Brief Summary
This YouTube video by SSC Wallah provides a comprehensive overview of current affairs, railway-related questions, and general knowledge updates. It covers topics ranging from Iran suspending visa-free entry for Indians to Brazil creating indigenous territories in the Amazon, and key appointments like the Chair Person for the 16th Finance Commission. The session also includes a review of important facts for upcoming railway exams and concludes with homework for the viewers.
- Iran suspends visa-free entry for Indians due to misuse.
- Brazil creates 10 new indigenous territories to protect the Amazon forest.
- Falcon 9 rocket launches Sentinel 6B satellite for sea level monitoring.
- Arvind Pangaria appointed as Chair Person of the 16th Finance Commission.
- India's ranking in Climate Change Performance Index drops to 23rd.
Introduction
The session begins with greetings and an overview of the topics to be covered, including current affairs and a discussion about a photo on the presenter's Instagram. The presenter mentions that the session will also incorporate railway-related questions in preparation for the upcoming railway exams starting on the 27th. The presenter shares a thought for the day, emphasizing that remembering bad days can motivate one to strive for better things.
Iran Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Indians
Iran has suspended visa-free entry for Indians due to the misuse of the system, which was originally intended for tourism. This misuse led to issues such as human trafficking and exploitation. The suspension will take effect from November 2, 2025, requiring Indians to obtain a visa before traveling to Iran. The presenter also reviews the capitals of UAE (Abu Dhabi), Iran (Tehran), Qatar (Doha), and Turkey (Ankara/Istanbul). Iran had initially offered visa-free entry for tourism purposes, limited to 15 days and only once every six months, but this was exploited for other purposes. Key geographical features of Iran include Tehran, Ramser (known for Ramser sites/wetland areas), the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Zagros Mountains.
Railway Questions
The session includes a series of railway-related questions:
- The highest award for gallantry in peacetime is the Ashok Chakra.
- Chand Bardai composed poems about Prithviraj Chauhan.
- Fundamental duties are mentioned in Part 4A of the Indian Constitution.
- The third highest civilian award in India is the Padma Bhushan.
Brazil Creates Indigenous Territories in Amazon for COP30
Brazil has created 10 new indigenous territories in the Amazon to combat deforestation and protect tribal communities. This initiative was announced during COP30 in Belém, hosted by Brazil and headed by President Lula da Silva. The protected area covers 117.4 million hectares and aims to prevent illegal mining and promote environmental conservation. Key tribes in the region include the Mura and Parikara. The Amazon rainforest, known as the "lungs of the Earth," provides 60% of the world's oxygen. Brazil shares borders with 10 of the 12 South American countries, excluding Chile and Ecuador. COP31 may be held in Turkey or Australia, while COP33 is planned for India. COP29 was held in Baku, COP28 in the UAE, and COP27 in Egypt.
General Knowledge Questions
The session continues with general knowledge questions:
- Leonardo da Vinci and M.F. Hussain are famous painters.
- The Round Revolution is associated with potatoes.
- Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet.
- The Desert Festival is celebrated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
Falcon 9 Launches Sentinel 6B Satellite
The Sentinel 6B satellite was launched using a Falcon 9 rocket by SpaceX, a private company owned by Elon Musk. The satellite, a joint project by the European Union and NASA, aims to calculate global sea levels as part of the European Union's Copernicus project. The launch took place from Vandenberg Space Station in California, USA. SpaceX conducted its first rocket trial in 2010. India's upcoming space projects include Mangalyaan 2, a space station, a mission to the moon in 2040, Chandrayaan 4 (2028), and Gaganyaan (2027).
More General Knowledge Questions
More general knowledge questions are discussed:
- The term of a Lok Sabha member is 5 years.
- There are five types of writs, as mentioned in the Fundamental Rights.
- Shah Jahan was associated with the Mughal Dynasty.
- V.D. Savarkar founded the society called Abhinav Bharat.
Leopard Population Control in Maharashtra
The Ministry of Environment is overseeing a program in Maharashtra to control the leopard population due to increasing human-animal conflict. Mumbai was once known as the leopard city, but now Bengaluru is recognized as such. The program involves sterilizing female leopards to manage their population, starting with five leopards. This decision was made due to frequent conflicts and damage to sugarcane fields. The announcement was made by Maharashtra's CM, Devendra Fadnavis, with discussions about the program dating back to 2024. The first summit of the International Big Cat Alliance will be hosted by India in Delhi in 2026.
