🌐 International News
On January 30, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Niger has successfully eliminated onchocerciasis (river blindness) as a public health threat, making it the first African country to achieve this historic milestone.
Niger joins Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico in eradicating this disease. This is particularly significant for sub-Saharan Africa, where onchocerciasis has long been prevalent.
WHO termed this achievement a major advancement in tackling neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), strengthening Africa’s public health framework and boosting global disease elimination efforts.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Onchocerciasis – Also called river blindness, categorized under neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)
- WHO – Plays a central role in certifying disease elimination milestones
- First African nation – Niger achieved this distinction on January 30, 2025
🇮🇳 National News
The Ministry of Railways introduced the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp, integrating multiple railway services into a single digital platform to enhance user convenience and streamline service delivery.
Key Features:
- Beta version – Currently available for early users
- Platform availability – Downloadable from Google Play Store and Apple App Store
- Integration – Combines multiple railway utilities within one interface
SwaRail represents a significant step in digital transformation of public transport service delivery, following the trend of integrated SuperApps in government services.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- SuperApps – Combine multiple utilities within one digital interface
- Digital integration – Focus area for modernizing public services
India has added four new wetlands to the prestigious Ramsar list, bringing the total number of Ramsar sites in the country to 89.
New Ramsar Sites Include:
- Two wetlands – From northeastern states
- One wetland – From Gujarat
- Udhwa Lake – From Jharkhand
This marks the first Ramsar recognition for both Jharkhand and Sikkim, expanding wetland conservation across diverse ecological regions of India.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Ramsar Convention – International treaty for wetlands of international importance
- Total sites – India now has 89 Ramsar sites
- Conservation significance – Key for biodiversity and ecosystem protection
A High-Level Committee (HLC) chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved ₹3,027.86 crore for comprehensive disaster mitigation measures across India.
Committee Members:
- Finance Minister – Nirmala Sitharaman
- Agriculture Minister – Shivraj Singh Chouhan
- Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog
Fund Allocation Areas:
- Lightning safety – Protection measures and early warning systems
- Drought mitigation – Water conservation and management
- Forest fire management – Prevention and rapid response systems
This allocation enhances India’s preparedness against natural calamities, focusing on risk reduction before disasters occur rather than just post-disaster response.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Disaster mitigation – Focuses on risk reduction before disasters occur
- High-Level Committees – Handle financial approvals for national disaster responses
- Amount – ₹3,027.86 crore sanctioned
The Sci-Fi Science Film Festival was inaugurated by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in Panaji on January 30, 2025, promoting scientific curiosity and youth engagement.
Event Details:
- Organizer – Vidnyan Parishad Goa
- Dedicated to – Dr. M. Swaminathan
- Theme – “Green Revolution”
- Duration – Four-day event
The theme “Green Revolution” aligns with sustainability and agricultural development, honoring Dr. M. Swaminathan’s contributions to India’s agricultural transformation.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Science festivals – Promote public engagement in research and innovation
- Themes – Often align with sustainability and development goals
- Dr. M. Swaminathan – Father of India’s Green Revolution
India will host the BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meeting from March 3–7, 2025, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Event Details:
- Theme – “Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth”
- Participants – Around 45 youth representatives from BRICS nations
- Focus areas – Entrepreneurial ecosystem development and global market access
BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This meeting strengthens youth-driven economic cooperation and aligns with sustainable development goals.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- BRICS members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa
- Theme – Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth
- Dates – March 3–7, 2025
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced its annual awards for 2024, recognizing outstanding performances in Indian cricket.
| Award Category | Recipient | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Sachin Tendulkar | Career Recognition |
| Polly Umrigar Award (Men) | Jasprit Bumrah | 2021-22 |
| Best International Cricketer (Women) | Smriti Mandhana | 2020-21 & 2021-22 |
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Polly Umrigar Award – Recognizes top male international cricket performer
- BCCI – Conducts annual award ceremonies for Indian cricket
- Sachin Tendulkar – Received Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024
💼 Business & Economy
The Union Budget 2025-26 presents a comprehensive fiscal plan balancing growth ambitions with fiscal responsibility and long-term economic stability.
