), reflects investment in India’s
telecommunication research and development.
• The TTDF supports Indian startups and institutions in creating
innovative telecommunications solutions.
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India-Saudi Arabia Haj Agreement for 2025
• India has recently finalised a Haj agreement with Saudi Arabia, allowing
for a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims for the year 2025.
• The distribution of this quota will follow a 70:30 ratio between the Haj
Committee of India (HCoI) and Haj Group Organisers (HGOs).
• This means that HCoI will manage 70% of the quota, amounting to
1,22,518.
• The Haj Policy for 2025 was issued on August 5, 2024. It outlines the
quota distribution and other important guidelines for the pilgrimage.
• Haj is religious duty for Muslims, requiring them to undertake the
pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime if they are physically
and financially capable.
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India to Host 2026 Commonwealth
Parliamentary Conference
• India is set to host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding
Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in January
2026.
• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced this at the recent CSPOC
Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey.
• The conference will centre on the role of artificial intelligence and social
media in parliamentary processes.
• The CSPOC was established in 1969 by the then Speaker of the House of
Commons of Canada, Lucien Lamoureux.
• It serves as a platform for Speakers and Presiding Officers from
Commonwealth parliaments.
• The conference is held every two years, with Canada providing a
secretariat to facilitate its activities.
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India Successfully Tests Nag Mk 2 Anti-Tank Missile
• India recently conducted successful field evaluation trials of the
indigenously developed Nag Mk 2 Anti-Tank Guided Missile
(ATGM) at Rajasthan’s Pokhran Field Firing Range.
• Developed by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO)
• Uses advanced infrared technology for target locking before
launch.
• Capable of operating in all weather conditions and complex
battlefield environments.
• Speed: 230 meters per second.
• Range: Can destroy targets up to 4 kilometers away in 17-18
seconds.
Kapil Kathpal
Thalai Pongal Celebration
• Thalai Pongal, the first day of the Tamil month, is a significant
harvest festival celebrated with fervor across Tamil Nadu.
• This celebration also included an array of cultural performances
and rituals, with a focus on the harvest and agricultural prosperity.
Kapil Kathpal
Firenado in Los Angeles
• A firenado recently captured public attention during the Palisades
Fire in Los Angeles. The viral footage showcased a swirling
column of flames and smoke, stirring curiosity about this rare
phenomenon.
• Firenados, also known as fire whirls, occur when intense heat and
turbulent winds combine, creating a vortex that can carry debris
and flames
• It can vary in size, with diameters ranging from less than one foot
to over 500 feet.
Kapil Kathpal
Interpol Introduces First Silver
Notice for Asset Recovery
• Interpol has recently launched its first Silver Notice, aimed at locating
laundered assets across borders.
• This initiative is part of a pilot project involving 52 member countries,
including India.
• The Silver Notice is a new addition to Interpol’s existing suite of colour-
coded notices, which facilitate international cooperation in law
enforcement.
• The Silver Notice is designed to assist countries in tracking down assets
linked to criminal activities. It allows member nations to request
information on properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses
associated with individuals involved in serious crimes such as fraud,
corruption, and drug trafficking.
• The pilot project includes participation from 52 countries. Each
participating country can request up to 500 notices, which will be evenly
distributed among them.
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• Red Notice – Requests the detention of fugitives.
• Yellow Notice – Aids in locating missing persons, especially minors.
• Blue Notice – Collects additional information related to individuals in
criminal investigations.
• Black Notice – Seeks information on unidentified bodies.
• Green Notice – Provides warnings about individuals posing a potential
threat.
• Orange Notice – Warns of imminent threats to public safety.
• Purple Notice – Shares information on criminal methods and techniques.
• UN Security Council Special Notice – Targets individuals or entities under
UN sanctions.
Kapil Kathpal
Armed Forces Veterans’ Day 2025
• Every year, January 14 marks the observance of Armed Forces Veterans’
Day across India.
