1. Union Home Minister to Launch BHARATPOL Portal: A Leap in Law Enforcement Collaboration
  • Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, is set to launch the BHARATPOL portal, developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
  • The event will take place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
  • The portal promises to enhance real-time information sharing among law enforcement agencies (LEAs) across India and internationally, enabling quicker responses to transnational crimes.
  • CBI will manage the portal as the National Central Bureau (NCB-New Delhi) for INTERPOL in India.
  • Collaboration: It will improve coordination between central, state, and union territory law enforcement agencies.

 

 
2. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Transfers ₹1,415.44 Crore to 56.61 Lakh Women Under Maiya Samman Yojana
  • Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren transferred ₹1,415.44 crore to 56.61 lakh women under the Maiya Samman Yojana on January 6, 2024.
  • The scheme was a key promise made by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc ahead of the Assembly elections.
    Scheme Details:
  • The scheme increased the monthly transfer to women from ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 for women aged between 18 to 50 years.
    About Jharkhand :
    • Governor : Santosh Gangwar
    • Chief Minister : Hemant Soren
    • Capital : Ranchi

 

 
3. Top Wins at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards
  • The 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards showcased a stellar night for a mix of newcomers and familiar faces, with "The Brutalist" and "Emilia Perez" taking top movie honours.
  • Meanwhile, the TV category saw "Shogun" dominate with multiple awards, solidifying its place in the 2024 award season.
    Key Highlights of the Golden Globe Awards
    Top Film Awards
    • "The Brutalist" won Best Drama along with Best Actor (Adrien Brody) and Best Director (Brady Corbet).
    • "Emilia Perez", a buoyant Netflix musical, led with four awards, including Best Non-English Language Film (representing France), Supporting Actress (Zoe Saldana), and Best Song ("El Mal").
    • "Wicked" won the Cinematic and Box-office Achievement Award for its commercial success, grossing over $680 million worldwide.

     

 
4. Hanoi Declared World's Most Polluted City: Urgent Health and Environmental Concerns
  • Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, has recently been identified as the world’s most polluted city, with 5 levels reaching an alarming 266 micrograms per cubic meter.
  • This severe air quality situation has raised health concerns and triggered governmental actions to mitigate the crisis.
    Unprecedented Air Quality Levels
    • Date of Report: January 3, 2025
    • Global Ranking: Hanoi’s PM2.5 levels were the highest globally, signaling an urgent air pollution crisis.

 

 
5. Two Fast Patrol Vessels Built by Goa Shipyard Limited for Indian Coast Guard Launched in Goa
  • Two Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) - Amulya and Akshay indigenously designed and constructed by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) were launched in the
    presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar in Goa on January 05, 2025.
  • The two FPVs are the third and fourth vessels of the fleet of eight FPVs being constructed by GSL for ICG, underscoring the shipyard’s pivotal role in realising the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence production.
    Key Highlights :
    • The first two FPVs of the same series - Adamya and Akshar– were launched in October 2024.
    • Its primary role will be fisheries protection and monitoring island territories, exclusively economic zones and coastal patrol.
    • Vessels shall also perform anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and search & rescue operations.

 

 
6. Pope Francis Appoints Sister Simona Brambilla as First Woman to Lead Major Vatican Department.
  • Pope Francis has appointed Sister Simona Brambilla as the first woman to head a major Vatican department, the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
  • Role and Responsibilities: Brambilla will oversee the world’s Catholic religious orders, marking a significant milestone in the church’s history. She replaces Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, who had served in the role since 2011 and is retiring at the age of 77.

 

 
7. 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Celebrations Kick Off in Bhubaneswar
  • The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) commenced on january 8th, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, with around 6,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs)
  • These attendees include business leaders, academicians,economists, and philosophers from 75 countries, marking a significant occasion for New Delhi to strengthen its relationship with the global Indian community.
  • Theme: The theme for the 2025 PBD Convention is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
  • Pravasi Bharatiya Express Launch: PM Modi will also launch the Pravasi Bharatiya Express, a special tourist train designed for the Indian diaspora, as part of the Pravasi Teertha Darshan Yojana.
  • Historical Significance: Celebrated on January 9 each year since 2003, PBD honors the contribution of the Overseas Indian community to India's development. The date was chosen to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa in 1915, which marked the beginning of India's freedom struggle.
  • The PBD Convention was revised in 2015 to be held biennially, with each edition being organized in partnership with a state government.

