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Banking Awareness Current Affairs

RBI Introduces Name Lookup for NEFT and RTGS
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a new initiative to introduce a beneficiary account name lookup
facility for the Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) systems.
• When using RTGS or NEFT, customers will input the beneficiary’s account number and the branch’s IFSC code. The
system will then display the beneficiary’s name, allowing the sender to confirm the details before proceeding.
• The RBI has directed banks to implement this system by 1 April 2025.

The I-T department's CBDT extended the due date for determining the amount payable from December 31, 2024,
to January 31, 2025
• The income tax department on Monday extended till January 31 the due date for determining the tax dues and
filing declaration under the Vivad Se Vishwas scheme for waiver of interest and penalty.
• As per the original rules of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas scheme, 2024, taxpayers filing declaration before December
31, 2024, had to pay 100 per cent of the disputed tax demand. Interest and penalty would be waived in such cases.

Interest rates remain unchanged on National Small Saving Schemes

• The Union Ministry of Finance has made no change in the interest rates on the various schemes under the National
Small Saving Scheme, for the last quarters of the 2024-25 fiscal year. The interest rate will remain unchanged from
1st January to 31st March 2025.
• The Union Ministry of Finance has reviewed the interest rates on the small saving schemes every quarter since 2016.

What are the National Small Savings Schemes

• The National Small Savings Scheme is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India offered to the
general public through the post office and also through banks in the case of the Public Provident Fund. The
government offers interest rates on the deposits made by the public in these schemes.
• The investment in these schemes is 100 % safe as it is guaranteed by the government of India.

SBI Introduces ‘Har Ghar Lakhpati’ and ‘SBI Patrons’ Deposit Schemes
• Har Ghar Lakhpati a pre calculated recurring deposit scheme designed to help customers accumulate Rs 1,00,000
or multiples.
• The bank also introduced SBI Patrons, a specialized term deposit scheme tailored for senior citizens aged 80 years
and above.
• SBI Patrons depositors would earn an additional 10 basis points higher interest rate than what is offered to senior
citizens, while the recurring deposit scheme would be similar to rates offered on fixed deposits.
• Meanwhile, the bank has announced the launch of a TAB-based end-to-end digital on-boarding process for Non-
Resident Indians (NRIs) to streamline the opening of NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident
Ordinary) accounts.

RBI’s 2024-25 Report on State Finances

• Gross Fiscal Deficit (GFD): States have successfully contained their consolidated GFD within 3% of GDP during 2022-
23 and 2023-24, with a budgeted GFD of 3.2% for 2024-25.
• Revenue Deficit: Maintained at a low 0.2% of GDP during 2022-23 and 2023-24.
• Capital Expenditure: Increased from 2.4% of GDP in 2021-22 to 2.8% in 2023-24, with a further budgeted rise to
3.1% in 2024-25, indicating a focus on developmental spending.
• Rising Subsidies: Significant increases in spending on subsidies, including farm loan waivers and free or subsidized
services like electricity, transport, and gas cylinders, have been noted.
• Outstanding Liabilities: Declined from 31% of GDP at end-March 2021 to 28.5% at end-March 2024, yet still above
the pre-pandemic level of 25.3% at end-March 2019.

SBI Enhances NRI Account Opening with TAB-Based Digital Onboarding

• State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a TAB-based end-to-end digital on-boarding process for Non-Resident

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Indians (NRIs) to streamline the opening of NRE (Non- Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary)
accounts.
• will be available across SBI branches in India and select foreign offices, India’s largest Bank said in a statement.
• It eliminates the need for physical paperwork, enabling faster account opening both at branches and during
customer visits by digitally verifying documents.

RBI Financial Stability Report, December 2024: Key Insights and Projections Released in June and Dec every year
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its Financial Stability Report (FSR) for December 2024, providing a
comprehensive analysis of the Indian financial system’s health.
• The FSR is published biannually.
• Asset Ǫuality of Banks: The gross non-performing assets (NPAs) ratio of Indian banks has declined to a 12-year low
of 2.6% as of September 2024.
• Projections for NPAs: The report projects that the gross bad loan ratio may rise to 3% by March 2026 under a baseline
scenario, and could reach up to 5.3% under high-risk scenarios.
• Economic Growth Forecast: The RBI anticipates a GDP growth rate of 6.6% for the fiscal year 2024-25.
• Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs): The balance sheets of NBFCs have strengthened, with stress tests
indicating that even under high-risk scenarios, their capital requirements would remain well above the minimum
needed level.
• Liquidity Deficit: The banking system is facing a significant liquidity deficit, which is expected to widen further in the
upcoming quarter. As of December 23, 2024, the liquidity deficit stood at 2.43 trillion rupees, driven by tax outflows
and the central bank’s foreign exchange interventions.

Health insurance claims rejection up 1G.10% in FY24: IRDAI report

• India’s insurance companies rejected 11 per cent of health claims and had 6 per cent pending as of March 2024.
• Health policy claims worth Rs 26,000 crore were disallowed and "repudiated" by insurers in the year ending
March 2024, marking a 19.10 per cent increase from the year before.
• A claim is rejected or disallowed when an insurance company refuses to process it due to specific issues with its
validity. This means the insurer has not yet evaluated the claim for coverage but has rejected it outright due to errors
or discrepancies in the policyholder’s documentation, terms, or procedures.
• On the other hand, claim repudiation occurs when the insurer denies the claim after a review, determining that it
does not meet the terms and conditions of the policy.

ICICI Prudential Life launches new insurance product for women specific illness
• ICICI Prudential Life Insurance has launched first-of-its-kind health product catering to women specific critical
illnesses and surgeries.
• ICICI Pru Wish has been developed in collaboration with Reinsurance Group of America Inc, a leading global life and
health reinsurer.
• The product offers an instant payout of up to 100 per cent of the health cover amount on diagnosis of critical
illnesses such as breast, cervical, uterine cancers and heart ailments

DBS Bank India to appoint Rajat Verma as CEO

• from March 1, 2025.
• It will succeed Surojit Shome, who will retire on 28 February 2025 after a decade of
leading the bank. Verma will also join DBS’ Group Management Committee.
• Surojit Shome has been at the helm of DBS Bank India since 2015.
• Under his leadership, DBS launched digibank in 2016, India’s first mobile-only bank.
• DBS Bank is headquartered in Singapore

Bhuvnesh Kumar takes charge as UIDAI CEO

• IAS officer Bhuvnesh Kumar took charge as the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI),

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which administers Aadhaar, on January 1, 2025.

• Mr. Kumar is additional secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information
Technology (MEITY), a post he will continue to hold after this appointment.
• Mr. Kumar succeeds Amit Agrawal, who was also MEITY additional secretary prior
to his June 2023 appointment.

Manish Singhal Appointed Secretary General of ASSOCHAM

• Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) - an apex
business chamber
• had earlier worked as Deputy Secretary General of The Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
• He had also worked with various Indian transnational companies, including Tata
Motors, Eicher (Volvo), Tata Auto Comp Systems, Moser Baer India and BEML to name
a few.
• Singhal succeeds Deepak Sood, who recently after a five- year stint stepped down to
pursue other interests.

Viacom18 Media becomes direct subsidiary of Reliance Industries

• Viacom18 Media, a leading media and entertainment company, has become a
direct subsidiary of Reliance Industries
• Earlier, Viacom18Media was a material subsidiary of Network18 Media G
Investments Ltd, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL).
• has ceased to be a subsidiary of Network18.

PRACTICE:
By what date has the RBI directed banks to implement the beneficiary account name lookup system?
a) 1 January 2024
b) 1 July 2024
c) 1 April 2025
d) 31 December 2025
Answer: c) 1 April 2025

Under the original rules of the Direct Tax Vivad Se Vishwas scheme, what was the deadline for filing declarations
to avail the waiver of interest and penalty?
a) January 31, 2024
b) December 31, 2024
c) November 30, 2024
d) March 31, 2024
Answer: b) December 31, 2024

What is the name of the specialized term deposit scheme introduced by the bank for senior citizens aged 80 years
and above?
a) Senior Citizen Plus
b) Golden Years Deposit
c) SBI Patrons
d) Platinum Seniors
Answer: c) SBI Patrons

What factors contributed to the rise in subsidies as noted in the RBI report?
a) Increased capital expenditure on infrastructure
b) Farm loan waivers and free or subsidized services like electricity, transport, and gas cylinders
c) Decline in revenue deficits

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d) Reduction in outstanding liabilities Answer: b) Farm loan waivers and free or subsidized services like electricity,
transport, and gas cylinders

What factors have contributed to the liquidity deficit in the banking system?
a) Increase in NPAs and reduced deposits
b) Tax outflows and the central bank’s foreign exchange interventions
c) Decline in economic growth and capital inflows
d) High credit demand and reduced investment
Answer: b) Tax outflows and the central bank’s foreign exchange interventions

Which global reinsurer collaborated with ICICI Prudential Life Insurance to develop ICICI Pru Wish?
a) Swiss Re
b) Munich Re
c) Reinsurance Group of America Inc
d) Lloyd's of London
Answer: c) Reinsurance Group of America Inc

Who will succeed Surojit Shome as the head of DBS Bank India from March 1, 2025?
a) Ravi Verma
b) Anil Gupta
c) Arvind Verma
d) Surojit Shome
Answer: a) Ravi Verma

a) What is the full form of ASSOCHAM?

b) Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in India
c) Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India
d) Association of Strategic Commerce Houses in India
e) Apex Chambers of Commerce and Industry

SBI Introduces ‘Har Ghar Lakhpati’ and ‘SBI Patrons’ Deposit Schemes
• Har Ghar Lakhpati is a pre-calculated recurring deposit scheme designed to
help customers to accumulate Rs 1 lakh or multiples thereof.
• The minimum tenure of recurring deposits is 12 months (one year), and the
maximum is 120 months (10 years).
• This product is also available to minors, encouraging early financial planning
and savings habit.
• ‘SBI Patrons,’ is a fixed deposit scheme specifically for select senior citizens who are 80 years and above.

Finance Secretary Shri Tuhin Kanta Pandey appointed Secretary, Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance
• Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Revenue,
Ministry of Finance.
• He will continue to hold the designation of Finance Secretary.

India’s FY25 Outlook: Per Capita GDP to Rise by ₹35,000

• Despite a slowdown in real GDP growth and stagnant nominal GDP growth, per capita nominal GDP is
expected to rise significantly in FY25, according to a report by the State Bank of India (SBI).
• The report highlighted that per capita nominal GDP in FY25 is estimated to be nearly Rs 35,000 higher than in
FY23.
• The report noted that this trend suggests a shift in household financial behavior. The higher consumption
growth relative to income indicates that households may have dipped into their savings to sustain spending
levels.

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Indian Microfinance Sector: 2,100% Growth in 12 Years

• The business of Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) industry has risen from Rs 17,264 crores in March'12 to Rs.
3.93 lakh crore as of November'24,
• The industry operates in over 723 districts including 111 aspirational districts across 28 states and 8 Union
Territories.

What is Microfinance sector ?

• Microfinance refers to providing financial services, including small- value
loans, to households, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who lack
access to formal banking services.
• It is an effective tool for financial inclusion, enabling marginalized and
low-income groups, particularly women, to achieve social equity and
empowerment.
• 2012: The Malegam Committee recommended changes, and RBI
implemented new regulations.
• 2014: RBI issued a universal banking license to Bandhan Bank, the largest microlender. MFIN was recognized
as a self-regulatory organization (SRO).
• 2015: The government launched MUDRA Bank to finance small businesses.

India’s Economic Growth Projections for FY2025-26

• The United Nations has projected India's economic growth for FY26 at 6.6%, driven
by strong private consumption and investment growth.
• India's growth rate will be the highest among South Asian nations, according to the
report titled 'World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025' by United Nations
Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA).
RBI Approves Merger of National and Cosmos Co-operative Banks
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday approved the merger of
National Co-operative Bank with Cosmos Co-operative Bank, effective
from January 6, 2025.
• The branches of The National Co-operative Bank, Bangalore (Karnataka),
will function as branches of Cosmos Co-operative Bank Limited
(Maharashtra) with effect from January 6, 2025.
• National Co-operative Bank has 13 branches. In FY24, Maratha Sahakari Bank and Sahebrao Deshmukh
Sahakari Bank also merged into Cosmos Bank.
• In July 2023, the RBI imposed restrictions on the National Co-operative Bank Ltd. and limited deposit
withdrawals to Rs 50,000 per account due to the bank's weak financial performance. These restrictions were
repeatedly extended up to January 24, 2025.

BharatPe to Sell 25% Stake in Unity Small Finance Bank

• India’s leading fintech company BharatPe is planning to sell up to 25% of its
49% stake in Unity Small Finance Bank (Unity Bank).
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates that BharatPe’s parent company,
Resilient Innovation Private Limited, reduce its stake in Unity Bank to 10% by
2029.

Unity Small Finance Bank

• Unity Bank was established in November 2021 through a collaboration between Centrum
Financial Services and BharatPe.
• Unity Bank follows a digital-first model offering a seamless banking experience through open
architecture and partnered business models.
• BharatPe lauched in 2018 , aims to use the funds from the stake sale to strengthen its core
financial services and develop new products.

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PhonePe, ICICI Lombard Launch Maha Kumbh Mela Insurance

• PhonePe has launched a unique insurance plan specifically for travelers attending the
Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
• The insurance plan, developed in partnership with ICICI Lombard, offers coverage for
devotees visiting Prayagraj via train, bus, or domestic flights.
• Available in two variants, the plan aims to safeguard individuals from potential risks
during their pilgrimage. It will be accessible from January 13 to February 25,
6 2025.
• For train or bus travelers, the insurance coverage costs Rs 59, while those opting for domestic flights can
avail of a variant priced at Rs 99, as provided by PhonePe and ICICI.
• The insurance plan offers extensive protection from health emergencies, personal accidents, and travel
disruptions, with prices starting at just Rs 59.

Features of the plan

• The total sum insured is Rs 1 lakh for the product, providing comprehensive coverage for various risks with
specific amounts for each risk, such as:
• Hospitalisation cover: up to Rs 50,000
• Outpatient Department (OPD) cover: up to Rs 1,500
• Personal accident cover (Death + Permanent Total Disability (PTD) + Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)): up
to Rs 1 lakh
• Trip cancellation coverage extends to Rs 5,000, while repatriation of remains is covered up to Rs 10,000.
• Air travelers are covered for loss of checked-in baggage and missed connecting flights, with coverage for
each extending up to Rs 5,000.

Swiggy’s ‘Snacc’ App: 15-Minute Delivery Sparks Industry Debate

• Swiggy introduced a new app, SNACC, promising delivery of quick bites,
beverages, and meals within 15 minutes. This launch comes as Zomato and Zepto
introduce their own quick delivery offerings, among other competitors.
10 - 15 Mins.
Swiggy’s ‘Snacc’ App: 15-Minute
0 Delivery Sparks Industry Debate
• Swiggy's SNACC app was conceptualised in mid-December and went live in less than a month on January 7.
This quick rollout follows the success of Swiggy's Bolt service in October 2024, which also promises 15-
minute deliveries from popular restaurants within a two kilometer radius.
• While Bolt is a feature on the Swiggy platform, SNACC functions as its own app.

Goa’s ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’

• Goa launches 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' to empower women with LIC training,
stipends, and opportunities to spread insurance awareness across the state.
• Goa becomes the second state, after Haryana, to implement this initiative
envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
• The Bima Sakhi Yojana, launched by Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC),
targets women aged 18-70 years who have completed at least Class X.
• Beneficiaries will receive specialised training and a stipend for the first 3 years.
• After training, they can work as LIC agents.
• Some graduates may even qualify for development officer positions at LIC
• During the 3-year training period, Bima Sakhis will receive a stipend of ₹7,000 per month in the first year,
₹6,000 in the second, and ₹5,000 in the third.
• In total, each Bima Sakhi will earn ₹2.16 lakh over the 3 years.

