Daily GK Update- 17th Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Dharmendra Pradhan launches registration portal for Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has launched the registration portal for the third edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, a 10-day event to be held in Varanasi. The event will be held from 15 February to 24, 2025.The portal, kashitamil.iitm.ac.in, hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, will accept registrations until 1 February.The event, organized by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, will celebrate the age-old links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi. This year, the event will be dedicated to Maharishi Agasthyar.Competitions and other awareness programs in Tamil Nadu prior to KTS 3.0 will be organized in a befitting manner in major cities of India and abroad where there is considerable Tamil diaspora. KTS 2.0 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Varanasi on 17th December, 2023.

 

2. 1st astronomical observatory of Eastern India inaugurated in Bengal: The first astronomical observatory of Eastern India and the sixth in the country under the Department of Science and Technology, Union Ministry of Science and Technology has been inaugurated atop the Panchet Hill in the Garpanchkot area of Purulia district in West Bengal.It is the sixth such observatory in India after Ladakh, Nainital (Uttarakhand), Mount Abu (Rajasthan), Girbani Hills in Pune, and Kavalur in Tamil Nadu.The observatory set up in Garpanchkot Hills has been named after famous scientist Satyendra Nath Bose. The observatory has been established by the Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences.The Satyendra Nath Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)with the Sidhu Kanu Birsa University,Purulia for running the observatory and sharing resources.

 

3. JM Financial appoints Ankur Jhaveri as head of Institutional Equities: JM Financial has appointed Ankur Jhaveri as the MD & CEO of Institutional Equities at JM Financial Institutional Securities.He will be responsible for strengthening the sales, trading, research, and derivatives businesses.Ankur brings nearly two decades of experience in institutional equities and derivatives. Before joining JM Financial, he served as Managing Director at Axis Capital.He holds an MBA in Finance and Financial Management Services from the NL Dalmia Institute of Management Studies and Research and a Master’s in Finance (International Finance) from ICFAI University.

 

4. Vineet Joshi assumes charge as Secretary, Department of Higher Education: Vineet Joshi, a seasoned Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 1992 batch from the Manipur cadre, has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.Before this appointment, Joshi served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur, a position he assumed in May 2023 amid escalating ethnic tensions in the state.Vineet Joshi has previously held the position of Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), overseeing major entrance examinations such as the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main.Additionally, he has served as the Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), where he was instrumental in introducing the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India & Spain sign two MoUs during Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to Spain: India and Spain have signed two MoUs to strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between the two countries. These agreements focused on cooperation in sports and sustainable urban development.The agreement was signed during External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishanakar’s visit to Spain. This was the second visit to Spain by Dr Jaishankar. His previous visit was with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017.During the visit of Pedro Sanchez, both countries decided to celebrate 2026 as the “Year of Culture, Tourism, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)”.

 

2. India to lead G20 insurance growth with 7.3% annual premium surge: Swiss Re: India’s insurance market is poised for rapid growth, with the country projected to lead the G20 nations in premium expansion at an average rate of 7.3 percent annually between 2025 and 2029, according to Swiss Re’s latest insurance market outlook report.Swiss Re also forecasts that India will surpass Germany and Japan to become the world’s third-largest economy by the end of this decade. This trajectory is expected to benefit from steady global economic growth, projected at 2.8 percent in 2025 and 2.7 percent in 2026.Swiss Re also expects India to be the fastest growing G20 economy over the next ten years (2025-2034) with average real GDP growth of 6.2 percent annually (10 percent in nominal terms). It also sees India GDP growing 6.9 percent in 2025, up from 6.5 percent in 2024 and higher than the annual average of 5.8 percent over previous ten years.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Armed Forces conducts Exercise Devil Strike: The Indian Armed Forces has conducted a major military exercise, Exercise Devil Strike. A joint exercise involving the elite airborne soldiers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force.The exercise occurred at the training areas and firing ranges, validating critical drills and enhancing operational readiness in a challenging environment.The exercise comprises complex airborne operations on various aircraft including troop and equipment insertion in hostile terrain. The exercise focuses on assessment and refinement of the logistic sustenance strategies ensuring troops remain well-equipped and operational in extremely challenging conditions.

