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Current Affairs January 2025

Rahul’s IAS
Rahul’s IAS
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INDEX

1. Abbreviations………………………………………………………………………………………..…..3
2. General News: India…………………………………………………………………………………..4
3. General News: World……………………………………………………………………………....39
4. Awards……………………………………………………………………………………………….…….46
5. Legal and Indian Polity..……… …………………………………………………………........50
6. Personality: India…….……………………………………………………………………..…......54
7. Personality: World….………………………………………………………………..……….......58
8. Economics.... …………………………………………………………………………………………...60
9. Science & Technology…………………………………………………………………….…………79
10. Sports……………………………………………………………………………………………….……100
11. Economic Survey 2024-25……………………………………………………………………….105
12. Padma Awards 2025……………..………………………………………………………………..112
13. National Mission on Natural Farming………………………………………………….….118
14. World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) Report………….…………….…120
15. Essay........................................................................................................122
16. Translation...............................................................................................133
17. Precise Writing.........................................................................................137
18. Practice Paper-1.......................................................................................143
19. Practice Paper-2.......................................................................................186

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Abbreviations

1. AB PM-JAY- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

2. APY- Atal Pension Yojana
3. BBBP- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao
4. CAPART- Council For Advancement Of People Action And Rural Technology
5. DAP- Di-Ammonium Phosphate
6. EESL- Energy Efficiency Services Limited
7. EWRF- Electric Weather Research and Forecasting
8. FAPV- Fast Patrol Vessel
9. FICCI- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry
10. GIS- Geographical Information System
11. GSL- Goa Shipyard Limited
12. GSLV- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
13. HysIS- HyperSpectral Imaging Satellite
14. ICBM- Inter Continental Ballistic Missile
15. IMD- India Meteorological Department
16. INSAT- Indian National Satellite System
17. MICR- Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
18. MKS- Meter Kilogram Second
19. MoSPI- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
20. MRSAM- Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
21. NITI- National Institution for Transforming India
22. NMCG- National Mission for Clean Ganga
23. ONOS- One Nation One Subscription
24. PMJJBY- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
25. PMSBY- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana
26. PMUY- Pradhan Mantri Ujjawala Yojana
27. PRAGATI- Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation
28. SATAT- Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
29. SPMRM- Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
30. UNFCC- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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General News: India

1. India’s 4th Biennial Update Report (BUR-4) to the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was submitted on 30th December, 2024. The BUR-4
updates the Third National Communication (TNC) and contains the National Greenhouse
Gas (GHG) inventory for the year 2020. The report also embodies information on India’s
national circumstances, mitigation actions, an analysis of the constraints, gaps, related
finance, technology, and capacity-building needs.
In 2020, India’s total GHG emissions decreased by 7.93 percent with respect to 2019.
The emissions, excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF), were 2,959
million tonnes of CO2e and net emissions of 2,437 million tonnes of CO2e with the
inclusion of LULUCF. The energy sector contributed the most to overall emissions (75.66
percent), followed by the agriculture (13.72 percent), Industrial Processes and Product
Use (8.06 percent), and Waste (2.56 percent).In 2020, India's forest and tree cover,
along with other land use, sequestered approximately 522 million tonnes of
CO2,equivalent to reducing 22% of the country's total carbon dioxide emissions in 2020.
India’s achievements in respect of the NDC targets:
India has progressively continued decoupling economic growth from GHG emissions.
Between 2005 and 2020, India’s emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
reduced by 36%.
By October 2024, the share of non-fossil sources in the installed electricity generation
capacity was 46.52%. Total installed capacity of renewable power, including large
hydropower, is 203.22 GW and cumulative renewable power installed capacity
(excluding large hydro projects) has increased 4.5 times from 35 GW in March 2014 to
156.25 GW.
India’s forest and tree cover has consistently increased and currently stands at 25.17%
of the total geographical area of the country. During 2005 to 2021, additional carbon
sink of 2.29 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent has been created.
Despite India's very low contribution to historical emissions and the current levels of
global emissions, India has taken proactive actions to combat climate change in the
context of sustainable development and its developmental aspirations. This is in light of
India’s national circumstances, reflecting principles of equity and common but
differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), as enshrined in the
UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.
2. The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the
proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for extension of One-time Special Package on
Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) beyond the NBS subsidy @ Rs 3,500 per MT for the
period from 01.01.2025 till further orders to ensure sustainable availability of DAP at
affordable prices to the farmers. The tentative budgetary requirement for above would
be approximately upto Rs. 3,850 cr.
Background
28 grades of P&K fertilizers are made available to farmers at subsidized prices through
fertilizer manufacturers/importers. The subsidy on P&K fertilizers is governed by NBS
Scheme w.e.f 01.04.2010. Continuing top most priority in keeping farmers’ welfare in
firm focus, Government of India has extended a massive relief to farmers in keeping the
price of Di-Ammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer unchanged. Inspite of geo-political

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constraints and volatility of global market conditions, Government kept its commitment
towards farmer friendly approach by ensuring availability of DAP to farmers at
affordable prices for Kharif and Rabi 2024-25. Cabinet in July, 2024 had approved one-
time Special Package on DAP beyond the NBS subsidy @ Rs 3,500 per MT from
01.04.2024 to 31.12.2024 with approximate financial implication of Rs 2,625 cr. The
Cabinet in its meeting held on 1.1.2025 has approved to extend the Special Package on
DAP with approximate financial implication upto Rs. 3850 cr. With this the total amount
of special package approved for DAP since April 2024 would be more than Rs. 6,475 cr.
to ensure availability of DAP at affordable price to farmers.
Benefits: Availability of DAP to farmers at subsidized, affordable and reasonable prices
will be ensured.
Implementation Strategy and targets: The Special package on DAP @ Rs 3,500 per MT
will be provided for the period 01.01.2025 till further orders over and above the
approved NBS subsidy to ensure smooth availability of DAP fertilizer to the farmers at
affordable price.
3. BHARATPOL portal:
BHARATPOL portal was launched on 07.01.2025 by Union Home Minister of India. The
modules seek to provide assistance to indian law enforcement agencies in seeking
assistance from foreign law enforcement agencies in criminal matters relating to
transnational organized crime, trafficking in narcotics, migrants and arms, organized
cyber crimes, economic fraud, child pornography and terrorism etc. Currently,
BHARATPOL Portal has the following five modules:
a. Connect Module: It connects CBI as National Central Bureau for INTERPOL in India
with all law enforcement authorities in India on a single platform.
b. Broadcast Module: Requests from foreign countries for assistance or criminal
intelligence shared by foreign countries can be transmitted for action or information
to Indian law enforcement agencies.
c. INTERPOL References Module: It facilitates rapid international assistance through
INTERPOL channels to Indian law enforcement agencies for Investigation abroad.
d. INTERPOL Notices Module: It facilitates rapid, secure and structured transmission of
requests for INTERPOL Notices to Indian Law Enforcement Agencies.
e. Resources Module: It provides access to relevant documents and capacity building
resources.
All INTERPOL Liaison Officers (ILOs) of all States/UTs and Central Law Enforcement
Agencies are connected with CBI and all Unit Officers (UOs) of States/UTs Central Law
Enforcement Agencies are connected with respective ILOs through connect module of
BHARATPOL Portal. Presently 51 Law Enforcement Agencies (Annexure 1) and more than
500 unit offices of various law enforcement agencies are connected through this portal.
BHARATPOL Portal has already started receiving requests from States/UTs and Central
Law Enforcement Agencies for publication of INTERPOL Notices and requests for
assistance in criminal matters through INTERPOL References. Since the launch of the
portal on 07.01.2025, Sixteen (16) requests for publication of Interpol notices have been
received from the Law Enforcement Agencies through this Portal. At the same time Eight
(08) Interpol references seeking assistance from Foreign Law Enforcement Agencies
have been received through this Portal. Thirty (30) international references received

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from foreign countries seeking assistance from Indian law enforcement agencies have
been forwarded through this portal.
4. Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and
Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of
Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025:
Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, released the draft UGC (Minimum
Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in
Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher
Education) Regulations, 2025, in New Delhi.
The Draft regulations will give flexibility to universities in appointing & promoting
teachers and academic staff in their institutions.
Key Highlights of the Regulations
 Flexibility: Candidates can pursue teaching careers in subjects they qualify for with
NET/SET, even if different from their previous degrees. Ph.D. specialisation will be
prioritised.
 Promoting Indian Languages: The draft Regulations encourage the use of Indian
languages in academic publications and degree programmes.
 Holistic Evaluation: It aims to eliminate score-based short-listing, focusing on a
broader range of qualifications, including "Notable Contributions."
 Diverse Talent Pool: Creates dedicated recruitment pathways for experts in arts,
sports, and traditional disciplines.
 Inclusivity: Provides opportunities for accomplished sportspersons, including those
with disabilities, to enter the teaching profession.
 Enhanced Governance: Revises the selection process for Vice-Chancellors with
expanded eligibility criteria with transparency.
 Simplified Promotion Process: Streamlines the criteria for promotions, emphasising
teaching, research output, and academic contributions.
 Focus on Professional Development: Encourages continuous learning and skill
enhancement for teachers through faculty development programs.
 Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: Promotes transparent processes for
recruitment, promotion, and addressing grievances.
5. 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 in Goa on January 05, 2025. The two FPVs are the third and fourth vessels of
the fleet of eight FPVs being constructed by GSL for ICG, underscoring the shipyard’s
pivotal role in realising the vision of Aatmanirbharta in defence production.
 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, these state-of-the-art FPVs are designed in-house by GSL to
meet ICG’s specific operational needs. With a length of 52 meters and a
displacement of 320 tonnes, these vessels will strengthen ICG in protecting offshore
assets and island territories. Its primary role will be fisheries protection and
monitoring island territories, exclusively economic zone and coastal patrol. Vessels
shall also perform anti-smuggling, anti-piracy and search & rescue operations.
 For the first time in GSL’s history, the vessels are being launched simultaneously
using the shipyard’s state-of-the-art ship-lift system, a transformative feat that
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underscores GSL’s modernisation efforts. Also, this is the first time in India that a
Fast Patrol Vessel is being built with controllable pitch propeller. This project is also a
substantial contributor to local economic prosperity, driving employment and
growth within the ecosystem of MSMEs and local industries supporting GSL.
6. The UJALA scheme, launched on 5th January 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
marked its 10th anniversary as a ground breaking initiative in energy efficiency.
Introduced as the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) and later rebranded,
UJALA set out to revolutionise household lighting by providing affordable energy-
efficient LED bulbs, tubelights, and fans to millions of Indian homes. Over the past
decade, more than 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed across the country, making
energy-saving technologies accessible to households while addressing challenges such as
high electrification costs and carbon emissions. This effort, jointly undertaken by the
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and DISCOMs under the Ministry of Power,
sought to make energy-saving technologies accessible while addressing challenges such
as high electrification costs and carbon emissions.
Over the past decade, UJALA has evolved into the world’s largest zero-subsidy domestic
lighting programme, exemplifying India's commitment to reducing energy consumption,
enhancing environmental awareness, and fostering economic efficiency. As the initiative
reaches this significant milestone, it stands as a testament to the power of collective
effort in building a brighter, more sustainable future for the nation.
 The UJALA scheme was conceived to address the pressing need for energy efficiency
in India’s households, where traditional lighting systems consumed significant
electricity and imposed high costs on consumers. A 7W LED bulb provides the same
amount of light as a 14W Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and a 60W Incandescent
Lamp (ICL), thereby saving nearly 90% energy compared to ICLs and 50% in the case
of CFLs.
 In 2014, the retail price of an LED bulb was approximately Rs 450–500, significantly
higher than a CFL at Rs 100–150 and an ICL at Rs 10–15. Consequently, the share of
LEDs in the lighting market was less than one per cent in 2013–14. This high initial
cost served as a major barrier to adoption, highlighting the need for an intervention
to make LEDs affordable and accessible.
 The UJALA scheme enables consumers to purchase LED appliances at significantly
reduced rates: Rs 70 per LED bulb, Rs220 per LED tube light, and Rs 1110 per energy-
efficient fan. These prices were determined through competitive bidding and
included components such as the cost of the appliance, distribution, awareness
campaigns, Annual Maintenance Cost (AMC), cost of capital, and administrative
expenses.
 In terms of energy consumption, an LED bulb uses only 1 unit of electricity when
operated for 140 hours, whereas a CFL and an ICL consume 2 units and 9 units
respectively over the same period. This translates into substantial cost savings, as
the operating cost of an LED bulb is just Rs 4 for 140 hours, compared to Rs 8 for CFL
and Rs 36 for ICLs.
 The annual cost of ownership further underscores the economic advantage of LEDs,
standing at Rs 12, which is less than one-third of a CFL (Rs 40) and merely one-tenth
of an ICL (Rs 108). These stark differences in energy efficiency, affordability, and
economic viability demonstrate the need for the UJALA scheme in transforming

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India’s lighting market into one that is sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-
efficient.
Key outcomes of the UJALA scheme include:
o Cost savings per year- Rs. 19,153 crore
o Avoided peak demand- 9,586 MW
o Reduction in CO2 emissions per year- 3,87,84,952 tonnes
o Energy saved per year- 47,883 million kWh
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) was designated as the implementing agency for
the programme. Collaborating with Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Municipal Bodies, Gram
Panchayats (GPs), and both Central and State Governments, EESL has been at the
forefront of executing SLNP across India.
The programme introduced a unique business model, relieving municipalities of the
burden of upfront investments. EESL handles the initial costs and recoups the
investment through monthly or quarterly annuities paid by the municipalities
throughout the project duration. Additionally, EESL ensures the maintenance of the LED
streetlights, providing over 95% uptime, which significantly enhances public safety and
ensures reliable municipal services without burdening local budgets.
As of 6th January 2025, EESL has successfully installed over 1.34 crore LED streetlights
across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)and Gram Panchayats, leading to significant energy
savings of over 9,001 million units (MUs) of electricity annually. This achievement has
also contributed to a reduction in peak demand by more than 1,500 MW and a decrease
in CO₂ emissions by 6.2 million tonnes per year, highlighting the programme’s positive
impact on both energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
The Street Lighting National Programme has emerged as a model for efficient public
lighting, making a meaningful contribution to India's energy efficiency efforts while
helping municipalities save costs and reduce environmental impact.
7. Metro- 3rd largest in the world:
Metro systems have transformed travel in India. Covering over 1,000 km across 11 states
and 23 cities, millions of people rely on them for quick, easy and affordable travel. With
this growth, India has become home to the third-largest metro network in the world.
Metros are not just a way to get around- they are changing how we live and move in
cities.
On January 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a giant leap in enhancing India's
metro network, making it more powerful and advanced. He laid the foundation for
multiple development projects worth over Rs 12,200 crore in Delhi, including the
inauguration of the 13 km stretch of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor,
which will greatly ease travel between Delhi and Meerut. In addition, the PM launched a
2.8 km stretch of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, benefiting West Delhi and laid the foundation
for the 26.5 km Rithala-Kundli section, further strengthening connectivity between Delhi
and Haryana.
These projects represent a major milestone in transportation, as metro systems now
cover greater distances and serve over 1crore passengers daily. With this growth, India
has surpassed Japan in Metro Rail Projects in 2022. Currently, India ranks third globally
in operational Metro network length and is on track to become the 2nd largest Metro
network in the world.
Milestones in the History of Metro in India-

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The corridors and lanes of metro systems have reshaped urban travel in India, with a
journey that began decades ago. In 1969, the initiative for a metro system was launched
through the Metropolitan Transport Project. However, it took nearly two decades for
the first step to become a reality.
 1984: The first metro line in India, covering 3.4 km between Esplanade and
Bhowanipur, opened in Kolkata. This marked the beginning of metro life in India
 1995: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established to bring world-class
Mass Rapid Transport to Delhi. The project gained momentum with joint
participation from the Central Government and the Government of Delhi
 2002: DMRC opened its first metro corridor between Shahdara and Tis Hazari in
Delhi, setting the stage for one of the country’s largest metro networks
 2011: Namma Metro's (Bengaluru Metro) first segment was built
 2017: Chennai's metro expanded with the inauguration of its first underground
section on the Green Line, from Koyambedu to Nehru Park, marking a key milestone
for Southern India's metro development
 2020: Phase 1 of Kochi Metro was completed, with the Thykoodam-Petta stretch
commissioned, making Keralapart of the growing metro network in India
Advancements in Metro Systems
Metro expansion in India has gone beyond just land-based transport, embracing
innovative solutions for the future. From under-river tunnels to driverless trains and
water metros, India is setting new standards in modern urban mobility.
 Under-Water Metro: In 2024, PM Modi inaugurated India’s first under-water metro
tunnel in Kolkata, where the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section passes beneath the
Hooghly River. This remarkable feat showcases India’s engineering capabilities.
 Driverless Metro: On December 28, 2020, India launched its first-ever driverless
metro service on Delhi Metro’s Magenta Line, setting a new benchmark for
automation in public transport.
 Kochi Water Metro: Kochi, Kerala, became the first city in India to launch a Water
Metro Project, connecting 10 islands around the city with electric hybrid boats. This
groundbreaking initiative ensures seamless connectivity, with the first boat launched
in December 2021.
8. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonamarg Tunnel on 13th January 2025.
 The Sonamarg Tunnel project, around 12 km long, has been constructed at a cost of
over Rs 2,700 crore. It comprises of the Sonamarg main tunnel of 6.4 km length, an
egress tunnel and approach roads. Situated at an altitude of over 8,650 feet above
sea level, it will enhance all-weather connectivity between Srinagar and Sonamarg
enroute to Leh, bypassing landslide and avalanche routes and ensuring safer and
uninterrupted access to the strategically critical Ladakh region. It will also promote
tourism by transforming Sonamarg into a year-round destination, boosting winter
tourism, adventure sports, and local livelihoods.
 Along with the Zojila Tunnel, set for completion by 2028, it will reduce the route
length from 49 km to 43 km and boost vehicle speed from 30 km/hr to 70 km/hr,
ensuring seamless NH-1 connectivity between Srinagar Valley and Ladakh. This
enhanced connectivity will boost defense logistics, drive economic growth and socio-
cultural integration across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

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9. The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas is celebrated on 12th January every year
in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami
Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in potential of youth continues to resonate
deeply with young citizens of the country. His inspiring life and empowering message
urge the youth to nurture their dreams, unleash their energies, and shape a future
worthy of his envisioned ideals. The youth, defined as those within the age group of 15-
29 years, make up nearly 40% of India’s total population. Representing the most vibrant
and dynamic segment of society, this group constitutes the nation’s most valuable
human resource. With their limitless potential, the youth hold the power to propel India
to new heights of progress and innovation. National Youth Day serves as a moment to
acknowledge, celebrate, and harness this potential, inspiring young minds to contribute
meaningfully to the nation's development.
10. The President of India, Ms. Droupadi Murmu, addressed a joint sitting of both Houses of
Parliament on January 31, 2025. She outlined the major policy achievements and
objectives of the government in her address. Key highlights of the address include:
Governance
 Government has repealed more than 1,500 obsolete laws. Over 40,000 regulations
have been simplified or reduced and 3,500 provisions have been decriminalised.
 In the past two years, the government has provided 10 lakh permanent government
jobs.
 The Eighth Pay Commission has been constituted. It will substantially increase salary
for government employees in the coming years.
 Under the Unified Pension Scheme, 50% assured pension will be provided to lakhs of
employees.
 Tax-related processes have been simplified. Faceless assessment is increasing
transparency and reducing tax disputes.
Agriculture
 Under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, Rs 41,000 crore has been disbursed to
crores of farmers in recent months.
 MSPs for Kharif and Rabi crops have increased. Over the past decade, procurement
of rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, and coarse grains has tripled.
 In 2023-24, India achieved a record production of 332 million tons of foodgrains.
India is now the largest producer of milk, pulses, and spices.
 Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme has been expanded to strengthen
agricultural infrastructure.
 To enhance oilseed production and achieve self reliance in edible oils, National
Mission on Oilseeds has been approved.
Industry and Commerce
 The loan limit under the MUDRA scheme has been increased from Rs 10 lakh to 20
lakhs. India now has over 1.5 lakh start-ups.
 Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs and e commerce export hubs will promote
industries.
 Rs 28,000 crore will be invested to establish 12 industrial nodes and build 100
industrial parks near cities across the country.
 Initiatives like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, Stand-Up India, and
Digital India have created numerous employment opportunities for the youth.
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 More than 50% of the world’s real-time digital transactions now take place in India.
Education and Sports
 The PM Vidyalakshmi scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance to
meritorious students for higher education.
 One crore youth will be given internship opportunities in the top 500 companies.
 To promote research in educational institutions, the National Research Foundation
has been established with an outlay of Rs 50,000 crore.
 The One Nation-One Subscription Scheme has been introduced to strengthen ease of
doing research. It offers free access to international research material.
 The Khelo India Scheme, the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), the National
Sports University are contributing to creating a world class sports ecosystem.
 To enhance skills and create new opportunities for the youth, government has
approved a two lakh crore rupees package.
Health
 Maternal and infant mortality rates have improved. Cases of TB have reduced.
 Under Ayushman Bharat, six crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above will
receive health insurance cover of five lakh rupees annually.
 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, offering medicines at 80% concessional rates, have led to
savings of over Rs 30,000 crore.
 1,75,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country, to
ensure that better healthcare services reach citizens.
 Due to the rising number of cancer patients and high cost of treatment, several
cancer drugs have been exempted from customs duty.
 75,000 new seats in medical colleges will be created over the next five years.
Social Justice
 Provision of toilets, water connections and ration has led to 25 crore people
overcoming poverty.
 PM-Suraj Yojana has been expanded to provide easy loans to the backward sections
of society and sanitation workers.
 Over one crore Divyang ID cards have been issued, to ensure better access of
government schemes to differently abled individuals.
 The Aspirational Districts Programme will improve health, agriculture, nutrition, and
education in the country’s most backward areas.
 The Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh campaign has been launched with an outlay of
Rs 80,000 crore to uplift five crore people from tribal communities.
 Nearly 1.25 lakh tribal children are receiving quality education at more than 470
Eklavya Model Residential Schools.
 Around five crore tribal persons have been screened for sickle-cell anaemia.
Women empowerment
 Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, more than 91 lakh self-help groups are
being empowered, connecting over 10 crore women. They have received over nine
lakh crore rupees through bank linkages.
 Krishi Sakhis are promoting natural farming, and Pashu Sakhis are strengthening our
livestock resources. About one crore Lakhpati didis are supporting their families as
entrepreneurs.

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Rural and Urban Development

 Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has been extended to provide homes to three crore
more families.
 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana–IV will provide road connectivity to 25,000
habitations.
 Under the SVAMITVA scheme, two crore property cards have been issued.
Infrastructure and Transport
 The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan has accelerated pace of project completion.
 The country’s airline companies have placed orders for more than 1,700 new
aircrafts. Government is expanding airports to operate this fleet. Over the past
decade, the number of airports in the country has doubled.
 Government plans to deploy 52,000 electric buses in the country, at an estimated
cost of 8,000 crore rupees, to provide clean urban transportation.
 India’s metro network covers more than 1,000 km and is the third largest in the
world.
Water, Environment and Energy
 Ongoing river linking projects will address irrigation and drinking water needs in
Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
 Government has taken several steps towards achieving the target of 500 GW non-
fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030.
 Under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar systems are being installed
at a cost of Rs 75,000 crore.
 The National Green Hydrogen Mission will have an investment of eight lakh crore
rupees and generate over six lakh jobs.
 Government has introduced the Vehicle Scrapping Policy to ensure scientific disposal
of old vehicles.
Science and Technology
 A venture capital fund of Rs 1,000 crore has been launched to boost the space
sector.
 India has risen to second place in the QS World Future Skills Index. Its rank in the
Global Innovation Index has improved from 76 to 39.
 Rs 10,000 crore is being invested to foster innovation in science and technology
under the Vigyan Dhara Yojana.
 The BioE3 Policy has been introduced to boost bio-manufacturing. The bio-economy
will focus on efficient use of natural resources.
 The National Quantum Mission aims to position India among the leading nations in
the field of frontier technology.
 The National AI mission has elevated India’s contribution to the field of artificial
intelligence.
Defence and Home Affairs
 Self-reliance in defence is being strengthened by establishing the Defence Industrial
Corridor and promoting defence start-ups.
 Roads and tunnel connecting border areas are enhancing defence capabilities.
 The number of districts affected by Left-wing Extremism has reduced from 126 to 38.

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A comprehensive development plan is being created for the eastern states. This will
create new employment opportunities.
11. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences,
marks a significant milestone as it celebrates 150 years of dedicated service to the
nation. Established in 1875, IMD has been at the forefront of providing critical weather
and climate services, playing a vital role in disaster management, agriculture, aviation,
and public safety. As the National Meteorological Service of India, IMD has been at the
forefront of meteorology, seismology, and allied disciplines, playing an integral role
in safeguarding lives, supporting economic development, and advancing scientific
research for societal benefit.
IMD: Origin and Significance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875, following a series
of catastrophic events that underscored the need for centralized meteorological
services. Among these, a devastating tropical cyclone struck Calcutta in 1864, followed
by monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, highlighting the vulnerabilities of the Indian
subcontinent to weather extremes.
IMD's establishment marked a pivotal moment in the development of meteorology in
India, bringing all meteorological work under a unified authority. Since its inception, the
department has played a crucial role in advancing meteorology as a modern physical
science. It has continually upgraded its capabilities, employing cutting-edge technology
and research to enhance weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and disaster
preparedness.
IMD's services have been instrumental in mitigating the impact of natural disasters,
supporting agriculture, water management, aviation, and other sectors, and contributing
to the socio-economic development of India and the broader region. Today, it stands as
a cornerstone institution in weather and climate services, driving resilience and
sustainability in the face of climate challenges.
IMD: Achievements and Advancements
IMD has made significant advancements since its inception, reflecting its commitment to
innovation and service enhancement. Key achievements include:
Pioneering Weather Observations
 By 2023, IMD has replaced all Mercury Barometers with Digital Barometers by the
UNEP Minamata convention (as mercury is hazardous to human health) at all Class I
observatories.
 Enhanced agro-meteorological services with the deployment of 200 AGRO
AWS stations.
 Sustenance of 25 GPS based PB Stations in which 5 stations equipped with IMD
manufactured and 20 are outsourced from Indian manufactures.
Communication and Outreach
 India Meteorological Department launched its Crowdsource web interface in January
2021 and the mobile App "Public Observation” on 14th January, 2022 to allow users
to provide their weather feedback at anytime from anywhere.
 Crowd sourcing: Since 2021, IMD has started an online interface to collect the
information of the weather that has occurred as well as the associated impact
information for six weather events initially, viz., Rain. Hail, Duststorm, Wind Speed,
Thunderstorm/Lightning & Fog.

