NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Pramod Sawant inaugurates the Sci-FI Science Film Festival of India: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has inaugurated the 10th Sci-FI Science Film Festival of India in Panaji.The annual Sci-FI Science Film Festival of India is organised by the Goa government every year to foster curiosity, scientific temperament, and enthusiasm amongst the students.The festival will inspire the youth of the state to pursue a career in science and play a crucial role in making India a developed country by 2047.The theme of the 10th Sci-FI Science Film Festival of India is the Green Revolution. It is a tribute to the father of the Indian Green Revolution Dr M S Swaminathan.
2. KPI Green Energy signs ₹1,311 crore solar project deal with Coal India: KPI Green Energy Limited has signed a agreement with Coal India Limited to develop a 300 MW AC grid-connected solar PV plant in Gujarat’s Khavda region.The project, valued at ₹1,311.40 crore, will be installed at GIPCL’s Solar Park and includes operation and maintenance services for five years.The project demonstrates the ongoing transition in India’s energy sector, with traditional fossil fuel companies like Coal India increasingly investing in renewable energy infrastructure.
3. Garuda Aerospace commits ₹100 crore for developing India’s first drone city in Andhra Pradesh: Chennai-based Garuda Aerospace, a drone manufacturer, has announced an investment of ₹100 crore for the development of Andhra Pradesh as India’s first ‘Drone City’.The project aims to foster drone innovation, research, and development, transforming the nation into a global hub for drone technology.Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace – Agnishwar Jayaprakash
4. Govt forms GoM on financial viability of Discoms : The Government of India has set up a Group of Ministers to address issues related to the viability of the electricity distribution utilities in the country. Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy, Shripad Yesso Naik, is the Chairman of the Group of Ministers.The Group of Ministers will analyze and make recommendations to the government on the following issues –Analyze the debt of the Electricity distribution boards in key states of India.Identify parameters that need to be monitored to ensure borrowings by electricity distribution utilities are productive.Identify States that are in urgent need of liquidity support (cash) and suggest a fiscal discipline program to enable them to avoid a debt trap.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Hisashi Takeuchi re-appointed as Maruti Suzuki’s MD and CEO: Maruti Suzuki India has re-appointed of Hisashi Takeuchi as the company’s Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Takeuchi’s term has been extended for a period of three years from April 1, 2025 till March 31, 2028.Takeuchi took charge as Maruti Suzuki’s MD and CEO on April 1, 2022, after Kenichi Ayukawa completed his term on March 31, 2022. Maruti Suzuki’s Board has also recommended the re-appointment of Maheswar Sahu as an Independent Director for a further period of five years, from May 14, 2025, to May 13, 2030.
2. 30 January – World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day: World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) Day is observed annually on January 30 to raise awareness about neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and mobilize global efforts to eliminate them.These diseases affect over 1.7 billion people worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions with poor access to healthcare, clean water, and sanitation.Theme 2025 – Act. Eliminate.It was officially recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2021.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Thomas Cook India appointed as exclusive partner for National Games 2025: Omnichannel travel firm Thomas Cook (India) has partnered with the central government for providing accommodation, catering and transport services for the National Games of India 2025 being held in Uttarakhand.National Games of India 2025 is a multi-sport extravaganza bringing together top athletes from across the country to participate in 32 sporting disciplines and 4 demonstration events during January 28-February 14, 2025.Thomas Cook India has been appointed the exclusive partner to deliver end-to-end management across 3 key portfolios of accommodation, catering and transport for 20,000 contingents, including over 10,000 athletes, 5,000 support staff, and 3,000 dignitaries.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla to Become First Indian Astronaut on Private Space Mission to ISS: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission.Shukla will fly aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a joint venture between NASA and ISRO.Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) Fighter Wing in 2006 and underwent astronaut training in Moscow in 2019.The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. Shukla will serve as the mission pilot, alongside mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).The crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting scientific experiments, educational outreach, and commercial activities with NASA and ISRO.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Govt unveils new Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme to support MSME growth: The Centre has approved the introduction of the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS—MSME), which provides 60 percent guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for credit facilities up to Rs. 100 crore sanctioned to eligible MSMEs. This fulfils the budget announcement of 2024-25.MCGS-MSME is expected to facilitate the availability of credit for the purchase of Plant and Machinery/Equipment by MSMEs, giving a major boost to manufacturing and thereby to Make in India.MLIs include All Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and All India Financial institutions (AIFIs) that register with NCGTC under the scheme.Borrower should be an MSME with a valid Udyam Registration Number. The loan amount guaranteed shall not exceed Rs. 100 crore.
2. IRDAI caps senior citizen health premium hike at 10% annually: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has stepped in to curb steep health insurance premium hikes.Insurers can no longer raise premiums for policyholders aged 60 and above by more than 10% per year without prior approval, which will ensure accessibility of health insurance to those who are the most vulnerable to medical inflation.
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