Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

GA Daily > Jan '25 - From Jan 22 > Flashcards

Jan '25 - From Jan 22 Flashcards

(139 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

the National Electronic Governance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has introduced ______, a modern digital platform designed to simplify the way organisations manage and verify their documents.

A

‘Entity Locker’

The platform aligns with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure(DPI) and the Union Budget 2024-25’s goal of advancing digital governance and simplifying business processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

About Entity Locker:

Entity Locker is a secure, ____-based system that helps businesses, including large corporations, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups, and societies, store, share, and verify documents.

It provides a ______ platform for secure document management. The platform integrates seamlessly with key systems like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN), and Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), reducing delays and operational challenges in document handling.

It supports various use cases, including vendor verification during procurement and registration, speeding up loan applications MSMEs and simplifying compliance documentation for the food industry under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

It also streamlines corporate filings, such as annual returns and other essential documents.

A

cloud ; consolidated

Note: Individuals do not have direct access to Entity Locker; instead, they can connect their personal account to the organization’s account to manage and access digital documents.

Key Features:

The platform ensures real-time access and accuracy by instantly verifying documents through
integration with government databases.

Sensitive information is shared securely with user consent, Aadhaar authentication ensures secure and accountable access.

The platform provides 10 gigabytes (GB) of encrypted cloud storage for secure document management and enables authentication through legally valid digital signatures.

With built-in features, the platform simplifies regulatory reporting and compliance, while tracking all document-related activities to enhance accountability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

About Singapore:
Prime minister (PM)–

President–

Capital–
Currency–

A

Lawrence Wong

Tharman Shanmugaratnam

Singapore
Singapore Dollar (SGD)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Union Minister of State(MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) and Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), inaugurated India’s first-of-its-kind Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) _____ through virtual mode and dedicated it to StartUps and Industry stakeholders in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

A

Mega “Innovation Complex”

  • The new “Innovation Complex” is a huge state-of-the-art facility that spans nine floors and has 24 “ready-to-move” incubation labs in addition to furnished office and networking spaces for industry, CSIR labs, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and innovative startups.

ii. CSIR signed 6 Memorandums of Association (MoA) with 6 esteemed institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, iCreate, and the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC), to promote innovation, industrial collaboration, and job creation.

iii. Additionally, 50 technology transfers from CSIR institutes to start-ups, MSMEs, and other organizations were formalized, further boosting industry collaboration and employment generation.

Note: India is the third-largest start-up ecosystem in the world, with over 100 unicorns that stand as testaments to India’s entrepreneurial spirit.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

the_____, a humanitarian aid organisation of UN released a report titled ‘Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures’. As per the report, climate change, economic instability, conflict and digital inequality are disrupting children’s lives and limiting their prospects.

Global Impact of Conflict on Children: As per the report, more than _____children i.e. more than one in six globally, lived in areas affected by conflict in 2023. The percentage of children affected by conflict has almost doubled, from around 10% (in 1990s) to almost 19%.

Children Living in Debt-Ridden Countries: The report revealed that nearly _____children live in debt ridden countries, which hinders important investments in sectors like education, healthcare and social protection.
* The report noted that among the 34 African Union (AU) countries (as per the available data), 15
now allocate more to debt servicing than to education.
* Also, as per the World Bank (WB) estimates, each _____ increase in external debt in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) could decrease education expenditure by USD 12.8 billion.

A

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) ; 473 million ; 400 million ; 5%

  • The report warned that the coming year will witness a new and escalating period of crises for children worldwide.
  • The report emphasized the urgent need to bolster national systems to protect children from global crisis and provide necessary support.
  • LMICs Spend More on Debt-Servicing than Crucial Sectors for Children: The report indicated that more than 40 LMICs spend double on debt-servicing as on health, for instance countries like: Indonesia (2.4 times as much), Pakistan (5 times as much).
  • As per the report, debt service now consumes 11 times as much as social protection spending across developing countries, leaving 1.8 billion children exposed to economic shocks that push
    families deeper into poverty.

Insufficient Climate Finance: The report showed that only 2.4% of multilateral climate finance is allocated to child-responsive initiatives, which support projects aimed at protecting children.

  • This indicates that climate resilience of essential services for children is deteriorating.

Inequitable Access to Digital Services: The report highlighted the emergence of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which is a set of shared digital systems that provide equitable access to public and private services.

  • The report noted the persistent inequalities in digital access, particularly in Least-Developed Countries (LDCs).
  • It showed that most young people from High Income Countries (HICs) have access to the internet, while only 53% of the youth (aged 15-24 years) have access to the internet in Africa.

As per the report, adolescent girls are particularly affected, as are children with disabilities. It revealed that 9 out of 10 adolescent girls and young women (aged 15-24 years) have no internet access in LMICs.

Economy: Economic prospects in emerging markets are discouraging, with growth well below the 7% target set in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • A mix of pandemic scarring, climate shocks, and resource constraints means emerging markets’ growth prospects have fallen from historical averages of 5.6% to just 4% by 2026–2029.

About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director (ED)- Catherine Mary Russell
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Established- 1946
Member Countries- 190

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

_____ was appointed Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India’s largest paramilitary force, with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He will serve as the CRPF chief until further orders or until his superannuation on November 30, 2027.

A

Gyanendra Pratap Singh

  • He will take charge from Special DG of the CRPF Vitul Kumar who has been holding officiating charge of the force after the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024.

About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
Director General (DG) – Gyanendra Pratap Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi(Delhi)
Established – 1939

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

_____, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), was given the additional charge as the Secretary of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)

A

Nidhi Khare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Paris Olympic gold medalists _____ of Denmark and South Korea’s _____ won the Men’s and Women’s Singles titles in the finals of India Open Super 750 badminton tournament 2025 held on 19th January 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall in New Delhi, Delhi

A

Viktor Axelsen ; An Se Young

  • Axelsen defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu in the Men’s Singles final while An Se Young defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong in the women’s singles final.
  • The India Open Super 750 badminton tournament 2025 was held from 14th January to 19th January 2025.

Key Highlights:
i. Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddindefeated South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae in the Men’s doubles

ii. In the Women’s doubles category, Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto defeated South Korea’s Kim Hye jeong and Kong Hee Yong in the finals to win the title.

iii. China’s Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin won in the mixed doubles category after defeating France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue in the finals.

About India Open:
i. The India Open, officially known as the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2025 is an annual badminton event which has been held in India since 2008. It was held for the first time in 1973.

ii. In 2018, the Badminton World Federation (BWF) included it in its World Tour as a Super 500 event and later was upgraded to a Super 750 tournament

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

The Indian men’s and women’s teams ____ the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 titles in their respective finals of the 1st edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 held from January 13 to 19, 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, Delhi

About Kho Kho Federation of India(KKFI):
President – Sudhansu Mittal
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1955.

A

won

  • The Indian men’s Kho Kho team beat Nepal by 54-36 while the women’s team defeated the Nepalese team by 78-40 in the finals.
  • The Indian men’s team was captained by Pratik Waikar while the Women’s team was captained
    by Priyanka Ingle

Key Highlights:
i. India men’s team remained unbeaten throughout the Kho Kho tournament. The team topped the Group A standings with four wins defeating Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals and South Africa in the semi-finals.

ii. The Indian women’s Kho Kho team also remained undefeated in the tournament. They won their three Group A matches and then defeated Bangladesh and South Africa in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

About Kho Kho World Cup 2025:
i. The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 tournament was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF). This inaugural edition of the competition was backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), and featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams.

ii. The Indian men’s team was in Group A with Nepal, Peru, Brazil and Bhutan while the women’s team was in Group A with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Malaysia and Republic of Korea.

iii. Teams competed in a round-robin format, with the top performers advancing to the knockout rounds and finals.

Note: The second edition of Kho Kho World Cup will take place in Birmingham, England in 2026-27.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

the International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced ____ (Italy) as ‘Men’s ITF World Champion 2024’ and ____ (Poland) as ‘Women’s ITF World Champion 2024’, for their exceptional performances across major tournaments, including Grand Slams tournaments, the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, the Olympic Games and other premier events

A

Jannik Sinner ; Iga Natalia Świątek

  • With this, Jannik Sinner became the first Italian player to receive this award.
  • Iga Natalia Świątek was awarded the ITF honor for the second time, after 2022.

About the International Tennis Federation (ITF):
President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)– David Haggerty
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom (UK)
Established- 1913

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

According to the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I), India became the world’s ____ largest coffee producing country with exports reaching USD 1.29 billion in Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), from USD 719.42 million recorded in FY21.

  • Nearly _____ of India’s coffee production consists of Arabica and Robusta beans are exported as unroasted beans. * However, there is a growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee, further boosting the export of coffee.

As per MoC&I, domestic consumption of coffee has increased from 84,000 tonnes (in 2012) to 91,000 tonnes (in 2023).

India’s coffee is primarily grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats. _____topped in terms of coffee production, contributing 2,48,020 Metric Tonnes (MT) in 2022-23, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu (TN).

A

7th ; 3/4th (75%) ; Karnataka

  • The Ministry further revealed that India exported over 9,300 tonnes of coffee in the 1st half of January 2025, with top buyers including Italy, Belgium and Russia.
  • Top 5 coffee producing countries: Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Indonesia, and Ethiopia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Government Initiatives:

MoC&I through the _____ aimed at improving yields, expanding cultivation in non-traditional regions and ensuring the sustainability of coffee farming.

