NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Amit Shah launched BHARATPOL to streamline Red Corner Notices through INTERPOL: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has launched the BHARATPOL portal developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi.The BHARATPOL portal will streamline the processing of all requests for international assistance through INTERPOL, including the issuance of Red Notices and other colour-coded INTERPOL notices.The BHARATPOL portal has been developed by the CBI It would give a new edge to Indian investigation agencies by enhancing their global reach to fulfil the Modi government’s vision to build a secure Bharat for all.BHARATPOL portal will significantly facilitate Indian law enforcement agencies enabling real-time information sharing for faster access to international police assistance.
2. Loksabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurates Gandhi Darshan Art Gallery at Rajghat: Loksabha Speaker Om Birla has inaugurated the Gandhi Darshan Art Gallery at Rajghat in New Delhi.In the gallery, more than 80 Artists have showcased their art to portray the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi in a unique and modern way.Darshan Art Gallery will enhance knowledge of today’s youth about Gandhian Principles.This event was organised by the Ministry of Culture, Lalit Kala Academy and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti.
3. Nadi Tarangini, first ayurvedic diagnostic device, gets CDSCO nod: ‘Nadi Tarangini’, an indigenously developed pulse diagnostic tool has become India’s first Ayurvedic medical device to get approval for use from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization CDSCO, a national regulator for the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and medical devices sector in India.Brainchild of Padma Bhushan Prof J. B. Joshi, Chancellor of the prestigious Institute of Chemical Technology (Formerly UDCT) and the President of Marathi Vidnyan Parishad the device has been developed by Dr. Aniruddha Joshi, with intense research work of over 6 years at IIT Bombay.“Nadi Tarangini is an advanced AI-powered pulse diagnostic device designed to speed up traditional Ayurvedic practices. It combines ultra-sensitive sensors with cutting-edge algorithms. It delivers precise pulse readings to provide detailed health insights.
4. Suzuki to acquire 26% stake in NDDB’s bio-gas venture: Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to acquire 26 per cent stake in NDDB Mirda Ltd, a bio-gas venture of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), as part of its plans to use Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) for longevity and performance of vehicles.There is also a provision in the deal whereby Suzuki can gradually increase their equity in the company to 49 per cent.Suzuki R&D Center India Pvt Ltd (SRDI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation.As of now, Suzuki will invest to acquire 26 per cent equity in NDDB Mirda Ltd and the remaining 74 per cent will remain with NDDB.
5. CSIR develops Paracetamol drugs indigenously: Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed the technology to produce Paracetamol indigenously.This was announced by Dr Jitendra Singh at the 40th Foundation Day of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) in New Delhi on 5 January 2025.The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is a part of the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.The Director General of the CSIR is the Secretary of the DSIR. The current Secretary of DSIR Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, and Professor A.K. Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the government of India were also present on the occasion.The development of Indigenous technology for manufacturing paracetamol by the CSIR will make India self-sufficient in the drugs that are used in case of fever and pain.
6. Centre approves site for Pranab Mukherjee’s memorial at Raj Ghat: The Central Government has approved the establishment of a memorial dedicated to former President Pranab Mukherjee in the Rashtriya Smriti complex, situated in the Rajghat area of New Delhi.Pranab Mukherjee, who served as the 13th President of India from 2012 to 2017, had a political career spanning five decades. A senior leader of the Indian National Congress, he held key ministerial portfolios, including Finance Minister from 2009 to 2012, before his election as President.Mukherjee was conferred with India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 2019 by his successor, President Ram Nath Kovind.Former President Pranab Mukherjee, who passed away in August 2020.
7. Nitin Gadkari announces cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has launched a new scheme to provide cashless treatment to road accident victims.Once the police are informed within 24 hours of the accident, the scheme will immediately provide for the victim’s cost of treatment for 7 days or a maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh.In case of death in a hit-and-run case, the immediate family of the deceased person will receive Rs 2 lakh.Gadkari also highlighted road safety as a top priority. In 2024, 1.8 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents across India. Among these, around 30,000 deaths were due to the non-use of helmets.
