Table of Contents
National News
India’s Digital Leap: NBM 2.0 & Sanchar Saathi App
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled two significant initiatives aimed at enhancing India’s digital connectivity and security: the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 and the Sanchar Saathi mobile application.
Building upon the foundation laid by NBM 1.0, which established nearly 8 lakh towers and increased broadband subscriptions from 66 crore to 94 crore, NBM 2.0 seeks to connect the remaining 1.7 lakh villages across India. The mission aims to ensure that at least 60 out of every 100 rural households have access to broadband connectivity, with a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps. This initiative is expected to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive growth.
Govt Launches App to Boost Battlefield Tourism
In a significant initiative to connect civilians with the valorous history of India’s armed forces, the government has launched the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app and website on January 15, 2025, coinciding with Army Day celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra. Developed jointly by the Ministries of Defence, Tourism, and the Indian Army, the app allows civilians to visit key battlefield locations, including those of the 1962, 1971, and 1999 wars, and significant conflict zones like Siachen base camp and Galwan valley. This effort aims to transform border regions into tourist hubs, offering citizens a closer connection to India’s military history and its soldiers’ sacrifices.
Lokpal of India Commemorates First Foundation Day
On January 16, 2025, the Lokpal of India celebrated its inaugural Foundation Day at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, marking 11 years since its establishment on January 16, 2014, under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
International News
China launches Pakistan’s satellite into space
On January 17, 2025, China successfully launched Pakistan’s first indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite, PRSC-EO1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The satellite, designed to collect Earth observation data using electro-optical sensors, was deployed into its planned orbit by a Long March-2D carrier rocket at 12:07 pm Beijing Time.
Economy News
India’s FY25 Growth Forecast Cut to 6.5% by IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised India’s economic growth forecast for FY25, reducing it to 6.5%, down from earlier projections. Despite this downward revision, the IMF retained a stable growth outlook for FY26. The adjustment reflects current challenges, including global economic uncertainties and domestic inflationary pressures, which may impact India’s growth trajectory. This revision comes in the context of the country’s ongoing recovery post-pandemic, with the IMF also citing inflation, investment slowdown, and geopolitical risks as key factors that could affect economic momentum.
Cabinet Approves ₹11,440 Crore Revival Package for Debt-Ridden RINL
The Union Cabinet has sanctioned a substantial ₹11,440 crore package to revitalize Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), commonly known as Vizag Steel, addressing its critical financial challenges. This strategic intervention aims to infuse ₹10,300 crore as equity capital into RINL and convert ₹1,140 crore of its working capital loans into 7% non-cumulative preference share capital, redeemable after a decade. This initiative is expected to resolve many of RINL’s longstanding operational issues.
Banking News
RBI Allows Overseas Banks to Open INR Accounts
In a significant policy shift, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has authorized overseas branches of authorized banks to open Indian Rupee (INR) accounts for non-residents. This initiative aims to bolster the global use of the Indian Rupee in cross-border transactions and investments.
RBI’s Record Forex Intervention in November 2024
In November 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sold a record $20.2 billion in the foreign exchange market to stabilize the rupee amid significant foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows. This intervention increased the RBI’s net short position in the forward market to $58.9 billion by the end of the month, up from $49.18 billion in October.
Appointments News
Justice Arun Mishra: New Ombudsman of BCCI
Justice Arun Mishra, a former Supreme Court judge, has been appointed as the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The announcement was made and marking another significant milestone in his illustrious career. Justice Mishra’s extensive legal expertise and leadership experience make him well-suited for the dual responsibilities of ensuring ethical practices and addressing disputes within the BCCI.
Sports News
Djokovic Breaks Federer’s Record for Grand Slam Match Count
Novak Djokovic, one of tennis’ greatest players, added another milestone to his illustrious career on January 17, 2025, by breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches played in tennis history. The Serbian tennis star achieved his 430th Grand Slam match during the second round of the Australian Open, where he won a challenging match against Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria. This victory added to Djokovic’s growing list of records, highlighting his unparalleled success in tennis.
Science and Technology News
Blue Origin Launches New Glenn on Maiden Flight
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on its maiden test flight. Named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, the rocket carried a prototype satellite into orbit. The launch marked a significant milestone for the company as it ventures further into competitive space exploration alongside SpaceX, NASA, and other aerospace giants.
First Black-eyed Pea Sprouts in Space by ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone in space agriculture by successfully germinating black-eyed pea (lobia) seeds aboard its Compact Research Module for Orbital Plant Studies (CROPS). This breakthrough underscores the potential for cultivating sustainable food sources for long-duration space missions, essential for meeting the nutritional and psychological needs of astronauts during extended periods in space.
Is Zombie Deer Disease Dangerous for Humans?
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), also known as “Zombie Deer Disease,” is spreading among wildlife, primarily deer, moose, and elk. While this prion disease is known to affect animals, concerns have arisen regarding its potential transmission to humans. Recent cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, especially in hunters who consumed meat from infected animals, have raised alarms. However, the evidence of CWD transmitting to humans is still inconclusive, and more research is needed to determine the actual risk.
New Indo-Burmese Pangolin Species Discovered by ZSI Scientists
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has made a groundbreaking discovery by identifying a new species of Indo-Burmese pangolin, Manis indoburmanica. This species is a distinct evolutionary branch that diverged from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) approximately 3.4 million years ago. The research, led by ZSI scientists, used advanced genetic tools to analyze mitochondrial genomes, revealing the unique evolutionary history and genetic characteristics of this species. This discovery has significant implications for pangolin conservation and the understanding of biodiversity in the Indo-Burma region, which is one of the world’s recognized biodiversity hotspots.
Obituaries News
Legendary Director David Lynch Dies at 78
David Lynch, the acclaimed Hollywood director and writer, passed away at the age of 78. A true visionary of modern cinema, Lynch revolutionized the film industry with his distinct surreal style and exploration of the darker facets of human nature and the subconscious. His works, which often delved into bizarre and unsettling narratives, left an indelible mark on both the horror and psychological thriller genres. Lynch’s creative genius spanned six decades and garnered him numerous accolades, including four Academy Award nominations and a Palme d’Or. Known for creating the iconic TV series Twin Peaks, Lynch’s contribution to cinema is celebrated worldwide.
17th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
16th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
15th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
