📊 Index & Rankings
India submitted its Fourth Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on December 30, 2024.
Report Highlights:
- GHG Inventory – Provides greenhouse gas inventory for the year 2020
- Mitigation Efforts – Details climate mitigation actions and progress
- National Circumstances – Outlines India’s development context and challenges
- Finance & Capacity – Information on finance flows and capacity-building needs
- Climate Commitments – Demonstrates India’s climate reporting obligations
UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) addresses global climate change. Biennial Update Reports track emission data and mitigation efforts of developing countries.
🌐 International News
China is witnessing a concerning rise in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), with hospitals reportedly overcrowded and multiple respiratory viruses circulating simultaneously.
Current Situation:
- Multiple Viruses – HMPV, Influenza A, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and COVID-19 co-circulating
- Healthcare Pressure – Hospitals experiencing overcrowding
- Emergency Rumors – Unconfirmed reports of potential state of emergency
- No Official Confirmation – Chinese authorities have not declared an emergency
- Public Health Risk – Co-circulation of multiple pathogens increases healthcare system pressure
HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) is a respiratory virus affecting all age groups. The outbreak highlights the vulnerability of healthcare systems to simultaneous viral infections.
🇮🇳 National News
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 67th Foundation Day on January 2, 2025, marking significant growth since its establishment in 1958.
DRDO’s Journey:
- Established – 1958 under the Ministry of Defence
- Initial Setup – Started with 10 laboratories
- Current Scale – Now operates 52 laboratories and 5 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs)
- Focus Areas – Missiles, naval systems, life sciences, and advanced defence technologies
- Innovation – DYSLs promote innovation among young scientists
DRDO functions under the Ministry of Defence. The organization reflects India’s expanding indigenous defence research capabilities and self-reliance in defence technology.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2025, at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
Ceremony Details:
- Oath Administered By – Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar
- Venue – Raj Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram
- Chief Guest – Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan attended the ceremony
- Constitutional Position – 23rd Governor of Kerala
Governors are appointed under constitutional provisions and serve as constitutional heads of states. Raj Bhavan is the official residence of the Governor. Oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court.
Arif Mohammad Khan took oath as Bihar’s 42nd Governor, replacing Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar who was transferred to Kerala.
Swearing-in Details:
- Oath Administered By – Patna High Court Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran
- Attendees – Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav
- Replaced – Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar (transferred to Kerala)
- Constitutional Role – Serves as constitutional head of Bihar
Governors serve as constitutional heads of states. The oath of office is administered by the Chief Justice of the respective High Court as per constitutional provisions.
The government is considering granting honorary senior ranks to retiring Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel who missed promotions due to structural limitations.
Proposal Details:
- Target Group – Personnel who missed promotions due to structural limitations
- Objective – Boost morale and recognize long service
- Nature – Honorary ranks are symbolic recognitions without functional authority
- Impact – Could improve morale and acknowledge service contributions
CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) includes central paramilitary forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Honorary ranks are symbolic recognitions given for distinguished service.
The ‘One Nation One Subscription’ (ONOS) scheme was launched on January 1, 2025, to improve access to global scholarly resources for India’s academic and research community.
Scheme Features:
- Launch Date – January 1, 2025
- Coverage – International journals and scholarly articles
- Beneficiaries – Government higher education institutions and central R&D centers
- Objective – Enhance research access and strengthen India’s research ecosystem
- Target Community – Academic and scientific communities across India
ONOS enhances research access by providing unified journal subscriptions. This initiative targets academic and scientific communities to strengthen India’s research infrastructure.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the book “Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages”, highlighting the region’s geo-cultural unity.
Book Details:
- Title – Jammu Kashmir & Ladakh Through the Ages: A Visual Narrative of Continuities and Linkages
- Launched By – Union Home Minister Amit Shah
- Focus – Geo-cultural unity and historical continuity
- Purpose – Address historical misconceptions and reinforce cultural integration narrative
- Theme – Regional history and integration
Books launched by constitutional authorities are often exam-relevant. This publication focuses on regional history and integration themes, particularly of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Renowned filmmaker Sai Paranjpye will be honored with the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival.
