📊 Index & Rankings
Indian Railways achieved a capital expenditure of over ₹2 lakh crore in FY25 (up to December 2024), representing 76% of the total allocation.
Capital Expenditure Breakdown:
- Total Capex – Over ₹2 lakh crore (76% of allocation)
- Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) – ₹1.91 lakh crore
- External Resources – ₹824 crore
- Extra-Budgetary Funds – ₹8,733 crore
- Data Period – Up to December 2024
- Significance – Major infrastructure investment in railway modernization
GBS (Gross Budgetary Support) is central government funding. Capital expenditure relates to infrastructure creation and asset development, crucial for long-term growth.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) revised India’s GDP growth projection for FY 2024-25 to 6.4%, down from the previous fiscal’s 8.2%.
Economic Projections:
- FY25 GDP Growth – 6.4% (real GDP)
- Previous Fiscal (FY24) – 8.2% growth
- Nominal GDP Growth – Revised to 9.7% (earlier estimate: 10.5%)
- Fiscal Deficit Target – 4.9% of GDP remains achievable
- Assessment – Shows moderated growth but stable fiscal management
NSO (National Statistical Office) releases official GDP estimates. Fiscal deficit reflects the excess of government expenditure over revenue.
🌐 International News
Indonesia officially joined BRICS as its 11th member, as announced by Brazil, the current BRICS chair, following decisions made at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit.
BRICS Expansion Details:
- New Member – Indonesia (11th official member)
- Original Core Members – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa
- Announced By – Brazil (current BRICS chair)
- Decision Origin – 2023 Johannesburg Summit
- Objectives – Strengthen Global South cooperation and reform global governance
- Regional Impact – Enhances BRICS influence in Southeast Asia
BRICS focuses on economic cooperation and global institutional reform. The expansion reflects changing global power dynamics and the rising influence of emerging economies.
🇮🇳 National News
Indusfood 2025, scheduled from January 8-10, 2025 in Greater Noida, will host over 2,300 exhibitors from 30+ countries, organized by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI).
Event Details:
- Dates – January 8-10, 2025
- Venue – Greater Noida
- Organized By – Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) with Department of Commerce
- Exhibitors – Over 2,300 from 30+ countries
- Expected Participation – 7,500 international buyers and 15,000 Indian trade visitors
- Focus – Farm-to-fork value chain integration
TPCI (Trade Promotion Council of India) promotes India’s global trade. Trade exhibitions boost export opportunities and strengthen international business partnerships.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a cashless treatment scheme providing up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident survivors, with nationwide rollout by March 2025.
Scheme Features:
- Announced By – Union Minister Nitin Gadkari (Road Transport & Highways)
- Coverage Amount – Up to ₹1.5 lakh cashless treatment
- Coverage Period – 7 days of emergency care
- Nationwide Rollout – By March 2025
- Additional Measures – Advanced safety technologies for heavy vehicles also introduced
- Impact – Enhances trauma care accessibility and road safety
Road safety initiatives fall under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Cashless schemes reduce financial burden during medical emergencies.
The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh from January 13 to February 26, 2025, where devotees gather at the sacred Triveni Sangam.
Event Details:
- Location – Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Dates – January 13 to February 26, 2025
- Frequency – Occurs once every 12 years
- Sacred Site – Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers)
- Significance – Among the largest religious gatherings globally
Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Kumbh Mela is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Central Government announced a memorial for former President Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Rajghat complex, Delhi, honoring India’s 13th President who passed away on August 31, 2020.
Memorial Details:
- Location – Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, Rajghat complex, Delhi
- Dedicated To – Former President Pranab Mukherjee
- Presidential Tenure – India’s 13th President (2012-2017)
- Passed Away – August 31, 2020
- Announced By – Central Government
- Significance – Honors contributions of a senior statesman
Rashtriya Smriti Sthal is part of the Rajghat memorial complex in Delhi, which houses memorials for prominent national leaders.
President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia accepted India’s invitation to be the Chief Guest for Republic Day 2025, highlighting strengthened India-Indonesia ties and Act East Policy priorities.
