Table of Contents
National News
Best Marching Contingents and Tableaux of Republic Day Parade 2025 Announced
The Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, Delhi, is a grand celebration that showcases India’s military strength, cultural diversity, and historical legacy. The 2025 Republic Day Parade witnessed a magnificent display of discipline, tradition, and artistry, with Marching Contingents and Tableaux competing for top honors. The results were announced by the three expert panels of judges, and an online public poll conducted on the MyGov portal also determined the ‘Popular Choice’ winners.
Banking News
SEBI Launches ‘Dharohar’: A Digital Tribute to India’s Market Legacy
On January 26, 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) marked a significant milestone with the launch of “Dharohar – Milestones in the Indian Securities Market.” The digital repository was unveiled on India’s 76th Republic Day and aims to preserve the rich legacy of India’s securities market. With over 150 years of history, India’s securities market has evolved significantly, and SEBI’s initiative is a tribute to its enduring journey.
CRED Launches e₹ Wallet, Advancing India’s Digital Currency Adoption
CRED, one of India’s leading fintech companies, has made a groundbreaking move by launching the beta version of the e₹ wallet. With this integration, CRED becomes the first fintech platform to adopt India’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the e-rupee. The e₹ wallet offers CRED’s vast user base the ability to store and transact using digital currency, an essential step in shaping the future of digital payments in India. This collaboration with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and YES Bank marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing digital transformation of the financial sector.
SEBI Introduces iSPOT Portal to Streamline Reporting of Technical Glitches
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at simplifying the process of reporting technical glitches within India’s financial markets. Known as the Integrated SEBI Portal for Technical Glitches (iSPOT), this portal will replace the outdated email-based system, bringing a more structured, efficient, and transparent way for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) to report issues. The iSPOT portal is set to go live on February 3, 2025, offering significant improvements in how glitches are reported and managed.
Schemes News
Govt Unveils ₹100 Cr Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs
In a significant move to bolster the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) manufacturing sector, the Indian government has introduced a Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme (MCGS-MSME) with a corpus of ₹100 crore. This initiative aims to enhance credit availability for MSMEs, facilitating the acquisition of essential equipment and machinery without the need for collateral.
Appointments News
Vedanta Resources Names Deshnee Naidoo as First CEO
Vedanta Resources Ltd (VRL), the parent company of Mumbai-based mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd, has appointed Deshnee Naidoo as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to spearhead its fresh growth phase. Naidoo’s appointment is effective from January 20, 2025.
Maruti Suzuki Re-Appoints Hisashi Takeuchi as MD and CEO
Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the country’s largest automobile manufacturer, announced the re-appointment of Hisashi Takeuchi as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Takeuchi’s term has been extended for a period of three years, effective from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2028. This decision underscores the company’s confidence in Takeuchi’s leadership and his ability to steer Maruti Suzuki through the evolving automotive landscape in India.
Sports News
Logo and Mascot Unveiled for 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025
The 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 has unveiled its official logo and mascot, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey to promote para sports and inclusivity. This prestigious event is set to take place in Tamil Nadu and continues the legacy of hosting national para athletics championships across various states, bringing together athletes with disabilities to compete at the national level.
ICC CEO Resigns Amid Concerns Over Pakistan’s Champions Trophy Readiness
Geoff Allardice, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the International Cricket Council (ICC), resigned. His resignation comes at a critical juncture, just 21 days before the scheduled start of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to be hosted by Pakistan. Sources close to the matter suggest that Allardice’s inability to provide a clear assessment of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)‘s preparedness for the tournament may have played a significant role in his decision to step down.
Dinesh Karthik Becomes India’s Top Wicket-Keeper Run-Scorer in T20s
In a significant milestone for Indian cricket, veteran wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has surpassed the legendary MS Dhoni to become the highest run-scoring Indian wicket-keeper in T20 cricket. During a recent match, Karthik scored a crucial 21-run knock, which took his overall T20 runs tally to 7,451 runs in 361 innings (409 matches). This achievement cements Karthik’s place as one of the most consistent and impactful wicket-keeper batters in the shortest format of the game.
Steve Smith Joins Elite 10,000-Run Club in Test Cricket
Australian batter Steve Smith achieved a monumental feat, January 29, during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Smith became the 15th player in history and the fourth Australian to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. This landmark cements his place among the all-time greats of the game. Smith’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable, marked by resilience, determination, and a unique batting style that has defied conventional norms.
Science and Technology News
Alibaba Unveils AI Model, Claims It Surpasses DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Llama
On January 29, 2025, Alibaba launched its new AI model, claiming that it outperforms DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and Llama in key areas of natural language processing. This latest release comes as part of Alibaba’s ongoing efforts to compete with the top AI developers globally. By positioning this new AI model as more efficient and scalable, Alibaba is aiming to establish itself as a major player in the AI landscape.
X’s Move to Become an ‘Everything App’ with Visa Digital Wallet
Elon Musk’s X, previously known as Twitter, is on the brink of unveiling a game-changing feature: X Money. This digital wallet will be powered by Visa and marks a significant leap in X’s strategy to evolve from a social media platform into an all-encompassing “super app.” By integrating payment services alongside its existing features, X is positioning itself to compete with major apps like China’s WeChat, offering everything from messaging to financial transactions all in one place.
Obituaries News
Greg Bell: A Legacy in Long Jump and Dentistry
Greg Bell, the oldest living Olympic gold medallist in athletics and a remarkable figure in the world of sports and medicine, passed away on January 25, 2025, at the age of 94. Bell’s life was a beautiful blend of resilience, athletic achievement, and professional success. His extraordinary contributions to long jump and dentistry have left a lasting impact on both fields, and his story continues to inspire future generations.
Renowned Sculptor Latika Katt Passes Away at 76
Latika Katt, one of India’s most prolific and celebrated sculptors, passed away at the age of 76. Known for her larger-than-life sculptures and busts of public figures, Katt’s work captured the essence of nature in its most organic forms. Over her five-decade-long career, she worked with a variety of mediums, including terracotta, papier-mâché, stone, and bronze, earning numerous national and international awards for her contributions to art.
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27th January 2025 Current Affairs (Daily...