• This significant day is dedicated to paying tribute to the selfless duty and
sacrifices of the armed forces veterans and fostering solidarity towards the families
of the bravehearts who have served the nation.
• The purpose was to recognize and honor the contributions of tri-services
veterans (Army, Navy, and Air Force) and to ensure that their legacy is
remembered and celebrated.
• The date holds historical significance as it commemorates the retirement of Field
Marshal K.M. Cariappa on January 14, 1953, after his illustrious service to the
nation. Field Marshal Cariappa was the first Indian to become the Commander-in-
Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding General Sir F.R.R. Bucher, the last British
officer to hold the position.
• Interestingly, January 15 is celebrated as Army Day, as it marks the day in 1949
when Field Marshal Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army,
symbolizing India’s military independence.
Kapil Kathpal
VP Dhankhar Releases Book on
Parliament’s Rights and Privileges
• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar launched Dr. K.S.
Chauhan’s book “Parliament: Powers, Functions &
Privileges; A Comparative Constitutional Perspective”.
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ICC Players of the Month for December 2024
• The ICC announced the winners of the ICC Men’s and
Women’s Players of the Month for December 2024:
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s bowler, and Annabel
Sutherland, Australia’s all-rounder.
Kapil Kathpal
PMLA bail exception rule
• A Supreme Court bench was hearing the case of Shashi Bala, a
government school teacher who has been accused of aiding the
Shine City Group of Companies in a money laundering scam.
• The Supreme Court criticised the Enforcement Directorate for
arguing that the rigorous bail conditions in money laundering
cases will apply to women even though the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), provides an exception to this bail
standard.
• A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih
was hearing the case of Shashi Bala, a government school
teacher who has been accused of aiding the Shine City Group of
Companies in a money laundering scam.
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• Section 45 of the PMLA provides for bail on money laundering charges. This provision in the law,
like the stringent bail standard in the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), puts the
onus on the accused to prove that there is no prima facie case against them while seeking bail.
• Section 45(1) reads: “No person accused of an offence under this Act shall be released on bail
or on his own bond unless (i) the Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the
application for such release; and (ii) where the Public Prosecutor opposes the application, the
Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that he is not guilty of such
offence and that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail.”
• However, there is a crucial exception to the bail standard. “Provided that a person, who is under
the age of sixteen years or is a woman or is sick or infirm, may be released on bail, if the Special
Court so directs,” the law says.
• The Shine City Group is a Lucknow based group involved in real estate activities. According to
an ED press release dated May 18, 2024, ED initiated investigation on the basis of
approximately 554 FIRs registered by Uttar Pradesh Police against Rasheed Naseem and Shine
City Group of Companies, wherein they had collected huge amount of money (approximately
Rs. 800-1000 Crore) from the public in the name of investment and promised huge returns on
such investment. However, no such returns were given to the investors and they were cheated
by the accused by way of committing fraud.
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• A Special Court for PMLA offences in Lucknow took cognizance of the ED’s
complaint on May 17, 2024. Naseem, the main accused in the case, is a promoter
of the Shine City group and is currently absconding from arrest according to the ED.
Shashi Bala is one of several persons accused of assisting Naseem in money
laundering activities and concealing the proceeds of crime. The ED has claimed that
she was Naseem’s main confidant and received over Rs. 36 lakh as a part of the
money laundering exercise. She was arrested by the ED in November 2023.
• Bala approached the Allahabad High Court for bail, but her plea was denied on
September 10, 2024. The court held that she was in contact with the absconding
Naseem and that when “coupled with the proportion of fraud committed” she does
not fall under the category of a ‘vulnerable woman’ and would not be entitled to bail
under the exception for women under Section 45 of the PMLA.
• Bala appealed this decision before the Supreme Court where the ED in December
2024 argued that the rigorous bail conditions under the PMLA should apply despite
the exception for women.
• The bench proceeded to grant bail to Shashi Bala, noting that she had been in
custody since November 2023 and there was no chance of the trial being completed
soon.