Bajaj Broking & TMB Partner for Unified 3-in-1 Account Services
• Bajaj Broking, the broking arm of Bajaj Finance Ltd., has entered into a strategic partnership
with Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB) to introduce a comprehensive 3- in-1 account
solution, integrating banking, broking, and investment services on a single platform.

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Suzuki’s Investment in NDDB’s Bio-Gas Venture

• Suzuki Motor Corporation has decided to acquire 26 per cent stake in NDDB Mirda Ltd, a bio-gas venture of
National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), as part of its plans to use Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) for
longevity and performance of vehicles.
• Suzuki R&D Center India Pvt Ltd (SRDI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, entered into
an agreement with NDDB to invest in its bio-gas subsidiary NDDB Mirda Ltd. “As of now, Suzuki will invest to
acquire 26 per cent equity in NDDB Mirda Ltd and the remaining 74 per cent will remain with NDDB.

RBI’s Strategic Gold Accumulation

• Central banks around the world collectively, in November 2024, added 53 tonnes of
gold to their reserves, of which the Reserve Bank of India's addition was 8 tonnes.
• The gold price dip in November, following the US election, may have provided some
central banks with added impetus to accumulate.
• Poland was the largest buyer, adding 21 tonnes. Other significant contributors
included Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, Jordan, Turkey, Czech Republic, and Ghana.
Singapore, however, reduced its gold reserves by 5 tonnes.
Government Forms Committee to Update WPI Base Year
• The Centre has set up an 18-member panel, chaired by Dr. Ramesh Chand of NITI Aayog, to revise the
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) base year to 2022-23.
• The Centre noted that the annual inflation rate based on the WPI for November 2024 stood at 1.89%
(provisional), compared to 2.36% in October 2024 and 1.91% in September 2024.

Blinkit launches 10-minute food delivery app Bistro

• Blinkit has launched a standalone 10-minute food delivery app, Bistro that promises
to deliver fresh, preservative-free meals. The app will first be serviceable in select
locations across Gurugram.
• Unlike competitors in the quick-commerce food space, Bistro emphasizes that it
avoids preservatives, food processors, and microwave-processed meals. Instead, the company has invested
in infrastructure and research and development to create dishes that can be prepared in five minutes or less.

Who has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance?
A) Rajiv Gauba
B) Tuhin Kanta Pandey
C) Ajay Bhushan Pandey
D) Subhash Chandra Garg
Answer: B) Tuhin Kanta Pandey

When did RBI issue a universal banking license to Bandhan Bank, the largest microlender?
A) 2012
B) 2014
C) 2015
D) 2017
Answer: B) 2014

Which committee recommended changes to the microfinance sector in 2012?

A) Rangarajan Committee
B) Malegam Committee
C) Kelkar Committee
D) Narsimham Committee
Answer: B) Malegam Committee

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What economic growth rate has the United Nations projected for India in FY26?
A) 5.4%
B) 6.0%
C) 6.6%
D) 7.2%
Answer: C) 6.6%

Which two banks merged with Cosmos Bank in FY24?

A) Maratha Sahakari Bank and Bharat Bank
B) Sahebrao Deshmukh Sahakari Bank and Maratha Sahakari Bank
C) Unity Bank and National Co-operative Bank
D) BharatPe Bank and Centrum Bank
Answer: B) Sahebrao Deshmukh Sahakari Bank and Maratha Sahakari Bank

When was Unity Small Finance Bank established?

A) 2018
B) 2019
C) 2021
D) 2022
Answer: C) 2021

Which insurance company partnered with PhonePe to develop the Maha Kumbh Mela insurance plan?
A) HDFC ERGO
B) ICICI Lombard
C) Bajaj Allianz
D) SBI General Insurance
Answer: B) ICICI Lombard

What is the cost of the insurance coverage for travelers using trains or buses?
A) Rs 49
B) Rs 59
C) Rs 79
D) Rs 99
Answer: B) Rs 59

How much coverage is provided for personal accidents, including death and disabilities?
A) Rs 50,000
B) Rs 75,000
C) Rs 1 lakh
D) Rs 1.5 lakh
Answer: C) Rs 1 lakh

During which dates will the insurance plan be available?

A) January 10 to February 20, 2025
B) January 12 to February 24, 2025
C) January 13 to February 25, 2025
D) January 15 to February 28, 2025
Answer: C) January 13 to February 25, 2025

What is the delivery promise of Swiggy's newly launched app, SNACC?

A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes

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C) 20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
Answer: B) 15 minutes

What is the main goal of the Bima Sakhi Yojana?

A) To provide life insurance to women
B) To empower women through LIC training and stipends
C) To promote digital literacy among women
D) To increase financial literacy in rural areas
Answer: B) To empower women through LIC training and stipends

Who is the chairperson of the 18-member panel formed to revise the WPI base year?
A) Dr. Ramesh Chand
B) Dr. Arvind Panagariya
C) Dr. Rajiv Kumar
D) Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia
Answer: A) Dr. Ramesh Chand

What is Bistro's delivery promise for fresh meals?

A) 10 minutes
B) 15 minutes
C) 20 minutes
D) 30 minutes
Answer: A) 10 minutes

World Bank projects India’s growth to be 6.7% in next two fiscal years
• The World Bank projects India’s economy to grow by 6.7 per cent in the next fiscal year starting in April, slightly
higher than in the current fiscal year.
• With global gross domestic product growth rate stuck at 2.7 per cent since 2023 and into the projections till 2026
according to the Bank, India is the world’s fastest growing large economy.
• China follows it with a projected growth of 4.5 per cent this calendar year, and slowing down to 4 per cent next
year.
• The world’s largest economy, the US, was estimated to have grown by 2.8 last year with the projected growth
slowing down to 2.3 per cent this year and 2 per cent next year.

Shriram Housing Finance Rebrands as Truhome Finance

• Shriram Housing Finance (SHF) has rebranded itself as Truhome Finance following its
acquisition by Warburg Pincus and its co-investors, including ǪIA (Ǫatar’s sovereign
wealth fund).

PNB MetLife Joins Hands with Saraswat Bank for Financial Inclusion
• PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Ltd (PNB MetLife) has forged a strategic
bancassurance partnership with Saraswat Co-operative Bank Ltd, one of the largest
urban co-operative banks in India.
• Bancassurance is an insurance distribution model where companies partner with banks to sell insurance
policies or products. This arrangement benefits both the bank and insurance companies. While the bank earns a
commission from the insurance company, the insurer gains from bank’s distribution network.

Piyush Goyal Launches PRABHAAV Factbook and Startup Challenge 16 Jan, 2016
• The Gth
9 Foundation Day of Startup India, celebrated in New Delhi, marked a significant
milestone in India’s journey toward becoming a global leader in innovation and
entrepreneurship. Union Minister of Commerce G Industry,

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Shri Piyush Goyal, launched key initiatives, including the PRABHAAV Factbook and the Bharat Startup
Challenge.
• Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS)-- administered by SIDBI, played a pivotal role in mobilizing private capital,
especially in Tier II and III cities.
• Startups have received total funding of ₹13 trillion from the government.

PRABHAAV Factbook
• A comprehensive guide to India’s startup ecosystem achievements (2016-2024).
• Highlights regional contributions and the growth trajectory of startups.

Bharat Startup Challenge

• Features 75 challenges across diverse sectors like renewable energy, blockchain, agritech, and semiconductors.
• O^ers procurement opportunities, cash prizes, mentorship, and networking.

India Set to Surpass Japan as World’s Fourth-Largest Economy by 2026

• India's economy is expected to become the fourth largest in the world by 2026, surpassing Japan, said industry
body PHDCCI on Wednesday, as it projected the nation's GDP to grow 6.8 per cent in the current financial year
ending March and 7.7 per cent in FY26.
• With the Indian economy growing resiliently over the past three years, it is expected to become the fourth largest
economy in the world by 2026, surpassing Japan,

Odisha Government Announces ₹20,000 Pension for Emergency Detainees

• The state government will provide pension and other benefits to the persons detained in jail in state of Odisha
under MISA (The Maintenance of Internal Security Act, 1971) or DIR (The Defence of India Rules) or DISIR (The
Defence and Internal Security of India Rules) during the period from 25.06.1G75 to 21.03.1G77.
• People detained in various jails of Odisha during the Emergency will now be eligible for a monthly pension of Rs
20,000 and free medical treatment,

NPCI and Magnati Partner to Boost UPI Use in UAE

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) on Wednesday announced a partnership with
UAE-based payment solution provider Magnati to advance ǪR-based Unified Payments
Interface (UPI) merchant payments via point-of-sale (POS) terminals in the Middle East.

Hindenburg Research Shuts Down

• Hindenburg Research founder Nate Anderson on
Thursday caught many by surprise. “I have made the
decision to disband Hindenburg Research. The plan has
been to wind up after we finished the pipeline of ideas we
were working on,

M. Rajeshwar Rao to Lead RBI’s Monetary Policy Department

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has appointed Deputy Governor
M. Rajeshwar Rao to oversee the Monetary Policy and Economic Research Departments, following the
completion of Deputy Governor Michael Patra’s term on January 15, 2025.
• Michael Patra, who served as Deputy Governor since 2020, concluded his tenure after two one-year extensions.

SECL Introduces Post-Retirement Benefit Cell

• South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Chhattisgarh- based
subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has achieved a significant
milestone by launching a dedicated Post- Retirement Benefit (PRB)
Cell. This initiative underscores SECL’s commitment to ensuring the
welfare and convenience of its retired employees.
• The newly launched PRB Cell resolves these issues by

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o^ering a centralized platform where retired employees can access all their post- retirement benefits and services
seamlessly. With o^icers from key departments— including Personnel, Finance, and Medical—stationed in the cell,
retirees are assured of quick and e^icient resolution of their concerns.

UN report: Indian economy to grow 6.6% in 2025, 6.7% in 2026

• The Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.6 per cent in 2025 and 6.7 per cent in 2026,
supported by solid private consumption and investment growth, according to the United
Nations (UN) flagship report, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025,

KredX Receives RBI’s Final Nod to Launch TReDS Platform, DTX

• Supply chain platform KredX on Thursday received final approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to launch its
Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform under the brand name DTX (Domestic Trade Exchange).
• TReDS is an electronic platform for facilitating the financing and discounting of trade receivables of MSMEs
through multiple financiers.
• KredX’s DTX is the fifth platform to receive the banking regulator’s nod to operate TReDS. With the latest approval,
the company plans to gradually move its clients onto the platform, targeting $2 billion in disbursements by the
end of the next financial year.

Bank of Baroda to provide AI-driven support, forex facility, ATMs, and coin vending
machines for Maha Kumbh 2025
• As the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 sets the stage for the world's largest public
gathering, Bank of Baroda (BoB) has announced setting up AI-driven customer
support, full-fledged branches with forex transaction facilities in Prayagraj to
facilitate the visitors.
• The Bank has developed a GenAI-powered Virtual Relationship Manager, Aditi, to
answer banking-related queries and enhance customer service to the pilgrims
visiting Mahakumbh

State Revenue Dependency Trends

• Over the last decade, States have been relying more and more on transfers and grants from the Centre.
• In the last decade (FY16 to FY25), 23-30% of the total revenue of States was collected from the Centre as
transfers. However, in the 2000s and the first half of 2010, the share was 20-24%. Also, close to 65-70% of the non-
tax revenue of States was collected from the Centre as grants in the last decade compared to the 2000s and the
first half of the 2010s when the share was lower at 55-65%.
• States have also not done enough to e^iciently collect taxes to increase their own tax revenue. In addition, revenue
from non-tax revenue, other than Central grants, has been diminishing.

RBI liberalises FEMA To Boost Cross-border Transactions In Indian Rupee G Local

Currencies
• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in collaboration with the central government,
has taken significant steps to promote cross-border transactions in Indian rupees
(INR) and other local or national currencies.

Amendments to FEMA Guidelines Guidelines: Read Only

• Authorised dealer banks’ overseas branches can now open INR accounts for non-
residents, enabling settlements for permissible current and capital account transactions with residents in
India.
• Non-residents holding repatriable INR accounts, such as the Special Non-resident Rupee Account (SNRA) and
Special Rupee Vostro Account (SRVA), can use these balances to settle legitimate transactions with other non-
residents.
• Balances in repatriable INR accounts can also be utilised for foreign investments, including Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) in non-debt instruments.
FEMA: Foreign Exchange Management Act (in India), which governs foreign exchange transactions.

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World Employment and Social Outlook Report 2025

• The global economy is slowing down, making it harder for labour markets to recover
fully since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic, according to the International Labour
Organization’s (ILO) report, World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025
• India’s growth underpins GDP growth performance in Southern Asia, a sub-region whose
GDP is expected to have grown by 6.2% in 2024 and to grow by 5.8% in 2025.
• India has one of the fastest growth rates in the world, 6.9% in 2024 and forecast to be 6.4%
in 2025 Underpins: Support
• global employment grew in line with the labour force, keeping the unemployment rate
steady at 5%.
• “However, youth unemployment showed little improvement, remaining high at 12.6%.
• Informal work and working poverty returned to pre-pandemic levels, and low- income countries faced the most
di^iculties in creating decent jobs
• Economic growth stood at 3.2% in 2024, down from 3.3 and 3.6% in 2023 and 2022, respectively. A similar level of
growth is expected in 2025
• The global jobs gap – the estimated number of people who want to work but do not have a job – reached 402
million in 2024

Punjab National Bank and Indian Bank Appoint New MDs and CEOs
• Punjab National Bank announced that the government has approved the appointment of Canara Bank
Executive Director Ashok Chandra as the managing director and CEO of PNB, for a period of three years.
• Binod Kumar ceased to be the executive director of PNB upon his appointment as managing director C chief
executive o^icer (MD C CEO) of Indian Bank.

About Bank of Baroda Bank

• The bank was founded by the Maharaja of Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III on 20 July 1908.
• The bank, along with 13 other major commercial banks of India, was nationalised on 19 July 1969, by the
Government of India and has been designated as a profit- making public sector undertaking (PSU).

Indian Bank
• The Bank was incorporated on March 5, 1907 with an Authorized Capital of Rs 20 lakhs and commenced its
business on August 15, 1907.
• In the year 1907, the Indian Bank Ltd. had the tree ‘Banyan’ as a part of its emblem
denoting an all-around progress, growth (far and wide) and an ever-increasing
prosperity.
• On 1 April 2020 Indian bank and Allahabad bank merged.

World Economic Situation and Prospects Report 2025

• The UN World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025, released in United Nations ,
said that the near-term outlook for South Asia is expected to remain robust, with
growth projected at 5.7% in 2025 and 6.0 per cent in 2026, “driven by strong
performance in India as well as economic recovery in a few other economies”,
including Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The Indian economy grew by 6.8% in 2024 and is forecast to expand by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.8% growth in 2026.
• The economy of India, the largest in the (South Asia) region, is
forecast to expand by 6.6 per cent in 2025, primarily supported by robust private consumption and investment.
• Additionally, capital expenditure on infrastructure development is expected to have strong multiplier e^ects on
growth in the coming years.
• Meanwhile, favourable monsoon rains in 2024 have improved the summer-sowing areas for all major crops,
boosting agricultural output expectations for 2025.
• Investment growth has remained particularly strong in East Asia and South Asia, partly driven by domestic and
foreign investments in new supply chains, particularly in India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

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Cabinet approves setting up of 8th pay commission

• The Central government will set up a committee for the implementation of the 8th Pay
Commission for government employees and pensioners, potentially benefiting
millions of individuals.
• The 7th Pay Commission's recommendations, which were implemented on 1st January
2016, would conclude on December 31, 2025.
• The 8th Pay Commission will come into force on January 1, 2026.
• this is expected to lead to updates in salaries, including modifications to Dearness
Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for retirees.
• Prior to this, the 4th, 5th, and 6th Pay Commissions all had 10-year terms.

