Current Affairs One - Liner : 8th January 2025

• National:
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) launched the e-student visa and e-student-x visa on January 5, 2025. The e-student visa is for students registered on the 'Study in India' portal, while the e-student-x visa is for their dependents. This aims to simplify the admission and visa application process for foreign students.

• CSIR-NPL celebrated its 79th Foundation Day on January 4, 2025. As India's National Metrology Institute, it highlighted its contributions to advancing metrology and technologies for national development. The event underscored CSIR-NPL's role in maintaining national standards and fostering scientific innovation.
• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) granted automatic approval to Avenue India Emergence Pte. Ltd. and Mavco Investments Private Ltd for their joint acquisition of MHM Holding GmbH on January 4, 2025.
• The Telangana government will celebrate the birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule on January 3 every year as Women Teacher's Day to honor her contributions to women's education. This decision aims to recognize her pioneering work and promote gender equality in education.
• On January 6, 2025, the United States announced it will remove restrictions on Indian nuclear entities. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated this move aims to boost civil nuclear cooperation and strengthen energy ties between the two countries.
• India and Malaysia agreed to enhance cooperation in critical minerals and rare earth elements on January 7, 2025. The agreement was part of the first India-Malaysia Security Dialogue, co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Malaysia's National Security Council Director General Raja Dato Nushirwan Bin Zainal Abidin.
• The Government of India approved a memorial for former President Pranab Mukherjee on January 7, 2025. The memorial will be located at the Rashtriya Smriti complex at Rajghat, New Delhi.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) released new draft guidelines on January 6, 2025, giving Chancellors or Visitors the power to form a three-member search-cum-selection committee for appointing Vice-Chancellors. This aims to standardize the selection process and reduce conflicts, especially in states with governance issues.
• Pune-based startup Atreya Innovations developed an AI-based pulse diagnostic tool for Ayurveda practitioners called Nadi Tarangini. This device analyzes 22 health parameters and generates reports in 10 Indian languages. It is approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is used in over 1,250 clinics across India.
• The e-Shram portal has expanded to include 22 Scheduled Languages as of January 7, 2025. Part of the Bhashini project, this upgrade aims to make the portal more accessible for unorganised workers across India.
• Banking:
• The RBI has maintained the interest rate for its Floating Rate Savings Bonds (Taxable) - FRSB 2020 (T) at 8.05% for the period from January 1 to June 30, 2025. This rate includes the National Savings Certificate (NSC) rate of 7.70% and an additional spread of 0.35%. Interest is payable semi-annually.
• The RBI has mandated that lenders update credit bureau records every 15 days starting from January 1, 2025. This aims to improve the accuracy and timeliness of credit scores, reflecting borrowers' financial activities more promptly. Previously, updates were done monthly.
• Economy:
• Nomura announced on January 8, 2025, that it has revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6%, down from the previous estimate of 6.4%. The revision is due to a cyclical growth slowdown, with factors including fading urban pent-up demand and tight monetary policy.
• The National Statistics Office (NSO) projected India's GDP growth at 6.4% for the fiscal year 2024-25 in its first advance estimates released on January 7, 2025. This is a slowdown from the 8.2% growth recorded in the previous fiscal year.
• Science & Technology:
• Scientists discovered a new ant species, Tapinoma onaele, in the Western Ghats on January 3, 2025. The species was found in the Kodagu district of Karnataka and emphasizes the rich biodiversity in leaf litter ecosystems. The name "Onaele" translates to "dried leaves" in Kannada.
• Govt.Schemes:
• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Adivasi Mela 2025 on January 5, 2025. He also launched the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, providing a one-time incentive of ₹5,000 to tribal students enrolling in Class IX and XI. This initiative aims to reduce dropout rates and promote education among tribal students.
• Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims on January 7, 2025. The scheme provides medical treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for the first seven days if the accident is reported to the police within 24 hours.
• Important Days:
• African National Congress (ANC) Foundation Day is celebrated on January 8 each year. This day marks the founding of the ANC on January 8, 1912, originally as the South African Native National Congress (SANNC).
• Appointments:
• Dr. V. Narayanan took over as Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of the Department of Space on January 14, 2025. The announcement was made on January 7, 2025. Narayanan succeeds S. Somnath and brings nearly four decades of experience in rocket and spacecraft propulsion to his role.
• Bahadur Singh Sagoo, a former shot-put gold medalist and Olympian, was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on January 7, 2025. He succeeds Adille Sumariwalla and will serve a four-year term.
• Obituaries:
• Former Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis passed away on January 5, 2025. He was known for his pivotal role in Greece's adoption of the euro and served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2004.
• Na D’Souza, a renowned Kannada novelist and writer, passed away on January 5, 2025, at the age of 87. He authored over 40 novels and short stories, often focusing on social justice and environmental issues.

Questions:

1 What is the GDP growth projection for India for the fiscal year 2024-25 according to the first advance estimates released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on January 7, 2025?

• A) 6.8%
• B) 6.4%
• C) 7.5%
• D) 8.2%

Answer: B) According to the first advance estimates released by NSO on January 7, 2025, India's GDP growth for the fiscal year 2024-25 is projected at 6.4%.

2 Who was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on January 7, 2025?

• A) Adille Sumariwalla
• B) P.T. Usha
• C) Neeraj Chopra
• D) Bahadur Singh Sagoo

Answer: D) Bahadur Singh Sagoo, a former shot-put gold medalist and Olympian, was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on January 7, 2025.