A prime example of the success of India’s coffee industry is Araku Valley, where nearly 1.5 lakh tribal families in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India (CBoI) and the______ have increased coffee production by 20%.

  • This achievement is supported by loans from the Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC).
A

Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) ; Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA)

Key Facts about Coffee:
* Coffee plant originated in Ethiopia and spread to the Middle East before making its way to Europe in the 15th Century.
* Coffee is the world’s 2nd most traded commodity after oil.
* International Coffee Day (ICD), is annually observed across the world on October 01.

About Coffee Board of India (CBoI):
It is a statutory body established under Section 4 of the Coffee Act, 1942. The Board has a Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) at Balehonnur, Karnataka with a sub-station at Chettalli, Karnataka.

Chairman- M.J. Dinesh
Headquarters -Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established- 1942

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

the Geographical Indications (GI) Registry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN), under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), granted GI tags to ____ indigenous and distinctive products from the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands, recognizing their cultural and traditional importance.

A

seven

  • The seven products are: 1) Nicobari Mat (Chatrai-hileuoi),
    2) Nicobari Hut (Chanvi Pati – Nyi hupul),
    3) Nicobari Hodi craft,
    4) Padauk Wood Craft,
    5) Andaman & Nicobar Coconut,
    6) Nicobari Tavi-i-Ngaich
    (Virgin Coconut Oil) and
    7) Andaman Karen Musley Rice.
  • This is the first time in the country that a single Union Territory ( UT) has been granted GI tags for seven products in a single instance.

Note: As of December 31, 2024 India has a total of 658 registered GI tags

About Geographical Indications (GI) Registry:
Headquarters – Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN)
Established – 2003

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

the Kottayam (Kerala) based Rubber Board (RB) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) unveiled two initiatives ____ and _____ platform during the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Rubber Act, 1947, and the Rubber Growers’ Conference held in Kottayam.

  • These initiatives aim to strengthen India’s global position in the rubber industry and increase domestic production.
  • Awards were also presented to the top performers of ‘mRube’, the digital marketing platform for Natural Rubber (NR).
A

’iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber)’ ; ‘INR Konnect’

  • The Rubber Act was enacted in 1947 to provide for the development under the control of the Union of the rubber industry. The Act has been amended several times to address the changing needs of the industry.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

About iSNR (Indian Sustainable Natural Rubber):

i. The initiative aligns Indian rubber production with the ______.

ii. It includes iSNR traceability certification, ensuring the rubber’s origin and confirming its compliance with EUDR requirements.

iii. It also provides stakeholders in the rubber supply chain with a pathway to access European Union (EU) markets.

About INR Konnect:
i. It is a web-based platform designed to connect owners of untapped rubber plantations with adopters to enhance productivity.

ii. It certifies the credibility of all parties involved while also providing training in production management and sustainable practices as needed.

iii. Significance: To address the ____ of untapped rubber plantations in India, which are affected by low prices, high production costs, and neglect from absentee landlords.

A

European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) standards ; 20-25%

  • Rubber Production Status of India:
    i. India is the 3rd largest producer and 4th largest consumer of natural rubber (NR), and the 5th largest consumer of both natural and synthetic rubber worldwide.
  • Thailand is the world’s largest producer of NR, followed by Indonesia.

ii. Top producing states: Kerala produces over 90% of India’s NR, with additional production in states like Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Tripura, Assam, and Meghalaya.

About Rubber Board (RB) of India:
Executive Director (ED) – M. Vasanthagesan
Headquarters – Kottayam, Kerala
Founded – 1947

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (MoPP&P) officially launched the scheme and web-portal for the Prime Minister (PM)’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration 2024.

About PM’s Awards for Excellence 2024:

The scheme for PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration for 2024, will recognize the contribution of civil servants under 3 categories through 16 awards.

Name of these 3 categories and Awards are:
* Category-1: Holistic Development of Districts under 11 priority sector programmes (05 awards);
* Category-2: Aspirational Blocks Programme (05 awards);
* Category-3: Innovations for Central Ministries/Departments, States and Districts (06
awards).

A
  • The registration on PM’s Awards web portal has started from January 20, 2025. Submission of nominations will commence from January 27, 2025. The last date for submission of nomination is February 14, 2025.

Background:
i. In 2006, the Government of India (GoI) has launched the scheme “Prime Minister’s(PM’s) Awards for Excellence in Public Administration” to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/ Organizations of the Central and State Governments.

ii. The Scheme was restructured in 2014, 2020 and revamped with a new approach in 2021.

iii. The main objective of the scheme is to promote constructive competition, innovation, replication and institutionalization of best practices.

About Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P):
Union Minister- PM Narendra Modi (Constituency- Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Dr. Jitendra Singh (Constituency- Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, J&K)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), has announced updates to the _____ [OMSS(D)] for 2024-25.

A

Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic)

These changes aim to enhance food security and streamline rice distribution across the country.

  • The revised price allows State Governments, their corporations, and community kitchens to procure rice without undergoing electronic (e)-auctions.

i. The reserve price of rice is set at Rs 2,250 per quintal (applicable across India). This is a reduction from the earlier price of Rs 2,900 per quintal, which was set in August 2024.

ii. Ethanol distilleries can also purchase rice at the reduced reserve price of Rs.2,250 per quintal.

iii. This policy reflects the government’s dedication to welfare initiatives, food security, and boosting ethanol production.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

the Government of India (GoI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of the_____ to enhance collaboration in cybercrime investigations.

A

United States of America (USA)

  • The MoU was signed by Indian Ambassador Vinay Kwatra and Acting USA Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristie Canegallo in Washington DC, the USA.

i. This agreement aims to bolster India-USA security cooperation, addressing interconnected issues like terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and other common security challenges linked to cybercrime.

ii. In India, the implementation of the agreement will be handled by the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

iii. On the USA side, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), along with its agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Homeland Security Investigations Cyber Crimes Center, (C3) will oversee the execution of the pact.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

According to the 1st edition of ‘HSBC Hurun Global Indians List’, published by HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation) and Hurun India, _____ has secured the top spot with a company valued at USD 3,146 billion

A

Microsoft’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Satya Nadella

    • Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai (USD 2,107 billion) and YouTube CEO Neal Mohan (USD 455 billion) secured the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively.
  • The combined value of the top 10 individuals is equal to 73% of the total combined value of the list. Notably, 5 companies in the list belong to the software and services sector.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

About HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024:

i. HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024, ranking the ___ most valuable companies in the world led by Indian-origin leaders. The combined value of companies led by these leaders is estimated at USD 10 trillion.

ii. Companies were ranked according to their value, defined as market capitalisation for listed companies and valuations for non-listed companies. The cut-off date used was 29th November 2024.

iii. The list includes ____ CEOs, Managing Directors (MDs), and Founders and was created based on a survey of 400 respondents, including wealth creators featured in its lists.

A

200 ; 226

1) Satya Nadella (Microsoft) 3,146 billion
2) Sundar Pichai (Alphabet) 2,107 billion
3) Neal Mohan (YouTube) 455 billion
4) Thomas Kurian (Google Cloud) 353 billion
5) Shantanu Narayen (Adobe) 231 billion

NRIs on the 2024 Hurun India Rich list:
i. According to the Hurun List, a total of 102 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) is featured on the List. The report showed that 79% of the list’s entrants were based in the United States of America (USA) followed by 5% in the United Kingdom (UK) and 4% in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ii. In terms of preferred cities, San Francisco tops the list of (37) which has a cut-off of USD1 bn followed by New York and Palo Alto, California. Other major cities include London (8 entrants) while Dubai leads in the Middle East with 6 entrants in the list.

iii. LN Mittal & family (Rs 1,84,500 crore), Chairman of Arcelor Mittal, tops NRIs in the HSBC Hurun Global Indians List 2024 followed by Gopichand Hinduja & Family (Hinduja Group) on the 2nd spot and Anil Agarwal & Family (Vedanta Resources) on the 3rd spot respectively.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Women on the 2024 Hurun India Rich list:

i. The list includes ___ women led by Reshma Kewalramani of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, followed by Jayshree Ullal of Arista Networks, and Leena Nair, the global CEO of Chanel, who are recognised as the most influential women of Indian origin.

ii. Women leaders such as Neha Narkhede (Co-Founder of Confluent), Anjali Sud (CEO of Tubi), and Yamini Rangan (CEO of HubSpot) are positioned in the list with their combined leadership overseas companies valued at over _____.

A

12 ; USD 436 billion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

i. Most of the Indian professionals in the list are in the technology sector, with most of them in the software and services industry (87 entries). Financial services and healthcare follow with 24 and 21 representatives, respectively. Around 93 companies led by Indian-origin leaders work in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

ii. According to the list, 62% of the leaders began their undergraduate studies in India and 77% did postgraduate degrees in the USA. IIT Madras emerged as the top undergraduate institute, having 14 leaders to the list. On the postgraduate side, Stanford University has topped with 20 leaders on the list.

iii. Around 57% of the leaders are first-generation entrepreneurs, 41% are professionals, and 2% are inheritors. Indian-origin entrepreneurs have founded ____ global unicorns. The youngest entrepreneur on the list is 27-year-old Tanay Tandon, co-founder of Commure.

iv. Most of the Indian-origin leaders come from regions such as Tamil Nadu (TN), Punjab, Kerala, and Maharashtra and based in global hubs including the USA, the UK, the UAE, and Singapore.

v. The average age of the individuals on the list is ____

A

73 ; 56 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Donald John Trump took the oath of office as the ____ President of the United States of America ( USA) at Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., USA. This marked the beginning of his second term in office. He succeeded Joe Biden after securing victory in the November 2024 election.