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Advances in Numerical Weather Prediction

 Overall Forecast Accuracy witnessed a 40% improvement in 2023 as compared to
2014.
 Expansion of Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network from 15 in 2014 to 39 in
2023 with land area of coverage increased by about 35% from 2014.
 The successful prediction of cyclones like Phailin (2013), Hudhud (2014), Fani (2019),
Amphan (2020), Tauktae (2021), Biparjoy (2023), and Dana (2024) has demonstrated
our capabilities and the value of our services in saving lives and reducing economic
losses.
 With the accurate cyclone warning by IMD, the number of deaths has reduced
from 10,000 in 1999 to Zero in 2020-2024
Technological Advancements
 High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model for Nowcasting of Rainfall & Reflectivity
forecasts.
 Electric Weather Research and Forecasting (EWRF) model for Nowcast of Lightning
density & Accumulated Rainfall forecasts
 Mausamgram, an interactive and dynamic meteogram which provides location
specific weather forecast information was released on 15-01-2024 during the IMD’s
150th foundation celebration day by the Vice President of India to the public usage
 Increase in the number of Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) from 1350 in 2014 to 1382
in 2023.
 Increase in the number of District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS)
stations from 3955 in 2014 to 5896 in 2023.
Make in India Initiative
 IMD has been the front runner of the development of Indigenous technology,
commencing with indigenous RADAR in 1958, and Indian Satellite products in
collaboration with ISRO since 1983. Automatic Weather Station since 2000, Doppler
Weather Radar since 2010, Common Alerting Protocol since 2019, Impact based
Forecast since 2019, Dynamic composite risk atlas since 2022.
12. Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year to recognise the
service rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Field Marshal KM
Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953. The day was first celebrated in 2016 and it is
commemorated every year since by hosting interactive events in the honour of the Ex
Servicemen.
13. Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has notified Scheme Guidelines for
implementation of ‘Payment Security Mechanism’ Component and ‘Central Financial
Assistance’ Component for RESCO Models/ Utility Led Aggregation Models under PM-
Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
The scheme offers two alternative implementation models for the installation of rooftop
solar plants for consumers: the RESCO (Renewable Energy Service Company) model,
where third-party entities invest in rooftop solar installations, allowing consumers to pay
only for the electricity consumed without bearing the upfront costs; and the Utility-Led
Aggregation (ULA) model, where DISCOMs or state designated entities will install
rooftop solar projects on behalf of individual residential sector households. Under this
scheme component, ₹100 crore corpus fund has been earmarked for Payment Security
Mechanism (PSM) for de risking investments in RESCO-based grid-connected rooftop

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solar models in the residential sector, which may be supplemented through other
grants, funds and sources after due approval of the Ministry.
14. The second of the two Multi Purpose Vessels, being built by M/s L&T Shipyard for the
Indian Navy, was launched in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary on
13 Jan 25 at L&T, Kattupalli, Chennai.
 The ship has been named ‘Utkarsh’ which means ‘Superior in Conduct’ and is
synonymous to the multi-dimensional role envisaged for the platform.
 The contract for two Multi Purpose Vessels was signed between Ministry of Defence
and M/s L&T Shipyard on 25 Mar 22. These Multi Purpose Vessels will be capable of
towing ships, launch and recover various targets, operate unmanned autonomous
vehicles and act as a trial platform for various indigenous weapons and sensors
under development. The 106 m vessels are designed to achieve a maximum speed of
15 knots.
15. Odisha became the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan
Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) after the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union
Ministry of Health entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha.
The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) will be
implemented in convergence with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in
Odisha. It will provide a cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per annum with additional Rs 5 lakh
for women members. A total of approximately 1.03 crore families will come under the
converged scheme with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.
16. The ‘Guidelines for Uplinking and Downlinking of Satellite Television channels in India,
2022’ issued by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), containing the terms
and conditions for TV broadcasting services, make it mandatory for the broadcasters to
use satellite medium for providing their channels to the Distribution Platform Operators
(DPOs).
The advancement of technology has made it feasible for the broadcasters to provide
their television channels to DPOs terrestrially also i.e. using terrestrial communication
technologies like wireline (e.g. cable/fibre, etc.) or wireless (e.g. cellular/microwave/Wi-
Fi, etc.)/internet/cloud. The terrestrially transmitted channels can be carried to multiple
DPO networks simultaneously for re-transmission. Considering these developments, it is
essential to establish an enabling framework to ensure that service providers can fully
leverage technological advancements.
MIB, vide its letter dated 22nd May 2024, has sought recommendations of TRAI on
“Regulatory Framework for Ground Based Broadcasters” under Section 11(1)(a) of TRAI
Act, 1997.
Accordingly, TRAI issued a Consultation Paper titled ‘Regulatory framework for Ground-
based Broadcasters’ on 18th October 2024.The comments and counter comments
received in the consultation process are available on TRAI’s website. As part of
consultation process, Open House Discussion (OHD) was held on 20th December 2024.
Based on the comments, counter-comments received, inputs gathered during OHD, and
its own analysis, TRAI has finalized the Recommendations on ‘Regulatory framework for
Ground-based Broadcasters’. Salient points of the recommendations are given below:
a. The framework for Ground-based Broadcasters shall be similar to the framework
contained in the ‘Guidelines for Uplinking and downlinking of Satellite Television

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Channels in India, 2022’ for traditional satellite-based broadcasters, to the extent

applicable to the ground-based broadcast model, duly excluding the provisions
related to satellite communication medium.
b. The scope of Ground-based Broadcasters shall be to provide television channel(s) to
Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) using terrestrial communication medium, for
onward re-transmission.
c. A Ground-based Broadcaster may use any terrestrial communication medium(s), for
delivery of channels to the DPOs. There shall be no restriction on the use of
terrestrial communication technologies/systems and the entity may use more than
one such systems, as per its business decision.
d. For the permitted channel, a Ground-based Broadcaster (GBB) can switch to or
additionally use satellite medium for broadcasting with due permission of the
Central government. Similarly, a Satellite-based Broadcaster (SBB) can switch to or
additionally use terrestrial communication medium for broadcasting with due
permission of the Central government.
e. The service area for a Ground-based Broadcaster shall be at National level.
f. MIB may examine whether Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels
are compliant with the extant guidelines/policy framework. If necessary, MIB may
issue necessary policy guidelines for such channels in consultation with TRAI.
g. The Authority reiterated its recommendations on ‘Ease of Doing Business in Telecom
and Broadcasting Sector’ dated 2nd May 2023 to the extent applicable to Ground-
based Broadcasters.
17. Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) has finalized a Joint Venture
Agreement with SJVN Ltd., GMR Energy Ltd., and Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) for
the development of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro electric Project in Nepal.
This strategic initiative aims to strengthen regional energy security and accelerate
renewable energy growth. The joint venture agreement lays out a comprehensive
framework for the project development, construction, operation, and maintenance
under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, with 25-years project term from the
Commercial Operation Date (CoD).
18. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, inaugurated
the National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR) in Sehore, Madhya
Pradesh. The institute, established under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment
of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), marks a landmark achievement in advancing
mental health rehabilitation and empowering Divyangjan across the country.
19. Government employees across all strata can now avail a world class travel experience in
state-of-the-art Vande Bharat, Tejas & Humsafar expresses, while availing their Leave
Travel Concession, LTC. The Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India
after going through various requests from different departments allowed rail travel in
these world class trains both for hometown as well as anywhere in India LTC purpose.
Luxurious travel for all government employees
With this decision, all the central government employees can now access the services of
241 additional trains while utilizingtheir Leave Travel Concession (LTC).. They can now
travel in 136 Vande Bharat, 97 Humsafar and 8 Tejas Express trains. Government
Employees were already availing luxurious AC travel in 144 existing high-end trains in the
category of Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto series. With this decision, there will be a total

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385 trains across all the regions of the country where they are operating in which tickets
can be booked for LTC travel by the government employees.
In the short & medium distance Rail travel in Vande Bharat, Tejas and Shatabdi express
trains, employees can avail chair car travel up to the level 11. Employees at level 12 &
above are entitled to executive chair car travel in these trains. For long distance travel,
where coaches have berths i.e. Rajdhani type luxurious trains, employees at level 12 &
above can avail AC 1st class travel. From level 6 to 11, employees can avail AC 2nd class
travel while all others i.e. level 5 & below can avail AC 3rd Class travel during their LTC.
LTC: Concessional travel for government employees to explore India
LTC (Leave Travel Concession) is a concessional travel facility provided to government
employees, allowing them to visit their hometown or any place in India during a block of
four years. Employees can avail hometown LTC twice in a block of two years each, or
they can use it once to visit their hometown and once to visit any place in India during
the four-year block.
20. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme, launched by Prime Minister, Narendra
Modi on 22nd January, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana, has completed a decade of
implementation. This flagship initiative by the Government of India aims to address the
declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent gender-biased sex-selective elimination and
promote the survival, protection and education of the girl child. The scheme has evolved
to become one of the most impactful social initiatives by the Indian government.
The BBBP scheme is now integrated with Mission Shakti, a comprehensive program for
women’s safety and empowerment, for implementation during the 15th Finance
Commission period from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026. Mission Shakti consists of two
broader sub-schemes-
a) Sambal: Safety and Security Mission Shakti’s Sambal sub-scheme ensures women’s
safety through One Stop Centres (OSCs), Women Helpline(181), and Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao (BBBP), now expanded nationwide. It also introduces Nari Adalat, providing
an alternate grievance redressal mechanism for resolving minor issues like
harassment and rights violations.
b) Samarthya: Empowerment- The Samarthya sub-scheme empowers women through
Shakti Sadans, relief and rehabilitation homes, Sakhi Niwas, providing safe and
secure place for stay for working women in the cities, and Palna-Creche providing
safe and secure place for children of working women. The Pradhan Mantri Matru
Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) now supports a second child if it’s a girl, enhancing
maternal health. It also compensates for loss of wages due to pregnancy and
childbirth. The SANKALP: HEW (Hub for Empowerment of Women), functions inthe
district and serves as a single window inter-sectoral convergence mechanism
provided for all women to avail the benefits of Central and State Government
schemes. It works as a nodal agency at the state and district level to disseminate
information regarding various schemes and policies through awareness campaigns at
grassroots level
21. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Heavy Vehicles Factory, a unit of
Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, for the procurement of 47 Tank-72 Bridge Laying
Tanks (BLT) for the Indian Army at a total cost of Rs 1,560.52 crore. The contract was
inked by the senior officials of MoD and HVF/AVNL.

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The BLT is a critical equipment which is employed to launch bridges during

offensive/defensive operations by Mechanised Forces. It provides integral bridging
capability to the Tank and Armoured Vehicle fleet enhancing the battlefield mobility and
offensive capability. The present case being a Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed
Developed and Manufactured) will give impetus to the Make-in-India initiative in
defence. This project will also play a pivotal role in boosting the overall economy and
increasing employment avenues in the country.
22. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is pleased to
announce that eSankhyiki, India’s premier platform for statistical data dissemination,
now has 134 million records in its repository within just seven months of its launch in
June 2024. This milestone highlights India’s commitment to leveraging data for
evidence-based policy making and its leadership in advancing global statistical practices.
Developed using open-source tools and in-house expertise, eSankhyiki provides a
comprehensive repository of time-series data across key domains, including National
Accounts Statistics (NAS), Price Statistics, NSS Surveys, Economic Census, and Index of
Industrial Production (IIP). The platform empowers researchers, policymakers,
businesses, and citizens with user-friendly dashboards that allow filtering, visualization,
and data export in multiple formats through APIs in line with the principals of Data as
public good.
This achievement aligns with India’s role as a member of the United Nations Statistical
Commission (UNSC), reinforcing its global commitment to statistical excellence and open
data. eSankhyiki demonstrates India’s adherence to international standards in data
dissemination and its dedication to promoting data-driven governance and sustainable
development.
This achievement underscores ministry's commitment to making data accessible and
useful for public and decision-makers. As a member of the UNSC, India remains a global
leader in data democratization, ensuring that credible statistics serve as a foundation for
governance and international collaboration.
23. National Girl Child Day, celebrated every year on January 24 in India, is a significant
occasion dedicated to highlighting the rights, education and welfare of girls. Initiated in
2008, by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the day aims to raise
awareness about the importance of empowering girls and creating an environment
where they can thrive without the barriers of gender discrimination.
National Girl Child Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about the rights of girls and
ensure they are provided with equal opportunities and support, free from gender biases.
The day also seeks to highlight the inequalities faced by girls, promote education for
them and encourage society to value and respect girls as equals. A key focus is on
changing societal attitudes towards girls, addressing issues like female foeticide, raising
awareness about the declining sex ratio and fostering a more inclusive and equitable
environment for the girl child.
24. As India accelerates its transition towards a sustainable future, its renewable energy (RE)
sector has witnessed unprecedented growth. In 2024, the country made significant
strides in solar and wind energy installations, policy advancements, and infrastructural
improvements, setting the stage for ambitious targets in 2025. With a commitment to
achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy capacity by 2030, India is emerging as

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a global leader in clean energy. As on 20th Jan 2025, India’s total non-fossil fuel based
energy capacity has reached 217.62 GW.
 The year 2024 saw a record-breaking 24.5 GW of solar capacity and 3.4 GW of wind
capacity added, reflecting a more than twofold increase in solar installations and
a 21% rise in wind installations compared to 2023. This surge was driven by
government incentives, policy reforms, and increased investments in domestic solar
and wind turbine manufacturing. Solar energy remained the dominant contributor to
India’s renewable energy growth, accounting for 47% of the total installed
renewable energy capacity. Last year saw the installation of 18.5 GW of utility-scale
solar capacity, a nearly 2.8x increase compared to 2023. Rajasthan, Gujarat,
and Tamil Nadu emerged as the top-performing states, contributing 71% of India’s
total utility-scale solar installations.
 The rooftop solar sector also experienced significant growth in 2024, with 4.59 GW
of new capacity installed, marking a 53% increase from the year 2023. The PM Surya
Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, played a crucial role in this expansion,
facilitating 7 lakh rooftop solar installations within ten months. Additionally, the off-
grid solar segment recorded a 182% increase, adding 1.48 GW in 2024, furthering
India's energy access goals in rural areas.
India added 3.4 GW of new wind capacity in 2024, with Gujarat (1,250
MW), Karnataka (1,135 MW), and Tamil Nadu (980 MW) leading the way. These states
accounted for 98% of the new wind capacity additions, highlighting their continued
dominance in wind power generation.
The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) played a pivotal role in fostering RE
growth through policy interventions and financial support. Key highlights include:
 Green Hydrogen Push: The government actively pursued the development of green
hydrogen policies to reduce costs and attract investments in this emerging sector.
 Manufacturing Expansion: Domestic solar PV and wind turbine manufacturing were
scaled up, supporting India’s ambition to become a global RE manufacturing hub.
 Grid Infrastructure Development: The MNRE proposed significant investments in
inter-state transmission systems to evacuate power from renewable-rich states
like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
India’s renewable energy sector is on a transformative journey, with 2024 marking a
year of record capacity additions and policy advancements. As the country moves into
2025, addressing regulatory, financial, and infrastructural challenges will be crucial. With
continued policy support, increased investment, and a focus on emerging technologies,
India is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious renewable energy targets and solidify its
status as a global leader in the clean energy transition.
25. On the eve of the Republic Day 2025, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
organized a special programme to honor 400 students from 21 states across the country.
These students are beneficiaries of the PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme
for Vibrant India (YASASVI) Scheme. It was launched to empower students from OBC,
EBC, and DNT communities educationally, socially, and economically. These students
have been invited as special guests for the Republic Day Parade 2025.
Objectives and Benefits of PM YASASVI Scheme:

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The primary goal of the PM YASASVI Scheme is to empower students from OBC, EBC,
and DNT communities educationally, socially, and economically. The benefits provided
under the scheme include:
a. Pre-Matric Scholarship: Annual scholarship of ₹1.25 lakh for students from classes 9
to 12.
b. Post-Matric Scholarship: Financial assistance worth ₹12.75 crore for college-level
education.
c. Top-Class School and College Education: Special support for high-quality education.
d. Hostel Construction for OBC Students: Providing better residential facilities for
students.
26. India's Petroleum Industry:
India’s petroleum industry is a comprehensive sector encompassing exploration,
production, refining, distribution, and marketing of petroleum and its by-products. This
includes upstream activities like extraction of crude oil and natural
gas, midstream activities such as transportation and storage, and downstream processes
including refining and distribution of fuels like petrol, diesel, LPG, and kerosene. A
critical contributor to India's energy basket, the petroleum industry ensures energy
security and underpins various economic activities.
At present, India has nineteen Public-Sector Undertaking (PSU) refineries, three
Private-Sector refineries, and one Joint Venture refinery. The country's refining
capacity increased from 215.066 Million Metric Tons per annum (MMTPA) in April
2014 to 256.816 MMTPA in April 2024.
Origin and Brief History
The roots of India’s petroleum industry trace back to 1867 when the first oil well was
drilled in Digboi, Assam. This discovery marked the inception of the country's
exploration and production activities. The establishment of the Indian Oil Corporation in
1959 heralded a structured approach to refining and distribution. Over the decades, the
sector witnessed significant expansion, from small-scale refineries to a robust network
capable of meeting domestic and export demands. Today, India’s petroleum industry
stands as a symbol of resilience and innovation, evolving in response to global and
domestic energy challenges.
Some recent updates in India’s petroleum industry:
a. India is on track to increase its exploration acreage to 1million square kilometers
by 2030, with a 16% increase expected in 2025.
b. The price of a domestic LPG cylinder in India is among the lowest worldwide, with
costs as low as Rs. 803 per 14.2 Kg cylinder. For PMUY households, after a targeted
subsidy of Rs 300 per cylinder, the effective price is Rs 503/ cylinder.
c. The approval process for exploration and production activities in the petroleum
industry has now been simplified, reducing 37 approval processes to just 18, of
which nine are now available for self-certification.
d. Introducing the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill in
2024 ensures policy stability for oil and gas producers, and enables single license for
all hydrocarbons. This bill was recently passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 3,
2024.
Share in GDP

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As per the information provided by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation, Gross Value Addition (GVA) of manufacture of Coke and Refined
Petroleum Products has increased from Rs.1.56 lakh Crore in 2012-13 to Rs. 2.12 lakh
Crore in 2022-23 (as per first revised estimates) which has also contributed in increase
of All India GDP from Rs.99.44 lakh Crore to Rs. 269.49 lakh Crore in the corresponding
period, at current prices. This industry also provides direct and indirect employment to
millions, spanning exploration, refining, distribution, and retail sectors. The industry's
value chain supports ancillary industries such as petrochemicals, logistics, and
manufacturing. The sector enhances socio-economic stability by fostering skill
development and offering diverse career opportunities.
Global Ranking in Refining and Supply
India ranks among the top five refining nations globally, thanks to its robust
infrastructure and strategic geographic location. The country is the seventh-largest
exporter of refined petroleum products. Facilities like the Jamnagar refinery, one of the
world’s largest, underscore India's dominance in the refining sector. This global standing
enhances India’s energy security and positions it as a key player in international energy
markets. International Energy Agency (IEA) in February 2024 assessed that India will
become the largest source of global oil demand growth between now and 2030. India is
the second-largest economy in biofuel blending, following Brazil.

Metric India’s Global Rank

Exporter of Refined Products 7th
Ethanol Blending in Petrol 2nd
BioFuel Producer 3rd
LNG Terminal Capacity 4th
Refining Capacity (MMTPA) 4th

Government Initiatives
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to bolster the petroleum sector.
Here are some key schemes:
a. Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana: Supporting bio-ethanol projects such as second
generation and third generation plants for sustainable fuel production.
b. Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Enhancing energy security through storage facilities.
In India, the SPR is primarily located at three underground storage facilities
in Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, and Padur (Karnataka), with a total capacity of 5.33
Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of crude oil managed by the Indian Strategic
Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL).
c. Ethanol Blending Program: Promoting biofuels to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
and curb emissions. The government has a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending
in petrol by 2025-26. Since the inception of the EBP Programme, ethanol blending
has increased from 38 crore litres in the Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2013-14 to over
707.4 crore litres in ESY 2023-24.
d. City Gas Distribution Network Expansion: Expanding piped natural gas (PNG) and
compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure by covering 733 districts in 34
states/UTs covering almost 100% of the mainland area and almost 100% of total
geographical area of the country.

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e. Energy Security Initiatives: Investing in overseas exploration and acquisition of oil

blocks.
Moving towards Greener Fuels
a. SATAT Initiative (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation): The
SATAT initiative invites potential investors to set up Compressed Biogas
(CBG) production plants. The aim is to make better use of agricultural residue, cattle
dung, and municipal solid waste, and provide farmers with an additional source of
revenue.
b. Mission Green Hydrogen: Promoting green hydrogen production to reduce carbon
footprint. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, a global demand
of over 100 MMT of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives like Green Ammonia is
expected to emerge by 2030. Aiming at about 10% of the global market, India can
potentially export about 10 MMT Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia per annum. The
production capacity targeted by 2030 is likely to leverage over ₹8 lakh crore in total
investments and create over 6 lakh jobs. Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2
emissions are expected to be averted as a result of the various Green Hydrogen
initiatives under the Mission. Achievement of Mission targets is expected to
contribute to India’s energy security and reduce a cumulative ₹1 lakh crore worth of
fossil fuel imports by 2030 .
c. National Bio-Energy Programme: Focused on bio-energy production and reducing
waste.
d. Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP): Encouraging private
investment in exploration and production.
27. The Ministry has released the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development
Rules, 2024. The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002
empowers the central government to make Rules on the conditions to be followed
during exploration and production operations in offshore areas. Key features of the
Rules include:
 Requirement of plans: Bidders selected for a composite licence (combination of
exploration and production licence), must submit: (i) an exploration plan and (ii) a
production plan before commencing the respective operations. The Controller
General or an officer of the Indian Bureau of Mines will evaluate and approve these
plans. An exploration plan must include: (i) licence area in latitudes and longitudes,
(ii) details of the exploration programme, (iii) tentative timeline and (iv) details of
vessels and machines used. A production plan must include: (i) specific area planned
for production, (ii) details of the production programme, (iii) tentative five-year
schedule and (iv) estimates of mine waste and their disposal.
 Safety Measures: Buffer zones of 15 seconds (distance unit) shall be created
between adjacent mining blocks to ensure safety. No mining operations or waste
disposal shall be carried out within one nautical mile from the low tide line of the
seashore. Licencees must ensure: (i) soundness of machinery, (ii) appropriate
qualifications of working individuals, (iii) adequate manpower and (iv) proper
maintenance of vessels.
 Safety and precautionary measures: Licencees must conduct mining operations by
taking adequate precautions against: (i) sedimentation on seabed, (ii) air pollution
and (iii) damage to historical or archeological objects found offshore. Licencees must

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ensure offshore operations are conducted causing the least amount of damage to
marine environment, plant and animal life.
 Appeals: Licencees may make appeals against orders of the approving authority to
the central government. Appeals will have to be made within three months from the
date of the order. The central government may conditionally accept appeals made
after three months.
 Penalties: Contravention of certain Rules are punishable with imprisonment of up to
five years or a fine between 50 lakh to one crore rupees or both. These include
offences such as: (i) commencing exploration or production without approved plans,
(ii) failure to comply with inspection of exploration or production operations, (iii)
mining in 15 second barrier zone, (iv) failure to comply with pollution norms and (v)
discharge of untreated waste into sea.
28. India's healthcare landscape is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by
government initiatives, policy reforms, and technological advancements. With a rapidly
growing population and increasing demand for quality healthcare, digital health
solutions are playing a crucial role in enhancing accessibility, affordability, and efficiency.
Digital healthcare infrastructure in India is evolving to bridge the gap between urban and
rural healthcare services, leveraging telemedicine, electronic health records (EHRs), and
artificial intelligence (AI)-driven diagnostics.
The recent World Economic Forum (WEF) article highlights India's potential to become
a global leader in digital health by building a resilient digital health ecosystem. The
report emphasizes the role of public-private partnerships, the importance of
interoperability, and the need for robust data governance frameworks. It underscores
how India’s initiatives, such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and
the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS), can set a global benchmark for digital
healthcare transformation.
The World Economic Forum Article on India's Digital Health Potential
The WEF article, "India Can Be a Global Pathfinder in Digital Health," released on 15
January 2024, explores how India's digital healthcare initiatives position the country as a
leader in health technology. Key takeaways from the report include:
 Interoperability and Standardization: Ensuring seamless data exchange between
stakeholders.
 Public-Private Collaboration: Encouraging partnerships for innovation and
expansion.
 Focus on Affordability and Accessibility: Leveraging digital tools to make healthcare
inclusive.
 Global Influence: India’s digital health models could serve as templates for other
developing nations.
The article acknowledges that India's digital health strategies can contribute to global
health equity, improving healthcare outcomes across diverse populations. The article
further acknowledges India's proactive approach to digital health, characterized by
its robust digital public infrastructure and innovative private sector, positions the nation
as a global leader in developing adaptable healthcare solutions. The World Economic
Forum's Digital Healthcare Transformation (DHT) Initiative acknowledges India's
potential to create scalable models that can be adopted worldwide, emphasizing the
importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing universal healthcare

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challenges. This recognition underscores India's commitment to leveraging technology

for equitable and efficient healthcare delivery, setting a benchmark for other nations to
follow.
Digital Healthcare Infrastructure
 Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): The ABDM aims to create a nationwide
digital health ecosystem by integrating healthcare service providers and patients
through unique health IDs. The objective of the scheme is to fill critical gaps in health
infrastructure, surveillance and health research- spanning both the urban and rural
areas so that the communities are Atma Nirbhar in managing such pandemic/ health
crisis. Key features of ABDM include:
o Health ID: A unique identifier for individuals to store and share medical records.
o Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR): A comprehensive database of
registered healthcare professionals.
o Health Facility Registry (HFR): A digital repository of healthcare facilities across
India.
o Unified Health Interface (UHI): An open network facilitating digital health
services.
 Over two lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across the country
to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. These Arogya Mandirs enable crores of
citizens to easily check for diseases like cancer, hypertension, and diabetes.
o The Mission, further, provides for assisted and offline mode for creation of
Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for areas with limited internet
connectivity or hardware or both. As on January 20, 2025, more than 73
crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) have been created successfully
and there are more than 5 lakh health professionals registered. Uttar Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat are the top 5 states with
Ayushman Bharat account holders. 49.15% of the total number of beneficiaries
are women.
o Recently, in September 2024, the National Health Authority (NHA) and IIT
Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which a
federated learning platform across a variety of machine learning model pipelines,
a quality-preserving database, an open benchmarking platform for comparing &
validating AI models, and a consent management system for research under
ABDM would be developed by IIT Kanpur. The platform will subsequently be
operated and governed by NHA, thereby unlocking the immense potential of AI
for improving health outcomes.
o Introduced under ABDM, the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) encourages
healthcare providers to adopt digital health solutions by offering financial
incentives for integrating digital health records and services. The scheme
incentivizes hospitals, clinics, and healthcare startups to embrace digital
technologies, accelerating the transition to a paperless healthcare system.
 Telemedicine and e-Sanjeevani: India has witnessed a surge in telemedicine
services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The e-Sanjeevani platform,
launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), enables remote
consultations, reducing the burden on physical healthcare facilities. The platform
consists of two modules:

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o e-Sanjeevani OPD: Facilitating doctor-to-patient consultations remotely.

o e-Sanjeevani AB-HWC: Connecting Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) with
specialist doctors for better healthcare accessibility in remote areas.
 U-Win Portal: The U-WIN Portal, launched in October 2024, is developed for
the complete digitization of vaccination services, and maintaining vaccination
records for pregnant women and children from birth to 17 years under the Universal
Immunization Programme. The citizen-centric services of the digital platform
include ‘Anytime Access’ and ‘Anywhere’ vaccination services, self-registration by
citizens using the U-WIN web-portal or the U-WIN citizen mobile application,
automated SMS alerts, universal QR-based e-Vaccination Certificate and utility to
create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID for themselves and Child
ABHA ID for their children. The portal is available in 11 regional languages, including
Hindi. By November 2024, 7.43 crore beneficiaries have been registered, 1.26 crore
vaccination sessions have been held and 27.77 crore administered vaccine
doses have been recorded on U-WIN.
 Aarogya Setu App: Aarogya Setu has been transformed into a National Health App,
bringing a whole plethora of digital health services powered by the ABDM. Using
Aarogya Setu, one can register for an Ayushman Bharat Health Account and leverage
it for interaction with participating healthcare providers, and allows one to receive
digital lab reports, prescriptions and diagnosis seamlessly from verified healthcare
professionals and health service providers. Aarogya Setu also helps one to schedule
online doctor appointments powered by e-Sanjeevani OPD Application. One can
schedule doctor appointments and consult with a doctor from the comfort of one’s
home. Using Aarogya Setu, one can also download the Covid19 vaccination
certificate or can request changes in the certificate.
 e-Hospital: As part of the Digital India initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and
Information Technology, e-Hospital, e-BloodBank and Online Registration System
(ORS) applications were developed. The e-Hospital application is a Hospital
Management Information System (HMIS) for internal workflows and processes of
hospitals. This one-stop solution helps in connecting patients, hospitals and doctors
on a single digital platform. e-Hospital is made available to Central Government/
State Government/ Autonomous/ Cooperative hospitals on the cloud through the
SaaS (Software as a Service) model.
The e-BloodBank application facilitates the implementation of a complete blood
bank management system. Online Registration System (ORS) is a Digital India
initiative that aims to provide online access to hospital services for patients,
integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account.
 National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS): The Government has
launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to
further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the
country. As on January 20, 2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and
have started tele mental health services. More than 17.6 lakh calls have been
handled on the helpline number.
29. One Nation One Subscription:
India, a land of ancient knowledge and rich tradition, has always been a beacon of
innovation and discovery. From pioneering advancements in mathematics and

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astronomy to groundbreaking contributions in various fields of science, the country’s

legacy of intellectual achievement is unmatched. On August 15, 2022, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, reminded the nation of this proud
legacy and the critical role that Research and Development (R&D) would play in shaping
India's future. As he addressed the nation, he emphasized the importance of nurturing
R&D capabilities, particularly during Amrit Kaal, and called for a renewed focus on
innovation with the inspiring slogan, “Jai Anusandhan.”
This call for a vibrant R&D ecosystem resonated with the goals outlined in the National
Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which identifies research as a fundamental driver of
educational excellence and national progress. The policy seeks to cultivate a robust
research culture that not only enhances academic quality but also accelerates India’s
growth on the global stage.
In alignment with this vision, Union Cabinet has approved the One Nation One
Subscription (ONOS) scheme on 25th Nov 2024. This initiative seeks to break down
barriers to knowledge by providing all students, faculty, researchers, and scientists
across the nation’s government higher education institutions (HEIs) and central
government R&D centres with access to international scholarly journals and articles. The
goal is to ensure that India’s academic and research communities are equipped with the
best global resources, fostering innovation and enhancing the quality of research across
disciplines.
The ONOS scheme is a cornerstone of India's ambition to become a self-reliant and
developed nation by 2047. This initiative is a key component of the Viksitbharat@2047
vision. This roadmap envisions India’s emergence as a leading global power driven by
cutting-edge research, technological advancement, and self-sustained progress. Through
such initiatives, India is preparing to build on its rich legacy of knowledge, positioning
itself at the forefront of global innovation and discovery.
ONOS Scheme Overview:
The scheme’s objective is to provide all eligible students, faculty, researchers, and
scientists with access to top-tier international research articles and journals. It covers
more than 6,300 government-managed higher education institutions and central
government-managed research and development institutions across the country.
The scheme provides:
 Access to more than 13,000 scholarly journals from 30 major international
publishers.
 Benefits about 1.8 crore students, faculty, and researchers across disciplines such as
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Medicine, Social Sciences,
Finance & Accounts, etc.
 Inclusive access to research for institutions in tier 2 and tier 3 cities, ensuring
equitable access to knowledge.
Key Objectives and Goals:
 Access to Scholarly Knowledge: The scheme provides access to high-quality scholarly
journals and publications across various fields. This aims to democratise access to
knowledge to enhance the research capabilities of students, faculty, and researchers.
 Inclusion of Diverse Institutions: The scheme ensures that institutions, regardless of
their geographic location—in urban centres or remote areas—have access to world-

