🇮🇳 National News
The New Delhi World Book Fair 2025 is scheduled from February 1 to 9, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu inaugurating the event as the chief guest.
Event Details:
- Dates – February 1–9, 2025
- Venue – Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
- Theme – “Republic@75”
- Chief Guest – President Droupadi Murmu
The theme “Republic@75” focuses on nation-building, governance, freedom, equality, and social justice, connecting literature and publishing with India’s democratic journey and institutional development over 75 years.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Bharat Mandapam – Major convention venue in New Delhi
- Theme connection – Large cultural events often linked to milestone national anniversaries
- Republic Day 2025 – Marks 75 years of the Indian Republic
India has added four new wetlands to the Ramsar List, bringing the total to 89 Ramsar sites and making India the Asian country with the highest number of Ramsar sites, surpassing China.
New Ramsar Sites:
- Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
- Therthangal Bird Sanctuary – Tamil Nadu
- Khecheopalri Wetland – Sikkim
- Udhwa Lake – Jharkhand
With 89 Ramsar sites, India now leads Asia in wetland conservation under the Ramsar Convention, strengthening its global standing in biodiversity protection.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Ramsar Convention – International treaty on wetlands of international importance
- Bird sanctuaries – Often qualify due to biodiversity significance
- Total count – India now has 89 Ramsar sites (highest in Asia)
The Ministry of Railways launched ‘SwaRail’, an integrated SuperApp designed to consolidate multiple railway services into a single digital platform.
Key Features:
- Current status – Beta testing phase
- Availability – Google Play Store and Apple App Store
- Integration – Combines multiple railway services in one interface
- Objective – Enhanced passenger convenience through centralized services
SwaRail represents the integration of multiple railway utilities into a single digital interface, aligning with e-governance reforms in the transport sector.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- SuperApps – Integrate multiple services into a single digital interface
- Digital initiatives – Part of broader e-governance reforms in transport
- Platform – Available on both Android and iOS
The Government of India approved an 88-member contingent to participate in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.
Contingent Details:
- Total members – 88 (59 athletes + 29 officials)
- Venue – Harbin, China
- Dates – February 7–14, 2025
- Event type – Multi-sport event focused on winter disciplines
India’s participation reflects increasing engagement in winter sports, expanding beyond traditional summer Olympic disciplines.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Asian Winter Games – Multi-sport event for winter disciplines
- 9th edition – Harbin, China (Feb 7–14, 2025)
- Indian contingent – 88 members total
💼 Business & Economy
X (formerly Twitter) plans to introduce digital payment services through a partnership with Visa, launching ‘X Money Accounts’ in 2025.
Key Features:
- Partnership – X and Visa collaboration
- Service type – Peer-to-peer (P2P) digital payment platform
- Technology – Powered by Visa Direct for real-time transfers
- Functionality – Direct transfers to bank accounts
The initiative traces back to Elon Musk’s X.com, which later evolved into PayPal, reflecting his vision of creating an “everything app” that combines social media with financial services.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- P2P payments – Enable direct digital transfers between individuals
- Visa Direct – Facilitates real-time payment transfers
- Platform expansion – Social media entering financial services
The Economic Survey 2024–25 reviews the economic performance of the previous year and was traditionally tabled in Parliament on January 31, 2025, a day before the Union Budget.
Survey Details:
- Presented by – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha
- Compiled by – Chief Economic Adviser (CEA)
- Current CEA – V. Anantha Nageswaran (since January 2022)
- Tabling date – January 31, 2025
Coverage Areas:
- GDP growth – Overall economic expansion
- Inflation – Price stability and trends
- Employment – Job market conditions
- Sectoral performance – Agriculture, industry, and services
The Economic Survey provides analytical background before the Budget, setting the tone for fiscal planning and policy direction. The CEA heads the Economic Division in the Department of Economic Affairs.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Economic Survey – Provides analytical background before the Budget
- CEA role – Heads Economic Division in Department of Economic Affairs
- Current CEA – V. Anantha Nageswaran (since January 2022)
- Timing – Tabled on January 31, day before Union Budget
🌐 International News
Sri Lanka recorded a 12-month deflation of 4.0% in December 2024, marking the largest price decline in 65 years.
