🌐 International News
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement on January 20, 2025, marking the second U.S. exit from the landmark climate accord. This decision significantly impacts international climate negotiations and domestic environmental policy.
Key Implications:
- Climate Diplomacy – Reshapes global climate cooperation frameworks
- Emissions Commitments – Affects U.S. Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- International Relations – Strains climate partnerships with other nations
- Domestic Policy – Changes U.S. environmental regulations and clean energy initiatives
- Global Goals – Challenges collective effort to limit temperature rise
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015. It aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Countries submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans and emission reduction targets.
Through an executive order signed on January 20, 2025, the United States announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and paused foreign aid for 90 days. The decision triggered global concern and sparked diplomatic debate about international cooperation.
Major Impacts:
- Global Health Cooperation – Disrupts WHO funding and international health initiatives
- Foreign Aid Freeze – 90-day pause affects development programs worldwide
- International Funding – Challenges multilateral health and humanitarian frameworks
- Pandemic Preparedness – Weakens global disease surveillance and response capacity
- Diplomatic Relations – Strains U.S. relationships with international partners
The WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established in 1948, it coordinates global health responses, sets health standards, provides technical assistance, and monitors disease outbreaks worldwide.
The Yala Glacier, located in Langtang National Park, Nepal, is experiencing rapid retreat due to climate change, with experts predicting its complete disappearance by the 2040s. This alarming trend highlights severe climate impact on Himalayan ecosystems.
Climate Impact Analysis:
- Rapid Retreat – Accelerated melting over recent decades
- River Systems – Affects water sources for millions in South Asia
- Ecosystem Disruption – Threatens biodiversity in Himalayan region
- Water Security – Impacts downstream agriculture and drinking water
- Climate Indicator – Demonstrates severity of global warming effects
Himalayan glaciers are vital water sources for South Asia’s major river systems including the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Indus. They provide water to nearly 2 billion people. Glacier melt due to climate change poses serious threats to regional water security, agriculture, and hydropower generation.
Nigeria officially became a BRICS partner country on January 17, 2025, as announced by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry. This expansion strengthens South-South cooperation and supports reform of global governance structures.
Partnership Significance:
- African Representation – Expands BRICS influence in Africa’s largest economy
- South-South Cooperation – Enhances collaboration among developing nations
- Economic Integration – Creates new trade and investment opportunities
- Global Governance – Supports reform of international institutions
- Energy Resources – Leverages Nigeria’s oil and gas capabilities
BRICS originally comprised five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The bloc has recently expanded to include new members and partner countries, representing nearly half of the world’s population and a significant share of global GDP.
🇮🇳 National News
A two-day consultation on AI readiness was held on January 16–17, 2025, organized by the UNESCO South Asia Regional Office in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and Ikigai Law. The event took place at IIIT Bangalore and the NASSCOM AI office.
Consultation Focus:
- AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) – Framework for evaluating national AI preparedness
- Policy Development – Creating India-specific AI governance frameworks
- Stakeholder Engagement – Industry, academia, and government collaboration
- Ethical AI – Ensuring responsible AI deployment
- Capacity Building – Strengthening AI infrastructure and skills
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) oversees India’s digital and IT policies, including artificial intelligence strategy, cybersecurity, digital India initiatives, and technology governance frameworks.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai announced ₹10,000 annual financial assistance for landless agricultural labourers, targeting approximately 7.5 lakh beneficiaries. This initiative is part of the government’s social security and rural welfare commitments.
| Scheme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Assistance | ₹10,000 per beneficiary |
| Target Beneficiaries | ~7.5 lakh landless labourers |
| Total Outlay | ₹750 crore annually |
| Focus | Landless agricultural workers |
The scheme aims to strengthen financial stability for vulnerable agricultural workers who don’t own land, providing direct income support to improve their quality of life and reduce economic vulnerabilities.
Dhananjay Shukla has been appointed President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for 2025, with Pawan G Chandak named as Vice President. The announcement was made on January 19, 2025.
ICSI Leadership Roles:
- President – Dhananjay Shukla
- Vice President – Pawan G Chandak
- Tenure – 2025
- Responsibilities – Professional regulation, education standards, advocacy
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a statutory professional body established under an Act of Parliament to regulate and develop the profession of Company Secretaries in India. It conducts examinations, provides education, and ensures professional standards in corporate governance.
The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, operating under DRDO, successfully tested an Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor for 120 seconds, marking a significant advancement in India’s hypersonic missile technology.
Technology Breakthrough:
- Test Duration – 120 seconds of sustained operation
- Scramjet Engine – Supersonic combustion ramjet technology
- Hypersonic Speed – Operates at speeds above Mach 5
- Active Cooling – Advanced thermal management system
- Missile Applications – Critical for next-generation hypersonic weapons
Scramjet (Supersonic Combustion Ramjet) engines enable flight at hypersonic speeds (above Mach 5 or five times the speed of sound). Unlike conventional engines, they use atmospheric oxygen for combustion, making them ideal for hypersonic missiles and future aerospace applications.
