2025 Republic Day Tableaux Theme and Selection Process:

  • The 2025 Republic Day Tableaux theme has been announced as "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas" (Golden India: Heritage and Progress), highlighting the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking development.

15 States/UTs Selected:

  • Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

11 Central Ministries/Departments:

  • Various ministries will also present their tableaux, showcasing India's progress in different domains.

Key Details on Tableaux Display

  • Kartavya Path: Selected states/UTs and ministries will showcase their tableaux during the main Republic Day parade.

 

No-Detention Policy Abolished for Classes 5 and 8 in Central Schools

  • The Central Government has eliminated the "no-detention policy" for classes 5 and 8 in schools under its control.
  • This move allows failing students to be retained in the same grade if they do not pass their year-end tests.

 Applicability:

  • The notification applies to over 3,000 central government-run institutions, including:
  • Kendriya Vidyalayas
  • Navodaya Vidyalayas
  • Sainik Schools

Re-Examination Framework:

  • Students failing year-end tests will receive extra tutoring and can retake exams within two months.
  • If they fail the re-exam, they will be retained in the same grade.

 Adoption Across States:

  • Following the 2019 amendment to the RTE Act, 16 states and 2 Union Territories, including Delhi, have already scrapped the no-detention policy for classes 5 and 8.
  • Haryana and Puducherry are yet to make a decision.

 

Masli in Gujarat's Banaskantha Becomes India's First 'Border Solar Village'

  • Masali, a village in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, has become the first "border solar village" in India.
  • The transformation was achieved by completing solar rooftop installations in all 199 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
  • Masali has a population of 800 and is located 40 kilometers from the Pakistan border.

About Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana:

  • The Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is the world's largest domestic rooftop solar initiative.
  • The scheme aims to provide solar power to 1 crore households by March 2027.
  • It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2024.

About Gujarat :

  • Governor : Acharya Devvrat
  • Chief Minister : Bhupendrabhai Patel
  • Capital : Gandhinagar

 

Santosh Ajmera Receives International Electoral Award for Citizens’ Engagement

  • Santosh Ajmera, an Indian Information Service (IIS) officer of the 2008 batch, has won an international award for effectively engaging citizens during the country's general elections.

Award Details

  • Award: International Electoral Award for Citizens’ Engagement 2024.
  • Organized by: International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS).
  • Presentation: During a three-day symposium in the Dominican Republic.

 

Former Supreme Court Judge V. Ramasubramanian Appointed as Chairperson of National Human Rights Commission

  • Former Supreme Court judge V. Ramasubramanian has been appointed as the new chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
  • The position of NHRC chairperson had been vacant since June 1, 2023, after Justice (retd) Arun Kumar Mishra completed his tenure.
  • Justice Mishra served as the 8th chairperson of NHRC, having been appointed in June 2021.
  • Justice Mishra was the first non-CJI to be appointed as the NHRC chairperson after the amendment to the Protection of Human Rights Act in 2019.

About National Human Rights Commission of India :

  • Formed : 12 October 1993
  • Headquarters : New Delhi, India

 

Kashmir Artisans Revive the Dodo in Papier Mâché 343 Years After Its Extinction

  • Papier mâché is a renowned traditional art form in Kashmir, introduced during the 15th century under the reign of Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah).
  • This art involves creating decorative items from paper pulp, including baubles, stars, wall hangings, and Easter eggs.

Key Highlights :

  • Revival of the Dodo:Kashmir artisans have revived the extinct dodo bird using papier mâché, 343 years after its extinction.
  • Over 50,000 papier mâché dodos have been exported to international markets, including Europe and Mauritius in East Africa, ahead of the Christmas season.
  • Geographical Indication (GI) Tag:Kashmir Papier Mâché has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag, recognizing the art form's unique regional identity.

 

Good Governance Day: 25th December

  • Good Governance Day 2024 is observed on the 25th of December 2024.