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class research resources. This is crucial for advancing core and interdisciplinary
research in the country.
 Global Research Participation: It aligns with the goals of Viksitbharat@2047, helping
India to emerge as a global leader in research and development by enabling its
academic and research institutions to engage with international scholarly
communities.
Implementation Details:
 National Subscription via INFLIBNET: The entire subscription process will be
centrally coordinated by INFLIBNET (Information and Library Network), an
autonomous inter-university centre under the University Grants Commission (UGC).
INFLIBNET will manage the distribution of digital access to these journals, ensuring a
seamless experience for users.
 Digital Access: Journals will be accessible entirely through a digital platform,
ensuring convenience and ease for all users. This approach minimises administrative
complexities and makes access available on-demand.
 Government Allocation: A total of ₹6,000 crore has been allocated for the PM-ONOS
initiative, covering three years—2025, 2026, and 2027. The funding will cover the
subscription charges for all participating institutions across the three-year period.
Further, ONOS will also provide central funding support of Rs. 150 Crore per year for
beneficiary authors to publish in selected good quality Open Access (OA) journals.
Funding and Financial Strategy:
The ₹6,000 crore allocated for ONOS ensures smooth implementation of ONOS from
1st January 2025 to 31st December 2027-
 ONOS phase I, starting from 1 January 2025, will provide access to over 13,000
journals for more than 6,300 government academic and R&D institutes including
central and state-govt universities and colleges. This translates to nearly 1.8 Crore
students, faculty and researchers getting access to high quality research
publications.
 The subscription charges for journals from 30 publishers under ONOS Phase I will be
centrally paid by INFLIBNET, covering payments from library consortia, HEIs, and
R&D institutions under central ministries. Independent subscriptions will continue
for resources not included in Phase I.
 This phase will establish the program's framework and ensure that key research
resources are made available to a large number of institutions across India.
 Payment of Article Processing Charges (APC) to publishers for selected high quality
research publications of the researchers from these participating institutions have
also been envisaged in this phase.
 Experience of ONOS phase I will be used for designing subsequent phases of ONOS.
Further Enhancements and Features-
 Synergy with Existing Initiatives: The ONOS scheme will complement the existing
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), which is designed to promote
R&D activities across India. ONOS will facilitate easy access to international research
materials, supporting the foundation’s goal of fostering research and innovation
across government-managed institutions.
 Discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs): One of ONOS's significant features
is the discounts on Article Processing Charges (APCs). Journals typically levied these
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charges for publishing research articles. By negotiating lower APCs with publishers,
the scheme will help Indian researchers publish their work in high-quality journals
without incurring heavy financial costs.
30. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrated once in two years on 9th January is a
significant event that honors the contributions of the Indian diaspora to their homeland.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was first established in 2003 under the
government of then Prime Minister Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as a platform to
recognize and engage with the overseas Indian community.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is the flagship event of the Ministry of External Affairs. It is
held in different cities, to showcase the diversity and progress of different regions of
India. Since 2015, it has evolved into a biennale event, with theme-based conferences
held in the intervening years. This format allows for more focused discussions on specific
areas of interest and provides opportunities for networking among the global Indian
diaspora.
History-
This bi-annual celebration, held on January 9th, commemorates the day in 1915 when
Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest Pravasi, returned to India from South Africa to lead the
country's freedom struggle.
The primary goals of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are:
 To commemorate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India's development
 To create a better understanding of India abroad
 To support India's causes and work for the welfare of local Indian communities
worldwide
 To provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with the government and
people of their ancestral land.
These conventions have proven instrumental in fostering connections between India and
its vast overseas community, enabling the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills
across various fields.
Objective-
The primary goals of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas are:
 To commemorate the contributions of the Indian diaspora to India's development
 To create a better understanding of India abroad
 To support India's causes and work for the welfare of local Indian communities
worldwide
 To provide a platform for overseas Indians to engage with the government and
people of their ancestral land.
These conventions have proven instrumental in fostering connections between India and
its vast overseas community, enabling the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills
across various fields.
18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas- 2025
The 18th PBD Convention was held during January 8-10, 2025, in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The theme for this year was the “Diaspora's contribution to a Viksit Bharat” (Developed
India).
Awards-
The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honour conferred on
overseas Indians. PBSA is conferred by the Hon’ble President of India as part of the

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Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention on Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin or

an organization/institution established and run by the Non-Resident Indians or Persons
of Indian Origin in recognition of their outstanding achievements both in India and
abroad.
A Jury-cum-Awards Committee, with Vice-President as the Chairman and External Affairs
Minister as the Vice-Chair and other distinguished members from various walks of life,
considered the nominations for the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards, 2025 and
unanimously selected the awardees. The awardees represent the excellence achieved by
our diaspora in various fields.
Following is the list of Awardees recommended by Jury-cum-Awards Committee for
conferment of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2025:

Sr. Name Country Field

No.
1. Prof. Ajay Rane Australia Community Service
2. Dr. Marialena Joan Fernandes Austria Education
3. Dr. Philomena Ann Mohini Harris Barbados Medical Science
4. Swami Sanyuktanand Fiji Community Service
5. Saraswati Vidya Niketan Guyana Community Service
6. Dr. Lekh Raj Juneja Japan Science & Technology
7. Dr. Prem Kumar Kyrgyz Medical Science
Republic
8. Mr. Soukthavy Chowdhury Laos Business
9. Mr. Krishna Savjani Malawi Business
10. ‘Tan Sri’ Dr. Subramaniam K.V. Malaysia Politics
Sathasivam
11. Dr. Sarita Boodhoo Mauritius Community Service
12. Mr. Abhaya Kumar Moldova Business
13. Dr. Ram Niwas @ Hla Tun Myanmar Education
14. Mr. Jaggannath Shekhar Asthana Romania Business
15. Hindustani Samaj Russia Community Service
16. Ms. Sudha Rani Gupta Russia Education
17. Dr. Syed Anwar Khursheed Saudi Arabia Medical Science
18. Mr. Atul Arvind Temurnikar Singapore Education
19. Mr. Robert Masih Nahar Spain Community Service
20. Dr. Kaushik Laxmidas Ramaiya Tanzania Medicine
21. H.E. Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT Trinidad & Public Affairs
Tobago
22. Mr. Ramakrishnan Sivaswamy Iyer UAE Business
23. Mr. Bonthala Subbaiah Setty Ramesh Uganda Community Service
Babu
24. Baroness Usha Kumari Prashar UK Politics
25. Dr. Sharad Lakhanpal USA Medicine
26. Dr. Sharmila Ford USA Community Service
27. Mr. Ravi Kumar S. USA Business (IT &

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Consulting)

31. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin 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 Chief Minister also announced a ₹2-crore grant for setting up a chair in the name of
noted archaeologist and epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan to continue the research on
the Indus Valley Civilisation jointly by the State Department of Archaeology and the
Indus Research Centre at the Chennai-based Roja Muthiah Library.
32. MISSION MAUSAM: With its diverse geography and climate, India is heavily influenced
by weather and monsoon patterns. Recognizing the critical need for accurate weather
forecasting, especially in a country where agriculture is a primary livelihood, on
September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet under the Modi Government 3.0 approved
Mission Mausam, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with a
budget of ₹2,000 crores over two years. Designed to position India as a global leader in
weather and climate sciences, the mission aims to make the nation ‘Weather Ready’ and
‘Climate Smart’, meeting the global standards.
It aims to improve weather and climate services, ensuring timely and precise
observation, modeling, and forecasting information for multiple sectors, including
agriculture, disaster management, and rural development. Spearheaded by the Ministry
through its premier institutions—the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the
National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)- the initiative is further supported by allied
MoES bodies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
Through collaboration with national and international research institutions, academia,
and industry, Mission Mausam aspires to revolutionize India's weather and climate
services while cementing its global leadership in this critical field. The initiative leverages
cutting-edge technology, including high-resolution models and supercomputing systems,
to provide accurate forecasts on various timescales—ranging from short-term (hours) to
seasonal predictions.
The primary objectives of Mission Mausam are:
 To enhance India's capability in weather forecasting across various scales—short-
term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal.
 To develop high-resolution models for improved accuracy in predicting monsoon
behaviour.
 To strengthen observational networks with advanced radars, satellites, and
automated weather stations.
 To provide actionable advisories for agriculture, water resources, energy, health,
and disaster management sectors.
 To build capacity through research collaborations with national and international
institutions.
Mission Mausam adopts a multi-pronged approach to achieve its objectives:
 Infrastructure Development: Installation of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs),
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and rain gauges across the country.

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 Supercomputing Power: Leveraging high-performance computing systems like

Pratyush and Mihir for advanced climate modelling.
 Collaborative Research: Partnerships with global organizations like the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) to enhance forecasting techniques.
 Public Outreach: Dissemination of user-friendly advisories through mobile apps (e.g.,
Mausam app), SMS services, and media channels.
Current Status:
 Over 37 Doppler Weather Radars have been installed across India to strengthen real-
time monitoring capabilities.
 The Mausam mobile app provides location-specific weather forecasts for 450 cities
in India.
 Seasonal prediction models have shown significant improvement under the National
Monsoon Mission framework.
 The Ministry has initiated specialised programs on urban flooding prediction and
cyclone tracking.
33. ‘Year of Reforms’:
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh chaired a meeting with all the Secretaries of the Ministry of
Defence (MoD) on the eve of the New Year to review the progress on various schemes,
projects, reforms and the way ahead. In order to give impetus tothe ongoing and future
reforms, it was unanimously decided to observe 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in the
MoD. This would aim at transforming the Armed Forces into a technologically-advanced
combat-ready force capable of multi-domainintegrated operations. The following broad
areas were identified for focussed intervention in 2025:
a. Reforms should aim to further bolster Jointness & Integration initiatives and
facilitate establishment of theIntegrated Theatre Commands.
b. Reforms should focus on new domains such as Cyber and Space, and emerging
technologies like ArtificialIntelligence, Machine Learning, Hypersonics and Robotics.
Associated Tactics, Techniques and Proceduresrequired to win future wars should
also be developed.
c. Develop a shared understanding of operational requirements and joint operational
capabilities through inter-service cooperation & training.
d. Acquisition procedures need to be made simpler and time-sensitive to facilitate
swifter and robust capabilitydevelopment.
e. Facilitate technology transfer and knowledge sharing between the defence sector
and civil industries, promoting public-private partnerships by improving ease of
doing business.
f. Focus on collaboration across various stakeholders in the defence ecosystem.
Breaking silos. Effective civil-military coordination should aim to eliminate
inefficiencies and optimise resources.
g. Position India as a credible exporter of defence products, fostering R&D and
partnerships between Indianindustries and foreign Original Equipment
Manufacturers for knowledge sharing & resource integration.
h. Ensure the welfare of veterans while leveraging their expertise. Efforts will be made
towards optimisation ofwelfare measures for veterans.

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i. Instil a sense of pride in Indian culture and ideas, fostering confidence in achieving
global standards throughindigenous capabilities, while imbibing best practices from
modern militaries that suit the nation’s conditions.
Raksha Mantri showed confidence that the ‘Year of Reforms’ will be a momentous step
in the modernisation journey of theArmed Forces.
34. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Year End Review 2024:
Significant Scientific & Technical Attainments during the year-
CSIR-CRRI's REJUPAVE technology deployed in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh for high-
altitude roadconstruction- The indigenous road construction technology “REJUPAVE”
developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute(CSIR-CRRI), to construct high altitude
bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature conditions, wassuccessfully utilized
by the Border Road Organization (BRO) for high-altitude bituminous roads construction
onChina Border in state of Arunachal Pradesh. The technology has also been used by the
BRO’s project Vijayak in Kargil to construct high-altitude bituminous roads on the Drass-
Umbala-Sankoo Road in Drass, Ladakh.
India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH-66 Mumbai-Goa National
Highway inaugurated- V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI AAYOG inaugurated India’s
First National Highway Steel Slag Road section onNH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway
on 15 January 2024. JSW Steel, under the CSIR-CRRI technologicalguidance, has
constructed the 1 km long four lane steel slag road section on Indapur-Panvel Section of
NH-66Mumbai-Goa. For construction of this road around 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel
slag were converted as processedsteel slag aggregates at JSW Steel Dolvi, Raigad plant.
CSIR’s technical contributions in construction of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya and 'Surya
Tilak' for Lord Ram onevery Ram Navami- The construction of Shri Ram Mandir,
Ayodhya, has been technically assisted by CSIR. The "Surya Tilak" system hasbeen
designed by CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) and it will channel the
ray on the idol'sforehead from 12 noon for about six minutes. Every Ram Navami, an
intricate network of lenses and mirrors will beused to channel a ray of sunlight in the
sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and converged on theforehead of
Ram Lalla as "Surya Tilak". The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been meticulously
engineered to endureseismic events that occur once every 2,500 years.
CSIR-NIO, Goa launches underwater vehicle, C-Bot, to monitor coral reefs- Dr N
Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR launched the coral monitoring autonomous
underwater vehicle, Coral ReefMonitoring and Surveillance Robot, or C-Bot, for long-
term monitoring of coral reefs, developed by CSIR-NationalInstitute of Oceanography
(CSIR-NIO), Goa. The C-Bot, can reach depths of 200 meters.
India's first Lithium battery recycling pilot facility Inaugurated-
India's first Lithium Battery Recycling Plant installed under CSIR's Bulk Chemical Mission
at CSIR-NationalMetallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur was inaugurated by
Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog.The initiative aligns with the Atmanirbhar
Bharat vision, contributing to self-reliance in battery manufacturing. TheLithium Battery
Recycling Plant at CSIR-NML is poised to contribute significantly to India’s efforts
towardsenvironmentally responsible and resource-efficient technologies.
Successful Flight Tests of High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite- CSIR-National Aerospace
Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) successfully flew a prototype of a new-generation
unmannedaerial vehicle (UAV), High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) that can fly at

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great heights, about 20 km from ground,runs entirely on solar power, and can remain in
the air for months. The primary utility of HAPS vehicles is in the fieldof surveillance and
monitoring, and other situations, like disaster management, wherein it can be very
useful.
CSIR in partnership with KPIT, developed India’s first indigenously built Fuel Cell
Vessel- Prime Minister, Narendra Modi virtually launched India’s first indigenously
developed hydrogen fuel cellcatamaran built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) based
on the Fuel Cell Technology of CSIR and KPIT. Built ata cost of Rs18 crore, the ferry will
be handed over to the Inland Waterways Authority of India by the CSL afterrigorous
trials.
CSIR-NIIST Develops Sustainable Technology for Organic Wastewater Treatment- The
CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) has
made a breakthrough bydeveloping and patenting a sustainable technology for
treatment and disposal of organic waste water discharged byhotels, restaurants,
catering units and similar businesses, which is a big problem in cities, especially in
locationswithout proper sewerage network.As a sustainable solution, the on-site waste
water technology, named NOWA, has theadvantage of recovering valuable resources
like reuse quality water, bio-energy and organic manure and soilconditioner from waste-
water.
CSIR-CDRI Introduces Distinctive Oral Pill for Accelerated Fracture Healing- CSIR-Central
Drug Research Institute (CSIR-CDRI) has come out with an oral pill to help fasten the
process ofhealing after a fracture. The institution is currently working on two bone
healing entities, namely CDRI-1500 and CDRI-399. Necessary approvals from drug
regulatory bodies have been received and the phase-1 clinical trials for CDRI-1500 will
begin soon.
CSIR-IMTech Identified Promising Molecule for Parkinson's Cure- CSIR-Institute of
Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTech) has discovered a molecule which could lead to
developing acure for Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disease. The study, till now only
carried out on mice, has shown promisingresults for one molecule. The researchers have
filed an international patent for four molecules that have potential toprovide cure for
the disease.
CSIR-NAL transferred the final set of Engine Bay Door (EBD) parts for Tejas Mk1A to
HAL- CSIR-NAL handed over the third and final set of engine bay door (EBD) parts for the
Tejas Mk1A, to HindustanAeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL had entered a Transfer of
Technology (ToT) agreement with CSIR-NAL inNovember 2023, to manufacture
Bismaleimide (BMI) EBD for the series production of Light Combat Aircraft TejasMk1A.
CSIR-CCMB develops new rice variety immune to Yellow Stem Borer- CSIR-Centre for
Cellular & Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research
(IIRR) incollaboration have developed a rice variety resistant to Yellow Stem Borer (YSB),
a major pest in India that can causeup to 60% loss in rice production. The new research
addresses these gaps by identifying key biomolecules involved inYSB resistance. This
breakthrough is expected to significantly reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides,
enhancerice yields, and provide a persistent solution to the YSB threat throughout the
rice growing season.
CSIR-CMERI Unveils Electric Tiller for Sustainable Farming- Electric Tiller designed and
developed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute(CSIR-CMERI)was

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introduced by the DG, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi in Durgapur on 25May 2024. Tailored for
small tomarginal farmers, constituting over 80% of India's farming community, the tiller
promises reduced operational costsand promotes sustainable farming practices. The
Electric Tiller prioritizes user comfort and environmentalsustainability, boasting
enhanced torque, reduced vibration, and zero exhaust emissions. Equipped with
electroniccontrols and ergonomic handling, the Electric Tiller marks a significant
milestone in agricultural machinery, aimingfor a more sustainable and efficient farming
future.
CSIR-NAL Advances Towards High-Altitude Platform (HAP) Development- CSIR-NAL
successfully test-flew a subscale High-Altitude Platform (HAP) to 25,000 feet on 7May
2024. HAPs, operating at 18-20 km above Earth, offer capabilities like surveillance, earth
imaging, and telecommunications at afraction of satellite costs, complementing satellite
technology. Extensive ground tests and an additional sub-scale flightare planned over
the next 18 months to refine the full-scale HAP prototype, aiming for unprecedented
endurance andperformance in high-altitude platforms.
CSIR-CIMFR’s Controlled Blasting Process used in the construction of Tunnel-2, the
longest tunnel in MumbaiSuburban Railway Network- CSIR-Central Institute of Mining
and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) guided the Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC)
with the rock blasting process during the construction of Tunnel-2 (Wavarle Tunnel), the
longest tunnel in the Mumbai Suburban Railway Network, as part of the Panvel-Karjat
railway project under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project 3 (MUTP-3).
CSIR-IICT Develops new process to Manufacture High-Energy Rocket Propellant- CSIR-
Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) in collaboration with Premier
Explosives Ltd., hassuccessfully developed an indigenous process to produce the key
material used in CL-20, a high-energy propellant.CL-20 offers superior performance over
traditional propellants like RDX and HMX, boasting a higher energy releaseand better
oxidiser-to-fuel ratio, crucial for rockets and missiles. The breakthrough enables India to
achieve self-sufficiency in propellant development for defense and space applications,
marking a significant stride towardstechnological independence.
CSIR-CCMB Develops Non-Invasive Blood Test for Early Breast Cancer Detection- CSIR-
CCMB and Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram have identified a cost-
effective, non-invasivemethod to detect breast cancer using a drop of blood. MicroRNA
(miRNA) signatures have been analyzed in hundredsof cancer samples, identifying 439
miRNAs linked to invasive breast cancer, with 107 as potential biomarkers fordifferent
types and stages of the disease.
CSIR-IGIB and LVPEI Develop Enhanced CRISPR-Cas9 System for Precision Genome
Editing- CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and LVPEI, along
with collaborators, havedeveloped an enhanced CRISPR-Cas9 based genome editing
system, which is more precise and efficient than existingtechnologies.The edited and
validated Cas9 protein from Francisellanovicida (FnCas9), creating enFnCas9,
showednormal protein expression and no detectable off-target alterations, proving the
efficacy and safety of the enFnCas9-based CRISPR tool for precise genome editing. This
development is a significant step towards therapeutic applicationsfor genetic disorders
in the Indian population, highlighting the importance of advancing gene correction tools
forclinical use and market authorization.

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CSIR Launches National Mission on Sustainable Packaging Solutions- The CSIR has
launched a National Mission on Sustainable Packaging Solutions. The mission,
coordinated by CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, involves a consortium of eight
partnering CSIR labs and industry partners. The missionaims to address sustainable
packaging demands by developing advanced packaging materials, smart recycling, and
reuse methods. It seeks to transform the packaging industry to be smart, affordable, and
reliable, incorporatingadvanced testing and monitoring facilities.
Tata International and CSIR-CLRI Launch Eco-Friendly Phoenix Leather- Phoenix
Leather, developed in collaboration of CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-
CLRI) and TataInternational, has been introduced as an eco-friendly product in the
Earthcare Leather range of Tata International. Thepatented “GENOCORIUM” process
converts leather trim waste into high-quality reconstituted leather sheets,
reducingwater pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
CSIR-IMTECH Develops Promising SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine- CSIR-IMTech, Chandigarh, in
collaboration with Centre for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), IISc, Bengaluru
andNational Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi developed a protein subunit-based
vaccine candidate, IMT-CVAX, showing "near-complete protection" in preclinical studies.
IMT-CVAX is an engineered trimeric spike protein antigen designed to combat SARS-CoV-
2 variants, generating robust immune responses in preclinical tests on mice
andhamsters. The vaccine's large-scale production is feasible, with efficient storage in
standard refrigerators, making itideal for mass immunization. IMT-CVAX has been
internationally patented, and the study shows its potential toprovide long-lasting
immunity against future SARS-CoV-2 infections.
CSIR-NAL Unveils Indigenous Kamikaze Drones for India’s Defense- CSIR-NAL has
unveiled the development of swadeshi Kamikaze Drones, capable of flying up to 1,000
kilometers withhome-built engines, enhancing India’s defense capabilities. The Indian
kamikaze drone, measuring 2.8 meters in lengthand carrying a 25 kg explosive charge,
can hover for up to nine hours before striking its target. Powered by a 30-horsepower
Wankel Engine developed by CSIR-NAL, the drone can operate in GPS-denied
environments and navigateusing India's NAViC system.
CSIR Floriculture Mission Empowers Women in Ramban, J&K with Marigold Farming-
Women in Ramban district, J&K, are increasingly adopting marigold farming under CSIR's
Floriculture Mission. Theinitiative, led by CSIR, provides training, guidance, and free
seeds and helps women shift from traditional maizefarming to more lucrative,
convenient, and environmentally friendly marigold cultivation.
CSIR-IHBT Empowers Farmers in Meghalaya with Aromatic Crop Training- A team from
the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur, in
collaboration with theInstitute of Natural Resources (INR), Shillong, conducted training-
cum-awareness program on agro and processingtechnologies of aromatic crops from 3-
4September 2024. The farmers were provided practical training on agronomicpractices
and post-harvest processing of aromatic crops suitable for Meghalaya’s climate, which
have significantpotential to improve livelihoods in the region. The team also visited the
farm fields and provided hands-on demonstrations and assess the current state of
aromatic grass cultivation.
CSIR-SERC Conducts Load Deflection Test on Pamban Rail Bridge Centre Span- Load
deflection test on the New Pamban Bridge was carried out by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

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(RVNL) in collaborationwith CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Center (CSIR-SERC),

Chennai. The trial was conducted using twin GOCWDG4D locomotives from the Golden
Rock Shed.The purpose of the test was to assess the structural integrity andperformance
of the bridge under load conditions.The health monitoring using the state of the art
sensing technologies, monitoring systems and control stations along with health
assessment tools have been established by CSIR-SERC onthe navigational vertical lift
span of the bridge.
CSIR-NCL and CeNS Develop New Piezoelectric Nanocomposite for Energy Harvesting-
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune in collaboration with Centre for
Nano and Soft MatterSciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have developed a new piezoelectric
polymer nanocomposite for security alert system,enhancing energy harvesting in flexible
electronics. This development was based on the finding that metal oxidenanomaterials
with appropriate crystal structure and surface properties when used as fillers in a
polymer compositelead to a significant enhancement in the piezoelectric response.
CSIR-CFTRI Collaborates with McDonald's to Launch Multi-Millet Buns- CSIR−Central
Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR-CFTRI) launched a multi-millet bun in
collaboration withMcDonald, as part of the National Nutrition Week program, taking a
step towards enhancing the health and nutrition profile. The nutritional buns are made
of five nutrient-rich millets like bajra, ragi, jowar, proso and kodo. The milletsare sourced
locally, from various regions including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil
Nadu, MadhyaPradesh and Chhattisgarh. The CSIR-CFTRI’s multi-millet bun was
launched by McDonalds in Mumbai, with a focuson the customer base in South and
West India, initially. Wheat flour has been replaced by 22 per cent millets. Themillets
have been sourced from more than 5,000 farmers across India, the initiative has
potential to uplift and empowerthe farmers of the country.
CSIR-CBRI to Address the Structural Stability of Airports- In response to a series of
structural failures at various airports, including the partial collapse of a canopy at
Terminal 1(T1) of Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in June, the Ministry of Civil
Aviation has assigned CSIR-CBRIfor advising airport operators across the country on
structural safety and integrity. The decision to engage CSIR-CBRIfollows several
concerning incidents, including canopy collapses at Jabalpur and Rajkot airports in June.
CSIR-CBRIwill guide the structural aspects of airport infrastructure, ensuring operators
take necessary precautions to prevent suchoccurrences in the future. The Ministry of
Civil Aviation also plans to organizing technical workshop for airportoperators with the
involvement CSIR-CBRI, where experts from the institute will provide specialized training
onstructural safety and resilience.
CSIR-CSIO develops AI-powered Drone for Automatic Target Identification- CSIR-
Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) has developed a drone-mounted
software frameworkto enable automatic detection of objects like humans, bunkers and
tanks from optical images and pinpoint their exactlocation. The framework is meant to
enhance UAV capabilities in surveillance and automation. Unlike the video orstill feed
from an airborne drone, which is viewed and analysed by controllers to locate objects or
targets, in thecurrent technology the system itself identifies the desired objects based
on the task at hand.
CSIR-NIIST developed ‘Airport Air Quality Monitor’ inaugurated in
Thiruvananthapuram- Minister of State S&T (IC) Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled

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“PavanaChitra”, India’s first “Airport indoor AirQuality monitoring” facility at

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on 18 Oct 2024. The off-grid air
qualitymonitor is self-powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST,
crafted from locally availablematerials.
CSIR’s first-of-its-kind initiative for development of Indian Breast Cancer Genomic
Atlas (IBCGA) for India-Specific Cancer Resources- CSIR-CCMB is developing the Indian
Breast Cancer Genomic Atlas (IBCGA) by mapping nearly 1,000 breast cancertumor
genomes across India. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to identify molecular features
specific to Indianbreast cancer cases, which could enhance clinical management and
treatment options.
CSIR-4PI Tracks India-Tibet Tectonic Movements with Precision GPS Stations- India’s
tectonic plate is subducting under the Tibetan plate, causing gradual land loss and
elevation gain in theHimalayas. CSIR-Fourth Paradigm Institute (CSIR-4PI) has set up GPS
reference stations at Hanle (Ladakh) andBengaluru to monitor these movements
precisely. Data from these stations helps scientists understand strain build-upand
earthquake potential in the Himalayan region.
CSIR-CEERI, C-DOT Collaborate for Development of Multiport Switch for Future
Telecom Systems- CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI)
has partnered with C-DOT to develop a"Multiport Switch with Tuneable Impedance
Matching Network," aiming to cover 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G bands with asingle broadband
antenna. Funded by the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), the project
supports Indianstartups and R&D institutions in creating advanced telecom solutions.
CSIR-NIIST Launches 'Jaivam', an Eco-friendly and High-speed Composting of Organic
Waste- The CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuramhas developed a microbial consortium,
named ‘Jaivam,’ for facilitating a cleanand speedy composting process and producing
good quality compost for agricultural use.The development of Jaivamand similar R&D
initiatives by CSIR-NIIST will help address challenges such as greenhouse gas emission
(methaneand nitrous oxide) from bulk composting facilities and improve the compost
quality through bio-augmentation.
CSIR-NGRI Discovers Potential Geothermal Reservoir in Eastern Ladakh- CSIR-National
Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) has uncovered a potential new geothermal
reservoir ineastern Ladakh, opening opportunities for sustainable energy development
in the region. The research was conductedalong the Ukdungle-Hanle-Koyul-Fukche
profile, where NGRI scientists used magnetotelluric surveys to map thecrustal structure
over a 40 km stretch.
35. The State of Forest Report (SFR) 2023 was released by Union Environment Minister
Bhupender Yadav at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, on December 21, 2024.
The SFR is a biennial exercise the Government of India undertakes to track tree and
forest cover, carbon stock, forest fires, and other parameters related to the country’s
green cover.
SFR 2023 findings-
According to SFR 2023, 25.17% of India’s area is under forest and tree cover. Of this,
forests cover 21.76% of land and trees 3.41%. These figures represent marginal
increases from 21.71% and 2.91%, respectively, as reported in SFR 2021. In absolute
terms, the increase is 1,445 sq. km.