James David (JD) Vance sworn in as the ____ Vice President of the United States, succeeding Kamala Harris

A

47th ; 50th

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated the restart of its ____ liquid engine at a test facility at the Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu (TN).

About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman – V. Narayanan
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Established – 1969

A

Vikas

  • The test marks a significant milestone in the development of stage recovery technologies, paving the way for reusability in future launch vehicles.

i. The Vikas engine is the reliable workhorse that drives the liquid stages of ISRO’s launch vehicles.

ii. In this test, the engine was fired for 60 seconds, then shut off for 120 seconds before being restarted and fired again for 7 seconds.

iii. All engine parameters during the test were within normal limits and met expectations.

iv. Further tests are planned in the coming days to optimize the engine’s performance under restart

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
______ Cricket Team secured their **5th** title after defeating Vidarbha Cricket Team by 36 runs in the finals of 2024-25 edition of Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat.
Karnataka About Vijay Hazare Trophy(VHT): i. The VHT (officially known as the IDFC First Bank VHT), is the annual One day domestic tournament organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). ii. It is a domestic 50-over tournament which was established as a national tournament as the Ranji One Day Trophy in the 2002-03 season from its previous zonal format. iii. The tournament was renamed as Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2007-08 edition, named after Indian batsman Vijay Samuel Hazare. iv. 2023-24 edition of VHT was won by the Haryana men’s cricket team.
26
the **United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)** and the **World Meteorological Organization (WMO)** have jointly declared **2025** as _____ in **Geneva (Switzerland)**, emphasizing the global urgency to safeguard glaciers, which are critical sources of freshwater for over 2 billion people worldwide.
International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) - UN weather experts from the WMO confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, at 1.55 degrees Celsius (C) above pre-industrial temperatures.
27
i. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP 2025) was established through resolution A/RES/77/158, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during its 77th session in December 2022, with the leadership of UNESCO and the____. It was proposed by Republic of Tajikistan. As part of this initiative, _____ has been officially designated as **International Day of Glaciers’ Preservation** or **World Glacier Day**, starting from 2025. The first World Glacier Day will be celebrated on March 21, 2025, aligning with World Water Day, observed annually on March 22.
WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) ; March 21st It will coordinate international efforts supported by over 75 international organizations and 35 countries. The International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (2025) and World Glacier Day (March 21) support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 by addressing the critical role glaciers play in water resources. About World Meteorological Organization (WMO): Secretary General – Professor Celeste Saulo Founded –1950 Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland Parent Organization – United Nations (UN)
28
______ Chief Minister (CM) Vishnu Deo Sai launched the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’ scheme in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. * The scheme aims to provide financial support to landless agricultural labourer families, helping them to improve their net income and enhance their overall quality of life.
Chhattisgarh About Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana : i. The scheme was designed to provide financial assistance of **Rs 10,000** annually to landless agricultural labourers, Baigas, Gunias, and other landless families in the state. ii. The scheme benefits **5.62 lakh** landless agricultural laborers across Chhattisgarh and a total of Rs 562 crore has been allocated to support these beneficiaries. iii. This initiative also includes forest produce collectors, shepherds, carpenters, blacksmiths, cobblers, barbers, washermen, and other landless families connected with the Pauni-Pasari system. iv. The scheme also extends to tribal temple worshippers like Pujari, Baiga, Gunia, and Majhi families in scheduled areas.
29
Gujarat Chief Minister (CM) Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the _____ and the _____ at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), Gandhinagar, Gujarat. * Both the institutions are supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and aim to develop the fintech sector.
GIFT International Fintech Institute (GIFT IFI) ; GIFT International Fintech Innovation Hub (GIFT IFIH) i. GIFT IFI has been set up with collaboration of Ahmedabad University (Gujarat), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar (Gujarat), and the University of California, San Diego(the United States of America, USA). It will offer programs in areas like Fintech Foundations, Technology for Fintech, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Fintech. ii. GIFT IFIH will provide support to fintech startups through an incubator and accelerator programme which will include mentorship, resources, and access to networks. Its first batch includes 10 startups from India, Singapore, the USA, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
30
the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals: i. Apprised of Achievements under _______. It has also approved its continuation for another 5 years. ii. Approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs 5,650 per quintal for ____ (TD-3 grade) for marketing season 2025-26. This marks an increase of nearly 6% i.e. Rs 315 per quintal compared to last marketing season 2024-25
National Health Mission (NHM) (2021-24) ; raw jute
31
the Department of Commerce (DoC), Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), introduced the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme. * This scheme aims to enhance the global competitiveness of India’s diamond sector and will be implemented with effect from ____. About DIA Scheme: i. This scheme offers the duty-free importation of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds weighing less than ¼ carat (_____), encouraging value addition and increasing exports. ii. This scheme requires exports to have a ____ value added. iii. All diamond exporters with _____ in annual exports and Two Star Export House status or higher are eligible to receive benefits under this program. iv. Validity of Diamond Imprest Licence (DIL) will be _____ for import and ______ for export. The DIL will be for a value of 5% of the average of past 3 years export. Maximum value of DIL for an exporter in one year will be USD 15 million v. Diamonds to be imported under Actual User Condition. Import and Export of Diamonds will be from **Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (Maharashtra) only**. vi. The scheme is intended to create a fair playing field for Indian diamond exporters, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) exporters, allowing them to compete effectively with larger competitors.
1 April 2025 ; 25 cents ; 10% ; USD 15 million ; 1 year ; 18 months Note: The Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) reports that India’s gross gem and jewelry exports in December 2024 totaled USD 1,967.98 million (Rs. 16719.460 crores), a 10.29% decrease from the same period in 2024.
32
**the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW)** launched the first-ever **edible oil consumption survey** on the **“My Gov” portal** to assess edible oil consumption patterns across India. This initiative aims to support the effective implementation of the ______. * It addresses the absence of recent data on consumption patterns in India, the world’s largest consumer and importer of edible oils. * The 45-day questionnaire-based survey, launched on January 9, 2025, is scheduled to run until February 23, 2025
National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds)
33
India and France strengthened their maritime security cooperation to maintain peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) during the 7th _____ held in New Delhi, Delhi. - India assuming chair of the **Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)** in **2025** for **two years**
India-France maritime cooperation dialogue About France: President– Emmanuel Macron Prime Minister(PM) – François Bayrou Capital– Paris Currency– Euro(EUR)
34
According to the **19th Global 500 2025 report** published by **Brand Finance**, _____ has retained its position as the world’s most valuable brand, with a brand value of **USD 574.5 billion (bn)**. ______ **(USD 28.6 bn)** is the most valuable Indian brand for the 15th consecutive holding **60th** spot in the list. In Global rank, Apple is followed by **Microsoft** (USD 461.1 bn) on the 2nd, and **Google** (USD 413 bn) on 3rd respectively. 4th: Amazon, 5th: Walmart - WeChat (95.2) has been ranked as the world’s strongest brand for the 2nd consecutive year followed by Nike (94.7) on the 2nd spot and Google (94.3) on the 3rd position.
Apple ; Tata Group The 19th Brand Finance’s Global 500 2025 report was, launched during a session held in the **UAE pavilion** at **Davos 2025** held in **Switzerland**. * Except for 2023, Apple has held the top spot as the world’s most valuable brand since 2021.
35
According to the **Brand Finance Global 500 2025 report**, the top five Indian brands are 1___, 2____, 3____, 4_____, and, 5_____ * ____ emerged as the fastest-growing Indian brand with a brand value of USD 13.3 bn. * HDFC Group, SBI Group, and ICICI Group have made significant entries into the global brand rankings this year, marking a notable achievement for India’s banking sector. * Other Indian brands in the list are- State Bank of India (SBI) (241), HCL Tech (262), Airtel (306), Larsen & Toubro(L&T) (316), Mahindra (330), Wipro (358), Jio Group (366), ICICI Bank (375), Bajaj Group (409) and Indian Oil (446).
1. Tata Group 2. Infosys 3. HDFC Group 4. Life Insurance Corporation 5. Reliance Group LIC
36
India has secured the ____ position, contributing ____ of the total brand value while the US, holds the top position in Information Technology (IT) services brand value, holding **40%** of the total brand value. The collective brand value of the top 25 IT Services brands stands at **USD 163 billion** in **2025**. * _____ has secured the 1st spot (USD 41.5 billion), for the 7th consecutive time. - **Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)** (USD 21.3 bn) has become the first IT company in India and the 2nd globally to cross the USD 20 billion in brand valuation. - **Infosys** (USD 16.3 billion) has secured the 3rd spot in the most valuable IT services brands for the 4th consecutive year. - _____ has emerged as world’s fastest-growing IT services brand in 2025, while Infosys has achieved the highest compound annual growth rate among IT services brands over the past 5 years (at 18.2%). Other Indian companies on the list included **Wipro (9th spot)** and **Tech Mahindra**.
2nd ; 36% Accenture ; HCL Technologies (HCLTech) Brand Strength Index (BSI): i. It is a framework that aims to consider the position of a potential licensee or the acquirer of the brand by looking into the Marketing Investment, Stakeholder Equity, and the impact of those on Business Performance. ii. The Brand Strength Index (BSI) assigns each brand a score out of 100, reflecting its overall strength. This score contributes to determining the brand’s value. Based on their BSI scores, brands receive ratings similar to credit ratings, ranging up to AAA+. About Brand Finance Global 500 report: i. It is the annual study held every year since 2007 that provides information about the world’s top 500 most valuable and strongest global brands. ii. It operates in over 25 countries and conducts more than 6,000 brand valuations and publishes over 100 reports which rank brands across all sectors and countries.
37
