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GA Daily > January '25 - Till Jan 21 > Flashcards

January '25 - Till Jan 21 Flashcards

1
Q

World’s youngest female to scale 7 highest peaks in all 7 continents

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Shakti Puraskar - India’s Highest National Honour for young achievers

A

Kaamya Karthikeyan (17-year old)

After Climbing:
- Mount Vinson Massif Antartica
- Mt Kilimanjaro Australia
- Mt Elbrus Europe
- Mt Aconcagua South America
- Mt Denali North America
- Mt Everest Asia

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2
Q

India’s 1st bowstring arch glass bridge inaugurated in

A

Kanniyakumari, Tamilnadu

  • inaugurated by MK Stalin
  • b/w 133-foot Thiruvalluvar Statue (declared as Statue of Wisdom during its silver jubilee celebration) & Vivekananda Rock Memorial
  • cost: Rs. 37 crores; length: 77 m; width: 10 m
  • About Tamil Nadu(TN) :
    Chief Minister (CM) – Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin
    Governor – Ravindra Narayana Ravi
    Folk Dance – Bharatanatyam, Karagattam, Bommalattam, Kavadi Attam, Oyilattam
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3
Q

National e-Governance Division (NeGD) and Indian Ports Association to increase ________

A

Digital adoption in India’s Maritime sector

  • NeGD comes under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY)

i. The collaboration aims to modernize India’s ports by merging NeGD’s tech expertise with IPA’s maritime insights, using real-time data, advanced analytics, and system integration to address outdated systems and enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

ii. NeGDwas established in 2009 under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and operates as an independent business unit of the Digital India Corporation (DIC).

iii. IPA was founded in 1966 under the Societies Registration Act 1860, operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW).

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4
Q

18th _____ to increase Defence Cooperation held in Saljhandi, Nepal

About Nepal:
Prime Minister(PM)– KP Sharma Oli
President- Ram Chandra Poudel
Capital- Kathmandu
Currency- Nepalese Rupee(NPR)

A

Surya Kiran

India - Nepal Military Exercise

  • Participant: 11th Gorakha Rifles (A contingent of 334 personnel from the 11th Gorkha Rifles Regiment of the IA will
    represent India.)
  • annual bilateral military exercise, alternatively hosted by the Indian Army and Nepali Army
  • the exercise focuses on joint operations, particularly in jungle warfare and counter-terrorism operations on mountains and also emphasises Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), in alignment with the United Nations Charter
  • The exercise follows successful visits by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) of IA to Nepal, and the visit by General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS of NA to India.
  • The 11th Gorkha Rifles holds historical significance as the 1st regiment raised post-independence in 1947.
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5
Q

FICCI ; FLO

_____, India’s 6th largest private sector bank in partnership with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI) Ladies Organisation (FLO), largest women’s chamber of commerce in South Asia region, announced the launch of ‘YES PowherUp’, a specialized Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) programme designed to empower women entrepreneur in promoting their businesses.

A

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ; FICCI Ladies Organisation

YES Bank Limited

  • It offers comprehensive financial solutions customized to cater the unique requirements of women-led enterprises.
  • The programme features specialized Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loans, premium business accounts, international trade and forex services, investment opportunities, credit card options, and insurance plans.

About Yes Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Prashant Kumar
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline-Experience our expertise
Established- 2004

About FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI FLO):
President- Joyshree Das Verma
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 1983

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6
Q

Director of Indian Agricultural Research Institute

A

Cherukumalli Srinivas Rao

  • succeeds Dr. A.K. Singh

About Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI):
The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) also called Pusa Institute, was founded in 1905 in Pusa, Bihar. In 1911, its name was changed to the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research. It was then renamed as the Imperial Agricultural Research Institute in 1919. After the Independence of India, it was renamed as the IARI.

  • It was relocated to New Delhi, Delhi in 1936. It is administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
    Chairman – Ashok Kumar Singh
    Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
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7
Q

ISRO launched _______ into 475 km Low Earth Circular Orbit (LEO) via PSLV-C60 (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) rocket [SpaDex mission] from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

About Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):
PSLV is a 3rd-generation launch vehicle, termed as the ‘Workhorse of Indian Space ISRO‘.The 1st successful launch of PSLV took place in October 1994.

Four stages of PSLV:
i. First Stage (PS1):Uses a solid rocket motor (S139). Augmented with 6 solid strap-on boosters. Provides the initial thrust to lift the rocket (1,750 kg).

ii. Second Stage (PS2):Uses an Earth-storable liquid engine (Vikas engine). Liquid engines are efficient and use less fuel compared to solids.

iii. Third Stage (PS3):A solid rocket motor. Provides additional thrust after the rocket has passed through the atmosphere.

iv. Fourth Stage (PS4):Uses two Earth-storable liquid engines. Responsible for placing the payloads into their final orbit. Can be turned on multiple times to release multiple payloads (e.g., PSLV-C43 mission had 31 satellites released in stages).

Variants of PSLV:
* PSLV-G: Has strap-on boosters for extra thrust.
* PSLV-CA: No strap-on boosters.
* PSLV-XL: Similar to PSLV-G but with larger strap-on boosters. Payload Capacity:
* 1750 kg to Sun-synchronous Polar Orbits (SSO) at an altitude of 600 km.
* 1425 kg to Geosynchronous or Geostationary Orbits (GTO).

A

SDX01 & SDX02 (spacecrafts of 220 kg each)

  • Aim of the SpaDex mission: to demonstrate docking, undocking & transfer of electric power b/w docked spacecraft
  • India is the 4th country in world to develop space docking technology, after Russia, USA, & China
  • The mission, named Space Docking Experiment (SpaDex), aims to demonstrate the ability to dock 2 small spacecrafts SDX01 and SDX02, in space.
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8
Q

China unveiled _____, world’s fastest high speed train prototype developed by China Railway Group (CREC)

A

CR450 (450 km/hr)

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9
Q

Pro-Kabbadi League Season 11 Winner

A

Haryana Steelers (got 3 crore)

  • Runner-up: Patna Pirates (got 1.8 crore)
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10
Q

1st King Cup International Badminton Open 2024. Final held in Shenzhen, China.

A

1st: Anders Antosen (World no. 2) [Denmark] ; 1.1 million Renminbi

2nd: Hu Zhe’an [China] ; 5,00,000 Renminbi

3rd: Lakshya Sen (World no. 12) [India] ; Rs 36 lakhs

  • King Cup International Badminton Open 2024:
    i.It is a unique badminton tournament started by two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan (China).
    ii.It featured only men’s singles event and witnessed the participation of 8 players.
    iii.The tournament is officially registered on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) but is categorised as non-world ranking event, means it does not offer ranking points.
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11
Q

World Boxing added _____ as Newest member

A

Asia

  • World Boxing formerly known as AIBA: Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur
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12
Q

India to host _____ and ______ in New Delhi

A

World Boxing Cup Final 2025
World Boxing Congress 2025

-These events are scheduled for November 2025, positioning India as a central hub for global boxing development and growing prominence in the sport.

About World Boxing:
President – Boris van der Vorst
Headquarters – Renens, Switzerland
Founded – 2023

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13
Q

Ministry of Earth Sciences launched _______ to increase India’s capacity in weather & climate services

A

Mission Mausam

  • Budget: Rs. 2000 crores
  • Term: 2 years
  • Implemented by:
    ✓ India Meteorological Department, New Delhi
    ✓ National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Noida
    ✓ Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune
  • Supported by:
    ✓ Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad
    ✓ National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai
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14
Q

Great Place to Work Institute, India awarded ‘Great Place to Work’ certification to ______ for Jan 2025 to Jan 2026

A

SAIL: Steel Authority of India Limited

  • earned 2nd consecutive year
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15
Q

‘Nature Aging Journal’ Report, Readiness for a Rapidly Aging Society, topped by ______. India is at rank ____ out of 143 countries.

India’s Ranking on various parameters:
* On universal healthcare access: 106 ; Canada, Australia, and New Zealand were the best.
* On well-being: 141; Singapore, Iceland, and Switzerland were the top three in terms of well-being.
* On cohesion: 127; Bahrain emerged as the most cohesive nation.
* On life satisfaction: 137, while Bahrain (7th) was the best in Asia.
* On physical safety: 67; Singapore ranked 1st.
* On pension: 102; Argentina and Armenia were among the best,
* On mental health: 93; Kuwait was ranked the best
* On food security: 97; Denmark emerged as the best.
* On technology:132, while Iceland, Denmark, and Norway were the top three.

A

Switzerland ; 123

    1. Switzerland 2. Norway 3. Denmark 4. Sweden 5. Iceland
    1. Rwanda (lowest)
  • Top country in Asia: Singapore (Rank 10)
  • India: Youngest country with 50% population below 25 years, 65% below 35 years.
  • No. of people above 65 years across world by 2050 - 1.5 billion: to double from 703 million in 2019

✓ Study was conducted by researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Columbia University, New York, who developed a new measure “Global Aging Index”
✓ Study assessed 5 key domains: well-being (25%), productivity and engagement (20%), equity (18%), cohesion (17%), and security (20%)

Key Highlights:
i. The study noted that the likelihood of a newborn living to age 90 in high-income countries has increased from 4.8%(in 1950) to 26.7%(in 2024) and is projected to be 50% by 2060.

ii. As per the study, top rankings are mainly dominated by the high-income countries with an average score of 24.9 higher than LMICs.

iii. The study showed that only 5 countries, accounting 3.5% of 143 countries covered, had higher scores for women than men.

iv. Singapore ranked at 10th position in the index and has topped among Asian countries. While, ranks of other major countries: the United Kingdom (UK) (14th); followed by Japan (15th); the United States of America (USA) (24th) and China (46th)

iv. Rwanda (143rd) ranked lowest in the index with an overall score of 36.6, followed by Togo (142nd),
Afghanistan (141st), Benin (140th) and Malawi (139th).

