24th January 2025

1. Neeraj Parakh Appointed as CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power
2. India to Host FIDE Chess World Cup 2025
3. Mizoram Pioneers Property Card Distribution in Northeast
4. Centre Hikes MSP on Jute, Promises 66.8% Returns for farmers
5. ae Introduces ‘PB Advantage’
6. Sarla Aviation Unveils India’s First eVTOL Air Taxi ‘Shunya’
7. Unveiling the Ancient Buddhist Legacy of Ratnagiri, Odisha
8. The Pangsau Pass International Festival 2025- Celebrating History, Culture, and Heritage in Arunachal Pradesh
9. Kerala Enhances Disaster Preparedness with Localized Early Warning Systems
10. India & France strengthens maritime security cooperation in IOR
11. WMF’s 2025 Watch List Added Moon to List of Threatened Cultural Sites for the 1st Time; 2 Indian Sites on the List
12. India Officially Joins Eurodrone Programme as Observer State
13. Digantara Launches World’s First Commercial Satellite SCOT for Advanced Space Monitoring
14. DRDO Carries Out Test of India’s First Scramjet Combustor for Hypersonic Technology
15. Mumbai Marathon 2025: Berhane Tesfay & Joyce Chepkemoi Tele Win Men’s & Women’s Elite Race
16. Ballon d’Or Winner Denis Law Passed Away
17. Kerala launches ‘KaWaCHAM’ India’s 1st Fully Integrated Disaster Risk Warning System
18. Tripura Gets New State Emblem with the Approval of MHA
19. Ayushmann Khurrana to serve as brand ambassador of FICCI Frames
20. India projected to account for 16% of global consumption by 2050
21. India’s Space Economy Soars to $8 Billion
22. Walmart Launches Strategic Pilots with Indian Startups
23. JSW Defence to Invest Rs 800 Crore in Telangana UAV Plant
24. Gukesh Becomes India’s Top Chess Player, Ranks 4th Globally

National News

1. Pangsau Pass International Festival Returns to India-Myanmar Border

• What:
  • The Pangsau Pass International Festival will take place in Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh, from January 20 to 22, marking its return after a four-year break.
• Why:
  • The festival aims to strengthen cross-border ties between India and Myanmar and celebrate the cultural heritage of the region.
• Tell me more:
  • Visitors from both countries can enter up to 16 km into each other’s territory without visas under the free movement regime.
  • The festival will feature activities like expeditions on the historic Stillwell Road and tours to significant historical sites, including the Lake of No Return.
  • Cultural performances will include over 30 troupes from Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.
  • Prominent artists like Albo Naga and Guru Rewben Mashangva will perform at the festival.

Source: TOI

2. India Joins OCCAR as Observer State in Eurodrone Programme

• What:
  • The Government of India has become the newest Observer State in the OCCAR-managed MALE RPAS (Eurodrone) program.
• Why:
  • This status was granted following India’s formal request in August 2024, indicating a desire to explore collaborative opportunities with Europe.
• Tell me more:
  • The OCCAR-EA Director, Joachim Sucker, presented the Letter of Approval to India’s Ambassador to Germany, Ajit Gupte, in Berlin.
  • Japan was the first country to receive this status in November 2023. The Eurodrone is designed for long endurance Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Source: ANI

3. India’s Space Economy Projected to Reach $44 Billion

• What:
  • India’s space economy has grown to $8 billion and is expected to reach $44 billion in the next decade, according to the Ministry of Science & Technology.
• Why:
  • The growth is attributed to reforms that opened the space sector to private investment, credited to Prime Minister Modi.
• Tell me more:
  • Key milestones include the indigenous Gaganyaan Mission, Chandrayaan-4 planned for 2027, Shukrayaan for 2028, and the Indian Space Station by 2030.
  • The information was shared during a discussion between Union Minister Jitendra Singh and Rajya Sabha member Vijay Tankha on Sansad TV.

Source: BS

State News

1. Mizoram Distributes Property Cards Under SVAMITVA Scheme

• What:
  • Mizoram Governor Gen (Dr) VK Singh participated in the virtual distribution of property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributing over 65 lakh cards across India.
• Why:
  • The SVAMITVA Scheme aims to create records of rights in village areas using technology, helping property owners with legal documentation and access to bank loans.
• Tell me more:
  • Mizoram is the first state in the North East to distribute property cards under this scheme, with 1,754 cards issued to beneficiaries from 18 villages.
  • The scheme was launched on April 24, 2020, and aims to provide around 35,000 property cards in Mizoram in future phases.