New York (the United States of America, USA)-based World Monuments Fund (WMF), a non-profit organisation released its **“2025 World Monuments Watch List”**. The list includes **25 endangered cultural heritage sites spanning 29 countries across 5 continents**. This year’s list has gone beyond the usual landmarks such as temples, cemeteries and has added ____ on the list for the 1st time. * The list features two Indian sites namely, Bhuj Historic Water Systems (Gujarat) and Musi River Historic Buildings (Telangana).
Moon - Other than that, the list features notable endangered cultural sites like: Erdene Zuu Buddhist Monastery (Mongolia), Noto Peninsula Heritage Sites (Japan), Ruins of Old Belchite (Spain), among others.
38
India has officially joined the ______ or **Eurodrone programme** as the **Observer State**. With this, India became the second Asia-Pacific country after Japan to gain observer status. * India made a formal request to become part of this programme in August 2024, and the approval was granted in January 2025.
**Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS)** i. Now India is granted access to technical data and the ability to place orders for the aircraft, they are not involved in the decision-making processes regarding the platform’s design, development, or the distribution of workshare among the participating countries. ii. This collaboration is expected to enhance India’s defence relationship with Europe, supporting other ongoing initiatives such as the C-295 aircraft, which is being manufactured in India.
39
________ was appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Zurich Kotak General Insurance. He took charge of this post from January 01, 2025, succeeding Suresh Agarwal.
Alok Kumar Agarwal
40
Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based aerospace company **Digantara**, backed by the Aditya Birla Group and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), launched _____ satellite, the world’s first commercial satellite for Space Situational Awareness (SSA). * Besides, Indian space-tech startup XDLINX Space Labs also launched its high-tech satellites to monitor earth and space objects. * The satellites were launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the United States of America (USA).
**Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT)**: As Earth’s orbits become increasingly crowded with satellites and space debris, SSA plays a vital role in preventing collisions and ensuring the safety of spacecraft. SCOT contributes significantly in improving safety by offering precise and reliable tracking capabilities.
41
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) successfully carried out a ground test of_____, lasting 120 seconds, marking a first for India. * This test is part of India’s effort to develop hypersonic technology powered by supersonic combustion ramjets (scramjets). * This technology was developed by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), based in Hyderabad, Telangana, and part of the DRDO.
an active cooled scramjet combustor
42
**Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay** and **Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele** won the men’s and women’s elite races, respectively, at the TATA Mumbai Marathon 2025 held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. * It is the 20th edition of the Mumbai Marathon, which is a _____ event, organized by Procam International Private Limited. It was also a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (Japan) in September 2025.
World Athletics Gold Label Road Race
43
January 23
**Parakram Diwas, also known as the Day of Valour**, is observed annually across India on 23 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of the Indian freedom fighters Subhash Chandra Bose, popularly called as Netaji. * 23 January 2025 marks the 128th birth anniversary of Subhash Chandra Bose.
44
the Chief Minister (CM) of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan launched the **‘Kerala Warnings, Crisis and Hazard Management (KaWaCHaM) System’**, India’s first fully integrated _____ system at the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. About Kerala: Chief Minister (CM) – Pinarayi Vijayan Governor – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Capital – Thiruvananthapuram State Bird – The Great Hornbill Dance – Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thirvathirakali (Kaikottikali), Theyyam
disaster warning * This advanced disaster risk warning system aims to enhance disaster preparedness and response capabilities while also issuing alerts for extreme weather events. * It is developed by KSDMA with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the World Bank (WB) as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)
45
_____ Chief Minister (CM) Manik Saha announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had approved the New state emblem. The state’s history and culture will be prominently featured in the logo.
Tripura In the newly designed emblem, the Tripura map is positioned inside a saffron circle, and the national emblem of India is displayed within the outline of the map. Additionally, the Government of Tripura is written below the circle.
46
Justice ______ was sworn in as the **33rd** Chief Justice (CJ) of the Delhi High Court (HC), situated in New Delhi, Delhi. i. Before his appointment as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya served as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. ii. His appointment brought the court’s strength to **38 judges**
Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
47
Justice _____ was sworn in as the **48th** Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court located in Mumbai, Maharashtra. * He succeeded Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. * The Governor of Maharashtra, CP Radhakrishnan, administered the oath of office during the ceremony held at Raj Bhavan..
Alok Aradhe
48
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a flagship initiative led by the Government of India (GoI) which aims to protect, educate, and empower the girl child in India, has completed ____ years of successful implementation.
10 About Mission Vatsalya: In 2021, MoWCD launched Mission Vatsalya which is a CSS, formerly known as the Child Protection Services (CPS) scheme, since 2009-10. The main objective of the mission is to ensure that every child in India has healthy and happy childhood. About Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD): Union Minister- Annpurna Devi (Constituency- Kodarma, Jharkhand) Union Minister of State (MoS)- Savitri Thakur (Constituency- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
49
the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released a comprehensive report titled **‘Estimation and Measurement of India’s Digital Economy’**, prepared by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER). This marks the first attempt to quantify the digital sector’s impact on India’s income and employment. According to the report, India’s digital economy is projected to grow nearly **twice** as fast as the overall economy, contributing to almost _____ of national income by _____. In less than six years, the digital economy’s share will surpass that of agriculture or manufacturing in India. The report estimates that India’s digital economy accounted for **11.74%** of India’s income in 2022-23, contributing **Rs. 28.94 lakh crore (Approximately USD 368 billion)** in Gross Value Added (GVA) and Rs. 31.64 lakh crore (Approximately USD 402 billion) in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This share is projected to rise to **13.42%** by **2024-25**.
one-fifth ; 2029-30 About Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER): ICRIER is an autonomous, policy-oriented, not-for-profit, economic policy think tank. Chairman – Pramod Bhasin Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi) Founded – 1981 About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity): Union Minister– Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha- Odisha) Minister of State (MoS)- Jitin Prasada (Constituency- Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
50
According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), India has made significant strides in its Renewable Energy (RE) journey, strengthening its position as a global leader in clean energy. - As of December 2024, India’s total RE installed capacity has reached **209.44 Gigawatt (GW)**, a ______ increase compared to **180.80 GW** in December 2023. - The total capacity added during 2024 amounted to **28.64 GW**, representing a significant Year-on-Year(YoY) increase of **119.46%** compared to the 13.05 GW added in 2023.
15.84% Note: As of January 20, 2025, the country has reached a milestone of 217.62 GW, with a target to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030.
51
India and ______ conducted an exchange of notes for the technical cooperation project titled ‘Strengthening Vocational Education and Training in Mechatronics in India’ in New Delhi(Delhi). - for NCERT’s Technical Cooperation Project
South Korea
52
the **Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)**, the apex body for exporters in India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore-based _____, a global leader in supply chain financing solutions, to boost the growth of Indian exporters and strengthen their international presence. * This collaboration aims to streamline global trade by providing exporters with innovative financial solutions, logistical support, and other critical resources.
Credlix About Credlix: It is the digital supply chain financing platform from Moglix (Mogli Labs Private Limited), one of Asia’s largest Business-to-Business (B2B) commerce companies. It is dedicated to providing innovative financial solutions to Small Micro Enterprises (SMEs) across the world. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Rahul Garg Headquarters- Singapore, Singapore Established- 2015 About Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO): It was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I) in 1965, with its member contributing nearly 70% of India’s exports. President- Ashwani Kumar Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
53
the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a Rs 1,561-crore deal with Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN) based ______, a unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), for the acquisition of 47 Tank (T)-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLTs) for the Indian Army(IA).
Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF)
54
**National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)** and the **National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) Foundation** have entered into a partnership to provide digital skills to ____ individuals with an aim to reduce the issue of digital divide. - The collaboration comes under the Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP), and is aligned with the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan (PMGDISHA). - The project will focus on marginalized groups including women and tribal communities to improve their access to essential digital tools and e-governance services.
one lakh i. It will initially target **60 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) blocks** in its first phase, promoting digital literacy and awareness of government schemes and will expand to include all **500 aspirational blocks** for a broader digital inclusion. ii. The program focuses on training individuals between **12-60 years** in essential computer skills, cybersecurity, and internet usage. iii. It will also integrate local community members as trainers and digital ambassadors and will conduct door-to-door campaigns and community mobilization to raise awareness about the benefits of digital literacy and government schemes.
55
New Delhi (Delhi) based NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation) has partnered with Ceylon Electricity Board of Sri Lanka to develop a _____ (extendable to 120 MW) solar project in Sampoor, Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. - Trincomalee Power Company Limited (TPCL) which is a joint venture (JV) between NTPC Limited and the Ceylon Electricity Board, will see the establishment of the solar facility in Sampoor.
