Brief Summary
This session aims to cover 500 important questions from Current Affairs and Static GK relevant to banking and business, spread across five Tuesdays. It includes current affairs from January to the present, with a focus on banking and business-related news, alongside static GK covering ancient, medieval, and modern history, world and Indian geography, and economics. The session also includes miscellaneous topics and aims to filter the most important news for exam preparation.
- CSIR developed indigenous paracetamol tech, contract to Satyadipta Pharmaceuticals.
- Lionel Messi is the first footballer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- Aero India 2025 will be held at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore with the theme "Runway to a Billion Opportunities".
- CBI launched Bharat Pol, a portal for sharing Interpol data with state police.
- Sikkim is developing India's first organic fisheries cluster under the Prime Minister's Fisheries Property Scheme.
- V Narayanan is appointed as the new chief of ISRO.
- Microsoft partners with the government's AI mission to skill 5 lakh people by 2026.
- Arvind Srivastava is the new Revenue Secretary.
- BHEL commissioned hydro project units in Bhutan.
- Justice B. N. Srikrishna chairs the advisory board for Equal, an identity verification platform.
- Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's first national highway constructed using bio-bitumen material in Nagpur.
- Narendra Modi received Kuwait's highest honor, the Order of Mubarak Al Kabir.
- Shri Ram Krishnan is the Senior AI Policy Advisor appointed by the US President.
- ADB approved a loan for Amaravati city development in Andhra Pradesh.
- Justice Madan B. Lokur is appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council.
- Shyam Benegal, known for his filmography, passed away.
- Infibeam Avenues is set to launch Red Pay, a payment service.
- Justice V. Subramaniam is appointed as the ninth Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
- Nirmala Sitharaman ranks 28th globally in Forbes' list of the world's 100 most powerful women.
- N. Srinivasan resigned as CEO & MD of India Cements.
- Mankind Pharma partnered with Innovent Biologics to sell anti-cancer drugs in India.
- Nvidia launched Jetson Orin Nano Super Generative AI supercomputer.
- Osamu Suzuki was posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan for his contributions to the Indian automobile industry.
- Sachin Tendulkar was awarded honorary membership of the Melbourne Cricket Club.
- India won both men's and women's titles in the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup, defeating Nepal.
- Urvashi Sinha received the Gates Cambridge Impact Prize 2025.
- Uttarakhand is set to become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code after independence.
- Karnataka won the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- RBI mandated the use of the 1600 series for transactional calls.
- Pankaj Mishra authored "The World After Gaza."
- John Roberts administered the oath to Donald Trump, who became the 47th President of the US.
- Elon Musk is the world's richest person, followed by Jeff Bezos.
- The Maharashtra government signed MoUs worth ₹38750 crore at the World Economic Forum.
- Satya Nadella topped the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List.
- IDFC First Bank launched UPI-enabled RuPay credit card called First.
- Dhananjay Shukla is the President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).
- Amitabh Kant authored "How India Scaled Mount G20."
- UNGA proclaimed 2025 as the International Year for Preservation of Glaciers.
- The United States is set to withdraw from the World Health Organisation and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
- India ranks fourth in the global fire power index.
- Tata AIG General Insurance Company launched Cyber Edge, a cyber insurance solution.
- Apple tops the Brand Finance Global 500 report globally, while Tata Group leads in India.
- Dayaram Sahni discovered the site of Harappa in 1921.
- The dancing girl statue was found at Mohenjodaro.
- Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath.
- Chandragupta II was given the title of Vikramaditya.
- The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi in 1526.
- Aurangzeb reimposed the religious tax Jaziya.
- Nataraja bronze image is from the Chola Dynasty.
- Lothal in Gujarat was a famous port during the Indus Valley Civilization.
- Alexander Cunningham is considered the Father of Indian Archaeology.
- In 1025, Mahmud Ghazni attacked and raided the Somnath Temple.
- Amir Khusro was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji.
- Tulsidas, the great Hindi poet, lived during the time of Akbar.
- Guru Arjun Dev was martyred during the period of Jahangir.
- Ibrahim Lodhi was the last king of the Lodhi Dynasty.
Appreciation and Introduction to the Series
The speaker starts by greeting the audience and confirming that they are audible and visible. The purpose of the series is to cover 500 questions relevant to exams, focusing on both Current Affairs and Static GK. These questions will cover current events from the last six months, starting from January, and will include Static GK from ancient, medieval, and modern history, as well as world and Indian geography. There will be a particular emphasis on economics, with the majority of questions in some sessions focusing on this area. The series is planned in five parts, with sessions every Tuesday.
CSIR's Indigenous Paracetamol Technology
CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) has developed an indigenous technology to produce paracetamol. The contract for manufacturing affordable paracetamol using this technology has been given to Satyadipta Pharmaceuticals, a Karnataka-based company. This development marks an innovation in the Indian pharmaceutical sector.
