1st January, 2025 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Justice V Ramasubramanian Appointed NHRC Chairperson

• Justice V Ramasubramanian, former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
• The position had been vacant since Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra’s tenure ended on June 1, 2024. Justice Mishra was the first non-CJI to hold the NHRC chairperson post since the Protection of Human Rights Act was amended in 2019. Interim leadership was provided by NHRC member Vijaya Bharathi Sayani until Ramasubramanian’s appointment.
• Alongside Ramasubramanian, Priyank Kanoongo, former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and Dr. Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi (Retd.) have been appointed as NHRC members. Kanoongo emphasized his commitment to child protection laws during his NCPCR tenure and pledged to continue upholding human rights in his new role.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
China Unveils World’s Fastest High-Speed Train Prototype

• China has introduced the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train prototype, with test speeds reaching 450 km/h. Surpassing the current CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h), the CR450 marks a breakthrough in rail technology, combining speed with advancements in energy efficiency, safety, and passenger comfort. This innovation aligns with China’s ambitious plans to expand its high-speed rail network to 70,000 km by 2035, cementing its leadership in global rail systems.
• The CR450 surpasses its predecessors with a maximum commercial operating speed of 400 km/h and test speeds of 450 km/h, achieved after rigorous testing spanning 200,000 km, 3,000 simulations, and 2,000 platform tests.
• China’s high-speed rail journey, which began in the early 2000s, has transitioned from following global trends to setting them. The CR450 follows iconic projects like the Shanghai Maglev (430 km/h) and international initiatives like the Laos-China Railway, which links Kunming to Vientiane. Future plans include extending high-speed networks through Southeast Asia, connecting Kunming to Singapore via Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.

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ECONOMY
GDP to Grow at 6.6% in FY25: RBI

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its December 2024 Financial Stability Report (FSR), projected India’s GDP growth at 6.6% for FY25, driven by a revival in rural consumption, increased government spending, and strong services exports.
• Despite a moderation in GDP growth to 6% in H1 FY25 from 8.2% in H1 FY24, the RBI highlighted India’s economic resilience, supported by sound macroeconomic fundamentals, improved asset quality in banks, and robust financial system indicators. Risks such as moderation in urban demand, global uncertainties, and protective trade policies were noted.
• The gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of scheduled commercial banks (SCBs) hit a 12-year low of 2.6% in September 2024, while net NPAs dropped to 0.6%, showcasing improved asset quality.
• SCBs maintained strong capital buffers, with the CET1 ratio at 14%, exceeding the regulatory minimum of 8%.

INTERNATIONAL
South Korea Parliament Impeaches Acting President Han Duck-soo

• South Korea’s political crisis deepened, when parliament voted to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo. This follows the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, 2024, which was triggered by his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.
• Han had been serving as acting president since Yoon’s suspension, but his refusal to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court led to growing opposition calls for his impeachment. This marks a significant moment in South Korea’s political history, as it would be the first time an acting president is impeached.
• The opposition accused Han of “avoiding” the special investigation into President Yoon’s imposition of martial law and “intentionally rejecting” the appointments of the Constitutional Court judges.
• The motion claimed that Han’s actions violated his duty to uphold the law and serve the public.

SPORTS
Kerala Wins Senior National Men’s Handball Championship

• Kerala achieved a historic milestone by winning their first-ever Senior National Men’s Handball Championship title. They triumphed over Chandigarh with a 34-31 victory in a thrilling final. Kerala, who had reached the final for the first time, delivered an impressive performance throughout the match. The team’s success was built on a strong collective effort, with standout performances from key players.
•  Devendar was named the ‘Best Player of the Championship,’ while Rahul received the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ award for his exceptional performances between the posts.

Published date : 01 Jan 2025 06:18PM