Source: GOV

2. ASI Resumes Excavations at Ratnagiri Buddhist Site

• What:
  • The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed excavations at the Ratnagiri Buddhist complex in Odisha after a 60-year gap.
• Why:
  • The aim is to uncover more about the site and its cultural connections with Southeast Asia, enhancing understanding of Odisha’s Buddhist heritage.
• Tell me more:
  • Recent discoveries include a large Buddha head, a massive palm, an ancient wall, and inscribed relics, all dating back to the 8th-9th Century AD.
  • Ratnagiri is part of Odisha’s Diamond Triangle and is located 100 km northeast of Bhubaneswar.
  • The site dates back to the 5th-13th Century and was documented as a historical site in 1905.

Source: IE

3. Kerala Launches Advanced Weather Alert System

• What:
  • Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched KaWaCHaM, a fast weather alert system.
• Why:
  • The system aims to improve rescue and rehabilitation efforts during extreme weather events caused by climate change.
• Tell me more:
  • KaWaCHaM integrates alerts, sirens, and global weather models to enhance disaster preparedness and public safety.
  • It includes features like hazard assessment, alert issuance, and action planning based on threat levels.
  • The project will install 126 sirens and strobe lights across various locations in the state.
  • KaWaCHaM stands for Kerala Warnings Crisis and Hazards Management System; “kavacham” means “shield” in Malayalam.
  • Developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) with funding from the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank.

Source: DTE

4. Tripura Receives Approval for State Emblem

• The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the state emblem for Tripura, announced by Chief Minister Manik Saha.
• The emblem’s approval follows regulations set by the State Emblem of India (Regulation of Use) Rules, 2007.

Source: HT

5. JSW Defence to Set Up UAV Facility in Telangana

• What:
  • JSW Defence has signed an agreement with the Telangana government to establish a facility for manufacturing Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to indigenize defence technology in India and enhance the country’s capabilities in the aerospace sector.
• Tell me more:
  • JSW UAV, a subsidiary of JSW Defence, will invest Rs 800 crore in the new facility through a technology partnership with a US-based defence technology company.
  • The MoU was signed during the World Economic Forum, with Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and Parth Jindal of JSW Group present.
  • The facility will focus on producing Shield AI’s ‘V-BAT’, a Group 3 UAS.
  • JSW Defence is part of the USD 24 billion JSW Group.

Source: ET

International News

1. Moon Added to World Monuments Fund’s Watchlist

• What:
  • The World Monuments Fund (WMF) has added the moon to its list of endangered cultural heritage sites due to concerns over damage from upcoming commercial lunar missions.
• Why:
  • The inclusion aims to address the risks of potential damage and looting as human activities in space increase, particularly with NASA’s Artemis III mission planned for 2027.
• Tell me more:
  • WMF’s 2024 watchlist features 25 sites, including Qhapaq Ñan, earthquake-damaged sites in Turkey and Japan, and conflict-affected areas in Ukraine and Gaza.
  • Concerns are raised about tourists disturbing historic moon sites like the footprints of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Source: IE WMF

Banking and Economy

1. Policybazaar.ae Launches PB Advantage for Health Insurance

• What:
  • Policybazaar.ae has launched PB Advantage, an initiative to improve the health insurance experience in the UAE.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to transform how health insurance is sold, purchased, and claimed, focusing on customer satisfaction and addressing common challenges faced by insurance buyers.
• Tell me more:
  • PB Advantage offers features like 30-minute claims assistance, Auto Recharge of the sum insured after a claim, and a No Claim Bonus that increases coverage for claim-free years.
  • The program also provides tailored benefits for NRIs visiting India, including policy portability and annual health check-ups.
  • PB Advantage is available through leading insurance partners across major Third Party Administrators (TPAs).

Source: APN

2. India’s Global Consumption Share to Rise by 2050: McKinsey Report

• What:
  • India is projected to account for 16% of global consumption by 2050, up from 9% in 2023, according to a McKinsey report.
• Why:
  • The increase is attributed to India’s young population and rising incomes.
• Tell me more:
  • By 2050, only North America will surpass India’s consumption share with an estimated 17%.
  • The report notes a demographic shift due to falling fertility rates in advanced economies, leading to ageing populations.
  • India’s labour force is expected to contribute two-thirds of global working hours by 2050.
  • India’s share of the global population will decrease from 23% in 2023 to 17% by 2050.
  • Increased female workforce participation could boost GDP per capita by 4-5% if participation rises by 10 percentage points.
  • Emerging markets are projected to contribute over half of global consumption in the next 25 years.

