Daily Current Affairs

UNESCO recognized Sevdalinka (Sevdah), a traditional folk music genre originating from the 16th-century Ottoman Empire, as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Recognition Details:

• Music Genre – Sevdalinka (also called Sevdah)
• Type – Traditional folk music
• Origin – 16th-century Ottoman Empire
• Nickname – “Balkan Blues” due to melancholic love themes
• UNESCO Status – Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Impact – Supports preservation efforts and artists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate infrastructure projects worth ₹2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh, marking his first visit since the TDP-led NDA government took office in the state.

Project Details:

• Total Worth – ₹2 lakh crore
• Focus Areas – Infrastructure and sustainable growth
• Special Emphasis – North Andhra Pradesh development
• Political Context – First PM visit since TDP-led NDA government formation
• Impact – Boosts regional development and infrastructure

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the multilingual feature on the e-Shram portal in New Delhi, enabling access in 22 Scheduled Languages to transform it into a ‘One-Stop-Solution’ for workers.

Portal Enhancement:

• Launched By – Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
• Location – New Delhi
• Language Support – All 22 Scheduled Languages
• Target Users – Unorganized sector workers
• Objective – Transform into ‘One-Stop-Solution’ for workers’ needs

India and the United States will co-produce sonobuoys through a partnership between Ultra Marine (U.S.) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (India) to enhance undersea domain awareness.

Collaboration Details:

• Partners – Ultra Marine (United States) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (India)
• Technology – Sonobuoys for submarine detection
• Purpose – Enhance undersea domain awareness
• Strategic Region – Strengthens submarine tracking in Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
• Interoperability – Ensures compatibility with U.S., Australia, and Japan systems
• Impact – Boosts India’s naval surveillance capabilities

Seven Indian films are competing in the Best Picture category at the 97th Academy Awards (2025), among 323 feature films eligible globally.

Academy Awards Participation:

• Award Edition – 97th Academy Awards (2025)
• Category – Best Picture
• Indian Films Eligible – Seven films
• Total Global Entries – 323 feature films
• Organized By – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant launched ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ under the Swayampurna Goa 2.0 initiative to train women as LIC agents and promote financial literacy.

Scheme Features:

• Launched By – CM Dr. Pramod Sawant
• Scheme Name – Bima Sakhi Yojana
• Under Initiative – Swayampurna Goa 2.0
• Objective – Train women to become LIC (Life Insurance Corporation) agents
• Focus – Promote financial literacy and insurance coverage
• Impact – Women empowerment through financial independence

V. Narayanan was appointed as Chairman of ISRO and Space Secretary, succeeding S. Somanath, bringing extensive expertise in liquid propulsion systems.

Appointment Details:

• Appointee – V. Narayanan
• Position – Chairman, ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space
• Predecessor – S. Somanath
• Previous Role – Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
• Expertise – Liquid propulsion technology for launch vehicles

ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) achieved a milestone with the launch of SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target) satellites via PSLV-C60, marking the first satellites independently built by industry.

Mission Details:

• Project Name – Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX)
• Satellites – SDX01 (Chaser) and SDX02 (Target)
• Weight – 220 kg each
• Orbit – 476-km circular orbit
• Launch Vehicle – PSLV-C60
• Integration & Testing – Ananth Technologies Limited (ATL)
• Milestone – First ISRO satellites independently built by private industry

IIT-Madras commissioned Asia’s largest shallow wave basin at its Discovery Campus, Thaiyur, built using indigenous technology for coastal engineering and marine research.

Facility Details:

• Facility – Asia’s largest shallow wave basin
• Location – Discovery Campus, Thaiyur (IIT-Madras)
• Technology – Built using indigenous technology
• Focus Areas – Coastal engineering and marine research
• Applications – Supports port and waterway research
• Significance – Enables testing of marine structures under simulated ocean conditions

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, also called Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day, is observed annually on January 9 to celebrate the contributions of the Indian diaspora and strengthen India-diaspora engagement.

Observance Details:

• Date – January 9 (observed annually)
• Alternative Name – Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Day
• Purpose – Celebrate contributions of Indian diaspora
• Focus – Strengthen India-diaspora engagement
• Objective – Leverage diaspora expertise for national development
• Historical Context – Commemorates Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India from South Africa in 1915