50 Megawatt (MW) i. After discussions with a number of Sri Lankan stakeholders, the tariff for the project has been fixed at 5.97 US cents per unit. ii. This solar project would diversify Sri Lanka’s energy mix by significantly increasing Sri Lanka’s clean energy capacity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. iii. With this initiative, NTPC, India’s leading power generation company under the Ministry of Power (MoP), makes a significant step toward sustainable energy practices and strengthens regional ties.
56
According to the World’s Billionaires List 2025 released by Forbes, _____ secured the top spot with a net worth of USD 433.9 billion largely driven by SpaceX’s valuation of USD 350 billion. * Amazon founder **Jeff Bezos** has secured the 2nd position with USD 239.4 billion while Meta founder **Mark Zuckerberg** bagged the 3rd spot by surpassing Oracle founder Larry Ellison net worth of USD 211.8 billion.
Elon Musk
57
______, the Director General (DG) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), was given the additional charge of DG of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) for six months.
Amrit Mohan Prasad * The appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) with effect from 1 November 2024, or till the joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is the earlier. * He succeeded Zulfiqar Hasan, who retired on 31 October 2024
58
Bengaluru (Karnataka) based Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) dispatched the Crew Module for the first uncrewed mission of ______ to Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP). It has completed the integration of the liquid propulsion system.
Gaganyaan (G1) - About Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Chairman – Dr. V. Narayanan Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka Established – 1969
59
Bengaluru (Karnataka)-based aerospace startup company, Sarla Aviation Private Limited unveiled India’s 1st electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi prototype, ____, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, held at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi. * For the initial phase, the company aims to launch the electric air taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the 1st to introduce urban air transport in India.
‘Shunya’
60
January 24
The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Education (IDE) is annually observed across the globe on 24 January to celebrate the role of education in peace and development. * 24 January 2025 marks the 7th observance of the IDE. * The International Day of Education encourages reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand and influence technological advancement. The 2025 theme of IDE is **“AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”**. - The theme focuses on how education can help people understand and control Artificial Intelligence (AI). It aims to ensure AI is used in ways that respect human rights and support the Sustainable Development Goals. Note: In India, National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 every year in honour of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.
61
January 24
National Girl Child Day (NGCD) is annually observed across India on 24th January to promote awareness about the rights of a girl child and to promote the importance of their education, health, and nutrition. The day addresses issues like child marriage, discrimination and other challenges faced by girls in Indian society. * 24th January 2025 marks the observance of 18th NGCD. * The theme of the NGCD 2025 is “Empowering the Future of India”.
62
the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi has approved the following proposals: i. Launch of the ______ to build a resilient ‘Value Chain’ for critical mineral resources essential for Green Technologies with a total cost of **Rs. 34,300 crore** over a period of **7 years**. ii. Revised Mechanism for Procurement of Ethanol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme – Price Adjustment for Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25.
‘National Critical Mineral Mission’ (NCMM)
63
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the revision of the ethanol procurement price for Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2024-25, starting from 1st November 2024 to 31st October 2025. This revision, part of the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme of the Government of India (GoI), fixes the administered ex-mill price of ethanol from C Heavy Molasses (CHM) at Rs. 57.97 per litre (l), up from Rs. 56.58 per l. The revised pricing ensures continued stability for ethanol suppliers, reducing crude oil imports and promoting environmental sustainability. The new pricing will ensure Goods and Service Tax (GST) and transportation charges are separately payable to benefit sugarcane farmers.
As of ESY 2023-24, OMCs have achieved an average blending of 14.60%, up from 38 crore litres in 2013-14 to 707 crore litres. * The program has led to savings of approximately Rs. 1,13,007 crore in foreign exchange and a substitution of 193 lakh metric tonnes (MT)of crude oil. The government has advanced its target for 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to ESY 2025-26. OMCs plan to achieve 18% ethanol blending in ESY 2024-25. - Investments are also being made to increase the capacity of ethanol distilleries to 1713 crore l per annum. - The EBP programme was launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG)
64
the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Pratham Foundation released the “Annual Status of Education Report (Rural) 2024 (ASER 2024)”, a nationwide household survey that covers the status of children’s enrolment and learning outcomes in rural India annually. The report highlighted that enrolment in both government and private schools has returned to pre-COVID levels
However, the report noted that the government schools outshined private schools in Post-COVID learning recovery levels. * The report showed that government schools, which saw a surge in enrolment for children aged 6-14 during the pandemic, are now returning to pre-pandemic levels, decreased from 72.9% (in 2022) to 66.8% (in 2024). This trend can be seen in every state, except: Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
65
Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Textiles (MoT), inaugurated the ‘Handloom Conclave – Manthan’ at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Delhi. The conclave aligned with Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi’s 5F vision : “Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign”, emphasizing a holistic approach to boosting the handloom industry. * The event also explored ways to make the sector a driving force in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event featured three specialized sessions aimed at strengthening the handloom sector. The sessions focused on: * Encouraging Start-ups in Handloom: Discussed ways to support new businesses in the industry. * Effective Marketing for Handloom Products: Focused on expanding market reach and improving sales strategies. * Inspiring Youth to Join Handloom Weaving: Explored methods to attract and retain young artisans in the sector
66
Union Minister Giriraj Singh launched the Handloom Weavers Electronic _______ and an online module for Handloom Awards, marking a significant step in digitizing the sector. * The MoT will introduce an award for corporates, producer companies, and start-ups that create sustainable job opportunities for weavers, ensuring they have work for at least 300 days a year. * This initiative aims to provide social security and fair wages to handloom workers.
(e)-Pehchaan portal
67
the Project Appraisal Committee (PAC) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) has approved Community Forest Resource (CFR) plans for 100 villages in phase-I under the Forest Right (FRA) Act, 2006. This number is less than Odisha government proposal to implement it in 400 villages of the state.
With this approval, as many as 100 villages of Odisha will receive funds directly in the bank accounts of Gram Sabhas instead of Gram Panchayats for the first time to carry out forest protection, management and convergence works in respective community lands.
68
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based_______, became India’s 1st Steel company to demonstrate the capability to develop steel pipes for hydrogen (H2) transportation, marking a significant step toward supporting India’s National Hydrogen Mission (NHM).
Tata Steel Limited(TSL), formerly known as Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited (TISCO) The company successfully developed hydrogen-compliant API X65 ERW steel pipes, which are crucial for the transport of 100% pure gaseous hydrogen under high pressure (100 bar).
69
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based _____ received its Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) marking a major milestone for India’s housing finance sector. * The paid-up Capital of RSDL is Rs.500 crore and is expected to commence operations in March 2025. * RDCL is designed to create new opportunities for long-term institutional investors, including Insurance Companies, Pension Funds (PFs), and Provident Funds (PFs).
RMBS (Residential Mortgage-Backed Securitisation) Development Company Limited (RDCL)
70
_____ winning the Best Tableau award in the Ministries/Departments category. The award was given for their vibrant display celebrating the “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh” and the **150th** birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) - The awards were decided through two methods: one by a panel of judges and the other through an online public vote held on the MyGov platform. * This year, 31 tableaux from 16 states and Union Territories (UTs) and 10 ministries and departments of the Central Government (CG) participated in R-day Parade 2025 at Karvyapath, New Delhi, Delhi.
71
______ was awarded the Best Marching Contingent among Services Category by the panel of judges. _____ won the first prize in the Best Tableaux category by the panel of judges for its depiction of Mahakumbh 2025 and Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas. _____ received the People’s Choice Award for Best Tableau from the Central Ministries/Departments Category.
The Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) Rifles Contingent Uttar Pradesh (UP) The Ministry of Women & Child Development (MoWCD)
72
_____ won the 1st ever ‘Inaugural Women’s Hockey India League Title 2025’ by defeating JSW (Jindal South West) Soorma Hockey Club of Punjab and Haryana.
Odisha Warriors * The ‘Odisha Warriors’ secured 2-1 in the final tournament held at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda AstroTurf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand. - Rutuja Dadaso Pisal was the Star player of the show for the ‘Odisha Warriors’ as she scored both the goals for her side in the 20th and 56th minute. - She gave the ‘Odisha Warriors’ the lead in the 2nd quarter but Penny Squibb (28′) equalised for JSW Soorma Hockey Club.
73
______, Indian track and field athlete from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh (AP) clinched the Gold medal in the women’s 60 meter(m) hurdles held at the Elite Indoor Meeting in Nantes, France.
Jyothi Yarraji * Jyothi Yarraji, broke her own National Record twice in one day and clocked 8.07 seconds in the heats and 8.04 seconds in the final, setting a new National Record for India
74
January 30
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (WNTDD) is observed annually on January 30 across the globe to raise awareness of the devastating impact of NTDs on the most vulnerable populations around the world. The theme of WNTDD 2025: “Unite. Act. Eliminate” emphasizes the collective commitment needed to end these diseases. - The theme urges leaders and communities to unite and make bold, sustainable investments to eliminate NTDs and free an estimated 1.5 billion people in the most vulnerable communities from the cycle of disease and poverty
75
January 30
Martyrs’ Day, also known as Sarvodaya Day or Shaheed Diwas, is annually observed across India on January 30 to honour those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. * This day also marks the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the ‘Father of the Nation. * 30th January 2025 marks the 77th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
76
