Current Affairs — Study Notes for SSC GD

Overview

Current Affairs carries significant weight in the General Knowledge section of SSC GD, typically accounting for 8–12 questions. This section tests awareness of major national and international developments from the past 6–12 months before the exam date. Unlike static GK topics, Current Affairs demands regular newspaper reading, monthly magazine updates, and tracking government announcements. Questions cover politics, economy, sports, awards, appointments, schemes, summits, and scientific breakthroughs. Candidates must maintain a balance between depth (understanding context) and breadth (covering diverse domains). Success requires weekly revision because events quickly become outdated. Focus on government initiatives, international relations, and headline-making personalities since these appear most frequently in SSC papers.

The examiner tests whether you are an informed citizen aware of India's progress and global standing. Questions are straightforward — "Who won X award?", "Which state launched Y scheme?", "Where was Z summit held?" — but the sheer volume of events makes selective preparation essential. Prioritize PIB (Press Information Bureau) releases, major Supreme Court judgments, state-level initiatives with national impact, and India's bilateral/multilateral engagements. Avoid going too deep into daily politics; stick to outcomes (bills passed, treaties signed) rather than ongoing debates.

Key Concepts

• **National Events** — Government schemes (Pradhan Mantri initiatives), constitutional amendments, new laws (criminal law reforms, data protection), railway projects (Vande Bharat corridors), infrastructure milestones (metro inaugurations, bridges), and state elections/political changes.

• **International Relations** — Bilateral summits (India-USA, India-Russia), G20/BRICS outcomes, border agreements, trade pacts, UN votes, Indian diaspora engagement, and multilateral forum memberships (SCO, Quad).

• **Awards and Honours** — Padma Awards (Padma Vibhushan/Bhushan/Shri), Bharat Ratna, gallantry awards (Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra), international recognitions (Nobel, Ramon Magsaysay), sports awards (Khel Ratna, Arjuna), and film/literature awards (National Film Awards, Booker Prize).

• **Sports Updates** — World Cup/Championship winners (cricket, hockey, badminton), Olympic/Asian Games medal tallies, Khel Ratna recipients, record-breaking performances, and hosting rights for major tournaments (ODI World Cup 2023, Asian Games).

• **Science and Technology** — ISRO missions (Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1), DRDO developments (missiles, defence tech), national awards in science (Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar), health initiatives (vaccination drives, disease eradication), and AI/digital India milestones.

• **Economic Developments** — Budget highlights (tax slabs, allocations), RBI policy changes (repo rate, inflation targets), GST amendments, Ease of Doing Business rankings, GDP growth rates, and major infrastructure funds (PM Gati Shakti).

• **Appointments and Resignations** — New Chief Justice of India, Election Commissioners, CAG, Service Chiefs (Army/Navy/Air Force), RBI Governor, and heads of constitutional bodies (UPSC Chairman, CVC).

• **Books and Authors** — Autobiographies by political leaders, notable fiction/non-fiction releases, translated works winning international acclaim, and government-published white papers or reports.

Formulas / Key Facts

1. **Chandrayaan-3** — ISRO's successful Moon landing mission (August 2023); India became 4th country to land on Moon and 1st near lunar south pole.

2. **G20 Summit 2023** — Hosted by India in New Delhi; theme "One Earth, One Family, One Future" (Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam); African Union granted permanent membership.

3. **Uniform Civil Code (UCC)** — Uttarakhand became first state post-independence to implement UCC in early 2024, sparking national debate.

4. **Women's Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam)** — Provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies; passed in September 2023.

5. **India's GDP Growth** — India overtook UK to become 5th largest economy; projected growth rate around 6.5–7% (check latest Economic Survey for exact figures before exam).

6. **Asian Games 2022 (Hangzhou)** — India won 100+ medals including 28 golds; significant performance by Indian athletes across athletics, shooting, wrestling.

7. **Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana** — Launched in 2023 to support traditional artisans and craftspeople with financial aid and skill training.

8. **India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)** — Announced at G20 Summit; connectivity project linking India to Europe via UAE and Saudi Arabia.

9. **National Sports Awards 2023** — Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awarded to prominent athletes; check latest list for Olympic/World Championship medallists.

10. **Supreme Court Judgments** — Electoral bonds scheme struck down (February 2024); Article 370 abrogation upheld (December 2023) — these have both constitutional and current affairs relevance.

Worked Examples

**Example 1: Awards Question** *Q: Who was conferred the Bharat Ratna in 2024?* **Step 1:** Recall recent Bharat Ratna announcements. In 2024, the government announced Bharat Ratna for former Prime Ministers and noted leaders. **Step 2:** Verify from reliable monthly current affairs compilation. As of early 2024, awards were announced to P.V. Narasimha Rao (posthumous), Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous), and M.S. Swaminathan (posthumous). **Answer:** The award was given to three eminent personalities posthumously. Check the exact year and names from your latest update source before the exam.

**Example 2: Science & Technology** *Q: Which ISRO mission aimed to study the Sun?* **Step 1:** Identify solar missions by India. ISRO launched Aditya-L1 in September 2023. **Step 2:** Note the objective — to study the solar corona and solar wind from Lagrange Point L1. **Answer:** Aditya-L1 is India's first solar observatory mission, positioned at L1 to observe the Sun continuously.

**Example 3: Sports** *Q: Where was the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 held, and who won it?* **Step 1:** Recall World Cup host — India hosted ODI World Cup 2023 (October–November). **Step 2:** Final result — Australia defeated India in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. **Answer:** Held in India; Australia won their 6th title.

Common Mistakes

• **Outdated information** — Relying on 18-month-old notes or previous-year compilations. Current affairs from two exam cycles ago are no longer current. *Fix: Use only the latest 6–12 months' updates. Revise monthly magazines up to one month before exam date.*

• **Ignoring context** — Memorising "Chandrayaan-3 landed on Moon" without knowing it was the south pole or the date (August 2023). Examiners sometimes ask *where* or *when* specifics. *Fix: Note the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where, Why — for every major event.*

• **Confusing similar events** — Mixing up G20 Summit (2023, New Delhi) with BRICS Summit or SCO Summit. *Fix: Create a month-wise timeline chart: Jan–notable events, Feb–notable events, etc. Visual timelines prevent overlap confusion.*

• **Neglecting state-level news** — Focusing only on national headlines while ignoring state government schemes that later go national (like Uttarakhand's UCC). *Fix: Skim PIB state bulletins and note schemes with large budgets or unique features.*

• **Overloading trivial details** — Memorising every ministerial reshuffle or minor appointment. Not all appointments are exam-relevant. *Fix: Prioritise constitutional posts (CJI, CEC, Service Chiefs, Governors of top states) and skip junior minister changes unless they made headlines for other reasons.*

Quick Reference

• **G20 2023:** India hosted; theme Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam; African Union became permanent member.
• **Chandrayaan-3:** Aug 2023; 1st to land near Moon's south pole; Vikram lander + Pragyan rover.
• **Bharat Ratna 2024:** Posthumous awards to Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, M.S. Swaminathan (verify names before exam).
• **Women's Reservation Act:** 33% seats in Lok Sabha/Assemblies; passed Sep 2023; effective after delimitation.
• **Aditya-L1:** India's 1st solar mission; launched Sep 2023; studies Sun from L1 Lagrange point.
• **Asian Games 2022 (held 2023):** Hangzhou, China; India won 100+ medals, including 28 golds.

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**Exam Tip:** Maintain a pocket notebook or mobile app with weekly bullet points. Revise this list every Sunday. On exam day, you should recall at least 50–60 major events without hesitation.