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The National Forest Policy 1988, which governs green cover in India, requires 33% of the
country’s geographical area to be under tree or forest cover.
Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha led the list of States that increased forest and
tree cover while Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Ladakh (UT), and Nagaland were the top
four States where forest and tree cover has dropped.
Green cover-
Forest cover in India means an area of a hectare or more, “with a tree canopy of more
than or equal to 10%, irrespective of ownership and legal status,” per the report.
Likewise, tree cover refers to all tree patches that exist outside of forest area and which
occupy “less than one hectare in extent, including all the scattered trees found in the
rural and urban settings, and [are] not captured under the forest cover assessment”.
The SFR uses a mix of satellite data and details from the National Forest Inventory, plus
ground-truthing to verify the information. Forest cover estimates come from satellite
data and growing and carbon stock estimates from the Inventory. The 2023 report uses
satellite data from October to December 2021 and NFI data from 2017 to 2022.

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General News: World

1. The Indian Army contingent comprising 334 personnel participated in 18th edition of
Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN. The exercise was conducted in
Saljhandi, Nepal from 31st December 2024 to 13th January 2025. It is an annual training
event conducted alternatively in the two countries.
The Indian Army contingent was led by a Battalion from the 11th Gorkha Rifles. The
Nepal Army contingent was represented by Srijung Battalion.
The aim of Exercise SURYA KIRAN was to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare,
counter terrorism operations in mountains, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief under United Nations Charter. The exercise focused on enhancing operational
preparedness, aviation aspects, medical training, and environment conservation.
Exercise SURYA KIRAN signifies the strong bonds of friendship, trust, common cultural
linkages that exist between India and Nepal. It sets the stage for a productive and
professional engagement, showcasing the unwavering commitment of both nations
towards a broader defence cooperation. The exercise will also achieve shared security
objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly neighbours.
2. The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA)
completes two years of remarkable success, driving mutual growth and showcasing the
complementarity of both economies. The Ind-Aus ECTA has significantly advanced trade
ties, creating new opportunities for MSMEs, businesses and employment in both nations
while reinforcing the foundation of their economic partnership. Entering its third year,
the Government of India is dedicated to sustaining this momentum through
strengthened collaboration and innovative initiatives to drive mutual prosperity to
realize the vision 2047 of Prime Minister to make India a developed country.
 Since its signing, bilateral merchandise trade has more than doubled, surging from
USD 12.2 billion in 2020-21 to USD 26billion in 2022-23. Total trade, however,
moderated in the year 2023-24 to USD 24 billion in 2023-24, with India’s exports to
Australia growing by 14%. The current fiscal year continues to reflect strong
momentum. Total merchandise bilateral trade from April-November 2024 reached
USD 16.3 billion.
 Exchange of preferential import data has commenced between both countries,
highlighting the effective implementation of the agreement in 2023. The data reveals
export utilization at 79% and import utilization at 84%.
 Key sectors like textiles, chemicals, and agriculture have shown substantial growth,
while exports on new lines, including gold studded with diamonds and turbojets
highlight the diversification enabled by the agreement. Imports of essential raw
materials, such as metalliferous ores, cotton, wood and wood products have fuelled
India’s industries, contributing to the win-win nature of this partnership. Sectors
such as electronics and engineering have room for growth.
 Building upon this success, the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation
Agreement (CECA) is now in progress with 10 formal rounds and inter-sessional
discussions held so far. CECA builds on the foundation laid by the ECTA, advancing
the bilateral trade agenda with even greater ambition. A stock take visit on India-
Australia CECA was also recently concluded in New Delhi from 4th to 6th December
2024 to assess the progress made and chart the path forward.

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Both the parties are committed to building on the momentum created by the ECTA,
driving deeper economic integration and to achieve the target of trade to reach AUD
100 billion by 2030 between India and Australia. Together, India and Australia are poised
to take their economic partnership to new heights, fostering mutual prosperity and
contributing to a more resilient and dynamic global economy.
3. The National Assembly is one of the two components of the Parliament of Guyana.
Under Article 51 of the Constitution of Guyana, the Parliament of Guyana consists of
the president and the National Assembly. The National Assembly has 65 members
elected using the system of proportional representation. Twenty five are elected from
the ten geographical constituencies and forty are awarded at the national level on the
basis of block votes secured, using the LR-Hare Formula as prescribed by the elections
Laws (Amendment) Act 15 of 2000 (Sections 11 and 12).
The National Assembly is presided over by the speaker, who may be elected from the
members of the National Assembly or from outside the membership. Speakers elected
from outside the membership of the National Assembly do not have an original or
casting vote. Where a question put before the National Assembly results in the votes by
the members being equally divided and the sitting is presided over by a speaker who
does not have an original or casting vote, the constitution stipulates that the question
does not pass or carry. The members also elect a deputy speaker from among their
membership.
4. World Braille Day, observed on January 4th, commemorates the birthday of Louis
Braille, the visionary who developed a tactile script that revolutionized communication
for blind and partially sighted individuals. Celebrated globally since 2019, this day
highlights the significance of Braille in empowering visually impaired individuals to
access education, information, and opportunities, fostering their full participation in
society.
What is Braille?
Braille is a tactile representation of alphabetic and numerical symbols using six dots to
represent each letter and number, and even musical, mathematical and scientific
symbols. Braille (named after its inventor in 19th century France, Louis Braille) is used by
blind and partially sighted people to read the same books and periodicals as those
printed in a visual font.
Significance of Braille
According to the 2011 Census, there are 50,32,463 persons with visual impairment in
India. Persons with disabilities, accounting for over a billion people worldwide, face
significant barriers to accessing healthcare, education, and employment. They often
experience higher rates of violence, neglect, and poverty, making them among the most
marginalized in society. World Braille Day, celebrated since 2019, is observed to raise
awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full
realization of the human rights of blind and partially sighted people.
Some of the Important Initiatives for the Empowerment of Visually Impaired Persons-
Government of India has undertaken a comprehensive array of initiatives to empower
visually impaired individuals, emphasizing their rights, education, employment, and
overall well-being. Key initiatives include:
 Making Information Accessible- Collaboration with the National Association for the
Blind aimed to make approximately 10,000 pages of documents, including

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government schemes and legal reliefs, accessible to persons with visual disabilities.
MoUs signed with Inclusive Science, Mission Accessibility, and the National
Association for the Blind, focused on enhancing mobile application accessibility
through AI technology. Another MoU with Vision Divyang Foundation aimed to use
AI to guide PwDs on eligibility for government schemes.
 National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities
(Divyangjan)- The National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual
Impairment (NIEPVD) (Divyangjan) is working in the field of visual disability for the
education, training, rehabilitation & empowerment of persons with visual
impairment since1943. During the period 2023-24, 2,94,388 persons (New Cases,
Follow-up & Supportive Services) were benefitted through different
services/programmes under the institute.
 Model School for the Visually Handicapped (MSVH)- The Model School for the
Visually Handicapped (MSVH) is imparting education to children with visual
impairment from the Bal Vatika to senior secondary level, representing a broad
spectrum of society. Apart from providing free education, boarding & lodging,
uniforms, books and equipment, the school offers a modicum of plus curriculum
activities for all-round development of its students. During the year 2023-24, Model
school has provided education to 243 children with visual impairment.
 The Braille Development Unit is an important constituent of the Department of
Special Education and Research. It contributed to the development of Braille Codes
in different Indian languages. In addition to the current publications, the institute is
in the process of developing a ‘Manual on Bharti Braille’. This manual is designed to
further support Braille literacy and standardization across India.
 National Accessible Library- NIEPVD is also hosting a National Accessible Library to
provide learning materials in various accessible formats Braille, large print, audio and
E-pub to persons with visual impairment. The Library serves over 55,000 members
and houses approximately 1,58,901 Braille volumes, 20,784 print books and more
than 7100 audio titles. In addition, the Institute is also hosting an Online Braille
Library- Sugamya Pustkalaya having 6,79,120 titles.
 Braille Production- NIEPVD has put in place an impressive infrastructure for printing
Braille textbooks and magazines. It comprises the Central Braille Press established in
1951, the Regional Braille Press established in 2008 at Chennai and 25 other Braille
Presses established by the Government. With the combined efforts of these Braille
Presses, the Braille literature in the following 14 languages is being published:
o Assamese
o Bangla
o English
o Garo
o Hindi
o Khasi
o Kannada
o Lusai
o Nagamese
o Punjabi
o Sanskrit

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o Telugu
o Tamil
o Urdu
5. World Hindi Day is celebrated each year on 10 January.
6. In a significant milestone, India has joined the prestigious UN Committee of Experts on
Big Data and Data Science for Official Statistics. The UN Committee of Experts on Big
Data and Data Science for Official Statistics (UN-CEBD) was created to further investigate
the benefits and challenges of Big Data, including the potential for monitoring and
reporting onthe sustainable development goals.
 The inclusion in this expert committee comes at a pivotal time, as India recently
assumed membership of the United Nations Statistical Council after a significant gap.
India’s inclusion in the Committee of Experts represents a significant leap forward
for the country’s statistical ecosystem. As part of the committee, India will
contribute to shaping global standards and practices in harnessing big data and data
science for official statistical purposes. This milestone underscores India's growing
stature in the global statistical community and highlights its commitment to
leveraging data and technology for informed decision-making.
 India’s active engagement in the Committee of Experts will highlight its pioneering
initiatives, including the establishment of the Data Innovation Lab and exploration of
alternate data sources such as satellite imagery and machine learning for policy
making. The opportunity to contribute at this global forum positions India as major
player in this area. Membership in the Committee of Experts is a strategic
opportunity for India to align its domestic advancements in big data and data science
with international goals, showcasing the country’s capability to lead transformative
initiatives in the data domain. Big data and advanced data science techniques have
the potential to revolutionize the production and dissemination of official statistics.
By integrating non-traditional data sources such as IoT, satellite imagery, and private
sector data streams, India aims to modernize its statistical processes, enhance the
accuracy of estimates, and enable the timely availability of critical data for policy
formulation and governance.
This engagement will also complement India’s ongoing efforts to:
 Streamline Statistical Production: Drive innovation in data collection, processing,
and analysis to reduce the time lag in data availability.
 Improve Decision-Making: Provide policymakers with real-time insights for
evidence-based decisions, addressing key socio-economic challenges.
 Foster International Collaboration: Share India’s expertise while learning from
global best practices to create robust, future-ready statistical frameworks.
India’s joining the Committee of Experts on Big Data and Data Science for Official
Statistics is a step toward revolutionizing statistical production and dissemination,
ultimately contributing to a more resilient and data-informed world. This recognition will
strengthen India’s ability to influence global statistical practices, reinforcing its
commitment to data-driven progress and sustainable development.
7. Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center:
High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha and Minister of Buddhasasana,
Religious and Cultural Affairs Hiniduma Sunil Senevi jointly announced the naming of the

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Cultural Centre in Jaffna as ‘Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center’, in honour of the great Tamil
poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, at a ceremony held on 18th January 2025.
 Built with Indian grant assistance of USD 12 million, the Center provides a space
where the rich traditions, arts, and aspirations of the people of the Northern
Province could thrive. The iconic structure is a state-of-the-art facility consisting of
multiple facilities such as a museum of two floors; an advanced theatre style
auditorium for more than 600 people; an 11-storeyed learning tower; a public
square which could also act as an amphitheatre; etc.
 The foundation stone for the Cultural Center was laid by the Prime Minister of India,
Narendra Modi, during his historic visit to Jaffna in March 2015. The facility was
subsequently inaugurated in March 2022 and dedicated to the people of Sri Lanka in
February 2023.
Thiruvalluvar commonly known as Valluvar, was an Indian poet and philosopher. He is
best known as the author of the Tirukkuṟaḷ, a collection of couplets on ethics, political
and economic matters, and love. The text is considered an exceptional and widely
cherished work of Tamil literature.
8. The indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participated
in the fourth edition of the Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE. This edition witnessed
participation of personnel/surface and sub-surface assets from various maritime
partners including Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Royal Navy, United States
Navy,Indonesian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy and Royal
Canadian Navy.
The exercise was aimed to develop common Maritime Situational Awareness by
enhancing the cooperation in the field of maritime surveillance, maritime interdiction
operations and air operations along with the conduct of progressive training and
information sharing. The exercise provided an opportunity for like-minded navies to
develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for enhanced
tactical interoperability. The exercise will witness complex and advanced multi-domain
exercises including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air-defence, cross deck landings
and tactical manoeuvres, as also the constabulary missions such as VBSS (Visit, Board,
Search and Seizure) operations.
Participation of Indian Navy in the exercise showcased the high levels of synergy,
coordination and interoperability between the like-minded navies and their
commitment to a rules-based international order in the maritime domain.
This visit was in consonance with India's vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in
the Region) to enhance maritime cooperation and collaboration for safer and secure
Indo-Pacific Region.
9. 47th President of the United States:
The second and current tenure of Donald Trump as the president of the United
States began upon his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Trump, a Republican from New
York City and resident of Florida, who previously served as president from 2017 to 2021,
took office following his victory over Democratic incumbent vice president Kamala
Harris in the 2024 presidential election after she replaced incumbent U.S. president Joe
Biden as the Democratic Party's nominee. He instituted deportations, tariffs, and issued
numerous executive orders.

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Trump is the second president in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms

after Grover Cleveland in 1893 and is the oldest individual to assume the presidency.
Following his victories in the 2016 and 2024 elections, he is not eligible for election to a
third term according to the 22nd Amendment.
10. New Wetland Sites:
Urbanization is one of the key defining mega-trends of our time. It is transforming where
and how people will live in the future. Four billion people, about half of the world’s
population live in urban areas today. By 2050 that number is expected to increase as
more people move into cities.
Current trends in human settlement potentially pose a major threat for wetland
conservation and wise use. As cities grow and demand for land increases, the tendency
is to encroach on wetlands. They are often viewed as wasteland to be converted for
other purposes including being used as dumping grounds.
Yet when preserved and sustainably used, urban wetlands can provide cities with
multiple economic, social and cultural benefits. During storms, urban wetlands absorb
excess rainfall, which reduces flooding in cities and prevents disasters and their
subsequent costs. The abundant vegetation found in urban wetlands, acts as a filter for
domestic and industrial waste and contribute to improving water quality.
Urban wetlands are prize land not wasteland and therefore should be integrated into
the development and management plans of cities.
Background and context
The 172 Contracting Parties to the Convention have agreed to the conservation and wise
use of wetlands in their territories. Recognizing the importance of cities and urban
wetlands, the Convention has introduced a Wetland City accreditation scheme
(Resolutions- XII.10, XVI.10). This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities
that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and
positive publicity for their efforts.
The Wetland City Accreditation scheme will encourage cities in close proximity to and
dependent on wetlands, especially Wetlands of International Importance, to highlight
and strengthen a positive relationship with these valuable ecosystems, for example
through increased public awareness of wetlands and participation in municipal planning
and decision-making. The Accreditation scheme should further promote the
conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable
socio-economic benefits for local people.
Accredited Wetland Cities
List of 31 newly accredited Wetland Cities, announced at the 64th meeting of the
Standing Committee on January 24, 2025 are-
 Argentina: Trelew
 Belgium: Mechelen
 Botswana: Kasane-Kazungula, Shakawe
 Chile: Valdivia
 China: Chongming, Dali, Fuzhou, Hangzhou, Jiujiang, Lhasa, Suzhou, Wenzhou,
Yueyang
 France: Abbeville, Arles, Hampigny
 India: Indore, Udaipur
 Iran (Islamic Republic of): Babol, Bandar Kiashar, Gandoman

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 Japan: Nagoya City

 Morocco: Mehdya
 Philippines: Balanga City
 Poland: Poznan
 Republic of Korea: Gimhae, Mungyeong
 Serbia: Novi Sad
 Switzerland: Canton of Geneva
 Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls
11. World Leprosy Day is observed internationally every year on the last Sunday of January
to increase the public awareness of leprosy or Hansen's Disease. This date was chosen
by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau as a tribute to the life of Mahatma Gandhi who
had compassion for people afflicted with leprosy. The day began to be observed in 1954.
Leprosy is one of the oldest recorded diseases in the world. It is an infectious chronic
disease that targets the nervous system, especially the nerves in the cooler parts of the
body: the hands, feet, and face. Pope Francis has spoken in support of the observation.
12. On 7 January 2025, an earthquake measuring Mw 7.1 struck Tingri County, located in
the Shigatse prefecture-level city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of Southwestern
China. Between 126 and 400 people were killed and 338 were injured in the region. The
earthquake also injured 13 people in Nepal and caused minor damage in Northern India.
Shaking was felt across South Asia. The earthquake was the largest in China since
the Maduo earthquake in May 2021 and the deadliest since the Jishishan earthquake in
December 2023. It was caused by normal faulting and originated within the continental
crust at 10 km (6.2 mi) depth.
An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of
energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity,
from those so weak they cannot be felt, to those violent enough to propel objects and
people into the air, damage critical infrastructure, and wreak destruction across entire
cities. The seismic activity of an area is the frequency, type, and size of earthquakes
experienced over a particular time. The seismicity at a particular location in the Earth is
the average rate of seismic energy release per unit volume.

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Awards

1. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has earned the prestigious 'Great Place to Work'
certification for January 2025 to January 2026, awarded by the Great Place to Work
Institute, India. This marks the second consecutive certification for SAIL, having first
been certified for December 2023 to December 2024.
 This consecutive global recognition highlights the company’s innovative HR initiatives
including the Work Other than Workplace (WoW) scheme, flexible timings for city-
based employees, self-paced learning through LinkedIn Learning Hub and E-
Pathshala, high-end IT and digital training with NASSCOM, Leadership Development
programs in collaboration with IIMs and ASCI, e-counseling under the Employee
Assistance Programs, enhancement of healthcare services and Leadership Coaching
for senior executives. These initiatives aim to boost productivity, prepare employees
for future technological advancements and fully utilize their potential.
 The Great Place to Work Institute is a global organization that recognizes employers
creating outstanding employee experiences through a rigorous evaluation process.
SAIL secured the certification following a comprehensive survey conducted by the
Institute, based on direct feedback from employees at SAIL.
2. Professor Urbasi Sinha, faculty in the Light and Matter Physics theme at the Raman
Research Institute (RRI), was honored with the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize 2025 by
the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at Cambridge, UK.
Prof. Sinha is among the eight winners of Gates-Cambridge's Impact Prize to celebrate
its 25th anniversary.
The nomination for her Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize said: “Professor Sinha’s vision and
dedication are paving the way for a future where quantum computing serves as a
catalyst for solving humanity’s most pressing issues, embodying the true spirit of science
in service of global progress.”
Prof. Sinha is a researcher in both quantum fundamentals and technologies, and she
heads the Quantum Information and Computing (QuIC) lab at RRI an autonomous
institute of Department of Science and Technology. Her lab was one of the first in India
to manufacture and establish the usage of heralded and entangled photon sources
towards various applications in the following areas: quantum communication, quantum
computing, quantum optics and quantum fundamentals and information processing.
Professor Sinha has leadership roles in the recently announced ‘National Quantum
Mission’. This initiative encourages research and development in quantum technologies
with an aim of making India globally competitive in quantum innovation.
She was awarded the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Yuva Puraskar by the Government of
India. She is also a recipient of the Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) in Photonic
Quantum Science and Technologies, University of Calgary, Canada. She has played a
leading role in the creation of the Open Quantum Institute (OQI), first of its kind multi-
stakeholder institution, launched at CERN in March 2024.
Prof. Sinha is an affiliate member, Institute for Quantum Computing, Waterloo, Canada,
and the Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Computing at the University of
Toronto.
Gates Cambridge Impact Prize 2025:

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Established to make a meaningful difference, the Gates Cambridge scholarship fosters a

global community committed to positive change. Five award winners will receive £5,000.
Impact is defined as a demonstrable contribution to change in various fields, including
the economy, society, culture, the environment, public policy, health, and quality of life.
The work recognised should be innovative, transformative, and sustainable. It must also
respect fundamental values such as human rights, freedom, democracy, equality, and
the rule of law.
3. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has been selected
for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025, in the Institutional
Category, for its excellent work in Disaster Management.
The Government of India, has instituted an annual award known as Subhash Chandra
Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to recognize and honour the invaluable contribution
and selfless service rendered by individuals and organizations in India in the field of
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 and a certificate in case of an
individual.
For the award of year-2025, nominations were solicited from 1st July, 2024 onwards. The
award scheme for the year 2025 was given wide publicity through print, electronic and
social media. In response to the award scheme, 297 nominations were received from
institutions and individuals.
A summary of the outstanding work of the winner of 2025 Award in the field of
Disaster Management:
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) was established in 1999,
Hyderabad, Telangana. The INCOIS is integral to India’s disaster management strategy,
specializing in early alerts for ocean-related hazards. It established the Indian Tsunami
Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) which provides tsunami alerts within 10 minutes, serving
India and 28 Indian Ocean countries. It has been recognized by UNESCO as a top
Tsunami Service Provider. Supported by a network of seismic stations, tide gauges and
other ocean sensors, it also provides high-wave, cyclone, and storm surge forecasts,
helping to safeguard coastal areas and maritime operations. The INCOIS assisted during
the2013 Phailin and 2014 Hudhud cyclone with advisories which led to timely
evacuations and reduced risks to coastal populations. INCOIS has developed the Search
and Rescue Aided Tool (SARAT) to assist the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Coastal
Security Police, in locating individuals or objects lost at sea. INCOIS has also established
the Syn OPS visualization platform which integrates real-time data to strengthen
response coordination during extreme events. The INCOIS received the Geospatial
World Excellence in Maritime Services Award in 2024 and the Disaster Risk Reduction
Excellence Award in 2021.
4. Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, gave away prizes for the National
School Band Competition 6.0.
 In the Brass Band – Girls category, Government Sr. Sec. School West Point, Gangtok,
Sikkim, secured the First Prize. St. Joseph's Convent Sr. Sec. School, Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh, received the Second Prize, while St. Joseph's Anglo-Indian Girl's Higher
Secondary School, Kozhikode, Kerala, earned the Third Prize. The team from Gayatri
Vidyapeeth, Shantikunj, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, received the Consolation Prize.

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 In the Brass Band – Boys category, the First Prize went to Prince Lotus Valley, Sikar,
Rajasthan. St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Pathaliyaghat, Sepahijala, Tripura,
won the Second Prize, and Pinegrove School, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, secured the
Third Prize. The team from St. Xavier's English Medium School, Pathalgaon,
Chhattisgarh, received the Consolation Prize.
 In the Pipe Band – Girls category, the First Prize was awarded to PM SHRI KGBV
Patamda, Purbi Singhbhum, Jharkhand. Bhonsala Military School Girls, Nasik,
Maharashtra, secured the Second Prize, and Shri Thakurdwara Balika Vidyalaya,
Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, earned the Third Prize. The team from Monte CBSE
School, Pandipadu Village, Kallur Mandal, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, received the
Consolation Prize.
 In the Pipe Band – Boys category, City Montessori School, Kanpur Road Campus, Sec
DLDA Colony, Kanpur Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the First Prize. North
Sikkim Academy, Nangan, Sikkim, secured the Second Prize, while RBP Military
School Sports Academy, Sangli, Maharashtra, won the Third Prize. PM SHRI Kendriya
Vidyalaya No. 2, Belagavi Cantt., Karnataka, received the Consolation Prize in this
category
5. Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum was honoured with an award for
adopting the Best Election Practices Award for 2024-25.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award to the officer in the presence of Union
Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Chief Election Commissioner
Rajiv Kumar, and Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu at
Maekshaw Centre Auditorium in New Delhi on National Voters Day on 25th January, a
day before the 76th Republic Day.
 Ms. Taranum was among the 22 recipients of Best Electoral Practices awards in
recognition of their outstanding contributions to election management, security
management, voter education and inclusivity. The awards recognised exceptional
contributions across multiple categories in election management for the 2024 Lok
Sabha and State Assembly elections held in 2024.
 Best Performing State Award was given to CEOs of Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand,
and Maharashtra. Government Departments like NIC, Railways, and Petroleum
Ministry were also lauded for voter awareness and logistical support. Media awards
acknowledged Radio Mirchi and Doordarshan for impactful election campaigns.
Ms. Taranum was among the 11 officers from across the country who received the
award in the General Category and the only one in Karnataka.
6. The 82nd Golden Globe Awards was an annual awards ceremony for excellence in
film and American television productions of 2024. The winners were revealed during the
live telecast, aired on CBS on January 5, 2025, which was hosted by comedian Nikki
Glaser which made her the first solo female host in Golden Globes history.
The nominations were announced live on December 9, 2024, at a press
conference at The Beverly Hilton by actors Morris Chestnut and Mindy Kaling, following
an introduction from Golden Globes president, Helen Hoenhe. Emilia Pérez, with ten
nominations, became the most nominated comedy or musical film in Golden Globes
history, just one shy of the overall record of eleven, set by Robert Altman's country
music satire Nashville in the drama category in 1976. The Brutalist received the second-
most in film with seven nominations, followed by Conclave with six. Meanwhile, The

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Bear led the television nominations with five, followed by Only Murders in the
Building and Shōgun with four each.
Awardees-
FILM
 BEST DRAMA- "The Brutalist"
 BEST COMEDY OR MUSICAL- "Emilia Pérez"
 BEST MALE ACTOR, DRAMA- Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
 BEST FEMALE ACTOR, DRAMA- Fernanda Torres, "I’m Still Here"
 BEST MALE ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL- Sebastian Stan, "A Different Man"
 BEST FEMALE ACTOR, COMEDY OR MUSICAL- Demi Moore, "The Substance"
 BEST MALE SUPPORTING ACTOR- Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
 BEST FEMALE SUPPORTING ACTOR- Zoe Saldaña, "Emilia Pérez"
 BEST DIRECTOR- Brady Corbet, "The Brutalist"
 BEST ANIMATED FILM- "Flow"
 BEST NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE FILM- "Emilia Pérez"
 BEST SCREENPLAY- Peter Straughan, "Conclave"
 BEST ORIGINAL SCORE- Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, "Challengers"
 BEST ORIGINAL SONG- "El Mal," "Emilia Pérez"
 CINEMATIC AND BOX OFFICE ACHIEVEMENT- "Wicked"
TELEVISION
 BEST DRAMA SERIES- "Shōgun"
 BEST COMEDY/MUSICAL SERIES- "Hacks"
 BEST MALE ACTOR, DRAMA- Hiroyuki Sanada, "Shōgun"
 BEST FEMALE ACTOR, DRAMA- Anna Sawai, "Shōgun"
 BEST MALE SUPPORTING ACTOR- Tadanobu Asano, "Shōgun"
 BEST FEMALE SUPPORTING ACTOR- Jessica Gunning, "Baby Reindeer"
 BEST MALE ACTOR, COMEDY/MUSICAL- Jeremy Allen White, "The Bear"
 BEST FEMALE ACTOR, COMEDY/MUSICAL- Jean Smart, "Hacks"
 BEST LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR
TELEVISION- "Baby Reindeer"
 BEST PERFORMANCE BY A MALE ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR
MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION- Colin Farrell, "The Penguin"
 BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE ACTOR, LIMITED SERIES, ANTHOLOGY SERIES OR
MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION- Jodie Foster, "True Detective: Night
Country"
 BEST PERFORMANCE IN STAND-UP COMEDY ON TELEVISION- Ali Wong, "Single Lady"

