🌐 International News
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has prioritized procurement of the BrahMos missile system, with the matter forming part of his agenda for a proposed visit to India during Republic Day celebrations.
Key Developments:
- Presidential Priority – President Prabowo Subianto has made BrahMos procurement a key agenda item
- Republic Day Visit – Matter to be discussed during proposed India visit for Republic Day
- Regional Expansion – Indonesia would join Philippines and Vietnam in Southeast Asian BrahMos acquisitions
- Strategic Partnership – Strengthens India-Indonesia defence cooperation
- Export Footprint – Expands India’s missile export presence in Southeast Asia
BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Defence exports are a key component of India’s strategic diplomacy and “Make in India” initiative.
🇮🇳 National News
Assam inaugurated the Northeast’s largest Eri silk spinning mill in Baksa district, established by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
Mill Features:
- Location – Baksa district, Assam
- Scale – Largest Eri silk spinning mill in Northeast India
- Established By – NEHHDC (North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation)
- Economic Impact – Boosts regional textile production and rural employment
- Silk Type – Eri silk, also known as “peace silk”
Eri silk is known as “peace silk” because the silk extraction process does not kill the silkworm. NEHHDC promotes handicrafts and handlooms in Northeast India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, celebrating rural India’s entrepreneurship and cultural heritage.
Event Details:
- Venue – Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Theme – “Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047”
- Focus – Celebrates entrepreneurship and cultural heritage of rural India
- Vision Alignment – Aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 long-term development vision
- Emphasis – Highlights rural innovation and self-reliance initiatives
“Viksit Bharat 2047” is India’s vision to become a developed nation by 2047, coinciding with 100 years of independence. Bharat Mandapam is a major convention venue in New Delhi.
President Droupadi Murmu commended NIMHANS for integrating Yoga and Ayurveda with modern mental healthcare during the institute’s Golden Jubilee celebrations in Bengaluru.
Recognition Highlights:
- Occasion – Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) celebrations of NIMHANS
- Location – Bengaluru
- Commendation – Integration of Yoga and Ayurveda with modern mental healthcare
- Innovative Approach – Recognized for holistic healthcare model
- Impact – Promotes integrative medicine in mental health treatment
NIMHANS stands for National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. Integrative medicine combines traditional practices (like Yoga and Ayurveda) with modern medical treatments.
💼 Business & Economy
State Bank of India (SBI) introduced two new deposit schemes – “Har Ghar Lakhpati” and “Patrons” – targeting senior citizens aged 80 years and above.
Scheme Features:
- Scheme Names – “Har Ghar Lakhpati” and “Patrons”
- Target Group – Senior citizens aged 80 years and above
- Objective – Facilitate accumulation of ₹1 lakh or its multiples
- Purpose – Encourage financial security and structured savings among elderly citizens
- Benefits – Customized benefits for senior citizens
Senior citizen-focused schemes often offer customized benefits including higher interest rates and preferential terms. Deposit schemes encourage structured savings and financial planning.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will launch Bharat Connect by March, a platform designed for business-to-business (B2B) payments.
Platform Details:
- Launch Timeline – By March 2025
- Previous Name – Earlier known as Bharat BillPay
- Developed By – National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- Purpose – Business-to-business (B2B) payments
- Implementation – Will function through partnerships with third-party application providers (TPAPs)
- Significance – Marks significant expansion of digital payment infrastructure
NPCI manages India’s digital payment systems including UPI (Unified Payments Interface). B2B digital payments are a rapidly expanding segment in India’s fintech ecosystem.
A report titled “Crypto Outlook 2024-2025” published by Blue Aster Capital and Crebaco Global recommends establishing a Digital Asset Regulatory Authority (DARA) by late 2025 or early 2026.
Proposal Highlights:
- Report Title – Crypto Outlook 2024-2025
- Publishers – Blue Aster Capital and Crebaco Global
- Recommendation – Establish Digital Asset Regulatory Authority (DARA)
- Proposed Timeline – Late 2025 or early 2026
- Context – Reflects India’s growing role in global cryptocurrency space
- Significance – Signals potential regulatory framework for crypto assets in India
Regulatory authorities oversee compliance and governance in their respective sectors. Digital asset regulation is an evolving policy area globally, with countries developing frameworks for cryptocurrency oversight.
🔬 Science & Technology
Tata Elxsi and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced a collaboration to develop virtual models of Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions for Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs).
Partnership Details:
- Partners – Tata Elxsi and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
- Technology – Virtual models of Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions
- Application – Supports cloud-native application development
- Focus Area – Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs)
- Platform – Virtual electronic control unit (ECU) platform
- Showcase – To be demonstrated at CES 2025
Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) rely heavily on software for vehicle functionality, enabling features like autonomous driving and over-the-air updates. CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is a major global technology exhibition held annually in Las Vegas.
📅 Important Days
World Day of War Orphans is observed annually on 6 January to raise awareness about children orphaned due to wars and conflicts worldwide.
Observance Details:
- Date – January 6 (observed annually)
- Purpose – Raises awareness about children orphaned due to wars and conflicts
- Focus – Emotional and psychological challenges faced by affected children
- Theme – Humanitarian and child welfare issues
- Significance – Draws global attention to vulnerable children affected by conflict
Important international days are frequently asked in competitive exams. This day emphasizes humanitarian concerns and the plight of children affected by armed conflicts globally.
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