1. India to Host First-ever World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in 2024


• India will host the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) for the first time in February 2025.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this during his ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio address
Key Highlights:
Event Overview:
• Name: World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES)
• Dates: February 5-9, 2024
• Venue: New Delhi, India
• Purpose: To showcase India’s creative talent and establish the country as a global hub for content creation and creative collaboration.
PM Modi’s Address:
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced WAVES during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address.
• WAVES is positioned as a landmark initiative for India's entertainment and creative industries, with an invitation for creators from Bollywood, regional cinema, TV, animation, gaming, and entertainment technology sectors to participate.

 

 
2. Japan's Iconic Sake Added to UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, Celebrating Brewers and Enthusiasts

 

• Japan's traditional rice wine, sake, has been inducted into UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
• This recognition highlights the importance of sake in Japan's rich culinary and cultural traditions.
• Sake has a deep-rooted history in Japanese culture, being integral to both traditional rites and modern-day culinary practices.
• It is often considered more traditional than even sushi, symbolizing Japanese heritage.
• Sake is made through a detailed process of boiling, fermenting, and pressing Japanese rice over a period of two months.
About Japan :
• Prime Minister : Shigeru Ishiba
• Capital : Tokyo
• Currency : Japanese yen

 

 
3. South Korean Parliament Approves Impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo


• South Korea's National Assembly voted to impeach Acting President Han Duk-soo.
• This event marks a significant political development in the country.
• Han Duk-soo became acting president on December 14, 2024, after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached for failing to impose martial law.
• The impeachment motion for Han Duk-soo was passed unanimously with a 192-0 vote.
• First Impeachment of an Acting President: This is the first time in South Korean history that an acting president has been impeached by parliament.
About South Korea :
• Capital : Seoul
• Currency : Korean Republic won

 

 
4. K N Renuka Pujar Appointed as Karnataka University's First Transgender Woman Guest Lecturer


• K N Renuka Pujar has become the first transgender person to be appointed as a guest lecturer at a university in Karnataka, specifically Vijayanagara Sri Krishnadevaraya University.
• Pujar, aged 27, completed her post-graduation in Kannada, qualifying her for the guest lecturer position.
• Out of 30 applicants, Pujar was selected based on her qualifications, good marks, and performance in the lecture, as per the selection committee's assessment.

 

 
5. Centre appoints 1993-batch UP cadre IPS officer Vitul Kumar as the new Director General of Central Reserve Police Force


• The Centre appointed Vitul Kumar, a 1993-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre IPS officer, to officiate as the Director General (DG) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from January 1, 2025.
• Kumar takes charge following the retirement of Anish Dayal Singh, the outgoing CRPF DG.
About CRPF :
• Headquarters : New Delhi, India
• The CRPF is a central armed police force in India under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

 

 
6. China Introduces World's Fastest High-Speed Train Prototype


• China unveiled its CR450 prototype, a high-speed bullet train designed to achieve 450 km/h during test runs, making it the world's fastest high-speed train.
Key Features and Performance
• The CR450 surpassed the previous CR400 Fuxing model, which had a maximum speed of 350 km/h.
• The new train model sets new international benchmarks for key performance indicators such as operational speed, energy consumption, interior noise, and braking distance.
• Travel Time and Connectivity:The CR450 is designed to reduce travel time and improve connectivity, making domestic travel more convenient and efficient for the vast population of China.

 

 
7. 67th National Shooting Championship: Adarsh Singh Secures Gold in Standard Pistol


• Adarsh Singh was in top form, clinching the men’s 25-metre standard pistol gold with a seven-point margin over Udhayveer Sidhu, Omkar Singh and Olympian Gurpreet Singh in the 67th National shooting championship at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad.
Men’s 50m Free Pistol:
• Gold: Prashant Kumar
Women’s & Junior 50m Free Pistol:
• Gold (both categories): Sainyam

 

 
8. Global Family Day: 1st January


• Global Family Day 2025 is observed on the 1st of January 2025.
• Every year, Global Family Day, also known as World Peace Day, is observed to encourage the idea of peace and unity in the world.

 

 
9. Osamu Suzuki, the Pioneer of Maruti and Catalyst for India's Automobile Industry, Passed Away

 

• Osamu Suzuki, the man behind India’s automobile revolution and former chairman of Suzuki Motor Corporation, passed away at the age of 94.