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Legal and Indian Polity

1. The Legal Metrology Division of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of

India, has notified the Rules for Radar Equipment for the measurement of speed of
vehicles under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011. For giving enough time to
industries to comply the provisions of rules, these rules will come into force from 1st July
2025.
For framing the draft rules, a committee was formed under the Chairmanship of the
Director, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, which submitted the initial
draft based on OIML R 91. Presentation on the draft rules was made for State Legal
Metrology Departments, RRSL officers, manufacturers and VCOs to explain the
requirements of rules.
The rules were published on the website of the Department for public consultation
before finalization under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 and were finalized
after considering the inputs provided by stake holders.
The Rules provides that all such equipment shall be verified and stamped to ensure their
correctness for the protection of human beings. The rules will also ensure precise
measurement of speed, distance, and other relevant parameters. The public would
benefit as there would be improved enforcement as verified radar speed guns will
accurately measure vehicle speeds, identify violations and enforce traffic laws
effectively.
The verified radar equipment will help in enforcement personnel to measure speed
limits effectively, which in turn significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of
law enforcement officers' in traffic enforcement. The verified &stamped Radar
equipment for the measurement of the speed of vehicles are crucial for preventing
accidents, wear & tear of roads etc.
Speed measurement devices work by detecting the time it takes for a vehicle to travel
between two points or by measuring changes in position over time using radar, laser, or
other technologies. Radar devices emit radio waves that bounce off moving vehicles,
calculating speed based on the Doppler Effect. All these methods rely on precise
calibration to ensure their measurements are accurate and reliable. Modern radar
systems are highly accurate, can measure the speed of multiple vehicles simultaneously
and often include features like automatic target tracking. Proper calibration ensures the
device provides reliable and precise speed readings.
2. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court held that residence-based reservation in
post-graduate (PG) medical courses violated the fundamental right to equality (Article
14). Currently, seats for PG medical courses are filled by: (i) NEET ranking, (ii) state
quotas, and (iii) institutional preferences.
The Court was posed with the following questions: (i) whether residence-based
reservations in PG courses is constitutionally permissible, (ii) if not, how must seats
under state quota be filled, and (iii) if yes, what should be the share of state quota seats
in all PG seats.
The Court held that the Constitution provides the right to seek admission in educational
institutions across India. Differential treatment of students based on residence deters
this right. However, domicile reservations are permissible in MBBS courses as they help
address shortage of doctors in neglected regions. On the other hand, PG medical courses

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address the need for specialists and should thus enrol students based on marks and
merit.
The Court ruled that all PG medical seats under state quotas should be filled based on
performance in NEET. However, this will not apply to seats currently filled under state
quota. The Court upheld the validity of seats filled through institutional preferences.
These are seats granted to UG students of the same college. The Supreme Court stated
that the share of such seats should be reasonable.
3. The Joint Parliamentary Committee on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 (Chairman:
Jagdambika Pal) submitted its report in the Lok Sabha. The Bill seeks to amend the Waqf
Act, 1995. The Act regulates waqf property in India. It defines waqf as the endowment of
property for purposes considered religious, pious, or charitable under Muslim law.
The key observations and recommendations of the Committee include:
 Waqf-by-user: Under the Act, waqf can be created through: (i) declaration, (ii)
endowment at end of the line of succession, and (iii) recognition based on long term
use of a property. Creation of waqf through use is termed waqf by user. The Bill
removes waqf by user. The Committee noted that Bill raises ambiguities around
whether existing waqf by user properties would cease to be waqf. It recommended
providing that the removal of waqf by-user will only apply prospectively.
 Proof of practicing Islam: The Act allows any person to create waqf. The Bill states
that only a person practicing Islam for at least five years may declare a waqf. The
Committee recommended adding that only persons showing or demonstrating that
they have been practicing Islam for at least five years can create waqf.
 Identification of government property: The Bill states that government property
declared as waqf will cease to be waqf. As per the Ministry of Minority Affairs, 5,973
government properties in 25 states were declared as waqf, as of September 2024.
The Bill empowers the collector to determine the ownership of property and submit
a report to the state government. The Committee noted several objections to the
collector being given these powers. These included objections against the definition
of a collector being wide enough to include officers equal to the deputy collector. It
recommended replacing the collector with an officer above his rank, chosen by the
state.
Composition of Waqf Tribunal: The Act provides for a Tribunal to adjudicate waqf
related disputes. It consists of three members, one of whom is an expert in Muslim law.
The Bill removes this expert from the Tribunal, and makes it a two-member body The
Committee recommended including the expert in Muslim law to ensure that the
Tribunal remains a three member body.
4. Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation, Knowledge)
Amendment Rules, 2025 under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other
Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 have been notified by the Ministry of
Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This amendment has been done to help
in improving transparency and inclusivity in the decision-making process.
Expanding Aadhaar Authentication for Ease of Living
 The amendment seeks to enhance the scope and utility of Aadhaar authentication to
further promote good governance, social welfare, innovation, and knowledge
dissemination allowing the usage of Aadhaar for improving service delivery and
thereby enhancing ease of living for residents and enabling better access to various

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services for them. The amendment would help people seamlessly avail the services
of e-commerce, travel, tourism, hospitality and health sector etc. being provided by
entities other than government entities also.
 The amendment enables both government and non-government entities to avail
Aadhaar authentication service for providing various services in the public interest
for related specific purposes like enablement of innovation, spread of knowledge,
promoting ease of living of residents and enabling better access to services for them.
This will help both the service providers as well as the service seekers to
have trusted transactions.
Streamlined approval process for Aadhaar Authentication requests
 Any entity seeking Aadhaar authentication will be required to apply with the details
of intended requirements to the concerned ministry or department of the Central or
the State government in a format being made available on a portal for this purpose.
The applications will be examined by UIDAI and MeitY will issue the approval based
on the recommendation of UIDAI. The concerned ministry or department of the
Central or State Government will notify the entity for Aadhaar usage after receiving
confirmation from MeitY.
 This amendment is expected to enhance access to efficient and streamlined
Aadhaar-enabled services for individuals. It will encourage the development of
innovative digital solutions leveraging Aadhaar authentication and strengthen
partnerships between the government and other entities for improved governance
solutions.
5. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Environment
Protection (End-of Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025. These Rules have been issued under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and will come into force from April 1, 2025. End-of
life vehicles are those which are no longer registered or have been declared unfit. These
Rules will apply to producers of vehicles, vehicle owners, bulk consumers, and registered
vehicle scrapping facilities. It will cover all vehicles except those used for agriculture. Key
features include:
 Responsibility of Producers: Producers are required to fulfil the extended producer
responsibility (EPR) obligations for the prescribed scrapping targets. Under EPR,
producer will be responsible for scrapping of the End-of-Life vehicles. The Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue EPR certificates through an online portal.
Starting from 2025-26, at least 8% of steel used in non-transport vehicles in 2005
2006 must be scrapped in an environmentally sound manner. For transport vehicles,
the scrapping target is at least 8% of steel used in vehicles in 2010-11.
 Responsibilities of producers, bulk users, and scrapping facilities: A registered owner
or bulk consumer must deposit end-of-life vehicles within 180 days of them being
not registered or declared unfit. Such vehicles must be deposited at the producer’s
designated sales outlet/collection centre or registered vehicle scrapping facility. Bulk
consumers are those owning over 100 vehicles.
 Environmental Compensation: Producers, registered vehicle scrapping facilities, and
bulk consumers must pay environmental compensation for damage to environment
or public health. The CPCB will impose the compensation for obligations of
producers while the State Pollution Control Boards will do the same for registered
vehicle scrapping facilities and bulk consumers.

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6. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Environment
Protection (End-of Life Vehicles) Rules, 2025. These Rules have been issued under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and will come into force from April 1, 2025. End-of
life vehicles are those which are no longer registered or have been declared unfit. These
Rules will apply to producers of vehicles, vehicle owners, bulk consumers, and registered
vehicle scrapping facilities. It will cover all vehicles except those used for agriculture. Key
features include:
 Responsibility of Producers: Producers are required to fulfil the extended producer
responsibility (EPR) obligations for the prescribed scrapping targets. Under EPR,
producer will be responsible for scrapping of the End-of-Life vehicles. The Central
Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will issue EPR certificates through an online portal.
Starting from 2025-26, at least 8% of steel used in non-transport vehicles in 2005
2006 must be scrapped in an environmentally sound manner. For transport vehicles,
the scrapping target is at least 8% of steel used in vehicles in 2010-11.
 Responsibilities of producers, bulk users, and scrapping facilities: A registered owner
or bulk consumer must deposit end-of-life vehicles within 180 days of them being
not registered or declared unfit. Such vehicles must be deposited at the producer’s
designated sales outlet/collection centre or registered vehicle scrapping facility. Bulk
consumers are those owning over 100 vehicles.
 Environmental Compensation: Producers, registered vehicle scrapping facilities, and
bulk consumers must pay environmental compensation for damage to environment
or public health. The CPCB will impose the compensation for obligations of
producers while the State Pollution Control Boards will do the same for registered
vehicle scrapping facilities and bulk consumers.

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Personality: India

1. Kattungal Subramaniam Manilal (17 September 1938 – 1 January 2025) was an Indian
botany scholar and taxonomist, emeritus professor of the University of
Calicut, a botany scholar and taxonomist, who devoted over 35 years of his life to
research, translation and annotation work of the Latin botanical treatise Hortus
Malabaricus. This epic effort brought to light the main contents of the book, a wealth of
botanical information on Malabar that had largely remained inaccessible to English-
speaking scholars, because the entire text was in the Latin language.
In January 2020, Manilal was conferred with the Padma Shri award, the fourth-highest
civilian honour in India, for his contribution to the field of Science and Engineering.
2. Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra assumed command of the Indian Air Force’s Western Air
Command on 01 January 2025.
The Air Marshal was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on 06
December 1986. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy Pune, Air Force Test
Pilots School, Bangalore, Air Command and Staff College, USA and Royal College of
Defence Studies, UK. A Fighter Combat Leader and an experimental Test Pilot, Air
Marshal Mishra has more than 3000 hours of flying experience.
In his service career spanning over 38 years, the Air Marshal has tenanted important
command and staff appointments. These include Commanding Officer of a Fighter
Squadron, Chief Test Pilot at Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), Air Officer
Commanding of two frontline air bases, Director (Operational Planning and Assessment
Group), Principal Director (ASR) and Asst Chief of Air Staff (Projects) at Air HQ (VB),
Commandant ASTE and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation
and Training). He was Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) prior to
taking over his present appointment.
The Air Officer is a recipient of ‘Ati Vishisht Seva Medal’ and ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’. Air
Marshal Jeetendra Mishra succeeds Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha who
superannuated on 31 December 2024 after putting in more than 39 years of
distinguished service in the IAF.
3. "Veeramangai" Rani Velu Nachiyar (3 January 1730 – 25 December 1796) was a queen
of Sivaganga estate from c. 1780–1790. She was the first Indian queen to wage war with
the East India Company in India. She is proudly called by Tamils as Veeramangai ("brave
woman"). With the support of Hyder Ali's army, feudal lords, the Maruthu
Brothers, Dalit commanders, and Thandavarayan Pillai, she fought the East India
company.
4. Rajagopala Chidambaram (11 November 1936 – 4 January 2025) was an Indian physicist
who is known for his integral role in India's nuclear weapons program; he coordinated
test preparation for the Pokhran-I (1974) and Pokhran-II (1998).
Chidambaram previously served as the principal scientific adviser to the
federal Government of India, the director of the Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre (BARC)— and later as chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of the Government
of India and he contributed in providing national defence and energy security to India.
Chidambaram was chairman of the board of Governors of the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) during 1994–95. He was also a member of the Commission of

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Eminent Persons appointed by the Director-General, IAEA, in 2008 to prepare a report

on "The Role of the IAEA to 2020 and Beyond".
Throughout his career, Chidambaram played a key role in developing India's nuclear
weapons, being a part of the team conducting the first Indian nuclear test (Smiling
Buddha) at Pokhran Test Range in 1974. He gained international fame when he led and
represented the team of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) while observing and
leading efforts to conduct the second nuclear tests in May 1998.
5. Paliyath Jayachandran (3 March 1944 – 9 January 2025) was an Indian playback
singer and actor from Kerala. Over the course of his career, he recorded more than
16,000 songs in multiple languages and appeared in a few films.
In 1986, he won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer and also
won Kerala State Film Award five times. In 2020, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award,
the highest award in Malayalam cinema, for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam
cinema. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest expression singers in South
India. He also won 2 Tamil Nadu state film awards.
6. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of army veteran, Hav
Baldev Singh (Retd).
 The war veteran Havaldar Baldev Singh (retd), who participated in three wars with
Pakistan and the 1962 war with China, passed away in Jammu and Kashmir’s border
district of Rajouri at the age of 93.
 Hav Baldev was born on September 27, 1931, in Naunihal village of Nowshera in J&K.
When the Pakistani regulars and tribals attacked J&K in 1947-48, Baldev, who was
then just 16 years of age volunteered to join Bal Sena Force under the leadership of
Brigadier Usman, Commander of the 50 Para Brigade during the Battle of Nowshera
and Jhangar in 1947-48.
 Brigadier Usman earned the title of “Lion of Nowshera” in the battle of Nowshera for
his critical role in saving Rajouri from falling to Pakistani invaders. The Bal Sena, a
group of local boys aged 12 to 16, served as despatch runners for the Indian Army in
the critical moments of these battles. In recognition of their bravery, the then Prime
Minister Jawaharlal Nehru honoured the Bal Sainiks, presenting them with
gramophones, watches, and an opportunity to join the Indian Army.
 Baldev enlisted in the Indian Army on November 14, 1950, and served the nation
with dedication and valour for nearly three decades, Jammu-based defence
spokesman Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal said.
 He retired from service in October 1969 but was recalled during the 1971 Indo-Pak
war and served in the 11 JAT Battalion (25 Infantry Division) for an additional eight
months before returning to civilian life.
 India won the 1971 war with Pakistan and it led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Throughout his career, Hav Baldev received numerous honours for his service, including
recognition by Prime Minister Nehru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President
Hamid Ansari, and several other distinguished leaders.
7. Kotturathu Mammen Cherian (8 March 1942 – 25 January 2025) was an Indian heart
surgeon. He performed India's first coronary artery bypass surgery and first heart-lung
transplant and is considered a pioneer of pediatric cardiac surgery in the country. He
was also a former honorary surgeon to the President of India and a Padma Shri awardee.

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Cherian attended Kasturba Medical College, Manipal. He performed India's

first coronary artery bypass surgery in 1975 at Southern Railway Headquarters hospital,
Perambur, Chennai. He was the founder of Frontier Lifeline Hospital, where he
performed India's second heart transplant surgery in 1995. He also performed the
country's first heart-lung transplant and the country's first pediatric cardiac
surgery. Dr.K.M.Cherian is also credited with introducing the Physician Assistant
profession in India in the year 1992. Today, the profession has grown to over 10,000
graduate PAs with over 25 universities conducting the program. The Indian Association
of Physician Assistants celebrates Dr.K.M.Cherian as the father of the PA profession in
India.
8. Hariman Sharma, a visionary farmer from Himachal Pradesh, has been honored with
Padma Shri, one of the highest Civilian Award for his transformative contribution to
Indian agriculture. He developed an innovative, self- pollinating, low chilling apple
variety called HRMN – 99, that has revolutionized the apple cultivation landscape in the
country and brought a juicy nutritive variety more within reach in terms of geography
and affordability.
 Unlike commercial apple varieties that require temperate climates and extended
chilling hours, HRMN-99 thrives in tropical, sub-tropical, and plain regions with
summer temperatures reaching 40-45°C, enabling apple farming in areas where it
was previously considered unviable.
 Orphaned during childhood, Hariman Sharma’s journey from the mountainous lanes
of his tiny hamlet Paniala, located in Bilaspur (HP) to the great halls of Rashtrapati
Bhavan is truly inspirational not only for the farming community, but also for the
students, researchers and horticulturists of the country. Despite all odds, Shri
Sharma completed his education till matric and pursued his passion for farming and
pomology.
The story of the HRMN-99 apple variety began in 1998 when Hariman Sharma planted a
few seeds from discarded apples used for household consumption in his backyard.
Remarkably, one of these seeds sprouted the following year, and by 2001, the plant bore
fruit despite the warm climate of Paniala, situated at an elevation of 1,800 feet.
Realizing its potential, he carefully tended to the mother plant and propagated it
through grafting, eventually establishing a flourishing apple orchard. Over the following
decade, he focused on expanding his orchards by experimenting with various scions,
grafting techniques and refining his innovative apple variety. Despite his efforts to share
this breakthrough with regions having similar climatic conditions, his work initially
garnered limited attention from both the farming and scientific communities.
9. V. Narayanan (born 14 May 1964) is an Indian cryogenic engineer and rocket
scientist who is serving as Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
and the Secretary of the Department of Space since 14 January 2025. He was the
Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) from 23 January 2018 to 14
January 2025, the day when he assumed the chairmanship of ISRO. He is set to lead the
organization during the ongoing development of various upcoming programs, including
the Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-4 missions, as well as the launch of India's first space
station in the forthcoming years.
The Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation is the statutory head of
the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The officeholder is a secretary to

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the Government of India and an executive of the Department of Space (DOS) which
directly reports to the Prime Minister of India.
10. Pritish Nandy (15 January 1951 – 8 January 2025) was an Indian poet, painter, journalist,
politician, media and television personality, animal activist and maker of films, television
and streaming content. He was a parliamentarian in the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra,
elected on a ticket from the Shiv Sena.
He authored forty books of poetry in English and translated poems by other writers from
Bengali, Urdu and Punjabi into English as well as a new version of the Isha Upanishad.
Apart from these, he authored books of stories and non fiction as well as three books of
translations of classical love poetry from Sanskrit. He was the Publishing Director of The
Times of India Group between 1982 and 1991, and also served as editor for The
Illustrated Weekly of India, The Independent, and Filmfare. He held six exhibitions of his
paintings and calligraphy. He founded Pritish Nandy Communications Ltd, the content
company, in 1993. He also founded People for Animals, India's first animal rights NGO
with Maneka Gandhi.

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Personality: World

1. Aravind Srinivas is CEO of Perplexity AI. Perplexity AI is a conversational search

engine that uses large language models (LLMs) to answer queries using sources from
the web and cites links within the text response. Its developer, Perplexity AI, Inc., is
based in San Francisco, California.
Perplexity was founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats and
Johnny Ho, engineers with backgrounds in back-end systems, artificial intelligence (AI)
and machine learning:
 Srinivas, the CEO, worked at OpenAI as an AI researcher.
 Konwinski was among the founding team at Databricks.
 Yarats, the CTO, was an AI research scientist at Meta.
 Ho, the CSO, worked as an engineer at Quora, then as a quantitative trader on Wall
Street.
2. Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo (born 17 October 1951) is an Indonesian politician,
businessman, and retired army general serving as the eighth president of
Indonesia since 2024. He was previously the 26th minister of defense under
president Joko Widodo from 2019 to 2024. Prabowo is Indonesia's third president to
have a military background after Suharto and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and is the
oldest first-term president in Indonesian history.
Prabowo was sworn in as the 8th president of Indonesia on 20 October 2024.
3. Micheál Martin (born 1 August 1960) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician serving
as Taoiseach since January 2025, having previously held the position from 2020 to 2022.
Martin served as Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence from
December 2022 to January 2025. He has been Leader of Fianna Fáil since January 2011
and a TD for Cork South-Central since 1989. He previously served as Leader of the
Opposition from 2011 to 2020 and held various cabinet offices under Bertie
Ahern and Brian Cowen.
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The office is
appointed by the President of Ireland upon nomination by Dáil Éireann (the lower
house of the Oireachtas, Ireland's national legislature) and the office-holder must retain
the support of a majority in the Dáil to remain in office.
The incumbent Taoiseach is Micheál Martin, TD, leader of Fianna Fáil, who took office on
23 January 2025, following the 2024 general election and an agreement between Fianna
Fáil, Fine Gael and independent TDs.
4. Pierre-Sylvain Filliozat (15 February 1936 – 28 December 2024) was a French scholar of
Sanskrit.
His father was Dr. Jean Filliozat. Pierre -Sylvain was married to Vasundara Kavali Filliozat,
a Karnataka-based scholar who worked on Hampi and wrote books. Filliozat died in Paris
on 28 December 2024, at the age of 88.
He was awarded-
 Padma Shri
 Knight of the Legion of Honour
 Knight of the Ordre national du Mérite
 Commander of the Ordre des Palmes académiques

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5. Jean Louis Marie Le Pen (20 June 1928 – 7 January 2025), was a French politician, lawyer
and activist. He founded the far-right National Front (now National Rally) party and
served as the party's president from 1972 to 2011 and as its honorary president from
2011 to 2015.
Le Pen's longevity in politics and his five attempts to become president of France made
him a major figure in French political life. His unexpected progress to the second round
in the 2002 presidential election- when he was beaten in a landslide by
incumbent Jacques Chirac left its mark on French public life, and the "21st of April" is
now a frequently used expression in France. He served three terms in the National
Assembly and was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 1984 to 2019.
6. Jannik Sinner (born 16 August 2001) is an Italian professional tennis player. He is
currently ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles by the Association of Tennis
Professionals (ATP), the first Italian to reach the top ranking. Sinner has won 19 singles
titles on the ATP Tour, including three majors at the 2024 Australian Open, 2024 US
Open, and 2025 Australian Open, as well as the 2024 ATP Finals and four Masters
1000 titles. He also led Italy to the 2023 and 2024 Davis Cup crowns.

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Economics

1. The Tobacco Board has undertaken several strategic activities to ensure the
sustainability and growth of the tobacco industry. These include crop planning and
regulation of production to meet both domestic and export demands.
The Board supports farmers by providing handholding assistance to produce tobacco of
requisite quality to meet the standards of importing countries. The Tobacco Board was
established on 1st January 1976 by an Act of Parliament “Tobacco Board Act, 1975 (Act 4
of 1975)” for the overall development of the tobacco industry. The Board’s primary role
is to ensure the smooth functioning of the farming system and to ensure fair and
remunerative prices for tobacco farmers and the promotion of exports. Financial
assistance is extended to farmers through banks, along with the necessary inputs for the
production of quality tobacco. The Board also engages in extension and developmental
activities to promote sustainable tobacco cultivation practices.
 India is the 2nd largest producer of tobacco in the world after China. India is the
4th largest producer of FCV tobacco in the world after China, Brazil and Zimbabwe.
India is the 2nd largest exporter of unmanufactured tobacco (quantity terms) after
Brazil. Tobacco exports contribute sizable foreign exchange to the Indian exchequer.
During 2023-24 the value of Indian tobacco exports reached Rs.12005.89 crore
(1449.54 in US dollars). Tobacco farmers income has also doubled over the last 5
years.
 To ensure better price discovery and secure remunerative prices for farmers, the
Tobacco Board has implemented an IT-enabled electronic auctioning system for FCV
tobacco. Additionally, export promotion activities are carried out to sustain and
improve India’s tobacco exports. Welfare measures are extended to tobacco
farmers, providing financial relief in the form of grants and loans during times of
need.
Doubling of FCV tobacco farmers' income:
As the Board celebrates its formation day, it proudly highlights that Flue Cured Virginia
(FCV) tobacco farmers' earnings have more than doubled between 2019-20 and 2023-
24 from Rs.124.00 per kg in 2019-20 to Rs.279.54 in 2023-24.
This success is attributed to effective government policies and efficient market
mechanisms that have enhanced the livelihoods of approximately 83,000 farmers. The
Tobacco Board’s efforts have played a crucial role in ensuring better returns,
demonstrating the positive impact of strategic support to the tobacco farmers.
The efficient and transparent electronic auction system being implemented by the
Tobacco Board for the sale of tobacco produced by the farmers helped in achieving the
Government's vision of doubling farmers' income in the FCV tobacco sector.
Zoom in Indian Tobacco Exports:
The effective Government policies and persuasion of the Tobacco Board resulted in
achieving an increase in export growth by 87% during the past 5 years i.e., it achieved a
record high export value of Rs.12,005.89 crore in the year 2023-24 as against
Rs.6,408.15 crore in 2019-20. During this period the export volumes have increased
from 218.84 million kgs to 315.51 million kg.
Record-Breaking 2023-24 FCV Tobacco Season in Andhra Pradesh: A Boon for Farmers
and for the FCV tobacco exports.

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The 2023-24 crop season has turned out to be a remarkable year for FCV (Flue-Cured
Virginia) tobacco farmers across Andhra Pradesh. Despite facing natural calamities, our
farmers’ determination and resilience resulted in a record-high production of 215.35
million kg kilograms of tobacco. This is an outstanding achievement, further
complemented by a record-high price realization of ₹288.65 per kilogram.
The surge in international demand for Indian FCV tobacco this year has played a pivotal
role in achieving these unprecedented figures. Not only has this benefited the farmers,
who have reaped the rewards of their hard work, but it has also significantly contributed
to the national exchequer by generating foreign exchange through exports.
The auctions for the sale of the 2023-24 Andhra Pradesh FCV tobacco crop commenced
on 29th February 2024 and concluded on 14th October 2024. A total of 16 auction
platforms were operated, distributed as follows: 5 platforms in NLS, 5 in SBS, and 6 in
SLS. Over the course of 178 auction days, 43,021 growers participated, resulting in a
record-high volume of 215.35 million kg of FCV tobacco marketed, including 9.46 million
kg of scrap and bits of tobacco. Farmers realized an average price of ₹288.65 per kg,
which is the highest average price ever recorded, and collectively earned ₹6,313.58
crore during the season. This season’s average price was ₹62.92 per kg higher than the
previous year’s average of ₹225.73 per kg, with the highest price achieved being ₹411
per kg, compared to ₹289 per kg last year.
Additionally, 38,751 registered growers benefited from a penalty waiver for the sale of
76.84 million kg of excess tobacco, resulting in savings of ₹184 crore for the farmers. The
Tobacco Board employees and growers also contributed ₹92.70 lakh to the Chief
Minister’s Relief Fund to support victims of recent cyclones in Andhra Pradesh.
2. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved continuation
of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop
Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay of Rs.69,515.71 Crore from 2021-22
to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of crops from non-preventable natural
calamities for farmers across the country till 2025-26.
 In addition to the same, for large scale technology infusion in implementation of the
scheme leading to increasing transparency and claim calculation and settlement, the
Union Cabinet has also approved creation of Fund for Innovation and Technology
(FIAT) with a corpus of Rs.824.77 Crore. The fund will be utilised towards funding
technological initiatives under the scheme namely, YES-TECH, WINDS, etc as well as
Research and Development studies.
 Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) uses Remote Sensing
Technology for yield estimation with minimum 30% weightage to Technology based
yield estimates. 9 Major States are currently implementing (namely AP, Assam,
Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka). Other
States are also being on-boarded expeditiously. With wider implementation of YES-
TECH, Crop Cutting Experiments and related issues will be gradually phased out.
Under YES-TECH Claim calculation and settlement has been done for 2023-24.
Madhya Pradesh has adopted 100% technology based yield estimation.
 Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS) envisages setting up
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at block level and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs)
at panchayat level. Under WINDS, 5 times increase in current network density is
envisaged to develop hyper local weather data. Under the initiative, only data rental

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costs are payable by Central and State Governments. 9 Major States are in the
process of implementing WINDS (namely Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh,
Puducherry, Assam, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand & Rajasthan are in progress),
while other States have also expressed willingness to implement.
WINDS could not be implemented by States during 2023-24 (1st year as per EFC) due
to various background preparatory and planning work required before tendering.
Accordingly, the Union Cabinet has approved 2024-25 as the first year of
implementation of WINDS as compared to 2023-24 earlier to give benefit to State
Governments with higher central fund sharing in 90:10 ratio.
All efforts are made and will continue to be made to saturate all farmers of North
Eastern States on priority. To this extent, the centre shares 90% of premium subsidy
with North Eastern States. However, due to scheme being voluntary and low gross
cropped area in North Eastern States, flexibility has been given to avoid surrender of
funds and for reallocation in other development projects and schemes with fund
requirement.
3. ESTIMATION AND MEASUREMENT OF INDIA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY REPORT:
The Indian economy has been digitalising at a remarkable pace over the last decade.
Quantifying and understanding the role of the digital economy in driving economic
growth, employment, and sustainable development are essential for both policymakers
and the private sector. According to the State of India’s Digital Economy Report 2024,
India is the third largest digitalised country in the world in terms of economy-wide
digitalization, and 12th among the G20 countries in the level of digitalisation of individual
users.
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. This means that, in less
than six-years, the share of digital economy will become larger than that of agriculture
or manufacturing in the country. In the short run, the highest growth is likely to come
from the growth of digital intermediaries and platforms, followed by higher digital
diffusion and digitalisation of the rest of the economy. This will eventually lower the
share of digitally enabling ICT industries in the digital economy.
India’s digital economy has emerged as a significant contributor to its economic growth,
accounting for 11.74% of the GDP (INR 31.64 lakh crore or USD 402 billion) in 2022-23.
Employing 14.67 million workers (2.55% of the workforce), the digital economy is
nearly five times more productive than the rest of the economy. The digitally enabling
industries such as ICT services and manufacturing of electronic components, computers,
and communication equipment, which form the core, contributed 7.83% of GVA (Gross
Value Added), while digital platforms and intermediaries added another 2% of GVA.
Furthermore, digitalisation in traditional sectors like BFSI, retail, and education
added 2% of GVA, showcasing the pervasive impact of digital transformation.
Projections indicate the digital economy’s share will grow to 20% of GVA by 2029-30,
outpacing agriculture and manufacturing. Key growth drivers include the rapid adoption
of AI, cloud services, and the rise of global capability centers (GCCs), with India
hosting 55% of the world’s GCCs. GCCs are offshore centres established by multinational
corporations to provide a variety of services to their parent organisations, including
R&D, IT support, and business process management.