Presidential Medal of Freedom for Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi, an Argentine footballer, became the first footballer to receive America's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This award is similar to the Bharat Ratna in India and highlights Messi's significant global recognition.
Aero India 2025 in Bangalore
Asia's biggest biennial air show and aviation exhibition, Aero India 2025, will be held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore. This event showcases fighter jets and military-related equipment from various countries. The 15th edition's theme is "Runway to a Billion Opportunities." The first edition of Aero India was held in 1996 at the same location.
Launch of Bharat Pol Portal
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Bharat Pol portal, developed by the CBI in New Delhi. This portal allows central and state agencies to connect with Interpol for real-time information sharing, replacing the previous system where only the CBI had this access. Bharat Pol aims to facilitate easier communication and data sharing between the CBI and state police, similar to how Interpol shares data with the CBI.
India's First Organic Fisheries Cluster in Sikkim
India's first organic fisheries cluster is being developed in Sikkim. This initiative aligns with Sikkim's status as India's first organic state. The project is being developed under the Prime Minister's Fisheries Property Scheme, with Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurating the development.
Appointment of New ISRO Chief
V. Narayanan has been appointed as the new chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), succeeding S. Somnath. ISRO was initially established in 1962 as INCOSPAR and later renamed ISRO in 1969. Vikram Sarabhai was the first head of ISRO.
Special Song for Maha Kumbh 2025
A special song was launched for Maha Kumbh 2025 by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav. Maha Kumbh occurs every 144 years, marking a significant religious gathering. Two songs were released: one as the theme song and another highlighting the culture and religion of Maha Kumbh. The theme song, "Maha Kumbh Hai," was sung by Padmashree Kailash Kher.
Microsoft's AI Skilling Initiative
Microsoft has partnered with the Indian government's AI mission to skill 5 lakh people by 2026. This initiative aims to train individuals in artificial intelligence, enhancing their capabilities in this field.
Appointment of New Revenue Secretary
Arvind Srivastava has been appointed as the new Revenue Secretary. He is a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Karnataka cadre.
BHEL Commissions Hydro Project Units in Bhutan
Bharat Heavy Electronics Limited (BHEL), a subsidiary of the Government of India, has commissioned two units of a hydro project in Bhutan. This highlights India's involvement in international affairs and its domestic capabilities.
Advisory Board for Equal and Justice B. N. Srikrishna's Appointment
Justice B. N. Srikrishna has been appointed as the chairman of the newly established advisory board for Equal, an identity verification and data-sharing platform. Equal works for identity verification, similar to Aadhaar card verification. Justice Srikrishna's appointment is significant due to his extensive work on the right to privacy, including his committee's report that led to the Personal Data Protection Act.
India's First Bio-Bitumen National Highway
Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's first national highway constructed using bio-bitumen material in Nagpur, his constituency. This marks an important development as it is the first of its kind in the country.
National Farmers Day
National Farmers Day, also known as Kisan Diwas, is celebrated every year on December 23rd. It is the birthday of Chaudhary Charan Singh, a politician known for his advocacy for farmers.
Kuwait's Highest Honor for Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded Kuwait's highest honor, the Order of Mubarak Al Kabir. This adds to the list of highest civilian awards Modi has received from different countries.
Shri Ram Krishnan as AI Policy Advisor
Shri Ram Krishnan has been appointed as the Senior AI Policy Advisor by US President Donald Trump at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
ADB Loan for Amaravati City Development
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan for the Amaravati Inclusive Sustainable Capital City Development Programme of Andhra Pradesh. ADB, dominated by Japan and headquartered in Manila, Philippines, is providing funding for the capital city's development.
Justice Madan B. Lokur Appointed to UN Internal Justice Council
Justice Madan B. Lokur, a retired judge of India, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council. This council addresses violations of rights within the United Nations, differing from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which resolves disputes between countries and is located in The Hague, Netherlands.
Passing of Shyam Benegal
Shyam Benegal, a famous figure known for his filmography as a director and writer, has passed away.
Infibeam Avenues and Red Pay Launch
Infibeam Avenues is set to launch Red Pay, a business-to-business payment firm. This initiative aims to revive the Rediff brand, which was previously known for its news website and email services.
Appointment of NHRC Chairperson
Justice V. Subramaniam has been appointed as the ninth Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The NHRC is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament.
Nirmala Sitharaman's Rank in Forbes List
Nirmala Sitharaman ranks 28th globally in Forbes' list of the world's 100 most powerful women. The top position is held by the head of the European Union.
N. Srinivasan Resigns from India Cements
N. Srinivasan has resigned as CEO & MD of India Cements. He is well-known for his association with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and his relationship with M.S. Dhoni.
Mankind Pharma's Partnership with Innovent Biologics
Mankind Pharma has partnered with Chinese pharma major Innovent Biologics to sell anti-cancer drug sentilimab in India.
Nvidia Launches Jetson Orin Nano Super Generative AI Supercomputer
Nvidia has announced the launch of Jetson Orin Nano Super Generative AI supercomputer.
