On January 17, 2025, Russia and Iran signed a 20-year "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" aimed at enhancing bilateral ties. Which of the following is NOT a key area of cooperation included in this treaty?

The treaty focuses on enhancing relations across multiple areas, such as: Economic collaboration: The treaty includes provisions for increasing trade, with a specific emphasis on expanding trade ties between Russia and Iran. Joint military efforts: Military cooperation is a crucial aspect of the agreement, particularly focusing on defense against common threats and intelligence sharing. Energy and infrastructure: Significant initiatives for gas shipments and establishing transport corridors are part of the treaty, particularly involving Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Cultural and scientific exchange: The treaty covers collaboration in areas such as technology, peaceful nuclear energy, and counterterrorism efforts. Space Exploration: The treaty does not mention any provisions regarding space exploration,

22nd January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily GK Update)

Table of Contents

National News

UNESCO and MeitY Partner on AI Readiness Assessment in India

In a significant move to align India’s artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem with global ethical standards, UNESCO’s South Asia Regional Office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Ikigai Law, organized a two-day stakeholder consultation on the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). Held on January 16 and 17, 2025, at IIIT Bangalore and the NASSCOM AI office, respectively, the event aimed to craft an India-specific AI policy report that identifies strengths and growth opportunities within India’s AI landscape.

Dhananjay Shukla Becomes ICSI President for 2025

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has elected Dhananjay Shukla as its President and Pawan G Chandak as Vice President for the year 2025. This announcement was made on January 19, 2025.

International News

U.S. Withdraws from WHO and Suspends Foreign Aid

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order initiating the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) and suspending all foreign aid for 90 days. This decision has sparked significant global concern and debate.

Trump Withdraws US from Paris Agreement Again

On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump initiated the United States’ second withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, a move that has significant implications for both domestic and international climate policies.

Yala Glacier in Nepal Set to Vanish by 2040s Due to Climate Change

Yala Glacier, situated in Nepal’s Langtang National Park, has been a focal point for glaciological studies due to its significant retreat over recent decades. Recent analyses predict that this glacier may vanish by the 2040s, underscoring the profound impacts of climate change on the Himalayan cryosphere.

Nigeria Joins BRICS as Partner, Aims for Global Collaboration

On January 17, 2025, Nigeria was officially admitted as a partner country of the BRICS bloc, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This strategic move aims to bolster Nigeria’s economic and diplomatic ties with leading emerging economies. The announcement was made by Brazil’s Foreign Ministry, highlighting Nigeria’s significant role in strengthening South-South cooperation and advocating for global governance reforms.

State News

Chhattisgarh CM Launches Rs 10K Annual Aid Scheme for Labourers

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has launched a scheme to provide Rs 10,000 annually to landless labourers in the state, continuing his commitment to support vulnerable sections. This initiative is part of a larger series of welfare measures promised during the pre-poll campaign. The scheme aims to benefit approximately 7.5 lakh landless agricultural labourers in Chhattisgarh, reflecting the government’s focus on improving their financial stability. The CM’s announcement builds on past promises made during elections and further strengthens the state’s social welfare framework.

Defence News

DRDL’s Groundbreaking Active Cooled Scramjet Engine Test

The Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based facility under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has made significant strides in developing next-generation hypersonic technology. This advanced technology revolves around the Supersonic Combustion Ramjet (Scramjet), a revolutionary propulsion system designed for hypersonic missiles. Recently, DRDL achieved a historic milestone by successfully conducting a ground test of an Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor for 120 seconds, marking a first for India. This accomplishment brings India closer to operationalizing hypersonic missiles capable of unprecedented speed and agility.

Ranks & Reports News

India Slips to Third Place in Edelman Trust Barometer 2025 Rankings

The Edelman Trust Barometer 2025, an annual survey by the global communications firm Edelman, revealed key insights into public trust levels in government, businesses, media, and NGOs. This year, India has slipped one rank to the third spot globally in terms of overall trust, despite its score remaining unchanged. The study, released ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, highlighted significant disparities in trust levels across income groups and nations.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Public Pension Wealth in 2025

Public pension wealth, the total value of assets held by a country’s public pension system, plays a critical role in determining its financial stability and social security outlook. These funds ensure economic security for retired individuals, offering financial independence in their later years. In this article, we explore the top 10 countries with the highest public pension wealth in 2025, highlight the position of India, and examine the challenges and reforms in its pension system.

Appointments News

Justice Alok Aradhe Appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court

The central government has issued a notification confirming the appointments of Justice Alok Aradhe as the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. These transfers aim to strengthen judicial leadership in two of India’s busiest high courts.

Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya Takes Oath as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court

Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya was officially sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court in a formal ceremony. The oath was administered by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at the Raj Niwas in the presence of several dignitaries, including Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and other judges of the Delhi High Court. This marks a significant moment in Justice Upadhyaya’s illustrious legal career, underscoring his judicial contributions and leadership.

Senior IPS Officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal Appointed as BSF ADG

Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, has been appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF). This appointment was confirmed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 19, 2025. Aggarwal will serve in this capacity for four years from the date he assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Schemes News

Celebrating a Decade of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, a pivotal initiative launched on January 22, 2015, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Panipat, Haryana. This nationwide campaign aims to address gender imbalance and promote the welfare of the girl child across India.

Business News

Indian IT Giants Lead 2025 Brand Finance IT Services Rankings

In the 2025 Brand Finance IT Services rankings, Indian technology leaders have solidified their global positions, underscoring India’s pivotal role in the IT sector. Accenture maintains its position as the world’s most valuable IT services brand for the seventh consecutive year, with a brand value of $41.5 billion, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. The company’s strong global presence, diverse service offerings, and strategic investments in AI have reinforced its leadership. Additionally, Accenture has overtaken IBM Consulting to become the strongest IT services brand in 2025, achieving a brand strength index score of 89.6/100 and an equivalent AAA+ rating.

Sports News

Gujarat to host 1st Olympic Research Conference

India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics has taken a significant step forward, as officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and experts from diverse fields gather in Gujarat for a pivotal four-day event. This meeting, organized in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focuses on developing strategies and innovative economic models to build sustainable sports infrastructure, essential for positioning India as a strong contender for hosting the prestigious global event.

Books and Authors News

How India Led the G20: Amitabh Kant’s Inside Story

Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, has unveiled the behind-the-scenes journey of India’s G20 Presidency in his book “How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency” (Rupa Publications). The book highlights the challenges, negotiations, and triumphs that shaped one of the most significant global summits hosted in New Delhi in September 2023.

Miscellaneous News

Ayodhya Celebrates First Anniversary of Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratishtha

The sacred city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is resonating with devotion and festivity as it marks the first anniversary of the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir. The milestone event, celebrated on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, reflects the city’s spiritual legacy and the culmination of centuries of devotion and struggle.