Daily Current Affairs- 7th December 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 7th December 2024

National

Government launches SCAN Portal to streamline PDS system

• The Ministry Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the government of India has launched SCAN (Subsidy Claim Application for NFSA) Portal and ‘Anna Chakra” to modernise the Public Distribution System in the country. The SCAN Portal and the Anna Chakra tool are expected to increase the efficiency of the world’s largest public distribution system. 

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches PMeVIDYA DTH 24x7 Channel No. 31 for Indian Sign Language

• Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the PMeVIDYA DTH 24x7 Channel No. 31 for Indian Sign Language (ISL) in New Delhi. 

7th Smart India Hackathon to begin on Dec 11

• The 7th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) will begin on December 11th across 51 centres nationwide. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan will virtually inaugurate the event. This nationwide initiative provides students with a platform to solve some of the pressing problems faced in their daily lives. 

Appointment & Resignation

Okonjo-Iweala reappointed as WTO DG

• Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment follows her highly successful first term, where she made history as the first African and first woman to head the WTO, guiding the organization through numerous global challenges, including the post-COVID economic recovery phase. 

Important Days

International Civil Aviation Day

• International Civil Aviation Day (ICAD) is celebrated annually on December 7th to recognize the significance of aviation and international air travel to the world's social and economic development. The day also commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) in 1944.
• Theme – The theme for the International Civil Aviation Day 2024 is “Safe Skies. Sustainable Future”. 

India Armed Forces Flag Day

• India celebrates Armed Forces Flag Day annually on December 7 to honour the valor, sacrifices, and dedication of the Indian Armed Forces. This day serves as a reminder of the unwavering commitment of the Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel who safeguard the nation’s freedom and security. It is also a day for citizens to express their gratitude and contribute to the welfare of armed forces personnel, veterans, and their families. 

Summit & MOUs

India set to chair the Commission on Narcotic Drugs

• India has been chosen to Chair the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), Ambassador Shambhu S Kumaran, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, officially assumed the Chairmanship of the prestigious UN forum.
• The CND is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters. It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee the implementation of the major international drug conventions. 

Puducherry signs MoU with Karmayogi Bharat and Capacity Building Commission

• The Government of Puducherry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Karmayogi Bharat and the Capacity Building Commission to onboard its government employees onto the iGOT Karmayogi platform. 

Awards & Recognition

India Wins ISSA Good Practice Award for Asia and Pacific 2024

• India's EPFO was honoured with the prestigious ISSA Good Practice Award for its continuous efforts to reform and enhance social security systems in the country. The award was presented at the Regional Social Security Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

 Banking & ECONOMY

 $50 million ADB loan agreement signed for Meghalaya’s Water Harvesting Project

• Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a $50 million loan to finance the setting up of a water harvesting system in Meghalaya and enhance water security in the state. An agreement for this purpose was signed between India's government and the ADB representative in New Delhi on 5 December 2024.