Posthumous Award for Osamu Suzuki
Osamu Suzuki, who passed away this year, was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his contributions to the Indian automobile industry, particularly through his long-serving role as Chairman and CEO of Suzuki.
Sachin Tendulkar's Honorary Membership at Melbourne Cricket Club
Sachin Tendulkar has been awarded honorary membership of the prestigious Melbourne Cricket Club, becoming the sixth Indian to be inducted.
India Wins Kho-Kho World Cup
India has claimed both men's and women's titles in the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup, defeating Nepal in the finals held at the Indira Gandhi Indoors Stadium.
Urvashi Sinha Receives Gates Cambridge Impact Prize 2025
Urvashi Sinha has been awarded the prestigious Gates Cambridge Impact Prize 2025. She is a physics teacher at the Raman Research Institute.
Uttarakhand to Implement Uniform Civil Code
Uttarakhand is set to become the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after independence. The UCC is given under Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, part of the Directive Principles of States Policy (DPSP). The speaker also references the Ranjana Desai committee.
Karnataka Wins Vijay Hazare Trophy
Karnataka emerged victorious in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating Vidarbha in the final match at Baroda.
RBI Mandates 1600 Series for Transactional Calls
RBI has mandated that banks and other regulated entities utilize the 1600 numbering series for transactional calls.
Pankaj Mishra Authors "The World After Gaza"
Pankaj Mishra has authored the book "The World After Gaza," addressing the ongoing war in Palestine.
Donald Trump as 47th President of the US
Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the US, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath.
Elon Musk Tops Forbes List of Richest People
According to Forbes' latest rankings, Elon Musk has regained the top spot as the world's richest person, with Jeff Bezos in second place.
Maharashtra Government Signs MoUs at World Economic Forum
The Maharashtra state government has signed multiple MoUs worth ₹38750 crore at the World Economic Forum with the Kalyani Group.
Satya Nadella Tops HSBC Hurun Global Indians List
Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, has claimed the top spot in the inaugural HSBC Hurun Global Indians List.
IDFC First Bank Launches UPI-Enabled RuPay Credit Card
IDFC First Bank has launched a UPI-enabled RuPay credit card called First.
Dhananjay Shukla Appointed President of ICSI
Dhananjay Shukla has been appointed as the President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), with Pawan Kumar Chandak as the Vice President.
Amitabh Kant Authors "How India Scaled Mount G20"
Amitabh Kant, India's Sherpa, has authored the book "How India Scaled Mount G20," detailing India's presidency of the G20 summit.
UNGA Proclaims 2025 as International Year for Preservation of Glaciers
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year for Preservation of Glaciers.
US to Withdraw from WHO and Paris Climate Agreement
The United States is set to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
India's Rank in Global Firepower Index
India ranks fourth in the global fire power index, which assesses the military strength of countries. The top three are the USA, Russia, and China.
Tata AIG Launches Cyber Insurance Solution
Tata AIG General Insurance Company has launched Cyber Edge, a comprehensive cyber insurance solution designed to protect Indian businesses from escalating cyber risks.
Tata Group as India's Most Valuable Brand
Tata Group has solidified its status as India's most valuable brand in the Brand Finance Global 500 report, while Apple tops the list globally.
Discovery of Harappa
Dayaram Sahni was the first archaeologist to discover the site of Harappa of the Indus Valley Civilization in 1921. The discovery was made on the bank of the River Ravi.
Dancing Girl of Mohenjodaro
The famous figure of the dancing girl was found at Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley Civilization.
Buddha's First Sermon at Sarnath
Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. His birthplace was Lumbini, he attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya, and his death (Mahaparinirvana) occurred at Kushinagar.
Title of Vikramaditya
The title of Vikramaditya was given to Chandragupta II.
First Battle of Panipat
The First Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi in 1526.
Reimposition of Jaziya
Aurangzeb reimposed the religious tax Jaziya in 1679, which was a tax levied on Hindu pilgrims.
Nataraja Image from Chola Dynasty
The most famous bronze image of Nataraja is from the Chola Dynasty.
Lothal as a Port Site
Lothal, located in Gujarat, is a famous site of the Indus Valley Civilization known for being a port.
Father of Indian Archaeology
Alexander Cunningham is considered the Father of Indian Archaeology and established the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ghazni's Attack on Somnath Temple
In 1025, Mahmud Ghazni attacked and raided the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, taking away a lot of wealth.
Amir Khusro as Court Poet of Alauddin Khilji
Amir Khusro was the court poet of Alauddin Khilji. He was a Sufi musician, poet, and scholar, also known as the Parrot of India (Tota-e-Hind).
Tulsidas During Akbar's Time
Tulsidas, the great Hindi poet, lived during the time of Akbar and is known for the epic Ramcharitmanas.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjun Dev
Guru Arjun Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, was martyred during the period of Jahangir in 1606.
Last King of Lodhi Dynasty
Ibrahim Lodhi was the last king of the Lodhi Dynasty and was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