India celebrated its _____ Republic Day (R-day) on 26 January 2025 with great patriotism. The Republic Day parades and events took place at Kartavya Path (formerly known as Rajpath) in New Delhi, Delhi. The 76th Republic Day celebrations, themed ________ highlighted India’s military strength, cultural heritage, and development. About the Chief Guest: **The President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, was the Chief Guest** for the Republic Day celebrations, marking him as the fourth Indonesian leader to be invited for this honor.
76th ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,’ (Golden India: Heritage and Development) Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, making India a sovereign, democratic, and republic nation
77
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) and Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and Ministry of Culture (MoC), jointly launched various initiatives such as: WAVES Bazaar; 3 Create in India Challenges; WAVES Awards, among others at the National Media Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.
* These initiatives were launched ahead of the 1st World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) scheduled to be held from February 5 to February 9, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. * During the event, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishanaw also announced new challenges aimed to promote films that explore India’s rich tourism and cultural heritage. These challenges aim to promote creativity, innovation, and international participation
78
the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) has launched the enhanced _____ to simplify the certification process for exporters and improve trade efficiency, with features like multi-user access under a single Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System
79
the Government of Tripura has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ______ of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for multi-lingual governance. The MoU was signed during a state-level workshop titled “Bhashini Rajyam”, held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala, Tripura under the guidance of Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, Chief Minister (CM) of Tripura.
Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) With this, Tripura becomes the 1st North-Eastern(NE) state, as well as 8th Indian state to sign a MoU with Bhasha Interface for India (Bhashini). * This MoU marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to promote digital inclusivity and leveraging technology for enhanced citizen centric governance.
80
The 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF 2025) was held, with the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age”, from January 20 to 24, 2025 in _______.
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland - The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India, liaison office of WEF in India, launched its 6- year Impact journey report during the WEF Annual meeting 2025. - The C4IR India was launched in 2018 in Mumbai(Maharashtra) with NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog and Reliance Industries as founding partners for promoting responsible and inclusive technological development.
81
A high-profile discussion on “India’s WASH Innovation: Driving Global Impact in Climate and Water Sustainability” was held at the India Pavilion in WEF 2025 which highlighted India’s efforts towards Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and its significant role in global climate resilience and sustainable development.
India’s achievements through the Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM) (the construction of over 95 million toilets) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) (widespread household tap water connections) were highlighted as WASH initiatives
82
the WEF, in collaboration with New York City(the United States of America, USA) based McKinsey Health Institute(MHI), released a report titled ‘Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap: How to Improve Lives and Economies for All’ that highlights the global health condition of women and the need to close the health gap. Highlights: i. The report projected that addressing key women-specific health challenges could contribute USD 400 billion in global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually by 2040. ii. The report also emphasizes that women spend 25% more of their lives in poor health as compared to men. iii. It has highlighted 9 key health conditions to be focused upon which could reduce the global disease burden by 27 million disability-adjusted life years and equally add 2.5 healthy days per woman each year. * Five of these conditions are related to the total number of years lived – maternal hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, ischemic heart disease, cervical cancer, and breast cancer. * Four conditions show focus on how many of those years are lived in good health– endometriosis, menopause, migraine, and premenstrual syndrome
the WEF, in collaboration with New York City(the United States of America, USA) based McKinsey Health Institute(MHI), released a report titled ‘Blueprint to Close the Women’s Health Gap: How to Improve Lives and Economies for All’ that highlights the global health condition of women and the need to close the health gap.
83
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Chirag Paswan, announced that Belgium based ______ will provide India with an investment of USD 250 million for developing its beverage sector, which will span over the next two to three years. * States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh(UP), and regions in South India are set to benefit from these investments Telangana secures Rs.1.78 lakh crore investments : The Telangana government secured an investment of Rs 1,78,950 crore, which will create 49,550 jobs, on the sidelines of the WEF 2025 in Switzerland. The state government signed several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs), with major focus on establishing data centres, followed by pumped storage facilities.
AB InBev
84
Gurugram (Haryana)-based _______, has become 1st fintech company in India, to roll out a full-scale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or e-rupee, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Yes Bank Limited.
One Mobikwik Systems Limited As per this strategic partnership, Yes Bank Limited will act as a primary sponsor bank to provide the issuance of the CBDC for both these 3rd-party application providers. Note: CBDC is a digital legal tender issued and supported by the RBI. This digital currency is equivalent to sovereign currency and can be exchanged at a one-to-one ratio with existing physical currency
85
NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of United States (US) government has unveiled a discovery ______, a supermassive black hole that challenges current beliefs about how black holes form and grow.
“LID-568” Supermassive black holes are one of the most common types in the universe. They are usually found at the center of most galaxies. - LID-568 was identified using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. - This black hole exists approximately 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang, making it one of the earliest known black holes in the universe
86
a team of South African researchers and astrophysicists discovered a new giant radio galaxy (GRG), named ______ using the MeerKAT telescope (formerly known as the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT)) in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. * It spans 3.3 million light-years from end to end , 32 times the size of our Milky Way galaxy, and is 1.44 billion light-years away from Earth. * This discovery was published in the scientific journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS).
‘Inkathazo’
87
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched ________, carrying the NVS-02 satellite, from the Second Launched Pad (SLP) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh (AP). With the successful launch of this mission, ISRO completed its 100th launch from Sriharikota spaceport
GSLV-F15/NVS02 mission
88
_______ was re-elected as president of Belarus for the 7th consecutive five-year term. He received 86.8% of the vote in the presidential election.
Alexander Lukashenko
89
Noida(Uttar Pradesh, UP) based KRBL Limited, an Indian rice processing and exporting company, has appointed Bollywood actor ______ as the brand ambassador for its flagship ‘India Gate’ brand.
Amitabh Bachchan
90
- India’s ______ claimed the top honor ‘Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy’ for Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 respectively. * ______ was named the Women’s One Day International (ODI) Cricketer of the Year 2024. * _____ bagged ICC Men’s Twenty20 International (T20I) Cricketer of the Year 2024 ______ claimed the top honor “Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy” ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 for her outstanding performances throughout 2024.
Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah Smriti Mandhana Arshdeep Singh Aulakh Amelia Kerr Charlotte
91
during India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, Mumbai, Maharashtra based Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) unveiled _______ a digital knowledge repository.
‘Dharohar – Milestones in the Indian Securities Market' * This initiative highlights SEBI’s commitment to preserving India’s securities market legacy while enhancing awareness and understanding among diverse stakeholders. * This is designed for a broad audience, including students, investors, researchers, journalists, market participants, and the general public. i. Dharohar documents the 150-year history and evolution of the Indian securities market, showcasing its diverse products, participants, and institutions. ii. It includes a website with an interactive timeline of significant events and three-dimensional (3D) galleries, providing an engaging experience for visitors. iii. It currently contains over 3,000 assets, including articles, regulatory evolution, interviews with notable personalities, historic newspaper clippings, share certificates, infographics, videos, committee reports, and more. iv. It is set to expand, with new content being added regularly to enhance its value for users. v. Users can access the Dharohar repository at https://www.mism.org
92
New Delhi (Delhi) based AIonOS India Private Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ______, a leading Indonesian digital telecommunications company to transform Indonesia’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Indosat or IOH) - This partnership marks the 1st large scale AI-focused collaboration between India and Indonesia, under the visionary, Government-to-Government (G2G) initiative
93
New Delhi (Delhi) based _____ became the 1st Indian bank to unveil real time Clari5’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) Integration Solution. * It was introduced in partnership with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), making PNB a leader in both banking and cybersecurity. * This solution is designed to improve fraud prevention and automate complaint management
Punjab National Bank (PNB) Limited
94
Gurugram (Haryana)-based _______, has become 1st fintech company in India, to roll out a full-scale Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or e-rupee, in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Yes Bank Limited.
One Mobikwik Systems Limited As per this strategic partnership, Yes Bank Limited will act as a primary sponsor bank to provide the issuance of the CBDC for both these 3rd-party application providers. Note: CBDC is a digital legal tender issued and supported by the RBI. This digital currency is equivalent to sovereign currency and can be exchanged at a one-to-one ratio with existing physical currency
95
Forbes, an American global media company has unveiled its first Forbes “50 Over 50” Women Global list 2025 celebrating the achievements of inspiring women from 32 countries and territories across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South and Central America.