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India’s Digital Strides-

 Mobile subscription: Of the latest estimated 8.36 billion mobile cellular subscriptions
worldwide, 1.78 billion are in China, followed by 1.14 billion in India and 372 million
in the US.
 Internet traffic: Saudi Arabia has the highest average monthly data traffic, at 35 GB,
followed by Russia and India, with 18.4 GB and 16.9 GB, respectively.
 5G deployment: According to Ericsson’s Mobility report, at the end of 2023, 10% of
India’s population had subscribed to 5G. India became the second largest market for
5G smartphones in the first of 2024, following China.
 Digital identity: As of January 8, 2024, India has given out over 1.3 billion biometric
IDs.
 Digital payments: Over 1644 billion digital transactions took place in India in FY 2023-
24, the highest volume for a country. China reported 41.3 billion transactions (in Q3
of 2023), marginally ahead of Brazil, with 41 billion transactions in 2023.
 ICT service exports: In 2023, India’s ICT services exports, the second highest in the
world, stood at USD 162 billion, behind Ireland, which was leading at USD 236 billion.
 AI projects: India’s contribution to GitHub for AI projects is the highest in the world,
at 23%, followed by US (14%).
 Unicorns: As of April 2024, the third largest number of homegrown unicorns by
country were in India, following the US and China.
India's progress in digital advancements
Digitalisation of traditional sectors
The primary survey and stakeholder discussions highlighted interesting facts about how
different sectors are digitalising and their contribution to the revenue generated by
firms. Not all aspects of businesses are digitalising uniformly. For example, retail sales
are digitalising much more than wholesale sales. Firms are also investing in digital
methods for customer acquisition and business development. Chatbots and AI
applications are fairly commonplace.
 In the BFSI sector, over 95% of banking payment transactions are digital, but
revenue-generating activities like loans and investments remain largely offline, with
financial services less digitalised overall.
 Retail is shifting to omni-channel models, with e-tailers adding physical stores, while
AI chatbots and digital inventory tools enhance efficiency.
 Education has begun adopting offline, online, and hybrid models, with most
institutions favoring hybrid approaches
 Hospitality and logistics are embracing AI, metaverse, and digital tools, with large
firms fully digitalising operations, while smaller players lag behind.
The Way Forward
By 2030, India’s digital economy is projected to contribute nearly one-fifth of the
country’s overall economy, outpacing the growth of traditional sectors. Over the past
decade, digital-enabling industries have grown at 17.3%, significantly higher than
the 11.8% growth rate of the economy as a whole. Digital platforms, in particular, have
expanded rapidly, with an anticipated growth rate of approximately 30% in the coming
years. In 2022-23, the digital economy accounted for 14.67 million workers, or 2.55% of
India’s workforce, with the majority of these jobs (58.07%) in the digital-enabling

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industry. Though the workforce is predominantly male, digital platforms have

contributed to increasing job opportunities for women, especially in sectors where
mobility and safety concerns were previously barriers.
India’s digital economy is a key driver of both economic growth and employment, with
an increasing role in empowering women in the workforce and creating new
opportunities across various sectors. The rapid expansion of digital platforms signals an
ongoing transformation that is set to shape the future of work in India.
4. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the
results of the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2023-24,
covering the reference period October 2023 to September 2024. This comprehensive
survey sheds light on the economic and operational dynamics of the unincorporated
non-agricultural sector, highlighting its critical contribution to employment, Gross
Domestic Product (GDP), and the overall socio-economic landscape of India.
Significant Sectoral Growth
 The unincorporated sector has shown robust growth, with the number of
establishments rising from 6.50 crore in 2022-23 to 7.34 crore in 2023-24, a
remarkable 12.84% increase.
 The number of establishments in the "Other Services" sector recorded a growth
of 23.55% followed by a 13% increase witnessed by the manufacturing sector.
 During the same period, the Gross Value Added (GVA) which is a key indicator of
economic performance rose by 16.52% driven by a 26.17% growth in ‘other services’
sector.
Labour Market Expansion
 Employment in the sector grew significantly, with over 12 crore workers employed in
2023-24, an increase of more than one crore from the previous year.
 The "Other Services" sector led the way with a 17.86% growth in employment,
followed by a 10.03% rise in the manufacturing sector.
 The sector also marked a milestone in gender inclusivity, with female-owned
proprietary establishments increasing from 22.9% in 2022-23 to 26.2% in 2023-24.
 Average emoluments per hired worker increased by 13%, reflecting improved wage
levels and strengthening economic demand. The manufacturing sector reported the
highest wage growth, exceeding 16%.
Labour productivity
 Gross Value Added (GVA) per worker which is a measure of labour productivity of
the sector, rose to Rs. 1,49,742 in 2023-24 from Rs. 1,41,769 in 2022-23 in current
prices showing a 5.62% increase.
 During the same period, the Gross Value of Output (GVO) per establishment also
increased from Rs. 4,63,389 to Rs. 4,91,862 in current prices.
Digital Adoption
 Digital adoption also saw significant improvement, with internet usage among
establishments increasing from 21.1% in 2022-23 to 26.7% in 2023-24. This trend
highlights the growing reliance on digital tools for business operations.
The remarkable growth across sectors, coupled with improved digital penetration and
wage levels, underscores the unincorporated sector's resurgence as a vital contributor
to India's economic recovery and sustained growth trajectory. The ASUSE 2023-24

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results underline the significant progress of India’s unincorporated sector, marked by a

resurgence in establishments, employment, and productivity.
5. India is the 6th largest exporter of Textiles & Apparel in the world in 2023. The share of
textile and apparel (T&A) including handicrafts in India’s total exports stands at a
significant 8.21% in 2023-24. Our country has a share of 3.9% of the global trade in
textiles and apparel. Major textile and apparel export destinations for India are USA and
EU and with around 47% share in total textile and apparel exports. India is a major
textile and apparel exporting country and enjoys trade surplus. Bulk of import takes
place for re-export or for industry requirement of raw material.
It is noteworthy that export is a function of demand and supply and depends on factors
such as global demand, internal consumption and demand, order flow, logistics etc.
Exports also gets affected by many geopolitical situations (such as red sea crisis,
Bangladesh crisis etc.). Export in FY 2024 was initially low mainly due to the geopolitical
crises around red sea, which affected export movement during January, February and
March 2024.
 The overall export of Textiles & Apparel (incl. handicrafts) marked a growth of 7%
during April-October period of FY2024-25 ($ 21,358 Mn) compared to same period of
FY 2023-24 ($ 20,007 Mn).
 Ready Made Garments (RMG) category with export of $ 8,733 Mn has the largest
share (41%) in the total exports ($ 21,358Mn) during the period of April-October of
FY 2024-25, followed by Cotton Textiles (33%, $ 7,082 Mn), Man- Made Textiles
(15%, $ 3,105 Mn).
 Growth of exports is observed in all principal commodities during the period of April-
October of FY 2024-25 compared to corresponding period of FY 2023-24, except
wool and handloom which decline by 19% and 6% respectively.
 Import of textiles and apparel products by India during FY 2023-24 ($ 8,946 Mn) has
decreased by approximately 15% in comparison to FY 2022-23 ($10,481 Mn).
 The overall import of Textiles & Apparel (incl. handicrafts) decline 1% during April-
October period of FY 2024-25 ($ 5,425Mn) compared to same period of FY 2023-24
($ 5,464 Mn)
 Man-made Textiles category with import of $1859 Mn has the largest share (34%) in
the total imports ($ 5,425 Mn) during the period of April-October of FY 2024-25, as
there is demand supply gap in this sector.
 Growth of imports is observed majorly in Cotton Textiles mainly on account of
import of long staple cotton fibre and such trends of import indicates towards an
increase in production capacity of the country amidst rising consumption and self-
reliance.
6. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry
of Commerce & Industry entered into a historic partnership with the Startup Policy
Forum (SPF), a reputed industry organization representing India’s leading new-age
companies.
Pertinently, the SPF Baithak- a gathering of founders and policymakers would be
organised on January 15-16 here at Bharat Mandapam, as part of National Startup Week
celebrations. The event will offer a meaningful platform to announce new collaborations
between DPIIT and SPF members. Additionally, SPF will partner with DPIIT to organize
specialized immersive programs, enabling global investors to engage with Indian

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startups and witness firsthand the groundbreaking innovations emerging from across
the country.
By forging partnerships amongst DPIIT and SPF members, the alliance seeks to promote
the Indian startup ecosystem globally on the centre stage and facilitate relationship with
international stakeholders.
7. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) notified amendment in the Foreign
Trade Policy, 2023 to include Para 1.07A and 1.07B to bring legal backing in the FTP to
make it necessary to do consultation with stakeholders to seek views, suggestions,
comments or feedback from relevant stakeholders, including
importers/exporters/industry experts concerning the formulation or amendment of the
Foreign Trade Policy.
It also provides the mechanism to inform reasons for not accepting views, suggestions,
comments or feedback concerning the formulation or amendment of the Foreign Trade
Policy, 2023.
The latest amendments in the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 reflect upon the Central
Government’s commitment towards strengthening the scope of Ease of Doing Business
(EoDB) in India by encouraging stakeholder and expert participation through
consultation in the decision-making process.
The key objective of the amendments is to encourage the participation of all
stakeholders in the decision-making process before introducing or changing policy and
procedures affecting the importation, exportation, and transit of goods along with a
reasonable opportunity to comment and contribute in the process.
The Government is committed to ensuring due consideration is given to every valuable
opinion/feedback which is received from stakeholders. However, at the same time, the
Government has to remain cognizant of the fact that multiple stakeholders may offer
different opinions on the same subject and in such cases for smooth functioning of
business the government ought to reserve to itself the right to take a final call. It is only
to deal with exceptional circumstances such as this, that the right to suo moto formulate
policies has been reserved with the government.
The notification needs to be read in the light of the overall inclusiveness it is ushering
into decision-making, the exception to the notification which provides for suo moto
decision-making to meet contingencies has after all to be seen in the broader sovereign
power of the Government.
In conclusion, the notification dated 02-01-2025 is only a door to a new era of
inclusiveness in decision-making pertaining to trade, which will bear fruits as the
Government begins to hear opinions/ feedback of stakeholders on changes to FTP
through official channels as opened up by this notification.
8. The ONDC Initiative:
The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is a transformative initiative by
the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of
Commerce, Government of India aimed at democratizing digital commerce. Launched
in April 2022, ONDC is an initiative aiming at promoting open networks for all aspects of
exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks. ONDC is based
on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols
independent of any specific platform. It envisions creating a level playing field for sellers,
buyers, and service providers across India, particularly small and medium enterprises

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(MSMEs). It serves as a unified platform where stakeholders can interact freely without
the constraints of exclusive ecosystems. By fostering open protocols and reducing
dependency on monopolistic platforms, ONDC aims to catalyze innovation and
inclusivity in the digital commerce landscape.
With the vision to create an organization with a startup mindset supported by
government, ONDC was incorporated as a non-profit, Section-8 company and incubated
at the Quality Council of India. QCI was joined by Protean as the co-founder for
incorporation of ONDC. With an authorized capital of Rs. 500 crore, any public and
private banks and financial institutions have contributed equity to ONDC till now.
The ONDC initiative has several key objectives-
a. Democratization of Commerce: Break the dominance of large e-commerce
platforms by enabling interoperability across networks.
b. Inclusivity: Empower small businesses, retailers, and local artisans to access the
digital marketplace.
c. Cost Efficiency: Lower the cost of customer acquisition and transaction processing
for sellers.
d. Market Expansion: Bridge regional and linguistic gaps, bringing untapped markets
into the fold of digital commerce.
e. Customer Empowerment: Increase options for buyers by providing access to a
broader array of sellers.
ONDC employs open network protocols to facilitate seamless interaction between
participants. The network enables buyers and sellers from different platforms to
transact with each other using standardized APIs. The key components include:
a. Decentralized Architecture: Unlike traditional platforms, ONDC does not own or
operate e-commerce services. It acts as an enabler for interconnectivity.
b. Open Protocols: Based on open standards, ONDC ensures that any seller or buyer
platform adhering to these protocols can participate.
c. Role Segregation: Participants are classified into roles such as Buyer Applications,
Seller Applications, and Logistics Providers, ensuring clear delineation of
responsibilities.
Since its inception, ONDC has recorded notable milestones:
a. Pilot Programs: Successful implementation in select cities like Bengaluru and Delhi.
b. First ONDC Fair Price Shop: As a step towards Digital India, the Department of Food
and Public Distribution, Government of India launched a pilot to on-board the Fair
Price Shops (FPSs) in Una and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh on the Open
Network Digital Commerce (ONDC).
c. Expansion of Services and Products available on ONDC platforms: The ONDC
Network started with two categories (F&B and Grocery) and have expanded to
numerous other categories such as Mobility, Fashion, Beauty and Personal Care,
Home & Kitchen, Electronics and Appliances, Health & Wellness and B2B.
d. Wide Geographical Coverage: As on January 2, 2024, the sellers and service
providers are spread across 616+ cities expanding the geographical coverage of the
ONDC network.
9. Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024 Report:
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal released of the “Logistics Ease
Across Different States (LEADS) 2024” report in New Delhi.

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The report evaluates logistics performance across four key pillars: Logistics
Infrastructure, Logistics Services, Operating and Regulatory Environment, and the newly
introduced Sustainable Logistics. It further highlights initiatives undertaken by various
States and UTs across these pillars and identifies State/UT-specific opportunities to
enable informed decision-making.
Performance Highlights of LEADS 2024-
 Coastal Group
o Achievers: Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu
o Fast Movers: Andhra Pradesh, Goa
o Aspirers: Kerala, West Bengal
 Landlocked Group
o Achievers: Haryana, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand
o Fast Movers: Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan
o Aspirers: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand
 North-Eastern Group
o Achievers: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh
o Fast Movers: Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
o Aspirers: Manipur
 Union Territories
o Achievers: Chandigarh, Delhi
o Fast Movers: Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and
Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Puducherry
o Aspirers: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Ladakh
10. Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI) has achieved "Excellent" rating for its
performance under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of
New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for the financial year 2023-24, earning a score of 96
out of 100. This achievement highlights SECI's unwavering dedication to operational
excellence and upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.
As a leading Central Public Sector Enterprise, SECI plays a pivotal role in the
development and expansion of renewable energy (RE) capacity in India, with a
cumulative awarded generation capacity exceeding 73 GW as of December 31, 2024.
SECI is the premier Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) in the country,
continuously working to meet climate goals and drive sustainable development.
In the financial year 2023-24, the company witnessed a substantial increase of 22.13% in
its annual trading volume, with a total of 42.935 billion units traded. SECI recorded a
total income of Rs. 13,135.80 Cr., signifying a robust growth of 20.91% over the
preceding year. Furthermore, the company achieved a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs.
436.03 Cr., reflecting a commendable growth of 38.13%.
Recently on 30th August 2024, SECI was granted Navratna status by the Ministry of
Finance.
11. In the on-going process of developing indigenous hardware for next-generation
telecommunications technology 6G, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT),
the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Government of India, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology
Delhi (IIT Delhi) for the development of "Building Blocks for THz Communication Front
Ends" for 6G.

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The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G
Call for proposal of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This
call for proposal is for accelerated research on developing 6G Eco system, as part of the
Bharat 6G vision to design, develop and deploy 6G network technologies that provide
ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity for high quality living experience.
The aim of this project is the development of basic devices and components which are
essential for THz systems envisaged for 6G communications, as well as other THz
systems such as military communications and material characterization. With the recent
program on setting up of chip fabrication facilities in India, this project is being initiated
to develop some of the core components at IIT Delhi facilities, in association with
SAMEER (Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research) Kolkata.
This work will seamlessly lead to the fabrication of THz components at the production
level. C-DOT is the implementing agency for this project.
12. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in
New Delhi. He announced Palle Ganga Reddy as its first Chairperson. The headquarters
of the Board has been set up at Nizamabad.
 Turmeric is also known as ‘Golden Spice’ and 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 new Board will promote research and development of new turmeric products,
and will look into the value addition of turmeric related products for marketing
abroad. The Board will also look into creating awareness on the essential and
medical properties of turmeric, ways to increase its yield and boost logistics and
supply chain to foster trade into newer markets.
 Last year, 2023-24, an area of 3.05 lakh hectare was under turmeric cultivation in
India with a production of 10.74 lakh tonnes. India was responsible for over 70% of
global turmeric production. There are 30 varieties of turmeric produced in India.
 Representatives from the top two turmeric growing states of Maharashtra and
Telangana and from the state of Meghalaya, which is famous for its Lakadong
Turmeric, will also be part of the Board. States will be represented on the Board by
rotation. The National Turmeric Board will focus on the overall development and
growth of the turmeric sector in the country.
 The National Turmeric Board will provide leadership, augment efforts and facilitate
coordination with other Government Departments/Agencies in matters pertaining to
the turmeric sector and facilitate growth and development of the Turmeric sector in
the country. It will help bring focus to efforts of tapping the vast potential that exists
for increasing trade of turmeric and its products, especially in view of the health and
wellness benefits of turmeric.
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of turmeric in the world. India has
more than 62% share of world trade. During 2023-24, 1.62 lakh tonnes of turmeric and
turmeric products valued at 226.5 million USD was exported.
13. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra
Modi, has approved the revival plan for RINL for a total of Rs 11,440 crores. The infusion
includes ₹10,300 crore as equity capital into Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. (RINL) and

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Conversion of ₹1140 crore working capital loan as 7% Non-cumulative Preference Share

Capital redeemable after 10 years to keep RINL as a going concern.
 RINL is a Schedule- A CPSE under the administrative control of Ministry of Steel with
100% ownership of Government of India. RINL operates the Visakhapatnam Steel
Plant (VSP), the only offshore steel plant under Government sector in the state of
Andhra Pradesh. It has an installed capacity of 7.3 Mtpa of liquid steel.
 The financial condition of RINL is critical (as on 31.03.2024, the net worth of RINL
was ₹(-)4538.00 crore, current assets were ₹7,686.24 and current liabilities were
₹26,114.92 crores). RINL has exhausted the sanctioned borrowing limits from banks
for working capital and was not in a position to get further loans from Banks. RINL
also defaulted on the Capex Loan repayments and Interest payments in June 2024.
 The equity infusion of ₹10,300 crore into RINL will help it overcome the operational
problems related to raising working capital and start Blast furnace operations in the
most productive way. This would allow the company to gradually reach its full
production capacity which is critical and is in the national interest to have stability in
the Indian steel market by augmenting steel production and also save the livelihoods
of employees (regular and contractual) and those dependent on the operations of
the steel plant. The revival plan envisages that RINL will start full production with
two blast furnaces in January 2025 and with three blast furnaces August 2025.
Steel production is a core sector of the economy and is one of the indicators of
economic development of any country. The revival and continued operation of VSP at its
full capacity will ensure efficient utilization of public resources and help in achieving the
objectives of National Steel Policy, 2017.
14. In recent years, India has witnessed an unparalleled rise in digital transactions, marking a
significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a cashless society. At the forefront
of India’s digital payment revolution is UPI with a record hit of 16.73 Billion transactions
in December 2024. In addition to this, Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and NETC
FASTag have emerged as pivotal players, making financial transactions faster, more
accessible, and secure.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a
single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features,
seamless fund routing & merchant payments into one hood. It has not only made
financial transactions fast, secure, and effortless, but also empowered individuals, small
businesses, and merchants, driving the country’s shift toward a cashless economy.
As of recent data from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), UPI has set a
new record by processing over 16.73 billion transactions, with a staggering transaction
value of Rs 23.25 lakh crore. This is a notable jump from Rs21.55 lakh crore in
November. In 2024, UPI processed around 172 billion transactions, marking a 46%
increase from 117.64 billion in 2023. This rise underscores a broader cultural shift
toward financial inclusivity, with UPI being a central pillar.
While UPI has dominated the mobile transaction space, IMPS has long been a trusted
service for instant payments between accounts. Launched in 2010, Immediate Payment
Service (IMPS) is a real-time, 24x7 electronic funds transfer service that facilitates quick
transactions across banks and financial institutions. Its versatility in supporting
transactions through multiple channels, including mobile, ATM, SMS, and the internet,
has made it an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. Recent data indicates

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that IMPS transactions have surged, with 441 million transactions recorded in December
2024, compared to 407.92 million in November 2024. The transaction value also saw a
notable increase, touching Rs 6.01 lakh crore in December, up from Rs 5.58 lakh crore
the previous month.
Another important digital payment method that has grown in significance is the NETC
FASTag. National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) FASTag offers a seamless, cashless
way to pay for tolls on national highways, eliminating the need for vehicles to stop at toll
plazas. By linking a FASTag to a bank account (be it savings, current, or prepaid), drivers
can pay their tolls while on the move, saving both time and fuel. FASTag transactions
grew in volume to 381.98 million in December, against 358.84 million in November. The
value also increased to Rs 6,642 crore against Rs 6,070 crore in November.
The surge in digital transactions through UPI, IMPS, and NETC FASTag is a testament to
India's growing embrace of a digital-first economy. These technologies have not only
made financial transactions easier but also more secure, ensuring that users can engage
in commerce without the fear of fraud or theft. As India continues to expand its digital
infrastructure and enhance its payment systems, the future of financial transactions
looks brighter than ever.
15. India’s journey with coffee began centuries ago, when the legendary holy saint Baba
Budan brought seven Mocha seeds to the hills of Karnataka in the 1600s. His simple act
of planting these seeds in the courtyard of his hermitage in Baba Budan Giri unknowingly
set in motion the rise of India as one of the world's prominent coffee producers. Over
the centuries, the cultivation of coffee in India has evolved from a humble practice to a
thriving industry with the country's coffee now widely loved across the globe. India is
now the seventh-largest coffee producer globally with exports reaching $1.29 billion in
FY2023-24, almost double the $719.42 million in 2020-21.
 India's coffee exports have grown significantly due to the increasing global demand
for its rich and unique flavors. In the first half of January 2025 India exported over
9,300 tonnes of coffee with top buyers including Italy, Belgium, and Russia.
Approximately three-fourths of India’s coffee production consists of Arabica and
Robusta beans. These are primarily exported as unroasted beans. However, there is
a growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee, further
fueling the export boom.
 Due to rise of cafe culture, higher disposable incomes and a growing preference for
coffee over tea, coffee consumption in India is also steadily increasing. This trend has
been observed particularly in both urban and rural areas. Domestic consumption has
increased from 84,000 tonnes in 2012 to 91,000 tonnes in 2023. This surge reflects a
broader shift in drinking habits, as coffee becomes a staple in daily life.
 India’s coffee is primarily grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats,
areas famous for their biodiversity. Karnataka leads in production, contributing
248,020 MT in 2022-23, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These areas are home to
shaded plantations that not only support the coffee industry but also play a vital role
in preserving the natural environment, helping to maintain the ecological balance of
these biodiversity hotspots.
 To enhance coffee production and meet growing domestic and international demand
the Coffee Board of India has launched several important initiatives. Through the
Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) the focus is on improving yields,

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expanding cultivation in non-traditional regions and ensuring the sustainability of

coffee farming. These measures are part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen
India's coffee industry, increase productivity and improve its global competitiveness.
 A prime example of the success of this is Araku Valley, where nearly 150,000 tribal
families in collaboration with the Coffee Board and the Integrated Tribal
Development Agency (ITDA) have increased coffee production by 20%. This
achievement is backed by loans from the Girijan Co-Operative Corporation (GCC). It
shows how coffee farming empowers communities and supports the vision of
Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
These initiatives, combined with export incentives and logistical support, are playing a
crucial role in expanding India’s coffee industry. They help improve both domestic
production and global competitiveness, firmly establishing India as a leading player in
the global coffee market.
16. Department of Commerce, Government of India has introduced the Diamond Imprest
Authorization (DIA) Scheme on 21st of January 2025, aiming to enhance the global
competitiveness of India’s diamond sector. This scheme provides a streamlined
mechanism for duty free import of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds, and there by
promoting value addition and boosting exports. The Scheme will be implemented with
effect from 01.04.2025.
Key Features of the Scheme:
 This scheme allows the duty-free import of Natural Cut and Polished Diamonds, of
less than ¼ Carat (25 Cents).
 This scheme mandates export obligation with a value addition of 10%.
 All Diamond exporters holding Two Star Export House status and above and having
US $15 Million exports per year, are eligible for availing the benefit under this
scheme.
The scheme is made in response to Beneficiation policies undertaken in a number of
natural diamond mining countries like Botswana, Namibia Angola etc where Diamond
manufactures are obliged to open cut and polishing facilities for a minimum percentage
of value addition. This scheme is aimed towards retaining India’s position as a global
leader in the entire value chain of Diamond industry.
The scheme is designed to provide a level playing field for Indian diamond exporters,
particularly MSME exporters, enabling them to compete effectively with larger peers. It
aims to prevent the potential flight of investments by Indian diamantaires to diamond-
mining destinations. Additionally, the scheme is expected to generate more employment
opportunities, particularly for diamond assorters and in the processing of semi-finished
diamonds in factories. By facilitating Indian exporters, it seeks to protect the domestic
diamond processing industry and sustain the associated employment.
The DIA Scheme reinforces India’s position as a leading player in the global diamond
trade, ensuring compliance with international standards while facilitating ease of doing
business. This scheme also expected to create employment opportunities for skilled
craftsmen in diamond industry and is also expected to increase the export of Cut and
Polished Diamond from India.
The diamond industry is witnessing a steep decline in exports and job losses for the
workers. This scheme is expected to combat this trend and will rejuvenate the Diamond
Industry.