Domain Rankings:
i. Countries scored lowest in the ‘productivity and engagement’ domain with average score of 46.8,
followed by ‘equity’ (average score of 57.5), ‘well-being’ (average score of 14.2), and ‘security’ (average score of 59.3) domain.
* While, countries scored highest for ‘cohesion’ domain with average score of 60.6.

ii. Country with highest and lowest score across 5 main domains of index:
* Well-being: Singapore (88.8) and Afghanistan (14.9)
* Productivity and Engagement: Switzerland (81.7) and Jordan (18.8)
* Equity: Norway (87.8) and Eswatini (27.4)
* Cohesion: Bahrain (81.3) and Benin (26.0)
* Security: Norway (90.2) and Liberia (24)

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16
Q

UNESCO ICH (Intangible Cultural Heritage) recognized _______, which is a melancholic and ancient love song from Bosnia & Herzegovina

i. ICH means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills that communities, groups and
individuals recognize as a part of their cultural heritage.
* It also includes instruments, objects, artifacts and cultural spaces associated with such heritage.

ii. According to UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, ICH is
manifested into 5 broad domains:
* Oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage, Performing arts, Social practices, rituals and festive events, Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe and Traditional craftsmanship.

A

Sevdalinka [Balkan Blues]

  • reflects emotional depth and soulful melodies; 16th century song of Ottoman Empire, performed using saz or lute instruments
  • As of December 2024, India has 15 ICH elements on UNESCO’s List. Nawrouz festival was added lastly.
  • UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
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17
Q

NASA honoured 12 students and 2 teachers from Dyal Singh Public School, Karnal Haryana for _______

A

Discovery of Main-Belt Asteroid TD40, using Pan-STARRS telescope

  • NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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18
Q

Ministry of Defence declared ______ as “Year of Reforms”

A

2025

  • Objective: Transforming tri-services into technologically-advanced combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations.
  • Defence Ministry Target: Defence Exports worth Rs. 50,000 crore by 2029 - 137% larger than the record Rs. 21,083 crore achieved in FY24.
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19
Q

Bhupendra Patel (Gujarat CM) launched _______ to increase communication between citizens and government on Good Governance Day (December 25, 2024)

A

SWAR Platform (Speech and Written Analysis Resource), developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology & Bhashini (National Language Translation Mission)

i. The SWAR platform integrates Speech-to-Text functionality, enabling citizens to dictate their messages rather than typing them manually, making the process more accessible.

ii. The platform will support the CM’s Office (CMO) by incorporating AI, Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Open Source Generative AI (GenAI) and Computer Vision to enhance communication and resource management

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20
Q

Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi has Approved 4 decisions

A
  • To continue Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana & Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme toll 2025-26 (Budget: Rs. 69,515.71 crores [2021-22 to 2025-26])
  • To create Fund for Innovation and Technology
    ✓ Integrate advanced technology in insurance scheme Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH), Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS), etc.
    ✓ Budget: Rs. 824.77 crores.
  • Extended One-time special Package on Di-Ammonium Phosphate from January 1, 2025
    ✓ Subsidy: Rs. 3,500 per metric ton
  • National Cooperative Exports Limited to implement trade of Non-Basmati between India & Indonesia.
    ✓ Duration: 4 years
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21
Q

Ministry of Education launched ________ to increase access to Scholarly Resources for Government Institutions

A

One Nation, One Subscription scheme

  • Budget: Rs. 6,000 crores
  • Term: 3 years
  • Phase 1
  • Co-ordinated by Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) and University Grants Commission (UGC)
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22
Q

GoI formed _____ member panel headed by ______ (NITI Aayog member) to Revise WPI Base Year from 2011-2012 to 2022-23) & develop Producer Price Index PPI.

Final Report by _______ to Office of the Economic Adviser

A

18 ; Ramesh Chand ; June 30, 2026

  • Panel notified by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • Wholesale Price Index (WPI): WPI measures the average change in the selling prices of goods sold in bulk by wholesalers to businesses.
  • It focuses on the prices of goods at the wholesale or producer level and is used to gauge inflation
    in the early stages of production.
  • The prices of a total of 697 items are tracked under the 2011-12 series of the WPI, which includes
    117 primary items, 16 items of fuel and power and 564 manufactured products.
  • Producer Price Index (PPI): PPI is a measure of the average change over time in the selling prices
    received by domestic producers for their output including prices at various stages of production, from raw materials to finished goods.
  • It was increasingly adopted by most G20 countries.
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23
Q

Defence Research and Development Organisation celebrated _____ Foundation Day in New Delhi. And declared ______ as ‘Year of Reforms’

A

67th ; 2025

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24
Q

Noble Hospitals & Research Centre, Pune installed 1st made-in-India robotic system ______ - developed by ______