 

 
8. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Recognizes Sevdalinka as Intangible World Cultural Heritage
  • In December, 2024 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Sevdalinka (also known as Sevdah) to its list of intangible world cultural heritage.
  • Sevdalinka is a traditional folk music genre that dates back to the 16th century Ottoman Empire.
  • The music is often referred to as the "Balkan Blues" due to its focus on sad love songs.
    About UNESCO :
    • Formation : 16 November 1945
    • Headquarters : Paris, France
    • Director General : Audrey Azoulay

 

 
9. Indian Films Competing at the 97th Academy Awards (Oscars 2025)
  • The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced 323 feature films eligible for the Oscars 2025.
  • Seven Indian films have cut the 207 contenders for Best Picture, marking a significant moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.
    Kanguva
    Aadujeevitham
    Putul
    Santosh
    Swatantrya veer savarkar
    All we imagine as light
    Girls will be girls
    Other Highlights for India at Oscars 2025
  • Anuja (Indian short film): Shortlisted for Best Live Action Short, produced by Guneet Monga.
  • Laapataa Ladies (India’s entry for Best International Feature): Did not make the final shortlist.
 
 
10. V Narayanan Appointed as New ISRO Chairman and Space Secretary, Takes Charge on January 14, 2025
  • V Narayanan has been appointed as the new Space Secretary and Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), effective from January 14, 2024.
  • Narayanan succeeds S Somanath as Chairman of ISRO.
  • Narayanan was previously the Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).

 

 
11. ISRO's SpaDeX Satellites: First to Be Independently Built by Industry
  • The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) marked the first industry developed satellites for space docking, built under the guidance of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) engineers.
  • Satellites and Orbit Details:The two satellites, SDX01 (chaser) and SDX02 (target), each weighing 220 kg, were placed in a 476 km circular orbit using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV C60)
  • India’s Achievements in Space Docking:India became the fourth country to achieve space docking using its indigenously developed "Bharatiya Docking System".
    About ISRO :
    • Established: 15 August 1969
    • Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka, India

 

 
12. Bengaluru Emerges as India's Top City for Women in 2024
  • According to the ‘Top Cities for Women in India 2024’ (TCWI) report by the Avtar Group, Bengaluru has overtaken Chennai as India’s top city for women.
  • The report highlights Bengaluru’s lead in creating a more inclusive environment for women, followed by Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune.
    Key Highlights of the Report
    Top Cities for Women in 2024:
    • Bengaluru ranked first, followed by:
    • Chennai
    • Mumbai
    • Hyderabad
    • Pune
    South India emerged as the most inclusive region, scoring the highest in
    both Social Inclusion Score (SIS) and Industrial Inclusion Score (IIS).

 

 
13. Rajeev Mehta Appointed as the First Indian Secretary General of Fencing Confederation of Asia
  • Rajeev Mehta was elected as the Secretary-General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) during the General Assembly of the organization.
  • He is the first Indian to hold this prestigious continental leadership position in the FCA.
  • Mehta is currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Fencing Association of India.
  • The FCA General Assembly was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, marking a significant moment for both the organization and Asian fencing.
    About FCA :
  • The FCA is an international body created in 1988, charged with the
    promotion and development of fencing in Asia.

 

 
14. Bahadur Singh Sagoo, Asian Games Gold Medallist, Elected as President of Athletics Federation of India
  • Bahadur Singh Sagoo, an Asian gold medalist and Padma Shri awardee, was elected as the new president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
  • The election took place during the AFI's Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Chandigarh.
  • Sagoo's election marks the end of the more than decade-long tenure of former president Adille Sumariwalla, who served as AFI president since 2012.
  • Sagoo is a former Asian medallist in shot put, having won a gold medal at the 2002 Busan Asian Games.
  • He is a two-time national champion and competed in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.

 

 
15. Younis Khan Appointed Mentor of Afghanistan Men's Cricket Team for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
  • Former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan has been named the mentor for the Afghanistan men's cricket team for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to take place in Pakistan.
    Key Details
    • Tournament Details:
    • The Champions Trophy will begin on February 19, 2025.
    • Afghanistan is in Group B, alongside Australia, England, and South Africa.
    • Matches involving Afghanistan will be held in Karachi and Lahore.
 
