Table of Contents
National News
India Adds 4 New Ramsar Wetlands, First for Jharkhand & Sikkim
India has made a significant stride in wetland conservation, with four new sites recently added to the prestigious Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. This brings the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 89. Among the new additions, two wetlands from the northeastern region, one from Gujarat, and Udhwa Lake from Jharkhand have been recognized. The inclusion of these sites, especially the first-ever Ramsar recognitions for Jharkhand and Sikkim, highlights India’s commitment to preserving its diverse ecosystems.
Centre Allocates Rs 3,027 Cr for Disaster Mitigation
A High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has approved a substantial allocation of Rs 3,027.86 crore for various disaster mitigation projects across different states in India. The committee, which includes key members such as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, reviewed and approved a range of projects aimed at addressing lightning safety, drought-prone regions, and forest fire management. These projects are intended to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Indian Railways Launches ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp for Seamless Travel
On January 31, 2025, the Ministry of Railways launched the ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp, aiming to consolidate various railway services into a single, user-friendly platform. Currently in its beta phase, the app is available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The primary objective is to enhance user experience by integrating multiple services, thereby reducing the need for several separate applications.
International News
Niger Achieves Historic Milestone: First African Nation to Eliminate Onchocerciasis
On January 30, 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Niger has become the first country in the African region to officially eliminate onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness, as a public health threat. This remarkable achievement places Niger alongside just four other countries globally—Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico—that have successfully halted the transmission of the parasitic disease. It marks a significant moment in public health, especially for sub-Saharan Africa, where onchocerciasis has long been a major concern. According to WHO, Niger’s success reflects the progress made in controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases.
State News
Goa CM Inaugurates Sci-Fi Science Film Festival in Panaji
The Goa Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant, inaugurated the Sci-Fi Science Film Festival of India in Panaji on January 30, 2025. The festival, organised by Vidnyan Parishad Goa, celebrates science, innovation, and the spirit of curiosity, and is being held in honour of Dr. M. Swaminathan, a prominent scientist. The festival’s theme this year, “Green Revolution,” aims to inspire young minds and promote the path to a sustainable future. It is a 4-day event that emphasizes the importance of science and innovation for India’s progress and encourages the youth to engage actively in scientific endeavors.
Maha Kumbh Tragedy: 3-Member Panel Begins Investigation
A tragic stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj on January 29, 2025, led to the loss of at least 30 lives and left over 60 injured. The Uttar Pradesh government quickly set up a three-member judicial commission to investigate the causes behind the disaster and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents. Headed by retired High Court judge Harsh Kumar, the panel includes retired IAS officer D.K. Singh and former DGP V.K. Gupta. The team has been given a one-month deadline but aims to expedite the investigation.
Economy News
Union Budget 2025-26: Focus on Growth, Fiscal Discipline, and Social Welfare; Here’s a detailed analysis
The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines a comprehensive roadmap for India’s economic growth, emphasizing infrastructure expansion, fiscal prudence, and inclusive development. With a total expenditure of ₹50.65 lakh crore, the budget prioritizes capital investment, social sector spending, and tax reforms while aiming to reduce the fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP. Key allocations include significant funding for railways, highways, defence, and rural development, reinforcing the government’s commitment to long-term economic stability and job creation.
Income Tax Budget 2025: No income tax for upto ₹12 lakh in new tax regime
Individuals earning up to ₹12 lakh will not need to pay any income tax under the new tax regime. For salaried individuals, the exemption limit is ₹12.75 lakh, considering the standard deduction of ₹75,000.
Budget 2025 Prioritizes Healthcare with ₹98,311 Cr Allocation
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2025, emphasizing healthcare development, medical tourism, and improved access to medical services. The government allocated ₹98,311 crore for the healthcare sector, marking an increase from ₹90,658.63 crore in the previous fiscal year. Key announcements included customs duty exemptions on life-saving drugs, expansion of medical education, cancer care initiatives, and enhanced connectivity for healthcare services.
Summits and Conferences News
India to Host BRICS Youth Entrepreneurship Meet in March 2025
India is set to host the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group Meeting from March 3 to 7, 2025, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. This event, themed “Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth,” will bring together around 45 youth representatives from BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—to strengthen cooperation in entrepreneurship and innovation. The discussions will focus on building a framework for young entrepreneurs across BRICS countries and enhancing their participation in global markets.
Science and Technology News
Sunita Williams Sets New Spacewalk Record
Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams has set a new record for the longest spacewalking time by a woman, surpassing former astronaut Peggy Whitson’s previous record. Williams has now logged a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes of spacewalking time across nine spacewalks. The achievement came during her latest extravehicular activity (EVA) alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore on the International Space Station (ISS). The duo, who have been stranded on the ISS since June 2024 due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, conducted maintenance work outside the station.
Sports News
BCCI Awards 2024: Honoring Cricket Legends and Rising Stars
The BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar, a name synonymous with Indian cricket excellence. Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world’s best fast bowlers, was awarded the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2021-22 season. Smriti Mandhana, one of the leading figures in women’s cricket, received the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
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