India’s First Bio-Bitumen Stretch Inaugurated 🛣️🌱
- What’s Happening? Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated India’s first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur, Maharashtra.
- Why It Matters: This stretch is a milestone in India’s road development sector, being the first to employ lignin-based bio-bitumen technology, representing a significant step forward in India’s sustainability and self-reliance goals.
Justice Madan Lokur Appointed Chairperson of UN Internal Justice Council ⚖️🌍
- What’s Happening? Former Supreme Court Judge of India, Justice Madan B Lokur, has been appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC) by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
- Why It Matters: This appointment is a notable achievement for India, reflecting Justice Lokur’s distinguished career and global legal stature.
India-Kuwait Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership 🇮🇳🇰🇼
- What’s Happening? India and Kuwait marked a historic milestone in their bilateral relations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first official visit to Kuwait on December 21-22, 2024.
- Why It Matters: The visit culminated in the elevation of their ties to a “Strategic Partnership,” signifying deeper cooperation across trade, defence, energy, and cultural domains.
Trump Appoints Sriram Krishnan as Senior AI Policy Advisor 🇺🇸🤖
- What’s Happening? US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Indian-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author Sriram Krishnan as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
- Why It Matters: Krishnan will work closely with David Sacks, the White House AI & Crypto Czar, to ensure America’s continued leadership in AI and shape AI policy across the government.
Odisha’s Fiscal Evolution 📈💰
- What’s Happening? Odisha’s fiscal journey over the past two decades highlights a transformation from being one of the most indebted Indian states to becoming the least indebted.
- Why It Matters: The state’s debt-to-GSDP ratio declined to 16.0% in 2023-24, the lowest among Indian states, reflecting sustainable debt levels and disciplined fiscal practices.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) 📝
1. What type of technology was used for India’s first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch?
- a) Asphalt
- b) Lignin-based bio-bitumen
- c) Concrete
- d) Plastic waste
- Answer: b) Lignin-based bio-bitumen
2. Who was appointed as the Chairperson of the United Nations Internal Justice Council (IJC)?
- a) Justice Ranjan Gogoi
- b) Justice Madan B Lokur
- c) Justice Dipak Misra
- d) Justice S.A. Bobde
- Answer: b) Justice Madan B Lokur
3. Which country did India elevate its ties to a Strategic Partnership with during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit?
- a) Saudi Arabia
- b) UAE
- c) Kuwait
- d) Oman
- Answer: c) Kuwait
4. Who did US President-elect Donald Trump appoint as Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
- a) Sundar Pichai
- b) Satya Nadella
- c) Sriram Krishnan
- d) Arvind Krishna
- Answer: c) Sriram Krishnan
5. Which Indian state has achieved the lowest debt-to-GSDP ratio in 2023-24?
- a) Maharashtra
- b) Tamil Nadu
- c) Gujarat
- d) Odisha
- Answer: d) Odisha