08 December, 2025
GK Update
Sun 21 Apr, 2024
National News
2,550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 2,550th Bhagwan Mahaveer Nirvan Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- On this auspicious occasion, the followers of Jainism visit Jain temples and worship, as well as take part in religious processions with the idol of Lord Mahavira.
About Lord Mahavira
| 24th Tirthankara of Jainism | Birth Place: Kundalpur, Vaishali district of Bihar |
International News
First Rainbow International Tourism Conference

- First Rainbow International Tourism Conference in Nepal took place in Kathmandu organised by civil society “Maya Ko Pehchan” in association with Nepal Tourism Board.
About Nepal
| Capital: Kathmandu | Currency: Nepalese rupee |
US troops withdrawl from Niger

- The United States announced plans to withdraw its troops from Niger.
- The planned departure comes as US officials said they were trying to find a new military agreement.
About Niger
| Capital: Niamey | Currency: West African CFA franc |
USA passed legislation to ban Tik Tok

- The House of Representatives has passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner does not sell its stake within a year.
About USA
| Capital: Washington D.C. | Currency: US Dollar |
USA imposed sanctions on Chinese and Belarus companies

- The United States has imposed sanctions on three China-based companies and one from Belarus for providing ballistic missile components to Pakistan.
About Belarus
| Capital: Minsk | Currency: Belarusian Ruble |
Environment
SUP

- According to Center for Science and Environment (CSE) analysis, India has opted for language in the current version of the negotiating document, called a ‘zero draft’, that vouches for “regulating” instead of “not allowing”, the production, sale, import and export of problematic and avoidable plastic goods.
SUP
| Single-use plastic products (SUPs) are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. |
Economy and Banking
EPFO

- EPFO’s provisional payroll data highlighted that EPFO has added 15.48 lakh net members in the month of February, 2024.
About EPFO
| Estb: 1951 | HQ: New Delhi |
IRDAI

- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) removed the age limit for purchasing health insurance policies, with effect from April 1.
About IRDAI
| Estb: 1999 | HQ: Hyderabad | Chairman: Debasish Panda |
Defence
North Korea tested ‘super-large’ cruise missile

- North Korea has conducted a test of a ‘super-large’ cruise missile warhead and a new anti-aircraft missile in a western coastal area as it expands its military capabilities in the face of deepening tensions with the United States and South Korea.
About North Korea
| Capital: Pyongyang | Currency: North Korean won |
Exercise Poorvi Lehar

- The Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on the East Coast.
- Aim: Validation of procedures towards assessment of the Indian Navy’s preparedness to meet Maritime Security challenges in the region.
About Indian Navy Day
| Estb: 26 January 1950 | Navy Day: 4 December |
Sports
Paris Olympics 2024 Quota

- India’s star woman wrestlers, Vinesh Phogat, Anshu Malik, and Reetika Hooda, clinched the Paris Olympics 2024 quota In wrestling at the Asian Olympic qualifiers in Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek.
Paris Olympics 2024
| Venue: Paris, France | Motto: Games wide open |
Important Days
National Civil Service Day

- National Civil Service Day is celebrated annually on April 21st in India.
- It is a day dedicated to highlighting the important role of civil services in promoting citizen-centred governance.