Key Economic Indicators:
- Deflation rate – 4.0% (12-month basis, December 2024)
- Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) – Rose by 0.5% to 192.6 points
- Historical reference – Price level last seen in April 2023
- Time period – Largest decline in 65 years
Central Bank Measures:
- Exchange rate pegging – Stabilizing currency value
- Capital inflow absorption – Managing foreign investments
- Inflation easing – Reduced pressure from September 2022 onward
The deflation indicates stabilization after a prolonged inflationary phase, showing the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s monetary policy measures in controlling price movements.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Deflation – Sustained fall in general price levels
- CCPI – Colombo Consumer Price Index measures retail price movements
- Rate – 4% deflation in December 2024 (highest in 65 years)
🔬 Science & Technology
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the Indian Air Force (IAF) will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, becoming the first Indian astronaut on a private ISS mission.
Mission Details:
- Astronaut – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (IAF)
- Mission leader – NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson
- Role – Mission pilot
- Significance – First Indian on a private ISS mission
- Year – 2025
This mission strengthens India’s presence in human spaceflight, representing a collaboration between commercial space entities and space agencies.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- ISS – International Space Station, a collaborative space research platform
- Private missions – Organized by commercial space entities with agency partnerships
- First Indian – Shubhanshu Shukla on private ISS mission
- Mission leader – Peggy Whitson (NASA astronaut)
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IIT Hyderabad have jointly developed India’s largest metal 3D printing machine for manufacturing rocket components.
Project Details:
- Achievement – Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM)
- Development location – DIA-CoE, IIT Hyderabad
- Collaboration – IIT Hyderabad, DRDL (under DRDO), and industry partners
- Primary application – Manufacturing rocket components
This development enhances India’s indigenous rocket component manufacturing capability through advanced additive manufacturing technology, reducing dependence on imports.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Additive Manufacturing – Layer-by-layer 3D printing technology
- DRDL – Defence Research and Development Laboratory, functions under DRDO for missile and rocket technologies
- LAAM – Large Area Additive Manufacturing
- Application – Rocket component production
📅 Important Days
World Wetlands Day is observed annually on February 2 to highlight the importance of wetlands for ecosystems and human life.
Significance:
- Date – February 2 (annually)
- Purpose – Raising awareness about wetland conservation
- Importance – Wetlands support biodiversity, water purification, flood control, and climate regulation
- Global focus – Ecosystem protection and sustainable use of wetland resources
Wetlands are critical ecosystems that support diverse wildlife, regulate water cycles, store carbon, and provide essential resources for human communities worldwide.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Date – February 2 (World Wetlands Day)
- Connection to Ramsar – Aligned with Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
- Key functions – Biodiversity support, water purification, flood control
International Development Week 2025 is celebrated from February 2 to 8, 2025, focusing on global sustainable development efforts.
Event Details:
- Dates – February 2–8, 2025
- Promoted by – Canadian International Development Agency
- Focus areas – Sustainable development, poverty reduction, global cooperation
- Objective – Raising awareness about development challenges and solutions
The week emphasizes international cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals, addressing poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges across nations.
Exam Angle (Prelims):
- Duration – February 2–8 (annually)
- Organization – Promoted by Canadian International Development Agency
- Theme – Global sustainable development efforts
📝 Quick Recap
Here’s a consolidated summary of all major developments for quick revision:
🇮🇳 National:
- World Book Fair 2025: Feb 1–9 | Bharat Mandapam | Theme – Republic@75
- India now has 89 Ramsar sites (highest in Asia) – added 4 new sites
- SwaRail SuperApp launched (beta phase) – Android & iOS
- 9th Asian Winter Games – Harbin, China (Feb 7–14, 2025) | 88-member Indian team
💼 Business & Economy:
- X + Visa to launch X Money Accounts for real-time P2P transfers
- Economic Survey tabled Jan 31 | CEA – V. Anantha Nageswaran
🌐 International:
- Sri Lanka: 4% deflation (Dec 2024) – highest in 65 years
🔬 Science & Technology:
- Shubhanshu Shukla to join private ISS mission (first Indian, 2025)
- DRDO & IIT Hyderabad develop largest metal 3D printer for rocket components
📅 Important Days:
- Feb 2 – World Wetlands Day
- Feb 2–8 – International Development Week 2025
Key numbers to remember: 89 Ramsar sites (highest in Asia), 4% deflation (Sri Lanka), 88-member contingent (Asian Winter Games), and Feb 7–14 (Games dates).
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