📊 Index & Rankings
According to the CloudSEK ThreatLandscape Report 2024, India ranked as the second most targeted nation for cyberattacks globally, recording 95 data theft cases.
Global Cyberattack Rankings:
| Rank | Country | Data Theft Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 140 cases |
| 2 | India | 95 cases |
| 3 | Israel | 57 cases |
Cybersecurity threats are rising globally with increasing digitalization. India’s high ranking reflects both its growing digital economy and the need for enhanced cyber defense mechanisms.
🌐 International News
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned as leader of the Liberal Party after nearly 10 years in power, citing internal party issues and declining public support.
Key Developments:
- Position Vacated – Leader of the Liberal Party
- Duration in Power – Nearly 10 years
- Reasons Cited – Internal party issues and declining public support
- Interim Role – Will continue as caretaker Prime Minister until successor is chosen
- Political Context – Rising support for Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party
- Significance – Signals major political shift in Canada
Caretaker governments function temporarily until leadership transition is complete. Canada follows a parliamentary system similar to India’s Westminster model.
🇮🇳 National News
Aero India 2025, Asia’s leading aerospace exhibition, is scheduled from February 10-14, 2025 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru with the theme “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities.”
Event Details:
- Dates – February 10-14, 2025
- Venue – Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru
- Theme – “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities”
- Focus – Aerospace innovation and global partnerships
- Significance – Asia’s leading aerospace exhibition
Aero India is a biennial air show and aviation exhibition organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation under the Ministry of Defence.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced a $1 million reward for decoding the Indus Valley script at an international conference in Chennai, marking the centenary of the civilization’s discovery.
Announcement Details:
- Announced By – CM M.K. Stalin
- Reward Amount – $1 million (approximately ₹8.5 crore)
- Occasion – International Conference in Chennai
- Milestone – Marks centenary of Indus Valley Civilisation discovery
- Challenge – Indus script remains undeciphered despite decades of research
The Indus script remains one of archaeology’s greatest mysteries. The Indus Valley Civilisation dates back to the Bronze Age (approximately 3300-1300 BCE).
Odisha allocated ₹15 crore over three years (January 2025 – December 2027) to sponsor India’s national Kho Kho team, with funding through Odisha Mining Corporation.
Sponsorship Details:
- Total Allocation – ₹15 crore
- Timeframe – Three years (January 2025 – December 2027)
- Funding Source – Odisha Mining Corporation
- Announced By – CM Mohan Charan Majhi
- Sport – Kho Kho (traditional Indian sport)
Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport. Odisha has been actively promoting various sports including hockey, football, and athletics through state sponsorships.
India’s first Coastal and Wader Bird Census was conducted from January 3-5, 2025 in Jamnagar district, Gujarat, covering 170 km of coastline in the Gulf of Kutch.
Census Details:
- Conducted – January 3-5, 2025
- Location – Jamnagar district, Gujarat
- Specific Area – Marine National Park and Sanctuary
- Coverage – 170 km coastline (Okha to Navlakhi)
- Region – Gulf of Kutch
- Significance – India’s first dedicated coastal bird census
Marine National Park, Gujarat is India’s first marine national park. Wader birds (shorebirds) inhabit coastal wetlands and are important ecological indicators.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the BHARATPOL portal on January 7, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, developed by the CBI to enhance international police collaboration.
Portal Details:
- Launch Date – January 7, 2025
- Launched By – Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Developed By – Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Venue – Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Objective – Enhance international police collaboration
- CBI Role – Functions as India’s National Central Bureau for INTERPOL
INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) facilitates global police cooperation. The CBI serves as India’s nodal agency for INTERPOL communications.
Jammu was inaugurated as the 69th Railway Division under the Northern Railway Zone on January 6, 2025, announced virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Division Details:
- Inauguration Date – January 6, 2025
- Announced By – PM Narendra Modi (virtual inauguration)
- Division Number – 69th Railway Division
- Zone – Northern Railway Zone
- Impact – Improves administrative efficiency in the region
Railway divisions improve administrative efficiency and operational management. India has 18 railway zones subdivided into multiple divisions.
India’s operational metro rail network exceeded 1,000 km in January 2025, making India the third-largest metro network globally after China and the United States.
