Top Digital Trends in the News Space for 2024

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital news in 2024, several digital trends are poised to capture attention and fuel discussions throughout the year. This article acts as a compass, offering insights into the anticipated top digital trends that will dominate the news space.

1. India

India is eagerly anticipating the long-awaited inauguration of the Ram Mandir on January 22nd, a momentous occasion that will draw millions of devoted followers and esteemed political figures, including the Prime Minister, to the sacred Ram Janam Bhoomi. This monumental event holds great significance for the nation.

Adding to the excitement, the upcoming Republic Day celebration is expected to feature the distinguished presence of French President Emmanuel Macron as the esteemed Guest of Honor. His participation further underscores the diplomatic ties and global significance of this grand event.

Additionally, 2024, the nation braces itself for General Elections, a crucial event shaping the future policies of the incoming government. Additionally, seven states and the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will witness elections, these states are namely,

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Arunachal Pradesh
3. Odisha
4. Sikkim
5. Haryana
6. Maharashtra
7. Jharkhand.

2. Defence 

Emphasizing national security and prosperity, India is bolstering its military strength. In February 2024, the first batch of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters is set to be inducted. Prior to this, Indian Army Day will showcase the country's military prowess. 

In keeping with technological advancements, the finalization of the MQ-9B Drone Deal is expected by February 2024. The defence sector prioritizes the 'Make in India' initiative, unveiling major indigenous projects in 2024, including the construction of an additional aircraft carrier, 97 Tejas fighters, and 156 Prachand light combat helicopters. In the realm of defence, India is not just strengthening its forces but also fostering self-reliance through indigenous projects, paving the way for a robust and secure future.

3. Global Political Shifts in 2024:

In 2024, a cascade of elections will shape the geopolitical landscape not only in India but across major global cities. The United States, UK, European Union, Indonesia, Iran, Taiwan, Mexico, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are set to witness elections, each carrying the potential to reshape foreign policies. The outcomes will have a profound impact on international relations, influencing how these nations interact with India and each other on a global forum.

The United Nations' Summit Of The Future in 2024 will stand as a pivotal moment for international collaboration. It provides a platform for discussions on pressing global issues that have garnered attention in the preceding year and will continue to be of paramount importance in 2024. Key issues include the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, where all UN member nations will converge to address shared challenges and work towards collaborative solutions.

4. Economy and Business 

The topic of trend in the economy starting now is the the anticipation around Union Budget 2024 as well as the Economic Survey. 

In the dynamic economic landscape of India, the year 2024 holds significant promise and evolution, particularly in the realms of Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs). These enterprises, contributing approximately 29% to the country's economy, are expected to see a surge in their share in 2024.

The 2024-25 Union Budget, slated for release on February 1, is anticipated to include measures to facilitate the growth of MSMEs, reinforcing their pivotal role in India's economic framework.

Start-up Promotion:

The Union Budget is not only a financial event but a strategic roadmap. In 2024, it is poised to promote startups, aligning with India's aspiration to become a startup-centric nation.

International Trade:

In January 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry will conduct the fourteenth round of Free Trade Agreement negotiations between India and the UK, fostering international trade collaborations.

Real Estate Resurgence:

The real estate sector is set to soar in 2024, with major projects on the horizon. Notable among these are the roadways initiatives that are set to be completed in 2024:

    - Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (600 km)

    - Bengaluru-Chennai (272 km)

    - Kanpur-Lucknow (63 km)

    - UER II in Delhi (75 km)

    - Raipur-Vizag (464 km)

    - Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun (169 km)

    - Bengaluru Satellite Town Ring Road (281 km)

    - Durg-Raipur-Arang (92 km)

    - Chitoor-Thatchur (125 km)

    - Kota-Indore (136 km)

Automobile Sector Impact:

The automobile sector is set to make waves in 2024 with a spectrum of launches, impacting the economic landscape. Noteworthy releases include:

•   April 2024: Toyota BZ4X
•   April 2024: Tata Curvv EV Concept
•   April 2024: Jeep Avenger
•   April 2024: Skoda Enyaq
•   March 2024: BMW X8
•   March 2024: Ferrari Purosangue SUV
•   March 2024: Mahindra XUV300 facelift
•   March 2024: Honda WR-V
•   March 2024: Citroen sub-4-metre compact SUV
•   March 2024: Toyota Innova Crysta G 8 STR
•   March 2024: Citroen C3X crossover
•   March 2024: Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor
•   February 2024: Nissan Qashqai
•   February 2024: Tata Punch EV
•   January 16, 2024: Kia Sonet Facelift
•   April 2024: MG Gloster Facelift
•   June 2024: Kia EV9
•   June 2024: Tata Harrier EV
•   June 2024: Tata Safari EV
•   September 2024: Hyundai Creta EV
•   January 2025: Tesla Model 3

The economic tapestry of India in 2024 weaves together innovation, infrastructure, and international collaborations, promising a year of dynamic growth and transformation. 

5. Educational Trends in 2024:

In the ever-evolving landscape of education in India, the year 2024 is poised to witness a multitude of trends that will shape the academic journey for students across various levels.

UPSC Civil Services Exam:

Preliminary exams are scheduled for May 26, 2024, followed by Mains from September 20 to 27, 2024. This prestigious examination continues to be a focal point for aspirants seeking a career in public services.

National Testing Agency (NTA) Exams:

The NTA will be a key player in conducting various exams, including:

• JEE Advanced and Mains for engineering aspirants.
• CUET for both Under Graduation and Post Graduation, providing a standardised testing platform. 
• NEET for pre-medical students.