 

2. Defence Ministry signs contract with Bharat Dynamics for Navy’s medium-range surface-to-air missiles: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a 2,960 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the supply of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) for the Indian Navy.The MRSAM system will be fitted onboard multiple Indian Naval ships and is planned for integration into future naval platforms.This contract aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,’ with the missiles being supplied under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category, incorporating predominantly indigenous content.The project is expected to generate around 3.5 lakh mandays of employment in the defence sector, including contributions from various MSMEs, further bolstering India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Smriti Mandhana Smashes India’s Fastest Women’s ODI Century: Smriti Mandhana smashed the fastest ODI century by an Indian woman during the third ODI against Ireland at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot.The stand-in India captain reached the milestone in just 70 deliveries, surpassing regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s record of 87 balls against South Africa in 2024.The 28-year-old opener’s 10th ODI century was adorned with 12 fours and seven sixes as she was eventually dismissed for an 80-ball 135.Mandhana’s triple-figure score is the joint-seventh fastest overall in the format, equalling former England cricketer Charlotte Edwards’ effort from 2012.

 

2. Arjun Erigaisi stuns Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana to win online chess event: Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi achieved a remarkable feat in the online chess community by defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in the Titled Tuesday weekly blitz competition conducted by Chess.com.His only loss in the tournament came against the American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, which came in the seventh round. Nakamura also finished the tournament with 10 points, but the Indian grandmaster had better tiebreaks. He defeated Magnus Carlsen with black pieces in round 10 and after that, he defeated Fabiano Caruana in the 11th and last round.The Titled Tuesday is an online competition for titled chess players who have legal accounts with Chess.com. The players are asked to make themselves available on Zoom calls due to fair play reasons.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DPIIT joins hands with ITC to bolster India’s startup ecosystem and innovation: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with ITC Limited, one of India’s leading diversified conglomerates.This collaboration charts a shared vision to accelerate startup growth and technological advancement besides creation of viable market opportunities for startups across the country.Under this partnership, ITC is looking to deploy startup solutions in key areas such as digital platforms for Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), integrating renewable energy opportunities for manufacturing locations, energy storage systems, etc.

 

2. Pixxel launches India’s 1st private satellite constellation with SpaceX: Google-backed Indian space start-up company Pixxel has become the first Indian private company to launch its commercial satellite constellation named Firefly on board a Space X rocket.The SpaceX rocket also carried the world’s first commercial satellite for surveillance of space objects orbiting the earth, made by an Indian space company, Digantara.The satellites were launched aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission of SpaceX onboard the Falcon 9 rocket from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the United States of America.The satellites will be placed in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550 km.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Bank of Baroda launches ‘bob Liquid FD’ for enhanced liquidity and convenience: Bank of Baroda has introduced “bob Liquid Fixed Deposits” as an alternative to the traditional fixed deposit (FD), combining the benefits of FD interest rates with the convenience of easy liquidity associated with a Savings Account.The new deposit gives depositors the flexibility of a partial withdrawal without having to close the entire FD, ensuring that depositors can address their urgent financial needs as and when required.The bob Liquid FD has features such as flexible deposit amounts starting at ₹5,000 (and in multiples of ₹1,000 thereafter, with no maximum deposit amount), tenure options ranging from 12 to 60 months and partial withdrawals accepted in multiples of ₹1,000.Further, no penalty is levied for premature withdrawals on Fixed Deposits up to ₹5 lakh that have completed a tenor of at least 12 months.

 

2. NPCI International partners with Magnati to expand UPI acceptance in UAE: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has partnered with UAE-based payment solution provider Magnati to advance QR-based Unified Payments Interface (UPI) merchant payments via point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the Middle East.The collaboration aims to expand QR-based merchant payment network in UAE by enabling more merchants to provide UPI as a payment method to Indian travellers, NIPL, the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).UPI is recognised as one of the world’s most successful real-time payment systems, processing over 16 billion transactions in Dec 2024.With this partnership, NIPL can provide seamless payment options to more than 12 million Indians travelling to Dubai and the UAE annually.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Singapore confers Honorary Citizen Award on Tarun Das: Singapore has conferred the Honorary Citizen Award on Tarun Das, former Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), for his invaluable contributions to Singapore and Singapore-India relations.The award was presented by Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a ceremony held in New Delhi.The Honorary Citizen Award is the highest recognition bestowed by the Singapore Government on non-Singaporeans for their outstanding contributions to the country’s growth and development.It is conferred on individuals who have made significant contributions in areas such as business, science and technology, information and communications, education, health, arts and culture, sports, tourism, community services, or security.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 16th Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Gaan Ngai festival commemorates end of harvest season in Manipur: The Gaan Ngai festival commemorating the end of the harvest season by the Kabui/Rongmei Naga community is being celebrated in Manipur.Gaan-ngai is the festival of lights and victory, victory over evil; (Gaan means light and Ngai, festival).Another version of Gaan-ngai is the festival of winter season. Chakaan means season, Gaan also means winter and Ngai, festival. This festival is also described as a New Year festival as it marks the end of the year and beginning of the New Year.

 

2. PM Modi Launches ‘Mission Mausam’ on IMD’s 150th Foundation Day: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched “Mission Mausam”, which aims to make the country a “weather-ready” and “climate-smart” nation, in New Delhi as part of the events marking the 150th foundation day of the India Meteorological Department.The “Mission Mausam” aims to achieve its target by developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers.It will also focus on improving the understanding of weather and climate processes, provide air quality data that will help strategize weather management and intervention in the long run.The IMD was founded in 15January 1875 and is one of the oldest meteorological organizations in the world.

 

3. Odisha announces monthly pension of Rs 20,000 for people imprisoned during Emergency: The Odisha government has announced a monthly pension of Rs 20,000 and other benefits for people jailed during Emergency.Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared the provision of monthly pension for those arrested and imprisoned during the Emergency under Maintenance of Internal Security Act, Defence of India Rule or Defence and Internal Security of India Rules.Along with pension, the state government will bear the medical expenses of all the people jailed during the Emergency. Pension and medical facilities will be available to all people still alive as of January 1, 2025.Hundreds were imprisoned in various jails across the country for opposing the Emergency between June 25, 1975 and March 21, 1977.

 

4. Angel One Names Ambarish Kenghe as Group CEO: Angel One has appointed Ambarish Kenghe as its group chief executive officer. Kenghe will assume the role in March 2025.Kenghe has previously served as vice president and general manager, Google Pay APAC, where he was involved in expanding the platform’s reach and supporting the UPI ecosystem in India.His earlier roles include chief product officer, Myntra, a consultant at Bain & Company, and an engineer at Cisco Systems.Chairman and Managing Director of Angel One – Dinesh Thakkar.

 

5. Centre clears appointment of Justice K Vinod Chandran as Supreme Court judge: Patna High Court Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court.The Supreme Court Collegium recommended Justice Chandran’s name.Justice Chandran was appointed as a judge of the Kerala High Court on November 8, 2011. He was elevated as the chief justice Patna High Court on March 29, 2023.Once he takes oath as a judge of the top court, the working strength of the Supreme Court would rise to 33. Its sanctioned strength is 34, including the chief justice of India.The President in exercise of powers under Article 124(2) of the Constitution, made the appointment.

 

6. Manisha Pande’s book reveals middle class India as a driver of change: Journalist Manisha Pande’s launched its book Middle Class India: Driving Change in the 21st Century.It is divided into three parts.Part I looks at the middle class in pre-Independence India, focusing on the period from 1757 to 1947.Part II concerns itself with the time frame between when India freed itself from the clutches of British colonial rule in 1947 to economic liberalisation in 1991.Part III is about the post-liberalisation scenario, from 1991 until the present day.

 

7. 16 January – National Startup Day: National Startup Day is celebrated annually on 16th January to recognize and promote the entrepreneurial spirit in India.It was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022 to celebrate the contribution of startups to the Indian economy.The day highlights the role of startups in driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth across various sectors.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Puma ropes in PV Sindhu as a brand ambassador: PV Sindhu, two-time Olympic medallist and one of India’s greatest sporting trailblazers, has joined forces with sports brand PUMA India in a multi-year partnership as brand ambassador.Sindhu’s achievements have played a crucial role in popularising badminton as a competitive sport in India. She is the first Indian to win five badminton world championship medals and has triumphed across the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and beyond.She has been honoured with the prestigious Khel Ratna award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Arjuna Award.

 

2. Clouded Leopard Conservation Efforts in Asia: The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is an elusive predator found in Asia’s ancient forests. Its striking coat patterns have made it a subject of fascination. However, its population is declining rapidly due to habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as ‘vulnerable’. Recent studies highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to address these threats and ensure the species’ survival. The clouded leopard’s range includes the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan, and India, extending to South China and Peninsular Malaysia. Populations in Taiwan are extinct, while those in Vietnam and China are critically low. The IUCN classifies the species’ range into four statuses – extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct. The extant range currently includes Bhutan, northeast India, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. PM Modi dedicates frontline naval combatants INS Surat, INS Nilgiri & INS Vaghsheer to the nation: Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation three frontline naval combatants – INS Surat, INS Nilgiri and INS Vaghsheer – on their commissioning at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra on the occasion of Indian Army Day.The Prime Minister also launched of new platforms, including the INS Nilgiri, dedicated to the maritime prowess of the Chola dynasty, and the Surat warship.INS Surat, the fourth and final ship of the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, ranks among the largest and most sophisticated destroyers in the world. It has an indigenous content of 75% and is equipped with state-of-the-art weapon-sensor packages and advanced network-centric capabilities.INS Nilgiri, the first ship of the P17A Stealth Frigate Project, has been designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and incorporates advanced features for enhanced survivability, seakeeping, and stealth, reflecting the next generation of indigenous frigates.

 

2. 15 January – Indian Army Day: Indian Army Day is celebrated annually on 15th January to honor the bravery and sacrifices of Indian Army personnel. This year marks the 77th anniversary of Indian Army Day.It marks the day in 1949 when General K.M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Roy Bucher.The day is observed with grand parades, military displays, and tributes at the National War Memorial and Amar Jawan Jyoti.Theme 2025 – Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena’ (Capable India, Empowered Army)

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Bumrah and Sutherland named ICC Men’s Player of the month for December 2024: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the ICC Men’s and Women’s Players of the Month for December 2024 as India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland.Top-ranked Test bowler Bumrah provided stern resistance to Australia’s resurgence in a compelling Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with destructive bowling spells, while Sutherland was in sparkling form during Australia’s ODI encounters against India and New Zealand, twice winning Player of the Series accolades for her all-round-contributions.Both players were crowned following a vote conducted among global fans registered at ICC-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Centre reconstitutes Atomic Energy Commission: The government has re-constituted the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) to include T V Somanathan and Manoj Govil, who took over as the Cabinet Secretary and Expenditure Secretary respectively.The AEC also includes Pankaj Kumar Mishra who took over as Member (Finance) last year, according to a notification issued on October 21 last year and published in the Gazette on January 9.The reconstituted AEC has Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, as its chairman.The AEC is tasked with formulating policies for the Department of Atomic Energy.

 

2. Blue Origin launched its first orbital rocket ‘New Glenn’: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’s company ‘Blue Origin’ has launched its first orbital rocket ‘New Glenn’ from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.New Glenn carry a payload — Blue Ring Pathfinder, which will test key systems for the Defense Innovation Unit’s Orbital Logistics programme.New Glenn which is 98 m tall, is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built and launched. It is named after NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit Earth, completing three orbits in 1962.In December, Blue Origin announced that New Glenn successfully completed the crucial hot-fire test. It was the first test of the integrated launch vehicle.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Suryoday SFB partners with Tata Digital to Launch FD Offerings on Tata Neu Platform: Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB), a prominent digital-first small finance bank, has partnered with Tata Digital to extend its fixed deposit (FD) offerings via the Tata Neu platform.This collaboration will enable SSFB to leverage Tata Neu’s reach, providing retail customers with access to the deposit scheme.SSFB’s FD offering will be available on the Tata Neu platform, where customers can invest in fixed deposits at interest rates of up to 9.1% without the need for a savings account. Customers can start investing with as little as Rs. 1,000 and the onboarding process can be completed in a few minutes.

 

2. Equitas SFB revises SB deposit rates, introduces new slabs: Equitas Small Finance Bank has introduced two new slabs for savings bank (SB) deposit holders.Balances above ₹ 10 lakhs and up to ₹25 lakhs and from ₹25 lakhs to ₹1 crore earn interest of 7 per cent and 7.25 per cent, respectively.Balances up to ₹1 lakh will continue to earn an interest rate of 3.00%, while the extended slab for balances between ₹1 lakh and ₹10 lakhs will provide an interest rate of 5.00 per cent.And balances from ₹1 crore to ₹25 crores will earn 7.50 per cent. For balances above ₹25 crore, the existing rate of 7.80 per cent remains unchanged.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 15th Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project: The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) is initiative aimed at enhancing irrigation in Rajasthan. This project will impact 23 districts and is crucial for providing  water for irrigation, drinking, and industrial use. However, it poses environmental challenges, particularly regarding the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. The PKC-ERCP will submerge 408.86 sq km of land, including 37 sq km of the Ranthambhore tiger reserve. This reserve is home to 57 tigers and is vital for wildlife conservation. The project aims to channel surplus water from the Chambal river basin, benefiting approximately 3.45 crore people in Rajasthan.

 

2. SECL Launches Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) Cell: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) based in Chhattisgarh, has launched a dedicated Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) Cell to enhance the welfare and convenience of its retired employees.

The PRB Cell will serve as a single-window system, consolidating various post-retirement services that multiple departments, including Personnel, Finance, and Medical previously managed.This centralization aims to eliminate delays and miscommunication, providing retirees withstreamlined access to pensions, provident funds, medical facilities, and other benefits.The initiative also complements ‘Mission Sambandh,’ an SECL program aimed at enhancing communication and coordination with stakeholders.

 

3. Gautam Adani announces ₹65,000 crore investment in energy, cement projects in Chhattisgarh: The Adani Group will invest Rs 65,000 crore in energy and cement projects in Chhattisgarh.Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and announced an investment of Rs 60,000 crore to expand the group’s power plants in Raipur, Korba and Raigarh in the state. The expansion will enhance Chhattisgarh’s power generation capacity by 6,120 MW.Adani Power is India’s top private thermal power producer. It is targeting to double its thermal power capacity to 30.67 GW by 2029-30 from 15 GW currently.

The firm said last month it was exploring options of investing Rs 20,000 crore to set up a coal-fired ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Bihar.In Chhattisgarh, the Adani Group also committed Rs 5,000 crore for the development and expansion of its cement plants, as per the statement.C-DOT and IIT Mandi sign agreement for “Developing Semiconductor Chip of Wideband Spectrum

 

4. Sensor for Dynamic Spectrum Access”: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), GoI has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT Jammu), for the development of “Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip, for Enhancing the Spectrum Utilization”.The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This scheme, designed to fund Indian startups, academia, and R&D institutions, is a crucial enabler for designing, developing, and commercializing telecommunication products and solutions. The project aims to develop a reliable and implementation-friendly wideband spectrum sensing (WSS) algorithm to improve spectrum efficiency by leveraging spectrum holes to deliver broadband services in rural India.

 

5. Devajit Saikia appointed as BCCI Secretary; Prabhtej Singh Bhatia elected Treasurer: Former first-class cricketer Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Jay Shah, who assumed the role of ICC Chairman last year.Prabhtej Singh Bhatia was elected as the Treasurer of the Indian Cricket Board.Saikia, who represented Assam in the 1990-91 first-class cricket season, scored 53 runs in four matches. He also has significant experience in cricket administration, having served as the BCCI joint secretary and the secretary of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA).

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Clouded Leopard Conservation Efforts in Asia: The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is an elusive predator found in Asia’s ancient forests. Its striking coat patterns have made it a subject of fascination. However, its population is declining rapidly due to habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as ‘vulnerable’. Recent studies highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts to address these threats and ensure the species’ survival. The clouded leopard’s range includes the Himalayas in Nepal, Bhutan, and India, extending to South China and Peninsular Malaysia. Populations in Taiwan are extinct, while those in Vietnam and China are critically low. The IUCN classifies the species’ range into four statuses – extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct. The extant range currently includes Bhutan, northeast India, Myanmar, and parts of Southeast Asia.

 

2. Thailand Bans Plastic Waste Imports in 2025: Thailand has recently taken step in combating the global plastic waste crisis by banning the import of plastic waste. This decision, effective from January 1, 2025, aims to address the toxic pollution that has plagued the country for years. Thailand has been a major destination for plastic waste from developed nations, including the United States and Japan. The following notes outline the context and implications of this ban. Thailand has been a leading importer of plastic waste since 2018. Over this period, the country received more than 1.1 million tonnes of plastic scraps. In 2023 alone, Japan exported approximately 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste to Thailand. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment introduced the ban to prevent the mishandling of waste, which often resulted in burning rather than recycling.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Pune to Host Army Day Parade 2025: The Army Day Parade, event in India’s military calendar, will take place in Pune for the first time on 15 January 2025. This parade commemorates the appointment of Field Marshal K M Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. The event, which traditionally occurs in Delhi, has been rotating to different cities since 2023, enhancing local engagement with the Armed Forces. Pune’s selection puts stress on its historical connection to the military, being home to the Southern Command Headquarters and the National Defence Academy Indian Army Day is celebrated annually on 15 January. This date marks the founding of the Indian Army and the transfer of military leadership to Indian hands post-independence. Originally observed on 1 April 1895, the date was changed to honour the contributions and sacrifices of soldiers. The day aims to instil patriotism and respect for the armed forces among citizens.

 

2. Launch of INS Utkarsh: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has successfully launched the second multi-purpose vessel (MPV) for the Indian Navy, named INS Utkarsh. The launch took place at the Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. This event marks India’s advancements in indigenous shipbuilding as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. The launch occurred within three months of the first MPV, INS Samarthak, demonstrating L&T’s accelerated production capabilities.

 

3. CISF Expands with New Battalions for Security: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is undergoing expansion, as approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This decision will create two additional battalions, each comprising 1,025 personnel. The total number of CISF battalions will increase from 13 to 15, resulting in 2,050 new job opportunities. The expansion aims to enhance national security, particularly in internal security and the management of high-security jails. The MHA’s approval for the creation of two new battalions reflects the increasing demands placed on the CISF. Each battalion will be led by senior commandant officers. This expansion is part of a broader effort to boost national security, especially following the establishment of the Mahila Battalion. The total personnel strength of CISF will approach 200,000, enhancing its capabilities.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. First edition of the Kho Kho World Cup starts in New Delhi: The first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup started at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 13 January 2025. The World Cup was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India.The Kho Kho World Cup has been organised by the Kho Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association in New Delhi from 13-19 January 2025.During the World Cup, each team will consist of 12 players, however during a match only 9 players from each team will actually take the field.The first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup features 20 countries’ men’s and 19 women’s teams. The men and women kho kho teams have been divided into four groups.

The 15-member Indian men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar and the women’s team is led by Priyanka Ingle.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Retinal Vascular Analysis for Assessing Stroke Risk: Recent research has brought into light the potential of retinal vascular analysis as a non-invasive method for assessing stroke risk. This study, involving over 68,000 fundus images, identified 29 indicators of retinal health. It reported nearly 750 strokes over a follow-up period of 12.5 years. Researchers found that the blood vessels in the retina can predict stroke risk as accurately as traditional risk factors, such as high cholesterol. This finding is particularly for primary healthcare and low-resource settings, where invasive lab tests may not be feasible. Retinal vascular analysis examines the blood vessels in the retina to assess overall vascular health. It employs fundus photography, a specialised imaging technique, to capture detailed images of the retina. The analysis identifies changes in the vascular network, which can indicate potential health risks, including stroke.

 

2. IMD’s Vision-2047 Document: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently celebrated its 150th foundation day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the Vision-2047 document, outlining ambitious goals for  weather forecasting and disaster management. The IMD aims for 100% accuracy in  weather forecasts for three days and 90% for five days. The initiative seeks to enhance severe weather detection at the village level, ultimately aiming for zero fatalities from such events by 2047. The IMD has set specific targets for forecast accuracy. The goals include 100% accuracy for three days, 90% for five days, 80% for seven days, and 70% for ten days. These targets will cover all severe weather events at block and panchayat levels. The focus is on improving the reliability of weather predictions to protect communities.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IDBI Bank unveils Chiranjeevi Super Senior Citizen FD, offers 8.5% interest: IDBI Bank has introduced a new specialised fixed deposit scheme, ‘IDBI Chiranjeevi-Super Senior Citizen FD,’ targeting customers aged 80 years and above.The premium offering provides enhanced interest rates, with an additional 65 basis points above standard fixed deposit rates and 15 basis points over existing senior citizen rates.The 555-day tenure under this scheme offers an interest rate of 8.05 per cent per annum, making it one of the most competitive options in the market for super senior citizens.The bank has also introduced appealing rates for other tenure options, including 7.90 per cent per annum for 375 days, 8.00 per cent per annum for 444 days, and 7.85 per cent per annum for 700 days.

 

2. Mutual fund investors in India can now name up to 10 nominees: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has announced significant changes to the nomination rules for mutual funds and demat accounts aimed at reducing unclaimed assets and ensuring better management of investments, particularly in cases of illness or the death of an investor.SEBI has revises mutual fund nomination rules, effective March 1, 2025. An investor can declare up to 10 persons as nominees in the demat account or mutual fund folio. However, the investor will need to declare the nominee. It cannot be done by the Power of Attorney (PoA) holder(s) of the investor.The nominees can either continue as joint holders with other nominees or open separate single accounts/folios for their respective portions.Under the new guidelines, investors are now required to provide comprehensive information about their nominees. 

 

Daily GK Update- 14th Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Piyush Goyal launches National Turmeric Board to Support Farmers: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal has inaugurated the National Turmeric Board at Vanijya Bhawan in New Delhi for the welfare of cultivators across 20 states.The government has appointed Palle Ganga Reddy as its first chairperson. The headquarters of the Board has been set up inRepresentatives from various ministries will be part of the National Turmeric Board in the coming days. Representatives from exporters and producers’ bodies will also be included on the Board.The Board will ensure quality and safety standards of turmeric production and exports. Last year, 2023-24, an area of 3.05 lakh hectare was under turmeric cultivation in India with a production of 10.74 lakh tonnes.

 

2. SECL Launches Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB) Cell: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) based in Chhattisgarh, has launched a dedicated PostRetirement Benefit (PRB) Cell to enhance the welfare and convenience of its retired employees.The PRB Cell will serve as a single-window system, consolidating various post-retirement services that multiple departments, including Personnel, Finance, and Medical previously managed.This centralization aims to eliminate delays and miscommunication, providing retirees with streamlined access to pensions, provident funds, medical facilities, and other benefits.The initiative also complements ‘Mission Sambandh,’ an SECL program aimed at enhancing communication and coordination with stakeholders.

 

3. Odisha becomes the 34th state to implement AB PM-JAY: Odisha became the 34th state to join the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) scheme, seven months after the BJP came to power in the state.The Ayushman Bharat scheme will be implemented in convergence with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in Odisha.The convergence scheme, for which one bilingual health card will be issued to the beneficiary, will provide cover of ₹5 lakh per family per annum with an additional ₹5 lakh for women members.A total of approximately 1.03 crore families will come under the converged scheme with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.

 

4. PM Modi inaugurates Z-Morh tunnel in Kashmir: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 6.5 km Z-Morh tunnel in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.The 6.5 km long two-lane tunnel connecting Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district was constructed at an expenditure exceeding ₹2,700 crore. The tunnel also features a 7.5-metre-wide emergency escape passage.Located at an altitude of more than 8,650 feet above sea level, the Z-Morh tunnel will significantly improve year-round connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg, facilitating the route to Leh while bypassing the landslide-prone and avalanche-affected areas.The Z-Morh tunnel, which began construction in May 2015 and was completed in 2024, is now fully operational after its soft opening in February 2024.

 

5. Madhya Pradesh CM launches Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has launched the Swami Vivekanand Yuva Shakti Mission on the occasion of the National Youth Yadav in Bhopal.Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also inaugurated the world’s largest 3-D rangoli, depicting Swami Vivekananda at the Shaurya Smarak in Bhopal.The Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission has been launched by the state government keeping in mind Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of GYAN (Focusing on the Poor, Youth, Farmers, and Women) and inspired by the principles of Swami Vivekanand.The Chief Minister also launched the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Shakti Mission Portal and theme song. The Portal will give information related to the mission to the general public.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India, Saudi Arabia sign Hajj agreement 2025, quota set at 1.75 lakh pilgrims: India has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, finalising a quota of 1,75,025 pilgrims.Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju signed the deal in Jeddah with Saudi Minister for Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Bin Fawzan Al Rabiah.Under the agreement, the 2025 quota will be split between the Hajj Committee of India (HCoI) and private Hajj Group Organisers (HGOs) at a 70:30 ratio. Of the total, HGOs will be allocated 52,507 spots.

 

2. Germany Faces First FMD Outbreak in Decades: Germany has reported its first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in nearly 40 years. The outbreak occurred in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin and presents challenge for local agriculture. In response, authorities have euthanised the affected animals and established a 3-kilometre exclusion zone, accompanied by a 10-kilometre monitoring area. These measures aim to prevent further spread of the disease. Despite the outbreak, no national or international measures are currently planned, as Germany and the EU are still recognised as free of the disease. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. It is classified as a transboundary animal disease (TAD) and can have a devastating economic impact on agriculture. The disease is caused by an Aphthovirus from the Picornaviridae family, with seven strains identified worldwide. Symptoms of FMD include fever, blisters in the mouth and on the feet, drooling, and lameness.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. What is Nag Mark 2 Missile?: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has recently conducted successful field evaluation trials of the Nag Mark 2 missile. This third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile was tested at the Pokhran field range in Rajasthan. The trials demonstrated exceptional precision and reliability, effectively destroying all designated targets. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the trials validated the missile’s firing range capabilities.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Devajit Saikia appointed as BCCI Secretary; Prabhtej Singh Bhatia elected Treasurer: Former first-class cricketer Devajit Saikia has been appointed as the new secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), replacing Jay Shah, who assumed the role of ICC Chairman last year.Prabhtej Singh Bhatia was elected as the Treasurer of the Indian Cricket Board.Saikia, who represented Assam in the 1990-91 first-class cricket season, scored 53 runs in four matches. He also has significant experience in cricket administration, having served as the BCCI joint secretary and the secretary of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA).

 

2. First edition of the Kho Kho World Cup starts in New Delhi: The first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup started at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on 13 January 2025. The World Cup was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India.The Kho Kho World Cup has been organised by the Kho Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association in New Delhi from 13-19 January 2025.During the World Cup, each team will consist of 12 players, however during a match only 9 players from each team will actually take the field.The first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup features 20 countries’ men’s and 19 women’s teams. The men and women kho kho teams have been divided into four groups.