NREGA, Shiv Kumar Sharma, and Other General Knowledge
The session covers additional general knowledge points:
- NREGA (later renamed MGNREGA) was introduced in 2005 and renamed in 2009.
- Shiv Kumar Sharma is associated with the santoor.
- The Balwant Mehta Committee reviewed the Community Development Program of 1952.
- The Supreme Court of India resolves disputes related to presidential and vice-presidential elections.
International Gita Mahotsav 2024 in Haryana
The International Gita Mahotsav 2024 is being held in Kurukshetra, Haryana. This is the 10th edition of the festival, which was first organized in 1989 but became an international event in 2016. The festival spans 21 days and commemorates the teachings of Lord Krishna to Arjuna. Madhya Pradesh is the partner state, and the UK is the partner country. The Governor of Haryana inaugurated the event. The Surajkund Mela is also held annually in Faridabad, Haryana.
Non-Kshatriya Dynasty, Muscle Cramps, and Other General Knowledge
The session includes more general knowledge questions:
- The first non-Kshatriya dynasty was the Nanda Dynasty.
- Lactic acid accumulation in muscles leads to cramps.
- Arunachal Pradesh is known for its orchid population.
- Mercury and Venus have no natural satellites.
16th Finance Commission and Arvind Pangaria
Arvind Pangaria is the current Chair Person of the 16th Finance Commission, a constitutional body under Article 280. The commission consists of five members, including the chair person. The 15th Finance Commission was headed by N.K. Singh. The Finance Commission's tenure is five years, and it submits its report to the President, outlining how taxes should be distributed and which sectors should receive funding. K.C. Neogi was the first chair person of the Finance Commission. Soumya Kanti Ghosh is a female member of the commission, and T. Ravishankar is a part-time member.
Climate Change Performance Index 2024
The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2024, released at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, ranks countries based on factors like greenhouse gas emissions and climate policies. The index is launched in partnership with Germanwatch. The top three spots are vacant due to the lack of outstanding performance. Denmark ranks fourth with a score of 80.52. India's ranking has dropped to 23rd, with a score of 61.31, due to continued coal usage. Other rankings include India at 4th in the Global Firepower Index, 85th in the Henley Passport Index, 93rd in the Competitive Index, 151st in Press Freedom, 130th in the HDI Index, and 93rd in the Corruption Index. India aims to become carbon neutral by 2070.
Blackbuck Deaths in Karnataka Zoo
31 out of 38 blackbucks have died in the Kittur Rani Channamma Zoo in Belagavi, Karnataka, due to a bacterial infection. The blackbuck is listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. The zoo was established in 1989 and is located near National Highway 4. Blackbucks have V-shaped horns and can run at speeds of up to 80 km/h. Karnataka celebrated its formation day on November 1st and was formerly known as Mysore. Key features of Karnataka include Bandipur National Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Almatti Dam, and the Krishna River.
Keerthy Suresh Appointed as UNICEF India Celebrity Advocate
Actress Keerthy Suresh has been appointed as UNICEF India's Celebrity Advocate to work on child rights. UNICEF also includes figures like Ayushmann Khurrana and Kareena Kapoor Khan. UNICEF was founded in 1946 to support children's rights and is headquartered in New York, USA. Catherine Russell is the head of UNICEF. Keerthy Suresh received a National Film Award in 2019 for her role in the movie "Mahanati."
International Men's Day and Other Updates
International Men's Day is celebrated on November 19th to recognize men's contributions and responsibilities in society. It was first celebrated in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme is "Celebrating Men and Boys." World Toilet Day is also observed on November 19th. Art director Thota Tharrani has been awarded France's highest award, the Chevalier Award. Physics Wallah has become the first EdTech company to launch an IPO. "Parasocial" has been named the World of the Year for 2024, referring to one-sided emotional connections with public figures or AI.
Practice Questions and Revision
The session concludes with practice questions and a quick revision of the topics covered. The presenter encourages viewers to watch the lecture series and provides information on how to join the Telegram group for updates and assistance. The session ends with information about available courses and books for exam preparation.