 
16. Martin Guptill Announces Retirement from International Cricket
  • Martin Guptill, one of New Zealand's most accomplished cricketers, has officially retired from international cricket.
  • The 38-year-old, known for his explosive batting and memorable contributions in white-ball formats, will now focus on playing in T20 leagues worldwide.
 
 
17. World Hindi Day: 10th January
  • World Hindi Day 2025 is observed on the 10th of January 2025.
  • The inaugural World Hindi Conference, or Vishva Hindi Sammelan, was held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in 1975, which is when World Hindi Day first became a thing.

 

 
18. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025: A Transformative Celebration of Youth Leadership
  • As India marches towards its centenary of Independence in 2047, the nation is investing in its youth as the architects of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
  • Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of engaging one lakh youth in politics without prior political backgrounds, the National Youth Festival has transformed into the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025.
  • This initiative aims to empower youth, cultivate leadership, and generate actionable ideas that align with India's vision for development.
    A three-stage competition designed to nurture and spotlight India's brightest young minds:
    Stage 1: Viksit Bharat Quiz
    Stage 2: Viksit Bharat Essay Competition
    Stage 3: Viksit Bharat Vision Deck Competition

 

 
19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid Foundation Stone for India’s First Green Hydrogen Hub in Andhra Pradesh
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a Green Hydrogen Hub project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking a major milestone under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
  • The event, conducted virtually from Visakhapatnam, highlights India’s push towards renewable energy and sustainable development.

 

 
20. India Unveils GenomeIndia Database: A Landmark in Biotechnology Research
  • India has completed the GenomeIndia Project, a groundbreaking initiative that sequenced the genomes of 10,000 Indians from 83 population groups, representing about 2% of the country's 4,600 population groups.
  • This data is a valuable resource for global researchers to explore disease mechanisms, drug therapies, and genetic diversity.
    Key Highlights
    • Project Overview:
    • The project is a five-year effort initiated in 2018, with contributions from over 20 leading research institutions, including IISc, IITs, CSIR, and BRIC.
    • Despite challenges like COVID-19, the project successfully completed its objective of creating a Diverse Genetic Resource for India.
    • Database Accessibility:
    • The compiled data is housed at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) in Faridabad, Haryana.

 

 
21. PM Modi Likely To Inaugurate Rs 2,400 Crore Z-Morh Tunnel On Srinagar-Leh Highway In Kashmir
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Rs 2,400 crore Z-Morh Tunnel.
  • This 6.5 km tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway is a key infrastructure project that will ensure year-round accessibility to the Ladakh region.
    Key Features and Impact of the Z-Morh Tunnel
    • Strategic Importance:
    • The tunnel is vital for national defence and connectivity to Ladakh, providing uninterrupted road access to the region.
    • It will help strengthen defence logistics and enable smoother military mobility in the Ladakh region, especially in harsh winter months when roads are often closed.

 

 
22. Book on Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple Released as Part of The Hindu Group’s Shrine Series
  • Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson of The Hindu Group Publishing Private Limited, released a new book titled "Thiruvallikeni – Divine Abode of Lord Parthasarathy" as part of The Hindu Group’s Shrine Series.
  • The book delves into the rich history and spiritual significance of the Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple in Triplicane, Chennai.
  • Uniqueness of the Temple:
  • The Sri Parthasarathy Perumal Temple is notable for having five
    deities worshipped in the temple, all of whom are praised in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
  • A particularly rare feature of this temple is the co-enshrinement of Lord Krishna and Sri Balarama together, which distinguishes it from other temples.

 

 
23. Flamingo Festival to Start on January 18 in Tirupati District
  • The Flamingo Festival will be held after a gap of five years in
    Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, from January 18 to 20, 2025.
  • The festival will be spread across five locations in the region:
    • Nelapattu
    • V. Palem
    • Atakanithippa
    • Sri City
    • Sullurpeta
    • Over 200 varieties of birds are expected to migrate to this region during the festival season.
    • The government has developed infrastructure facilities in the region, integrating them with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for better accessibility and sustainability.
 