Award Details:
- Festival – 10th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival
- Festival Dates – January 15–19, 2025
- Venue – Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (formerly Aurangabad)
- Notable Films – Known for “Sparsh” and “Chashme Buddoor”
- Cinema Movement – Associated with the parallel cinema movement in India
Lifetime achievement awards recognize long-term contributions to their respective fields. The Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival is a significant cultural event celebrating cinema.
Eminent poet Prativa Satpathy will receive the Gangadhar National Award for Poetry 2023 on January 5 during Sambalpur University’s 58th Foundation Day.
Award Details:
- Award – Gangadhar National Award for Poetry 2023
- Ceremony Date – January 5, 2025
- Occasion – Sambalpur University’s 58th Foundation Day
- Recognition – Contributions to Odia literature and poetry
- Significance – National literary awards often linked to university foundation days
National literary awards are important for competitive exams. This award highlights contributions to Odia literature and is presented during university foundation day celebrations.
💼 Business & Economy
State Bank of India (SBI) launched a tablet-based digital onboarding process on January 2, 2025, for opening NRE and NRO accounts, replacing traditional paperwork.
Service Features:
- Launch Date – January 2, 2025
- Technology – Tablet-based digital onboarding
- Account Types – NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts
- Process – Replaces traditional paperwork with digital document verification
- Benefit – Enhances ease of banking for Non-Resident Indians
NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts serve NRIs with different features. Digital banking improves service efficiency and customer experience.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reported that 98.12% of ₹2,000 notes have returned to the banking system as of December 31, 2024, with ₹6,691 crore worth of notes still with the public.
Withdrawal Status:
- Return Rate – 98.12% of ₹2,000 notes returned to banks
- Cut-off Date – As of December 31, 2024
- Outstanding Amount – ₹6,691 crore worth of notes remain with public
- Progress – Reflects successful currency withdrawal from circulation
RBI manages currency issuance and withdrawal in India. Currency return percentages are important for monetary policy updates and exam preparation.
Blinkit introduced a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance booking service in Gurgaon, promising arrival within 10 minutes through its mobile app.
Service Details:
- Service Type – Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance booking
- Arrival Time – Promised 10-minute response time
- Platform – Available through the Blinkit mobile app
- Launch City – Gurgaon (Gurugram), Haryana
- Announced By – CEO Albinder Dhindsa
- Innovation – Represents tech-driven innovation in urban emergency healthcare
BLS (Basic Life Support) ambulances provide primary emergency medical care. Private tech platforms are increasingly expanding into emergency services and healthcare delivery.
🔬 Science & Technology
IIT Madras in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture launched Project VISTAAR to drive digital transformation of agricultural extension services in India.
Project Details:
- Full Form – Virtually Integrated System to Access Agricultural Resources
- Launched By – IIT Madras in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture
- Focus – Digital transformation of agricultural extension services
- Objective – Provide farmers with improved access to technologies and advisory services
- Impact – Strengthens technology-driven agricultural support systems
Agricultural extension connects research institutions with farmers to transfer knowledge and technology. Digitalization improves outreach efficiency and farmer access to modern agricultural practices.
📅 Important Days
Savitribai Phule Jayanti is observed annually on January 3 to honor the pioneering social reformer and educator Savitribai Phule and her contributions to women’s education and social justice.
Observance Details:
- Date – January 3 (observed annually)
- 2025 Celebration – Falls on Friday, January 3, 2025
- Honored Person – Savitribai Phule, social reformer and educator
- Contributions – Women’s education and social justice reforms
- Legacy – Pioneering efforts in social reform and education in 19th century India
Important reformers’ birth anniversaries are frequently asked in competitive exams. Savitribai Phule is associated with women’s education reforms and is considered India’s first female teacher.
🕊️ Obituaries
Dr. K.S. Manilal, renowned botanist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on January 1, 2025, at the age of 86.
Life & Contributions:
- Age – 86 years
- Date of Passing – January 1, 2025
- Award – Padma Shri (civilian honor)
- Major Work – Translated Hortus Malabaricus from Latin into English and Malayalam
- Field – Renowned botanist and scholar
- Legacy – Significant contributor to botanical scholarship in India
Hortus Malabaricus is a comprehensive 17th-century botanical treatise on the flora of the Malabar region. Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
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