NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Retired Justice B.N. Srikrishna to chair ID verification firm Equal’s advisory board: Retired Supreme Court justice B. N. Srikrishna will chair the ID verification and data sharing platform Equal’s newly formed Advisory Board. Equal provides identity authentication services for large firms, boasting digital integrations with several ID providers.The appointment comes as the government finalises the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, to implement the DPDP Act, 2023.Justice Srikrishna was the chair of the first committee formed by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to formulate a data protection law. That committee’s report, submitted in 2018, was eventually not taken up.
2. Piyush Goyal launches 8th edition of National Programme for Organic Production: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal has launched of 8th edition of National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium (NASC Complex), Pusa in New Delhi.They also unveiled TraceNet 2.0 the upgraded online traceability system for seamless operations and enhanced tools for regulatory oversight.The event was organized by the Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
3. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to Attend Republic Day 2025: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will attend India’s Republic Day celebrations as the Chief Guest. This visit marks diplomatic engagement between Indonesia and India. Subianto’s itinerary has changed, as he will now visit Malaysia instead of Pakistan after discussions with Indian officials. This decision reflects India’s concerns regarding the potential implications of including Pakistan in his travel plans. The list of Chief Guests at Republic Day celebrations includes various world leaders. In 2020, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attended. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the guest. The years 2021 and 2022 saw no Chief Guest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, leaders from all ASEAN countries participated, denoting India’s growing ties with Southeast Asia.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Lebanon’s parliament elects army commander Joseph Aoun as president: Lebanon’s parliament voted to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.The session was the legislature’s 13th attempt to elect a successor to former President Michel Aoun whose term ended in October 2022.The president’s role in Lebanon is limited under the power-sharing system in which the president is always a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament Shiite.
2. World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2025: The Indian economy is projected to grow by 6.6 per cent in 2025, according to the United Nations’ World Economic Situation and Prospects report. This growth is supported by strong private consumption and investment. The report maintains its previous growth forecast, reflecting confidence in India’s economic resilience. The public sector plays important role in funding infrastructure projects. These projects enhance physical and digital connectivity and improve social infrastructure, including sanitation and water supply.
3. India Joins UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics: India’s membership in the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD) marks milestone in the nation’s statistical landscape. This development reflects India’s commitment to utilising data and technology for informed decision-making. The UN-CEBD aims to explore the benefits and challenges associated with Big Data, particularly in monitoring sustainable development goals. As a committee member, India will influence global standards and practices in the realm of official statistics.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO’s New Cold Weather Clothing System HIMKAVACH: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made advancements in military clothing technology. The HIMKAVACH multi-layer clothing system has successfully passed user trials, demonstrating its effectiveness in extreme cold weather conditions. This innovative clothing is specifically designed for operational use in the Himalayan region, where temperatures can drop drastically. The system is engineered to function within a temperature range of +20°C to -60°C. HIMKAVACH is a multi-layer clothing system developed by DRDO. It aims to protect military personnel in harsh cold weather environments. The design focuses on maintaining body heat while allowing for mobility and comfort. This clothing system is crucial for operations in the Himalayan region, where soldiers face extreme weather challenges.
2. Russia’s Floating Nuclear Power Plant Initiative: Russia has made advancements in nuclear energy with the introduction of floating nuclear power plants (FNPPs). The Akademik Lomonosov, operational since 2019 in Pevek, represents a shift in energy production. This innovation aims to meet energy demands in remote areas, including potential markets like India. The FNPPs can be relocated, making them versatile for various applications. An FNPP is a nuclear power facility located on a ship. It can connect to coastal power lines and be towed to different locations. The Akademik Lomonosov features two light-water reactors with a combined capacity of 70 MW. This technology allows for efficient energy production without the need for land-based facilities.
SPORTS
1. Olympic gold medalist Mo Farah announced as international event ambassador for Mumbai Marathon: Multiple Olympic and world champion Mo Farah has been announced as the international event ambassador for the Tata Mumbai Marathon, which will see a record-breaking 60,000 runners participating on January 19.The start line for the World Athletics Gold Label race will be the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the presence of Mo, the greatest male track distance runner, will add to the event.Somalian-born British runner Mo won four Olympic and six World Championship gold medals and is the first man to retain both the 5,000m and 10,000m titles at both the Olympics (2012 & 2016) and World Championships (2013 & 2015) — a feat described as the ‘quadruple-double.’
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SECI Secures “Excellent” Rating in MoU Performance for FY 2023-24: Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) has achieved “Excellent” rating for its performance under the MoU with the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the financial year 2023-24, earning a score of 96 out of 100.This achievement highlights SECI’s unwavering dedication to operational excellence and upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.SECI plays a pivotal role in the development and expansion of renewable energy (RE) capacity in India, with a cumulative awarded generation capacity exceeding 73 GW as of December 31, 2024. SECI is the premier Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) in the country, continuously working to meet climate goals and drive sustainable development.Recently on 30th August 2024, SECI was granted Navratna status by the Ministry of Finance.Reserve Bank Innovation Hub and IIMA Ventures Launch Swanari TechSprint 3.0 to Empower
2. Women-Centric Fintech Startups: The Reserve Bank Innovation Hub and IIMA Ventures have launched Swanari TechSprint 3.0, a programme aimed at fostering women-centric fintech startups in India.The programme provides a platform for fintech innovators to conceptualise, develop, and scale solutions that address the unique financial needs of women.The programme invites applications from startups developing gender-inclusive financial solutions, specifically those with a proven MVP/Product, in the pre-Seed to pre-Series A funding stage, or already generating revenue or traction.
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