 

 
10. Jimmy Carter, 39th US President and Honoree of Haryana Village "Carterpuri," Passed Away


• Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia.
• Carter was the longest-lived president in U.S. history.
• He was the third American president to visit India, during which a village in Haryana was named Carterpuri in his honor.
• In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advance democracy, and promote economic and social development.

 

 
11. 2024 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awardees Recognized for Exceptional Sporting Achievements


• The Indian government has announced the recipients of the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for 2024, honouring athletes who have made exceptional contributions to sports in the country.
• This esteemed award recognizes outstanding performances and achievements in various disciplines.
Awardees
• Manu Bhaker
• Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey)
• Praveen Kumar (Para Athletics)
• D Gukesh (Chess)
• The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest recognition for sports performance.
• Instituted in 1991–1992, the award celebrates the outstanding achievements of athletes who bring glory to the nation.

 

 
12. Indian Navy to commission 3 key fleet assets: Nilgiri, Surat, and Vagsheer


• 15 January 2025 is set to become a landmark day in India’s history as the Indian Navy prepares to commission three frontline combatants - Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate
class; Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class; and Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project - together at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
• All three platforms have been designed and constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, a testament to, India’s growing self-reliance in the critical domain of defense production.

 

 
13. Ministry of Defence designates 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms'


• The Ministry of Defence has declared 2025 as the "Year of Reforms" to modernize India’s armed forces and prepare them for future challenges.
• Reforms will enhance Jointness and Integration initiatives, aiming for the establishment of Integrated Theatre Commands.
• The reforms will prioritize new domains like Cyber and Space, as well as emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Hypersonics, and Robotics.
• The overall aim is to build a more capable, technologically advanced, and integrated military force by 2025.

 

 
14. Bhuvnesh Kumar Takes Over as Chief Executive Officer of Unique Identification Authority of India


• Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
About Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar :
• He is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1995 batch, Uttar Pradesh cadre.
• Graduate and gold medalist from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kurukshetra.
• Earlier, he has also served as the Joint Secretary in MeitY.

 

 
15. Kaamya Karthikeyan: The Youngest Female to Scale the Seven Summits


• At just 17 years old, Kaamya Karthikeyan, a student from Navy Children School in Mumbai, achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest female in the world to conquer the Seven Summits, a challenge involving scaling the highest peaks on all seven continents.
Details of the Seven Summits
• Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro (Tanzania)
• Europe: Mount Elbrus (Russia)
• Australia: Mount Kosciuszko (Australia)
• South America: Mount Aconcagua (Argentina)
• North America: Mount Denali (USA)
• Asia: Mount Everest (Nepal)
• Antarctica: Mount Vinson (Antarctica)
• Completed the challenge by summiting Mount Vinson on December 24, 2024, at 17:20 Chilean Standard Time. Kaamya's Earlier Achievements
• At 16, she became the youngest Indian to climb Mount Everest.

 

 
16. Hemanth Muddappa: India's "Drag King" Secures Triple Crown


• Hemanth Muddappa, celebrated as the “Drag King” of Indian motorsport, etched his name in history by achieving a triple crown during the final round of the MMSC FMSCI Indian National
Motorcycle Drag Racing Championship at the Madras International Circuit (MIC).
• With this feat, he reached a total of 15 National titles, becoming India’s most decorated motorsport athlete.

 

 
17. Russia introduces new tourist tax from January 1, 2025


• The new tourist tax in Russia came into effect on January 1, 2025, replacing the previous resort fee.
Tax Rate:
• Initial tax rate: 1% of lodging costs in 2025.
• Gradual increase: 3% by 2027.
• Minimum daily charge: 100 rubles (approx. $0.9).
Purpose: The tax aims to bolster regional tourism infrastructure as part of amendments to the Russian Tax Code introduced in July 2024, under the new chapter titled "Tourist Tax."
About Russia :
• President : Vladimir Putin
• Prime Minister : Mikhail Mishustin
• Capital : Moscow
• Currency : Ruble

 

 
18. Blinkit Launches 10-Minute Ambulance Service in Gurgaon


• Blinkit, a quick-commerce platform, has introduced a 10-minute ambulance
service in select areas of Gurgaon.
• Testing Phase: Currently operational with five ambulances, the service is in its pilot
stage.
• Affordable and Non-Profit Model: CEO Albinder Dhindsa emphasized that the
initiative aims to solve a critical problem, with profit not being the focus.