Good Governance Day History

  • Good Governance Day 2024 is observed for the birth anniversary of Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

 

Madhya Pradesh Declared a "Top Global Destination for 2025" by Wall Street Journal

  • Madhya Pradesh (MP) has earned a spot on the Wall Street Journal’s list of "Must-Visit Global Destinations for 2025" for its cultural heritage, wildlife, and natural landscapes.
  • The state is recognized for its vibrant cultural heritage, including its festivals and historical sites, contributing to its tourism appeal.
  • Madhya Pradesh is home to 14 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including 3 permanent and 11 tentative sites. • Notable UNESCO sites include Khajuraho, Panna, and Bandhavgarh.
  • The state boasts 9 tiger reserves, making it a hub for wildlife tourism, particularly for those seeking thrilling wildlife experiences.
  • Madhya Pradesh is often referred to as the "Heart of Incredible India" due to its diverse offerings, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and nature.

About Madhya Pradesh :

  • Governor : Mangubhai C. Patel
  • Chief Minister : Mohan Yadav
  • Capital : Bhopal
  • National Park : Satpura National Park, Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park
  • Wildlife Sanctuary : Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Bori Wildlife Sanctuary

 

  1. Jaishankar Honored with Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award
  • External Affairs Minister Jaishankar received the Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi National Eminence Award for Public Leadership from the South Indian Education Society (SIES) for his exceptional contributions to India's foreign policy and global leadership. Key Highlights from jaishankar's Address
  • Inspiration from Maha Periyavar:
  • Jaishankar reflected on Maha Periyavar’s teachings, particularly the message of universal brotherhood conveyed through the musical composition Maithreem Bhajatham.
  • He emphasized Periyavar’s global connections and their influence on India’s vision for international relations and diplomacy

 

Indian President Droupadi Murmu Appoints New Governors for 5 States

  • In a leadership reshuffle, President Droupadi Murmu appointed two new governors and reassigned three others across five states.
  • The reshuffle covers the states of Kerala, Bihar, Odisha, Manipur, and Mizoram.
  • Note : Article 155. Appointment of Governor : The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
  1. Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha
  2. General (Dr) Vijay Kumar Singh, Governor of Mizoram
  3. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala
  4. Arif Mohammed Khan, Governor of Bihar
  5. Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur

 

Forbes' 21st Annual List of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women (2024)

  • Forbes has revealed its 2024 ranking of the World's 100 Most Powerful Women, celebrating influential figures from business, entertainment, politics, philanthropy, and policymaking.
  • This year, three Indian women—Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw—have secured their places, spotlighting India's global impact.

Top 10 Women on the 2024 List

  • Claudia Sheinbaum – President of Mexico.
  • Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission.
  • Christine Lagarde – President of the European Central Bank.
  • Giorgia Meloni – Prime Minister of Italy.
  • Mary Barra – CEO of General Motors.
  • Abigail Johnson – CEO of Fidelity Investments.
  • Julie Sweet – CEO of Accenture.
  • Melinda French Gates – Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • MacKenzie Scott – Philanthropist.
  • Jane Fraser – CEO of Citigroup

 

Government Launches 'Udaan Yatri Cafe' to Address Overpriced Airport Refreshments

  • In response to growing concerns over high food and beverage prices at airports, the Indian government has introduced the ‘Udaan Yatri Cafe’ initiative.
  • The pilot project aims to provide affordable refreshments to air travelers, beginning at Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport.
  • This initiative was spurred by Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who raised the issue of inflated food prices in airports during the winter session of Parliament.

India Emerges as the 6th Largest Solar PV Exporter

  • India has achieved a significant milestone, ranking as the sixth largest exporter of solar photovoltaic (PV) products globally, with its share in the global solar PV export market increasing from 0.4% in 2013 to 2.51% in 2023.

 

Arunish Chawla Appointed as New Revenue Secretary, Succeeding Sanjay Malhotra 

  • Arunish Chawla, a 1992-batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, has been appointed as the new Revenue Secretary, succeeding Sanjay Malhotra.
  • Chawla is scheduled to superannuate in July 2028.
  • His previous roles include serving as Pharmaceutical Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Expenditure Department.