Quarraisha Abdool Karim, expert in infectious diseases epidemiology and one of the top researchers on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is ranked first, while Rafaela Aponte-Diamant is the co-owner of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) based in Geneva, Switzerland, ranked 2nd. * The list features three remarkable Indian women: Urmila Asher, popularly known as ‘Gujju Ben’ and the founder of Gujju Ben Na Nasta, ranked 3rd; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a billionaire and founder of Biocon India Private Limited, ranked 32nd; and Sheela Patel, a renowned activist, ranked 37th
96
About Forbes: Chief Operating Officer (CEO)– Sherry Phillips Headquarters– Established–
New Jersey, the United States of America (USA) 1917
97
_____ of Italy won the Men’s Singles title while _______ of United States of America (USA) won the Women’s Singles title at the **Australian Open (AO) 2025** held at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia.
Jannik Sinnern ; Madison Keys This was the 113th edition of the Australian Open, the 57th in the Open Era, and the first major of 2025 and was held from 12th January to 26th January 2025
98
India’s ______ won the men’s singles title by defeating France’s Olivier Grave at the Australian Open Deaf Championships 2025 in Melbourne.
Prithvi Sekhar * This is his 2nd consecutive title after winning it in 2024. He has also won men’s singles world title at the 2019 World Deaf Tennis Championships. - Prithvi also represented India at the Deaflympics in 2013 and 2017 and has won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics.
99
Australian Open Men’s Singles: World No. 1_____ won his 2nd consecutive Australian Open title after defeating World No. 2 Alexander Zverev (Germany).
Jannik Sinner (Italy) * He won 1st major singles title in Australian Open in 2024. * Italy’s Sinner is the 11th man in the Open Era to retain the title in Melbourne
100
Australian Open Women's Singles: _____ secured her first-ever Grand Slam title after defeating defending champion Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) in the finals.
Madison Keys (USA) * This was her first Grand Slam final since the 2017 US Open. * At 29, she has become the fourth-oldest player to win her first Grand Slam title. With this victory, Madison Keys’ rank will rise to number 7 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings.
101
Australian Open Men’s Doubles: ______ and _____ have won their 2nd major title at the Australian Open after defeating Italian pair Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori in the finals.
Harri Heliovaara (Finland) and Henry Patten (Britain) * Heliovaara and Patten won the Wimbledon title 2024 which was their first major event as a team. * They have also won four tour-level trophies in 2024.
102
Australian Open: Women’s Doubles: _____ and ____ defeated Jelena Ostapenko (Latvia) and Hsieh Su-wei (Taiwan) to the women’s doubles titles on the finals.
Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA) * This was their 2nd Grand Slam title as a team after their Wimbledon title win in 2024. - It was the 10th major title for Katerina Siniakova. * For Townsend, it was her 2nd title after she won the title as a junior in Melbourne in 2012.
103
Australian Open: Mixed Doubles: ____ and ____ defeated their compatriots John-Patrick Smith and Kimberly Birrell to win the mixed doubles final.
Australian pair Olivia Gadecki and John Peers * This was the first all-Australian final in the hard-court major in the Open Era and the first since 1967. - This was Gadecki’s first mixed doubles title at a Grand Slam while Peers won his second after winning the 2022 U.S. Open in the category. * John Peers also won men’s doubles gold at the Paris Olympics and the 2017 Australian Open. - This has been 14th edition of the Australian Open where a home player was crowned champion in at least one category
104
About Australian Open: i. The Australian Open is a tennis tournament organized by Tennis Australia annually at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. * It is chronologically the _____ of the 4 Grand Slam tennis events every year, held before the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. ii. It was first held in 1905 and is played on hard courts
first
105
22-year-old Grandmaster (GM) **Iniyan Panneerselvam** from Erode, Tamil Nadu (TN), won the 9th______, organized by the Johor Chess Association, held at Fairview International School in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Johor International Open Chess Tournament * He defeated Vietnamese GM Nguyen Van Huy in the final round. * Indian International Master (IM) V.S. Raahul and Chinese IM Li Bo secured second and third places, respectively. i. Iniyan scored an impressive 8.5 points over nine rounds in the tournament. ii. He finished 1.5 points ahead of his nearest rival, achieving victories against four IMs and one GM. Note: Earlier in January 2025, Iniyan won the 15th Chennai Open International GM Chess Tournament 2024
106
January 26
World Leprosy Day (WLD) is observed annually on the last Sunday of January across the globe to raise awareness about leprosy and to celebrate the resilience of those affected by the disease, combat stigma and discrimination. The day also serves as a reminder to eradicate leprosy and improve the lives of those impacted by it. - 26 January 2025 marks the 72nd observance of the WLD. * In 2024, WLF was observed on 28 January and in 2026, WLD will be observed on 25th January The theme for WLD 2025 is **“Unite. Act. Eliminate.”** which highlights the need to urge governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s), and individuals to work together and eliminate the disease & its associated stigma
107
About World Health Organization (WHO): Director-General (DG)-Dr.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Headquarters- Established-
Geneva, Switzerland April 7, 1948
108
January 27
The United Nations (UN’s) International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) is observed annually on 27 January across the globe to honor the memory of victims of the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah. - The theme of International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust 2025 is, “Holocaust remembrance for Dignity and Human Rights.”
109
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Director-General (DG)– Audrey Azoulay Headquarters- Established – About United Nations (UN): Secretary-General (SG)– António Guterres Headquarters- Established –
Paris, France 1945 New York, the United States of America (USA) 1945
110
Shruti Choudhry, the Women & Child Development (WCD), Irrigation & Water Resources Minister, Government of Haryana, launched the _____ for the ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana‘ in Chandigarh, Haryana on National Girl Child Day, January 24, 2025.
‘Samman Sanjeevani‘ app * The app ensures timely delivery of services by collecting beneficiary data and updating monthly benefits. * It will track the scheme’s facilities to make sure beneficiaries receive their benefits on time. i. Under the ‘Mahila Evam Kishori Samman Yojana,’ sanitary napkins are distributed to women and girls aged 10 to 45 years from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. ii. These benefits are provided through Anganwadi centers and schools. iii. The Minister also highlighted that the WCD Department is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme, with various programs planned to promote women’s empowerment and raise awareness about the importance of daughters
111
Dr. Arvind Panagariya, Chairman of 16th Finance Commission (FC) launched the inaugural issue of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog’s report titled ‘Fiscal Heath Index (FHI) 2025 for the Financial Year 2022-23 (FY23)’ in New Delhi, Delhi. - As per the report, _____ has outperformed all other states with cumulative score of 67.8 out of 100, followed by Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6). States in Achiever category: Odisha (rank 1st), Chhattisgarh (2nd), Goa (3rd), Jharkhand(rank 4th with overall score of 51.6) and Gujarat (rank 5th overall score of 50.5). States in Front-runner category: Maharashtra (50.3); Uttar Pradesh (UP) (45.9); Telangana (43.6); Madhya Pradesh (MP) (42.2); and Karnataka (40.8) States in Performer category: Tamil Nadu (TN) (29.2); Rajasthan (28.6); Bihar (27.8) and Haryana (27.4) States in Aspirational category: Kerala (25.4), West Bengal (WB)(21.8), Andhra Pradesh (AP) (20.9) and Punjab (10.7) Also, Karnataka witnessed a drop in its rankings, from 3rd (in 2014-15 to 2021-22) to 10th (in the period of 2015-19 to 2021-22), mainly due to subdued performance under Quality of Expenditure and Debt Sustainability. - The report noted that among states placed in ‘aspirational’ category, Kerala and Punjab struggled with low quality of expenditure and debt sustainability while, WB faces revenue mobilization and debt index issues. * It further highlighted AP has high fiscal deficit and Haryana has a poor debt profile.
Odisha * The report mentioned that Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Gujarat have consistently been the top performing states across time periods considered in the study. About Fiscal Heath Index (FHI) 2025: i. The report provides a comprehensive evaluation of the fiscal health of 18 major Indian states that drive the Indian economy in terms of their contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), demography, total expenditure, revenues, and overall fiscal stability. * It also provides in-depth information about state-specific challenges and areas for improvement. ii. The report ranked states based on 5 key sub-indices such as: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability. iii. The report has sourced data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India to calculate the FHI of states - Among the 5 key sub-indices of the report, Odisha has topped the debt index (99.0) and debt sustainability (64.0) rankings with better than average scores under Quality of Expenditure (52) and Revenue Mobilisation (69.9). * The report outlined certain factors responsible for good fiscal health of state Odisha are: low fiscal deficits, a good debt profile, and an above average capital outlay or GSDP ratio. - According to the report, Jharkhand has shown improvement in its fiscal health. It has improved its ranking from 10th position (in the period of 2015-19 to 2021-22) to 4th position (in 2022-23). * This improvement is mainly attributed to better revenue mobilization, enhanced fiscal prudence, and stronger debt sustainability. The report observed that most South Indian states have performed poor in managing their finances. It has specifically highlighted 3 southern states i.e. AP, Kerala and TN, which have performed worse in the rankings as they scored below 30 out 100
112
About National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – B.V.R. Subrahmanyam Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi Established –
2015
113
Uttarakhand has become the 1st state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code(UCC), which came into effect on 27 January 2025. Uttarakhand Chief Minister(CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the UCC portal and issued a notification marking the adoption of the civil code at an event in Dehradun, Uttarakhand
The UCC aims to unify personal laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance, ensuring equality for all citizens, excluding those from Scheduled Tribes (ST).
114
the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the _____, a Scientific Society under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance innovation in technology and excellence in India’s maritime sector through advancing maritime administration by latest technologies.
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
115
The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), organized an international conference on the theme, ‘Sun, Space Weather, and Solar-Stellar Connections’ to mark the 125th anniversary of the _____, from January 20-25, 2025 in Bengaluru (Karnataka).
Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (KSO)
116
an independent Advisory Committee on Wetland City Accreditation(WCA) of the Ramsar Convention, announced the list of 31 newly accredited Wetland Cities, during its 64th meeting held in Gland, Switzerland. Among the newly accredited cities, _____ and _____ became the first two Indian cities to receive the international accreditation as ‘Wetland Cities’.
