🇮🇳 National News
The Government of India announced a major infrastructure initiative with an investment of ₹50,000 crore over the next five years for the development of the inland water transport system.
- Improve efficiency of national waterways
- Enhance sustainability of transport infrastructure
- Reduce logistics costs and fuel consumption
- Part of broader multimodal transport strategy
Why it matters: This investment strengthens transportation infrastructure and promotes cost-effective freight movement, making waterways a vital component of India’s logistics network.
₹50,000 crore to be invested in inland waterways over five years to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Z-Morh Tunnel on January 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone in infrastructure development for the region.
Key Features:
- Location: Built beneath the Thajiwas Glacier
- Connectivity: Ensures year-round access between Kashmir and Ladakh
- Winter Access: Provides connectivity to Sonamarg during winters
- Technology: Equipped with advanced traffic management system
- Benefits: Boosts tourism and military logistics
- Strategic tunnels improve border connectivity
- Critical for defence mobility in Ladakh region
- All-weather connectivity enhances national security
Z-Morh Tunnel ensures all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg, improving Kashmir-Ladakh access.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the National River Traffic & Navigation System (NRT&NS) on January 11, 2025, during the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting in Kaziranga, Assam.
Objectives:
- Improve safety of inland waterways operations
- Enhance efficiency of river transport systems
- Modernize inland water navigation infrastructure
Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) focuses on promoting and developing river transport growth across India.
NRT&NS launched to modernize inland water navigation and improve safety and efficiency.
🌐 International News
The Global Water Monitor Report 2024 highlighted the devastating Wayanad landslides as a major disaster event linked to water cycle disruption.
Global Impact – Key Statistics:
| Impact Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Fatalities Worldwide | 8,700+ |
| People Displaced | 40 million |
| Economic Losses | $550 billion+ |
- Climate change disrupts global water cycle
- Extreme weather events are increasing globally
- Water-related disasters have significant economic and humanitarian costs
Global Water Monitor Report 2024 links disasters like Wayanad landslides to water cycle disruption caused by climate change.
India and Mongolia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on geology and resource exploration, marking a strategic partnership for critical mineral security.
Key Focus Areas:
- Copper exploration and mining cooperation
- Coking coal sourcing and development
- Diversifying critical material supply chains
- Joint geological surveys and research
- Coking coal is essential for steel manufacturing
- Strategic mineral partnerships strengthen resource security
- Mongolia has vast reserves of copper and coal
India to partner with Mongolia for mineral exploration, focusing on copper and coking coal.
The Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported that in 2024, global temperatures exceeded the critical 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
Key Findings:
- Global average temperature surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial baseline
- Risk of crossing 2°C by 2050 if emissions persist at current levels
- Urgent action needed to meet climate targets
- 1.5°C and 2°C targets are linked to the Paris Agreement
- Copernicus provides EU climate monitoring services
- Pre-industrial levels refer to temperatures before 1850-1900
2024 marked the first breach of 1.5°C global warming threshold, as reported by Copernicus.
Japan announced the expansion of economic sanctions against Russia, targeting individuals, entities, and those aiding sanction evasion in response to the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
Sanction Targets:
- Russian individuals and entities linked to the conflict
- Organizations and persons aiding sanction evasion
- Strategic sectors supporting Russia’s military capabilities
Economic sanctions are diplomatic pressure tools used by countries to influence behavior without military intervention.
Japan imposes new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine conflict.
💼 Business & Economy
Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced an ambitious target of $100 billion in Food & Beverage (F&B) exports over the next five years at the Indusfood 2025 event.
Target Details:
- Timeframe: 5 years
- Required Growth: 14–15% annually
- Current Achievement: $50 billion exports last year
- Key Sectors: Food, Beverage, Agriculture, Marine Products
- APEDA – Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority
- MPEDA – Marine Products Export Development Authority
- Both agencies contributed significantly to the $50 billion exports achievement
India aims for $100 billion F&B exports in five years, requiring 14-15% annual growth.
The Central Government released ₹1.73 trillion to states on January 10, 2025, marking a significant increase compared to ₹89,086 crore in December 2024.
Comparison:
| Month | Amount Released |
|---|---|
| January 2025 | ₹1.73 trillion |
| December 2024 | ₹89,086 crore |
Purpose: Boost capital expenditure (capex) at the state level to improve infrastructure and drive economic growth.
Capital expenditure refers to government spending on infrastructure, equipment, and long-term assets that improve economic productivity and growth.
Centre released ₹1.73 trillion to states for capital expenditure on January 10, 2025.
India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth reached a six-month high of 5.2% in November 2024, driven by manufacturing growth and festive demand.
Growth Comparison:
| Period | IIP Growth |
|---|---|
| November 2024 | 5.2% |
| October 2024 | 3.7% |
| April–November 2024 | 4.1% |
| April–November 2023 | 6.5% |
Drivers: Manufacturing sector expansion and increased festive season demand.
IIP (Index of Industrial Production) measures the industrial output of mining, manufacturing, and electricity sectors in India.
IIP rose to 5.2% in November 2024, a six-month high.
The Indian Rupee touched a historic low of ₹86 per US dollar on January 10, 2025, depreciating by 14 paise from its previous close.
Impact of Currency Depreciation:
- Makes imports more expensive, affecting businesses and consumers
- Can contribute to inflationary pressures
- Makes Indian exports more competitive globally
- Affects foreign debt servicing costs
Currency depreciation impacts imports and inflation, while potentially boosting export competitiveness.
Rupee touched historic low of ₹86 per dollar on January 10, 2025.
E-way bill generation reached 8.8 crore in December 2024, marking the second-highest number in two years and indicating robust economic activity.
Growth Statistics:
| Comparison | Growth |
|---|---|
| Month-on-Month | 9.3% ↑ |
| Year-on-Year | 7.4% ↑ |
E-way bill is a document required for movement of goods worth more than ₹50,000 under the GST system. It tracks inter-state and intra-state movement of goods.
8.8 crore e-way bills generated in December 2024, second-highest in two years.
🤝 Summits & Conferences
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 commenced on January 10, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, bringing together young leaders to support India’s vision for 2047.
Event Details:
- Organized by: Department of Youth Affairs
- Led by: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
- Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Format: Reimagined National Youth Festival
- Objective: Engage youth in nation-building for Viksit Bharat 2047
Viksit Bharat 2047 is India’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 launched in Delhi to engage youth in India’s 2047 vision.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the AI Action Summit scheduled for February 10–11, 2025, in Paris, France, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Summit Focus Areas:
- AI Innovation: Promoting artificial intelligence development and deployment
- AI Regulation: Establishing global frameworks for responsible AI use
- International Cooperation: Collaboration on AI research and standards
- Ethical AI: Addressing concerns about AI safety and ethics
AI governance is an emerging global policy issue focused on regulating artificial intelligence development, deployment, and use to ensure safety, fairness, and accountability.
PM Modi to attend AI Action Summit in Paris on February 10-11, 2025.
🔬 Science & Technology
The Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) has been selected by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to establish South India’s first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL).
Key Details:
- Institution: Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI)
- Selected by: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- Facility: Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL)
- Region: First in South India
Research Focus:
- Bacteria research and diagnostics
- Fungi identification and treatment
- Parasites study and control
- Advanced diagnostic capabilities for infectious diseases
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is India’s apex body for formulating, coordinating, and promoting biomedical research. It oversees medical research infrastructure and sets standards for healthcare research in India.
Significance: Part of ICMR’s national diagnostic expansion initiative to strengthen infectious disease research and diagnostic capabilities across India.
BMCRI selected by ICMR to host South India’s first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory.
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