What is the new name of Shriram Housing Finance (SHF) after rebranding?
a) TrueValue Finance
b) HomeTrust Finance
c) Truhome Finance
d) Warburg Home Finance
Answer: c) Truhome Finance

What is bancassurance?
a) A partnership between banks and mutual fund companies
b) An insurance distribution model involving banks and insurance companies
c) A system where banks provide loans to insurance companies
d) A financial arrangement for cross-border insurance
Answer: b) An insurance distribution model involving banks and insurance companies

Which two key initiatives were launched on the Gth Foundation Day of Startup India?
a) PRABHAAV Factbook and Bharat Startup Challenge
b) Startup Accelerator Program and India Tech Summit
c) Innovators’ Forum and Startup Talent Pool
d) Digital India Challenge and Global Innovation Series
Answer: a) PRABHAAV Factbook and Bharat Startup Challenge

What is the monthly pension amount provided to those detained during the Emergency in Odisha?
a) Rs 15,000
b) Rs 20,000
c) Rs 25,000
d) Rs 30,000
Answer: b) Rs 20,000

Who has been appointed by the Reserve Bank of India to oversee the Monetary Policy and Economic Research
Departments?
a) Shaktikanta Das
b) M. Rajeshwar Rao
c) Michael Patra
d) Rabi Sankar
Answer: b) M. Rajeshwar Rao

What does TReDS stand for?

a) Trade and Receivables Discounting Solution
b) Trade Receivables Discounting System
c) Trade Receivables Development System
d) Trade Resource Discounting Strategy

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LinkedIn appoints Deepak Agarwal as chief AI officer

• LinkedIn has appointed Deepak Agarwal as their new chief AI officer.
• previously served as the chief AI officer and VP of consumer and trust
engineering at lifestyle social media platform Pinterest, confirmed the news
on LinkedIn.

Angel One has announced the appointment of Ambarish Kenghe as its group chief
executive officer. Kenghe will assume the role in March 2025

ICSI elects Dhananjay Shukla as president

• The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) on Sunday appointed
Dhananjay Shukla as the president and Pawan G Chandak as the vice president
for this year.
• Dhananjay has also served as the vice president of the ICSI for the year 2024
Alok Kumar Agarwal Appointed CEO of Zurich Kotak General Insurance
• Zurich Kotak General Insurance has confirmed the appointment of Alok
Kumar Agarwal as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the
company.
• Following the board’s approval, Agarwal assumed charge on 1 January
2025, succeeding Suresh Agarwal.

P. Suriaraj takes charge as executive director of Dhanlaxmi Bank

• P. Suriaraj has taken charge as executive director of the Dhanlaxmi Bank.
• He was appointed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as executive director of the Bank for a
period of three years.
• Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd. was incorporated in 1927 at Thrissur, Kerala

Neeraj Parakh Appointed as CEO and Executive Director of Reliance Power

• Reliance Power appoints Neeraj Parakh as CEO and Executive Director for a three-
year term, effective January 20, 2025.

55th Annual Meeting of World Economic Forum to begin in Switzerland

• The 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting will begin from January
20 to 24 in Davos, Switzerland.
• theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'
• During the five-day event, India’s model of inclusive growth and digital revolution will be highlighted.
• The Indian delegation will be spearheaded by Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
along with Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, Food Processing
Industries Minister Chirag Paswan and Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant
Chaudhary.

Who initiated the World Economic Forum (WEF)?

• It was founded in January 1971 by German engineer and economist
Klaus Schwab.
• HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.

Different reports published by WEF

• Global Competitiveness Report,

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• Global Information Technology Report,

• Global Gender Gap Report,
• Global Risks Report,
• Global Travel and Tourism Report,
• Global Enabling Trade Report.

Forbes Billionaires List 2025- World’s Richest People

• World’s Billionaires List for 2025, the United States leads with a record 813 billionaires,
followed by China with 473 and India, remarkably claiming the third spot with 200
billionaires.
• Elon Musk has begun 2025 at the pinnacle of wealth, ranking as the world’s richest
person, with a net worth of $433.9 billion

Rank Name Net Worth (US D) Source of Wealth Country

1 Elon Musk $433.9 B Tesla, SpaceX United States
2 Jeff Bezos $239.4 B Amazon United States
3 Mark Zuckerberg $211.8 B Facebook United States
4 Larry Ellison $204.6 B Oracle United States
5 Bernard Arnault & Family $181.3 B LVMH France
6 Larry Page $161.4 B Google United States

CheQ introduces Wisor, India’s first AI-powered credit card expert

• Indian fintech leader CheQ, founded by ex-Flipkart executive Aditya Soni, has
unveiled Wisor, India’s first AI-powered credit card expert, designed to turn credit
card chaos into clarity.
• to redefine how millions of Indians interact with their credit cards, offering
personalized insights, effortless management, and maximise rewards-all at their
fingertips.

Bajaj Finance & Bharti Airtel Unveil Digital Finance Platform

• NBFC firm Bajaj Finance and Bharti Airtel on Monday announced a strategic
partnership to create a digital platform for financial services.
• Airtel will initially offer Bajaj Finance's retail financial products on its Airtel Thanks
App for seamless and secure customer experience, and later through its nation-
wide network of stores.
• The combined strength of the companies' digital assets will enable Airtel and
Bajaj Finance to significantly deepen penetration of financial products and services

RBI’s Strategic Liquidity Infusion to Stabilize Money Markets

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has conducted a series of Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auctions, infusing a
substantial ₹76,000 crore into the financial ecosystem.
• This strategic move is expected to ease liquidity conditions and prevent call money rates from rising sharply
above the current repo rate.

Variable Rate Repo (VRR)

• A liquidity adjustment tool used by the RBI to inject short-term funds into the banking system.
• Interest Rate: Determined through an auction, unlike a fixed-rate repo.
• Tenure: Typically short-term, often overnight or up to 14 days.
• Mechanism: Banks bid for funds at varying interest rates, with the RBI accepting bids starting from the
lowest rates

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Policybazaar.ae Introduces ‘PB Advantage’

• Policybazaar.ae, the UAE’s leading online insurance marketplace, has announced
the launch of its pioneering initiative, PB Advantage, aimed at transforming the
way health insurance is sold, purchased, and claimed in the UAE.
• The program provides customers with 30-minute claims assistance by a dedicated
insurer wise claims
• The unique Auto Recharge feature automatically restores the sum insured after the first claim, providing
extra coverage equal to the original amount.

MeitY Releases “Estimation and Measurement of India’s Digital Economy” Report

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has released a comprehensive report titled
‘Estimation and Measurement of India’s Digital Economy’.
• India’s digital economy stood at 11.74% of the national income in 2022-23 and is likely to rise to 13.42% by
2024-25.
• Growth: India’s digital economy is expected to grow almost twice as fast as the overall economy,
contributing to nearly one-fifth of national income by 2029-30.

IDFC FIRST Bank and RuPay Introduce FIRST EA₹N RuPay Credit Card
• IDFC FIRST Bank has partnered with RuPay to launch the FIRST EA₹N RuPay Credit Card, a secured credit card
that combines the benefits of a fixed deposit with the convenience of UPI transactions.
• Combines FD benefits with UPI cashback rewards.
• ₹5,000 FD required for approval.
• 1% cashback on UPI transactions via IDFC FIRST Bank app, 0.5% on other apps.
• Maximum ₹500 cashback per month.
• Welcome benefit: ₹500 cashback on first UPI transaction.

Deloitte Projects Indian Economy to Grow 6.5-6.8% in FY 2024-25

• Deloitte India has revised its GDP growth projection for the fiscal year 2024-25 to a range of 6.5% to 6.8%,
citing global trade uncertainties and domestic challenges.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The RBI has adjusted its annual growth forecast to 6.6%, reflecting a more
conservative outlook amid global uncertainties.
• National Statistical Office (NSO): The NSO estimates GDP growth at 6.4% for the current fiscal year, aligning
with a cautious economic outlook.
• United Nations (UN): The UN forecasts India’s economy to grow by 6.6% in 2025, supported by robust
private consumption and investment.

Skydo Receives RBI Nod as Cross-Border Payment Aggregator

• Skydo Technologies, a cross-border payments company, has received in-principle
authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment
Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) entity.
• Launched in 2022, Skydo currently serves over 12,000 exporters in India, processing
more than $250 million in annual export payments.

Tata AIG Launches CyberEdge to Protect Indian Businesses

• Tata AIG has launched CyberEdge, a cyber insurance solution aimed at protecting
Indian businesses against various cyber risks.
• The policy provides coverage for forensic investigations, legal fees, data recovery,
extortion payments, and business interruption losses.
• It also includes a 24/7 First Response Cover, ensuring immediate support during cyber incidents, with access
to experts within two hours

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RBI Directs Banks to Use ‘1600xx’ Number Series for Transactional Calls
• The RBI on Friday asked banks to use only the 1600xx' phone numbering series to call customers for
transactional purposes with a view to preventing financial fraud.
• It further said that for promotional purposes, banks and other regulated entities (REs) should use only the
'140xx' numbering series for the prevention of financial frauds perpetrated using voice calls and SMS.

GOI Launches ‘Entity Locker’ For Efficient Business Document Management

• The Government of India has introduced Entity Locker, a secure, cloud-based platform developed by the
National eGovernance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
(MeitY).
• The platform provides businesses with 10 GB of encrypted cloud storage, Aadhaar-authenticated access
management, and legally valid digital signatures for document authentication.

Revised Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) Policy for 2024-25

• The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New & Renewable Energy, Shri
Pralhad Joshi today announced a significant revision in the Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) [OMSS(D)]
Policy for the year 2024-25.
• Fixation of Reserve Price for Rice: The reserve price of rice has been fixed at ₹2,250 per quintal (Pan-India)
for sale to State Governments, State Government Corporations, and Community Kitchens, without the
requirement of participating in e-auctions.
• Ethanol Production Support: The reserve price of rice for sale to ethanol distilleries for the production of
ethanol has also been fixed at ₹2,250 per quintal (Pan-India).

IBBI mandates eBKray auction platform to sell assets under liquidation

• The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has mandated the exclusive use of the eBKray auction
platform to sell assets under the liquidation process from April 1.
• The eBKray (now known as Bank Asset Auction Network) is a property listing and e-auction platform
designed for banks and lending institutions, addressing recovery of non-performing asset (NPA) loans
through efficient property auctions.

RBI Constitutes New Advisory Committee for Bank Licensing

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the setting up of a Standing External Advisory Committee
(SEAC), which will evaluate applications for Universal Banks as well as Small Finance Banks (SFBs). The tenure
of the SEAC will be for three years.
• According to the licensing guidelines, applications for Universal Banks and Small Finance Banks will be
initially screened by the Reserve Bank to ensure prima facie eligibility of the applicants. It was also stated
that a Standing External Advisory Committee (SEAC) comprising eminent persons
with experience in banking, financial sector and other relevant areas,

Top 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.
• World’s most populous nation, India ranks 14th in public pension wealth, with total
assets of $305 billion, as per the Global SWF 2025 report.

Indian IT Giants Lead 2025 Brand Finance IT Services Rankings

• In the latest Brand Finance Global 500 report for 2025, Tata Group has solidified its status as India’s most
valuable brand, achieving a brand value of $31.6 billion—a 10% increase from the previous year.
• Globally, Apple continues to dominate with a brand value of $574.5 billion, maintaining its lead over

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competitors.
• Tata Group’s Consistent Growth -- Ranked 60th among the world’s
top 100 brands, Tata Group has maintained its AAA- brand strength
rating.
• Apple: Retains the top spot with a brand value of $574.5 billion, an
11% increase from the previous year.
• Microsoft: Holds the second position with a brand value of $461.1 billion, marking a 35% growth.
• Google: Ranks third with a brand value of $413 billion, up by 24%.

Where is Tata Group ranked among the world’s top 100 brands?
a) 50th
b) 60th
c) 70th
d) 80th
Answer: b) 60th

Which platform did Deepak Agarwal previously work for as Chief AI Officer?
a) Twitter
b) Instagram
c) Pinterest
d) Meta
Answer: c) Pinterest

What is the name of the cyber insurance solution launched by Tata AIG?
a) CyberSecure
b) CyberEdge
c) CyberGuard
d) CyberProtect
Answer: b) CyberEdge

Who has been appointed as the Executive Director of Dhanlaxmi Bank?

a) P. Suriaraj
b) Dhananjay Shukla
c) Deepak Agarwal
d) Pawan G Chandak
Answer: a) P. Suriaraj

Who has been appointed as the President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for 2025?
a) Pawan G Chandak
b) Dhananjay Shukla
c) Ramesh Verma
d) Deepak Agrawal
Answer: b) Dhananjay Shukla

Who is ranked as the world’s richest person in 2025 with a net worth of $433.9 billion?
a) Jeff Bezos
b) Gautam Adani
c) Bernard Arnault
d) Elon Musk
Answer: d) Elon Musk

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Where will Airtel initially offer Bajaj Finance's retail financial products?
a) Flipkart App
b) Wisor Platform
c) Airtel Thanks App
d) Bajaj Finance Website
Answer: c) Airtel Thanks App

What is the cashback percentage on UPI transactions made via the IDFC FIRST Bank app?
a) 2%
b) 1.5%
c) 1%
d) 0.5%
Answer: c) 1%

What is the name of India’s first AI-powered credit card expert launched by CheQ?
a) CreditMax
b) Wisor
c) CardSmart
d) FinExpert
Answer: b) Wisor

Vedanta Resources Names Deshnee Naidoo as First CEO

Vedanta Resources Ltd (VRL), the parent firm of Mumbai-based mining conglomerate
Vedanta Ltd, announced the appointment of Deshnee Naidoo as its first Chief Executive
Officer (CEO).
• Vedanta Resources Limited is a diversified mining company headquartered in
London, United Kingdom.
• Vedanta Resources Ltd is demerging its businesses to unlock significant value for
stakeholders.

Maruti Suzuki Re-Appoints Hisashi Takeuchi as MD and CEO

• Maruti Suzuki India Ltd board has approved the reappointment of Hisashi Takeuchi as
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a further period of three years with
effect from April 1, 2025.

IDBI Bank’s board approves re-appointment of Rakesh Sharma as MD & CEO

• for three years with effect from March 19, 2025.
• Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI)

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CUB wins seven IBA banking technology awards for the second year in row
• City Union Bank (CUB) won 7 awards at the 19th IBA Banking Technology Conference 2023 for the second
consecutive year.

Award Categories – Winner:

• Best Digital sales, Payments & Engagement
• Best IT risk management
• Best Fintech & Digital Payment Index (DPI) adoption
• Best Financial Inclusion
– Runner-Up: Best AI & ML Adoption.
– Special: Best Technology Talent & Organization and Best Technology Bank

CRED Launches Beta E-Rupee Wallet

• 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.
• 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.

What is the e₹ Wallet ?

• CRED’s e₹ wallet allows users to store and transact with the e-rupee, an initiative introduced by the RBI to
digitize the country’s currency system.
• This wallet, available on both Android and iOS, aims to bring digital currency closer to the masses by
ensuring accessibility and ease of use.

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.
• The MCGS-MSME offers 60% guarantee coverage through the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company
Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for loans up to ₹100 crore. Eligible MSMEs must
possess a valid Udyam Registration Number.
• Notably, while the total project cost can exceed ₹100 crore, at least 75% of the loan amount should be
allocated for purchasing equipment and machinery.
• For loans up to ₹50 crore, borrowers are granted a repayment period of up to eight years, including a two-
year moratorium.
• Loans exceeding ₹50 crore may have extended repayment and moratorium periods.