 

 
19. Arif Mohammad Khan Takes Oath as 42nd Governor of Bihar


• Arif Mohammad Khan was sworn in as the 42nd Governor of Bihar, succeeding
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who was appointed Kerala Governor.
• The oath of office was administered by Patna High Court Chief Justice K. Vinod
Chandran at the Raj Bhawan in Patna

 

 
20. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Sworn In as Kerala's 23rd Governor


• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2025.
• The oath was administered by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
• Arlekar replaced Arif Mohammed Khan as the Governor of Kerala.

 

 
21. Pakistan starts its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council from January 1, 2025


• Pakistan began its two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on January 1, 2025.
• Ambassador Munir Akram emphasized that Pakistan will take an "active and constructive" role in addressing global challenges during its term.
Key Highlights :
• Number of Terms: This is the eighth time Pakistan has held a non-permanent seat on the UNSC, with previous terms in 1952-53, 1968-69, 1976-77, 1983-84, 1993-94, 2003-04, and 2012-13.
• Election Results: In June 2024, Pakistan was elected to the UNSC with 182 votes in the 193-member
General Assembly, well above the required 124 votes for a two-thirds majority.
• Replaced Japan: Pakistan replaces Japan, which held the Asian seat in the UNSC, for the 2025-26 term.
• Other New Members: Along with Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia were elected as new
non-permanent members for the 2025-26 term.
About Pakistan :
• President : Asif Ali Zardari
• Prime Minister : Shehbaz Sharif
• Capital : Islamabad
• Currency : Pakistani rupee (₨)

 

 
22. Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Inaugurate Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025


• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Grameen
Bharat Mahotsav 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The event celebrates rural India’s entrepreneurial spirit and cultural legacy under the theme: "Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047"
with the motto: "ग ांव बढ़े, तो द़ेश बढ़े" (As villages grow, the nation prospers).
Key Highlights of Grameen Bharat Mahotsav
• Event Dates:
• The Mahotsav will run from 4th to 9th January 2025.

 

 
23. Assam Launches Northeast's Largest Eri Silk Spinning Mill in Baksa District


• The largest Eri silk spinning mill in the Northeast is located in Baksa district, Assam.
• The mill was set up by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC).
• Built at a cost of Rs 14.92 crore, the mill spans 12,916 square feet at the Integrated Textile Park in Kharuajan, Mushalpur.
• Production Capacity:The mill is equipped with 960 ring frame spindles.
• The daily production capacity of the mill is 450 kg.
• 22 people are currently employed at the mill, with 54% of them belonging to the Boro community.

 

 
24. Gujarat to Conduct India's First Census of Coastal and Wader Birds at Jamnagar's Marine National Park and Sanctuary from January 3 to 5


• The Gujarat government will conduct India’s first-ever census of coastal and wader birds at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar from January 3 to 5.
• The census will be a joint initiative between the Gujarat State Forest Department and the Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat.
• Jamnagar is considered a paradise for coastal birds, and this census will focus on counting the species of wader and coastal birds in the area.
Key Highlights :
• Marine National Park and Sanctuary:The Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Gujarat is India’s first designated marine national park.
About Gujarat :
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat
• Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Capital: Gandhinagar

 

 
25. LEADS 2024 Report: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra Lead Logistics Efficiency Rankings


• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry's LEADS (Logistics Ease Across Different States) 2024
report highlights the performance of states and Union Territories (UTs) in logistics, a vital factor for boosting exports and economic growth.
Key Highlights
• Achievers Category
The "Achievers" are states and UTs demonstrating top-tier logistical efficiency:
• Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi.
• Others in this category: Chandigarh, Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Assam, and
Arunachal Pradesh.
• Fast Movers Category
These states and UTs have shown significant improvement in logistics:
• Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan.
• Northeast states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura.
• Others: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.
• Aspirers Category
Regions with potential for growth:
• Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Ladakh.
Background
• LEADS, initiated in 2018, is modeled after the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index (LPI)