A

SSI Mantra (Surgical Robot) ; SS Innovations

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25
____ & ______ became full members (total increased to 29) of Schengen Border-Free Zone led by European Union
Romania ; Bulgaria - This will now expand the borderless area to 29 European countries whose residents can travel without passport checks, ending a 13-year long wait for the two eastern European countries. About Schengen Area: i. It is the world’s largest free travel area that now includes 25 of the 27 EU member states, except Ireland and Cyprus, and includes 4 members states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. ii. It was formed under Schengen Agreement, international treaty which was initially approved by 5 countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in Schengen, Luxembourg on June 14, 1985. iii. In 2023, Croatia became the full member of Europe’s border-free Schengen zone.
26
State Bank of India + Union Bank of India + ______ for Insurance benefits (zero-premium insurance coverage to state government employees)
Assam
27
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced National Sports Awards 2024 to ____ sportspersons, coaches and entities under ___ categories. - Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award - 4 Awardees, Cash Prize - Rs. 25 lakh - Arjuna Awards - 32 Awardees, Cash Prize - Rs. Rs. 15 lakh - Arjun Awards (Lifetime) - 2 Awardees, Cash Prize - Rs. 15 lakh
47 ; 6 ✓ Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 1. Gukesh D : Chess 2. Harmanpreet Singh : Hockey 3. Praveen Kumar : Para- Athletics 4. Manu Bhaker : Shooting ✓ Arjun Awards (Lifetime) Awards 1. Sucha Singh : Athletics 2. Murlikant Rajaram Petkar : Para-Swimming Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2024 Number of Awardees – 5 (3 in Regular Category & 2 in Lifetime Category) Regular Category: 1. Subhash Rana Para-Shooting 2. Deepali Deshpande -Shooting 3. Sandeep Sangwan -Hockey Lifetime Category: For coaches who have helped sportspersons to achieve excellence over a period of 20 years or more. 1. S Muralidharan -Badminton 2. Armando Agnelo Colaco - Football Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar Number of Awardee – 1 1. Physical Education Foundation of India Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024 Number of Awardees – 3 1. Chandigarh University, Punjab Overall 2. Lovely Professional University, Punjab 3. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab
28
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology appointed CEO of Unique Identification Authority of India ______ who succeeded Amit Agarwal. Effect from ______
Bhuvnesh Kumar ; Jan 2, 2025
29
Worls Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2024, organized by International Chess Federation, held in _____
New York, USA - Rapid Chess title: Women's section - 1st: Koneru Humpy (India) - Blitz Chess title: Women's section - 3rd: Vaishali Rameshbabu (India)
30
______ launched Atlas of Indian Wolf Habitats to Protect biodiversity and conserve the Indian Wolf, which focuses on identifying suitable habitatsfor wolves across 13 districts of the state
Gujarat - led by: Bhupendra Patel (CM of Gujarat) - prepared by: Forest Department of Gujarat & Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation - In 2023 Wolf Census - Total 222 wolves recorded in an area of 2,217 square kilometres
31
Nagaraju Maddirala (Department of Financial Services Secretary, Ministry of Finance) launched ________ for **e-auction of properties from all Public Sector Banks**
**BAANKNET (Bank Asset Auction Network) - Revamped e-auction Portal**
32
IIT Madras + Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare launched ______ to modernize agricultural extension through digitalization for farmers
Project VISTAAR (Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources) - * This project enables farmers and stakeholders in agriculture to access high-quality advisory services related to crop production, marketing, value addition, supply chain management and government schemes. * The VISTAAR platform will bridge the gap between these innovations and farmers, ensuring wide adoption and impact.
33
______ + All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi to increase medical training & capabilities of Coast Guard medical officers
Indian Coast Guard
34
India submits **4th Biennial Update Report** about ______ to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
Green House Gases inventory & plans to mitigate emissions - GHG emissions decreased by 7.93% in 2020 from 2019 - Sector wise emission: Energy (75.66%), Agriculture (13.72%), Industrial Processes and Product Use (8.06%), & Waste (2.56%) - Forest & Trees cover, other land use: 522 million tonnes of CO2 (2020) - Additional carbon sink created: 2.29 billion of CO2 (2005 to 2021) - emission intensity of GDP decreased by 36% (2005 to 2020) - share of non-fossil sources: 46.52% of installed electricity generation capacity (October 2024) - total installed capacity of renewable power with large hydropower: 203.22 GW **India’s Progress in respect of the NDC Targets**: i. The report highlighted that India’s emissionintensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), decreased by 36% between 2005 and 2020. Note: GDP emission intensity means to the reduction in the GHG emissions per unit of economic output. ii. According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the share of non-fossil sources in the installed electricity generation capacity was 46.52%, by October 2024. * Also, the combined installed capacity of renewable power, including large hydropower, is 203.22 GigaWatt (GW) and total renewable power installed capacity (excluding large hydro power projects) has increased 4.5 times from 35 GW (in March 2014) to 156.25 GW. iii. The installed capacity of various Renewable Energy (RE) sources: * Solar energy has increased 35 times from 2.63 GW (in March 2014) to 92.12 GW (as of 31st October, 2024). * Wind energy has increased more than double from 21.04 GW (in March 2014) to 47.72 GW (as of 31st October, 2024). About UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC): Executive Secretary- Simon Stiell (Grenada) **Headquarters- Bonn, Germany Established- 1992**
35
January 4 2025
7th World Braille Day - observed by United Nations - Aim: to raise awareness about Braille's significance - 1st observed on January 4, 2019 - to commemorate 216th Birth Anniversary of Louis Braille
36
Gujarat's total district increased to ____
34 - new: Vav-Tharad district. Headquarters: Tharad town - from: Banaskantha District. Headquarters: Palanpur
37
January 8
Earth's Rotation Day 2025 - anniversary of French physicist Léon Foucault's scientific demonstration in 1851: 174th anniversary
38
SBI released it's latest **Ecowrap Research Report**. It has lowered India's GDP forecast to _____ for **Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25)**, which is marginally lower than the National Statistics Office (NSO)'s estimate of 6.4%
**6.3%** - the report noted a "downward bias" in its projection and has cited several challenges affecting economic growth of the country, including a slowdown in lending and manufacturing, coupled with the effects of a large base effect from the preceding year. - Slowdown in total demand during the fiscal year is reflected in the First Advance Estimates (FAE) for GDP released by NSO in January, 2025
39
First Green Hydrogen Hub under National Green Hydrogen Mission launched in ______
Pudimadaka, Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh - on 8th January 2025 - PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) Green Hydrogen Hub project - estimated cost of the project: **Rs. 1.85 lakh crore** - jointly developed by NGEL and the New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) - It will include the development of **20 Gigawatt** of Renewable Energy projects, production of **1,500 tonnes per day (TPD)** of green hydrogen and **7,500 TPD** of green hydrogen derivatives such as green methanol, green urea, and sustainable aviation fuel primarily for export markets - the project will contribute substantially in achieving India's non-fossil energy capacity target of **500 GW** by **2030** ✓ The Union Cabinet launched the NGHM in 2023 with an outlay of **Rs. 19,744 crore** from FY 2023-24 to Fy 2029-30 to make India a global hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives.
40
World Bank approves ______ to enhance education in _____
**USD 35 million** ; **Meghalaya** - Meghalaya Multisectoral Project for Adolescent Wellbeing, Empowering and Resilience (MPOWER) - aimed to improve education quality in Meghalaya: enhancing resources and infrastructure - the loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), part of the WB group, has a final maturity of **15 years**, including a grace period of **5 years** - aimed to better empower **5,00,000** adolescents to make the transition from school to work by lowering dropouts, improving learning outcomes and providing assistance for accessing jobs and starting businesses. ✓ Project MPOWER will strengthen academic results for adolescents in grade 6-12 and close gaps in students' reading and math skills. ✓ The total cost of the project is **USD 45 Million** of which USD 35 million will be given by WB and rest by the Government of India (GoI) ✓ the project will also teach business skills to aspiring entrepreneurs and out of school adolescents in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society (MSSDS)
41
January 9
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas / Non-Resident Indian Day - celebrated once in two years on 9th Jan - significant event honours the contribution of the Overseas Indian Community (Indian diaspora) in the development of India - since 2003 to commemorate the day in 1915 when Gandhi returned to India from South Africa to lead the country's freedom struggle. - since 2015, under a revised format, PBD Convention has been organised once every 2 years with the theme-based PBD Conferences. - the PBD Convention: the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) - 18th PBD Convention was held for the first time in Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 8th to 10th January, 2025. - Theme: Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)
42
January 10
**World Hindi Day / Vishwa Hindi Diwas** - to highlight the significance of the Hindi language and its role in connecting people globally - **Theme: A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural Pride** - first ever World Hindi Day was celebrated on 10th January 2006
43
All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has announced 2025 as the ______
Year of Artificial Intelligence - to shape India as a global leader in AI
44
MP CM Mohan Yadav launched ______ and ______
**PARTH**: Police Army Recruitment Training & Hunar - Train Youth of MP for recruitment in Indian Army, Police, Paramilitary forces services **MPYP Portal**: Madhya Pradesh Youth Platform - To connect all young people in state on single digital platform for skill development
45
January 12
**National Youth Day / Rashtriya Yuva Divas / Vivekananda Jayanti** - observed by Government of India - 28th National Youth Festival 2025, organized by MYAS (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports)
46
DRDO completed user trials of _____ (multi-layer clothing system) to increase soldier performance in extreme cold weather (20°C to -60°C)
HIMKAVACH - multi-layer clothing system has successfully completed user trials in extreme cold weather conditions - aims to improve soldier performance by enhancing mobility, comfort and durability in harsh, cold environments.
47
Uttar Pradesh + Google Cloud to launch _____ powered by Gemini & Beacon Technology
UP Open Network for Agriculture - aim: easy access to advice, credit, machinery, & market links to sell products - about: India's 1st state initiative using AI to revolutionize agriculture
48
India joined as a member of _____ to shape global standards in Big Data & Data Science
UN-CEBD, USA - United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science - 31 member states & 16 international organizations - India's inclusion in this expert committee contributes to shaping global standards in Big Data and Data Science for official statistics and also will highlight its pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of: 1. Data Innovation Lab - a platform to experiment with new data technologies, 2. Exploring Alternate Data Sources - including satellite imagery and machine learning for policy-making. ✓ India assumed membership of the United Nations Statistical Council (UNSC) in 2024. - the UN-CEBD headquartered in New York, USA was established in 2014 with Australia as its chair. It explores the opportunities and challenges posed by Big Data in the production and dissemination of official statistics.
49
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOC&I), unveiled the ________, an initiative at the inaugural Bharat Climate Forum 2025 in New Delhi
Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform - it aimed to enhance India's cleantech value chains in the solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage sectors - the platform will enable Indian firms to innovate, collaborate, and attract global investments, positioning India as a global leader in the cleantech sector
50
15 January
77th Indian Army Day / Bhartiya Sena Diwas - observed by Indian Army - PM Modi commissioned ✓ INS Surat ✓ INS Nilgiri ✓ INS Vaghsheer - commemorates appointment of Field Marshal KM Cariappa as 1st Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army in 1949
51
TRAI released **Draft Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025** to boost ______. It proposes the rationalization of broadband tariffs for _____ under the said scheme.
PM-WANI Scheme (Prime Minister's Wireless Fidelity [WiFi] Access Network Interface) ; Public Data Offices - to address the challenges obstructing the growth of public WiFi hotspots and ensure affordable connectivity for users across the country. - TRAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
52
January 15 - 150th Foundation Day
IMD: India Meteorological Department - under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
53
UM Piyush Goyal launched _____ in New Delhi with an aim to boost the turmeric industry in India (Golden Spice)
National Turmeric Board - Palle Ganga Reddy has been appointed as its first Chairperson. - Headquarters: Nizambad, Telangana
54
14th January
**9th Armed Forces Veterans' Day** - observed by Ministry of Defence - 1st celebrated in **2017** - honours and recognises the service of Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (1st Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces)
55
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying declared ____ to _____ as '**Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month'**
14th January ; 13th February
56
India test fired its **first indigenous micro-missile system** named ______. It is India's first guided micro-missile: counter-drone system.
**Bhargavastra** - developed by Economic Explosives Limited, a subsidiary of Nagpur-based Solar Industries India Limited successfully hits virtual targets over 2.5 kilometers away
57