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 more than 3,000 unique assets, the repository includes articles, regulations, interviews with market
leaders, historic newspaper clippings, share certificates, committee reports, and much more.

SEBI Introduces iSPOT Portal to Streamline Reporting of Technical Glitches

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has launched a web-based portal, Integrated SEBI Portal
for Technical Glitches (iSPOT), for reporting technical issues faced by stock exchanges and other market

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infrastructure institutions (MIIs).

• This new system aims to streamline the submission of preliminary and final Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
reports and establish a centralised repository for such incidents.

SEBI issues new advisory to rein in finfluencers

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has restricted persons involved in investor education or
finfluencers from using market price data of the last three months for any security in their communication.
• The new norm will further tighten the noose on so-called experts who are giving unauthorized stock tips in
the guise of investor education.
• Finfluencers or financial influencers are usually unregistered entities providing catchy content, information,
and advice on various financial topics to their several followers.
• They provide stock advice to investors on various social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Instagram
and Facebook.

RBI Greenlights NUCFDC to Boost Urban Cooperative Banks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the creation of the National Urban Cooperative Finance and
Development Corporation (NUCFDC) to bolster the operational efficiency of Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs)
across India.
• This initiative aims to address challenges such as regulatory compliance, financial stability, and technological
advancement within the sector.
• In response to the declining number of UCBs—from 1,926 in 2004 to approximately 1,500 in 2024—the RBI,
under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, approved the
formation of NUCFDC.
• This umbrella organization is designed to provide comprehensive support to UCBs, including IT infrastructure
and operational assistance.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set the interest rate on the Government of India Floating Rate Bonds 2035
The rate of interest on the Government of India Floating Rate Bonds, 2035 (GOI FRB 2035) applicable for the period
January 25, 2025 to January 24, 2030 shall be 6.66 per cent per annum.

Reliance Industries to Build World’s Largest Data Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat

• Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani is building the world's largest data centre in Jamnagar,
Gujarat.
• The new project aims to boost India's artificial intelligence capabilities, competing with global AI players.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) becomes the first Indian bank to integrate Clari5’s National Cybercrime Reporting
Portal (NCRP) solution
• Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the first Indian bank to implement Clari5’s National Cybercrime
Reporting Portal (NCRP) Integration Solution, marking a significant advancement in fraud prevention and
complaint management. This state-of-the-art system, developed in collaboration with the Indian Cyber
Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), enables automated, real- time processing of cybercrime complaints across
all retail banking channels, including Internet and Mobile Banking, ATMs, UPI, and NEFT/RTGS.

Jio has launched JioSoundPay on JioBharat phones to help small businesses such as kirana stores easily handle UPI
payments
• Reliance-backed Jio today announced a new feature for its JioBharat device – a free, industry- first
JioSoundPay for small-scale merchants across the nation.
• The new feature, JioSoundPay, provides instant, multilingual audio confirmations for every UPI payment,
enabling seamless and efficient business operations for even the smallest kirana stores, vegetable vendors,
and roadside eateries.

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• Existing small and micro merchants pay around Rs 125 a month for a sound box. Now, with JioSoundPay
being provided free, JioBharat users will save Rs 1,500 annually.

Centre Launches TEAM Initiative

• The ministry for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) has partnered with Open Network for Digital
Commerce to launch MSME Trade Enablement And Marketing (TEAM) with an allocation of INR 277.35 Cr.
• This will help over 5 lakh MSMEs with a special focus on women-led businesses get onboard the ONDC
network.
• The MSME TEAM Initiative is more than just a programme – it’s an opportunity to empower small businesses
with the tools and resources they need to thrive in the digital age.

IRDAI Limits Senior Citizens’ Health Premium Hike to 10% Annually

• In a bid to check the unbridled rise in health insurance premium, the Insurance Regulatory and
Development Authority of India (IRDAI) on Thursday directed insurers that they should not revise the
premium on health cover products for senior citizens by more than 10 per cent in a year.
• The regulator’s move follows sharp hike in health premium by over 50-60 per cent by insurers in the case of
senior citizens with some insurers even resorting to 100 per cent hike in premium

NPCI Implements Stricter UPI Rules from Feb 1, 2025

• From February 1, 2025 no UPI payment app can use special characters for generating transaction IDs. If you
are using any such UPI app which uses special characters in the transaction ID then the transaction will be
declined by the central system.
• The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) wants to standardise the UPI transaction ID generation
process and hence wants all payment ecosystem players to use ‘alphanumeric’ characters only and refrain
from using special characters.

Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023-24

• Household expenditure increased across all major states, with Odisha registering the highest rural Monthly
Per Capita Consumption Expenditure (MPCE) growth at 14 per cent and Punjab leading in the urban MPCE
growth at 13 per cent from 2022-23.
• Notably, southern states, like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, Punjab and
Haryana in the north; and Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Rajasthan in the west generally recorded higher MPCEs
than the national average.
• Data collected in HCES is also used to measure poverty, inequality, and social exclusion.
• The average MPCE in rural and urban India in 2023-24 has been estimated to be Rs 4,122 and Rs 6,996,
respectively.
• The rural-urban gap in 18 major states declined on the basis of the average MPCE.
• Kerala recorded the lowest disparity (18 per cent) and Jharkhand the highest (83 per cent).

Gini coefficient
• the Gini index fell to 0.237 in rural areas from 0.266 in 2022-23 and to 0.284 in urban areas from 0.314 in the
previous year, signalling a more equitable distribution of expenditure across major states.
• The Gini coefficient is a key measure of inequality.
• It is an index to calculate the degree of inequality in the distribution of income/wealth to estimate how far a
country’s wealth or income distribution deviates from equal distribution.
• Odisha registered the highest rural MPCE growth at 14 per cent and Punjab recorded the highest urban
MPCE growth at 13 per cent.
• Maharashtra and Karnataka recorded the lowest MPCE growth at 3 per cent and 5 per cent in rural and
urban areas, respectively.

Connect With Us - 22
 MONTHLY Revision MCQs JANUARY 2025

Important Days
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention:
It is celebrated on 9th January to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India in 1915.
The first Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention was organized in 2003 in New Delhi.
The theme of the 2025 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit
Bharat".
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, and 3
D) 1 only
Answer: C

9 January - Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

 Since 2003, 9th January has been observed as Pravasi Divas in India
 Celebrated on the recommendation of Dr. L.M. Singhvi’s ‘High-Level Committee on the Indian
Diaspora’.
 The Ministry of External Affairs organises the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention and since 2015
it has been organised after every two years.
 The 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention held from 8–10 January 2025 at
Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
 Theme - "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat".
 The Chief Guest -Christine Carla Kangaloo, President of Trinidad & Tobago.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman

Award to the 27 recipient at the 18th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
(PBD) Convention in Bhubaneshwar Odisha on 10 January 2025.

2. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the Lokpal of India?
The Lokpal was established on January 16, 2014.
The concept of ombudsman originated in 1809 in Germany.
Justice A. M. Khanwilkar is first Chairperson of Lokpal of India.

A) Only statement 1 is correct

B) Only statement 2 is correct
C) Only statement 3 is correct
D) All statements are correct
Answer: A

January 16 - Lokpal Day

 The Lokpal is an anti-corruption authority in India that investigates allegations of corruption
against public officials

The concept of ombudsman originated in 1809 in Sweden.

Inception: Lokpal was officially constituted on January 16, 2014, with its first Chairperson, Justice
Pinaki Chandra Ghosh, appointed in 2019.18 Jan 2025
 establishment of the Body called the Lokpal of India vide Notification issued on 16.01.2014
under Section 1(4)
 Justice A. M. Khanwilkar is the second Chairperson of the Lokpal of India.
 Dr. L. M. Singhvi coined the term Lokpal and Lokayukta in 1963.

Date Day Theme

1st January DRDO Foundation Day
1st January Global Family Day
3rd January International Mind Body Wellness Day
4th January World Braille Day
5th January National Birds Day
9th January Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
10th January World Hindi Day
12th January National Youth Day
15th January Indian Army Day
16th January National Startup Day
19th January National Disaster Response Force Raising Day
21st January Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya Foundation Day
23rd January Parakram Diwas
24th January International Day of Education Theme “AI and education:
Preserving human agency
in a world of automation”.
24th January National Girl Child Day THEME: “Empowering Girls
for a Bright Future.
24th January Uttar Pradesh foundation day
25th January National Tourism Day
25th January National Voters’ Day Theme “Nothing Like
Voting, I Vote for Sure”
25th January Himachal Pradesh Statehood Day
26th January Republic Day
26th January International Customs Day 2025 Theme: Customs Delivering
on its Commitment to
Efficiency, Security, and
Prosperity

26th January International Day of Clean Energy 2025

27 January National Geographic Day
28th January International Data Privacy Day Theme - Take control of
your data
29th January Indian Newspaper Day
30th January Martyrs Day or Shaheed Diwas 23 March also
30th January World Leprosy Day in India The theme - "Unite. Act.
Eliminate."

Appointments

3. Consider the following statements:

Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal has been appointed Additional Director-General of Police, Border Security
Force (BSF).
Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force
(CRPF).
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C

IPS officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal posted to BSF as Additional DGP

 Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, posted as Additional Director-General of Police, BSF, for a
period of four years.
 Mr. Aggarwal served in the Central Bureau of Investigation as its Joint Director in
Chandigarh.

Gyanendra Pratap Singh Appointed as CRPF Director General

 Assam police chief Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed Director General of
the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) until further orders or until his
superannuation on January 31, 2027.
4. Who has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the Associated Chambers of Commerce
and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM)?
एसोससएटे ड चैंसर ऑफ कॉमसर एंड इंडस्ट ऑफ इंडडया (एसोचैम) के नए महासचचव के रू मे ककसे ननयुक् ककया
गया है ?
A) Deepak Sood
B) Manish Singhal
C) Ramesh Agarwal
D) Sunil Kapoor
Answer: B

Manish Singhal Appointed Secretary General of ASSOCHAM

 Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) - an
apex business chamber
 Singhal succeeds Deepak Sood, who recently after a five-year stint stepped
down to pursue other interests.

5. Match the following individuals with their new appointments:

Person Position

1. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai A. Chairman, Food Corporation of India

2. Ashutosh Agnihotri B. Director General, Directorate General of Civil Aviation

3. Kamal Kishore Soan C. Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission

Select the correct match:

A) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
B) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
C) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
D) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
Answer: A

Faiz Ahmed Kidwai Appointed as DGCA Director General; Ashutosh Agnihotri is new FCI chairman
 Faiz Ahmed Kidwai - DG of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
 Currently posted as additional secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare
 Ashutosh Agnihotri - chairman and managing director of the Food Corporation of
India.
 Agnihotri is currently posted as additional secretary, Department of Home Ministry
of Home Affairs.
 Kamal Kishore Soan - Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Jal Jeevan
Mission, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

6. Consider the following statements regarding Dr. V. Narayanan.

1. Dr. V. Narayanan is set to succeed S. Somanath as the chairman of ISRO and as the secretary of the
Department of Space.
2. Dr. Narayanan was the Project Director for the cryogenic propulsion systems of the GSLV Mk III
vehicle, which played a key role in the success of the Chandrayaan-2 mission.
3. ISRO was established on August 15, 1969.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 2, and 3
D) 1 only
Answer: C

V Narayanan appointed as new ISRO chief

 V. Narayanan succeeded S. Somanath as the next chairman of ISRO, and also
as the secretary of the Department of Space.
 Dr V Narayanan is currently the director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
(LPSC), Thiruvananthapuram
 Dr Narayanan has worked towards developing key technologies used in the
launch vehicles of today, including PSLV and the country’s heaviest LVM3.
 An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur.
 Dr. Narayanan has been heading the ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) since January
2018.
 He was the Project Director for the C25 Cryogenic Project of the GSLV Mk Ill vehicle.
 As project director, Dr Narayanan and his team conceived, designed, and developed the
cryogenic propulsion systems still used in LVM3. With this, India became the sixth country in the
world to have the technology.
 Chairman of the National Expert Committee constituted to study the reasons for the hard
landing of Chandrayaan-2.
 He has also finalised the Propulsion Road Map of ISRO for the next 20 years (2017-2037)
Ajay Seth is both finance and revenue secretary.
Person Appointments

Jitender Pal Singh India’s New Ambassador to Israel

Tuhin Kanta Pandey Secretary, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, now he is SEBI Chairman
Justice Upadhyay Chief justice of Delhi High Court
Justice Sujoy Paul Chief Justice of Telangana High Court

Nidhi Khare additional charge of Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy (MNRE).
Vineet Joshi Secretary, Department of Higher Education
Justice Arun Mishra Ombudsman and Ethics Officer of the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI)
Awards

7. Which organization has been selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-
2025 in the Institutional Category for its excellent work in Disaster Management?
ककस संगठन को आूदा पंंबन मे उतककृट कायर के सिए संस्ाग् शेरे मे सुभाष चंद ंोस आूदा पंंबन
ूुरसकार-2025 के सिए चुना गया है?
A) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
B) Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
C) National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)
D) Disaster Management Department of India
Answer: B

INCOIS Honored with Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025

 The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has
been selected in the Institutional Category, for its excellent work in
Disaster Management.
 The award is announced every year on 23rd January, the birth anniversary
of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
 The award carries a cash prize of Rs. 51 lakh and a certificate in case of an
institution and Rs. 5 lakh for individual.
 INCOIS was established in 1999, Hyderabad, Telangana.

8. Match the following Padma Awards for the year 2025:

Award Recipient
1. Padma Vibhushan A) Shri Pankaj Udhas

2. Padma Bhushan B) Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia

3. Padma Bhushan C) Shri P R Sreejesh

4. Padma Shri D) I. M. Vijayan

Options:
A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
B) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D
C) 1-A, 2-D, 3-B, 4-C
D) 1-D, 2-A, 3-C, 4-B
Answer: B)

Padma Awards for year 2025 announced

 President has approved conferment of 139 Padma Awards including
1 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one)
 The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113
Padma Shri Awards.
 23 of the awardees are women
 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI
 13 Posthumous awardees.

Padma Vibhushan (7):

 Former Chief Justice of India Justice (retired) Jagdish Singh Khehar, who
gave a dissenting opinion among the Supreme Court Bench that outlawed
triple talaq in 2017
 Gastroenterologist D. Nageshwara Reddy
 Kathak dancer Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia
 violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam
 Iconic writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair
 Japan’s Suzuki Motor leader Osamu Suzuki Posthumously
 Bhojpuri and Maithili singer Sharda Sinha

Prominent Padma Bhushan :

Dr V. Anantha Nageswaran succeeds Bibek as Chief Economic Advisor
 Economist Bibek Debroy (posthumously) to PM.
 ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas (posthumously)
 former Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi (posthumously)
 former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi (posthumously)
 Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur
 double Olympic bronze medal-winning hockey player P.R. Sreejesh
 actor Anant Nag
 Tamil star Ajith Kumar
 Assam’s folk culture exponent Jatin Goswami

Padma Bhushan (19)

SN Name Field State/Country

1 Shri A Surya Prakash Literature and Education - Karnataka
Journalism
2 Shri Anant Nag Art Karnataka
3 Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) Literature and Education NCT Delhi

4 Shri Jatin Goswami Art Assam

5 Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram Medicine Kerala

6 Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit Others-Archaeology NCT Delhi

7 Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Maharashtra
8 Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti Trade and Industry Tamil Nadu
16 Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Art Andhra Pradesh
17 Shri P R Sreejesh Sports Kerala
 18 Shri Pankaj Patel Trade and Industry Gujarat
19 Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) Art Maharashtra
20 Shri Rambahadur Rai Literature and Education- Uttar Pradesh
Journalism
21 Sadhvi Ritambhara Social Work Uttar Pradesh
22 Shri S Ajith Kumar Art Tamil Nadu
23 Shri Shekhar Kapur Art Maharashtra
24 Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar Art Tamil Nadu
25 Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Bihar
26 Shri Vinod Dham Science and Engineering United States of America

Prominent Padma Shri :

 recently-retired cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin
 Legendary Indian footballer I. M. Vijayan
 India's first Paralympic gold medal-winning archer Harvinder Singh
 Para athletics coach Satyapal Singh
 singer Arijit Singh,
 veteran actor Ashok Laxman Saraf,
 singer Jaspinder Narula,
 Grammy-winning musician Ricky Kej
 Ram Mandir architect Chandrakant Sompura

9. Consider the following statements regarding the gallantry awards for the
76th Republic Day:
1. Awards included 2 Nao Sena Medals and 8 Vayu Sena Medals.
2. 3 Kirti & 14 Shaurya Chakras were awarded
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 & 2
B) 1 only
C) 2 only
D) None of the above
Answer: B)

Gallantary Awards to 93 Armed Forces & Central Armed Police Forces personnel
 The President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu has
approved gallantry awards for 93 personnel from the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police
Forces, including 11 posthumously, on the eve of the 76th Republic Day.
 the gallantry awards include 2 Kirti Chakras (one posthumous), 14 Shaurya Chakras (three
posthumous), 1 Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 66 Sena Medals (seven posthumous), 2 Nao Sena
Medals (Gallantry), and 8 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
 Kirti Chakra (second-highest peace-time gallantry award) – for counter-terrorist operations in
Jammu and Kashmir and were to:
  Major Manjit Kumar of the Punjab Regiment and with 22 Rashtriya Rifles (RR)
 Naik Dilwar Khan (posthumously) from the Artillery Regiment and with 28 RR
 Shaurya Chakra, the third-highest gallantry award, has been awarded to 14 security personnel.