Milestone Details:
- Network Length – Over 1,000 km operational
- Achievement Date – January 2025
- Global Ranking – Third-largest metro network worldwide
- Ahead Of India – China (1st) and United States (2nd)
- Significance – Supports urban mobility and sustainable transport
Metro rail expansion supports urban mobility and reduces traffic congestion. India’s metro expansion is part of sustainable urban development initiatives.
The rare Pallas’s cat was photographically documented for the first time in India during a snow leopard survey in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh.
Discovery Details:
- Species – Pallas’s cat (Scientific name: Otocolobus manul)
- Significance – First photographic evidence in India
- Discovery Context – Captured during snow leopard survey
- Location – Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh
- Species Type – Rare wild feline species
Pallas’s cat is a small wild cat species typically found in the grasslands and montane steppes of Central Asia. This sighting expands its known range in the Indian subcontinent.
India’s first organic fisheries cluster was inaugurated in Soreng District, Sikkim by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, focusing on organic, antibiotic-free, and pesticide-free fish production.
Cluster Details:
- Location – Soreng District, Sikkim
- Inaugurated By – Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Ministry of Fisheries)
- Focus – Organic, antibiotic-free, pesticide-free fish production
- Approach – Promotes eco-friendly aquaculture practices
- State Context – Sikkim is known for organic farming initiatives
Sikkim became India’s first fully organic state in 2016. The organic fisheries cluster aligns with the state’s commitment to chemical-free farming and sustainability.
Lionel Messi was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, becoming the first male footballer to receive this distinction.
Award Details:
- Award – U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Significance – Highest civilian honor in the United States
- Historic Achievement – First male footballer to receive this honor
- Ceremony – Could not attend due to prior commitments
- Recognition – Awarded for exceptional contributions to sports and society
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded by the U.S. President for exceptional contributions to security, world peace, culture, or other significant endeavors.
IAS officer Azimul Haque was appointed as CEO of the Delhi Waqf Board by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, filling a position vacant since November 28, 2024.
Appointment Details:
- Appointee – Azimul Haque (IAS officer)
- Position – CEO, Delhi Waqf Board
- Appointed By – Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena
- Position Status – Vacant since November 28, 2024
- Board Function – Manages properties dedicated under Islamic law
Waqf Boards are statutory bodies that manage properties dedicated for religious and charitable purposes under Islamic law. Each state has its own Waqf Board.
💼 Business & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) added 73 tonnes of gold in 2024, with 8 tonnes added in November alone, bringing total gold holdings to 876 tonnes.
Gold Reserve Expansion:
- November 2024 Addition – 8 tonnes
- Total Added in 2024 – 73 tonnes
- Total Gold Holdings – 876 tonnes
- Global Ranking – India became second-largest gold buyer globally in 2024
- Top Buyer – Poland acquired 21 tonnes (highest in 2024)
Gold reserves strengthen central bank stability and provide a hedge against currency fluctuations. RBI manages India’s foreign exchange reserves, which include gold, foreign currencies, and SDRs.
🕊️ Obituaries
Shigemi Fukahori, a survivor of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing and prominent advocate for peace and nuclear disarmament, passed away on January 3, 2025 at the age of 93.
Life & Legacy:
- Name – Shigemi Fukahori
- Age at Death – 93 years
- Date of Passing – January 3, 2025
- Survivor Of – 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing (August 9, 1945)
- Advocacy – Peace and nuclear disarmament
- Survivor Term – Known as “Hibakusha” (atomic bomb survivor)
Nagasaki was bombed on August 9, 1945 (three days after Hiroshima on August 6). Atomic bomb survivors are known as “Hibakusha” in Japanese.
📅 Important Days
World Day of War Orphans is observed annually on January 6 to focus on children affected by war and armed conflicts worldwide.
Observance Details:
- Date – January 6 (observed annually)
- Focus – Children affected by war and armed conflicts
- 2024 Theme – “Orphan Lives Matter”
- 2025 Theme – Yet to be announced
- Purpose – Raises awareness about protection and welfare of war-affected children
This day raises awareness about the protection, welfare, and rehabilitation of children orphaned or affected by wars and armed conflicts globally.
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