 
24. Lebanese Parliament Chooses Joseph Aoun as President, Ending 2 Year Impasse
  • Lebanon's parliament is making another attempt to elect a president, aiming to fill a presidential vacancy that has lasted over two years since Michel Aoun's term ended in October 2022.
  • 12 previous attempts have failed to elect a successor, but there are indications that Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese army commander, may be elected as president in the upcoming vote.
    Key Highlights :
    • Leading Presidential Candidate:Joseph Aoun is seen as the leading
    candidate for president and is backed by the United States and Saudi Arabia.
    About Lebanon :
    • Prime Minister : Najib Mikati
    • Capital : Beirut
    • Currency : Lebanese pound

 

 
25. Pratik Waikar: Leading India to the Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup
  • Pratik Waikar, a 32-year-old kho kho player from Pune, is set to captain the Indian men's team in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, marking a significant milestone in his journey with this indigenous sport.
    Key Highlights
    The Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup
    • Dates: January 13–19, 2025.
    • Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
    • Opening Match: India vs. Nepal.
    • Pakistan will not participate due to visa issues.

 

 
26. England Hockey Introduces Policy Restricting Transgender Women from Female Category
  • England Hockey announced a significant policy change, outlining that transgender women will not be allowed to compete in the female category starting next season.
  • This move is part of a broader strategy to address transgender and non-binary participation in the sport.
    Key Features of the New Policy:
    • Introduction of Two Categories:
    • Female Category: Restricted to cisgender women.
    • Open Category: Inclusive of all participants, including transgender and non-binary players.

 

 
27. National Human Trafficking Awareness Day: 11th January
  • National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 2025 is observed on the 11th January 2025.
  • The fight against human trafficking made progress in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

 

 
28. Reserve Bank of India reveals results of the third edition of its Global Hackathon – HaRBInger 2024
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the names of the winners of the third edition of its Global Hackathon with the themes 'Zero Financial Frauds' and 'Being Divyang.
  • Participation and Response:The hackathon received 534 proposals in total.
  • 39 proposals were submitted by teams from outside India, including countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brazil, Morocco, and others.
    Winners of the Hackathon:
    • FPL Technologies
    • Xaults Technologies
    • Epifi Technologies
    • NapID Cybersec
    • H Vision India (Hasin Vaidya)
    • Rupya Darshini (Parthiban R, Jebaraj V, and Gobika S)
    • VisAst (Krimisha Deore)
    • Prize Money:Winners: Each winner of a problem statement received INR 40 lakh.

 

 
29. Union Minister Piyush Goyal Launches Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform
  • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal unveiled the Bharat Cleantech Manufacturing Platform at the Bharat Climate Forum 2025 in New Delhi.
  • This initiative aims to strengthen India’s value chains in the solar, wind, hydrogen, and battery storage sectors, marking a significant step toward India’s sustainability goals.
  • This collaboration is expected to position India as a global leader in sustainability and cleantech.
    3S Approach: Speed, Scale, and Skill
    Shri Goyal emphasized the Government's adoption of the 3S strategy— Speed, Scale, and Skill—to propel India’s renewable energy initiatives, ensuring rapid progress and global competitiveness.

 

 
30. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 Trains and Updates on Key Rail Projects
  • Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the upcoming Amrit Bharat Version 2.0 trains, which will focus on upgraded passenger amenities.
  • Manufacturing Timeline: Fifty trains will be produced within two years.
  • Production Facilities: Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurtala, Punjab, will manufacture these trainsets.
  • Target Demographic: Designed for low-income and lower-middle income families, providing affordable long-distance travel options.

 

 
31. India to Participate in AI and FDI Session at WEF 2025 in Davos
  • India will take part in a session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) at the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 55th annual meeting, scheduled from January 20-24, 2025, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
  • The session, titled AI and FDI: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Investment, is co-organized by Invest India and WAIPA and supported by the World Investment for Development Alliance (WIDA).
    Theme of WEF 2025:
    • The overarching theme for this year is "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age", focusing on advancements in AI, frontier technologies, renewable energy, and global partnerships.

