TLDR;
This YouTube video by Malviya Academy provides a comprehensive overview of current affairs, static GK, and practice questions relevant for exam preparation. It covers topics ranging from cultural heritage to economic policies, with a focus on Indian and global events. Key points include the inclusion of Diwali in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Australia's social media ban for children, and the upcoming G20 summit in the USA. The session also touches upon Indian economic planning, five-year plans, and important geographical and political facts.
- Diwali included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
- Australia bans social media for children under 16.
- Discussion on India's economic planning and five-year plans.
- Practice questions on various topics, including science and current events.
Introduction and Announcements [0:01]
The presenter, Kundan Kumar, apologises for the late start due to network issues. He announces the launch of Umang Batch 2.0 on 12 December, designed to guide students from zero preparation to achieving top results. This batch is a free resource for students.
Five Important News Headlines [1:09]
The session highlights five key news items: Diwali's inclusion in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Australia's ban on social media for children, Anant Ambani receiving the Global Humanitarian Award, the USA hosting the new G20 in 2026, and the celebration of UNICEF's foundation day.
Diwali Added to UNESCO's List [2:52]
Diwali, a significant Hindu festival celebrated in either October or November, commemorates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. UNESCO has included Diwali in its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. India now has 16 sites recognised by UNESCO as intangible world heritage sites. The presenter lists other Indian cultural practices recognised by UNESCO, including Vedic chanting (2008), Ramlila (2008), Kalbelia folk songs and dance (2010), Chhau dance (2010), Yoga (2016), Navroz (2016), Kumbh Mela (2017), Durga Puja of Kolkata (2021), and Garba dance of Gujarat (2023).
Australia Bans Social Media for Children [7:37]
Australia has become the first country to ban social media for children under 16, specifically targeting Facebook and Instagram. The aim is to protect children's childhood and prevent aggressive behaviour often associated with social media use. The presenter suggests that India should consider a similar ban. Key facts about Australia include that the Tropic of Capricorn passes through it, it is the smallest and least populated continent, located in the Southern and Eastern Hemispheres, and is known as the "Land of Kangaroos," "Land of the Golden Fleece," and "Country of Thirsty Land." Canberra is its capital, the currency is the Australian dollar, and the Prime Minister is Anthony Albanese. Australia is also considered the sports capital of the world.
Anant Ambani Receives Global Humanitarian Award [12:42]
Anant Ambani has been awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the Global Humanitarian Society for his work with the Vantara Wildlife Conservation Centre. The presenter reviews other notable awards and their recipients from 2025, including Miss Universe (Fatima Boss), Nobel Prize in Literature (Laszlo Krasznahorkai), Nobel Peace Prize (Maria Corina Machado), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (Satwik Sairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty), International Water Award (Dr. Himanshu Kulkarni), and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (Mohan Lal).
USA to Host New G20 in 2026 [16:19]
The USA will host the new G20 summit in 2026, aiming to reshape the global economic forum. South Africa has been removed from the G20, and Poland has been included. The G20 is a major intergovernmental forum for international economic cooperation, comprising 19 countries, the African Union, and the European Union. India held the presidency in 2023, during which the African Union was included. The presenter also shares an anecdote about a meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, where Chinese officials sanitised everything to prevent their President's DNA from being collected.
UNICEF Foundation Day [20:15]
UNICEF's foundation day is celebrated on 11 December, commemorating its establishment in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly. UNICEF was created to provide emergency assistance to children after World War II. The organisation was established on 11 December 1946, its headquarters are in New York, Catherine Russell is the President, and Kareena Kapoor is the ambassador for UNICEF India.
Static GK: Planning Commission and Five-Year Plans [22:46]
The presenter discusses the Planning Commission, established on 15 March 1950, and its subsequent dissolution on 13 August 2014. It was replaced by NITI Aayog on 1 January 2015. The first five-year plan (1951-1956) was based on the Harrod-Domar model and focused on agriculture, with initiatives like the Bhakra Nangal project and the Community Development Programme (1952). The second five-year plan (1956-1961) was based on the P.C. Mahalanobis model and prioritised industrial development, including the establishment of steel plants in Durgapur, Bhilai, and Rourkela. The fourth five-year plan saw the nationalisation of 14 major banks in 1969. The eighth five-year plan focused on human resource development and education, coinciding with economic liberalisation (LPG - Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation) under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The twelfth five-year plan (2012-2017) was the last five-year plan in India.
PYQ and Practice Questions [30:53]
The session includes practice questions, such as matching acids with their sources (acetic acid in vinegar, citric acid in oranges, tartaric acid in tamarind, and oxalic acid in tomatoes). Other questions cover government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (launched on 28 August 2014) for universal access to banking facilities, and geographical features like mid-ocean ridges.
Homework Questions [42:32]
The presenter assigns five homework questions to be answered in the comments: Who is the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund? Which UN body is known as the "mini-parliament" of the world? Which organisation considers India's UPI the world's largest real-time payment system? On what date is International Human Rights Day observed annually? What is the focal length of a spherical mirror? The presenter announces that this is one of the last sessions he will be conducting, as the class will be handed over to Suraj Sir next Monday.