Source: DD

3. Walmart Partners with Indian Startups for Supply Chain Solutions

• What:
  • Walmart has announced pilot programs with three Indian startups to enhance its U.S. supply chain and sourcing operations.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to drive innovation and build a more resilient supply network through tech-driven solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • The selected startups are KBCols Sciences from Pune, GreenPod Labs from Chennai, and Cropin from Bengaluru.
  • The pilots will focus on improving product freshness, reducing waste, and creating sustainable manufacturing alternatives.
  • KBCols Sciences produces non-GMO natural dyes, GreenPod Labs creates plant extract sachets to extend produce freshness, and Cropin offers an AI platform for crop yield insights.

Source: TH

Defence News

1. India and France Strengthen Maritime Cooperation

• What:
  • India and France are enhancing maritime cooperation to ensure a secure Indian Ocean Region, with India set to chair the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in 2025.
• Why:
  • The collaboration aims to address maritime security threats, including piracy, terrorism, smuggling, and environmental issues in the region.
• Tell me more:
  • The recent Maritime Cooperation Dialogue in New Delhi focused on joint assessments of threats and the need for improved weather forecasting systems.
  • France is a key partner for India in the Indian Ocean, given its territories in the region.

2. India Conducts First Scramjet Combustor Ground Test

• What:
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted India’s first scramjet combustor ground test for 120 seconds.
• Why:
  • This test is a significant step in developing hypersonic missiles capable of speeds over Mach 5.
• Tell me more:
  • The test took place at DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad and demonstrated successful ignition and stable combustion at air speeds exceeding 1.5 km/s.
  • An indigenous endothermic scramjet fuel was developed to improve cooling and ignition, alongside an advanced ceramic Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.

Source: IE

Science and Technology

1. Sarala Aviation Unveils Shunya Air Taxi Prototype

• What:
  • Sarala Aviation launched its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in Bengaluru.
• Why:
  • The initiative aims to introduce urban air transport in India and address challenges like traffic congestion and pollution.
• Tell me more:
  • Shunya is designed for short trips of 20-30 kilometers and can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, accommodating up to six passengers with a maximum load of 680 kg.
  • The startup plans to launch electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028 and expand services to Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune afterward.

Source: ET

Sports

1. India to Host FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

• What:
  • India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, as confirmed by an official from the All India Chess Federation (AICF).
• Tell me more:
  • The specific city for hosting the World Cup is yet to be decided and will be finalized in an upcoming AICF meeting.
  • There will be no formal bidding process; instead, states will present their plans to host the event.
  • The last FIDE World Cup held in India was in 2002, where Viswanathan Anand won the title.

Source: TOI

2. Mumbai Marathon 2025: Winners Announced

• Eritrea’s Berhane Tesfay and Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele won the men’s and women’s elite races at the Mumbai Marathon 2025.
• The Mumbai Marathon is a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race event and serves as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships.

Source: OC

3. D Gukesh Becomes Top-Ranked Indian Chess Player

• What:
  • D Gukesh has become the highest-ranked Indian chess player, reaching fourth place in the latest FIDE rankings.
• Why:
  • This achievement follows his victory at the Tata Steel Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, where he defeated Vincent Keymer.
• Tell me more:
  • Gukesh, aged 18, has a rating of 2784 points, surpassing Arjun Erigaisi, who now has 2779.5 points.
  • Magnus Carlsen remains the world No.1 with 2832.5 points, followed by Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Neeraj Parakh Appointed as CEO of Reliance Power

• Neeraj Parakh has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reliance Power, effective from Monday for a period of three years, pending member approval.

Source: ET

2. FICCI Frames Celebrates 25th Anniversary with Ayushmann Khurrana

• What:
  • FICCI Frames, India’s leading media and entertainment convention, announced its 25th anniversary with Ayushmann Khurrana as the brand ambassador.
• Why:
  • The event aims to highlight innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the media and entertainment industry.
• Tell me more:
  • The theme for this year’s event is “RISE: Redefining Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence.”
  • FICCI Frames serves as a platform for industry leaders and creative talents to discuss trends and challenges in entertainment.
  • The event is held annually in Mumbai and focuses on new technologies like AI and virtual reality.
  • FICCI Frames has been co-chaired by prominent figures such as Karan Johar and is currently led by Kevin Vaz.

Source: FICCI

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