10. Match the sportspersons and coaches with their respective awards from the National Sports
Awards 2024:
Column I Column II

1. Jyothi Yarraji A. Dronacharya Award

2. S Muralidharan B. Arjuna Award

3. Harmanpreet Singh C. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

4. Sarabjot Singh D. Arjuna Award

Options:
A. 1 → B, 2 → A, 3 → C, 4 → D
B. 1 → A, 2 → B, 3 → D, 4 → C
C. 1 → C, 2 → A, 3 → B, 4 → D
D. 1 → D, 2 → C, 3 → A, 4 → B
Answer: A

National Sports Awards 2024

 The Khel Ratna is India’s highest sporting honour in the National Sports Awards given annually by
India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

S. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

No

1. Shri Gukesh D Chess

2. Shri Harmanpreet Singh Hockey

3. Shri Praveen Kumar Para-Athletics

4. Ms. Manu Bhaker Shooting

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

 The Khel Ratna Award was instituted in 1991–1992.
 given for outstanding performances in sports spanning over a period of 4 years
 It carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, a medal and a certificate of honour.
32 Arjuna Award (India’s 2nd highest sporting honour):
 It was established in 1961
 It is given for good performance over a period of the last four years
 This award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Arjun and a certificate of
appreciation.

S.No Name Sport Discipline

1 Jyothi Yarraji Athletics

2 Annu Rani Athletics
3 Nitu Ghangas Boxing
4 Saweety Boora Boxing
5 Vantika Agarwal Chess
6 Salima Tete Hockey
7 Abhishek Hockey
8 Sanjay Hockey
9 Jarmanpreet Singh Hockey
10 Sukhjeet Singh Hockey
11 Rakesh Kumar Para-Archery
12 Preeti Pal Para-Athletics
13 Jeevanji Deepthi Para-Athletics
14 Ajeet Singh Para-Athletics
15 Sachin Sarjerao Khilari Para-Athletics
16 Dharambir Para-Athletics
17 Pranav Soorma Para-Athletics
18 H Hokato Sema Para-Athletics
19 Simran Para-Athletics
20 Navdeep Singh Para-Athletics
21 Nitesh Kumar Para-Badminton
22 Thulasimathi Murugesan Para-Badminton
23 Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan Para-Badminton
24 Manisha Ramadass Para-Badminton
25 Kapil Parmar Para-Judo
26 Mona Agarwal Para-Shooting
27 Rubina Francis Para-Shooting
28 Swapnil Kusale Shooting
29 Sarabjot Singh Shooting
 30 Abhay Singh Squash
31 Sajan Prakash Swimming
32 Aman Sehrawat Wrestling

Arjuna Award (Lifetime) Achievement Awardees

S. No. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

1 Shri Sucha Singh Athletics

2 Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar Para-Swimming

Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches in Sports and Games 2024

1.Regular Category: 2.Lifetime Category:

S. No Name of the Coach Discipline

S. No. Name of the Coach Discipline

1 Shri Subhash Rana Para- 1 Shri S Muralidharan Badminton

Shooting
2 Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco Football
2 Ms. Deepali Deshpande Shooting

3 Shri Sandeep Sangwan Hockey

Dronacharya Award:
 It was established in 1985
 It is given to coaches for doing excellent and commendable work
 It carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Dronacharya and a certificate of
appreciation.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024:

S. No. Name of University

1 Chandigarh University Overall winner University

11. Renowned Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred the title of __________ in 2024 at the
98th conference and concerts Sadas, the traditional oriental convocation of The Music Academy in
Chennai.
पसससब कनारटक संगे्कार टट.एम. ककृरा को 2024 मे चेननन मे संगे् अकादमे के 98वे सममेिन और संगे्
समारोह सदास, ूारं ूररक पारय दटकां् समारोह - मे __________ की उूाचब से सममानन् ककया गया।
A) Sangita Kalanidhi
B) Padma Shri
C) Carnatic Maestro
D) Rajaraja Puraskar
Answer: A

T.M. Krishna conferred Sangita Kalanidhi title

 Renowned Carnatic musician T.M. Krishna was conferred the title of
Sangita Kalanidhi 2024
 Sangita Kalanidhi conferred by the Music Academy Madras is the highest
accolade in the field of Carnatic music. The Sangita Kalanidhi title was
instituted in 1942.

12. Select the correct match for Golden Globes 2025:

No. Award Category Winner

1 Best Film – Drama The Brutalist
2 Best Actress – Drama Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here

3 Best Actor – Drama Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Options:
A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
B) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
C) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
D) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
Answer: A

Golden Globes 2025

 The Golden Globes 2025 held at Beverly Hills, California
 Hosted by noted comedian Nikki Glaser, 82nd Golden Globes mark
the first time a woman is solo-hosting the show.
 Payal Kapadia lost the Best Director award to Brady Corbet for The
Brutalist.
 Emilia Perez wins Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language.
India's All We Imagine As Light was also nominated in the same
category.
 Best film – drama - WINNER: The Brutalist
 Best film - musical or comedy - WINNER: Emilia Pérez
 Best non-English language film- WINNER: Emilia Pérez
 Best animated film - WINNER: Flow
 Best director - WINNER: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
 Best actress – drama - WINNER: Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here
 Best actor – drama- WINNER: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
 Best TV series – drama - WINNER: Shōgun
 The Golden Globe Awards are presented for excellence in both international film and television.
 In 2023 Rajamouli's RRR song “Naatu Naatu,” composed by M. M. Keeravani and written by
Chandrabose, won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song

13. Which two filmmakers will be honored with the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award at the
Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025?
जयूरु अं्रारृ्टय कफलम महोतसव (JIFF) 2025 मे ककन दो कफलम ननमार्ाां को उतककृट िाइफटाइम अचेवमे ट
ूुरसकार से सममानन् ककया जाएगा?
a) Yash Chopra and Shyam Benegal
b) Asha Parekh and Sharmila Tagore
c) Dilip Kumar and Prem Chopra
d) Aparna Sen and Kamini Kaushal
Answer: a

JIFF 2025 Honoured Yash Chopra and Shyam Benegal

 Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025 held in the Rajasthan capital
between January 17 and 21.
 While Yash Chopra will be bestowed the Outstanding Lifetime
Achievement Award, a tribute will be paid to Benegal, who died late last
year.

Important awards
 President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam bestowed the highest honour of the city-state
on Tarun Das, the former director general of the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII).
 Doordarshan has been honoured with the award in the Electronic Media category for its
comprehensive campaign on Voter Awareness and Education.
 President approves conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2024 on 49 persons
 Professor Urbasi Sinha, faculty at the Raman Research Institute (RRI), was honored with the Gates-
Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at Cambridge, UK.

Obituaries
14. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the recently passed away Dr. K.S. Manilal?
He served as the founding president of the Indian Association for Angiosperm Taxonomy (IAAT).
He was the first Asian to receive the Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau award from Netherlands in
2012.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) Only 1 is true
B) Only 2 is true
C) Both 1 and 2 are true
D) Neither 1 nor 2 is true
Answer: C
Demise of Padma Awardee Dr KS Manilal
 Dr. K.S. Manilal, the esteemed botanist who brought the ancient botanical
treasure Hortus Malabaricus to the modern world
 His studies led to the discovery of 19 new plant species
 He was the founding president of the Indian Association for Angiosperm
Taxonomy (IAAT) in 1989
 He also served as president of the Botanical Society of India in 1999
 He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for his exceptional contributions to botany.
 His international accolades include the Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau award from the
Netherlands, presented by Queen Beatrix in 2012, making him the first Asian to receive this
honour.

15. Recently demised Rajagopala Chidambaram was the recipient of the Padma
Shri in ______ and the Padma Vibushan in ______ for his contributions to India's
nuclear energy and strategic technologies.
हाि हट मे ददवंग् हुए राजगोूािा चचदं ंरम को भार् की ूरमारु ऊजार और सामररक
प्सयोचगककयक मे उनके योगदान के सिए ______ मे ूसम शे और ______ मे ूसम
ववभषू र से सममानन् ककया गया ्ा।
a) 1975, 1998
b) 1974, 1999
c) 1975, 1999
d) 1974, 1998
Answer: c

Senior scientist Rajagopala Chidambaram passes away

 A former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and involved with both of India’s nuclear
tests, in 1974 and in 1998
 In 1974, he was part of an operation, code named ‘Smiling Buddha’, which carried out amidst
great secrecy a “peaceful nuclear test” at Pokhran, Rajasthan
 On May 11, 1998, as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, he led a similar operation,
again at Pokhran, called Operation Shakti.
 He was also the longest serving Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Indian government from
2002-2018.
 recipient of the Padma Shri (1975) and Padma Vibushan (1999),

Obituaries
 India’s preeminent cardiac surgeon K.M. Cherian- performed India’s first coronary bypass surgery
in 1975, passes away
 Veteran soldier Havildar Baldev Singh (retd), who fought four wars against Pakistan, passed away
in his hometown Naushera in J&K’s Rajouri district
 Pritish Nandy - Indian poet, journalist, film producer and former parliamentarian - has passed
away
 Tomiko Itooka, a Japanese woman recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest
person, has passed away at 116 years
 Renowned Kannada writer Norbert D’Souza passes away
Books
16. Who published the book ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages’?
‘जममू कशमेर और िसदाा: थू द एजेस’ ूुस्क ककसने पकासा् की?
A) Indian Council of Historical Research
B) National Book Trust, India
C) Both (a) & (b)
D) Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: C

HM Amit Shah presided over book release event for ‘Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the
Ages’
 HM Amit Shah – Chief Guest
 Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan was the Guest of Honour.
 Published in Hindi and English, this book is the result of collaborative efforts of the National Book
Trust, India, and the Indian Council of Historical Research.

17. Who is the author of the book Indian Genius: The Meteoric Rise of Indians in America?
इंडडयन जेननयस: द मेदटयोररक राइज ऑफ इंडडयंस इन अमेररका ूुस्क के िेाक क्न
है?
A) Meenakshi Ahamed
B) Arundhati Roy
C) Raghuram Rajan
D) Chetan Bhagat
Answer: A

18. Who is the author of the book How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency?
हाउ इंडडया सकेलड माउं ट जे20: द इनसाइड सटोरट ऑफ द जे20 पेसेडेसे ूस
ु ्क के िेाक
क्न है?
A) Nirmala Sitharaman
B) Amitabh Kant
C) Shashi Tharoor
D) Raghuram Rajan
Answer: B

How India scaled Mt G20: The inside story of the

G20 Presidency - Book by Amitabh Kant
 Author: Amitabh Kant
 Amitabh Kant is India’s G20 Sherpa.
 He has served as the CEO of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog
India’s G2O Presidency 2023
 India hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit 2023 for the first time in history - in September 2023
 Theme of India’s G20 presidency: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth - One Family - One
Future”.

BOOKS
 Pankaj Mishra’s latest book, ‘The World After Gaza’
 Book ‘Middle Class India: Driving Change in the 21st Century’
 Author: Manisha Pande
 ‘The Tamils: A portrait of a community’, book authored by Nirmala Lakshman, Chairperson, The
Hindu Group.

National

1. QUESTION FOR YOU

Consider the following statements regarding the Best Tableau Awards in the Republic Day Parade
2025:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs won the Best Tableau award for its theme “Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.
The best marching contingent among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) was the Delhi Police
team.
The third-place tableau was from Andhra Pradesh, with the theme "Etikoppaka Bommalu - Eco-
Friendly Wooden Toys."
CODES:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2, and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 and 3 only
Answer: B)

19. Match the following:

Artwork/Item GI Tag State

1. Kalamkari Paintings A) Tamil Nadu

2. Pochampally Ikat B) Telangana
3. Ganjifa Art C) Karnataka
4. Etikopakka Dolls D) Andhra Pradesh

5. Kanjeevaram Silk E) Andhra Pradesh

Options:
a) 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D, 5 - E
b) 1 - A, 2 - C, 3 - B, 4 - D, 5 - E
c) 1 - B, 2 - A, 3 - C, 4 - D, 5 - E
d) 1 - E, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D, 5 - A
Answer: d
President Murmu’s invite for 2025 Republic Day reception honoured crafts
from South
 invitees for the “At home” received a specially curated box of craft work
from the five southern States — Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana,
and Andhra Pradesh – along with the card.
 The craft products have GI (geographical indicator) tags, and are drawn
from the “One District One Product” scheme.
The elements of the invitation include:
 a box made of bamboo weave with Kalamkari paintings on it Andhra Pradesh.
 an Ikat-Pochampalli cover - Telangana
 a fridge magnet depicting Mysore’s Ganjifa art - Karnataka
 handmade pouch of Kanjeevaram silk - Tamil Nadu.
 Etikopakka dolls - Andhra Pradesh

20. Consider the following statements regarding the National Turmeric Board:
1. The headquarters of the National Turmeric Board is in Andhra Pradesh.
2. Shri Palle Ganga Reddy is the first Chairperson of the National Turmeric Board.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B

Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal launches National Turmeric Board
 Shri Palle Ganga Reddy as its first Chairperson.
 The headquarters of the Board has been set up at Nizamabad, Telangana
 turmeric is also known as ‘Golden Spice’.
 the newly formed Board will pay special attention to the welfare of the
turmeric farmers spread across 20 states, including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and others
 The Board will focus on key areas such as research and development, value
addition to turmeric products, and promoting awareness of the spice’s
medicinal and essential properties. It will also work on improving turmeric
yield, enhancing logistics and supply chains, and exploring new international markets for turmeric.
 India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world.
 30 varieties of turmeric being grown in the country.
 India has more than 62% share of world trade.