 

 
26. Matrimony.com appoints Anil Kapoor as brand ambassador to enhance community-specific matrimony services.com

 
• The Chennai-based Wed-Tech company, has signed actor Anil Kapoor as its brand ambassador to widen the reach of its community-based matrimony services.
• com offers over 200 community-based matrimony services categorised by caste, religion, occupation, and special groups.
About Matrimony.com :
• Founded : 14 April 1997
• Headquarters : Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Founder and CEO : Murugavel Janakiraman

 

 
27. Agnes Keleti, the Oldest Living Olympic Champion, Passed Away


• Agnes Keleti, the world's oldest Olympic champion and Holocaust survivor, has passed away at the age of 103.
About Agnes Keleti :
• Keleti's life story, including surviving the Holocaust and Olympic glory, reads like a gripping Hollywood film script, with her feisty spirit never breaking in the face of adversity.
• As Hungary's most successful gymnast, she won ten Olympic medals, all of them after reaching the age of 30 against much younger competitors.
• Keleti won a further six Olympic medals at Melbourne 1956, four of which were gold, to become the most successful athlete of the Games.

 

 
28. World Braille Day 2025 : 4th January


• World Braille Day is observed annually on January 4 to honour Louis Braille, the inventor of the Braille system, which has had a profound impact on the literacy, independence, and inclusivity of visually impaired individuals.

 

 
29. World Day of War Orphans 2025: 6th January


• World Day of War Orphans 2025 is observed on the 6th January 2025.
• Children who lose their parents in sudden, violent events like war are forced to live with a surviving relative or into the foster care system, where they must deal with horrible living conditions including starvation and disease.
• According to UNICEF, there were "almost 140 million orphans worldwide" as of 2015.

 

 
30. Gujarat Government Carves Out New District, Vav-Tharad, from Banaskantha


• The Gujarat government has decided to split Banaskantha district into two parts, creating a new district named Vav-Tharad, with its headquarters at Tharad.
• With the creation of Vav-Tharad, the total number of districts in Gujarat will increase to 34.
• Banaskantha was the largest district in Gujarat in terms of talukas and the second-largest in terms of area.
About Gujarat :
• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat

 

 
31. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Offers $1 Million Reward for Decoding Indus Valley Civilization Script


• MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, announced a $1 million cash prize for individuals or organizations that successfully decipher the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) script.
• Despite over 100 years of efforts, the script of the IVC, discovered by Sir John Marshall in 1924, remains a mystery.
About Tamil Nadu :
• Governor: R. N. Ravi
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Capital: Chennai

 

 
32. Joe Biden Awards Presidential Medals of Freedom to 19 Honorees


• President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, recognizing their contributions to entertainment, sports, activism, and diplomacy.
• Notable Honorees:
• Among the recipients were Bono (singer and activist), Earvin "Magic" Johnson (basketball legend), Lionel Messi (soccer superstar), Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox (actors), and Ralph Lauren (fashion designer).
• Jane Goodall (primate researcher) and Hillary Clinton (former First Lady, senator, and US secretary of state) were also recognized.
Posthumous Honors:
• The Presidential Medal of Freedom was awarded posthumously to Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black civil rights activist, and Robert F. Kennedy, former US attorney general and presidential candidate.
Political Figures and Influence:
• Hillary Clinton was honored for her historic role in public service and for being the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party.
• George Soros, the financier and philanthropist, was also recognized for his contributions to human rights, democracy, and social justice.

 

 
33. India: Second Most Targeted Nation for Cyberattacks in 2024


• India ranked second globally for cyberattacks in 2024, with 95 entities targeted in data theft incidents, according to the CloudSEK ThreatLandscape Report 2024.
• The United States led with 140 attacks, while Israel came third with 57 incidents due to geopolitical tensions.

 

 
34. Kiran Jadhav Shines at the 15th Lakshya Cup


• Kiran Jadhav of the Navy emerged victorious in the 10m air rifle event at the 15th Lakshya Cup held in Mumbai, securing his first gold medal after consistently making finals since 2018.

 

 
35. Luke Littler Becomes Youngest World Darts Champion


• Luke Littler, 17, became the youngest-ever World Darts Champion after defeating Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final at Alexandra Palace, London.