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17. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, has approved the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of Raw Jute for
Marketing season 2025-26.
 The MSP of Raw Jute (TD-3 grade) has been fixed at Rs.5,650/- per quintal for 2025-
26 season. This would ensure a return of 66.8 percent over the all India weighted
average cost of production. The approved MSP of raw jute for Marketing
season2025-26 is in line with the principle of fixing MSP at a level of at least 1.5
times all India weighted average cost of production as announced by the
Government in the Budget 2018-19.
 The MSP of Raw Jute for Marketing season 2025-26 is an increase of Rs.315/- per
quintal over the previous Marketing season 2024-25. Government of India has
increased MSP of Raw jute from Rs.2400 /-per quintal in 2014-15 to Rs.5,650/-per
quintal in 2025-26, registering an increase of Rs. 3250/- per quintal (2.35 times).
 The MSP amount paid to Jute growing famers during the period 2014-15 to 2024-25
was Rs. 1300 Crore while during the period 2004-05 to 2013-14, amount paid was Rs.
441 Crore.
 Livelihood of 40 Lakh farm families directly or indirectly depends on Jute Industry.
About 4 Lakh workers get direct employment in Jute mills and trade in Jute. Last year
jute was procured from 1 Lakh 70 thousand farmers. 82% of Jute farmers belong to
West Bengal while rest Assam and Bihar have 9% each of jute production share.
The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will continue as Central Government Nodal Agency to
undertake Price Support Operations and the losses incurred, if any, in such operations,
will be fully reimbursed by the Central Government.
18. India's Investment and External Commercial Borrowings (ECB):
India’s investment ecosystem and external commercial borrowings (ECBs) have
witnessed significant developments over the past few years. The recent report by
the State Bank of India (SBI) has highlighted trends in investment announcements,
private sector’s contribution, and role of ECBs in corporate financing.
Investment Announcements (9MFY25)
Investment activity in India continues to grow at a rapid pace, with significant
contributions from the private sector.
 In 9MFY25 i.e., the nine months of FY25 (April-December 2024), total investment
announcements stood at ₹32.01 lakh crore.
 This marks a 39% increase from ₹23 lakh crore in 9MFY24, reflecting a positive
investment outlook.
 The private sector accounted for nearly 56% (FY24) and nearly 70% (9MFY25) of
these announcements, signaling strong corporate confidence.
Gross Block of Indian Corporates
 As of March 2024, the gross block of Indian corporates reached ₹106.50 lakh crore,
compared to ₹73.94 lakh crore in March 2020.
 Over the last five years, an average of more than ₹8 lakh crore has been added
annually to the corporate gross block.
 Additionally, capital work in progress stood at ₹13.63 lakh crore in March 2024,
indicating strong ongoing project development.
Household Net Financial Savings

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Household Net Financial Savings (HNFS) in India improved to 5.3% of GDP in FY24 from
5.0% in FY23. Additionally, savings in physical assets increased from 12.9% of GDP in
FY23 to 13.5% in FY24.
Investment as a Percentage of GDP
Investment as a share of GDP has improved in recent years, led by both government and
private sector contributions.
 In FY23, government investment reached 4.1% of GDP, the highest since FY12.
 Private corporate investment rose to 11.9% of GDP in FY23, its highest level since
FY16.
 The share of private investment is projected to further increase to around 12.5% in
FY24, reflecting improved business sentiment.
External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) (as of September 2024)
ECBs have emerged as a key source of funding for Indian corporates, enabling capital
expansion and modernization.
 The total outstanding ECBs stood at $190.4 billion as of September 2024.
 Of this, the non-Rupee and non-FDI components accounted for
approximately $154.9 billion.
 The private sector held 63% ($97.58 billion), while the public sector accounted
for 37% ($55.5 billion).
 Hedging remains a critical aspect, with private companies hedging
approximately 74% of the total hedged corpus.
ECBs in FY25 (Up to November 2024)
The ECB pipeline remains strong, reflecting sustained demand for overseas funding.
 By November 2024, total ECB registrations stood at $33.8 billion.
 Nearly half of the registration, in FY24, are for the import of capital goods,
modernization, local capital expenditure, and new projects.
 ECB registration as a percentage of GDP, declined from 1.9% in FY20 to 1.2% in FY24,
suggesting improved domestic financing options.
ECB Cost Trends (April-November 2024)
Interest rates on ECBs have shown a declining trend, reducing borrowing costs for Indian
companies.
 The overall cost of ECBs fell by 12 basis points year-over-year to 6.6% during April-
November 2024.
 In November 2024, the overall cost of ECBs further declined to 5.8%, a reduction
of 71 basis points from the previous month.
Clarification on ECB Data
Recent reports have misrepresented India's ECB liabilities, leading to confusion.
 Some media sources incorrectly reported that India's ECB stock reached $273
billion by early 2025.
 However, the actual outstanding ECB, as per RBI data (September 2024), is $190.4
billion.
 The discrepancy arises from the inclusion of $72.057 billion in Foreign Portfolio
Investments (FPIs) - Debt investments in long-term corporate and government
securities, which should not be classified as corporate ECB liabilities.
19. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved continuation
of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Restructured Weather Based Crop
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Insurance Scheme till 2025-26 with an overall outlay ofRs.69,515.71 Crore from 2021-22
to 2025-26. The decision will help in risk coverage of crops from non-preventable natural
calamities for farmers across the country till 2025-26.
In addition to the same, for large scale technology infusion in implementation of the
scheme leading to increasing transparency and claim calculation and settlement, the
Union Cabinet has also approved creation of Fund for Innovation and Technology (FIAT)
with a corpus of Rs.824.77 Crore.
The fund will be utilised towards funding technological initiatives under the scheme
namely, YES-TECH, WINDS, etc as well as Research and Development studies.
Yield Estimation System using Technology (YES-TECH) uses Remote Sensing Technology
for yield estimation with minimum 30% weightage to Technology based yield estimates.
9 Major States are currently implementing (namely AP, Assam, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh,
MP, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka). Other States are also being on-
boarded expeditiously. With wider implementation of YES-TECH, Crop Cutting
Experiments and related issues will be gradually phased out. Under YES-TECH Claim
calculation and settlement has been done for 2023-24. Madhya Pradesh has adopted
100% technology based yield estimation.
Weather Information and Network Data Systems (WINDS) envisages setting up
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) at block level and Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) at
panchayat level. Under WINDS, 5 times increase in current network density is envisaged
to develop hyper local weather data. Under the initiative, only data rental costs are
payable by Central and State Governments. 9 Major States are in the process of
implementing WINDS (namely Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh Puducherry,
Assam, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand & Rajasthan are in progress), while other States
have also expressed willingness to implement.
WINDS could not be implemented by States during 2023-24 (1st year as per EFC) due to
various background preparatory and planning work required before tendering.
Accordingly, the Union Cabinet has approved 2024-25 as the first year of
implementation of WINDS as compared to 2023-24 earlier to give benefit to State
Governments with higher central fund sharing in 90:10 ratio.
All efforts are made and will continue to be made to saturate all farmers of North
Eastern States on priority. To this extent, the centre shares 90% of premium subsidy
with North Eastern States. However, due to scheme being voluntary and low gross
cropped area in North Eastern States, flexibility has been given to avoid surrender of
funds and for reallocation in other development projects and schemes with fund
requirement.
20. US Steel and Nippon Steel:
On December 18, 2023, Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC), the
world's third-largest steel producer, agreed to buy United States Steel Corporation (U.S.
Steel) for $14.9 billion.
 Under the terms of the deal, U.S. Steel would become a wholly owned subsidiary of
NSC but retain its name and headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; the Japanese
steelmaker also pledged to honor existing agreements with the United
Steelworkers (USW) trade union. The purchase would result in Nippon Steel
becoming the second largest steel manufacturer in the world.

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 Foreign ownership of U.S. Steel, an icon of American industry, sparked

controversy. Critics, including the White House, bipartisan lawmakers, and the USW,
raised concerns about workers, supply chains, and national security.
 Supporters, including officials and analysts, argue the deal could revive U.S. Steel and
strengthen the steel industry. They note Japan's role as a key economic partner and
investor.
 On March 14, 2024, the Biden Administration opposed the acquisition. Former
President Donald Trump also vowed to block the deal if re-elected.
 The deal is undergoing an antitrust review by the U.S. Department of Justice, and a
possible investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United
States (CFIUS). Nippon Steel has subsequently delayed its timeline for closing the
deal from the middle of 2024 towards the end of the year. In September 2024, it was
revealed that the Biden Administration was preparing to block Nippon's proposed
acquisition of U.S. Steel.
On January 3, 2025, Joe Biden blocked the deal via an executive order. After Biden
blocked the deal, two U.S. steel companies, Cleveland-Cliffs and Nucor, announced that
they were interested in buying U.S. Steel, all cash, at a price in the high $30s per share.
21. The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) released the Press Note, the First Advance Estimates of Annual
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Financial Year (FY) 2024-25 along with its
expenditure components both at Constant (2011-12) and Current Prices.
Key Highlights:
 Real GDP has been estimated to grow by 6.4% in FY 2024-25 as compared to the
growth rate of 8.2% in Provisional Estimate (PE) of GDP for FY 2023-24. Nominal GDP
has witnessed a growth rate of 9.7% in FY 2024-25 over the growth rate of 9.6% in FY
2023-24.
 Real GVA has grown by 6.4% in FY 2024-25 over the growth rate of 7.2% in FY 2023-
24. Nominal GVA has shown a growth rate of 9.3% in FY 2024-25 as compared to the
growth rate of 8.5% in FY 2023-24.
 Real GVA of Agriculture and allied sector has been estimated to grow by 3.8% during
2024-25 as compared to the growth of 1.4% witnessed during the last year,
i.e., 2023-24.
 Real GVA of ‘Construction’ sector and ‘Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services’
sector has been estimated to observe good growth rates
of 8.6% and 7.3%, respectively during the FY 2024-25.
 Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) at Constant Prices, has witnessed a
growth rate of 7.3% during FY 2024-25 over the growth rate of 4.0% in the previous
Financial Year.
 Government Final Consumption Expenditure (GFCE) at Constant Prices, has
rebounded to a growth rate of 4.1% as compared to the growth rate of 2.5% in the
previous Financial Year.
Annual GDP Estimates and Growth Rates
Real GDP or GDP at Constant Prices is estimated to attain a level of ₹184.88 lakh crore in
the financial year 2024-25, against the Provisional Estimate of GDP for the year 2023-24
of ₹173.82 lakh crore. The growth rate in Real GDP during 2024-25 is estimated at 6.4%
as compared to 8.2% in 2023-24. Nominal GDP or GDP at Current Prices is estimated to

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attain a level of ₹324.11 lakh crore in the year 2024-25, against ₹295.36 lakh crore in
2023-24, showing a growth rate of 9.7%.
Real GVA is estimated at ₹168.91 lakh crore in the year 2024-25, against the PE for the
year 2023-24 of ₹158.74 lakh crore, registering a growth rate of 6.4% as compared to
7.2% growth rate in 2023-24. Nominal GVA is estimated to attain a level of ₹292.64 lakh
crore during FY 2024-25, against ₹267.62 lakh crore in 2023-24, showing a growth rate
of 9.3%
22. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, with more than 6.30 crore
enterprises, has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy,
fostering entrepreneurship and generating employment opportunities at comparatively
lower capital cost, next only to agriculture. The Ministry of MSME, Government of India,
in collaboration with various organizations & institutes has pioneered initiatives that
promotes growth and development of the MSME sector, including Khadi, Village and
Coir industries. These initiatives and programmes provide comprehensive support by
focusing on key areas such as credit support, technological assistance, infrastructure
development, skill development and training, enhancing competitiveness and market
assistance. The year 2024 has been marked by various milestone achievements by the
Ministry of MSME, including the launch of new campaigns and initiatives, as well as
collaborative MoUs with other countries for bilateral cooperation. It has been a
remarkable year for the Ministry introducing several new programmes. Some of the key
initiatives and achievements of the Ministry in the year 2024 are as under-
PM VISHWAKARMA- (National Event on 20.9.2024) Hon’ble Prime Minister launched
the PM Vishwakarma scheme on 17.09.2023, to prov ide end-to-end support to artisans
and craftspeople of 18 trades who work with their hands and tools. Key Milestones
(from 1st January 2024 to 30th December 2024) under the PM Vishwakarma scheme are
as under:
i. Registrations: 24.77 lakh applications were successfully registered under the
scheme.
ii. Skill Upgradation: 15.05 lakh beneficiaries have completed basic skill training.
iii. Credit Support: Rs. 2197.72 crore sanctioned to 2.54 lakh beneficiaries in the
form of collateral-free loans at concessional rate of interest.
iv. Digital Incentive: 6.58 lakh beneficiaries are digitally enabled.
v. Marketing support: 75 trade fairs and exhibitions organized across the country to
promote artisans and their crafts & skills.
To commemorate the successful completion of one year of the PM Vishwakarma
Scheme, a national event was held on 20.09.2024 at Wardha, Maharashtra. Hon’ble
Prime Minister addressed the event and 18 selected PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries,
from the 18 traditional trades, were awarded loans, a reflection of the tangible support
provided by the Scheme to help artisans expand their businesses and upgrade their
tools. The event was broadcast live across 550 locations attended by a sizable gathering
of PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)- PMEGP is a credit
linked subsidy scheme for providing employment opportunities through establishment
of micro enterprises in the non-farm sector by providing Margin Money (subsidy) to
beneficiaries availing loan from banks for setting up new enterprises with maximum
project cost of Rs. 50 lakh in Manufacturing Sector and Rs. 20 lakh in Service Sector.

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Since January 2024, PMEGP applications were accepted from prospective beneficiaries
in 11 regional languages. Since its inception i.e. FY 2008-09 till FY 2024-25 (as on
24.12.2024), more than 9.87 lakh micro enterprises have been assisted across the
country with disbursement of Margin Money subsidy of Rs. 26,124.26 crore, generating
a total estimated employment for more than 80 lakh persons.
During FY 2024-25 (as on 24.12.2024), 58,028 new micro enterprises have been assisted
across the country with disbursement of Margin Money subsidy of Rs. 2018.97 crore,
generating a total estimated employment for more than 4.6 lakh persons.
MSME Champions Scheme: The objective of the MSME Champions Scheme is to select
clusters and enterprises and modernize their processes, reduce wastages, sharpen
business competitiveness, and facilitate their National and Global reach and excellence.
The Scheme has three components, namely, ‘MSME-Sustainable’ (ZED), ‘MSME-
Competitive’ (LEAN) and ‘MSME-Innovative’ (Incubation, Design, IPR).
i. MSME Innovative scheme was launched on 10th March, 2022 with 3
components, namely, Incubation, Design and IPR. Under the ‘Incubation’
component, 697 Host Institutes (HIs) have been approved which will nurture the
development of innovative ideas approved through due selection process.
Minister (MSME) launched the MSME Idea Hackathon 4.0 on 11th September,
2024. Under the Idea Hackathon 4.0 (Young Innovators), 29,237 ideas have been
received. Under the ‘Design’ component, 18 MoUs have been signed - 1 IISc,
Bangalore, 6 IITs, 11 NITs as Implementing Agencies and 47 Professional
Design/Student Projects have been approved. Under the ‘IPR’ component, 73
Patents, 616 Trademarks, 37 Designs and 1 GI registration have been approved
by IPFCs.
ii. MSME-Sustainable (ZED) Certification scheme was launched on 28th April, 2022.
During the year, total 1,64,525 enterprises received ZED Certifications to assist
them in improving in quality and productivity. Further, w.e.f. 18th September
2024, ZED 2.0 amendments have been implemented to offer MSMEs enhanced
support through cost effective measures, including a 20% reduction in
certification costs. New parameters like Energy Management and Measurement
& Analysis added to strengthen the MSMEs at the Bronze level, while regular
assessments are made for Silver and Gold certifications to keep MSMEs aligned
with industry standards. Additionally, financial assistance for multiple testing and
certifications also introduced to provide comprehensive support to MSMEs,
making ZED 2.0 a impactful evolution of the scheme.
iii. MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme was launched on 10th March, 2023. So far,
24,339 MSMEs have been registered, 24,221 MSMEs have taken the pledge and
9,719 MSMEs are Basic Lean Certified, up to 18th December, 2024.

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Science & Technology

1. Ministry of Defence has signed two contracts, worth approx. Rs 2,867 crore, for the
construction of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) Plug for DRDO-AIP system & its
integration onboard Indian Submarines, and the integration of Electronic Heavy Weight
Torpedo (EHWT) onboard the Kalvari-Class submarines.
The contract for construction of AIP Plug and its integration was inked with Mazagon
Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai worth around Rs 1,990 crore, while the contract for
integration of EHWT, being developed by DRDO, was signed with Naval Group, France at
an approx. cost of Rs 877 crore.
The AIP technology is being indigenously developed by DRDO. The project pertaining to
construction of AIP-Plug and its integration will enhance the endurance of conventional
submarines and significantly contribute towards the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. It
would generate employment of nearly three lakh man days. The integration of EHWT
will be a collaborative effort by Indian Navy, DRDO and Naval Group, France. It would
greatly augment the firepower capabilities of Kalvari Class submarines of the Indian
Navy.
2. "Space Docking Experiment" (SpaDeX):
SpaDeX mission is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission for the
demonstration of in-space docking using two small spacecraft launched by PSLV. This
technology is essential for India's space ambitions such as Indian on Moon, sample
return from the Moon, the building and operation of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS),
etc. In-space docking technology is essential when multiple rocket launches are required
to achieve common mission objectives. Through this mission, India is marching towards
becoming the fourth country in the world to have space docking technology.
Objectives:
The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the
technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft
(SDX01, which is the Chaser, and SDX02, the Target, nominally) in a low-Earth circular
orbit. Secondary objectives include:
 Demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft,
which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics,
 Composite spacecraft control, and
 Payload operations after undocking.
Mission Concept:
The SpaDeX mission consists of two small spacecraft (about 220 kg each) to be launched
by PSLV-C60, independently and simultaneously, into a 470 km circular orbit at 55°
inclination, with a local time cycle of about 66 days. The demonstrated precision of the
PSLV vehicle will be utilized to give a small relative velocity between the Target and
Chaser spacecraft at the time of separation from the launch vehicle. This incremental
velocity will allow the Target spacecraft to build a 10-20 km inter-satellite separation
with respect to the Chaser within a day. At this point, the relative velocity between the
Target will be compensated using the propulsion system of the Target spacecraft.
At the end of this drift arrest maneuver, the Target and Chaser will be in the same orbit
with identical velocity but separated by about 20 km, known as Far Rendezvous. With a
similar strategy of introducing and then compensating for a small relative velocity

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between the two spacecraft, the Chaser will approach the Target with progressively
reduced inter-satellite distances of 5 km, 1.5 km, 500 m, 225 m, 15 m, and 3 m,
ultimately leading to the docking of the two spacecraft. After successful docking and
rigidization, electrical power transfer between the two satellites will be demonstrated
before undocking and separation of the two satellites to start the operation of their
respective payloads for the expected mission life of up to two years.
New Technologies:
The indigenous technologies developed for enabling this docking mission are as follows:
 Docking mechanism,
 A suite of four rendezvous and docking sensors,
 Power transfer technology,
 Indigenous novel autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy,
 Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between
spacecraft, incorporated with inbuilt intelligence to know the states of the other
spacecraft,
 GNSS-based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor
to determine the relative position and velocity of the other spacecraft,
 Simulation test beds for both hardware and software design validation and testing.
In addition, SpaDeX, because of its small size and mass, is even more challenging due to
the finer precision required for the rendezvous and docking maneuvers compared to
docking two large spacecraft. This mission will be a forerunner for autonomous docking
needed for future lunar missions like Chandrayaan-4 without the support of GNSS from
Earth.
Docking Mechanism:
The docking mechanism is a low-impact docking system (approach velocity is in the
order of 10 mm/s), androgynous (docking systems are identical for both spacecraft,
Chaser & Target), and is a peripheral docking system (concept similar to the
International Docking System Standard used by other agencies for human missions). The
mechanism is smaller (450 mm) with one degree of freedom for extension and uses two
motors compared to the IDSS (800 mm) on a hexapod with 24 motors. Multiple test
beds were established to test the hardware and software simulation of the docking
kinematics to verify and finalise the docking approach parameters.
Sensor Suite:
The additional sensor suite in this mission includes Laser Range Finder (LRF) and Corner
Cube Retro Reflectors to work for a range of 6000 to 200 m for determining range (R).
The set of Rendezvous Sensors (RS) is used in the range of 2000 to 250 m and from 250-
10 m. RS provides the relative position (x, y, z) while LRF determines both relative
position and velocity independently.
Proximity and Docking Sensor (PDS) provides relative position and velocity over a range
of 30 m to 0.4 m. Laser Diodes (LDs) are used as targets for RS & PDS. A video monitor is
used in the 20 to 0.5 m range and it will capture the video of the docking event. A
Mechanism Entry Sensor (MES) is used from 8 cm to 4 cm to detect chaser entry into the
target spacecraft during docking. Multiple test beds were used to calibrate and validate
these sensors before accepting them for the mission.
ISL-Enabled GNSS-Based RODP:

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Like all ISRO satellites in low-Earth orbit, both the SpaDeX spacecraft carry a differential
GNSS-based Satellite Positioning System (SPS), which provides PNT (Position, Navigation,
and Timing) solutions for the satellites. In SpaDeX, a novel RODP processor is included in
the SPS receiver, which allows accurate determination of the relative position and
velocity of the Chaser and the Target. By subtracting the carrier phase measurements
from the same GNSS satellites in both Chaser and Target SPS receivers, highly accurate
relative states of the two satellites are determined. The VHF/UHF transceivers in both
satellites aid this process by transferring the GNSS satellite measurements from one
satellite to the other. Hardware and software test beds, including closed-loop
verifications, were carried out to characterise the RODP performance.
Rendezvous and Docking Algorithms:
Up to an inter-satellite distance (ISD) of 5 km, standard orbit maintenance and attitude
control algorithms employed in ISRO LEO spacecraft are used. As the spacecraft are in
circular orbit, and any addition or reduction of velocity to the satellites will result in orbit
change, the V-bar strategy using n-Pulse, Glideslope and PV guidance algorithms are
employed to reduce the ISD between the satellites, hold at fixed ISDs to evaluate the
sensors and software, and finally docking. These algorithms were converted into
software for achieving the rendezvous and docking. These software solutions were
tested and validated in multiple digital, hardware-in-loop, onboard-in-loop, software-in-
loop, and robotic simulations.
3. Scientists have proved that nano-formulation of Melatonin, the hormone produced by
the brain in response to darkness, showed improved antioxidative and neuroprotective
properties and could be a potential therapeutic solution for Parkinson's disease (PD).
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurological disorders caused by
the death of dopamine-secreting neurons in the brain due to aggregation of synuclein
protein inside it. Available medications can only minimize the symptoms but cannot cure
the disease and this underlines the need to develop better therapeutic solutions for the
disease.
Studies over the last decade have shown the implications of PD-related genes in
governing a quality control mechanism called "Mitophagy", which identifies and
removes dysfunctional mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress. Among many
antioxidants, melatonin, a neurohormone secreted from the pineal gland, an endocrine
gland present in the brain, that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is used to treat
insomnia could be a potential inducer of mitophagy to mitigate PD.
The molecular pathways melatonin follows as a PD antagonist, remain poorly elucidated,
despite being a safe and a potential neurotherapeutic drug with a few limitations like
less bioavailability, premature oxidation, brain delivery, etc.
A group of researchers from Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an
autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) used human
serum albumin nano-formulation to deliver the drug to the brain and studied the
molecular mechanism behind melatonin-mediated oxidative stress regulation.
4. In a groundbreaking achievement for the mining industry, the CSIR-Central Institute of
Mining and Fuel Research (CSIR-CIMFR) has successfully conducted the first trial blast for
the Dozer Push Mining Method, integrating advanced digital technologies, for the first
time in India. This innovative approach developed by CSIR-CIMFR, aims to enhance
safety and operational efficiency in mining processes.

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The trial was conducted at the PEKB (Parsa East and Kanta Basan) Coal Mine operated by
M/s Adani Enterprises Limited in the Udaipur block of Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh. The
successful trial was conducted by Adani Natural Resources, one of India’s leading private
mining companies. The innovative method is expected to revolutionize mining
operations with its focus on streamlining processes and improving safety protocols.
The development is a result of sponsored project being undertaken by the Dhanbad
based CSIR-CIMFR on Scientific Study for Designing Deep Hole Cast Blasting at PEKB
Opencast Coal Mine. The primary objective of the project was to develop a method that
not only optimizes the mining process but also ensures that vibration and flyrock are
controlled within safe limits. After two years of extensive deliberations, technical
evaluations, and adaptations to local mining conditions, the project has successfully
tailored the Dozer Push Mining Method for Indian coal mines.
The developed Dozer Push Mining introduces a paradigm shift by utilizing unmanned,
automated machinery for mining operations. The trial involved drilling of 108 holes using
automated drill machine (man-less), followed by cast/throw blasting using 60 tons of
bulk emulsion explosives. Further, the blasted material will be pushed in decoaled area
using specially designed, large-sized automated dozer machine.
The dozer push mining method offers a viable alternative to the conventional truck-
shovel mining technique or shovel-dumper and dragline methods, with its distinct
advantages such as improved efficiency by enabling faster coal recovery, reducing delays
caused by adverse weather conditions such as the monsoon season and highly cost-
effective, with an estimated 7-10% reduction in operational costs compared to
conventional methods. Additionally, it enhances productivity by improving the utilization
of dragline machines and reducing unit costs. Moreover, the unmanned operation of the
Dozer Push Mining method greatly enhances worker safety, minimizing the risks
associated with manual labor and traditional mining techniques.
5. CSIR's Indigenously developed "Paracetamol":
In a significant development, India has developed the indigenous technology to produce
'paracetamol', a widely used pain reliever and fever reducer.
Currently, India imports the key raw materials for paracetamol from various countries.
However, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has now developed the
WHO-listed essential drug indigenously. This announcement was made by Union
Minister Jitendra Singh on 5 January.
 Karnataka-based Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd will utilise the breakthrough to
produce affordable paracetamol domestically, the Ministry of Science and
Technology said in a statement.
 Paracetamol, or acetaminophen, is a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic agent
which was first synthesised over 150 years ago and is used to treat fever and mild to
moderate pain. It is a widely available over-the-counter drug sold under various
brand names.
6. Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV):
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the viruses that causes the common cold
(upper respiratory infection). It usually makes people only mildly sick, but it can make
some people very sick.

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The virus belongs to the Pneumoviridae family of viruses, along with respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV). It was first identified in 2001 and has been spreading among people for
many decades. It is found around the world.
It spreads like other common cold viruses do, through infectious respiratory particles
that spread through the air from a sick person to others. This means a person can catch
the virus when they are close to a sick person or sharing a closed space with them. It can
also enter the body by touching contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or handles and
then touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention published data showing that
respiratory infections had risen significantly in the week of 16 to 22 December
2024; human metapneumovirus was linked to 6.2 percent of positive respiratory illness
tests and 5.4 percent of respiratory-illness hospitalizations in China, more than COVID-
19, rhinovirus, or adenovirus.
7. About 430 million light years from Earth, in the Leo constellation, a new ultra-diffuse
galaxy has been discovered to be under formation at the end of the tidal tail, a long, thin
stream of stars and interstellar gas, of galaxy NGC 3785. The discovery of the galaxy
formation, driven probably by the gravitational interaction between NGC 3785 and a
neighbouring galaxy. marks a major milestone in understanding galaxy evolution.
NGC 3785 galaxy is known to possess the longest tidal tail discovered so far. The tail
extends from the galaxy and is formed due to gravitational forces ("tidal forces") when
two galaxies interact closely, essentially pulling material away from each other during a
close encounter or merger process.
When astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an autonomous
institution of Department of Science and Technology and their collaborators looked
carefully at the galaxy NGC 3785, they found that not only does it have the longest tidal
tail discovered so far, but that an ultra-diffuse galaxy is currently being formed at the
end of this tidal tail as well.
A seemingly longer than average tidal tail consisting of a stream of stars and gas, was
chanced upon by Omkar Bait a few years ago, when he was a student at the National
Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) in Pune. Recognising that this was a unique object,
this discovery was shared with Yogesh Wadadekar (NCRA) and Sudhanshu Barway at IIA.
They worked together on the subsequent study.
8. AI Touch LLP has been awarded funding under the Department of Telecommunications'
TTDF scheme of USOF (now “Digital Bharat Nidhi”). AI Touch will develop components
for disaggregated 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) including RAN Intelligent Controller
(RIC), Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), and Network Data Analytics
Function (NWDAF) modules.
The project aims to develop a platform integrating SMO, RIC, and NWDAF modules for
5G RAN with an AI/ML-powered intent engine. It facilitates intelligent and automated
control of RAN and Core nodes through AI/ML-based applications and closed-loop
automation. The platform will demonstrate a sample application for managing user
experience during congestion scenarios and provide interfaces for onboarding third-
party applications. The platform will integrate Non-Real-Time RIC, Near-Real-Time RIC,
SMO, and NWDAF to enhance network automation and performance. The RIC modules
will support AI/ML-driven network optimization, SMO will enable cross-domain
orchestration, and NWDAF will provide analytics and insights for better decision-making.

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These solutions will bring operational efficiency to the 5G network. The Centre for
Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier telecom R&D centre under the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, will oversee the
implementation of the project.
9. Genome India Project
10. ‘Genome India’ database: India has completed and made available a year-long
compilation of 10,000 human genomes from India, representing 83 population groups,
or about 2% of the country’s 4,600 population groups as a database. This collection will
serve a template of future investigations into disease and drug therapy.
This ‘Genome India’ database, as it is known, will now be available to researchers across
the world for investigations and is housed at the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC), in
Faridabad, Haryana.
 A first analysis of the genomes estimates around 27 million low-frequency (or
relatively rare) variants, with 7 million of them not found in similar reference
databases around the world. Certain population groups show higher frequencies of
alleles, or different versions of the same gene. Over the last two decades, many
countries have created databases of the genomes of their population- for a variety of
purposes including estimating disease risks, adverse drug reactions, establishing
genealogy and DNA-profiling databases.
 Researchers wishing to access the genomes must send in a proposal that will be
perused by an independent committee with a commitment that will adhere to data
sharing and privacy policies. Though the database stores information on population
groups, this data will not be classified by the names of castes or tribes but will be
numerically coded.
What is genome sequencing?
The human genome is the entire set of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)residing in the
nucleus of every cell of each human body. It carries the complete genetic information
responsible for the development and functioning of the organism. The DNA consists of a
double-stranded molecule built up by four bases – adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G)
and thymine (T). Every base on one strand pairs with a complementary base on the
other strand (A with T and C with G) In all, the genome is made up of approximately 3.05
billion such base pairs. .
While the sequence or order of base pairs is identical in all humans, compared to that of
a mouse or another species, there are differences in the genome of every human being
that makes them unique. The process of deciphering the order of base pairs, to decode
the genetic fingerprint of a human is called genome sequencing.
In 1990, a group of scientists began to work on determining the whole sequence of the
human genome under the Human Genome Project. The first results of the complete
human genome sequence were given in 2003. However, some percentage of repetitive
parts were yet to be sequenced. The Human Genome Project released the latest version
of the complete human genome in 2023, with a 0.3% error margin.
Costs of sequencing differ based on the methods employed or the accuracy expected.
Since an initial rough draft of the human genome was made available, companies have
aimed to reduce the cost of generating a fairly accurate “draft” of any individual
genome- it has now fallen to a tenth, or to around $1,000 or less (approximately
₹70,000).