Indore (Madhya Pradesh, MP) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) - With this, the total number of accredited Wetland Cities has reached 74. * This accreditation was granted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) under the Ramsar Convention. It is valid for 6 years to promotes the conservation and sustainable use of urban wetlands, ensuring ecological and socio-economic benefits for local populations.
117
About Ramsar Convention: The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty aimed at protecting and conserving wetlands and their resources. It was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, a city in ____, and came into effect in 1975. i. This treaty is unique as it is the only international agreement focused on a single ecosystem. It has 172 member countries, including India. ii. India joined the Ramsar Convention in 1982. As of January 2025, India has a total of ____ wetlands protected under this treaty
Iran ; 85
118
the Indian short film _____, received a nomination in the ‘Best Live Action Short Film’ category for the 97th Academy Awards 2025.
‘Anuja’ * The film is backed by Indian actress Priyanka Chopra and producer Guneet Monga as executive producer, with Hollywood star-writer Mindy Kaling as producer. * This marks Guneet Monga’s third Oscar nomination, after ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ and ‘Period: End of Sentence’, both of which won Academy Awards
119
________, a Chennai-based urban air mobility (UAM) startup at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Chennai(Tamil Nadu, TN) has become the first private Indian firm to receive formal acceptance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for Type Certification of its electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, ‘the e200X’.The company plans to launch its eVTOL services by 2026.
The ePlane Company * With this certification, ePlane strengthens its position as a pioneer in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in India
120
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based IDBI Bank Limited has reppointed _____ as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank for three years with effect from March 19 2025.
Rakesh Sharma
121
_____, chairman of International Cricket Council (ICC) was elected as the board member of the London (the United Kingdom, UK)-based Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) advisory board.
Jay Shah * Jay Shah is among the 13 founding members of the newly formed advisory board of World Cricket Connects (WCC), which will be chaired by former Sri Lanka skipper and MCC president Kumar Sangakkara
122
“Soumitra Chatterjee and His World” is a comprehensive biography, written by journalist ______, was released during the Kolkata Literary Meet in West Bengal (WB). It was published by Penguin India’s Vintage Books
Sanghamitra Chakraborty
123
26 January
The United Nations(UN’s) International Day of Clean Energy is observed annually on 26 January across the globe to raise awareness and encourage action toward a fair and inclusive transition to clean energy, benefiting both people and the planet. * 26th January 2025 marks the observance of the 2nd International Day of Clean Energy. Note: Clean energy is crucial in reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and ensuring that communities have access to reliable power sources.
124
January 26 II
International Customs Day (ICD) is observed annually on January 26 across the globe to highlight the vital role of customs officials and customs agencies in maintaining security, trade compliance, and major anti-smuggling achievements. This day also commemorates the inaugural session of the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC) (now World Customs Organization, WCO) held in Brussels, Belgium in 1953. * 26 January 2025 marks the 72nd anniversary of WCO, an intergovernmental body dedicated to enhancing customs administrations worldwide. The theme for ICD 2025 is “Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity.” This theme highlights the ongoing dedication of customs authorities in improving the efficiency of global trade, ensuring security, and fostering economic growth
125
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), a flagship initiative of Government of India (GoI) which aims to secure the financial future of girl children in India, has completed ____ years of successful implementation.
10 * The scheme was launched by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on January 22, 2015 as part of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) campaign in Panipat(Haryana). * The Department of Economic Affairs(DEA) under the Ministry of Finance is responsible for the SSY.
126
Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) flagged off _____, the Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS) from South Block, New Delhi, Delhi.
‘SANJAY’ * It has been indigenously and jointly developed by the Indian Army (IA) and Bengaluru(Karnataka) based Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), establishing a favorable environment for the realization of “Aatmanirbharta” as a sequel to the IA’s “Year of Technology Absorption.” * This system has been developed under the Buy (Indian) category at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore
127
India and the ____ have renewed their health and life sciences partnership by signing a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and sharing knowledge in areas of mutual interest within health and life sciences during a ceremony held in New Delhi (Delhi).
United Kingdom (UK) - The primary focus of the renewed partnership is a shared vision for Universal Health Coverage. * The partnership aims to tackle global health challenges such as Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), digital health innovations, and advancements in pharmaceuticals
128
______, Ministry of Power (MoP) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a Centre of Excellence for Energy Transition (CoEET) at TERI’s Institute of Energy Transition (IoET) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) The project cost is estimated at Rs.25 crore under which BEE will provide a financial support of Rs.5 crore annually for 5 years for assisting in the establishment and functioning of the Centre. * TERI will provide its existing infrastructure at its Hyderabad campus and will monitor the operational activities of the Centre
129
_____ launched ‘VisionNxt’, India’s first fashion forecasting platform that combines Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). This was unveiled during NIFT’s 40th Foundation Day celebrations in Hyderabad.
the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad(Telangana) i. The platform, developed under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), is designed to offer trend insights specifically for India’s fashion and retail industry. ii. VisionNxt aims to reduce India’s dependency on international trend forecasting agencies by using India’s strengths in Information Technology (IT) and textiles.
130
According to the 2025 Military Strength Ranking by the Global Firepower Index (GFP), India has secured ____ place as most powerful military in the world. The United States of America (USA) leads the ranking, followed by Russia in second place and China in third.
4th Note: These top four military powers—USA, Russia, China, and India—have consistently held their ranks since 2006. The GFP 2025 evaluates the military capabilities of 145 countries based on more than 60 factors. i. The factors include troop strength, military hardware, economic stability, geographic positioning across land, sea air and access to natural resources. ii. The ranking assigns a Power Index (PwrIndx) score, where a score of 0.0000 is considered perfect. The system also accounts for smaller, technologically advanced nations, allowing them to compete with larger but less developed countries.
131
the Times Higher Education (THE) has released the ‘World University Rankings by Subject 2025’. ______ stands out as the only Indian institution in the top 100 for Computer science (CS), securing the 96th position for the first time
The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, Karnataka - Last year, IISc Bengaluru, was ranked in the 251-300 range and still led Indian universities in this field. * University of Oxford (the United Kingdom, UK) has topped among all universities followed by the University of Cambridge (UK), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology(the United States of America, USA).
132
the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported in its Global Investment Trends Monitor 2024 that global foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by ____, reaching an estimated USD 1.4 trillion in 2024. However, FDI declined by 8% when excluding flows through European conduit economies. The decline in FDI poses a risk to the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which depend on international project financing. - FDI in India grew by ____, with an increase in both the number and value of greenfield project announcements.
11% ; 13%
133
the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based ______, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), due to irregularities in its digital lending operations.
10 Financial Services Limited (formerly Abhishek Securities Limited) * As a result, the company is no longer allowed to operate as an NBFC. i. The company violated guidelines related to outsourcing financial services by allowing external service providers (SPs) to handle key tasks such as credit appraisal, setting interest rates, and Know Your Customer (KYC) verification. ii. The company had been offering loans through several mobile applications (apps), including Wecash Technology, XNP Technology, Yarlung Technology, Xinrui International, Omelette Technology, Mad-Elephant Network Technology, and Huidatech Technology
134
_______, leader of the Fianna Fail party, was elected as the Prime Minister (PM) of Ireland for a second term. He received 95 votes out of 171 votes in the parliament. He will serve as the PM of Ireland until November 2027. He succeeds Simon Harris.
Micheal Martin
135
_______ was appointed as the 15th Acting Administrator of National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) by the President of the United States of America (USA) Donald John Trump. She became the 1st woman to lead NASA since its founding in 1958 and replaced the 14th NASA administrator, Bill Nelson
Janet E. Petro
136
Chennai (Tamil Nadu TN) based startup _____ successfully deployed its GLX-SQ payload aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Orbital Experimental Module-4 (POEM-4), which was launched on December 30, 2024.
GalaxEye Space Solutions Private Limited * This mission marks the world’s 1st-ever integration of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and optical imagery in orbit. * This first-of-its-kind integration of SAR and optical imagery addresses critical needs in sectors such as defence, agriculture, and disaster response.
137
January 25
National Voters’ Day (NVD) is observed annually across India on 25th January, commemorating the foundation of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1950. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of voting and to encourage active participation in the electoral process and to promote voter registration, especially among the youth The theme of NVD 2025 is “Nothing Like Voting, I Vote For Sure”, a continuation of the 2024 theme
138
About Election Commission of India (ECI): Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) – Rajiv Kumar Election Commissioner (EC) – Gyanesh Kumar ; Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi Established –
1950
139
January 25 II
National Tourism Day is observed annually across India on January 25 to highlight the significance of tourism in India’s economy. The day emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and promoting various tourist destinations across India. - The theme for National Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. * This theme aligns with India’s broader tourism vision, Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, being held from January 13 to February 26, 2024, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP).

GA Daily (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions