Daily GK Update- 24th Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. 18th edition of Jaipur Literature Festival to begin from January 30: The 18th edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival, the world’s largest literary event, will be held from 30 January to 3 February 2025.One of the key highlights of the festival is the prestigious Kanhaiya Lal Sethia Award for Poetry, which will honor eminent Hindi poet Badri Narayan. He was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2022 for his collection Tumdi ke Shabd.The 2025 edition will also explore the theme “Fractured World,” with sessions addressing current geopolitics, war and conflict, alongside topics like theatre, dance, music, cinema, sports, food, and climate change.

 

2. Cabinet approves MSP for Raw Jute for 2025-26 Season: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, has approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of Raw Jute for Marketing season 2025-26.The MSP of Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) has been fixed at Rs.5,650/- per quintal for the 2025-26 seaso This would ensure a return of 66.8 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production.The approved MSP of raw jute for Marketing season 2025-26 is in line with the principle of fixing MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the Government in the Budget 2018-19.

The MSP of Raw Jute for Marketing season 2025-26 is an increase of Rs.315/- per quintal over the previous Marketing season 2024-25.Government of India has increased MSP of Raw jute from Rs.2400 /-per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs.5,650/- per quintal in 2025-26, registering an increase of Rs. 3250/- per quintal (2.35 times).

 

3. ICSI elects Dhananjay Shukla as president for 2025: The Institute of Comapny Secretaries of India (ICSI) has elected Dhananjay Shukla as the president for 2025.He is a commerce and law graduate and a fellow of ICSI and is a practising company secretary in Gurugram.On the other hand, Pawan G Chandak has been appointed as the vice president for this, and he has a specialization in labour laws and labour welfare.

 

4. Reliance Power appoints Neeraj Parakh as CEO for three years: Reliance Power has appointed Neeraj Parakh as Chief Executive Officer. His appointment is effective for a period of three years.Parakh joined the Reliance Group in June 2004 as an additional manager in the Central Technical Services team at Reliance Infrastructure (Reliance Infra).

 

5. 23 January – Parakram Diwas: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti, also known as ‘Parakram Diwas’ or Courage Day, is celebrated annually on 23 January to honour one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. This year marks the 128th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose.From establishing and leading the Indian National Army to forming alliances against the British during World War II, Netaji was among the key figures to lay the foundation for the modern Indian state.Born on 23 January 1897 in Cuttack, Odisha, Subhas Chandra Bose was the ninth child of Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi. Growing up, he was a bright student who completed his BA in Philosophy from the Presidency College in Calcutta (today known as Kolkata). His father also sent him to England to appear for the Civil Services Examination. He scored the highest marks in English and placed fourth overall.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Maharashtra secures 54 MoUs worth ₹15.70 lakh crore at WEF Davos 2025: Maharashtra government has signed 54 MoUs worth 15.70 lakh crore rupees during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos.These agreements are expected to generate approximately 16 lakh jobs across various sectors. One of the key agreements involves MSN Holdings Ltd, which plans to establish an advanced lithium battery and cell manufacturing project under the state’s ‘Ultra Mega Project’ initiative.The project, requiring an investment of 14,652 crore rupees, aims to create 8,760 direct and indirect jobs, with a focus on development in the Vidarbha region.The largest MoU signed is with Reliance Group, which has committed 3.05 lakh crore rupees for investments across petrochemicals, polyester, renewable energy, bioenergy, green hydrogen, retail, telecommunications, data centres, hospitality, and real estate.

 

2. Accenture, TCS, Infosys, HCLTech top 2025 Brand Finance IT Services ranking: India has secured the second position, contributing 36 per cent of the total brand value, a significant achievement fuelled by a 14 per cent increase in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2025 ranking. India follows the US, which maintains its dominant position in IT services brand value, holding 40 per cent of the total brand value.The collective brand value of the top 25 IT Services brands stands at $163 billion in 2025. 15 out of the top 25 brands have seen an increase in their brand values, underscoring the continued importance of IT services in the ever-evolving digital landscape.While Accenture leads the list, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) retains its position as the world’s second most valuable IT services brand for the fourth consecutive year. Its brand value rose 11 per cent to $21.3 billion.Accenture’s brand value soared 2 per cent to $41.5 billion, as it led as the world’s most valuable IT services brand for the seventh year running.

 

3. India ranked 4th on the Global Firepower Index 2025: India has been ranked as having the 4th most powerful military in the world after the United States of America, Russia and China by the Global Firepower Index 2025.Bhutan was ranked at the bottom of the index at 145th position. Pakistan which was ranked 9th in 2024 dropped to 12th position in the 2025 ranking.The Global Firepower Index has been released by a website Globalfirepower.com annually since 2006.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Mahesh Kr Aggarwal appointed as DG of Border Security Force: Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has been appointed as the Director general of Border Security Force (BSF).The 1994-Batch IPS officer belonging to the Tamil Nadu cadre will be posted as Additional Director-General of Police, BSF, for four years.As ADGP, Mr Aggarwal had served as Commissioner of Police, Chennai, and headed the Operations, Enforcement Bureau and Armed Police units where he launched various schemes, including Drive Against Drugs and Kaaval Karangal. He had also launched a slew of police welfare schemes.

 

2. SSB chief Amrit Mohan to hold additional charge as BCAS DG: The Central government has entrusted Amrit Mohan Prasad, the Director General of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), with the additional charge of Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).The charge was given to Prasad months after BCAS DG Zulfiqar Hasan retired on October 31 last year.Prasad, a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Odisha cadre, has been given the additional charge for six months with effect from November 1, 2024, or till the joining of the regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is the earliest.Reorganised into an independent department on April 1, 1987, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, BCAS is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Gujarat to host 1st Olympic Research Conference: India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics has taken a significant step forward, as officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and experts from diverse fields gather in Gujarat for a pivotal four-day event.The event will be held at Gandhinagar-based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) campus.This meeting, organized in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focuses on developing strategies and innovative economic models to build sustainable sports infrastructure, essential for positioning India as a strong contender for hosting the prestigious global event.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. DPIIT partners with Apna to boost startup talent and create job opportunities for youth: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Apna, the country’s jobs and professional networking platform, have entered into an alliance for a talent hunt to equip DPIIT-registered startups with highly skilled manpower thus creating new job opportunities for the unemployed youth.The partnership formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), brings a monetary value of Rs 2000 per entity registered on the Bharat Startup Registry (Bhaskar) platform in hiring credits on Apna’s platform for each of the 7,00,000 entities. This is currently going to be valued at Rs 140 crore.In the country, currently, there are over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the DPIIT as of January 15, 2025, India has firmly established itself as the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world. As per government data, this vibrant ecosystem, driven by over 100 unicorns, continues to redefine innovation and entrepreneurship on the global stage.

 

 

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. TATA AIG Introduces CyberEdge, A Cyber Insurance Solution for Businesses: TATA AIG General Insurance Company has unveiled CyberEdge, a cutting-edge cyber insurance solution designed to protect Indian businesses from the growing threat of cyberattacks.Catering to organizations of all sizes, the policy provides financial and operational support, covering areas such as forensic investigations, legal expenses, data recovery, extortion payments, and business interruption losses.With the cyber insurance market rapidly expanding, TATA AIG aims to capture a 25% market share within five years. The launch comes in response to the alarming rise in cyber incidents; a report by Prahar revealed 79 million cyberattacks in India in 2023, with predictions of a surge to 1 trillion annually by 2033.

 

2. Indian economy projected to grow in range of 6.5-6.8% in FY25: Deloitte: Deloitte India has projected India’s GDP to grow at 6.5-6.8 per cent in the current fiscal and said India will have to adapt to the evolving global landscape and harness its domestic strengths to drive sustainable growth.In its Economic Outlook report, Deloitte India also said the country needs to decouple from global uncertainties and harness its domestic potential.

 

 

 

Daily GK Update- 23rd Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Centre launches ‘Entity Locker’ for efficient business document management: Building on the success of DigiLocker, the government has introduced ‘Entity Locker,’ a new digital platform aimed at streamlining the management and verification of business and organizational documents.Developed by the National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this secure, cloud-based platform caters to a diverse range of entities, including corporations, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups, and societies.Entity Locker leverages advanced technology to seamlessly integrate with various government and regulatory systems. Key features include real-time access to government databases, consent-based mechanisms for secure information sharing, Aadhaar-authenticated role-based access, and legally valid digital signatures. Users are also provided with 10 GB of encrypted cloud storage for secure document handling.

 

2. 3rd National Mining Ministers Conference in Konark, Odisha: The third National Mining Ministers Conference concluded in Konark, Odisha, focusing on critical minerals mining. Rajasthan won the award for outstanding contribution in conducting the highest number of auctions in 2023-24.The main aim of the Conference was to bring together the central government, state government, and the industry related to the mining sector to discuss ways to make India self-sufficient in the mineral sector, especially critical minerals, and promote sustainable mining in the country.The first National Mining Ministers Conference was held in Hyderabad, Telangana in September 2022, and the 2nd National Mining Ministers Conference was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh in January 2024.The National Mining Ministers Conference was organised by the Union Ministry of Mines in collaboration with the Odisha state government.

 

3. National Broadband Mission 2.0 aims to expand fiber to 2.7 lakh villages by 2030: The Department of Telecommunications launched the vision document for the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, a follow-up to the previous NBM released in December 2019.The growth of broadband subscriptions “serves as the fulcrum, the foundation, and the basis for the launch of NBM 2.0”.The goals of the new NBM include improved fiberisation in rural areas, faster-fixed internet speeds, and improving right-of-way for telecom infrastructure.The Mission aims to expand “operational” fiber connectivity to 2.7 lakh villages by 2030, from 50,000 now. 90% of “anchor institutions” like schools, anganwadis, public health centres, and panchayat offices should be connected through fiber by then as well, the Mission says. The share of rural Indians who are subscribers should also grow from 45% to 60% by then.

 

4. Chhattisgarh CM launches scheme to provide Rs 10K annual aid to labourers: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has launched ‘Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’ in Raipur.Under this scheme, more than 5.62 lakh landless agricultural labourers, Baigas and Gunias of the state will be given financial assistance of Rs 10,000 annually.Under this, an amount of more than Rs 562 crores was released to the beneficiaries of the scheme.The Chief Minister also participated in the ‘Nagar Vikas Ke Sopan’ program in Raipur and laid the foundation stone of 813 works worth Rs 155.38 crore.

 

5. Alok Kumar Agarwal appointed CEO of Zurich Kotak General Insurance: Zurich Kotak General Insurance has appointed Alok Kumar Agarwal as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company.He succeeds Suresh Agarwal.Agarwal brings over two decades of experience from ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company, where he held multiple leadership roles across corporate, SME, crop, and retail business segments during his 22-year tenure.The development follows Zurich Insurance Group’s strategic acquisition of a majority stake in Kotak Mahindra General Insurance Company in June 2024.

 

6. Tripura, Meghalaya, Manipur celebrate 53rd Statehood Day: Every year on January 21, the northeastern states of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura celebrate their Statehood Day, marking the historic moment they attained full statehood under the North Eastern Region (Reorganization) Act of 1971. This momentous occasion reflects the evolution of these regions into integral and empowered states within the Union of India.This day is not just a commemoration of their statehood but also a reflection of their rich history, cultural vibrancy, and contributions to India’s identity.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. India ranks 7th in global coffee production as exports hit $1.29 billion: India has emerged as the world’s seventh-largest coffee producer, with exports reaching $1.29 billion in FY 2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million recorded in 2020-21, according to the Commerce Ministry.In the first half of January 2025, India exported over 9,300 tonnes of coffee with top buyers including Italy, Belgium, and Russia. Approximately three-fourths of India’s coffee production consists of Arabica and Robusta beans. These are primarily exported as unroasted beans. However, there is a growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee, further fueling the export boom.Domestic consumption 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, areas famous for their biodiversity.

 

2. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Inaugurates International Seminar: Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya has inaugurated a two-day international seminar on “Formalization and Social Security Coverage for Workers in the Informal Sector: Challenges and Innovations” in New Delhi.He also launched the coffee table book “Social Protection in India” which highlights India’s journey in ensuring social protection for its citizens through various social welfare schemes.This international dialogue was organized by the Ministry of Labour and Employment of India, in collaboration with the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and International Social Security Association (ISSA) at the Yashobhoomi – India International Convention and Expo Center.

3. Odisha, Singapore sign MoU to establish FinTech hub in Bhubaneswar: The Government of Odisha’s Electronics and IT Department and Singapore’s Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) signed an MoU to establish a Global Competency Centre in Bhubaneshwar to foster FinTech collaboration, with a focus on developing an inclusive and sustainable InsureTech and related areas.The initiative marks another positive step commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Singapore in 2025.Odisha aims to leverage global expertise and resources to drive innovation and create tailored Fintech solutions. It is establishing incubation centres, promoting collaborations with academia and industry, and enhancing financial accessibility.

 

4. Trump orders US exit from World Health Organization: United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organisation (WHO) on his very first day in office.The order said the reasons for withdrawing were WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic”, “failure to adopt urgently needed reforms”, “inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states”, and for continued demand of “unfairly onerous payments from the United States.”During the 2024-25 budget cycle, US contributions came to $662 million, or 19% of the agency’s total revenue, according to the WHO.The WHO is a UN body working on global health. It works with countries to strengthen their primary health care, its guidelines help prepare government policies, and it helps organise programmes to tackle specific diseases.

 

5. Trump Withdraws US from Paris Agreement: The United States will once again withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change after Donald Trump assumed office for his second term as President.Trump had pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement during his first term as well, but his successor Joe Biden had got back in four years later.Adopted in 2015, the Paris Agreement is a global accord aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.The agreement encourages countries to set and achieve their own emission reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).The US is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. Its decision to extract, use and export more fossil fuels could negate even this 2 per cent reduction.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Army Inaugurates Bailey Bridges Over Shyok River: The Indian Army has recently inaugurated two bailey bridges over the Shyok River in Ladakh. This development enhances connectivity between the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The inauguration took place near Shatse Taknak in the Diskit sub-division of Leh, under the supervision of Brigadier V S Salaria. The bridges, constructed by the Fire and Fury Corps Engineers, aim to improve access for local communities, especially during harsh winter months. The Shyok Valley widens at the confluence with the Nubra River but narrows into a gorge near Yagulung. It continues through various villages before crossing into Baltistan. The valley’s geography, including its junction with the Saltoro River, adds to its significance in the region.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay, and Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele win Mumbai Marathon 2025: Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay and Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele won the men’s and women’s elite races, respectively, at the Mumbai Marathon 2025.Berhane Tesfay claimed his maiden international full marathon title after clocking 2:11:44 to win the men’s race while Joyce Chepkemoi Tele finished with a time of 2:24:56 to bag the women’s elite crown.In fact, runners from Eritrea claimed the top two spots in the men’s elite race. Merhawi Kesete (2:11:50) finished second behind compatriot Tesfay while Ethiopia’s Tesfaye Demeke (2:11:56s) came in third.In the women’s elite race, Bahrain’s Shitaye Eshete finished in second spot behind Tele with atime of 2:25:29. Ethiopia’s Medina Deme Armino was third after crossing the finish line in 2:27:58.

 

2. Kochi hosts 7th edition of India Boat & Marine Show: The 7th edition of the India Boat & Marine Show (IBMS) was held at Bolgatty Palace Event Centre, Kochi.The event is supported and endorsed by K-BIP of the Kerala government, NSIC, Kochi Water Metro, Kerala Tourism, Indian Coast Guard, Southern Naval Command, Kerala Maritime Board, CIFT and Fisheries Department.

Kochi has become a hub for ship repair and shipbuilding with the new projects being commissioned at CSL. The projects will not only boost infrastructure but will also provide employment and support MSMEs.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Gaganyaan: LPSC Delivers Crew Module’s Liquid Propulsion System: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is advancing its Gaganyaan project, which aims to establish human spaceflight capabilities. As of January 22, 2025, the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) has successfully integrated the Crew Module’s liquid propulsion system and dispatched it for the first uncrewed mission, Gaganyaan (G1). This mission is a critical step towards sending a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission. Before the crewed mission, ISRO plans several precursor missions to test and validate technologies. These include the Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) and Pad Abort Test (PAT). Safety and reliability will be proven through unmanned missions, ensuring all systems are robust before human involvement.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI announces Standing External Advisory Committee for evaluating Applications forUniversal Banks and Small Finance Banks: The Reserve Bank of India has announced the names of the members of the Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) for evaluating applications for Universal Banks as well as Small Finance Banks. The tenure of the SEAC will be for three years.K. Jain, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, will be the Chairperson of the committee. Revathy Iyer, Director, Central Board, RBI, Parvathy V. Sundaram, former Executive Director, RBI, Hemant G. Contractor, former MD, SBI and former Chairman, PFRDA and N. S. Kannan, former MD & CEO, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Co. Ltd will be the members of the SEAC.The secretarial support to the committee would be provided by the Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India.

 

2. Bajaj Finance, Airtel collab to launch digital financial services platform: Bajaj Finance has entered into a partnership with Bharti Airtel to create a digital platform for financial services.With this pact, the telecom company will progressively offer most of the non-banking financial company’s (NBFC’s) retail financial offerings to all its 370 million customers.The platform will service 375 million customers and the over 1.2 million strong distribution network of Airtel through Bajaj Finance’s diversified suite of 27 product lines. It will use the distribution heft of more than 5,000 branches and 70,000 field agents.Airtel will initially offer Bajaj Finance’s retail financial products on its Airtel Thanks App. This is for seamless and secure customer experience, and later through its nationwide network of stores.

 

3. Recent MoUs Signed in Banking Sector: PNB MetLife partners with Saraswat Co-operative Bank to offer insurance solutionsSuryoday Small Finance Bank partnered with Tata Digital to extend its fixed deposit (FD) offerings via the Tata Neu platform.PhonePe partners with ICICI Lombard to offer Maha Kumbh Mela insuranceTata Power, Canara Bank partner to offer loans for rooftop solar systemsM2P Fintech Collaborates with SBI to Revolutionise Prepaid Payment Solutions Magma HDI General Insurance Partners with IndoStar Capital Finance to Expand Insurance Accessibility

 

Daily GK Update- 22nd Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Announces of NIXI for Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme: The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. The program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. This programme aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.

 

2. Uttar Pradesh govt approves solar power projects worth Rs 10,000 crore: Uttar Pradesh has approved solar power projects worth around Rs 10,000 crore to achieve the state’s renewable energy capacity of 22,000 megawatt (Mw).Under the roadmap, three solar power projects of 2,000 Mw would be set up in Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Chitrakoot districts, which fall under the Bundelkhand region.While NTPC Green Energy will develop 800 Mw and 600 Mw solar power plants in Chitrakoot and Lalitpur, respectively, Hinduja Group has been chosen to develop a 600 Mw unit in Jhansi.The UPNEDA has floated bidding documents for another 1,200 Mw solar power plant at Jalaun, Bundelkhand. Similar projects have been proposed in other places, including Mirzapur, Kanpur, and Prayagraj.

 

3. Union Cabinet approves ₹11,440 crore revival package for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited: The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹11,440 crore revival plan for Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the state-owned company operating the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw detailed the plan, which includes an equity infusion of ₹10,300 crore and the conversion of ₹1,140 crore in working capital loans into preferred share capital.The equity infusion of ₹10,300 crore into RINL will help it overcome the operational problems related to raising working capital and start Blast furnace operations in the most productive way. The revival plan envisages that RINL will start full production with two blast furnaces in January 2025 and with three blast furnaces August 2025.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. US Senate confirms Marco Rubio as 72nd Secretary of State: The US Senate has confirmed the appointment of Marco Rubio as the 72nd US Secretary of State in the Trump Administration.Rubio won the vote by 99-0 during the 1st session of the 119th Congress.

 

2. As 47th President of United States Takes Oath by Donald Trump: Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, taking the oath of office for his second term.Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.JD Vance took the oath as Vice President, administered by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At 40, Vance became the 50th vice president and the third youngest in US history.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the event, which was attended by several foreign leaders, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.President Trump, at 78, is the oldest person ever inaugurated as president, surpassing Joe Biden, who was five months younger when he took the oath earlier.

 

3. Policybazaar.ae Unveils ‘PB Advantage’: A Game-Changer in UAE Health Insurance: ae, the UAE’s leading online insurance marketplace, has launched PB Advantage, a transformative initiative designed to redefine the health insurance experience in the UAE.With its innovative features and exclusive benefits, PB Advantage promises a seamless and enriched journey for customers, from purchasing policies to making claims.PB Advantage introduces cutting-edge services that simplify and enhance the health insurance process:30-Minute Claims Assistance: A dedicated claims desk ensures quicker resolutions.Auto Recharge of Sum Insured: Automatically restores the full coverage amount after the first claim, providing additional coverage for unrelated illnesses or conditions. For instance, an AED 1 million policy used for surgery is recharged with another AED 1 million for future claims.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Indian Naval Ship Mumbai participates in multinational La Perouse exercise: Indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai is participating in the fourth edition of the multinational naval exercise La Perouse in the eastern Indian Ocean.The 2025 edition of the La Perouse exercise is being headed by France with eight other countries – India, the US, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, the UK and Singapore- participating as well.

The exercise aims to develop common situational awareness by enhancing cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction operations and air operations, along with the conduct of progressive training and information sharing. The indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participating in the fourth edition of the Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE. This visit is in consonance with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) to enhance maritime cooperation and collaboration for safer and secure Indo-Pacific Region.

 

2. T-72 Bridge Laying Tanks (BLT): The T-72 Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) is asset for the Indian Army, enhancing its operational capabilities. Recently, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the procurement of 47 units, emphasising India’s focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This acquisition is part of the Make-in-India initiative, aimed at boosting the economy and creating jobs. A contract worth Rs 1,560.52 crore was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Heavy Vehicles Factory. The agreement was formalised in Delhi, denoting the commitment to indigenously developed defence systems. The BLT can deploy bridges over natural and man-made obstacles, allowing tank columns to advance swiftly. It can recover bridges after use, ensuring continuous movement of forces. The vehicle can also be based on various other tank models.

 

SPORTS 

 

1. Kho Kho World Cup: India clinches historic double victory in men’s and women’s titles: The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi ended on a historic note as India secured both the men’s and women’s titles in thrilling fashion.The Indian women’s kho kho team claimed the 2025 title at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, defeating Nepal 78-40. Meanwhile, the men’s team followed suit with a 54-36 victory over Nepal in their final.India’s Women Team Captain – Priyanka IngleIndia’s Men Team Captain – Pratik Waik

 

2. Karnataka Clinch Vijay Hazare Trophy For Record 5th time: Karnataka emerged triumphant against Vidarbha by 36 runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25 final played at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. This marks Karnataka’s fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title win.Karnataka first won the tournament in the 2013-14 season and successfully defended their title the following year. Their third title came in the 2017-18 season, with Agarwal leading the batting charts, while Padikkal emerged as the top run-scorer during Karnataka’s fourth triumph in the 2019-20 season, defeating Tamil Nadu.Alongside Karnataka, only Tamil Nadu (3), Mumbai (2), and Saurashtra (2) have claimed multiple titles during this period.

· Captain of Karnataka Team – Mayank Agarwal

· Captain of Vidarbha Team – Karun Nair

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Oysters Combatting Antibiotic Resistance: Antimicrobial resistance is a rising global health crisis, with millions of deaths attributed to resistant infections annually. Researchers are exploring innovative solutions, including the use of oyster-derived antimicrobial proteins, which show promise in enhancing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics and combating resistant bacterial strains. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) leads to nearly five million deaths yearly. Projections suggest a 70% increase in deaths by 2050, reaching 40 million. Common infections like pneumonia and skin infections are exacerbated by resistant bacteria, complicating treatment.

 

2. Qartemi: India’s First Internationally Licensed CAR-T Therapy for B-NHL: Recently, India witnessed the launch of Qartemi, the country’s first internationally licensed CAR-T cell therapy for adult B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL). This groundbreaking therapy offers new hope for patients suffering from aggressive blood cancers. India faces a rising burden of blood cancers, with approximately 120,000 new cases annually. Qartemi aims to address this issue by providing an effective treatment option for patients with relapsed or refractory B-NHL. The launch of Qartemi is seen as a transformative step in personalised medicine. It combines advanced research with indigenous manufacturing, aiming to redefine cancer treatment standards in India.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. RBI revises FEMA guidelines to boost cross-border transactions in rupee and local currencies: The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the Government, has made changes certain changes in the extant Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations to promote cross-border transactions in Indian rupee (INR) and local / national currencies.This move comes in the backdrop of the rupee coming under pressure amid a strengthening dollar, weakening Chinese currencyAs per the changes in FEMA, overseas branches of banks, which are authorised to deal in foreign exchange (Authorised Dealer), will be able to open INR accounts for a resident outside India for settlement of all permissible current account and capital account transactions with a resident in India.Persons resident outside India will be able to use their balances held in repatriable INR accounts for foreign investment, including FDI, in non-debt instruments, per the FEMA changes.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 wins by Urbasi Sinha: Prof Urbasi Sinha, a faculty member in the Light and Matter Physics team at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, was awarded the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025.Professor Sinha plays a pivotal role in India’s ‘National Quantum Mission,’ an initiative aimed at propelling the country to the forefront of global quantum innovation. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering research and development in quantum technologies, aligning with national objectives to enhance technological competitiveness. The award ceremony took place in Cambridge, UK, and was hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize was established to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship programme.

 

 

Daily GK Update- 21st Jan, 2025

 NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Om Birla Inaugurates All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Patna: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has inaugurated the 85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) in Patna.The two-day conference is being held on ’75th Anniversary of Constitution: Contribution of Parliament and State legislative bodies in strengthening constitutional values’.This was the third time the state was hosting the programme after a gap of 43 years.

 

2. Mizoram become first state in Northeast to Distributed Property Cards: Mizoram, the “first among the northeastern states”, has distributed property cards under the Centre’s village survey scheme to 2,909 beneficiaries since April 2023.1,754 property cardholders from 18 villages in the state were among 65 lakh beneficiaries across 10 states and two Union Territories (UT).The Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA), a scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, provides a ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners with the issuance of legal ownership cards to property owners by mapping land parcels using drone technology.The SVAMITVA scheme was launched by the prime minister on April 24, 2020. The scheme aimed at creating records of rights in revenue documents for inhabited areas in villages using drone and GIS technology.

 

3. NIXI announces Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme: The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) has launched the Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. The program aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens.The program aims to equip participants with the knowledge to effectively engage in global internet governance processes with I-Star organisations like Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), Internet Society or Information Security Operations Center (ISOC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and collaborate closely with leading experts in the field.The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme. This programme aims to build awareness and develop expertise in internet governance (IG) among Indian citizens. The programme offers a bi-annual internship with two parallel tracks: a six-month programme and a three-month programme.

 

4. 20 January – National Penguin Awareness Day: National Penguin Awareness Day is observed annually on 20 January to raise awareness about penguins, their natural habitats, and the challenges they face due to climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution.The day emphasizes the importance of protecting penguin species, many of which are endangered or at risk due to melting ice caps, overfishing, and ocean pollution.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Sarala Aviation unveils prototype for India’s first air taxi: Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo.The company aims to launch the electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India.The Shunya prototype is designed for short trips of 20-30 kms and can reach speeds of upto 250 kmph. The vehicle can accommodate up to six passengers and carry a maximum load of 680 kg, it the highest payload eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle currently on the market.About Sarla AviationSarla Aviation was founded by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan in October 2023.

 

2. Nigeria admitted as partner country of BRICS bloc: Nigeria has been admitted as a “partner country” of the BRICS bloc of developing economies, according to Brazil, the group’s chair.BRICS was formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China in 2009, with South Africa added in 2010, as a counterweight to the Group of Seven (G-7) leading industrialised nations.In 2023, the bloc added Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the UAE, while Saudi Arabia has been invited to join.Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have formally applied to become BRICS members, while a few others have also expressed interest.Nigeria becomes the ninth BRICS partner country, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.

 

3. Donald Trump Takes Oath as 47th President of United States: Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, taking the oath of office for his second term.Chief Justice John Roberts administered the oath at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, DC.JD Vance took the oath as Vice President, administered by Justice Brett Kavanaugh. At 40, Vance became the 50th vice president and the third youngest in US history.External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the event, which was attended by several foreign leaders, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa, El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and former Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. G.P. Singh appointed as Chief of CRPF: Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).Singh is a 1991-batch Indian Police Service officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.Senior IPS officer Vitul Kumar has been holding officiating charge of the force after the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh on December 31, 2024.Singh, who was earlier posted in the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was sent to Assam as the additional DGP in 2019 in the wake of the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) agitation. He later assumed charge as the DGP.

SPORTS 

 

1. Viktor Axelsen, An Se-Young Claim India Open Titles: Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young secured the men’s and women’s singles crowns respectively with dominating wins in lop-sided finals at the India Open Super 750 badminton tournament in New Delhi.Axelsen, a 2017 and 2019 winner, prevailed 21-16 21-8 over last year’s finalist Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong in the men’s singles summit clash, at the KD Jadhav indoor hall which was almost full despite the fact that no Indian was competing in the two finals.In the women’s doubles final, Japan’s Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto beat Kim Hye Jang and Kong Hee Young of South Korea 21-15 21-13. This is only the third tournament together for the Japanese combination with Igarashi, formerly known as Arisa Higashino, making a successful shift to women’s doubles from mixed doubles.In the mixed doubles final, China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin prevailed 21-18 21-17 over French combination of Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Dr. Jitendra Singh dedicates India’s 1st of its kind CSIR Innovation complex in Mumbai: Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh dedicated India’s 1st of its kind CSIR Innovation complex through virtual mode in Mumbai.In order to boost innovation, industry collaboration and employment generation the 6 memorandum of association signed between CSIR and 6 prestigious institutes such as IIT Bombay, icreate, NRDC.The IC Mumbai, spread over nine floors, is equipped with 24 “ready-to-move” incubation labs and furnished office/ networking spaces for innovative start-ups, MSMEs and industry and CSIR labs.

 

2. India boosts telecom connectivity with Sanchar Saathi App and NBM 2.0 launch: Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has unveiled a series of initiatives, including the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and the inauguration of the Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) facility at Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 4G mobile sites.NBM 2.0 aims to connect the remaining 170,000 villages across the country.Launched in 2019, the NBM had targeted broadband access to all villages by 2022 through the laying of an incremental 30 lakh km of optical fibre cable and increase in tower density from 0.42 to 1.0 tower per thousand of population by 2024.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. IMF retains India’s economic growth outlook at 6.5 % over next 2 Financial Years: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maintained India’s growth to be solid at 6.5 percent for the next two fiscal years 2025-26 or FY26 and 2026-27 or FY27, as projected in October in an update to its World Economic Outlook released.Meanwhile, Global growth is projected at 3.3 percent both in 2025 and 2026 as per IMF, below the historical average of 3.7 percent.The 2025 forecast remains largely unchanged from the October 2024 World Economic Outlook, with an upward revision for the United States balancing declines in other major economies.

2. HSBC India gets RBI approval to open 20 new branches in 20 cities: HSBC India, the Indian arm of London-headquartered HSBC, has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to open 20 branches across 20 cities.With the addition of 20 branches, HSBC India’s branches in the country will reach 46. In 2016 HSBC had 50 branches in the country before it decided to shut down 26. Opening branches is a clear shift in strategy.The cities in which HSBC India will open branches are Amritsar, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Faridabad, Indore, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Mysuru, Nagpur, Nashik, Navi Mumbai, Patna, Rajkot, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Vadodara, and Vishakhapatnam.These locations were chosen for their growing wealth pools, targeting affluent, high-net-worth, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals with domestic and international banking and wealth management needs.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Urbasi Sinha Wins Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025: Prof Urbasi Sinha, a faculty member in the Light and Matter Physics team at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) in Bengaluru, was awarded the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025.Professor Sinha plays a pivotal role in India’s ‘National Quantum Mission,’ an initiative aimed at propelling the country to the forefront of global quantum innovation. Her leadership is instrumental in fostering research and development in quantum technologies, aligning with national objectives to enhance technological competitiveness.The award ceremony took place in Cambridge, UK, and was hosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.The Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize was established to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship programme.