 

 
32. UAE initiates educational campaign in Gaza as part of Operation Chivalrous Knight 3
  • The UAE launched a campaign in Gaza under Operation Chivalrous Knight 3 to support education in the region.
  • Purpose: The campaign aims to provide school bags and educational supplies to children, helping them continue their education amidst challenging humanitarian conditions.
  • Campaign Supplies: The aid includes school bags, notebooks, pens, stationery, and other necessary educational materials.
  • Humanitarian Efforts: This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader humanitarian efforts to alleviate living burdens for Palestinian families and improve the quality of life for children in Gaza.

 

 
33. Venezuela's Maduro Takes Oath for Third Term Following Disputed Elections
  • Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a third presidential term in Venezuela, following disputed presidential elections held in July 2024.
  • He took the oath of office before Venezuela's parliament, promising a period of peace, prosperity, equality, and new democracy for his third term.
  • Maduro's victory in the election was declared by the National Electoral Council (CNE), which is closely aligned with his government.
  • The official results of the July 2024 election have been widely rejected by the opposition and the international community, with allegations of a rigged outcome.
  • Countries such as Brazil and Colombia have refused to recognize the election result.
    About Venezuela :
    • Capital : Caracas
    • Currency : Venezuelan bolívar (VED)

 

 
34. POCO appoints Akshay Kumar as brand ambassador ahead of X7 series launch
  • Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar has been appointed as the brand ambassador for POCO India.
  • The partnership reflects POCO's commitment to redefining technology for India's youth.
  • The announcement comes ahead of the POCO X7 series launch.
  • Akshay Kumar's association aligns with the POCO X7 series campaign theme "Xceed Your Limits," which encourages users to push boundaries and strive for excellence.
 
35. National Youth Day: 12th January
  • National Youth Day 2025 is observed on the 12th January 2025.
  • On January 12, 1984, the Indian government declared Swami Vivekananda's birthday as National Youth Day for the first time.

 

 
36. India Becomes Member of UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics
  • India has been officially inducted into the UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data
    Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD).
  • This committee was created to explore the benefits and challenges of big data, including its
    potential for monitoring and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    Importance of India's Inclusion
    • Timing: India's inclusion in this expert committee is significant, as it comes shortly after India
    assumed membership of the United Nations Statistical Council, marking the country’s
    return after a considerable gap.
    About UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science Official Statistics:
    • The UN Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN
    CEBD) was created in 2014.
    • The first Chair of the committee was Australia.
    • The committee is governed by two main bodies:
    • Advisory Board: This is the management body of the UN-CEBD. It meets approximately four times per year to review the work of the committee and provide strategic direction.
    • UN Bureau: This body is responsible for the ongoing operations of the UN-CEBD.

 

 
37. INDIA TO HOST 28TH CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS AND PRESIDING OFFICERS OF PARLIAMENTS OF COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES WITH FOCUS ON AI AND SOCIAL MEDIA: LOK SABHA SPEAKER
  • India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC) in 2026, as announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om
    Birla during the CSPOC Standing Committee Meeting in Guernsey.
    Key Highlights:
    • The conference will center around artificial intelligence and social media in parliamentary processes, exploring how these technologies can enhance parliamentary functions.

 

 
38. S Jaishankar To Attend Donald Trump's Swearing-In Ceremony On January 20, 2025
  • External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar will represent India at the swearing-in ceremony of Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America, as announced by New Delhi.
  • The ceremony is expected to take place next week, around January 20.
  • During his visit, Mr. Jaishankar will also meet representatives of the incoming Trump administration and other dignitaries attending the occasion, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
  • This marks Jaishankar’s second visit to the US in less than a month.
 
 
39.  J.D. Vance as Vice-President
  • D. Vance will serve as the new Vice-President of the United States under President Trump.
  • This will be Trump’s second term as President, following his tenure as the 45th US President from January 2017 to January 2021.

 

 
40. Devajit Saikia elected new Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, replaces Jay Shah
  • Devajit Saikia, a former cricketer from Assam, has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), succeeding Jay Shah.
  • His election took place during a Special General Meeting (SGM) on Jan 12,2025.
    Key Appointments at the SGM:
    • Saikia was the only nominee for the position of secretary and was officially elected.
    • Prabhtej Singh Bhatia was appointed as the treasurer at the same meeting, also as the sole nominee for the role.