- National:
- The TRAI released the Draft Telecommunication Tariff (71st Amendment) Order, 2025 to support the PM-WANI scheme. It proposes broadband tariffs for PDOs should not exceed twice the retail broadband service tariffs. This move aims to boost public Wi-Fi hotspots, especially in rural areas. The target is to have 50 million hotspots by 2030 under the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018, and Bharat 6G Vision.
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- On January 11, 2025, the INROAD Project received ₹100 crore to enhance natural rubber quality in Northeast India. This funding will support skill development for rubber growers and establish Model Smoke Houses and Processing Centres. The initiative aims to empower local farmers and boost the region's rubber industry.
- On January 12 and 13, 2025, India successfully tested its first indigenous micro-missile system named Bhargavastra at the Gopalpur Seaward Firing Ranges in Odisha. Developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, Bhargavastra is designed to counter swarm drone threats and can detect small drones at over 6 km, launching over 64 micro missiles simultaneously.
- The 76th Republic Day celebrations will feature Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, as the Chief Guest. His visit to India will take place from January 25 to 26, 2025, marking his first visit to the country as President.
- On January 15, 2025, during the 77th Army Day celebrations in Pune, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan app to promote battlefield tourism. Developed by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tourism, the app offers virtual tours and insights into historic battlefields.
- The "One Plate, One Bag" campaign was launched on January 16, 2025, by the RSS to ensure a plastic-free Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. The initiative aims to replace plastic bags and disposable items with cloth bags and steel plates and glasses. Around 70,000 cloth bags have been distributed, and 2 million steel plates and glasses collected.entities: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR), and Indian Rare Earths (IRE). This move aims to boost collaboration in civil nuclear
- On January 16, 2025, the US government lifted restrictions on three key Indian nuclear entities: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR), and Indian Rare Earths (IRE). This move aims to boost collaboration in civil nuclear energy and critical minerals between the US and India.
- On January 16, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved establishing a Third Launch Pad (TLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The project, costing Rs 3,984.86 crore, aims to enhance ISRO's launch capacity for Next Generation Launch Vehicles and support human spaceflight missions.
- On January 13, 2025, the Odisha government announced a ₹20,000 monthly pension for individuals jailed during the Emergency (1975-1977). The beneficiaries will also receive medical benefits. This initiative aims to support those who were imprisoned under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and other related acts.
- On January 14, 2025, the World Economic Forum (WEF) designated the HUL factory in Doom Dooma, Assam, as an Advanced 4IR End-to-End (E2E) Value Chain Lighthouse. The factory uses 4IR technologies like AI, automation, cloud computing, and IoT to enhance supply chain agility and productivity.
- On January 14, 2025, the CCI approved Ashoka Buildcon's acquisition of 34% shareholding in Ashoka Concessions, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. The deal includes acquiring convertible instruments of ACL and a 26% stake in Jaora Nayagaon Toll Road Company by Viva Highways.
- Science & Technology:
- On January 16, 2025, India became the fourth country to achieve unmanned docking in space. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX), involving two satellites named Target and Chaser. This milestone places India alongside the United States, Russia, and China in demonstrating this critical technology for future space missions.
- Reports:
- The International Labour Organisation (ILO) released the "World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2024" report on January 10, 2024. The report highlights that global unemployment remained steady at 5% in 2024, despite economic challenges. It also points out disparities between high and low-income countries, with higher unemployment and poverty rates in lower-income nations.
- Appointments:
- On January 16, 2025, Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran was sworn in as a judge of the Supreme Court of India. Administered the oath by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, he was previously the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court and fills a vacancy from the High Court of Kerala.
- General V K Singh was sworn in as the Governor of Mizoram on January 16, 2025. The oath was administered by Justice Vijay Bishnoi, Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, at Raj Bhavan in Aizawl.
- On January 16, 2025, Vineet Joshi took charge as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. He previously served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur and held prominent positions like Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and Chairman of CBSE.
- On January 16, 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointments of Ashok Chandra as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), and Binod Kumar as the MD and CEO of Indian Bank
- On January 14, 2025, the RBI reassigned portfolios after Deputy Governor Michael Patra's retirement. M Rajeshwar Rao now heads the Department of Monetary Policy and the Department of Economic and Policy Research. He is also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).
- Awards & Honours:
- On January 15, 2025, mridangist T.V. Gopalakrishnan was honored with the RK Srikantan Trust Award during the Sankranti Music Festival in Bengaluru. The award recognizes his contributions to Carnatic music and promoting the mridangam as a solo instrument.
Questions:
1. Binod Kumar has been appointed as the MD and CEO of which Indian public sector bank?
- A) Punjab National Bank
- B) Indian Bank
- C) Bank of Baroda
- D) Canara Bank
2 .Which organization launched the "One Plate, One Bag" campaign on January 16, 2025, to ensure a plastic-free Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj?
- A) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- B) Indian Railways
- C) Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
- D) Swachh Bharat Mission