Monthly Current Affair GK Digest: December 2023

International News

The UAE is the first Arab country to host the UN Climate Change Conference and has pledged to bring the world together to unite, work, and deliver on climate action.
The $30 billion fund, called ALTÉRRA, is the world’s largest private investment vehicle dedicated to climate action, and aims to mobilize $250 billion by 2030, focusing on emerging markets and developing economies.
The fund is designed to bridge the climate financing gap and facilitate affordable access to clean energy, low-carbon infrastructure, and climate resilience.

The JT-60SA reactor aims to investigate the feasibility of fusion as a safe, large-scale, and carbon-free source of net energy – with more energy generated than is put into producing it
The ultimate aim of both projects is to coax hydrogen nuclei inside to fuse into one heavier element, helium, releasing energy in the form of light and heat, and mimicking the process that takes place inside the sun.

· Here’s a brief overview of their philanthropic activities:

K.P. Singh: The Chairman Emeritus of DLF, K.P. Singh, sold his remaining direct stake in the Delhi-based property developer to fund philanthropic causes. He raised Rs 7.3 billion from the disposal of his 0.59% shareholding in DLF.
Nandan Nilekani: The co-founder and chairman of Infosys, Nandan Nilekani, donated Rs 3.2 billion (USD 38 million) to his alma mater IIT Bombay in June.
Nikhil Kamath: The co-founder of Zerodha, Nikhil Kamath, joined the Giving Pledge initiative in June. He is mainly interested in climate change, energy, education, health, and the foundation’s mission to create a more equitable society.

Uttarakhand became the 1st state in the country to get GI certificates for a maximum of 18 products in a single day. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami distributed GI certificates in a program organized at Chief Sevak Sadan located at the Chief Minister's residence.
The 9 products from Uttarakhand – Tejpat, Basmati Rice, Aipan Art, White Rajma of Munsiyari, Ringal craft, Thulma, Bhotiya, Chiura Oil and Copper products have already received GI tag.

Here are some key details about the plan:
Type of Plan: Jeevan Utsav is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, savings, whole life insurance plan.
Premium Paying Term: This policy has a limited premium paying term of 5 to 16 years.
Sum Assured: The minimum basic sum assured is Rs. 5,00,000. There is no limit on the maximum basic sum assured.
Returns: The plan offers lifetime guaranteed returns. After maturity, the policyholder will get 10 percent of the sum assured life long.
Benefits: Based on the selected Premium Paying Term (Regular Income to Flexi Income), 10% of the Sum Assured is paid back annually after the specified years.
Availability: The plan can be purchased offline through licensed agents, corporate agents, brokers, insurance marketing firms as well as online directly through the LIC website.

The average monthly gross GST collection for the fiscal year 2023-24 now stands at Rs.1.66 lakh crore, marking an 11% rise from the same period in the previous fiscal year.
This robust GST collection highlights the underlying resilience of the Indian economy.

This action was taken due to certain material concerns emanating from poor governance standards in the bank.
The RBI has appointed Satya Prakash Pathak, a former Chief General Manager of State Bank of India, as the Administrator to manage the affairs of the bank during this period.
A Committee of Advisors has also been appointed to assist the Administrator.
The members of this committee are Venkatesh Hegde (former General Manager, SBI), Mahendra Chhajed (Chartered Accountant), and Suhas Gokhale (former MD, COSMOS Co-operative Bank Ltd.

This digest is not complete. Read the complete digest on the General Awareness Course.