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme marked its 10-year milestone on January 22, 2025, having been launched on January 22, 2015. The initiative represents a decade-long campaign focused on addressing gender imbalance and promoting girl child welfare across India.
Scheme Objectives:
- Prevent Gender-Biased Sex Selection – Combat female foeticide
- Ensure Survival of Girl Child – Improve child sex ratio
- Education for Girls – Promote quality education access
- Social Awareness – Change mindsets about girl child value
- Empowerment Initiatives – Support girls’ holistic development
10-Year Impact Areas:
- Child Sex Ratio – Addressing declining ratio through multi-sectoral approach
- Educational Enrollment – Increased girl child school participation
- Gender Sensitization – Community awareness campaigns
- Legal Enforcement – Stricter implementation of PCPNDT Act
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao is a tri-ministerial initiative (Women & Child Development, Health & Family Welfare, and Education) launched to address the declining child sex ratio and promote the welfare and education of the girl child in India.
Gujarat hosted a four-day Olympic Research Conference to support India’s bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The conference focused on sustainable sports infrastructure development and comprehensive economic planning for the mega sporting event.
Conference Focus Areas:
- Sustainable Infrastructure – Eco-friendly sports venue development
- Economic Planning – Cost-benefit analysis and financial sustainability
- Legacy Creation – Post-Games utilization of facilities
- Research & Innovation – Best practices from previous Olympics
- Bid Preparation – Strengthening India’s 2036 proposal
India is actively pursuing the opportunity to host the 2036 Summer Olympics, which would be the first time the country hosts the Summer Games. The bid represents India’s growing global sporting influence and infrastructure capabilities.
📊 Index & Rankings
India ranked third globally in the Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, with its trust score remaining unchanged despite the ranking drop. The report was released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and revealed significant income-based disparities in trust levels.
Report Highlights:
- Global Ranking – 3rd position (down from previous ranking)
- Trust Score – Maintained despite ranking change
- Income Disparity – Significant variations in trust across income groups
- Institutional Trust – Measures confidence in government, business, media, NGOs
- Release Timing – Presented at World Economic Forum context
The Edelman Trust Barometer is an annual global survey measuring public trust in institutions including government, business, media, and NGOs. It serves as a key indicator of societal confidence and institutional credibility worldwide.
💼 Business & Economy
Accenture retained its position as the top IT services brand globally with a brand value of $41.5 billion, marking the seventh consecutive year at the top of Brand Finance rankings. The company also surpassed IBM Consulting in brand strength metrics.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Accenture |
| Brand Value | $41.5 billion |
| Ranking | #1 in IT Services |
| Consecutive Years at Top | 7 years |
| Brand Strength Leader | Surpassed IBM Consulting |
Brand Finance ranks global brands based on brand value (financial worth) and brand strength (performance across various metrics). The IT services sector ranking evaluates companies’ market position, innovation, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
👔 Appointments
Senior IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal from the Tamil Nadu cadre has been appointed as Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF). The appointment was confirmed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Border Security Force (BSF) is India’s border guarding organization responsible for securing borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. It operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is one of India’s Central Armed Police Forces.
Justice Alok Aradhe has been appointed as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, while Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya was appointed as Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court.
Key Appointments:
- Bombay High Court – Justice Alok Aradhe (Chief Justice)
- Delhi High Court – Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya (Chief Justice)
- Appointing Authority – President of India
Chief Justices of High Courts are appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the respective state. They serve as administrative and judicial heads of their High Courts.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya took oath as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court at Raj Niwas. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Atishi.
Ceremony Details:
- Venue – Raj Niwas, New Delhi
- Chief Guest – Lt. Governor V K Saxena
- Attendees – Chief Minister Atishi and senior officials
- Court – Delhi High Court
🔬 Science & Technology
A recent global report on public pension wealth compared national pension systems worldwide, reflecting countries’ financial stability and capacity to support aging populations. The ranking highlights India’s challenges in pension coverage and social security infrastructure.
Report Significance:
- Financial Stability – Pension wealth reflects fiscal strength and sustainability
- Aging Population – Measures preparedness for demographic transition
- Social Security – Indicates coverage and adequacy of pension systems
- India’s Position – Reveals gaps in universal pension coverage
- Policy Implications – Informs pension reform strategies
Public pension wealth measures the present value of pension benefits that workers can expect to receive in retirement. Higher pension wealth indicates robust social security systems and better financial protection for elderly populations.
📚 Books & Authors
Amitabh Kant has authored “How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency”, a comprehensive memoir covering India’s leadership during the 2023 G20 Summit. The book provides insider perspectives on negotiations and diplomatic challenges faced during India’s G20 presidency.
Book Highlights:
- Title – “How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency”
- Author – Amitabh Kant (former G20 Sherpa for India)
- Coverage – India’s 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi
- Content – Behind-the-scenes negotiations and diplomatic strategies
- Challenges – Managing diverse interests and achieving consensus
India held the G20 Presidency in 2023, hosting the summit in New Delhi. The presidency focused on themes including sustainable development, digital transformation, and climate action, bringing together leaders from the world’s major economies.
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