Current Affairs
National and International Events and Government Schemes
Overview
Current Affairs forms a high-scoring yet dynamic section in MPESB Group 1/2/3 exams. Questions typically cover events from the past 6–12 months, focusing on government schemes, international summits, appointments, awards, and policy changes. This topic intersects heavily with Indian Polity, Economy, and Madhya Pradesh-specific GK.
Mastering current affairs requires a structured approach: categorize information into national events, international developments, schemes, and bilateral relations. MPESB often tests factual recall—names, dates, locations, and objectives of schemes—rather than deep analysis. A student who maintains organized notes and revises weekly will outperform those who cram before exams.
The key is not to memorize everything but to identify patterns: flagship schemes, India's foreign policy priorities, constitutional amendments, and recurring international forums. Connect current events to static GK for better retention.
Key Concepts
- Government Schemes follow a naming pattern: "Pradhan Mantri" for central schemes, "Mukhyamantri" for state schemes. Know the ministry responsible and target beneficiaries.
- International Summits rotate hosting duties among member nations. G20, BRICS, SCO, and ASEAN are most frequently tested. Remember the host country, theme, and India-specific outcomes.
- Constitutional Amendments require understanding the article being modified. Recent amendments often relate to reservation, election processes, or state reorganization.
- Bilateral Agreements between India and other nations focus on defense, trade, and technology. Key partners: USA, France, Japan, Australia, UAE, and neighboring countries.
- Appointments include Chief Justice of India, Election Commissioners, CAG, Governors, and heads of international organizations. Note the tenure and predecessor.
- Economic Indicators like GDP growth rate, repo rate, inflation rate, and forex reserves appear in factual questions. Know the announcing body (RBI, MOSPI, IMF).
- India's Space and Defense Programs under ISRO and DRDO feature regularly. Focus on mission names, objectives, and achievements.
- International Rankings where India is placed—Ease of Doing Business, Human Development Index, Global Hunger Index, Press Freedom Index—are common question sources.
Key Facts (Must-Remember for 2024–25)
| Category | Fact |
|---|---|
| G20 Summit 2023 | Hosted by India in New Delhi; theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future"; African Union admitted as permanent member |
| BRICS Expansion 2024 | New members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE joined the bloc |
| India's GDP Growth | FY 2023–24 estimated at 8.2% (advance estimate by MOSPI) |
| Chandrayaan-3 | Soft landing on Moon's south pole on August 23, 2023; rover named Pragyan |
| Aditya-L1 | India's first solar mission; reached Lagrange Point L1 in January 2024 |
| Women's Reservation Act 2023 | 106th Constitutional Amendment; 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies |
| CAA Implementation | Citizenship Amendment Act rules notified in March 2024 |
| Article 370 | Supreme Court upheld abrogation in December 2023 verdict |
| PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana | Launched February 2024; 300 units free electricity via rooftop solar |
| Ayushman Bharat Expansion | Extended to all citizens above 70 years regardless of income (September 2024) |
| Paris Olympics 2024 | India won 6 medals; Neeraj Chopra—silver in javelin |
| COP28 Climate Summit | Hosted by UAE in Dubai; Global Stocktake adopted |
| Chief Justice of India | Justice Sanjiv Khanna (appointed November 2024) |
| RBI Repo Rate | 6.50% (as of October 2024; unchanged since February 2023) |
Worked Examples
Example 1: Scheme-Based Question Question: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0 was launched in which year, and what is its target?
Solution:
- Step 1: Recall that PMAY-U phase 1 ended in 2022
- Step 2: PMAY-U 2.0 launched in August 2024
- Step 3: Target is 1 crore additional urban houses by 2028–29
- Answer: Launched in 2024 with target of 1 crore houses
Example 2: International Organization Question: Which country hosted the SCO Summit in 2024, and what significant step did India take?
Solution:
- Step 1: SCO Summit 2024 hosted by Kazakhstan (Astana)
- Step 2: India participated but PM Modi did not attend in person; External Affairs Minister represented India
- Step 3: Virtual participation was the first such instance for India at SCO
- Answer: Kazakhstan; India's PM participated virtually for the first time
Example 3: Appointments Question: Who was appointed as the 26th Governor of RBI?
Solution:
- Step 1: Shaktikanta Das completed his extended term in December 2024
- Step 2: New Governor is Sanjay Malhotra (former Revenue Secretary)
- Step 3: Appointed in December 2024
- Answer: Sanjay Malhotra (26th RBI Governor)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing scheme launch year with implementation year → Always note the announcement date separately from when rules/guidelines were notified.
- Mixing up summit host countries across years → Create a mental timeline: G20 2023-India, 2024-Brazil; BRICS 2023-South Africa, 2024-Russia.
- Assuming all "PM" schemes are central → Some states have similarly named schemes. Verify the implementing ministry.
- Ignoring "acting" or "interim" appointments → Questions may specifically ask about permanent appointments versus interim charge.
- Overlooking constitutional amendment numbers → The amendment number (like 106th for Women's Reservation) is frequently asked directly.
- Forgetting India's position in rankings → Students remember the index name but not India's actual rank or the publishing organization.
Quick Reference
- G20 2023: India host → African Union member → "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" theme
- Chandrayaan-3: Vikram lander + Pragyan rover → South pole → August 23, 2023
- Women's Reservation: 106th Amendment → 33% seats → effective after delimitation
- BRICS 2024: 5 new members → now 10 nations → Russia hosted summit
- Aditya-L1: First solar mission → L1 point → studies corona and solar wind
- Revision Formula: Read daily → compile weekly → revise monthly → attempt mocks fortnightly