Current Events
National and International Current Affairs (Last 12–18 Months)
Overview
Current Affairs is one of the highest-scoring yet most dynamic sections in TNPSC Group II/IIA. Unlike static subjects, this requires continuous updating since questions are drawn from events of the preceding 12–18 months.
The TNPSC typically focuses on government schemes, constitutional developments, India's foreign relations, economic indicators, sports achievements and awards. Tamil Nadu-specific current affairs carry special weightage—state government schemes, welfare programmes and achievements of Tamil personalities appear frequently.
To master this topic, develop a habit of reading newspapers daily, maintain categorised notes and revise monthly compilations. Focus on factual recall—names, dates, places, figures—rather than opinions or analysis.
Key Concepts
- Government Schemes: Central schemes (PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar, Ayushman Bharat expansion) and Tamil Nadu schemes (Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai, Naan Mudhalvan) are exam favourites.
- Constitutional Amendments: Recent amendments, Bills passed and landmark Supreme Court judgments shape polity-current affairs overlap questions.
- India's Foreign Policy: Bilateral visits, multilateral summits (G20, BRICS, SCO, Quad) and treaty signings frequently appear.
- Economic Developments: Union Budget highlights, RBI monetary policy decisions, GST changes, inflation data and GDP growth figures.
- International Events: Geopolitical developments, UN resolutions, climate summits (COP meetings) and global conflicts affecting India.
- Science and Defence: ISRO missions, DRDO achievements, indigenous defence systems and space technology milestones.
- Awards and Honours: Bharat Ratna, Padma awards, Nobel Prize winners, national and international sports awards.
- Sports Events: Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cup, Commonwealth Games results and Indian medallists.
Key Facts (2023–2024 Highlights)
National Affairs
| Event | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| India's G20 Presidency | September 2023 Delhi Summit; theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"; African Union admitted as permanent member |
| Chandrayaan-3 | Soft landing on Moon's south pole on 23 August 2023; Vikram lander and Pragyan rover |
| Aditya-L1 Mission | India's first solar observatory; launched September 2023; reached L1 point January 2024 |
| Women's Reservation Act | 106th Constitutional Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) providing 33% reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies |
| Article 370 Verdict | Supreme Court upheld abrogation of Article 370 in December 2023 |
| Ram Mandir Consecration | Pran Pratishtha ceremony at Ayodhya on 22 January 2024 |
| Gaganyaan Progress | Uncrewed test flights and astronaut training ongoing for India's human spaceflight |
| Electoral Bonds Verdict | Supreme Court struck down Electoral Bonds scheme as unconstitutional (February 2024) |
Tamil Nadu Specific
| Event | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai | Rs 1000 monthly assistance to women heads of families; launched September 2023 |
| Naan Mudhalvan Scheme | Skill development programme for youth; targets employability |
| Chennai Metro Phase 2 | Expansion work progressing; new corridors approved |
| Keezhadi Excavations | 8th phase findings; evidence of urban civilization dating 6th century BCE |
| Tamil Nadu Climate Action | State Climate Action Plan 2.0 released |
International Affairs
| Event | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Israel-Hamas Conflict | Began October 2023; ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza |
| Russia-Ukraine War | Continued through 2023–24; India's neutral stance and oil imports |
| BRICS Expansion | Six new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Argentina invited—Argentina declined) from January 2024 |
| COP28 Dubai | December 2023; first Global Stocktake; transition away from fossil fuels |
| US Presidential Race | 2024 election cycle; Biden vs Trump rematch |
Awards 2024
| Award | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | Karpoori Thakur (posthumous), LK Advani, PV Narasimha Rao (posthumous), Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous), MS Swaminathan (posthumous) |
| Nobel Peace Prize 2024 | Nihon Hidankyo (Japanese atomic bomb survivors organisation) |
| Nobel Economics 2024 | Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, James Robinson |
Sports Highlights
| Event | Key Achievement |
|---|---|
| Asian Games 2023 (Hangzhou) | India won 107 medals (28 Gold, 38 Silver, 41 Bronze)—best ever |
| Cricket World Cup 2023 | Hosted by India; Australia won; India runners-up |
| Paris Olympics 2024 | India won 6 medals; Manu Bhaker became first Indian woman to win 2 medals in single Olympics |
Worked Examples
Example 1: India hosted the G20 Summit in 2023. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The theme was "One Earth, One Family, One Future"
- African Union was admitted as a permanent member
- New Delhi Declaration was adopted
Solution:
- Statement 1: The theme was "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—One Earth, One Family, One Future" — Correct
- Statement 2: African Union became permanent G20 member — Correct
- Statement 3: New Delhi Leaders' Declaration was adopted — Correct
- Answer: All statements are correct
Example 2: Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander touched down on: (A) Moon's north pole (B) Moon's south pole (C) Moon's equator (D) Mare Tranquillitatis
Solution: Chandrayaan-3 achieved a soft landing near the Moon's south pole on 23 August 2023, making India the first country to land near the lunar south pole. Answer: (B)
Example 3: The 106th Constitutional Amendment Act relates to: (A) GST Council (B) Women's reservation (C) Cooperative societies (D) Anti-defection
Solution: The 106th Amendment (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023) provides 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Answer: (B)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing amendment numbers: Students mix up 105th (EWS in private sector) with 106th (Women's reservation). Fix: Create a dedicated amendment list with year and subject.
- Wrong dates for space missions: Chandrayaan-3 landing (August 2023) confused with Aditya-L1 launch (September 2023). Fix: Remember sequence—Moon first, then Sun.
- Mixing bilateral and multilateral forums: Confusing Quad (4 countries) with BRICS (now 9 countries) or G20 (now 21 members). Fix: Maintain separate membership lists.
- Ignoring Tamil Nadu current affairs: Focusing only on national news while TN-specific schemes carry equal weightage. Fix: Follow TN government press releases weekly.
- Outdated award information: Citing previous year's Bharat Ratna or Nobel winners. Fix: Update notes after every major award announcement.
Quick Reference
- G20 Summit 2023: New Delhi, September; theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"; African Union joined
- Chandrayaan-3: 23 August 2023; south pole landing; Vikram lander, Pragyan rover
- 106th Amendment: Women's reservation 33% in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies
- Asian Games 2023: Hangzhou, China; India's best ever—107 medals
- Bharat Ratna 2024: Five recipients including Karpoori Thakur and MS Swaminathan
- Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai: Rs 1000 monthly for women household heads in TN