CAT Examination:

• The Common Admission Test (CAT) is scheduled for November 24, 2024, offering a gateway to prestigious management programs.

Board Exams for Class 10th and 12th:

•  CBSE, ICSE, and State Board students will undergo the crucial board exams, marking a significant milestone in their academic journey.

Student visas 

• Many Indian students aspire to study in countries like UK, USA, Canada as well as other parts of the world. These countries have various visa trends and the trends for the year 2024 will be in top educational news 

6. Sports Trends in 2024:

India, with its deep-rooted historical connection to sports, is gearing up for a year filled with excitement and awe for sports enthusiasts. The diverse array of sporting events promises to captivate the nation's spirit.

• ICC T-20 World Cup for Men, June 4th to June 30th
• Wimbledon, July 1st to 14th
• ICC World T20 For Women
• Australian Open in Tennis 
• Euro 2024 in Football, June 14th to July 14th
• Paris Olympics aka Summer Olympics, Jul 26 - Aug 11

• Solheim Cup,  September 10th to 15th 
• Presidents Cup, Sept 24th to 29th 
• Paralympics Games, Aug 28th to Sept 8th 
• UEFA Champions League, June 1st
• Tennis French Open, May 20th to Jun 9th 
• Augusta Masters, April 8th to 14th
• Super Bowl, Feb 11th 

In 2024, sports will not merely be a series of events; it will be a narrative of resilience, skill, and national unity as India participates, competes, and celebrates alongside the global sporting community. Get ready for a year of thrilling moments and unforgettable victories which will begin with the distribution of the National Sports Awards on 9^th Jan 2024.

7. Entertainment and lifestyle 

India is known for its vibrancy and culture and adding to this is the entertainment industry in India, the Bollywood. The movie industry’s value is pegged to be over 182 billion INR, to add to this the big releases this year will be:

• Yodha, starring Sidharth Malhotra

• Main Atal Hoon starring Pankaj Tripathi will release on January 19, 2024. 
• Welcome To The Jungle starring Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueline Fernandez, Disha Patani, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Tusshar Kapoor, and Shreyas Talpade
• Fighter starring Hrithik Roshan, Deepika Padukone and Anil Kapoor. The film will be released on January 25, 2024.

• Singham Again which is directed by Rohit Shetty, stars Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, and Ranveer Singh will come to threaters on 15th August 2023.
• Kalki 2898 AD starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, and Disha Patani will be released on January 12, 2024
• Emergency which has Kangana Ranaut playing the part of last Prime Minister Indira Gandhi will also be released in 2024.

• Bade Miyan Chote Miyan starring Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Sonakshi Sinha, and Prithviraj Sukumaran will be released on the auspicious occasion of Eid 2024. 
• Metro In Dino starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Sara Ali Khan, Anupam Kher, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sensharma, Ali Fazal, Neena Gupta and Fatima Sana Shaikh will hit the theatres on March 29, 2024. 

There are also various fashion shows that will grab the spotlight in the year 2024 like :

• The MET Gala on 6th May 2024

• Milan Fashion Week. Men's Fall-Winter 2024 from Jan 12 - 16. 
• Paris Fashion Week from Jan 16 - 24, 2024

• New York Fashion Week Fall Winter from Feb 9 - 14, 2024 
• Paris Fashion Week Fall - Winter 2024 from Feb 26 to March 5.

8. Healthcare Sector Trends:

The global healthcare sector, paramount since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, remains a pivotal focus as we transition into the coming year. Despite strides towards normalcy, the landscape remains dynamic, with a notable surge in COVID-19 cases in December 2023, flagging a significant threat for the health sector in 2024.

New Variant of COVID-19:

• The looming specter of a new variant of COVID-19 takes center stage in 2024. The healthcare sector braces itself for continued challenges, necessitating vigilance, adaptability, and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of potential outbreaks.

9. Global Warming and Climate Change:

As we step into 2024, the persistent challenges of global warming and climate change demand heightened attention. The year poses a unique convergence of factors that could propel it towards being a record-breaking warm year.

El Niño Impact:

  - The looming presence of El Niño adds another layer of complexity. The climatic phenomenon, characterized by warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures, could exacerbate the warming trend, potentially leading to extreme weather events and environmental disruptions.

As we navigate through 2024, the intersection of rising emissions and the El Niño phenomenon underscores the urgent need for comprehensive global strategies to address climate change and preserve the planet for future generations.

The ecological diversity is also a trend to watch out for, the Javan Rhinos are only 70 left and their protection in the year 2024 will be crucial. Similarly, Vaquita a sea mammal has a population of only 10 and are facing an extreme threat of extinction. 

10. Space Trends for 2024:

In the ever-expanding frontier of space exploration, the year 2024 is poised to be a remarkable chapter, especially with the ambitious endeavors of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Building on the successes of 2023, which saw the launch of missions like Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1, ISRO is gearing up for a series of ventures in 2024.

• Gaganyaan-1: this marks a historic milestone as ISRO undertakes its first human flight mission
• Mangalyaan-2: following the triumph of the Mars Orbiter Mission 1, Mangalyaan-2 emerges as a sequel mission, poised to deepen our understanding of the Martian landscape. This mission reflects ISRO's commitment to exploring the mysteries of the Red Planet.
• Shukrayaan-1: Venturing beyond Mars, ISRO is set to launch Shukrayaan-1, a mission dedicated to exploring the orbit of Venus. Anticipated to be launched in December 2024.

As ISRO spearheads these missions, 2024 promises to be a year of groundbreaking achievements and scientific discoveries, showcasing India's prowess in the realm of space exploration. The cosmos awaits, and ISRO is at the forefront of unraveling its mysteries.