Key Budget Figures:
- Total expenditure – ₹50.65 lakh crore
- Fiscal deficit target – 4.4% of GDP
- Previous allocation comparison – Shows upward trend in key sectors
Focus Areas:
- Capital investment – Infrastructure development and long-term growth
- Railways and highways – Transportation infrastructure expansion
- Defense – National security and modernization
- Rural development – Agricultural and rural infrastructure
- Social sector spending – Education, health, and welfare programs
The budget emphasizes fiscal discipline while promoting infrastructure and growth-oriented spending, maintaining a delicate balance between development needs and financial stability.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Fiscal deficit – Gap between government expenditure and revenue
- Capital expenditure – Promotes infrastructure and economic growth
- Budget size – ₹50.65 lakh crore total expenditure
- Deficit target – 4.4% of GDP
The Union Budget 2025-26 announced significant income tax relief measures benefiting middle-class taxpayers under the new tax regime.
Tax Exemption Details:
- General exemption – No income tax for earnings up to ₹12 lakh under new regime
- For salaried individuals – Effective exemption up to ₹12.75 lakh
- Standard deduction – ₹75,000 for salaried employees
The ₹75,000 standard deduction reduces taxable income for salaried individuals, effectively raising the tax-free threshold to ₹12.75 lakh for employees.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Standard deduction – Reduces taxable income for salaried individuals
- New tax regime – Simplified tax structure with lower rates
- Tax-free limit – ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh for salaried)
The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated ₹98,311 crore to the healthcare sector, marking a significant increase from the previous allocation of ₹90,658.63 crore.
Key Healthcare Initiatives:
- Customs duty exemptions – On life-saving drugs to reduce treatment costs
- Medical education expansion – Increasing seats and improving infrastructure
- Cancer care initiatives – Enhanced screening and treatment facilities
- Healthcare connectivity – Better integration of health services
- Medical tourism promotion – Positioning India as global healthcare destination
The increased healthcare allocation reflects the government’s priority on human capital development, with focus on preventive care, medical infrastructure, and accessible treatment.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Budget allocation – Reflects sectoral priority in government spending
- Healthcare expansion – Linked to human capital development
- Amount – ₹98,311 crore for 2025-26
- Previous allocation – ₹90,658.63 crore
🔬 Science & Technology
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams surpassed Peggy Whitson’s record for spacewalks, completing her 9th extravehicular activity (EVA) with a total cumulative time of 62 hours and 6 minutes.
Record Details:
- Total spacewalks – 9 EVAs completed
- Cumulative EVA time – 62 hours 6 minutes
- Latest EVA partner – Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station (ISS)
- Current status – Both astronauts stranded since June 2024 due to Boeing Starliner technical issues
- Work performed – Station maintenance and repair tasks
This achievement highlights the contributions of Indian-origin astronauts in global space missions and demonstrates resilience in managing extended ISS operations despite spacecraft challenges.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- EVA – Extravehicular Activity (spacewalk)
- ISS – International Space Station, a collaborative international space laboratory
- Record – 62 hours 6 minutes cumulative spacewalking time
- Previous record holder – Peggy Whitson
📅 Important Days
Here’s a consolidated summary of all major developments covered today for quick revision:
🌐 International:
- Niger eliminates onchocerciasis – first African nation to achieve this milestone
🇮🇳 National:
- SwaRail SuperApp launched by Ministry of Railways
- India now has 89 Ramsar wetland sites (added 4 new sites)
- ₹3,027.86 crore approved for disaster mitigation (lightning, drought, forest fires)
- Sci-Fi Science Film Festival in Goa – Theme: Green Revolution
- India to host BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meeting (March 3–7, 2025)
- BCCI 2024 Awards: Sachin Tendulkar (Lifetime), Jasprit Bumrah (Men), Smriti Mandhana (Women)
💼 Economy & Budget:
- Budget 2025-26 outlay: ₹50.65 lakh crore; fiscal deficit target: 4.4%
- Tax exemption up to ₹12 lakh (₹12.75 lakh for salaried individuals)
- Healthcare allocation: ₹98,311 crore
🔬 Science & Technology:
- Sunita Williams sets new spacewalking record: 62 hours 6 minutes cumulative EVA time
Focus on numerical data (budget allocations, Ramsar count, spacewalk hours) and first-time achievements (Niger’s onchocerciasis elimination, Jharkhand’s first Ramsar site) for prelims preparation.
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