21. What is the maximum amount that road accident victims will be entitled to for cashless
treatment under the new scheme of Union Ministry of Road, Transport, & Highways?
केदटय ूररवहन मंते ननन्न गडकरट सवारा घोवष् नन योजना के ्ह् सडक दघ
ु ट
र ना ूेडड्क को कैािेस उूचार
के सिए अचबक्म कक्ने रासा समिेगे?
A) ₹1 lakh
B) ₹1.5 lakh
C) ₹2 lakh
D) ₹2.5 lakh
Answer: B

Nitin Gadkari announces increase in reward for those helping accident victims
 Union Minister of Road, Transport, & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has announced to
increase the reward
 for “Good Samaritans” helping accident victims by five times to Rs 25,000.
Currently the reward for good samaritans is only Rs 5,000.
 The revision will be applicable on national and state highways, as well as district, city,
and Gram Panchayat roads.
 First launched in October 2021, the aim of this scheme was to reward the person
who saved the life of a victim of a fatal accident by administering immediate assistance and
rushing to hospital/trauma care centre within the Golden Hour (first hour) of the accident to
provide medical treatment.
 The government would now cover hospital expenses of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the first seven days
for the people injured in accidents.

22. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the 'Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024'?
The 'Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024' replaces the 90-year-old
'Aircraft Act of 1934.'
The Act will come into force on January 1, 2025.
The Act aims to regulate air traffic management but does not address
consumer protection.
A) Only statement 1 is correct
B) Only statement 2 is correct
C) Both statement 1 and statement 2 are correct
D) All statements are correct
Answer: C

Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 Replaces Aircraft Act of 1934

 India replaced the outdated 90-year-old ‘Aircraft Act of 1934’ with the ‘Bharatiya Vayuyan
Adhiniyam 2024,’ establishing new regulations to protect passenger rights, as well as ease the
policy environment to promote investment in the sector.
 Provisions of the Act would come into force from January 1, 2025.
 The Act was passed by Parliament during the Winter Session in 2024. It was presented by Civil
Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu.
 Notably, the ‘Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam’ aims to create more efficient and safe air
operations, while also providing a better consumer protection environment by ensuring higher
service quality.
 It aspires to create an “efficient online mechanism” to address passenger grievances, ensuring a
time-bound response period.
 Besides, the Act removes redundancies and provides effective regulatory powers to control
areas such as air traffic management and the drone segment.
 The Act seeks to promote aircraft manufacture in the country by regulating the design, assembly,
technology, and other related aspects.
 The predecessor, the Indian Aircraft Act, brought in 1934, went through several changes over the
years; it was amended 21 times.

23. What is the primary purpose of the BHARATPOL portal?

भार्ूोि ूोटर ि का पा्समक उसदे शय कया है ?
a) To facilitate the registration of new citizens
b) To enhance real-time information sharing for Indian law enforcement agencies (LEAs)
c) To monitor election-related activities
d) To manage government procurement processes
Answer: b

HM Amit Shah launches BHARATPOL

 Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah launched
BHARATPOL portal developed by central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in New
Delhi on 07th January, 2025 in Bharat Mandapam in Delhi.
 BHARATPOL portal will significantly facilitate real-time information sharing for
faster access to international police assistance, including the issuance of Red
Notices and other colour-coded INTERPOL notices.

24. In how many languages is the 2025 New Year calendar of the Government of India published?
भार् सरकार का 2025 नववषर कैिेडर कक्ने भाषाां मे पकासा् ककया
गया है ?
A) 10
B) 13
C) 15
D) 20
Answer: B

I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launches Union Government’s official calendar

 “Janbhagidari se Jankalyan” (public welfare through public participation) is theme of GoI’s New
Year calender
 The calendar begins with Moto सव्षां मङगिं भूया् ् i.e welfare of all.
 The mantra अनन का वबनर हो
 Published in 13 Indian languages. Designed and produced by the Central Bureau of
Communication (CBC)

25. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched special songs by Akashvani and Doordarshan for
Mahakumbh 2025. The theme song "________" was produced by Doordarshan, sung by ________
(singer name), and the lyrics were written by Aalok Shrivastav.
सूचना एवं पसारर मंते अशशवने वैृरव ने महाकंु भ 2025 के सिए आकाावारे और दरू दारन के ववाेष गे्क का
ाुभारं भ ककया। ्ेम गे् "________" का ननमारर दरू दारन सवारा ककया गया, शजसे ________ (गायक का नाम)
ने गाया और गे् आिोक शेवास्व ने सिाे।

A) Mahakumbh Hai, Kailash Kher

B) Jai Mahakumbh, Ratan Prasanna
C) Mahakumbh Yatra, Kailash Kher
D) Kumbh Mela Anthem, Ratan Prasanna
Answer: A

I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launches special songs by Akashvani,

Doordarshan for Mahakumbh
 The theme song "Mahakumbh Hai” produced by Doordarshan for
Mahakumbh 2025
 Sung by the illustrious Padma Shri Kailash Kher
 The lyrics by renowned writer Aalok Shrivastav
 Vaishnaw also launched a special composition by Akashvani ‘Jai Mahakumbh'
 Sung by Ratan Prasanna
 lyrics penned by Abhinay Shrivastava

26. Consider the following statements regarding the 76th Republic Day 2025:
1. The theme for the 2025 Republic Day tableaux was "Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas."
2. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest at the 2025 Republic Day celebration.
Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 2
D) None
Answer: D

76th Republic Day

 Chief Guest - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (Chief Guest during the 1st Republic Day in
1950 was President Sukarno of Indonesia)
 The Commander of the 2025 Republic Day Parade was Lieutenant General Bhavnish Kumar, the
General Officer Commanding of the Delhi Area.
 75 years since our Constitution came into effect on January 26, 1950
 The Indian National Congress, on 19 December 1929, passed the historic ‘Purna Swaraj’ – (total
independence) resolution – at its Lahore session.
 A public declaration was made on 26 January 1930
 President of India unfurls the National Flag at Republic Day Parade.’
 Union Ministry of Defence organises and manages the Republic Day celebration.
 Since 2022, the Republic Day celebration starts on 23rd January and continues till 29th January.
 23rd January is observed in the country as the Parakram Diwas (birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas
Chandra Bose)
 The Beating Retreat ceremony is held on 29th January at the Vijay Chowk in New Delhi

Tableaux and its Theme

 The theme of the 2025 Republic Day tableaux was Swarnim Bharat: Virasat
aur Vikas.
 16 States/Union Territories and 10 Ministries/departments of central
governments displayed theirtableaux.
 For the first time, a Tri-services tableau was displayed with the theme
‘Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat’ (strong and secure India).
 Captain Dimple Singh Bhati set a world record by becoming the first woman
Army officer to present a salute to President Droupadi Murmu on a 12-foot ladder mounted on a
moving motorcycle.
 The Army's Motorcycle Rider Display Team, known as the
"Daredevils," set a world record by forming the tallest human
pyramid, standing 20.4 feet tall, on moving motorcycles.

 5,000 artists from different parts of the country performed over 50
dances titled ‘Jayati Jaya Mamaḧ Bharatam’ by minofculturegoi &
Sangeet Natak Akademi Guinness World Record for ‘The Largest
Indian Folk Variety Dance’

27. Which of the following statements are accurate regarding the 8th Pay Commission for government
employees and pensioners?
8th Pay Commission will take effect from January 1, 2025.
7th Pay Commission was implemented on January 1, 2016
Select the correct answer from the options below:
A) Statements 1 & 2
B) Statement 1 only
C) Statement 2 only
D) None
Answer: C

Cabinet approves setting up of 8th pay commission

 The Central government will set up a committee for the implementation of the
8th Pay Commission for government employees and pensioners
 The 7th Pay Commission's recommendations, which were implemented on
1st January 2016, would conclude on December 31, 2025.
 the 8th Pay Commission will come into force on January 1, 2026.
 this is expected to lead to updates in salaries, including modifications to
Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for retirees.
28. Which city will host the 69th railway division under the Northern Railway Zone?
उतर रे िवे जोन के अं्गर् 69वे रे िवे डडवेजन की मेजंाने क्न सा ाहर करे गा?

A) Srinagar
B) Jammu
C) Amritsar
D) Ludhiana
Answer: b

Union Ministry of Railways will set up its 69th railway division at Jammu under the Northern
Railway Zone
 Currently, the Indian Railways has 68 divisions , Jammu will be the 69th division
of the Indian Railways.
 India has the fourth largest rail network in the world after the United States of
America, China, and Russia.
 However, the Indian railways is the world's largest railway system under single management and
the largest commercial employer with around 1.25 million employees.

National
 10 Years of UJALA Scheme & Street Lighting National Programme, UJALA Scheme launched in January 2015,
to promote energy efficiency by replacing traditional lighting systems (incandescent lamps (ICLs) and
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) with energy-saving LED bulbs.
 India Develops World’s Most Powerful Hydrogen Train Engine, It will undergo its first trial run on the Jind-
Sonipat route in Haryana.
 The Joint Committee of Parliament scrutinising the Waqf (Amendment) Bill adopted its report and the
amended version of the proposed law with a majority vote - Jagdambika Pal headed the committee
 India has joined the United Nations Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official
Statistics (UN-CEBD).
 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Commonwealth Countries (CSPOC)
scheduled to be held in India in 2026
 Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, set a target of 10,000 Geographical Indication
(GI) Tags by 2030 at the GI Samagam in New Delhi, organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and India Today Group.
 The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) announced the launch of its Internet Governance Internship
and Capacity Building Scheme.

State
29. What is the primary focus of the Kanuma festival?
कनम ु ा महोत्स का मखु ् फोक् क्ा है ?
A) Worshipping the Sun God
B) Worshipping cattle and agricultural tools
C) Celebrating the harvest of crops
D) Offering prayers to ancestors
Answer: B
Telangana celebrates Kanuma with cattle worship, processions, rural sports
 In Telangana, people celebrated Kanuma, the cattle festival with
traditional fervour and joy on the third day of the Sankranti festival. It
is also celebrated in Andhra Pradesh.
 Rural people worship cattle and agricultural tools on this occasion
 A significant highlight of this festival is the bullfight and betting on the
cattle, known as Pasuvula Panduga.
 A similar bullfight festival, Jalikattu, is celebrated in Tamil Nadu.

30. Which organization collaborated with the Karnataka Forest Department in developing the 'Garudakshi'
online FIR system?
ककस संगठन ने 'गरडाके' ऑनिाइन एफआनआर परािट ववकसस् करने मे कनारटक वन ववभाग के सा् सहयोग ककया?
A) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
B) Green India Foundation
C) Indian Wildlife Foundation
D) Wildlife Trust of India
Answer: D

Karnataka Forest Department launches ‘Garudakshi’ online FIR system to curb wildlife crimes
 The Karnataka Forest Department has launched the ‘Garudakshi’ online FIR system to curb forest
encroachments, illegal tree-felling, poaching, and unauthorised entry into forest areas.
 developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India
 Previously, FIRs were manually recorded on paper using carbon copies
 The system will be implemented on a pilot basis in the Bengaluru Urban, Bhadravathi, Sirsi and Male
Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary divisions.

31. In which place was the first-ever Organic Fisheries Cluster launched under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)?
पबानमंते मतसय समूदा योजना (ूेएमएमएसवान) के ्ह् ककसमे ूहिा जैववक मतसय ूािन किसटर िॉनच ककया गया?
a) Gangtok, Sikkim
b) Soreng, Sikkim
c) Barpeta, Assam
d) Dhubri, Assam
Answer: B

Centre launches country’s first organic fish cluster in Sikkim

 The Union Minister, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri
Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh inaugurated and laid the foundation for 50 key projects worth Rs. 50
crores under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) in Guwahati, Assam.
 Launched the Organic Fisheries Cluster in Soreng District of Sikkim, being First of Its Kind in India, for
development of organic fisheries and aquaculture in Sikkim

32. Consider the following statements regarding the Anji Khad Bridge:
The Anji Khad Bridge is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
The bridge is in Ladakh.
The Anji Khad Bridge is part of the Udampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 2, and 3
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1 only
Answer: c

Anji Railways completes trial run on J&K’s first cable-stayed Anji Khad bridge
 Indian Railways newly completed Anji Khad Bridge, the country’s first cable-
stayed rail bridge.
 Located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir
 This monumental structure is part of the ambitious Udampur-Srinagar-
Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project, designed to enhance regional
connectivity and economic growth.
 total length of 725.5 meters, towering 331 meters above the riverbed.
 This bridge ranks as India’s second-highest railway bridge after the Chenab Bridge, which holds the world
record at 359 metres above the riverbed.
 The Anji Khad Bridge bridges the gap between Katra and Reasi, and will significantly improve connectivity
between the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley.
 The design and construction supervision of the bridge were handled by Italian company ITALFERR,
 The Anji Khad Bridge’s design features 96 cables
 Vande Bharat train trial run conducted successfully, which will provide a faster link for passengers traveling
between Kashmir and Delhi.

33. Consider the following statements regarding the Maha Kumbh Mela:
The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years, with Ardh-Kumbh every 6 years at Ujjain and Prayagraj.
Harshavardhana king of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started the organisation of the Kumbh fair at Prayagraj
Kumbha recognized by UNESCO in 2014 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity .
Which of the statements above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 2 and 3 only
Answer: A

Maha Kumbh Mela begins in Prayagraj with Amrit Snan

 45-day Maha Kumbh from 13th January to 26th February 2025
 biggest gathering of human beings in the world
 with the ‘Amrit Snan’ on Paush Purnima at the Sangam, the confluence of the
Ganga, Yamuna and mystical Saraswati rivers.
 Amrit Snan: Procession of saints and Akharas (spiritual orders) performing
ceremonial baths.
 The word ‘Kumbh’ comes from the root ‘kumbhak’ (the sacred pitcher of elixir of immortality).
 Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated Kalagram at Mahakumbh
Nagar in Prayagraj – to showcase the rich and vibrant culture of the country.

This gathering takes place at 4 different places, namely:

 In Haridwar, on the banks of the Ganges.
 In Ujjain, on the banks of Shipra.
 In Nashik, on the banks of Godavari (Dakshin Ganga).
 In Prayagraj, at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical invisible Saraswati.
Different Types of Kumbh:
 The Kumbh Mela is celebrated 4 times over a course of 12 years.
 At Haridwar and Prayagraj, Ardh-Kumbh Mela is held every 6th year.
 The Maha Kumbh Mela is celebrated at Prayag after 144 years (after 12 ‘Purna Kumbh Melas’).

 Background: The Maha Kumbh Mela, transcribed by Adi Shankaracharya, originates from the Puranas,
describing gods and demons battling for the sacred pitcher of Amrit, with Lord Vishnu (as Mohini) securing
it from demons.
 Ancient Origins: During the Maurya and Gupta periods (4th century BCE to 6th century CE), the Kumbh
Mela began as smaller gatherings of pilgrims from across the Indian subcontinent.
 Harshavardhana king of the Pushyabhuti dynasty started the organisation of the Kumbh fair at Prayagraj.
 recognized by UNESCO in 2017 as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity for its enduring ancient
traditions.

34. Consider the following statements regarding the Z-Morh Tunnel (Sonamarg Tunnel) in Jammu and Kashmir:
The project was initially started by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012 and was later taken over by
NHIDCL in 2019.
The tunnel is located at an elevation of over 8,650 feet.
The Z-Morh Tunnel aims to enhance connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
Which of the statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A

PM Modi inaugurates Sonamarg Tunnel in J&K

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated the strategic Z-Morh tunnel
in Sonamarg area in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.
 CM Omar Abdullah and LG Manoj Sinha, Union Minister Nitin
Gadkari are also present.
 The tunnel has been renamed Sonamarg tunnel, after the famous
tourist resort that will have round-the-year connectivity .
 Overseen by the National Highways and Infrastructure
Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL),
 Initially started by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012,
NHIDCL taking over and retendering the contract in 2019.
 Sonamarg Tunnel - situated at an elevation of over 8650 feet-
spanning approximately 12 km, boasts a construction cost
exceeding Rs 2,700 crore, which includes the main tunnel of 6.4
km
 Concurrently, the construction of the Zoji-la Tunnel—linking Sonamarg in Kashmir to Dras in Ladakh—is in
progress, with completion slated for December 2026.