Rupee Falls 12 Paise to Reach Record Low of 85.27 Against U.S. Dollar

  • The Indian Rupee weakened for the third consecutive session, falling 12 paise to close at a new all-time low of 27 against the U.S. dollar.
  • The previous session's closing was at 85.15, and the rupee had also fallen by 9 paise the day before.

Key Highlights :

  • Factors Contributing to Weakness: The strong U.S. dollar and rising crude oil prices contributed to the rupee’s decline.
  • Increased month-end and year-end dollar demand from importers, combined with concerns over a potential aggressive import tariff from the U.S., pushed up the value of the U.S. dollar.

 

Shaastra 2025: IIT Madras's Premier Techno-Entertainment Festival

  • The 26th edition of Shaastra, India’s largest student-run techno entertainment festival, will take place from January 3-7, 2025, at IIT Madras.
  • Drawing over 60,000 participants, the event promises a mix of innovation, sustainability, and entertainment under the theme "Fractal Frontiers", inspired by nature’s intricate patterns.

Key Highlights

New Additions and Focus Areas

  • Themes: ‘Future Cities’ and ‘Smart Manufacturing’ added to the Shaastra Summit and Research Conference.
  • Environmental Commitment:
  • Replacing plastic and vinyl with reusable cloth-based materials.
  • Aligned with UN SDGs and India’s Net Zero by 2070 goal.

 

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2024: Recognizing Extraordinary Young Talents

  • President Droupadi Murmu presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar to 17 exceptional children for their outstanding achievements in various fields.
  • This prestigious award aims to honor and celebrate the extraordinary contributions of young talents across India.

Award Categories & Key Highlights

The award is presented across seven categories:

  • Art and Culture (Keya Hatkar, Ayaan Sajad & Vyas Om Jignesh)
  • Bravery (Saurav Kumar, Ioanna Thapa)
  • Innovation (Sindhoora Raja, Risheek Kumar)
  • Science and Technology
  • Social Work
  • Sports (Hembati Nag, Anish Sarkar)
  • Environment
  • Veer Bal Diwas: The award ceremony was held on Veer Bal Diwas to honor the bravery of Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to courage and patriotism.
  • Prizes: Each recipient received a medal, certificate, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh
  • Established: 1996 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  • Eligibility: The award is for children between the ages of 5 and 18 who are Indian citizens residing in India.

 

Prime Minister Modi Pays Tribute to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya on His 162nd Birth Anniversary

  • On the 162nd birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a heartfelt tribute to the renowned freedom fighter and educationist, recalling his significant contributions to India's independence and the establishment of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
  • The Prime Minister highlighted Malaviya's unwavering commitment to education, calling him an enduring source of inspiration for generations.
  • In honor of Mahamana Malaviya's legacy, PM Modi launched the first series of the ‘Collected Works of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya’ on December 25, 2023, at Vigyan Bhawan.

 

Centre names Sandip Mishra as Director of National Testing Agency

  • The Union government has appointed Sandip Kumar Mishra as the new director of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

About NTA :

  • Formed : November 2017
  • Headquarters : New Delhi, India
  • Chairman : Pradeep Kumar Joshi
  • The NTA is an autonomous body of the Department of Higher Education of the Ministry of Education of India.

 

India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Naval Exercise SLINEX 24 Held from 17-20 Dec 2024 at Visakhapatnam

  • The bilateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka is named SLINEX 24 (Sri Lanka - India Exercise 2024).
  • It was conducted from 17-20 December 2024 at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.

Indian Participation:

  • INS Sumitra, part of the Eastern Fleet, participated.

Sri Lankan Participation:

  • SLNS Sayura, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, represented the Sri Lankan Navy.

About Sri Lanka :

  • President : Anura Kumara Dissanayake
  • Prime Minister : Harini Amarasuriya
  • Capital : Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte (legislative), Colombo (executive and judicial)
  • Currency : Sri Lankan rupee

 

Andy Pycroft Joins Elite Club with 100th Test as Match Referee

  • Andy Pycroft, former Zimbabwe captain, achieved a remarkable milestone by officiating his 100th men's Test match as a referee during the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia.
  • He is now part of an exclusive group of match referees who have reached this significant mark.

