TLDR;
This YouTube video by SSC Wallah provides a comprehensive overview of current affairs, focusing on international relations, national events, and scientific discoveries. It emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and revision, especially with the new year approaching. The session covers topics ranging from Israel's recognition of Somaliland to India's anti-terror policies, offering insights and detailed explanations to help viewers stay informed and prepared for competitive exams.
- Israel's recognition of Somaliland and its strategic interests in the Horn of Africa.
- The significance of the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala and the associated Mandala Pooja.
- China's advancements in space and infrastructure, including the Tiangong mission and the world's longest expressway tunnel.
- India's development in aviation with the new Bhogapuram International Airport and advancements in medical technology with the indigenous MRI scanner.
- Key national policies like the anti-terror policy and the declaration of Gujarat as a tiger state after 33 years.
Introduction [0:14]
The instructor greets the audience and emphasizes the importance of consistent study habits, even during the holiday season. She advises against waiting for a perfect moment to start studying and encourages continuous, regular learning. She also addresses concerns about accessing the half-yearly current affairs magazine, promising to provide guidance at the end of the session.
Thought of the Day [1:34]
The instructor shares an inspirational thought about dedicating oneself entirely to one's goals. She suggests that the next few days should be used for revision of previously covered material, with a new and special approach to learning set to begin on January 1st, aimed at covering all exams through 2026.
Israel Recognizes Somaliland [3:19]
Israel has recently recognized Somaliland as an independent country. Israel itself was formed after 1949 and has ongoing disputes involving the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Somaliland, located in the Horn of Africa, declared itself independent in 1991, with a population of about 6 million. It borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to include Somaliland in the Abraham Accords, which were initiated in 2020 by Donald Trump to promote trade between Israel and other countries. Israel's interest in Somaliland is driven by the strategic importance of the Red Sea area. Abdirahman Abdullahi is the President of Somaliland.
Mandala Pooja at Sabarimala Temple, Kerala [9:55]
The Mandala Pooja has commenced at the Sabarimala Sri Dharma Sastha Temple in Kerala. The temple, approximately 800 years old, is built in the Dravidian style and is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, believed to be the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (an avatar of Lord Vishnu). The temple is located on the Sabari Hills. King Rajasekhara constructed it. The temple has restrictions on the entry of women of menstruating age. The first female president of India to visit the temple was Droupadi Murmu. The Mandala Pooja involves the temple being open for 41 days, culminating in the Makaravilakku festival, typically held between October and December or November and January. The Padmaswamy Temple in Kerala is known as the world's richest temple. Other festivals celebrated in Kerala include Attukal Pongal and Onam, which occurs in September.
Global Concern Over Space Debris [15:00]
There is growing global concern over space debris and orbital debris, which has damaged a mission. The International Space Station (ISS), established in 1998 with contributions from NASA, the European Space Agency, Russia, China, and Canada, is set to expire in 2031, according to NASA. In response, China has been developing its own international space station, named Tiangong. To transport equipment and astronauts, China created a capsule called Shenzhou. However, Shenzhou-20, launched on April 24, 2025, carrying three astronauts, including the youngest Chinese astronaut named VP, has been damaged. The damage is attributed to micrometeoroids and the increasing amount of orbital debris. India plans to launch its space station after 2031, following the launch of Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5. The Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for launch in 2026. ISRO recently launched CMS-2 and Blue Bird, a heavy communication satellite. The NASA-ISRO joint mission, NISAR, was launched in July 2025.
China's Longest Expressway Tunnel [21:58]
China has opened the world's longest expressway tunnel in the Xinjiang region. The area is near the Pamir Knot, known as the "Roof of the World," and the tunnel is located in the Tian Shan mountain range. The expressway is named Yumguli, and the tunnel is called Tiangshan Shengli Tunnel, measuring 22.13 km in length. It connects the northern and southern areas of Tian Shan. China's capital is Beijing, formerly known as Peking, with Shanghai being its most famous city. Major rivers in the region include the Yellow River (Huang He), Yangtze River, and Mekong River. China has also developed a high-altitude route through the mountains. In comparison, India has the Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel), which is 9.02 km long, and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the world's highest motorable road, Mig La, in Ladakh. China has also built a double-tower solar station in the Gobi Desert.
Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh [27:03]
The Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh is set to become functional by May 2026. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, under Ram Mohan Naidu, announced the development of this new international airport near Visakhapatnam, specifically in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. The airport is being developed under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched in 2016. The Gopinath Bordoloi terminal was recently opened in Assam. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of international airports in India, with another one under construction in Noida. The Navi Mumbai airport recently commenced operations with the first flight being Indigo, followed by Airbus. Changi Airport is recognized as the world's most beautiful airport, while Kempegowda International Airport is known as the cleanest in India. The new airport will include an aviation center, an aerospace center, and an education city.
India's Indigenous MRI Scanner [31:22]
India has developed its own MRI scanner, a device typically imported from other countries. The scanner was created by Zoho Group, specifically its sub-unit, Wovax Grid. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The device has been placed at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Center in Nagpur, Maharashtra. The development took 12 years, with significant contributions from Arjun Arunachalam. The MRI scanner is used for scanning in cases of cancer, brain disorders, and spinal injuries, utilizing a strong magnetic field and radio waves.
India's Anti-Terror Policy [35:51]
India has launched its first anti-terror policy to combat terrorism, which is prevalent in the country. The Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Amit Shah, is responsible for this initiative. The policy addresses issues such as terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and the use of Nepal as a route by terrorists. It aims to enhance digital surveillance, leverage AI technology, and create mitigation programs to prevent terrorist activities. Operation Agat has been launched in Delhi to curb illegal activities before December 31st. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) developed the anti-terrorism policy. India already has the Net Grid, which secures data.
Gujarat Declared Tiger State After 33 Years [39:52]
After 33 years, Gujarat has been declared a tiger state. Traditionally, Madhya Pradesh (MP) is known as the tiger state, as well as the cheetah, leopard, and gharial state. In 1992, Gujarat was excluded from tiger surveys due to the absence of a tiger population. However, a 2019 survey revealed the presence of tigers in Gujarat, leading to its reclassification as a tiger state. Tigers have been found in the Ratan Mahal Sanctuary, located in the Dahod district between Gujarat and MP. The sanctuary is also home to the sloth bear. The National Tiger Conservation Authority approved the declaration. According to the All India Tiger Estimation, there are 58 tiger reserves in India, with Madhav in MP being the 58th. As of 2022, the tiger population in India is 3,682. Tigers are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Project Tiger was initiated in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. A corridor named Red Road has been created on NH-45 in MP.
New Species Discovered in Sikkim [44:18]
A new species, Nelis sikkimensis, has been discovered in Sikkim. The species belongs to the phylum Arthropoda and is found in high-altitude areas. There are eight known species worldwide. The Zoological Survey of India, headed by Dhriti Banerjee, conducted the survey. Arthropods serve as bioindicators or soil bioindicators.
Global Chess League 2025 [46:42]
The Alpine Pipers won the Global Chess League 2025, which was held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The final match was between Alpine and Triveni, with Alpine emerging as the winner. The championship was hosted in Goa. FIDE (International Chess Federation) is the international organization that conducts chess tournaments, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Other Important News [48:09]
- Josh Tongue: Became the first England bowler in 27 years to take five wickets in a single Test match in Melbourne, Australia. James Anderson holds the record for the most Test wickets for England.
- Anu Garg: Appointed as the first woman Chief Secretary in Osa, effective January 1, 2026, replacing Manoj Ahuja.
- PV Sindhu: The badminton player has been appointed as the chair of the Athlete Commission of the Badminton World Federation from 2026 to 2029. The Badminton World Federation was founded in 1934 and is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Homework and Announcements [51:10]
The instructor assigns a homework question to be answered in the comment section. The 11:00 AM class will cover important forts and monuments. Information on how to find the current affairs magazine on Amazon and Flipkart is provided, advising viewers to search for "Half Yearly Current Affairs" and to verify the cover before ordering. The magazine is available in both Hindi and English. Links will be provided on Telegram. Discounts are available on batches, and a special price for the Khazana batch will be available soon. The class PDF will be available on Telegram.
