📊 Index & Rankings
India dropped to third position globally in the Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, despite maintaining its previous score. The report was released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
The survey revealed significant trust disparities across income groups and nations worldwide.
Oxfam International released its report titled “Takers, Not Makers” at WEF 2025, highlighting the historical economic extraction from colonized nations.
$64.82 trillion was extracted from India by Britain during 1765-1900. India’s industrial output fell from 25% (1750) to just 2% (1900).
Other Key Highlights:
- UK’s richest 10% – benefited from 52% of extracted wealth
- Global South wages – remain 87-95% lower than Global North
The 2025 Brand Finance IT Services rankings revealed strong performances by global and Indian technology companies.
Accenture maintained its position as the world’s most valuable IT services brand for the seventh consecutive year with $41.5 billion brand value.
Key Highlights:
- Accenture – overtook IBM Consulting to become strongest IT services brand with 89.6/100 score and AAA+ rating
- Indian IT leaders – solidified their global positions in the rankings
🇮🇳 National News
UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office partnered with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ikigai Law to conduct stakeholder consultations on AI Readiness Assessment Methodology.
The sessions were held at IIIT Bangalore and NASSCOM AI office on 16-17 January, aimed at developing an India-specific AI policy framework aligned with global ethical standards.
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) announced its new leadership effective 19 January 2025.
- President – Dhananjay Shukla
- Vice President – Pawan G Chandak
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai unveiled the Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana in Chhattisgarh.
The scheme provides Rs 10,000 annual assistance to approximately 7.5 lakh landless agricultural labourers.
The J&K Forest Research Institute launched geo-tagging and QR code systems for Kashmir’s iconic Chinar trees (Platanus orientalis).
This digital preservation initiative covers ancient trees, some over 600 years old, primarily in Ganderbal and Budgam districts. The program addresses threats from urbanization, climate change, and illegal felling.
The World Bank-appointed Neutral Expert declared competence to resolve differences between India and Pakistan regarding the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects under the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
Signed by PM Jawaharlal Nehru and President Ayub Khan, the treaty allocates:
- Eastern Rivers (to India) – Beas, Ravi, Sutlej
- Western Rivers (to Pakistan) – Indus, Chenab, Jhelum
The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court directed local bodies to prepare action plans for Vaigai River rejuvenation in Tamil Nadu.
Originates from Varusanadu Hills on Periyar Plateau in the Western Ghats. The river flows through Tamil Nadu and empties into Palk Strait near Pamban Bridge.
- Major Tributaries – Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaaga Nadhi
- Historical Significance – Mentioned in Sangam literature dating to 300 BCE
The Indian Olympic Association and Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports organized a four-day conference in Gujarat focusing on India’s 2036 Olympics hosting ambitions.
Discussions centered on sustainable sports infrastructure development and innovative economic models.
India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant released “How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency” published by Rupa Publications.
The book details challenges, negotiations, and achievements of India’s G20 Presidency culminating in the September 2023 New Delhi summit. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar contributed the foreword.
💼 Business & Economy
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is developing a system allowing investors to sell shares immediately after IPO allotment.
This “when-listed” platform aims to curb grey market trading during the current T+3 gap between IPO closure and listing.
Under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s leadership, Maharashtra signed Memorandums of Understanding worth Rs 38,750 crore at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The Kalyani Group was among the first to formalize agreements.
🌐 International News
President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and suspended foreign aid for 90 days.
Reasons cited:
- COVID-19 handling – Alleged mismanagement of the pandemic
- Political bias – Concerns over organizational neutrality
- Financial burden – Disproportionate US contribution compared to other nations
The Trump administration initiated America’s second withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, significantly impacting both domestic and international climate policies.
Nigeria became a partner country of the BRICS bloc on 17 January 2025.
Brazil’s Foreign Ministry announced this strategic move to strengthen South-South cooperation and advocate for global governance reforms.
Scientists predict Nepal’s Yala Glacier in Langtang National Park may vanish by the 2040s due to climate change impacts on the Himalayan cryosphere.
👔 Appointments
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya took oath as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena administered the oath at Raj Niwas in presence of Chief Minister Atishi and other dignitaries.
The central government confirmed Justice Alok Aradhe’s appointment as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, strengthening judicial leadership in India’s busiest courts.
The Ministry of Home Affairs appointed Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal as Additional Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
- Batch – 1994 IPS
- Cadre – Tamil Nadu
- Tenure – Four years from date of assuming charge
🔬 Science & Technology
The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) successfully conducted a 120-second ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor, marking India’s first demonstration of this hypersonic technology.
Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet) technology enables propulsion at speeds exceeding Mach 5, advancing India’s hypersonic missile capabilities.
Key Features:
- Air-breathing engine – Uses atmospheric oxygen (no onboard oxidizer needed)
- Thermal Barrier Coating – Advanced high-temperature resistance
- Indigenous fuel – Endothermic scramjet fuel developed in India
- No moving parts – Increases reliability
📅 Important Days
The Ministry of Women and Child Development marked the decade anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, originally unveiled on 22 January 2015 in Panipat, Haryana.
This flagship program addresses gender imbalance and promotes girl child welfare through awareness campaigns, multi-sectoral interventions, and financial incentives via the Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme. Now integrated with Mission Shakti for comprehensive women’s empowerment.
Ayodhya witnessed grand celebrations marking one year since the consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir.
The milestone event drew devotees from across the nation to the sacred city in Uttar Pradesh.
23 January marks the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, observed as Parakram Diwas since 2021.
Grand celebrations are planned at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, Netaji’s birthplace, from 23-25 January. The Ministry of Culture event will feature exhibitions, AR/VR displays, cultural performances, and a video message from the Prime Minister.
Born: 23 January 1897, Cuttack, Odisha
- INC President – 1938 (Haripura), 1939 (Tripuri)
- Founded – Forward Bloc (1939), Azad Hind Government (1943)
- Led – Indian National Army (INA)
- Famous Call – “Give me blood, and I will give you freedom”
The India Open 2025 badminton tournament concluded at K. D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
| Category | Champion | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Singles | Viktor Axelsen | Denmark |
| Women’s Singles | An Se-Young | South Korea |
🏆 Sports
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