2. QUESTION FOR YOU

Where has the world's first 'Mahamrityunjaya Yantra' been installed?
ववशव का ूहिा 'महामतक यंज
ु य यंत' कहां स्ावू् ककया गया है ?
A) Prayagraj
B) Haridwar
C) Varanasi
D) Rishikesh
Answer: A)

35. Consider the following statements regarding Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code (UCC):
1. The legal marriage age for men is 21 years and for women is 18 years.
2. The UCC prohibits child marriage, polygamy, and triple talaq.
3. Daughters are not given equal inheritance rights.
4. Live-in relationships must be registered within one month.
Which of the statements are correct?
A) 1, 2, and 4 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 1, 2, and 3 only
D) 1, 3, and 4 only
Answer: A

Uttarakhand Rolls Out Uniform Civil Code

 Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill, 2024.
 UCC is for all residents of the State, except the Scheduled Tribes and natives who have migrated out of
the State
 Online registration of marriages, divorce and live-in relationships mandatory; govt launches new portal;
people can also upload their will
 Became the second state in the country (after Goa), and the first to do so in independent India, to
implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
 Article 44 of the Indian Constitution - state shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code
throughout the territory of India.
 For Uttarakhand UCC, Retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was appointed as the
chairperson of expert committee to draft the UCC
 After legislative approval and President’s assent, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami declared 27th
January, 2025 as the official implementation date.

Key highlights of Uttarakhand’s UCC

 Banned Practices: Prohibits halala, iddat, and talaq from Muslim Personal Law.
 Mandatory Online Registrations: Marriage, divorce, and live-in relationships must be registered on the
government portal ucc.uk.gov.in.
Marriage Laws
 Legal marriage age: 21 years for men and 18 years for women.
 Prohibits polygamy, child marriage, and triple talaq.

Inheritance and Property Rights

 Equal inheritance rights for sons and daughters.
 Recognizes children of live-in couples as "legitimate," granting them equal inheritance rights.

Live-in relationships
 to be registered within one month
If only one partner applies to end the relationship, the registrar will accept it only on the basis of
confirmation from the other
 If the woman becomes pregnant during the live-in, then it is mandatory to inform the government within
30 days of the birth of the child.
 The UCC also mandates that a landlord cannot deny house to any couple whose live-in registration is done.

36 Consider the following statements about the Rythu Bharosa scheme in Telangana:
The scheme provides ₹12,000 per acre annually to farmers.
The benefit under the scheme is applicable only to agricultural lands.
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2
d) none
Answer: c

Telangana farmers to receive ₹12,000 per acre annually of agricultural land under
Rythu Bharosa scheme
 Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy
 Farmers in Telangana will receive ₹12,000 per acre annually under the Rythu
Bharosa scheme, an increase from the current ₹10,000
 Further, families of landless farm labourers will receive a similar amount
annually under the newly introduced Indiramma Atmeeya Bharosa scheme
 Schemes will start on 26th January, 2025
 The Rythu Bharosa scheme is not applicable to non-agricultural lands (mining, hills, real estate ventures,
roads, lands used for residential, industrial, and commercial purposes, lands converted as Nala and the
lands acquired by the government for various projects).

STATE
 Uttrakhand Forest Department Establishes Mahabharata Vatika in in Haldwani
 Odisha becomes the 34th state to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
scheme
 Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) will host the Indian Council of Medical
Research’s (ICMR) first Infectious Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (IRDL) in south India.
 The Flamingo Festival 2025 in Andhra Pradesh, celebrating the arrival of migratory birds, particularly
flamingos, to Pulicat Lake and Nelapattu Bird Sanctuary.
 The Gaan Ngai festival commemorating the end of the harvest season celebrated in Manipur by the
Kabui/Rongmei Naga community
 The Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) 2025, held in Arunachal Pradesh - for the cross border
trade and cultural exchange with Myanmar
 The Sambhar Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, adventure, and heritage at the famous Sambhar
Lake in Rajasthan.
 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the seven-day’ International Saraswati
Mahotsav’ 2025 at Pehowa Saraswati Tirth in the Kurukshetra district of Haryana on 29 January 2025.
 The baby, named Frankie Remruatdika Zadeng, is recognized as India’s first child from Generation Beta,
born in Aizawl, Mizoram
 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday announced a $1 million prize for experts or
organisations that succeed in deciphering the scripts of the Indus Valley Civilisation for everyone to
understand.
 The rural town of Thatchankurichi in Pudukottai district played host to Tamil Nadu’s first jallikattu event
of 2025, marking the beginning of the bull-taming festival season in the State
 Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated 11-day famous Adivasi Mela, and launched the Shahid
Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme (Rs. 5000 assistance to class IX & class XI tribal students).
 The Arunachal Pradesh government is taking steps to implement the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of
Religion Act, 1978, to address concerns related to forceful conversions in the state.
 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi declared the unseasonal rain in December last year a natural
calamity.

International

37. What is the name of the law signed by President Donald Trump on January 2025, that gives federal
authorities broader powers to deport immigrants accused of crimes?
जनसरी 2025 मे राष्ट्र डोनालड ््ट दसारा हसरााकरर कानन
ू का नाम क्ा है , जो ्ंघी् अधिकाकर्ो को अटरािो के
आरोटी आपसाव््ो को ्नसावव्र करने के विए व्ाटक अधिकार दे रा है ?
a) Immigration Reform Act
b) Laken Riley Act
c) Border Security Act
d) Alien Deportation Act
Answer: b

President Trump Signs the Laken Riley Act into Law

 This law mandates the federal detention and deportation of illegal
immigrants in the USA who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law
enforcement officer, and any crime that causes death or serious bodily
injury.

38. Which of the following is correct about Tamu Lhosar?

The festival is celebrated on the 15th of the Nepali month of Poush.
The Gurung community celebrates the transition from the Snake cycle to the
Garuda cycle.
A) Only 1 is true
B) Only 2 is true
C) Both 1 and 2 are true
D) Neither 1 nor 2 is true
Answer: A

What is Tamu Lhosar?

 The Gurung community in Nepal is celebrating Tamu Lhosar, marking the
beginning of a new year.
 The festival is marked on the 15th of the Nepali month of Poush as sun rays reach
early in the geography of Gurung settlements
 The Gurung year is divided into 12 cycles, each represented by an animal
called “Lho.”

The 12 animals are:

 Garuda (eagle), serpent, horse, sheep, monkey, bird, dog, deer, mouse, cow, tiger, and cat.
  Tamu Lhosar marks the transition from one “Lho” (animal cycle) to another.
 During Tamu Lhosar , the Gurung community bids farewell to the outgoing Lho and welcomes the new
one.
 During the recent celebrations, the Gurungs bid farewell to the Garuda cycle and welcomed the Snake
cycle.

International

 Interpol issues first Silver Notice, it enables tracing illicit wealth laundered across borders
 Brazil announces Indonesia as new full member of BRICS
 John Dramani Mahama was sworn in for a second term as Ghana’s President
 Pope Francis named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, appointing an Italian nun, Sister
Simona Brambilla
 JD Vance took oath as the 50th Vice President of the United States . Donald Trump was sworn in as the
47th president of the United States
 The United States will exit the World Health Organization
 The 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting held from January 20 to 24 in Davos, Switzerland.
Theme 'Collaboration for the Intelligent Age'
 Croatia President Zoran Milanovic wins another 5 year term
 US state of Ohio designates October as ‘Hindu Heritage Month’

Sports

39. Who were declared joint winners of the World Blitz Chess Championship 2024?
ववशव श्ििट ा्रं ज चैवूयनसाू 2024 का संयुक् ववजे्ा ककसे घोवष् ककया गया?
A. Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana
B. Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi
C. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Hikaru Nakamura
D. Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren
Answer: B

Magnus Carlsen & Ian Nepomniachtchi share World Blitz Chess Championship title 2024
 Norway’s Magnus Carlsen and Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi opted to share World
Blitz Championship title after three sudden-death games failed to produce a winner.
 This is the first time in history that two players have shared the World Blitz title
 Ju Wenjun clinched the women’s blitz crown
 Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu clinches Bronze at the World Blitz Chess
Championship 2024.

40. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the 78th edition of the Santosh Trophy?
1. West Bengal defeated Kerala in the final to win the title.
2. Santosh Trophy was started in 1941
3. Kerala won the Santosh Trophy for the 33rd time.
4. The cash prize for the winners was Rs 3 Lakhs.
A) Only 1 and 2 are true
B) Only 1, 2, and 4 are true
C) Only 1 and 3 are true
D) Only 2 and 4 are true
Answer: A

West Bengal lifts Santosh Trophy by defeating Kerala

 West Bengal clinched the title for a record 33rd time with a win against Kerala in
the final of the 78th edition at the GMC Balayogi Stadium, Hyderabad.
 Santosh Trophy is India’s premier football competition for states and union
territories.
 Started in 1941
 West Bengal, then named Bengal, went on to win the inaugural Santosh Trophy title
in 1941-42 after beating Delhi

Award winners:
 Winners - West Bengal, Santosh Trophy, and a cash prize of Rs 5 Lakhs.
 Runners Up - Kerala, Kamla Gupta Trophy, and a cash prize of Rs 3 lakhs.

41. Consider the following statements about the Kho Kho World Cup 2025:
Tara and Tejas are the official mascots of the tournament.
India won the inaugural world cup.
Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff are the co-brand ambassadors.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D

Kho Kho World Cup 2025

 first-ever Kho Kho World Cup held January 13-19, 2025.
 24 countries at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.
 Indian men’s and women’s teams beat Nepal in their respective finals
 tournament featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams.
 Men’s Captain Pratik Waikar.
 Women’s Captain Priyanka Ingle.
 The Federation also introduced ‘Tejas’ and ‘Tara,’ a dynamic duo of gazelles
serving as the official mascots for the tournament.
 Tiger Shroff as co-brand ambassador along with Salman Khan
 The World Cup’s official tagline, #TheWorldGoesKho

42. Consider the following statements regarding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:

Australia defeated India by six wickets in the fifth Test to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Scott Boland was awarded Player of the Series.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was instituted in the 1996-97 season.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: b

Cricket: Australia defeated India to Clinch Border-Gavaskar Trophy

 In Test Cricket, Australia defeated India in Sydney and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
 Jasprit Bumrah declared Player of the Series.
 Scott Boland adjudged the Player of the Match.
 The Border–Gavaskar Trophy is an International Test cricket trophy played between India and
Australia
 Instituted in the 1996-97 season.
 The series is named after distinguished former captains, Australia's Allan Border and India's Sunil Gavaskar.
 It is played via Test series

Year Host Country Winner Winning captain

2024-25 Australia Australia Pat Cummins
1996-97 India India Sachin Tendulkar
43. Which state won the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy by defeating Vidarbha in the final?
ककस राजय ने फाइनि मे ववदभर को हराकर 2024-25 ववजय हजारे ्ॉफी जे्े?
A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Karnataka
D) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: C

Karnataka Clinch Vijay Hazare Trophy For Record 5th Time

 the 2024-25 edition final at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
 Karnataka claimed their maiden title in the 2013-14 season

Edition Winner Runner-up

2007–08 Saurashtra Bengal (1)
2024–25 Karnataka (5) Vidarbha

44. Match the following ICC Awards 2024 winners:

Column A Column B

1) Jasprit Bumrah A) ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

2) Smriti Mandhana B) ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

3) Arshdeep Singh C) ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

4) Amelia (Melie) Kerr D) ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

Options:
A) 1 - C, 2 - B, 3 - A, 4 - D
B) 1 - C, 2 - A, 3 - D, 4 - B
C) 1 - A, 2 - B, 3 - C, 4 - D
D) 1 - B, 2 - C, 3 - D, 4 - A
Answer: A

Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana on ICC 2024 Winner List

ICC Awards 2024 winners list

 ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year - Jasprit Bumrah (IND)
 ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year - Smriti Mandhana (IND)
 ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year - Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG)
 ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year: Arshdeep Singh (IND)
 ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year: Amelia Kerr (NZL)
 ICC Umpire of the Year - Richard Illingworth (ENG)
 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year - Amelia Kerr (NZL)
 Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year - Jasprit Bumrah (IND)

45. Who won the Women’s Singles title at the 2025 Australian Open?
2025 ऑस्े सियन ाून मे मदहिा एकि का खा्ां ककसने जे्ा?
A) Aryna Sabalenka
B) Madison Keys
C) Emma Raducanu
D) Coco Gauff
Answer: B

Australian Open: Jannik Sinner & Madison Key won singles titles
 Jannik Sinner from Italy won his second consecutive Australian
Open championship
 defeated World No. 2 Alexander Zverev
 Madison Key of the US wins Women’s singles Australian Open
title, her first Grand Slam crown
 Defeated two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka
46. Consider the following statements regarding the 38th National Games:
 The games are being hosted by the Uttarakhand government with the support of the Indian Oil
Corporation (IOC).
 The Federation requested that Kalaripayattu be removed from the games altogether.
 The theme for the games is "Green Games."
Which of the statements are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates 38th National Games in Dehradun

 The Uttarakhand government is hosting the 38th National Games, with the support of
the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
 From 28th Jan-14th Feb 2025
 The theme - “Green Games.”
 The Mascot Mauli: Named after Uttarakhand’s State bird, the
Himalayan Monal, the mascot Mauli
 The official torch of the 38th National Games, named Tejaswini
 Kalaripayattu (traditional martial art practiced in Kerala) – put in
“demonstration section”

Sports
 Kiran Jadhav wins air rifle gold at Lakshya Cup shooting Championship
 Former Australian cricketer Michael Clarke was inducted into the Australian Hall of Fame
 Paris 2024 Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Republic of Korea’s An Se-young
won the men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively, at the India Open 2025 badminton
tournament in New Delhi
 Jay Shah has joined a new Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) advisory board, which will replace
the club's world cricket committee.
 Devajit Saikia, a former Assam cricketer, becomes the new secretary of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India (BCCI)
 Bahadur Singh Sagoo elected as new Athletics Federation of India President
 India’s Anahat Singh won women’s Under-17 title at the British Junior Open
2025 squash tournament in Birmingham.
 Smriti Mandhana smashes fastest ODI hundred by an Indian woman cricketer
 India’s Neeraj Chopra has been named the best javelin thrower of 2024 by the respected US-
based sports magazine Track and Field News.
 Barcelona crushed Real Madrid to secure their 15th Spanish Super Cup crown at King Abdullah
Sports City in Jeddah Saudi Arabia.
 India will host the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025 chess tournament
Science Tech & Environment

47. Consider the following statements regarding Wetland Cities Accreditation:

Udaipur and Indore are the first two cities from India to receive international accreditation as Wetland
Cities.
A total of 31 cities have received the Wetland City Accreditation
globally till date.
The Wetland City Accreditation is valid for 6 years.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2, and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1 only
Answer: C

Indore and Udaipur join list of Wetland Accredited Cities

 Rajasthan's Udaipur and Madhya Pradesh's Indore have become India's first two cities to receive
international accreditation as 'Wetland Cities' under Ramsar Convention.
 accredited 31 new cities, including two from India, making the global list of such cities to reach 74.
 The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as
well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
 The WCA is valid for 6 years.