C-DOT has partnered with IIT Mandi and IIT Jammu to _____
create a new chip designed to improve spectrum efficiency - C-DOT is a New Delhi-based telecom Research and Development center under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communication
58
**Indichip Semiconductor Limited** in collaboration with its Joint Venture partner Yitoa Micro Technology Limited from Japan, has signed a MoU with the government of _______ **to establish India's first private semiconductor manufacturing facility** at the Orvakal Mega Industrial Hub in _____
**Andhra Pradesh** ; **Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh** - the project entails an investment of **Rs. 14,000 crores** - the initiative aligns with AP's Semiconductor Policy, launched in November 2024, which aims to make the state a hub for electronics and semiconductor manufacturing
59
the **28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)** is set to be hosted in ______ in _____
**New Delhi** ; **2026** - CSPOC aims to focus on the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and social media in parliamentary operations for enhancing cooperation among member countries - these cutting-edge technologies are used to provide regional language translations for Members Of Parliament and make available parliamentary papers in different languages
60
according to Bengaluru-based Tracxn Technologies Limited, a leading global market intelligence platform, **'Annual India Fintech Report 2024'**, **India ranked at _____ position globally in terms of funding received in the fintech segment**, despite witnessing **a decline of 33% on a Year-over-Year to USD 1.9 billion**, don from USD 2.8 billion funding garnered in 2023.
**3rd** - top 3 investing cities which emerged as hub for fintech funding in 2024: **Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi**
61
PUMA India has officially partnered with two-time Olympic medalist ____ in a multi-year collaboration as brand ambassador
P V Sindhu
62
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren launched the enhanced _____ by transferring assistance for **two months totaling Rs. 5,000 each** to the accounts of 56.61 lakh women beneficiaries.
**Maiyan Samman Yojana** - - from December 2024, the government of Jharkhand enhanced the financial assistance to **Rs. 2,500 per month** offering stronger support to women beneficiaries.
63
Mumbai-based ______, a space technology startup by Google, has successfully **launched the first three satellites of its Firefly constellation, marking India's first private satellite constellation**
**Pixxel** - **the Firefly Constellation consists of some of the highest-resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites**, launched a board SpaceX Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States of America - it is now **the world's highest resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites**.
64
L&T has launched the Indian Navy's second multi-purpose Vessel named ______, from its shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu
'Indian Naval Ship Utkarsh'
65
FICCI released its Economic Outlook Survey. It projects India's GDP growth for 2024-25 is projected at ______ from the 7.0% estimated in September 2024 reflecting a decline as compared to the 8.2% growth achieved in 2023-24.
6.4% - CPI has been projected at 4.8% for 2024-25, aligning with the RBI's forecast in the December 2024 monetary policy whereas the food inflation is expected to decline
66
according to New Delhi based PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI)'s latest report titled 'Economic Outlook 2025', India is set to become the World's ____ largest economy by ____, surpassing ____
4th ; 2026; Japan
67
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of _____ signed a MoU with the National Health Authority (NHA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana. It became the ____ state in the country to implement AB PM-JAY.
Odisha ; 34th
68
IBBI (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India) mandated that all asset auctions under the liquidation process must use the _____ starting **April 1, 2025** - it aims to simplify the auction process, boost transparency, and increase recovery rates in liquidation cases - launched in _____, is an advanced property listing and e-auction platform designed for banks and lending institutions. It helps recover non-performing asset loans by enabling the efficient sale of distressed assets through digital auctions.
**eBKray platform (now known as Bank Asset Auction Network, BAANKNET)** 2019
69
UM Ashwini Vaishnaw launched one VEGA-based System on-chip named _____ and two _____ processor based development boards, Artificial Intelligence for Environment & Sustainability (ARIES) ECO and ARIES NOVA at an event held at Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) campus in Pune
THEJAS6 ; DIR V VEGA
70
Karnataka's Forest Department launched _____ portal to register an inline First Information Report (FIR) cases for forest crimes such as encroachments, poaching, and illegal logging.
Garudakshi
71
January 11 to 17
**National Road Safety Week** - organized by the **Ministry of Road Transport and Highways**, is annually observed across India from January 11-17 every year to raise awareness about road safety. - It highlights the need for responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and better road infrastructure to prevent and reduce accidents to save lives. - 2025 marks the observance of the **36th National Road Safety Week**.
72
'How India scaled Mt G20: The Inside story of the G20 Presidency' authored by
Amitabh Kant - the book explores India's pivotal role in hosting and shaping the Group of Twenty during its presidency. - Rupa Publications
73
14th President of Lebanon
Joseph Khalil Aoun
74
53rd President of Venezuela for 3rd consecutive term
Nicolas Maduro Moros - he will be serving for 6 years until 2031
75
Kerala's renowned Kappad beach in Kozhikode and Chal beach in Kannur respectively received the coveted_______ from the Denmark based non-profit organization 'Foundation for Environmental Education' (FEE)
'Blue Certification' - the historical significance of Kappad was the site where Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama 1st landed in 1498 - the blue flag certification is an eco-label awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators that meet stringent environmental and safety standards globally as a mark of excellence - India is now the 4th country in Asia after South Korea, Japan and UAE with 'blue flag beaches' - India has 12 blue flag beaches
76
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav launched _____ on the occasion of National Youth Day (12th January), which marks the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission
77
_____, new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah who took over the role of ICC Chairman in December 2024
Devajit Saikia
78
_____, 5th President of Croatia for 2nd consecutive term
Zoran Milanovic
79
UJALA Scheme and SNLP programme have completed ____ years of successful implementation.
10 - UJALA: Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Light Emitting Diodes - SNLP: Street Lighting National Programme - both schemes were launched by PM Modi on 5th January, 2015
80
UM G. Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Mines inaugurated the ______ and launched a new corporate logo of Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, Ranchi, Jharkhand
5G Use Case Test Lab - to promote digital transformation in the coal sector in India through 5G technology and also address the industry's key challenges
81
On January 9, 2025, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry for Science and Technology (MoS&T) unveiled the ______ at the Genome India Data Conclave held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, Delhi.
Indian Genomic Data Set - He also launched the Framework for Exchange of Data (FeED) Protocols and the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, providing researchers in India and globally access to 10,000 whole genome samples. * During the conclave, he announced a future target of sequencing 10 million genomes to accelerate India’s advancements in genomics and personalized medicine. * These initiative will create an ecosystem as a knowledge and innovation hub, contributing to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
82
Foreign Minister of Austria ______ (55 years) of the Austrian People’s Party (OVP) will be serving as the country’s Federal Chancellor till the time the far-right Freedom Party is trying to form a new coalition government.
Alexander Schallenberg
83
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) delivered the **6th and final Scorpene-class submarine**,______ to the Indian Navy (IN) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, marking the successful completion of **Project P-75**.
**‘Indian Navy Ship (INS) Vaghsheer (S26)’** - Other 5 Submarines: INS Kalvari (2015), INS Khanderi (2017), INS Karanj (2018), INS Vela (2021), and INS Vagir (2020).
84
In January 2025, Hyderabad-based ______, an Indian Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has partnered with Ultra Maritime, the United States of America(USA) based leading global provider of undersea warfare systems, to supply and manufacture sonobuoys of the US Navy standard for the Indian Navy (IN).
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) - Sonobuoys are small, disposable devices used in underwater sonar systems to detect submarines and other threats, helping in identifying and targeting adversarial ships and submarines for about 24 hours.
85
On January 07, 2025, Union Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), announced the upgraded ______for road accident victims, set to launch by March 2025. The announcement was made during a meeting with transport ministers from all states and Union Territories (UTs) held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
‘Cashless Treatment scheme’ - He also launched a nationwide scheme for establishing Driver Training Institutes (DTIs), offering incentives for setting up DTIs and additional rewards for integrating the infrastructure of Automated Testing Stations (ATSs) and DTIs.
86
The Ministry _____ has initiated partnerships with various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and private institutions and colleges, to provide training activities including skill development in semiconductor manufacturing.
of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) - The MeitY informed that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led government had already approved 5 semiconductor units under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to locally develop semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India with total budget outlay of **Rs 76,000 crore**
87
The United States of America (USA)-based software tech giant, **Microsoft Corporation, Inc.** has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MeitY under the ______, which **aims to provide skill development training to 5 lakh students, teachers, and professionals in AI by 2026**.
**IndiaAI Mission** * This strategic partnership with MeitY aims to position India as a world leader in AI. It also aims to boost AI development and adoption in India and to foster inclusive, innovative and ethical AI ecosystem in India. * This MoU was part of a series of collaborations announced by Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation, Inc., during his visit to India on January 08, 2025. Note: These announcements came after Microsoft pledged to invest USD 3 billion to promote AI and cloud infrastructure in India over the next 2 years.
88
the _____ of the **National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog** partnered with **New Shop**, a 24/7 convenience retail chain based in New Delhi (Delhi), to launch the initiative **‘EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan’**. It was part of WEP’s Award to Reward (ATR) initiative. About EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan Initiative: This program is designed to provide women with essential skills and support to succeed in retail entrepreneurship. i. The initiative is open to women from Delhi- National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana, Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Gujarat, ensuring support across these states. ii. Fifty women, aged between 18 and 35 years, will be selected through an online application process. - Among them, the top 20 participants will receive a full waiver on New Shop franchise fees, enabling them to establish their ventures with greater ease. - The initiative will offer expert mentorship to participants, along with training in retail management, financial literacy, digital tools, and business development, aiming to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities. - Through this partnership, New Shop aims to assist 10,000 entrepreneurs by 2030, enhancing its franchising model to provide opportunities and support for first-time entrepreneurs across India.
**Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP)** - The WEP is an initiative of NITI Aayog, launched in **2018 as an online platform**. - It became a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2022 and now collaborates with over 30 partners from both the public and private sectors to develop programs that support and empower women entrepreneurs.
89
London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Henley & Partners released the annual edition of **Henley Passport Index 2025**. As per the index, _____ has reclaimed its title as the **world’s most powerful passport with visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations** worldwide, **followed by Japan which secured 2nd rank with visa-free access to 193 destinations.** - **India’s rank dropped from 80th spot (in 2024) to _____ spot (in 2025) on the list, with visa-free access to only 57 destinations of the world, down from 62 visa-free destinations in 2024**. * India shared its latest rank with two countries: **Niger and Equatorial Guinea**.
**Singapore** ; **85th** - The index was originally created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, compares 199 passports and 227 travel destinations annually for the last 19 years. Countries are ranked based on visa-free entry to citizens holding that country’s passport. - The ranking is **based on exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA)**, which maintains the world’s largest and most accurate database of travel information. - 7 countries from EU i.e. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden shared 4th position on the list. All these 7 countries have visa-free access to 191 destinations. - The 5th spot on the list is shared by 5 countries: Belgium, Portugal, Switzerland, the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand, all these countries offer visa-free travel to 190 destinations. - The remaining top 10 countries on the index is largely dominated by European countries, except to Australia (6th spot with 189 destinations), Canada (7th spot with 188 destinations), the United States of America (USA) (9th spot with 186 destinations) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (10th spot with 185 destinations). - Afghanistan secured 106th spot on the list and has the world’s weakest passport with visa-free access to only 26 destinations globally. - It is followed by Syria (105th spot with 27 destinations), Iraq (104th with 31 destinations), Pakistan and Yemen (jointly ranked at 103th spot with 33 destinations). - The index showed that only 22 of the world’s 199 passports have witnessed a drop in their ranking in the last 10 years. - Top 5 countries with biggest fall in their ranking between 2015 and 2025: Venezuela (from 30th spot to 45th spot), the USA (from 2nd spot to 9th spot) Vanuatu (from 48th spot to 54th spot), the UK (from 1st spot to 5th spot) and Canada (from 4th spot to 7th spot). - As per the index, the UAE emerged as one of the biggest climbers on the index over the last 10 years, and secured access to an additional 72 destinations since 2015. Thus, the ranking of UAE jumped by 32 places to 10th spot. - While, China also witnessed significant jump in its ranking from 94th (2015) to 60th (2025).
90