Elite Match Referee Club

  • Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka): 225 Tests
  • Jeff Crowe (New Zealand): 125 Tests
  • Chris Broad (England): 123 Tests
  • Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe): 100 Tests

 

Vijayveer Sidhu Triumphs in Rapid-Fire Pistol at 67th National Shooting Championship

  • Vijayveer Sidhu, a 22-year-old shooter who finished ninth at the Paris Olympics, emerged victorious in the rapid-fire pistol event of the 67th National Shooting Championship at the Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad.
  • Sidhu defeated Olympian Gurpreet Singh with a score of 28-25 in a gripping finale.

 

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness: December 27

  • The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, observed annually on December 27, serves as a global reminder of the urgent need to strengthen public health systems for preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease outbreak.

 

IIT Bombay Develops Needle-Free Shock Syringe for Painless Drug Delivery

  • Researchers at IIT Bombay, led by Viren Menezes from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, have developed a needle-free solution for drug delivery: the shock syringe.
  • This breakthrough aims to make medical injections painless and more efficient, addressing common challenges associated with traditional needles.

How the Shock Syringe Works

  • Technology: The shock syringe utilizes high-energy shock waves, traveling faster than the speed of sound, to deliver drugs without a needle.
  • Micro Shock Tube System: Powered by pressurized nitrogen gas, the device generates a microjet of liquid that penetrates the skin at speeds twice as fast as a commercial airplane during takeoff.
  • Size & Design: The shock syringe is about the size of a ballpoint pen, making it compact and easy to use.

 

China's Brahmaputra Mega-Dam Raises Strategic and Environmental Concerns

  • China has approved the construction of the world’s largest hydropower dam on the Yarlung Zangbo River (Brahmaputra) in Tibet, near the Indian border. With an estimated cost of $137 billion, this ambitious project is poised to surpass the Three Gorges Dam in scale.
  • However, the development raises significant geopolitical, strategic, and environmental concerns, particularly for India and Bangladesh.
  • The dam positions China to potentially regulate or divert the river’s flow, affecting water availability in India and Bangladesh.
  • India is constructing a dam on the Brahmaputra in Arunachal Pradesh to mitigate potential impacts of Chinese control.

About China :

  • President : Xi Jinping
  • Capital : Beijing
  • Currency : Renminbi

 

Indian Army Contingent Leaves for India-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran

  • The 18th edition of Exercise SURYA KIRAN involves the participation of Indian and Nepalese Army contingents.
  • The Indian Army contingent consists of 334 personnel and is led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles.
  • The Nepal Army contingent will be represented by the Srijung Battalion.

History :

  • The 17th edition of Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN will be conducted in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 24th November to 07th December 2023.
  • The 1st edition of this exercise was held in Vairengte (Mizoram) India, in 2011.

About Ministry of Defence :

  • Defence Minister : Rajnath Singh
  • Minister of State : Sanjay Seth

 

Indian Navy Inducts Indigenous Warships 'Surat' and 'Nilgiri' in Boost to Aatmanirbharta in Defense

  • The Indian Navy received two warships: the destroyer Yard 12707 (Surat) and the frigate Yard 12651 (Nilgiri), marking a significant step towards self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta) in defense.
  • Both ships were designed and constructed indigenously by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), Mumbai.

 

TARANG: A 64-bit System Designed for Multi-Tasking, Multi-User, and High Uptime Operations

  • TARANG is a 64-bit machine, capable of supporting multi-tasking, multi-programming, multi-user and time-sharing environments and a balanced design to have 99.5% uptime with adequate redundancies and to avoid single point of failure so as to meet the operational requirements.
  • The HPC system is supported by technical support facilities such as Transformers, Diesel Generators, UPS, Batteries, Multiple utility paths, Lighting system, Adequate no of earthing pits and Cables.
  • The compute capacity is about 1 Peta FLOPS, with a 2 Peta Byte storage and 3 Peta Byte archival storage.