48. Consider the following statements regarding the Blue Flag certification:
Kappad Beach and Chal Beach in Kerala have been awarded the Blue Flag
certification.
Kappad Beach in Kozhikode is the first beach in Kerala to receive the Blue Flag
certification, and its status has been renewed.
The Blue Flag certification is awarded by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: A

Kerala’s Kappad & Chal beaches get global Blue Flag certification
 Kerala’s famed Kappad beach in Kozhikode and Chal beach in Kannur have been bestowed with
the coveted Blue Flag certification by Denmark-based Foundation for Environmental Education
(FEE)
 The Kappad Beach in Kozhikode, the first beach in the state to receive the Blue Flag certification,
has renewed its Blue Flag status
 Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world. It is an eco-tourism model
endeavouring to provide the tourists/beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a
safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.
 Blue Flag certification is an internationally recognised eco-label that is accorded based on 33
criterias.
 The other Indian beaches in the blue list are Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod and
Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- Andhra Pradesh, Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar-
Andaman and Nicobar, Kovalam in Tamil Nadu, Eden in Puducherry beaches, Minicoy Thundi
beach and Kadmat beach in Lakshadweep

49. Consider the following statements regarding Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV):

HMPV is a respiratory virus that can cause infections similar to the common cold.
It was first identified by scientists in 1995.
There is a vaccine available for HMPV.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) only 1
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: a

HMPV detected in Bengaluru

 An 8-month-old baby in Bengaluru has been detected with Human
Metapneumovirus (HMPV), first case in India
 Delhi Govt has issued advisory for Human MetaPneumoVirus (HMPV)
and other respiratory viruses.
 As part of the recommendations, hospitals have been instructed to
promptly report Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute
Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases through the IHIP Portal.
 The recommendations come in the wake of reports of increased respiratory illnesses in China.

About Human Metapneumovirus:

 It is a respiratory virus that causes mild infections similar to that caused by a common cold.
 It was first identified by scientists in 2001 which belongs to the Pneumoviridae family
 It is generally seen in winter and early spring.
 Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the
infection and to developing complications from it.
 There is no vaccine and there is no specific antiviral to treat HMPV. Antibiotics will not work for
HMPV.

50. Which of the following is true about India's Antarctic Programme?

भार् के अंटाकरदटक कायरयम के ंारे मे ननमनसिखा् मे से क्न सा क्न सतय है ?
A) It was initiated in 1981 under the Indian Navy
B) Maitri is the first station built under the programme
C) It started in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to Antarctica
D) Dakshin Gangotri was the last station built
Answer: C

India to replace Maitri with Maitri-2 research station in Antarctica by 2029

 As India’s research station Maitri in Antarctica is ageing, India is set to establish a
new research station Matri-2.
 The new station, which will be built near the existing Maitri station in East
Antarctica, will have a capacity of around 90 scientists.

India’s Antarctic Programme

 It is a scientific research and exploration program under the National Centre for
Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCPOR). It started in 1981 when the first Indian expedition to
Antarctica was made.
 Dakshin Gangotri (1983), Maitri (1989), and Bharati (2012)
 However, Dakshin Gangotri was submerged in ice in 1988-89 and was
subsequently decommissioned.

51. Which institutions will spearhead 'Mission Mausam'?

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Noida
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A) 1 only
B) 1 and 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D

150th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department - 15th January 2025

 Prime Minister launched ‘Mission Mausam’ with the goal of making
our country a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation.
 The Mission aims to achieve this by developing cutting-edge
weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-
resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and
satellites, and high-performance computers.
 It will also focus on improving the understanding of weather and
climate processes, provide air quality data that will help strategize weather management and
intervention in the long run.
 Budget - Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of its implementation.
 Mission Masum will be spearheaded by three institutions funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
— the IMD, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and the National Centre for
Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Noida.
 India is establishing a first-of-its-kind cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
52. Consider the following statements regarding ISRO’s 100th launch:
The launch involved the GSLV-F15 rocket with the NVS-02 satellite.
The NVS-02 satellite is part of India’s Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) and is the second
satellite in the NVS series.
S Somanath is the current Chairman of ISRO.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B

ISRO successfully launches NVS-02 satellite from Sriharikota

 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched its historic 100th launch
from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
 The GSLV-F15 with the NVS-02 satellite lifted off from the spaceport’s second launch
pad.
 Over these 100 launches ISRO has lifted 548 satellites to orbit
 Dr. V Narayanan - Chairman, ISRO
 The NVS-02 is the second satellite in the NVS series, and part of India’s Navigation
with Indian Constellation (NavIC).

54. What is the docking process in the context of the SpaDeX mission?
े स समान के संदभर मे डॉककंग पकयया कया है ?
सूैडक
A) The process of launching two satellites simultaneously.
B) The joining of two separate free-flying space vehicles.
C) The separation of two space vehicles in orbit.
D) The landing of two space vehicles on the Moon.
Answer: B

SpaDeX mission: India becomes 4th nation to achieve successful space docking of 2 satellites
 The Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission’s docking operation was
successfully completed on 16th January, 2025
 India becomes the fourth country after US, China & Russia
 Docking is a process of joining of two separate free-flying space vehicles.
 ISRO started the mission on 30th December 2024, with the successful
launch of the SpaDeX spacecrfts using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-
C60, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
 The SpaDeX mission involves two small satellites, SDX01, which is the Chaser and SDX02, the
Target, each weighing approximately 220 kilograms.
 Both satellites, the Target and Chaser were in the same orbit separated by 20km which is known
as "Far Rendezvous”, and then came closer to dock
 Post-docking, the two satellites will operate as a single spacecraft.
Science Tech & Environment
 The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has renamed the Central Tobacco Research
Institute (CTRI-Rajahmundry) after the National Institute for Research on Commercial
Agriculture (NIRCA) .
 The Kerala Warnings, Crisis and Hazard Management system (KaWaCHaM), the disaster risk
warning system launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
 Tropical Cyclone Sean brought record-breaking rainfall to the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
 Jeff Bezos-led Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn reusable rocket on its maiden
voyage.
 The Jharkhand Forest department has initiated a study to revive the dwindling population of
Bison, popularly known as Gaur, at Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR).
 Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified 23 species of blood-sucking
flies, 13 of them recorded for the first time in the country, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
 Tripura: first-ever recording of the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra), a rare
species, in the state in the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.
 Nepal’s Yala Glacier (a plateau glacier in Nepal's Langtang Valley) is shrinking so rapidly that, by
the 2040s, it is predicted to disappear entirely.
 Cipla announced the launch of CipAir, a mobile application designed to facilitate the first line of
screening for asthma in India.
 The Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), under the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR) at Kasaragod, Kerala has launched ‘Kalpa Bhooma’, an organic manure, for
growing vegetables, fruits and flowers keeping mainly the needs of urban dwellers in mind.
 Purulia Observatory: 1st astronomical observatory of Eastern India inaugurated in Bengal
 India's space tech startup Pixxel launched three of its six hyperspectral imaging satellites aboard
a SpaceX rocket from California.

Index

55. Consider the following statements regarding the QS World Future Skills Index 2025:
1. India ranks 25th overall in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
2. The United States ranks first, followed by the UK, Germany, and Australia.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C

QS World Future Skills Index 2025, India ranks 25th

 The Index by higher education UK-based firm QS evaluates how countries are equipping
themselves to meet evolving global job market demand
 India ranks 25th overall in the index
 The United States comes first with a 100 score.
 Followed by the UK, Germany and Australia in that order.
3. QUESTION FOR YOU

Consider the following statements regarding the "Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024" report:
1. Chandigarh and Delhi are categorized as Achievers in the Union Territories group.
2. Manipur is an Aspirer in the North-Eastern Group.
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 1 only
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: a

56. According to the Indian Cities’ Air Quality Progress Report 2025, which of the following cities
recorded the highest reduction in PM2.5 pollution levels from 2019 to 2024?
भार्ेय ाहरक की वायु गर
ु वता पगन् ररूोटर 2025 के अनस
ु ार, ननमनसिखा् मे से ककस ाहर ने 2019 से 2024
्क PM2.5 पदष ू र के स्र मे संसे अचबक कमे दजर की?
A) Kanpur
B) Moradabad
C) Varanasi
D) Delhi
Answer: C
Indian Cities’ Air Quality Progress Report 2025
 The study, based on data from Respirer’s AtlasAQ platform
 from 2019 to 2024, Indian cities made strides in reducing PM2.5 pollution levels.
 The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities achieved a notable 24% reduction.
 Varanasi emerged as the frontrunner with a remarkable 76% decrease. followed by Moradabad
(58 per cent) and Kanpur (51.2 per cent).
 Despite these advancements, cities like Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad continue to grapple with
severe air pollution challenges.

57. Which country has been surpassed by India, to boast the third-largest metro network in the world?
भार् ने ककस दे ा को ूेछे छोड ददया है, जो अं दनु नया मे ्ेसरा संसे ंडा मे्ो नेटवकर का दावा कर्ा है?
a) China
b) USA
c) Japan
d) Russia
Answer: c
India’s Metro Rail Network Surpasses 1,000 km, Becoming World’s Third Largest
 Spanning over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities, India now has the third-largest metro
network in the world, surpassed Japan.
 The first metro rail network to become operational in India was in Kolkata (earlier Calcutta) in
1984.
 The first modern metro system was inaugurated in Delhi in 2002
 India’s first underwater metro became operational in Kolkata in March 2024 which runs under the
Hooghly river.

58. Consider the following statement regarding the Henley Passport Index for 2025:
India has a rank of 90 in the Henley Passport Index for 2025.
The countries ranked in the top three positions are Singapore, Japan,
and France.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
a) Only 1
b) Only 2
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: b

India's ranking drops to 85th in Henley Passport Index, Singapore tops global list
 India's ranking has dropped by five points to 85 this year in Henley Passport Index released by
citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners
 The index includes 199 different passports
The most powerful passports for 2025
1. Singapore
2. Japan
3. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea

59. Consider the following statements regarding the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, released by NITI
Aayog:
Achiever States include Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, and Gujarat.
Aspirational States include Kerala, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana
and Punjab.
Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: D

NITI Aayog Releases Inaugural Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025

 The report compiled by the NITI Aayog
 released in New Delhi by the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr. Arvind Panagariya
 The NITI Aayog report assesses the fiscal health of 18 major states of India as per the
2022-23 fiscal year, identifies areas for improvement, and promotes best practices
across these states.
 Odisha has topped the inaugural edition of the NITI Aayog's Fiscal Health Index (FHI)
2025.
 The Fiscal Health index includes five major sub-indices -
 Quality of Expenditure,
 Revenue Mobilisation,
 Fiscal Prudence,
 Debt Index, and
 Debt Sustainability
 The Fiscal Health Index segregated the 18 states into four groups of Achiever, Frontrunner,
Performer, and Aspirational on the basis of their performance in 2022-23.

Top 5 in Fiscal Health Index 2025

Rank (2022-23) States FHI Score

1 Odisha 67.8
2 Chhattisgarh 55.2
3 Goa 53.6
4 Jharkhand 51.6
5 Gujarat 50.5

Bottom 5 in Fiscal Health Index 2025

Rank (2022-23) States FHI Score

14 Haryana 27.4
15 Kerala 25.4
16 West Bengal 21.8
17 Andhra Pradesh 20.9
18 Punjab 10.7

Reports / Index
 Dubai has secured the top spot in West Asia in the Global Power City Index 2024
 India ranks second globally after the US in terms of cyberattacks in 2024, according to CloudSEK,
a cyber intelligence platform.
 The 20th edition of the Global Risks Report 2025 reveals an increasingly fractured global
landscape, where escalating geopolitical, environmental, societal and technological challenges
threaten stability and progress. Published by: World Economic Forum.
 Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella has claimed the top spot in the inaugural HSBC
Hurun Global Indians List 2024, which ranks 226 leaders of Indian origin heading the world’s
most valuable companies.
Defence

60. Consider the following statements regarding Exercise Varuna:

1. Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France, conducted since 2001.
2. The 2024 edition of Exercise Varuna took place in the Mediterranean Sea.
Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 2
d) none
Answer: c

French Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle Arrives in Goa for Naval Exercise Varuna
 The 2025 Varuna naval exercise conducted in the Arabian Sea off India's western coast.
 Participants:
 French Navy: Carrier Strike Group (CSG) led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FNS
Charles de Gaulle, with frigates, supply ships, and an air fleet.
 Indian Navy: Frontline warships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters.

About Exercise Varuna (Static)

 It is the bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France.
 This annual naval exercise between the two navies began in 1993. It was named as ‘Varuna’ in
2001.
 2024 edition - in the Mediterranean Sea.
 Other Indo-French Joint Exercises:
 Garuda (Air exercise)
 Shakti (Army exercise)

61. Consider the following statements:

The Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) Amulya and Akshay were launched for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The first two FPVs of the same series, Adamya and Akshar, were launched in October 2023.
The Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) have over 20% indigenous
content.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1, 2, and 3 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 3 only
Answer: b

Goa Shipyard Launches New Fast Patrol Vessels

 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
 The two FPVs are the third and fourth vessels of the fleet of 8 FPVs being constructed by GSL for
ICG
 The first two FPVs of the same series - Adamya and Akshar – were launched in October 2024. The
contract was concluded in March 2022 for Rs 473 crore. With over 60% indigenous content

62. Consider the following statements regarding the Scorpene submarine 'VAGHSHEER' delivered to
the Indian Navy:
1. 'VAGHSHEER' is the sixth submarine delivered under Project P-75.
2. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd delivered the submarine to Indian Navy
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C

Indian Navy takes delivery of 6th & final state-of-the-art Scorpene-class submarine
 Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd delivered the sixth Scorpene submarine 'VAGHSHEER' of Project
P-75 to the Indian Navy, subsequently to be commissioned as INS Vaghsheer.
 The delivery of six submarines namely, Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir and now Vaghsheer,
reaffirmed India's membership in the exclusive group of submarine building nations.
 Vaghsheer can undertake multifarious types of missions i.e. Anti-Surface warfare, Anti-Submarine
Warfare, Intelligence Gathering, Area Surveillance etc.

63. Which organization has developed the Nag Mk 2 missile?

नाग एमके 2 समसाइि ककस संगठन ने ववकसस् की है ?
A) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
B) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
C) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
D) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Answer: B

Indigenous Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘Nag Mk 2’ ready for induction: DRDO

 The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced that the indigenously-
developed third-generation fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) ‘Nag Mk 2’ and the
entire system was ready for induction into the Army
 Nag Missiles have minimum range of 500 metres and maximum range of 7-10 km.
 Field evaluation trials of Nag-Mk 2 were successfully conducted recently at Pokhran Field Range
 Nag Missile Carrier version-2 was also field evaluated.

64. Which of the following types of missions is the Eurodrone designed for?
A) Airborne early warning and control
B) Anti-submarine warfare and maritime surveillance
C) Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR)
D) All of the above
Answer: D
India Joins Eurodrone Programme as Observer
 India has, as an observer state, officially joined the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely
Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS) or Eurodrone programme
 Eurodrone is a 4-nation development programme of Germany, France, Italy and Spain, led by the
Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).
 Germany takes the role of Lead Nation for the programme.
 Airbus Defence and Space is the Industrial Prime
 The Eurodrone is a remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) designed for long-
endurance missions such as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and
reconnaissance (ISTAR), maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and
airborne early warning.
 maximum mission payload of 2.3 tonnes and an endurance period of up to 40
hours
 Conceived as a “European Programme for European Sovereignty,” the
initiative was founded in 2022 and passed its preliminary design review (PDR)
in 2024.
 The drones are expected to enter service by 2030.

4. QUESTION FOR YOU

What is the Bhargavastra, recently tested by India?
A) A hypersonic cruise missile
B) An indigenous micro-missile system to counter swarm drones
C) A nuclear-capable ballistic missile
D) An advanced air-to-air missile
Answer: B

DEFENSE
 DRDO has introduced the HIMKAVACH multi- layer clothing system, to provide optimal
protection in extreme cold weather conditions for temperature range of +20°C to -60°C.
 The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed jointly by India and France, has
bagged an export order from Armenia.
 Indian Navy with INS Mumbai, the indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer,
participated in the fifth edition of the multinational exercise “La Perouse” in the Malacca, Sunda
and Lombok straits between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean Charles De Gaulle (France)
 The Indian Armed Forces conducted Exercise Devil Strike from January 16 to 19 , a joint exercise
involving the elite airborne soldiers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force