Cabinet approvals on January 16th 2025 (5): i. Construction of a _____ for Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO’s) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP). ii. **Formation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of central government employees and pensioners.** iii. Refarming of 687 megahertz (MHz) of spectrum from government ministries and ISRO to support 5th Generation (5G) and future 6th Generation (6G) services. iv. Revival plan for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) at a total cost of Rs 11,440 crores. v. Creation of 2 new Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) reserve Battalions.
Third Launch Pad (TLP)
91
The Union Cabinet approved the formation of the **8th Pay Commission** to revise the salary and pension of over **1.2 crore central government employees and pensioners**. The term of the 7th Pay Commission will conclude on ______, after which the 8th Pay Commission will come into effect. * This will increase the minimum basic salary of central government employees from **Rs 18,000 to over ______ per month**. The salary hike, expected to be between ____ and ____, will also include allowances, perks, and performance pay. * Approximately 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners will benefit, including defence personnel and government employees in New Delhi (Delhi). The fitment factor is estimated to range between ____ and _____, compared to 2.57% under the 7th Pay Commission
December 31 2025 ; Rs 40,000 ; 25% and 30% ; 2.6% and 2.85%
92
In January 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry(MoC&I), entered into a strategic partnership with Kolkata(West Bengal) based ______to improve innovation and strengthen India’s startup ecosystem.
ITC Limited
93
the **Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)**, under the Department of Telecommunicatios (DoT), Ministry of Communications (MoC) signed an agreement with _______, Mumbai (Maharashtra) to develop an “Optical Transceiver Chipset for High Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links.”
the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT B)
94
the Satyendra Nath Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), established India’s sixth and Eastern India’s first astronomical observatory in the Garpanchkot Hills of Purulia district in ______, to aid scientific observations, student training, and global research collaboration.
West Bengal (WB)
95
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched ______ mobile application (app) and website **to enable civilians to visit and explore significant battlefields along India’s borders**.
**“Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan”** - The app was launched on 15 January 2025, coinciding with the 77th Indian Army Day. - This app was developed by the MoD, Ministry of Tourism (MoT), and the Indian Army (IA). - The app offers a comprehensive guide to tourists, which includes historical insights, battle accounts, stories of bravery, travel information, and applications for permission to enter restricted places. - It includes detailed information of 77 battlefield sites and provides visitors an in-depth overview of some of the major military events.
96
Switzerland based **World Economic Forum (WEF)** announced that Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu, TN) based ______ and Tinsukia (Assam) based facility of _____, the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Company have joined its **Global Lighthouse Network (GLN)** for driving manufacturing transformation through innovation.
**CEAT Limited** ; **Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL)** - Other 15 new members include companies from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, Germany, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom (UK), the United States of America (USA), and Morocco (Home to the first Lighthouse site in Africa). - As of January 2025, a total of 16 Indian companies joined WEF’s GLN, with Bharuch (Gujarat)-based Jubilant Ingrevia which became a member in October 2024.
97
About Global Lighthouse Network (GLN): - GLN is an initiative by the ______ and co-founded with **McKinsey & Company**, - Launched in _____. - The network aims to enhance the performance of manufacturing andsupply chains by adopting 4IR technologies. - It helps shape the future by using digital and analytics tools across the value chain to boost growth, productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. - It recognizes and awards the world’s most advanced operational sites.
World Economic Forum (WEF) 2018
98
**the Indian Navy (IN), along with eight Indo-Pacific nations, is participating in the 5th edition of the _______**. - The exercise is being conducted in the strategic maritime straits of _____ and _____, which serves as crucial routes for global maritime trade between the **Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean**. - This **eight-day exercise**, organized by the ____, began on January 16, 2025, and will continue until January 24, 2025.
**La Perouse 25 Multinational Naval Exercise ; French Carrier Strike Group (CSG)** - **Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok** - The exercise aims to prepare navies for real-world challenges, enhancing their collective response capabilities - The exercise involves naval forces from **nine nations**: India, Australia, Canada, the United States of America (USA), France, Indonesia, Malaysia, the United Kingdom (UK), and Singapore
99
_____ was appointed as the **53rd** Prime Minister (PM) of Lebanon. He will replace incumbent PM Najib Azmi Mikati
Nawaf Abdallah Salim Salam
100
Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), an Indian Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has partnered with _____, the United States of America(USA) based leading global provider of undersea warfare systems, to supply and manufacture sonobuoys of the US Navy standard for the Indian Navy (IN)
Ultra Maritime - Sonobuoys are small, disposable devices used in underwater sonar systems to detect submarines and other threats, helping in identifying and targeting adversarial ships and submarines for about 24 hours. - A naval helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft usually releases sonobuoys in a specific pattern
101
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated partnerships with various Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and private institutions and colleges, to provide training activities including skill development in _____.
semiconductor manufacturing - The MeitY informed that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi-led government had already approved 5 semiconductor units under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to locally develop semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystem in India with total budget outlay of Rs **76,000 crore.** - As per Industry estimates, the semiconductor market in India is expected to reach USD 109 billion by 2030.
102
The United States of America (USA)-based software tech giant, Microsoft Corporation, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with _____ under the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to provide skill development training to 5 lakh students, teachers, and professionals in AI by 2026.
MeitY: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology * This strategic partnership with MeitY aims to position India as a world leader in AI. It also aims to boost AI development and adoption in India and to foster inclusive, innovative and ethical AI ecosystem in India. * This MoU was part of a series of collaborations announced by Satya Nadella, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Microsoft Corporation, Inc. , during his visit to India on January 08, 2025. Note: These announcements came after Microsoft pledged to invest USD 3 billion to promote AI and cloud infrastructure in India over the next 2 years Under this MoU, Microsoft in partnership with MeitY will set up an AI Center of Excellence (CoE) named ‘AI Catalysts’, to promote rural AI innovation and support 1 lakh AI innovators and developers through hackathons, community-building solutions and an AI marketplace. Microsoft will also establish ‘AI Productivity Labs’ in 20 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) centers across 10 states in India, to provide foundational courses for 20,000 educators.
103
About EmpowHER Biz – Sapno Ki Udaan Initiative: This program is designed to provide women with essential skills and support to succeed in retail entrepreneurship. i. The initiative is open to women from Delhi- National Capital Region (NCR), Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana, Madhya Pradesh (MP), and Gujarat, ensuring support across these states. ii. ___ women, aged between 18 and 35 years, will be selected through an online application process. * Among them, the top 20 participants will receive a full waiver on New Shop franchise fees, enabling them to establish their ventures with greater ease. iii. The initiative will offer expert mentorship to participants, along with training in retail management, financial literacy, digital tools, and business development, aiming to enhance their entrepreneurial capa bilities. iv. Through this partnership, New Shop aims to assist _____ entrepreneurs by 2030, enhancing the franchising model to provide opportunities and support for first-time entrepreneurs across India
Fifty ; 10,000
104
About Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP): The WEP is an initiative of NITI Aayog, launched in as____ an online platform. * It became a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in 2022 and now collaborates with over 30 partners from both the public and private sectors to develop programs that support and empower women entrepreneurs. * Since 2023, WEP’s ‘Award to Reward’ initiative offers a flexible framework for stakeholders to design and implement impactful programs
2018
105
Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), launched the ____ and the _____ trademark at the ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) in Kasaragod, Kerala.
‘Kisan Samriddhi Market Portal’ and the Kisan Samriddhi * The launch took place during the 109th Foundation Day celebrations of ICAR-CPCRI, as part of the inaugural session of the National Seminar on ‘Harnessing the Plantation Sector for Sustainable Development Goals’ and an exhibition. i. The portal was developed by ICAR’s Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), based in Bengaluru, Karnataka and is managed by ICAR’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), based in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. - The portal, operating in Karnataka, Kerala and Lakshadweep, connects farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and consumers for direct online sales of agricultural products, promoting transparency. ii.The portal aims to create a Digital Vyapar Network (DIVYAN) to promote efficient agricultural marketing, and it is scalable to connect all KVKs across the 11 ICAR-ATARI centers in India. Note: ICAR-ATARI has registered the Kisan Samriddhi trademark for over 150 products across five categories. A mobile application (app) for easy access is also under pilot testing and will be launched soon
106
the World Economic Forum (WEF) published its 5th edition of “Future of Jobs Report 2025 - Insights Report January 2025,” revealing that job disruption will equate to ____ of jobs by 2030 globally. This transformation is driven by technological advancements, demographic changes, economic pressures, and geopolitical tensions. - 86% of employers foresee AI and information processing to have a profound impact, followed by 58% anticipating the influence of robotics and automation. * Additionally, 41% of employers expect advancements in energy generation, storage, and distribution to drive transformations. The rising cost of living is the 2nd-most transformative trend, with 50% of employers expecting it to reshape businesses by 2030. * The global inflation is expected to decrease, the general economic slowdown will continue to affect 42% of businesses. * These economic factors are predicted to displace 1.6 million jobs globally, while also driving demand for roles requiring creative thinking, resilience, and agility. * Employers are expected to face job displacement globally, with an estimated 92 million jobs being lost by 2030, despite an expected 7% net growth in total employment, creating 78 million new jobs. iv. Climate Change Mitigation: Climate-related trends are the 3rd-most transformative trends that are expected to drive demand for roles in renewable energy, environmental engineering, and electric vehicles. * These roles are expected to grow alongside climate change adaptation, with 47% of employers expecting it to transform their businesses in the next 5 years
22% - The report forecasts the creation of 170 million new jobs and the displacement of 92 million, leading to a net increase of 78 million jobs. * This analysis is based on the perspectives of over 1,000 global employers, representing more than 14 million workers from 55 economies. * The report highlights key macrotrends shaping jobs and skills and discusses the workforce transformation strategies that companies will adopt from 2025 to 2030. - By 2030, around 40% of existing skills are expected to become outdated. Employers recognize that skill gaps are a major barrier to business transformation, with 63% of employers identifying this issue. * According to the report, if the global workforce were composed of 100 people, 59 would need training by 2030. * However, 11 of these workers are unlikely to receive the necessary training, putting them at risk of redundancy. * To meet the demand for emerging roles, 85% of employers plan to prioritize workforce upskilling, with 70% seeking talent with new skills. - Broadening Digital Access: By 2030, 60% of employers expect expanding digital access to transform their businesses. - 86% of employers foresee AI and information processing to have a profound impact, followed by 58% anticipating the influence of robotics and automation. * Additionally, 41% of employers expect advancements in energy generation, storage, and distribution to drive transformations.