The 15-member Indian men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar and the women’s team is led by Priyanka Ingle.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. C-DOT and IIT Mandi sign agreement for “Developing Semiconductor Chip of Wideband Spectrum Sensor for Dynamic Spectrum Access”: The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), GoI has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT Jammu), for the development of “Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip, for Enhancing the Spectrum Utilization”.The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India.This scheme, designed to fund Indian startups, academia, and R&D institutions, is a crucial enabler for designing, developing, and commercializing telecommunication products and solutions.The project aims to develop a reliable and implementation-friendly wideband spectrum sensing (WSS) algorithm to improve spectrum efficiency by leveraging spectrum holes to deliver broadband services in rural India.

 

2. How are Genes Made?: Recent studies have advanced our understanding of gene evolution and function. In December 2024, two prominent research groups published findings that shed light on how new genes are created. One group from the University of Nevada, Reno, reported in *Molecular Biology and Evolution*, while the other from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany published in *Genome Biology and Evolution*. These studies explored gene duplication, methylation, and the role of random DNA sequences in evolution. Genes are segments of DNA that determine the characteristics of an organism. Humans possess 24 chromosomes, which include 22 numbered chromosomes and two sex chromosomes (X and Y). Each person inherits one set of chromosomes from each parent, resulting in two copies of each chromosome. Identical twins originate from a single zygote, while non-identical twins arise from separate zygotes.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. Gautam Adani announces ₹65,000 crore investment in energy, cement projects in Chhattisgarh: The Adani Group will invest Rs 65,000 crore in energy and cement projects in Chhattisgarh.Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani met Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and announced an investment of Rs 60,000 crore to expand the group’s power plants in Raipur, Korba and Raigarh in the state. The expansion will enhance Chhattisgarh’s power generation capacity by 6,120 MW.Adani Power is India’s top private thermal power producer. It is targeting to double its thermal power capacity to 30.67 GW by 2029-30 from 15 GW currently.

The firm said last month it was exploring options of investing Rs 20,000 crore to set up a coal-fired ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Bihar.In Chhattisgarh, the Adani Group also committed Rs 5,000 crore for the development and expansion of its cement plants, as per the statement. 

 

2. Bank of India seeks its first dollar loan of $400 million in over a decade: Bank of India is marketing its first dollar syndicated loan since 2012 of as much as $400 million. The Indian lender is raising the loan — split into three- and five-year tranches — via its branch located in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, India’s newest financial hub.Bank of India joins a slew of other Indian borrowers seeking to raise foreign currency debt this year. Reliance Industries Ltd. is looking to borrow as much as $3 billion, in what could be the largest loan from the country since 2023, while Shriram Finance Ltd. is planning to syndicate part of a $1.28 billion multi-currency social financing, the biggest ever offshore deal, from an Indian shadow lender. Meanwhile, State Bank of India is marketing a ¥30 billion ($191 million) syndicated facility and is planning to raise another borrowing of as much as $1.25 billion, in what could be the country’s biggest dollar loan from the banking sector this year. All this adds to the already busy deal pipeline from Asia Pacific, setting the stage for a likely rebound in loan volumes after three years of decline.

 

3. Bank of Baroda to provide AI-driven support, forex facility, ATMs, and coin vending machines for Maha Kumbh 2025: Attracting millions of visitors to Prayagraj, the Bank of Baroda (BoB) has unveiled plans to provide advanced banking services. As the convenor of the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) for Uttar Pradesh, the bank aims to promote digital payments and offer AI-driven customer support for the pilgrims.BoB set up two full-fledged branches equipped with forex facilities. Additionally, it deployed onsite and mobile ATMs, along with coin vending machines, to meet the diverse banking needs of the visitors.The bank is extensively promoting its newly launched UPI payment PSP app, BoB e-Pay, offering a complete suite of payment features.The bank has also provided hundreds of merchant carts through Mela authorities and reflector jackets for volunteers and merchants.

 

4. Retail inflation eases to four-month low of 5.22% in December 2024: The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation cooled slightly to a 4-month low of 5.22 per cent in December, down from 5.48 per cent in November, indicating persistent high price pressures faced by consumers, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The data shows higher inflation in rural areas at 5.76 percent compared to 4.58 percent in urban regions.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) aims to keep inflation within a range of 2–6 percent, with a medium-term target of 4 percent.Food inflation remained high in December, albeit slowing during the month, with the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) standing at 8.39 percent, compared to 9.04 per cent in November. This was largely driven by high prices of vegetables, fruits, edible oils, eggs, and cereals.