8. e-Shram portal now available in 22 languages: The e-Shram portal has been upgraded and it will now be available in all 22 scheduled languages so that unorganised workers from different regions of the country can access it and avail of government benefits.The previous version was available only in English, Hindi, Kannada and Marathi.Union Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya has launched the multilingual e-Shram portal which is in line with the vision of making it a ‘One-Stop-Solution’ website for all unorganised registered workers to avail benefits of various government schemes designed to support their welfare, livelihood and wellbeing.MEITY’s Bhashini project has been leveraged to upgrade the e-Shram portal with 22 languages. Registration of building and other construction workers (BoCW) and gig and platform workers on the portal is ongoing.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India ranked second in attacks by threat actors in 2024: CloudSEK: India ranked as the second most targeted nation globally for cyberattacks in 2024, with 95 entities falling victim to data theft, according to CloudSEK’s Threat Landscape Report 2024.The report highlighted critical vulnerabilities across sectors, exposing the risks accompanying rapid digitisation.The United States led the list of most targeted countries, with 140 cyberattacks attributed to its economic and digital prominence, followed by India with 95 attacks and Israel with 57. CloudSEK’s report pointed out that India’s rapid digital adoption has made it increasingly susceptible to cyber threats.The financial and banking sectors in India were the most affected, with 20 breaches reported, followed by the government (13), telecommunications (12), healthcare and pharma (10) and education (9).
2. 8 January – Earth’s Rotation Day: Earth’s Rotation Day is observed every year on January 8.The day encourages awareness about the Earth’s 24-hour rotational period, which forms the basis for the concept of time and the division of hours, minutes, and seconds.The Earth’s Rotation Day celebrates the anniversary of French physicist Leon Foucault’s 1851 proof that the Earth rotates on its axis. The day also honours Foucault’s first public demonstration in Paris.The Earth’s diameter is 12,714 kilometres (7,900 miles) from the North toward the South Poles and 12,756 kilometres (12,756 miles) via the equator (7,926 miles).70 per cent of Earth’s surface is covered by water. Just 3 per cent of that is freshwater, with 97 per cent being saltwater.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Anji Khad Rail Bridge: India’s First Cable-Stayed Bridge: The Anji Khad Rail Bridge, located in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir, is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge. It is part of the ambitious Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project. This project aims to enhance connectivity in the region, which is crucial for both economic development and tourism. Constructing the bridge posed numerous challenges due to the region’s complex geological features. The site is characterised by faults, folds, and seismic activity. To address these issues, detailed investigations were conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) at Roorkee and Delhi. A hybrid foundation was employed at the Katra end to stabilise the slopes, ensuring the bridge’s structural integrity.
2. Inaugural India-Malaysia Security Dialogue: India and Malaysia have recently taken steps to enhance their bilateral relationship through the inaugural India-Malaysia Security Dialogue held in New Delhi. This meeting was co-chaired by India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, and Malaysia’s National Security Council Director General, Raja Dato Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin. The dialogue marks a very important moment in the two nations’ efforts to collaborate on various security issues, reflecting their commitment to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
SPORTS
1. Bahadur Singh Sagoo elected as President of Athletics Federation of India: Asian Games gold medallist Bahadur Singh Sagoo elected as the new President of Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
The Asian Games shot put medallist succeeded Adille Sumariwalla, the outgoing president, during the Annual General Assembly Meeting of the federation in Chandigarh.With Sagoo’s arrival, Sumariwalla’s tenure as AFI president, which lasted more than a decade, comes to an end. The 67-year-old had been serving as the AFI president since 2012.Sagoo, a one-time Asian medallist and two-time national champion, won a gold medal in the shot put at the 2002 Busan Asian Games. He also competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics. His best attempt of 20.40m came in 2004 in Koncha-Zaspa, Kyiv.
2. Rishi Dhawan announces retirement from Indian limited-overs cricket: Allrounder Rishi Dhawan has announced his retirement from Indian limited-overs cricket. Dhawan’s announcement comes after the final day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy’s group stage phase with Himachal Pradesh not making it to the next stage.However, Dhawan’s retirement announcement on his social media handle has specifically mentioned limited overs cricket, which suggests he will be available to play for Himachal in the remainder of the Ranji season.The 34-year-old has represented India four times at the international level, with all four outings coming in the year 2016. He has also been a part of Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL previously but went unsold in the recent auctions.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Mandates 15-Day Credit Score Updates: As of January 1, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has implemented regulation requiring lenders to update credit bureau records every 15 days. This change aims to enhance the accuracy and timeliness of credit score calculations, reflecting borrowers’ financial activities more promptly. Previously, updates occurred monthly, which often delayed the representation of loan repayments and defaults. The RBI issued this mandate in August 2024, allowing lenders and credit bureaus time to adjust their systems accordingly.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Lionel Messi Honoured with the US Presidential Medal of Freedom: Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina men’s football team and one of the greatest footballers of all time, was honoured with the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian award.This recognition marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career, making him the first male footballer to receive this prestigious honour.The award ceremony celebrated a total of 19 distinguished individuals for their contributions to various fields. Among the recipients were prominent personalities such as:
2. About US Presidential Medal of Freedom –: The US Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award of the United States of America. It is similar to the Bharat Ratna in India.In 1945 the then United States President Harry Truman established the Medal of Freedom to honour civilians for their notable service during the Second World War.
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