107
______ which is operated by Adani Airports Holding Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Group, has become India’s 1st and world’s 3rd airport to receive the prestigious Level 5 Accreditation which is the highest distinction awarded from the Airports Council International (ACI) for exemplary customer experience standards.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) -based Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA)
108
the Government of India (GoI) appointed ____ as the ____ chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) and Secretary of the Department of Space (DoS). His tenure starts on January 14, 2025, for a period of 2 years by replacing incumbent Sreedhara Panicker Somanath.
V Narayanan ; 11th
109
former Indian athlete and Asian Games Gold Medalist ______was appointed as the **President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI)** for a period of **four years**, during the Annual General Assembly Meeting of the AFI in Chandigarh, Punjab. - He will replace Adille Sumariwalla, who served as the AFI president for three consecutive terms from 2012.
Bahadur Singh Sagoo
110
On January 07 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) launched the _____ portal during the event held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
‘BHARATPOL’ * He also awarded 35 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers and officials with the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation. About ‘BHARATPOL’ portal : i. The portal is developed by the CBI, which aims to streamline the process for Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in India to seek international assistance through International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) in criminal matters. ii. The portal will be managed by the CBI, which also acts as India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL. This portal will enable the CBI to coordinate international police requests, including those related to Red notices and other INTERPOL alerts. * The portal will provide quicker and more efficient real-time sharing of information among Indian LEAs and other international law agencies. iii. The five key modules of Bharatpol are connect, Interpol notices, references, broadcast, and resources, providing a technological platform to support all our law enforcement agencies. iv. It will enhance collaboration between central, state, Union Territory (UT) LEAs, providing seamless communication between various police organisations in India. - The portal will replace previously used communication methods like: letters, emails, and faxes, with faster, digital solutions .This will ensure more efficient exchanges among CBI, INTERPOL liaison officers (ILOs), and unit officers (UOs). vi. It will also address the increasing threat of translational crimes such as: cybercrime, financial fraud, human trafficking, and organised crime by providing rapid international assistance.
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In January 2025, Mumbai-based ______ , has raised United States Dollar (USD) 1 billion (Rs. 8,570 crores) through 10-year bonds in the international market, achieving the lowest-ever spread of 100 basis points(bps) over 10-year United States (US) Treasury securities. * The milestone makes the Bank the first Indian organization to issue dollar bonds in 2025, representing a significant achievement for Indian issuers in international capital markets.
Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank), also known as India Exim Bank i. The bank will utilise the funds to finance its ongoing and future projects worldwide. ii. The amount was raised in the 144A/Reg-S format under Rule 144A which allows Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) to trade debt securities without needing registration or review by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). iii. Bank of America Securities (BofA Securities), Citigroup, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), J.P. Morgan Chase, and Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) served as the main managers and book runners for the bond offering. Note: India Exim Bank, established in 1982, has been rated as Baa3 (Stable) by Moody’s Investors Service, BBB- (Positive) by Standard & Poor’s (S&P), and BBB- (Stable) by Fitch Ratings.
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Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, formerly Titagarh Wagons Limited, has made a significant stride in India’s urban mobility sector by delivering India’s 1st driverless, Made-in-India trainset to _____. * The delivery marks a pivotal moment for the Yellow Line of the Bengaluru Metro, which covers an 18-kilometer (km) stretch from Electronics City. This initiative aligns with the national goal to achieve a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The trainset is an automated, stainless steel-bodied model built for superior performance.
Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL)
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the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) partnered with the _____, launched Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition (DUET), and Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge 2.0 (ENTICE 2.0) which aimed at advancing India’s renewable energy sector. * These partnerships boost India’s ambitious target of _____ of renewable energy capacity by _____.
International Solar Alliance (ISA) ; 500 gigawatts (GW) ; 2030 Three Key Initiatives and Partnerships i. Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF): GEAPP strengthened its partnership with ISA by signing ISA’s MDTF with the goal of raising USD 100 million to support solar energy projects in India. GEAPP, through its Project Management Unit (PMU), will support ISA by providing governance oversight, facilitating fund raising efforts, and leveraging its expertise in energy transition planning, financing, and project implementation. ii. DUET (Digitalization of Utilities for Energy Transition): The DUET program focuses on modernizing India’s grid systems to create a digital database of grid assets, including their locations and specifications. Additionally, smart sensors will be installed to monitor voltage, current and phase in real time. DUET aims to reduce energy losses, optimize Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) deployment and integrate Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) sources into the grid. Note: The government estimates 47 GW of battery energy storage systems by 2032. iii. ENTICE 2.0: This platform is set to launch in January 2025 and was designed to support startups by offering funding, market access and mentorship to scale innovative solutions for India’s clean energy transition
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About Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP): i. GEAPP was launched by the Rockefeller Foundation at the 2021 United Nations (UN’s) Climate Change Conference (COP26) to promote universal energy access and meet critical climate goals. * Its work is organized around 3 catalytic themes: distributed renewable energy, green grids and green economy. ii. It provides country-level support to 7 foundation countries, focuses on replicable and scalable solutions in an additional 13 countries and reaches 80+ countries. * 7 foundation countries: Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, and Vietnam. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Woochong Um Headquarters-
New York, United States of America (USA)
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About International Solar Alliance (ISA): ISA was launched by the Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi and the former President of France, Francois Hollande during the **COP21 Paris Climate Conference** held in November 2015. * ISA became the 1st international intergovernmental organization to be headquartered in Haryana, India. Director General (DG)- Ajay Mathur President- _________
Narendra Modi
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Australia beats India 3-1 in 5 match test series to win Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ____ years and final test of the Series was held on 5th January 2025 at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia.
10 years * The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 was scheduled from 22nd November 2024 to 7th January 2025 in Australia. * This marks the first time Australia had won the series over India in the last 10 years since they won at home in 2014-15. * India has won four consecutive series (2016-17, 2018-19, 2020-21 and 2022-23) including two in Australia
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Chief Minister (CM) of Karnataka Siddaramaiah launched the health insurance scheme ________, to provide cashless medical treatment to KSRTC employees and their families at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Karnataka. * The scheme will benefit around 1.5 lakh people, including 34,000 employees and their dependents in over 275 hospitals.
‘Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Arogya’ - The scheme will benefit around 1.5 lakh people, including 34,000 employees and their dependents in over 275 hospitals.
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the Ministry of Education (MoE) released a comprehensive report on the ‘Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) 2023-24’ on school education in India. As per the report, school enrollment of students in India decreased from 25.17 crore (in 2022-23) to 24.8 crore (in 2023-24), a drop of nearly 1.22 crore students (6%) as compared to 2018-19. * The report further revealed that enrollment in schools across the country remained above _____from 2018-19 to 2021-2022, showing consistent increase annually except COVID year of 2020-21. Key Findings: i. As per the report, total number of boys enrolled in school has decreased by 4.87%, from 13.53 crore (in 2018-19) to 12.87 crore (in 2023-24). Similarly, the total number of girls enrolled in school has declined by 4.48%, from 12.49 crore (in 2018-19) to 11.93 crore (in 2023-24). ii. Bihar, witnessed the highest drop in enrollments, from over 2.49 crore students (in 2018-19) to 2.13 crore students (in 2023-24), followed by Uttar Pradesh (UP) decreased from 4.44 crore (in 2018-19) to 4.16 crore (in 2023-24) and Maharashtra decreased from over 2.32 crore (in 2018-19) to 2.13 crore (in 2023-24) iii. The UDISE+ report showed that the number of single-teacher schools in the country has decreased by 7219, from 1,18,190 (in 2022-23) to 1,10,971 (in 2023-24). Among the States, Madhya Pradesh (MP) (13,198), recorded the highest number of schools with single teachers, followed by Andhra Pradesh (AP) (12,611). iv. The report highlighted that enrollment in single-teacher schools has decreased from around 47.43 lakh students (in 2022-23) to 39.94 lakh (in 2023-24). v. As per the report, the number of schools with zero enrollments has increased from 10,294 (in 2022-23) to 12,954 (in 2023-24). * Among all Indian states, ____ has the largest number of schools with zero enrollments (3254), followed by Rajasthan (2167) and Telangana (2097). vi. The report showed that female representation of school teachers has increased to 53.3% between 2018- 19 and 2023-24, while male representation decreased to 46.6% during the same period. vii. Minorities accounted for around 20% of total enrollment in 2023-24. Among the minorities, 79.6% were Muslims, followed by Christians (10%), Sikhs (6.9%), Buddhists (2.2%), Jains (1.3%) and Parsis (0.1%). * Category-wise: Other Backward Class (OBC) accounted 45.2% of total students registered in UDISE at the national level, followed by General Category (26.9%), Scheduled Caste (SC) (18%) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) (9.9%),
26 crore West Bengal (WB)
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About UDISE+: i. Initially, Government of India (GoI) launched UDISE in 2012-13 by integrating Information Management Systems (IMS) in place separately for elementary education and secondary education. It was then being managed by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi (Delhi). ii. Later in 2018-19, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) under MoE, introduced UDISE+, which is one of the largest management information systems. It has covered over 14.72 lakhs of schools, 98.08 lakhs of teachers and 24.08 crores of children in India. iii. The UDISE+ provides online uploading of data at school level with inbuilt validation checks and subsequent data verification at the block, district and state level ensures data reliability and timely competition. iv. The latest edition of UDISE+ report has captured data on over 60 fields for each student and to maintain the uniqueness of the child the Aadhaar details were also collected on voluntary basis. It further revealed that over 19.7 crore students provided Aadhaar numbers by 2023-24 voluntarily. Other than Aadhar card, a separate unique Educational ID (EID) for every student has been created in the UDISE+ portal.
Unified District Information System for Education
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Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, Haradanahalli Devegowda Kumaraswamy launched the second round of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Specialty Steel, termed as PLI Scheme 1.1 on 6th January, 2025 at the Vigyan Bhavan New Delhi. * PLI Scheme 1.1 applications will remain open from 6th January to 31st January 2025. * The scheme will work within the already allocated funds for the scheme, i.e., Rs.6,322 crore and will be implemented for the period of Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 to FY 2029-30. i. The PLI Scheme 1.1 has been introduced for ____ product categories with respect to the existing PLI Scheme, namely Coated / Plated Steel Products, High Strength / Wear resistant Steel, Specialty Rails, Alloy Steel Products & Steel wires and Electrical Steel. ii. In the 2nd round of PLI Scheme, investment and capacity creation thresholds for Cold-Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) steel has been reduced to Rs.3,000 crore and 50,000 tonnes to promote participation in this category. iii. The first round of PLI Scheme for Specialty Steel was notified on July 2021 by the Ministry of Steel (MoS) with a budgetary outlay of Rs 6,322 Crore. * In the first round, there were 44 active projects by 26 companies with an investment of about Rs.27,106 crore and 24 million tons of downstream capacity creation. * As of November 2024, the investment made by companies is Rs 18,300 crore till now.
5
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About PLI Scheme: i. The PLI Scheme was launched in ____ with an aim to boost India’s manufacturing capabilities, reduce reliance on imports and promotion of exports by offering financial incentives directly related to measurable outcomes such as higher production and incremental sales. ii. It was initially launched to target three industries: * Mobile manufacturing and electric components, * Pharmaceutical (critical key starting materials / active pharmaceutical ingredients), * Medical device manufacturing iii. Later it was extended to a total of 14 sectors with a total budgetary outlay of Rs.1.97 trillion. iv. The 14 sectors include- * Mobile Manufacturing and Specified Electronic Components * Critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediaries & Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients * Manufacturing of Medical Devices * Automobiles and Auto Components, * Pharmaceuticals Drugs * Specialty Steel * Telecom & Networking Products, * Electronic / Technology Products, * White Goods (ACs and LEDs) * Food Products * Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles * High efficiency solar PV modules * Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery * Drones and Drone Components v. As of August 2024, investments worth1.46 lakh crore have been utilized leading to a boost in production and sales, amounting to Rs.12.50 lakh crore, and directly and indirectly generating approximately 9.5 lakh jobs.
March 2020
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the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced two new specialized visa categories: the ____ and ____ - designed to facilitate foreign students pursuing higher education at Indian academic institutions.
‘e-student visa’ and the ‘e-student-x visa’ * The e-student visa is available to eligible foreign students registered on the SII portal, while the e-student-x visa is designated for the dependents of e- student visa holders. - All interested students are required to register on the Study in India (SII) portal, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE), to streamline the admission process for international students seeking long-term or short- term courses in India. About e-student visa: i. Eligibility: The e-student visa is for foreign nationals enrolled in full-time Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or other formal programs at institutions recognized by India’s regulatory bodies. Students can apply for the visa once they receive an admission offer from an SII partner institute. ii. Duration: Valid for up to five years based on course duration, with extensions available in India. Visa holders may enter India via any authorized immigration checkpoint. iii. Registration Process: Students must apply for a visa separately through the https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/. The authenticity of their application will be verified using their SII Identification (ID). About the Study in India (SII) portal: i. The Study in India (SII) portal was launched in 2018 to streamline the admission process for international students pursuing higher education in India. ii. The platform connects students to over 600 partner institutes in India offering more than 8,000 courses across disciplines like engineering, management, agriculture, sciences, arts, humanities, commerce, law, paramedical sciences (pharmacy, nursing), and niche fields like Buddhist Studies and Yoga. iii. Foreign students applying for the SII program can receive financial assistance through the Study in India Scholarship or a Fee Waiver. * The SII Scholarship, valued at USD 3,200, is awarded to students who excel in the PRAGATII Exam. Note: According to Henley Passport Index 2024, India’s passport ranked 83rd, providing its citizens with visa-free access to 58 countries.
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India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster launched in _____: During the event, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh also launched India’s first organic fisheries cluster, under the PMMSY initiative in Soreng district of Sikkim, which will boost farmer incomes and promote sustainability in aquaculture. * The cluster will incorporate ecological fish farming methods, avoiding harmful chemicals and promoting minimal environmental pollution. * The project also aimed to sell antibiotic, chemical and pesticide free organic fish in eco-conscious markets across the world.
Sikkim Key points: * National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will be a key stakeholder in developing fisheries and aquaculture organic clusters in Sikkim. * Apart from providing financial and technical assistance for the requisite fisheries infrastructure and capacity building, NABARD will also facilitate in the growth of the organic cluster by engaging fisher’s cooperatives and formation of FFPOs in the state. Note: So far, DoF had notified 4 fisheries related clusters in India: Pearl Cluster in Hazaribagh district (Jharkhand), Ornamental Fisheries Cluster in Madurai district (Tamil Nadu, TN), Seaweed Cluster in Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep and Tuna Cluster in Andaman & Nicobar.
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the Financial Intelligence Unit India (FIU-IND) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the _____ to foster mutual cooperation between FIU-IND and the regulator in areas critical to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) within the insurance sector
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) This MoU is part of a broader strategy to implement the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and related rules effectively. Note: IRDAI, is a statutory body formed under an Act of Parliament, IRDA Act, 1999 for overall supervision and development of the Insurance sector in India. Key Areas of Focus: i. Sharing of Intelligence: The MoU focuses on exchanging pertinent intelligence and information to ensure timely action on suspicious activities. ii. Reporting Procedures: It will define clear guidelines for how regulated entities in the insurance sector report suspicious financial transactions under the PMLA rules. iii. Training and Skill Development: Both organizations will organize training sessions to upskill personnel within the regulated insurance entities, focusing on the identification of risks and suspicious activities. iv. Risk Assessments: Regular assessments will be conducted to understand the vulnerabilities in the insurance sector and enhance the compliance efforts related to AML/CFT obligations. v. Appointments: The agreement also includes the appointment of a nodal officer and an alternate nodal officer by each party to the MoU. About Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU IND): FIU-IND is an organisation under the Department of Revenue (DoR), Ministry of Finance (MoF) which collects financial intelligence about offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 (PMLA).
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CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) celebrated its ____ Foundation Day in New Delhi (Delhi). * CSIR-NPL is India’s National Metrology Institute (NMI), entrusted with the development, maintenance, and dissemination of National Standards across industries, strategic sectors, and scientific research. i. During the event CSIR-NPL signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with IITM (Indian Institute of Technology Madras) (Chennai,Tamil Nadu, TN) for academic and research collaboration and with CSIR Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) for producing Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND) (Certified Reference Materials) in plant-based materials. ii. During the event, CSIR-NPL introduced 2 new BNDs: * Lanthanum Hexaboride Powder (BND-2025) for calibration standards in powder X-ray diffraction. * White Portland Cement Standard (BND-5064), developed with the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCCBM).
79th
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_____ Joins BRICS as 10th Full Member On 6 January 2025, Brazil, serving as the BRICS chair for 2025, announced that the country, world’s fourthmost populous nation, has become a 10th full member of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) alliance. * The inclusion aligns with Brazil’s theme for its presidency: “Enhancing Global South Cooperation for a More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance.”
Indonesia - Background: In 2024, BRICS countries agreed to admit Indonesia as a member. This decision followed the guidelines set during the 2023 BRICS meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa (SA). * The expansion shows the group’s focus on strengthening ties with emerging economies. About BRICS: BRICS was established as a formal group in 2006 with its original members: Brazil, Russia, India, and China, headquartered in Shanghai, China. i. In 2009, the first BRICS Summit was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia. ii. In 2010, the group evolved from BRIC to BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa. iii. In 2024, BRICS expanded by adding four new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With Indonesia’s inclusion in 2025, the group now has 10 members. Points to Note: i. The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, under Russia’s chairmanship in 2024. ii. The 17th BRICS Summit will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2025.
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Odisha CM Inaugurates Adivasi Mela 2025; Launches _____ On January 5 2025, Chief Minister (CM) of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, inaugurated the Adivasi Mela 2025, ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) program, at the Exhibition Grounds in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. - He also launched the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme with a budget of Rs 156 crore, during the event to support tribal students and honored nine tribal talents and ten tribal farmers for their outstanding contributions at the event.
Shahid Madho Singh Scheme * A special edition of the journal ‘Banja-2025’, published by the Tribal Language and Culture Academy of Odisha, was also released during the event. About Adivasi Mela: i. This annual fair, a celebration of Odisha’s tribal heritage and culture, will be held from January 5 to January 15, 2025. ii. This year’s fair features 147 stalls showcasing tribal art, handicrafts, and food, 15 live demonstrations of traditional practices, and a dedicated Bhagwan Birsa Munda Pavilion. About Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme: - The scheme is named after Shaheed Madho Singh, a freedom fighter and tribal landowner from the Ghansa area of Bargarh district, Odisha, who played a significant role in India’s independence movement. * This initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and increase students’ interest in education. Key Points: i. Tribal students who pass Class 8 and join Class 9 or 10 will receive a one-time incentive of Rs.5,000 per year. * Students enrolling in Class 11 will also be eligible for this benefit. ii. The scheme has been implemented for the current academic year 2024 2025 and is exclusively available to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 2,50,000
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The Telangana government has decided to celebrate the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule as a state function on **3rd January** as ______every year to pay tribute to her contributions to women’s education. * Savitribai Phule was a social worker, poet, and teacher and worked actively towards women’s freedom and situation in Indian society.
'Women Teacher’s Day’ i. She opened India’s first school for girls in 1848 in Pune and became India’s first woman teacher and first Indian headmistress. ii. She published her first collection of poems, named Kavya Phule (‘Poetry’s Blossoms’) in 1854 and also published Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (‘The Ocean of Pure Gems’), in 1892.
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MoD Signs Rs 2,867 Crore Contracts with ______ to **bolster submarine capabilities** On December 30 2024, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed two contracts worth Rs 2,867 crore for the construction of “Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-AIP system and its integration onboard Indian Submarines”, and “the integration of Electronic Heavy Weight Torpedo (EHWT) onboard the Kalvari-Class submarines”.
MDL & Naval Group About Naval Group: Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Pierre-Eric Pommellet **Headquarters – Paris, France Founded – 1631** About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL): Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)– Sanjeev Singhal **Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra Established- 1934**
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the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with _____, a prominent Indian audio and wearables brand, to support startups. * The partnership aims to nurture DPIIT-recognized startups, particularly in the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) and manufacturing sectors.
boAt i. Key features of the collaboration include: curate dedicated programs, initiatives for mentoring startups, innovators and entrepreneurs, provide resources, guidance and support for different milestones such as prototype development and offer connections and insights for international expansion, wherever applicable and feasible. ii. This initiative underscores the commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative and strengthens the startup ecosystem.
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According to the **19th edition of 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI): How Gender Justice Can Advance Climate Resilience and Zero Hunger**, India has been ranked at _____ position among 127 countries with overall score of 27.3.
**105th** * As per the report, India is among 42 countries that have been placed under the “serious” category, alongside Pakistan (109th) and Afghanistan (116th). * It was published by Irish humanitarian organisation Concern Worldwide and German aid agency Welthungerhlife, with aim to trigger action to reduce hunger around the world.
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the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer ______ has been appointed as the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat in Ebene, Mauritius. He succeeds Salman Al-Farisi of _____.
Sanjiv Ranjan ; Indonesia - His term will last for three years with effect from January 1 2025, until his superannuation on January 31, 2026, or until further orders, whichever occurs earlier. About Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA): i. Founded in 1997, IORA is an inter-governmental organization dedicated to promoting regional economic cooperation across the Indian Ocean. ii. IORA comprises 23 member states: India, Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, France, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. iii. It includes 12 dialogue partners: China, Egypt, the European Union, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Korea, the UK, and the USA. iv. In 2015, IORA was granted observer status at both the United Nation General Assembly(UNGA) and the African Union. Secretary-General – Sanjiv Ranjan Headquarters – Ebene, Mauritius Chair – Sri Lanka Vice-Chair – India Note: India will take over the chairmanship from Sri Lanka for the 2025-2027 term.
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the Government of India (GoI) appointed _____, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, as an additional charge as Director General (DG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) upon the superannuation of incumbent DG of CRPF, Anish Dayal Singh
Vitul Kumar About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF): - The CRPF, initially established as the ‘Crown Representatives Police’ on July 27, 1939, assumed its current name when the CRPF Act was passed on December 28, 1949. * The force has since evolved into a substantial and diverse organization with a Directorate, four Zonal Headquarters, 21 Administrative Sectors, 2 Operational Sectors, 39 Administrative Ranges, 17 Operational Ranges, 43 Group Centres & 22 Training Institutions. Director-General (DG) - Vitul Kumar **Headquarters- New Delhi (Delhi) Established– 1939**
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On December 28 2024, French-Indian Sanskrit Scholar and Padma Shri Awardee ____ passed away at the age of 88 in Paris, France. He was born on 15 February 1936 in France. - He has received numerous awards including the ‘Padma Shri’ award in 2024
Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat
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On December 29 2024, Legendary former Indian Cricketer and wicketkeeper _______, an One Day International (ODI) World Cup winner with India in 1983, released his autobiography titled **“Stumped: Life Behind and Beyond the Twenty-Two Yards”**.
Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani * The book was launched on his 75th birthday at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru (Karnataka) and was published by Penguin Play. * The book was authored over a span of 5 years by Syed Mujtaba Hussein Kirmani and was coauthored by Debashish Sengupta and Dakshesh Pathak. The book explores the personal glimpses of his life, his cricket journey of both on and off the field and an intense anecdotes from his career bringing the audiences a look into the world of 80s cricket
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_____ celebrated the annual Kagyad Dance festival at Tsuklakhang Palace in _____ with great traditional enthusiasm. - The festival, observed on the 28th and 29th days of the 10th month in the Tibetan calendar (December), honours the eight Tantrik deities, known as Kagyad. - Kagyed Dance, also known as Chaam, is a unique Buddhist festival in the state.
Sikkim ; Gangtok, city of Sikkim - The festival is celebrated by Buddhists in monasteries, especially at the Old Rumtek Monastery, Phodong Monastery, and Tshuklakhang Palace
137
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of ______ as the **Non-Executive (Independent) Chairman of the Bandhan Bank Limited**. - He will hold the office for the period from January 07, 2025 to July 04, 2026.
Anup Kumar Sinha
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______ claimed the 78th Santosh Trophy 2024 title by defeating Kerala in the final at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana. This victory marked____'s record 33rd title win in the history of the tournament.
West Bengal (WB)
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Dr. Kattungal Subrahmanyan Manilal, popularly known as K.S. Manilal, a renowned _____ and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on January 1 2025, at the age of 86 in Thrissur, Kerala.
botanist - He was born on September 17, 1938 in the Kingdom of Cochin(now Kerala). * In 2020, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, for his contributions in the field of science.
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On December 30, 2024, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the **Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60** from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP). - This mission carried _____ payloads, including two experimental systems: the SwetchaSAT-V0 UHF communication system by N Space Tech India Private Limited and the VYOM 2U green propulsion system by Manastu Space Technologies.
24 - Both experiments were part of ISRO’s PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM-4) initiative, which repurposes the 4th stage of the PSLV rocket into a stable orbital platform.
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_____, a profound nuclear scientist who played an important role **in advancing India’s nuclear capabilities**, passed away at the age of 88 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He was born on November 11, 1936 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). - He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1975 and thePadma Vibhushan in 1999 for his contributions in the field of Science & Technology.
Dr. Rajagopala Chidambaram
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World’s Oldest Olympic Champion, Hungarian gymnast and a Holocaust survivor ______ passed away at the age of 103 in Budapest, Hungary. She was born on January 9, 1921 in Budapest. * She was the world’s oldest living Olympic gold medalist and the most decorated female Olympian in Hungarian history, with 10 Olympic medals, including 5 golds, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Agnes Keleti
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On 3rd January 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) released the 6th edition **‘Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report** in New Delhi, Delhi. - He stated that the logistics sector will play a crucial role in achieving a ______ economy by 2047.
USD 32 trillion - Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha and Tamil Nadu (TN) were awarded the top rank of ‘achievers’ amongst coastal States in the LEADS 2024 report. * The event also marked the felicitation of the LEAPS 2024 awards. Recognitions were given across various categories, including core logistics services, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), startups, and institutions. i. Union Minister Piyush Goyal proposed the adoption of **LEAD framework – Longevity, Efficiency and Effectiveness, Accessibility and Accountability and Digitalisation of processes** to efficiently develop the logistics sector. ii. He also launched the Prime Minister (PM) Gati Shakti Course of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), a 15–hour course on PM GatiShakti Concept for Efficient Infrastructure Planning and National Development was launched during the event. The course will be conducted by Integrated Government Online training (iGOT) Karmayogi platform and University Grants Commission (UGC) **Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) portal** and will be included into the curriculum of Central Training Institutes (CTIs) and State Administrative Training Institutes (ATIs) across the country. iii. Furthermore, a ‘Report on Logistics Cost Framework prepared’ by National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) was launched with an aim to assess logistics cost in India through inclusion of Export-Import (EXIM) and domestic cargo data.
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New Delhi (Delhi) based **Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO)** successfully completed the nationwide implementation of the _______ under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995, aiming to improve the ease of living for pensioners by streamlining pension disbursements across all regional offices. Key Points: i. In October 2024, the initial pilot of the CPPS was completed at the Karnal (Haryana), Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir, J&K) and Srinagar (J&K) regional offices, disbursing approximately Rs. 11 crore in pensions to more than 49,000 EPS pensioners. ii. In November 2024, a second pilot was completed across 24 regional offices, disbursing approximately Rs. 213 crore in pensions to over 9.3 lakh pensioners. iii. In December 2024, approximately Rs. 1,570 crore in pensions was disbursed to over 68 lakh pensioners through all 122 regional offices of EPFO
**Centralized Pension Payments System (CPPS)** About the Centralised Pension Payments System (CPPS): i. The CPPS enables over 78 lakh EPS pensioners to receive their pensions from any bank branch nationwide, streamlining payments, removing the need for physical verifications, and ensuring seamless disbursement. It is implemented by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), New Delhi(Delhi). ii. It ensures nationwide pension disbursement without requiring Pension Payment Orders (PPO) transfers, even if pensioners relocate or change their bank or branch. This provides significant relief to those retiring to their hometowns. iii. Pensioners will no longer need to visit a branch for verification when their pension begins, as it will be credited immediately upon release. iv. CPPS will enable a smooth transition to Aadhaar-based payment system (ABPS) in the next phase. Note: EPFO has invested Rs. 34,207.9 crore in Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) in the Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25).
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the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed _____, a 1996-batch Indian Administrative Service(IAS) officer of Madhya Pradesh (MP) Cadre, as the **Director General (DG) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**, under Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), as part of senior level bureaucratic reshuffle
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai
146
the **Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI)** unveiled the trophies and mascots for the **1st ever Kho Kho World Cup** scheduled from January 13-19, 2025. - This event, supported by the **Sports Authority of India (SAI)**, will be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi (Delhi). * The tournament will feature **21 men’s and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries across 6 continents**, showcasing global talent. - The mascots, ____ and _____, are dynamic gazelles that represent the spirit of the tournament. - The tournament will feature 2 magnificent trophies, **a blue trophy for the men’s championship** and a **green trophy for the women’s championship**. * The blue trophy symbolizes trust, determination, and universal appeal, while the green trophy represents growth and vitality.
‘Tejas’ and ‘Tara' - Tejas, symbolising brilliance and energy, and Tara, representing guidance and aspiration, were depicted in vibrant blue and orange sporting attire adorned with traditional Indian motifs.
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January 6 About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF): Executive Director(ED)- Catherine M Russell **Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA) Established-December 11, 1946 Member Countries- 190** Indian Constitutional Provisions: **Article 21, Article 21(a), Article 29(2), Articles 23 and 24, Article 39(e), Article 39(f)** of the Indian Constitution contain provisions pertaining to the protection of orphans and orphanages. **Article 39(f)** of the Indian Constitution empowers the state to enact laws protecting children from exploitation and abandonment.
**World Day of War Orphans** is observed annually on January 6 across the globe to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children who have been left orphaned by wars and about the trauma experienced by war orphans globally. The Day addresses social, psychological and physical obstacles confronted by war orphans, protects their rights and well-being and highlights the need for global attention and support
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______, **defeated Real Madrid** by 5-2 to win the 41st edition of Spanish Super Cup (also known as Supercopa de España) Clasico final held at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
**Futbol Club (FC) Barcelona** - The tournament was held from 8th January to 12th January 2025. * **Barcelona has won the Spanish Cup for the 15th time** after this win which is two more than Real Madrid (13).
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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of _____ as the **Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB)** and ______ as the **MD and CEO of Indian Bank (IB)**.
Ashok Chandra ; Binod Kumar
150
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, successfully conducted field trials of the _____, **an advanced Anti-Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile**.
Nag Mark 2 * The trials took place at the Pokhran Field Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. * With the successful trials, the Nag Mark 2 and its carrier system are now ready for induction into the Indian Army (IA), reflecting India’s progress under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) initiative.
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the Government of India (GoI) has reconstituted thehigh-powered **Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)** to include new members Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan and Expenditure Secretary ______ as ex-officio member of AEC. About Atomic Energy Commission (AEC): - It was initially established in _______ as part of the Department of Scientific Research. - The DAE was constituted on ______under the direct charge of PM through Presidential Order. Later, GoI introduced a resolution dated March 01, 1958 and established AEC under the administrative control of DAE. * AEC is mainly responsible for formulating policies related to atomic energy and ensure their implementation through DAE. Chairman- Ajith Kumar Mohanty Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Manoj Govil August 1948 ; 3rd August, 1954
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In January 2025, _____, the world’s first **300-Megawatt (MW) Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES)** demonstration project was fully connected to the grid in Yingcheng, central China’s Hubei Province. * It is the world’s first full green, non-supplementary combustion project invested and individually developed by China Energy Engineering Group Corporation Limited (CEEC).
Nengchu-1 i. Nengchu-1 is the world’s first large-scale CAES solution with independent intellectual property rights and a full industrial supply chain which will store physical energy for a long time. ii. The project has made three world records in terms of single-unit power, storage capacity, and energy conversion efficiency.
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About Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO): The EPFO is a statutory body under the _______ responsible for regulating and managing provident funds in India. * The board is chaired by the Union Minister of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), Government of India (GoI). Central Provident Fund Commissioner (CPFC) – Ramesh Krishnamurti Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi Founded – _____
**Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E)** 1952

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