10 January, 2025
GK Update
Fri 17 Jan, 2025
National News
Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day
- President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, will be the Chief Guest at the 76th Republic Day celebrations.
Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the largest mobility expo in India, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The theme of this Expo is "Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain". |
State Special
Green Mahakumbh
- The Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, will host Green Mahakumbh on the 31st January.
Mahakumbh Mela
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SHE COHORT 3.0
- In Punjab, SHE COHORT 3.0 (Startups Handholding & Empowerment- Cohort 3.0) was launched at Mohali, to empower aspiring female startups and students to build and scale technology-based ventures.
Punjab
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Economy and Banking
MoU between RBI and Central banks of the UAE, Indonesia and Maldives
- The RBI has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the central banks of the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia and Maldives to encourage cross-border transactions in local currencies, including the Indian rupee.
RBI
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India provided 508 million Sri Lankan rupees to Sri Lanka
- India has provided a grant of 508 million Sri Lankan rupees to Sri Lanka, to set up 60 smart classrooms in plantation regions on the island.
Sri Lanka
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PRABHAAV Factbook
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched PRABHAAV Factbook (Powering a Resilient and Agile Bharat for the Advancement of Visionary Startups).
- PRABHAAV Factbook is the ultimate guide to India’s thriving startup ecosystem and its growth story from 2016-2024. PRABHAAV captures the achievements of every region.
World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects
- The World Bank projects India’s economy to grow by 6.7% in FY 2025-26.
- The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects estimated the current fiscal year’s growth rate at 6.5%.
World Bank
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8th Central Pay Commission
- The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of the 8th Central Pay Commission to revise salaries and benefits for central government employees.
- The 7th Central Pay Commission was initiated in 2016 and is set to complete its term in 2026.
Science and Tech
New Glenn Rocket
- Blue Origin successfully sent a prototype satellite into orbit through the first test flight of the New Glenn rocket, from Florida.
Blue Origin
The 7th Central Pay Commission was initiated in 2016 and is set to complete its term in 2026. |
Third Launch Pad
- The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
ISRO
Estb: 15 Aug 1969 | HQ: Bengaluru | Chairman: V Narayanan |
Ghost Riders in the Sky
- SpaceX successfully launched two spacecraft, Blue Ghost and Resilience landers dubbed as "Ghost Riders in the Sky," on a mission to explore the Moon from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
SpaceX
Founded: 14 March 2002 | HQ: Hawthorne, California, United States | Founder: Elon Musk |
Environment and Biodiversity
2024: Hottest Year Ever in India
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially announced that the year 2024 has been the hottest year ever recorded in India.
IMD
Estb: 1875 | HQ: New Delhi | Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences |
Defence
MR-SAM
- The Union Defence Ministry signed a ₹2,960-crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (BDL) for medium-range surface-to-air missiles (MR-SAM) for the Indian Navy.
Indian Navy
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Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan
- “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app, an initiative of the Ministries of Defence and Tourism, as well as the Army, was launched by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, so that civilians can visit battlefield locations along India’s borders.
Highest Battlefield in the World: Siachen Glacier |
Sports
Most Grand Slam Matches
- Novak Djokovic recorded the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history by reaching 430 at the Australian Open.
Grand Slams 2024 Winners
Grand Slam | Australian Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open |
Men's Singles | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner |
Women's Singles | Aryna Sabalenka | Iga Swiatek | Barbora Krejcikova | Aryna Sabalenka |
Art and Culture
21st edition of the Third Eye Asian Film Festival
- The 21st edition of the Third Eye Asian Film Festival was held at Movie Max Cinemas in Mumbai.
Awards and Awardees at Festival
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Indian Cinema Category
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Sanskriti ka Mahakumbh
- Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya inaugurated the "Sanskriti ka Mahakumbh" at the Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj.
Uttar Pradesh
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Awards and Honours
BBC ‘Indian Sportswoman of the Year’ Award
- Golfer Aditi Ashok, Indian cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker, two-time Paralympics champion Avani Lekhara and wrestler Vinesh Phogat are among five athletes nominated for the BBC ‘Indian Sportswoman of the Year’ award.
PM's Award
- ACS Anurag Srivastava won the Prime Minister Award for Excellence in Public Administration for solar-powered water schemes.
Government of India has instituted a scheme in 2006 namely, The Prime Minister Awards for Excellence in Public Administration, to acknowledge, recognize and reward the extraordinary and innovative work done by Districts/ Organizations of the Central and State Governments. |
Reports and Indexes
QS World Future Skills Index
- The QS World Future Skills Index 2025 has ranked India 2nd for Digital Skills, ahead of Canada and Germany.
Other Ranks of India in Index
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Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures
- According to the report "Prospects for Children in 2025: Building Resilient Systems for Children’s Futures", published by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), warned that the coming year will usher in a new and escalating period of crises for children globally.
- Climate change, economic instability, conflict and digital inequality are disrupting children's lives and limiting their prospects.
UNICEF
Founded: 11 December 1946 | HQ: New York, United States | Executive Director: Catherine Russell |
Global Risks Report 2025
- According to Global Risks Report 2025, released by World Economic Forum (WEF), Extreme weather events have emerged as the most severe long-term risk.
WEF
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Appointments
Justice Arun Mishra (retd)
- The former Supreme Court judge Justice Arun Mishra (retd) has been appointed as the Ombudsman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
BCCI
Estb: 1928 | HQ: Mumbai | President: Roger Binny |
Vineet Joshi
- Vineet Joshi assumed charge as Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education.