Diplomatic Significance:
- Chief Guest – President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia
- Event – Republic Day 2025 celebrations
- Bilateral Relations – Highlights India-Indonesia strategic ties
- Policy Context – Reflects Act East Policy priorities
- Regional Focus – Strengthens engagement with Southeast Asia
Republic Day Chief Guest selection reflects diplomatic priorities. Act East Policy focuses on economic and strategic engagement with Southeast Asian nations.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme, providing ₹5,000 one-time assistance to Scheduled Tribe students entering Class IX and XI.
Scheme Details:
- Launched By – Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi
- Financial Assistance – ₹5,000 (one-time payment)
- Beneficiaries – ST students entering Class IX and XI
- Eligibility Criteria – Family income below ₹2.5 lakh annually
- Objective – Reduce tribal student dropout rates
- Focus – Support secondary education among tribal communities
This is a targeted welfare scheme for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, focusing on secondary education support to encourage educational continuity among tribal communities.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched an upgrade to the e-Shram portal, making it accessible in all 22 scheduled languages for unorganized workers nationwide.
Portal Enhancement:
- Launched By – Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
- Language Support – All 22 scheduled languages under the Constitution
- Target Users – Unorganized sector workers
- Purpose – Enhance access to government schemes and welfare programs
- Impact – Improves inclusivity and accessibility for workers nationwide
e-Shram is a national database of unorganized workers. The 22 scheduled languages are recognized under the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Bahadur Singh Sagoo, an Asian Games gold medalist and Padma Shri awardee, was unanimously elected as President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), succeeding Adille Sumariwalla.
Appointment Details:
- Elected – President of Athletics Federation of India (AFI)
- Election Type – Unanimous election
- Achievements – Asian Games gold medalist (shot put, 2002)
- Award – Padma Shri recipient
- Predecessor – Adille Sumariwalla
- Significance – Marks leadership transition in Indian athletics
AFI (Athletics Federation of India) is the governing body for athletics in India. Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
Dr. V. Narayanan was appointed as Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, succeeding S. Somanath, with charge beginning on January 14, 2025.
Appointment Highlights:
- Position – Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space
- Assumes Office – January 14, 2025
- Predecessor – S. Somanath
- Expertise – Rocket propulsion specialist
- Previous Role – Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
- Key Contributions – GSLV Mk III and Chandrayaan-3 missions
ISRO operates under the Department of Space. GSLV Mk III is India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying 4-ton class satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
🔬 Science & Technology
Neil Armstrong’s family donated a fragment of the original Wright Flyer fabric that was carried during the Apollo 11 mission to the Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas, to be unveiled on October 2, 2025.
Donation Details:
- Donated By – Neil Armstrong’s family
- Artifact – Fragment from original Wright Flyer fabric
- Historic Journey – Carried during Apollo 11 mission (1969)
- Donated To – Frontiers of Flight Museum, Dallas
- Unveiling Date – October 2, 2025
- Significance – Connects aviation history with space exploration legacy
Apollo 11 was the first manned Moon landing mission (1969). The Wright Flyer was the world’s first successful powered aircraft (1903).
The rare Banded Royal butterfly was discovered in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura and documented in a peer-reviewed journal, highlighting the region’s rich biodiversity.
Discovery Details:
- Species – Banded Royal butterfly
- Location – Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura
- Documentation – Published in peer-reviewed scientific journal
- Significance – Adds to India’s recorded butterfly diversity
- Conservation Context – Highlights Northeast India’s biodiversity richness
Wildlife sanctuaries play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity discoveries in Northeast India are frequently featured in competitive exams.
The first human death in the United States from H5N1 bird flu was reported in Louisiana on January 6, 2025, raising global health surveillance concerns about zoonotic diseases.
Health Alert Details:
- Location – Louisiana, United States
- Date Reported – January 6, 2025
- Virus Strain – H5N1 (avian influenza)
- Significance – First human fatality in U.S. from H5N1
- Disease Type – Zoonotic (spreads from animals to humans)
- Global Impact – Raises health surveillance concerns worldwide
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza (bird flu). Zoonotic diseases are infections that spread from animals to humans, representing significant public health risks.
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