 

Kho Kho World Cup 2025: Salman Khan Appointed Brand Ambassador

  • The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has officially announced Bollywood superstar Salman Khan as the brand ambassador for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from January 13 to 19, 2025.
  • This historic event aims to elevate the traditional Indian sport of Kho Kho to a global platform, featuring participation from 24 countries.

Salman Khan’s Role

  • Brand Ambassador: Salman Khan will promote the sport and its cultural significance.
  • Personal Connection: Khan shared his fondness for Kho Kho, reflecting on its deep-rooted connection with Indian traditions.

 

Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Passed Away

  • India’s former prime minister Manmohan Singh, who steered the country through sweeping reforms and paved the way for its emergence as a global economic powerhouse, passed away at the age of 92 in New Delhi.

About Manmohan Singh :

  • Singh was born on 26 September 1932, in Gah, Punjab, British India.
  • He was an Indian politician, economist, academic, and bureaucrat, who served as the 13th prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014.
  • He was the 4th longest-serving prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Narendra Modi.
  • He was the first Sikh Prime Minister of India and the first non-Hindu to hold the post.
  • In 1972, Singh was chief economic adviser in the Ministry of Finance, and in 1976 he was secretary in the Finance Ministry.
  • In 1980–1982 he was at the Planning Commission, and in 1982, he was appointed 15th governor of the Reserve Bank of India under then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee and held the post until 1985.
  • He served as the 10th Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha from 21 March 1998 – 21 May 2004.

 

Puducherry and Tamil Nadu Observe 20th Tsunami Memorial Day

  • On December 26, 2024, the 20th anniversary of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami was commemorated across the coastal districts of Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Karaikal in Tamil Nadu.
  • The events paid tribute to the victims, recognized the resilience of survivors, and reflected on two decades of rebuilding efforts.

 

Union Ministry of Home Affairs reintroduces Protected Area Permit in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram due to security concerns

  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has reinstated the Protected Area Permit (PAP) in Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram due to security concerns arising from the influx of individuals from neighboring countries.
  • Foreign nationals visiting these states now need to secure the necessary PAP under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958.
  • Definition of PAP:The Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required by foreign nationals to visit certain sensitive areas in India located near international borders.
  • These areas are deemed sensitive due to their proximity to international boundaries.
  • Areas Covered by PAP:The PAP regime covers regions in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.

 

Koneru Humpy's Triumph at the 2024 Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship

  • Indian chess legend Koneru Humpy achieved another monumental feat by winning her second Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship title in New York at the age of 37.
  • Her victory is a testament to her resilience and love for the game, having made a remarkable comeback despite contemplating retirement.

 

Warren Upton, the Longest-Living Survivor of the Pearl Harbor Attack, Passed away

  • Warren Upton, the oldest known survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack, passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 105 in Los Gatos, California, following pneumonia.
  • Upton was 22 years old during the attack on Pearl Harbor and served aboard the USS Utah.
  • The USS Utah, a battleship, was one of the targets of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, which led to the U.S. entry into World War II.
  • Upton was preparing to shave when the first torpedo struck the ship, followed by a second torpedo that caused the ship to sink.
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in 2,333 American deaths and 1,139 injuries, marking a pivotal moment in U.S. history.

 

Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy Leader of Pakistan-based LeT, Passed Away

  • Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, deputy chief of Pakistan-based terrorist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), died due to a heart attack in Lahore.

About Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki :

  • Makki was implicated in terror financing related to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (2008), which resulted in 164 deaths.
  • In 2020, he was sentenced to six months of imprisonment in a terror financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.
  • In January 2023, he was designated a global terrorist by the United Nations, resulting in an assets freeze, travel ban, and arms embargo.
  • He was allegedly involved in the 2000 Red Fort attack, where six Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists opened fire on security forces, killing three people.
  • He was a close aide of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and had been maintaining a low profile after his imprisonment.