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Genomic sequencing has now evolved to a stage where large sequencers can process
thousands of samples simultaneously. There are several approaches to genome
sequencing- including whole genome sequencing or next generation sequencing- that
have different advantages.
The process of whole-genome sequencing, made possible by the Human Genome
Project, now facilitates the reading of a person’s individual genome to identify
differences from the average human genome. These differences or mutations can tell us
about each human’s susceptibility or future vulnerability to a disease, their reaction or
sensitivity to a particular stimulus, and so on.
What is the significance of the Genome India project?
India’s 1.3 billion-strong population consists of over 4,600 population groups, many of
which are endogamous. TThus, the Indian population harbours distinct variations, with
disease-causing mutations often amplified within some of these groups. Findings from
population-based or disease-based human genetics research from other populations of
the world cannot be extrapolated to Indians, says a note from the Indian Institute of
Science (IISc). But despite being a large population with diverse ethnic groups, India
lacks a comprehensive catalogue of genetic variations.
Creating a database of Indian genomes allows researchers to learn about genetic
variants unique to India’s population groups and use that to customise drugs and
therapies. About 20 institutions across India are involved in the project, with analysis
and coordination done by the Centre for Brain Research at IISc, Bangalore.
What are the applications of genome sequencing?
Genome sequencing has been used to evaluate rare disorders, preconditions for
disorders, even cancer from the viewpoint of genetics, rather than as diseases of certain
organs. Nearly 10,000 diseases- including cystic fibrosis and thalassemia- are known to
be the result of a single gene malfunctioning.
In the past decade, it has also been used as a tool for prenatal screening, to investigate
whether the foetus has genetic disorders or anomalies. Liquid biopsies, where a small
amount of blood is examined for DNA markers, could help diagnose cancer long before
symptoms appear.
In public health, however, sequencing has been used to read the codes of viruses- one of
its first practical usages was in 2014, when a group of scientists from M.I.T and Harvard
sequenced samples of Ebola from infected African patients to show how genomic data
of viruses could reveal hidden pathways of transmission, which might then be halted,
thus slowing or even preventing the infection’s spread.
At the population level as well, genomics has several benefits. Advanced analytics and AI
could be applied to essential datasets created by collecting genomic profiles across the
population, allowing to develop greater understanding of causative factors and potential
treatments of diseases. This would be especially relevant for rare genetic diseases,
which require large datasets to find statistically important correlations.
11. Indian Navy commissioned three frontline combatants at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai-
 Nilgiri, the lead ship of the Project 17A stealth frigate class
 Surat, the fourth and final ship of the Project 15B stealth destroyer class
 Vaghsheer, the sixth and final submarine of the Scorpene-class project

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It will provide boost to Indian Navy’s combat potential while underscoring the country’s
pre-eminent status in indigenous shipbuilding. All three platforms have been designed
and constructed entirely at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.
Nilgiri, the lead ship of Project 17A, is a major advancement over the Shivalik-class
frigates, incorporating significant stealth features and reduced radar signatures through
state-of-the-art technology.
The Project 15B destroyer, Surat, is the culmination of the follow-on class to
the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) destroyers, featuring substantial improvements in design
and capabilities. Both ships were designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design
Bureau and are equipped with advanced sensors and weapon packages developed
primarily in India or through strategic collaborations with leading global manufacturers.
Equipped with modern aviation facilities, Nilgiri and Surat can operate a range of
helicopters, including Chetak, ALH, Sea King, and the newly inducted MH-60R, during
both day and night operations. Features such as a Rail-Less Helicopter Traversing System
and a Visual Aid and Landing System ensure seamless operations under all conditions.
These ships also include specific accommodations to support a sizeable complement of
women officers and sailors, aligning with the Navy’s progressive steps toward gender
inclusion in frontline combat roles.
Vaghsheer, the sixth Scorpene-class submarine under the Kalvari-class Project 75, is one
of the most silent and versatile diesel-electric submarines in the world. It is designed to
undertake a wide range of missions, including anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine
warfare, intelligence gathering, area surveillance, and special operations. Armed with
wire-guided torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and advanced sonar systems, the submarine
also features modular construction, allowing for future upgrades such as the integration
of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology.
The combined commissioning of Nilgiri, Surat, and Vaghsheer demonstrates India’s
unparalleled progress in defense self-reliance and indigenous shipbuilding. The vessels
have undergone rigorous trials, including machinery, hull, fire-fighting, and damage
control assessments, as well as proving all navigation and communication systems at
sea, making them fully operational and ready for deployment.
12. In the on-going process of developing indigenous hardware for next-generation
telecommunications technology 6G, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT),
the premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Government of India, has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology
Delhi (IIT Delhi) for the development of "Building Blocks for THz Communication Front
Ends" for 6G.
The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G
Call for proposal of the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. This
call for proposal is for accelerated research on developing 6G Eco system, as part of the
Bharat 6G vision to design, develop and deploy 6G network technologies that provide
ubiquitous intelligent and secure connectivity for high quality living experience. The aim
of this project is the development of basic devices and components which are essential
for THz systems envisaged for 6G communications, as well as other THz systems such as
military communications and material characterization. With the recent program on
setting up of chip fabrication facilities in India, this project is being initiated to develop
some of the core components at IIT Delhi facilities, in association with SAMEER (Society

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for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research) Kolkata. This work will
seamlessly lead to the fabrication of THz components at the production level. C-DOT is
the implementing agency for this project
13. Field Evaluation Trials of indigenously-developed Nag Mk 2, the third-generation Anti-
Tank Fire-and-Forget Guided Missile, were successfully conducted recently at Pokhran
Field Range in the presence of senior officers of the Indian Army.
During the three field trials, the missile systems destroyed precisely all the targets-
maximum and minimum range, thus validating its firing range. The Nag Missile Carrier
version-2 was also field evaluated. With this, the entire weapon system is now ready for
induction into the Indian Army.
14. In a significant step towards developing Indigenous state-of-the-art next-generation
telecommunications technology, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the
premier Telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
Government of India has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology
Mandi (IIT Mandi) in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT
Jammu), for the development of "Wideband Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-Chip for Enhancing
the Spectrum Utilization". The agreement is signed under the Telecom Technology
Development Fund (TTDF) scheme of the Department of Telecommunications,
Government of India. This scheme, designed to fund Indian startups, academia, and R&D
institutions, is a crucial enabler for designing, developing, and commercializing
telecommunication products and solutions. It aims to enable affordable broadband and
mobile services, playing a significant role in bridging the digital divide across India. The
project aims to develop a reliable and implementation-friendly wideband spectrum
sensing (WSS) algorithm to improve spectrum efficiency by leveraging spectrum holes to
deliver broadband services in rural India.
Spectrum sensing enables cognitive Radio users to adapt to the environment by
detecting spectrum holes without causing interference to the primary network. This
project will focus in the design of communication algorithms which are hardware
friendly for sensing the wideband spectrum (beyond 2 GHz of bandwidth) for detecting
and utilizing the under-utilized bands (or white spaces), thus, enhancing the spectrum
utilization efficiency of any communication system. In addition, efficient hardware
architectures of such spectrum sensors will be developed in this project that achieves
short sensing time, high data-throughput and enhanced hardware efficiency.
The initiative will provide a hardware solution capable of scanning over 2 GHz of
spectrum with minimal sensing time, thereby boosting the throughput of cognitive radio
networks. Additionally, it will demonstrate a wideband cognitive radio module targeting
the 6 GHz satellite band (5.925–7.125 GHz) for spectrum sensing and communication.
These designs will be emulated in the field-programmable gate-array (FPGA)
environment initially and subsequently an application-specific integrated-circuits (ASIC)
semiconductor-chip will be taped out that will lead to achieving better spectrum
efficiency. The project will also lead to creation of intellectual properties (IPs) for the
wideband spectrum sensing technology which is the key component for the dynamic
spectrum access.
15. A new observatory set up by the S N Bose Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBCBS), an
autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, atop the Panchet
Hill in the Garpanchakot area of Purulia district in West Bengal will significantly help in

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scientific observations of astronomical objects, training students in handling telescopes

and recording data, generating national and international collaboration in astronomical
research and most importantly, to fill in the longitudinal gap.
The observatory at a height of 600 meters above ground level and at longitude of
approximately 86° E, will be a major observatory not only in eastern India, but also in the
world. Along the 86 degrees East longitude stretching from the Arctic Ocean in the north
to Antarctica in the south, there are very few observatories. This observatory will fill that
gap.
Renowned astrophysicist and Vice Chancellor of Ashoka University opines that in order
to observe transient astronomical phenomena lasting a few minutes to a few hours, it is
important to have good observatories on all the longitudes of the globe. Therefore, the
Panchet observatory is strategically positioned. S.N. Bose Centre has signed an MOU
with the Sidhu Kanu Birsa University for joint responsibility of running the observatory
and sharing resources.
16. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for
the supply of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) for the Indian Navy at a
cost of approximately Rs 2,960 crore. The contract was inked by the officials of MoD and
BDL on January 16, 2025.
The MRSAM system is a standard fit, onboard multiple Indian Naval Ships and is planned
to be fitted on the majority of the future platforms planned for acquisition. The contract
marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to bolster India’s defence capabilities
and indigenise advanced military technology.
With the emphasis on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, the missiles would be supplied by BDL
under ‘Buy (Indian)’ category with largely indigenous content. The contract would
generate employment of approx. 3.5 lakh mandays in the defence industry, including
various MSMEs
17. In a historic achievement, the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) mission’s docking
operation was successfully completed on 16th January, 2025 marking India’s entry into
the elite group of nations capable of executing space docking operations.
With this success, India becomes the fourth country in the world to achieve this
technological feat. ISRO started the mission on 30th December 2024, with the successful
launch of the SpaDeX spacecrafts using Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C60, from
the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This groundbreaking mission aims to
showcase India’s technological prowess in spacecraft rendezvous, docking, and
undocking- a critical capability for future advancements such as satellite servicing, space
station operations, and interplanetary exploration. The docking process was executed
with exceptional precision.
The spacecraft manoeuvred seamlessly from the 15-metre to 3-meter hold point,
initiating docking with accuracy leading to successful spacecraft capture. After this,
retraction was completed smoothly, followed by rigidisation for stability. Post-docking,
the integrated control of the two satellites as a single object has been successfully
achieved, showcasing India's technological expertise. In the coming days, undocking
operations and power transfer checks are scheduled to further validate the system's
performance.
SpaDeX is a cost-effective technology demonstrator mission designed to showcase in-
space docking using two small spacecrafts launched by 62nd PSLV flight. This mission is

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pivotal for India's future space ambitions, including lunar missions, sample returns, and
the development of the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
The main goals of the SpaDeX mission are:
 Develop and demonstrate technology for rendezvous and docking using two small
spacecrafts.
 Showcase controllability in the docked condition.
 Demonstrate the potential for extending the life of the target spacecraft.
 Test power transfer between docked spacecraft.
The mission demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in cutting-edge space
technologies and reaffirms ISRO’s commitment to advancing its capabilities to meet
future challenges in the rapidly evolving field of space exploration.
The SpaDeX mission involves two small satellites, SDX01, which is the Chaser and SDX02,
the Target, each weighing approximately 220 kilograms. These spacecrafts are
androgynous in nature i.e. either of the spacecraft can act as chaser (active spacecraft)
during docking. They are equipped with solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and a robust
power management system. The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) includes
sensors such as star sensors, sun sensors, magnetometers and actuators like reaction
wheels, magnetic torquers and thrusters. The satellites will execute a series of complex
manoeuvres to demonstrate the docking process in orbit. Post docking, the two
satellites will operate as a single spacecraft. Electrical power will be transferred from
one satellite to the other to confirm the success of the docking. After successful docking
and undocking, the spacecraft will separate and be used for application missions. During
undocking, the spacecraft will separate to begin individual payload operations. These
payloads will provide high resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation
studies and on orbit radiation environment measurements which find numerous
applications.
Indigenous technologies incorporated in the SpaDex Mission:
 Docking mechanism.
 A suite of four rendezvous and docking sensors.
 Power transfer technology.
 Indigenous novel autonomous rendezvous and docking strategy.
 Inter-satellite communication link (ISL) for autonomous communication between
spacecrafts, incorporated with inbuilt intelligence to know the state of the other
spacecraft.
 GNSS-based Novel Relative Orbit Determination and Propagation (RODP) processor
to determine the relative position and velocity of the other spacecraft.
 Simulation test beds for both hardware and software design validation and testing.
18. The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the
establishment of the Third Launch Pad (TLP) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre of ISRO at
Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
 The Third Launch Pad project envisages the establishment of the launch
infrastructure at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh for the Next Generation Launch
Vehicles of ISRO and also to support as standby launch pad for the Second Launch
Pad at Sriharikota.
 This will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight
missions.
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The Project is of national importance. Implementation strategy and targets:

The TLP is designed to have configuration that is as universal and adaptable as possible
that can support not only NGLV but also the LVM3 vehicles with Semicryogenic stage as
well as scaled up configurations of NGLV. It will be realized with maximum industry
participation fully utilizing ISRO’s experience in establishing the earlier launch pads and
maximally sharing the existing launch complex facilities. TLP is targeted to be established
within a duration of 48 months or 4 years.
Expenditure involved: The total fund requirement is Rs. 3984.86 Crore and includes the
establishment of the Launch Pad and the associated facilities.
Number of beneficiaries: The Project will boost the Indian Space ecosystem by enabling
higher launch frequencies and the national capacity to undertake human spaceflight &
space exploration missions.
Background: As on today, Indian Space Transportation Systems are completely reliant
on two launch pads viz. First Launch Pad (FLP) & Second Launch Pad (SLP). FLP was
realized 30 years ago for PSLV and continues to provide launch support for PSLV & SSLV.
SLP was established primarily for GSLV & LVM3 and also functions as standby for PSLV.
SLP has been operational for almost 20 years and has enhanced the launch capacity
towards enabling some commercial missions of PSLV/LVM3 along with the national
missions including the Chandrayaan-3 mission. SLP is also getting ready to launch the
human rated LVM3 for the Gaganyaan missions. The expanded vision of Indian Space
Programme during the Amrit Kaal including the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by
2035 & an Indian Crewed Lunar Landing by 2040 requires a new generation of heavier
launch vehicles with new propulsion systems, which cannot be met by the existing
launch pads. The expeditious establishment of a Third Launch Pad to cater to a heavier
class of Next Generation Launch Vehicles and as a stand by for SLP is highly essential so
as to meet the evolving space transportation requirements for another 25-30 years.
19. The Maha Kumbh, a massive gathering of pilgrims held every 12 years, represents the
pinnacle of India's cultural and spiritual traditions. The 2025 edition, hosted in Prayagraj,
Uttar Pradesh, is attracting millions of people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.
Amidst this diversity, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is
leveraging BHASHINI, a revolutionary initiative under the Digital India program, to
ensure seamless communication and accessibility for all participants. By providing
multilingual access in 11 Indian languages, BHASHINI is set to transform the way
information is shared and consumed at this iconic event.
The Maha Kumbh presents unique logistical and communication challenges due to the
scale and linguistic diversity of attendees. BHASHINI addresses these challenges through
its advanced multilingual capabilities:
 Real-Time Information Dissemination: BHASHINI facilitates translation of
announcements, event schedules, and safety guidelines into 11 Indian languages.
This ensures that pilgrims, regardless of their native tongue, can access.
 Simplified Navigation: Language barriers often complicate navigation in large
gatherings. BHASHINI’s speech-to text and text-to-speech tools and multi-lingual
chatbot, integrated with mobile applications and kiosks, guide pilgrims in their
preferred language, enhancing their experience.
 Accessible Emergency Services: Multilingual access to helplines and emergency
services ensures that attendees can seek assistance effectively, fostering a safer

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environment. In collaboration with the UP Police, Bhashini’s CONVERSE feature

supports communication with the 112-emergency helpline, with officers trained to
assist devotees in overcoming language challenges.
 Enabling E-Governance: With BHASHINI’s support, authorities can communicate
regulations, guidelines, and public service announcements to a diverse audience,
ensuring smooth coordination.
 Lost and Found: Bhashini’s ‘Digital Lost & Found Solution’ is a key feature, enabling
visitors to register lost or found items using voice inputs in their native languages,
with real-time text and voice translations simplifying interactions.
What is BHASHINI? BHASHINI, or the BHASHa INterface for India, is a pathbreaking
initiative aimed at democratizing access to digital content and services across India’s
linguistic spectrum. It aligns with the objectives of the Digital India program by fostering
inclusivity and accessibility. As a National Language Translation Mission (NLTM),
BHASHINI uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing
(NLP) technologies to bridge the language divide, enabling users to access content and
services in their preferred language. BHASHINI (Translation Mission) is implemented by
Digital India BHASHINI Division, a division under Digital India Corporation, a Section 8
Company of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
20. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi remarked that India's first private satellite
constellation by PixxelSpace showcases the exceptional talent of India's youth.
Firefly is Pixxel’s flagship hyperspectral imaging satellite constellation, featuring six of
the highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral satellites to date. Three Firefly
satellites successfully launched on SpaceX Transporter-12 on January 14th.
Designed to deliver critical climate and Earth insights with unmatched precision, each
satellite sets a new benchmark in hyperspectral imaging. With advanced spectral
capabilities, near real-time data collection, and wide-ranging applications, the Firefly
constellation is poised to revolutionise how we understand, interact with, and safeguard
our planet’s resources.
 Pixxel, a California-based space technology company building the world's highest-
resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, has successfully launched the first
three satellites ofits Firefly constellation on 15th Jan 2025.
 The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched aboard the Transporter-
12 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California,
USA.
This marks a significant milestone for Pixxel as it begins commercial operations,
delivering critical climate and Earth insights to industries worldwide and solidifying its
position as a global leader in Earth Observation.
The Fireflies, currently the world’s highest-resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral
satellites, bring unprecedented precision to monitoring the planet and setting a new
benchmark for hyperspectral imaging capabilities. With an 5-meter resolution attained
for the first time in a hyperspectral spacecraft, Fireflies are six times sharper than the
30-meter standard of most existing hyperspectral satellites, capturing fine details
previously invisible to conventional systems.
This cutting-edge resolution is paired with the ability to capture data across 150+
spectral bands, enabling Fireflies to detect subtle changes in chemical compositions,
vegetation health, water quality, and even atmospheric conditions with unmatched

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accuracy. Unlike traditional Earth observation satellites that rely on broader spectral
bands, Firefly’s narrowband sensors uncover hidden patterns and anomalies critical for
applications ranging from agriculture to climate action.
 Pixxel’s satellites also feature a 40-kilometer swath width and a daily revisit
capability, enabling consistent monitoring of vast areas without compromising on
detail and ensuring that no critical event goes unnoticed. This combination of high
spatial resolution, spectral richness, and frequent global coverage positions Firefly as
the world's most advanced commercial hyperspectral imaging system.
 Orbiting in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550km, the Fireflies will form the
cornerstone of Pixxel’s mission to build a health monitor for the planet.
This launch marks the first phase of Pixxel’s commercial constellation, with three
additional Firefly satellites scheduled to launch in Q2 2025. Together, these satellites will
deliver comprehensive, real-time data collection and analysis, equipping industries and
governments with insights to address global concerns, manage resources responsibly,
and drive climate action.
Pixxel has already launched three successful demo hyperspectral satellites before this
launch and raised $95 million in funding, making it the most well-funded hyperspectral
imaging space startup globally. With this commercial launch, Pixxel takes a decisive step
toward operationalizing its vision of a hyperspectral-powered future where advanced
Earth observation drives solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Hyperspectral imaging collects and processes information from across
the electromagnetic spectrum. The goal of hyperspectral imaging is to obtain the
spectrum for each pixel in the image of a scene, with the purpose of finding objects,
identifying materials, or detecting processes. There are three general types of spectral
imagers. There are push broom scanners and the related whisk broom scanners (spatial
scanning), which read images over time, band sequential scanners (spectral scanning),
which acquire images of an area at different wavelengths, and snapshot hyperspectral
imagers, which uses a staring array to generate an image in an instant.
Whereas the human eye sees color of visible light in mostly three bands (long
wavelengths, perceived as red; medium wavelengths, perceived as green; and short
wavelengths, perceived as blue), spectral imaging divides the spectrum into many more
bands. This technique of dividing images into bands can be extended beyond the visible.
In hyperspectral imaging, the recorded spectra have fine wavelength resolution and
cover a wide range of wavelengths. Hyperspectral imaging measures continuous spectral
bands, as opposed to multiband imaging which measures spaced spectral bands.
21. The Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), unofficially known as Shukrayaan is a
planned Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) mission to study the surface
and atmosphere of Venus.
Funds were released in 2017 to complete preliminary studies, and solicitations for
instruments were announced. The orbiter was expected to have a science payload
capability of approximately 100 kilograms (220 lb) with 500 W available power. The
initial elliptical orbit around Venus is expected to be 500 km (310 mi) at periapsis &
60,000 km (37,000 mi) at apoapsis. On 18 September 2024, the mission was formally
approved by the Indian government and the launch date was set to March 2028. On 1
October 2024, ISRO announced the launch date to be 29 March 2028, with a journey of
112 days, thereby reaching the Venusian orbit on 19 July 2028.

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22. Chandrayaan-4 Mission:

The Chandrayaan-4 mission will be India’s fourth mission to the Moon. The first two
missions, viz. Chandrayaan-1 and 2 have studied the Moon’s surface, sub-surface and
exosphere in a global scale, from orbiter platforms. Chandrayaan-3 has been the first-
ever successful lunar soft-landing and robotic exploration in the Southern polar region of
the Moon. It has conducted in-situ studies of the lunar surface, near-surface plasma, and
recorded, for the first time, lunar ground vibrations in the Southern polar regions.
 The Chandrayaan-4 mission will be a leap-frog progress in India’s lunar endeavour.
While in the Candrayaan-3 mission ISRO demonstrated soft-landing in the lunar
South Polar region, roving on the lunar surface, hopping of the lander module on the
lunar surface, and bringing back the propulsion module from the lunar to the Earth-
bound orbit, the Chandrayaan-4 mission will demonstrate taking off from the lunar
surface after collecting surface samples, and bringing back the same to the Earth
with protection of the collected samples against damage and contamination.
 So far, the lunar samples returned by the Apollo and Luna missions (from US and
Russia, respectively) stood as the only set of materials accessible to the humankind
for laboratory analysis. However, those lunar samples were returned from zones of
similar geological nature. Considering the geological diversity of the Moon's surface,
the Apollo and Luna samples did not cover the totality of the different types of the
lunar materials. Towards attaining a more complete picture of the Earth-Moon
system during the origin and formative days of the Moon, it is imperative to study
different kinds of lunar samples returned from diverse geological zones. This
requirement, to a certain extent, was met by the Chinese Chang'e-5 lunar mission,
which returned lunar sample from a geologically young zone, thus facilitating the
understanding of the thermal history of the Moon. This requirement continues, and
the lunar science community needs more lunar samples, to be collected from diverse
geological zones.
 In this context, India’s Chandrayaan-4 mission, planned for lunar sample return from
the Southern polar region is of utmost significance. This is more so after India’s
systematic exploration of the Moon through orbiter, lander and rover. Lunar surface
exploration missions followed by sample return will be the next major step in lunar
exploration for India, and will result in important contributions in understanding the
Earth-Moon system.
 Science enabled by returned samples is unique when compared to in-situ
instruments and global measurements. Much of the science in Chandrayaan-4 is
concentrated on analysing the samples on ground, however the cameras and sensors
onboard the spacecraft modules will provide useful insights on the texture of lunar
regolith around the landing site and geologic context for interpretation of analysed
samples. Studying the returned samples, which are chemically and mineralogically
diverse, involve steps ranging from classifying the samples, cataloguing, sample
preparation all the way to sample characterisation.
 Scientists widely use optical and electron microscopy techniques and various
spectroscopic methods over a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum to
understand the physical properties and internal structure of the samples. Scanning
electron microscopes and electron microprobes enable chemical and mineralogical
analysis at nanometer to micrometer scales. In addition, ion beam instruments and

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transmission electron microscopes provide detailed understanding of the samples in

terms of composition. Such analysis are extremely useful to understand the origin
and evolution of the Moon and Earth, as well as the inner solar system.
Moreover, the returned samples will take advantage of all the instrumentation and
capabilities available on the Earth, not only at the time of return but also in the future.
23. Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken the initiative in
developing a long-duration Supersonic Combustion Ramjet or Scramjet powered
Hypersonic technology. DRDL recently developed these technologies and demonstrated
a cutting-edge Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor ground test for 120 seconds for the
first time in India. The successful ground test marks a crucial milestone in developing
next-generation hypersonic missiles.
Hypersonic missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than
Mach 5 i.e., five times the speed of sound or more than 5,400 km/hr. These advanced
weapons have the potential to bypass existing Air Defence Systems and deliver rapid
and high-impact strikes. Several nations including USA, Russia, India and China are
actively pursuing Hypersonic technology. The key to hypersonic vehicles is Scramjets,
which are air breathing engines capable of sustaining combustion at supersonic speeds
without using any moving parts.
The ground test of scramjet combustor showcased several notable achievements,
demonstrating its potential for operational use in Hypersonic vehicles, like successful
ignition and stable combustion. Ignition in a scramjet engine is like ‘keeping a candle lit
in a hurricane’. Scramjet combustor incorporates an innovative flame stabilisation
technique that holds continuous flame inside the combustor with air speed in excess of
1.5 km/s. Many novel and promising ignition & flame holding techniques were studied
through many ground tests in arriving at Scramjet Engine configuration. Advanced
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation tools were used for their evaluation &
performance prediction.
The indigenous development of endothermic scramjet fuel, the first time in India, jointly
by DRDL and Industry is central to this breakthrough. The fuel offers dual benefits of
significant cooling improvement and ease of ignition. The team developed a special
manufacturing process to achieve stringent fuel requirements of DRDL at Industrial
scale.
Another key achievement is the development of state-of-art Thermal Barrier Coating
(TBC) which is designed to withstand extreme temperatures encountered during
hypersonic flight. A new advanced ceramic TBC having high thermal resistance &capable
of operating beyond melting point of steel has been jointly developed by DRDL and
Department of Science &Technology (DST) Laboratory. The coating is applied inside the
Scramjet engine using special deposition methods that enhance their performance and
longevity. With demonstrated capabilities in stable combustion, enhanced performance
and advanced thermal management, this breakthrough sets the stage for next
generation Hypersonic missiles.
24. Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt has performed India’s first-ever Left
Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation using the Heart Mate 3 device in a
government institution. This marks a historic first for the Armed Forces Medical Services
too. The procedure was successfully performed on a 49-year-old wife of an Armed

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Forces veteran who had been waiting for a heart transplant for over two years. The
LVAD, often regarded as a ‘mechanical heart’, serves as a life-saving bridge for patients
with end-stage heart failure.
The Heart Mate 3 LVAD is a cutting-edge device that uses advanced technology to
improve heart function. It offers hope to patients with severe cardiac conditions.
Currently, the patient is recovering steadily under medical supervision, showcasing the
success of high-quality team work.
25. The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) is India’s ambitious quest to explore and harness the
depths of the ocean. As part of this initiative, India will, for the first time, embark on a
journey to a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean using an indigenously developed
submersible with a three-member crew. The mission will require technologies to access
and transport tonnes of valuable minerals from the ocean-bed in an environmentally
safe manner.
DOM is India’s ambitious programme, chiefly implemented by the MoES. DOM was
approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021 at a cost of nearly Rs 4,077 crore over a five-year
period in a phased manner. The mission has six pillars:
a. Development of technologies for deep-sea mining and a manned submersible to
carry three people to a depth of 6,000 metres in the ocean. The submersible will be
equipped with a suite of scientific sensors, tools and an integrated system for mining
polymetallic nodules from the central Indian Ocean;
b. Development of ocean climate change advisory services, involving an array of ocean
observations and models to understand and provide future climate projections;
c. Technological innovations for the exploration and conservation of deep-sea
biodiversity;
d. Deep-ocean survey and exploration aimed at identifying potential sites of multi-
metal hydrothermal sulphides mineralisation along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic
ridges;
e. Harnessing energy and freshwater from the ocean; and
f. Establishing an advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology, as a hub for nurturing
talent and driving new opportunities in ocean biology and blue biotechnology.
The ‘New India 2030’ document outlines a blue economy as the sixth core objective for
India’s growth. The years 2021-2030 have been designated by the United Nations as the
‘Decade of Ocean Science’.
DOM is one of nine missions under the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and
Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC). It is imperative that DOM supports the blue-
economy priority area, blue trade, and blue manufacturing in India.
MoES institutes, especially the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE),
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Centre for
Coastal Research (NCCR), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will collaborate with other national
institutes and academia to achieve the objectives outlined in DOM, albeit with well-
segregated responsibilities. DOM’s progress is closely monitored by special councils and
committees comprising experts from across the national and multi-institutions, given its
status as a priority and focus area for us.
26. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh flagged-off ‘SANJAY- The Battlefield Surveillance System
(BSS)’ from South Block, New Delhi on January 24, 2025.

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 SANJAY is an automated system which integrates the inputs from all ground and
aerial battlefield sensors, processing them to confirm their veracity, preventing
duplication and fusing them to produce a Common Surveillance Picture of the
battlefield over secured Army Data Network & Satellite Communication
Network. It will enhance battlefield transparency and transform the future
battlefield through a Centralised Web Application which will provide inputs to
Command & Army Headquarters, and the Indian Army Decision Support System.
 The BSS is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and cutting-edge analytics. It will
monitor the vast land borders, prevent intrusions, assess situations with unparalleled
accuracy and prove to be a force multiplier in Intelligence, Surveillance &
Reconnaissance. This would enable commanders to operate in both conventional &
sub-conventional operations in a Network Centric Environment. Its induction will be
an extraordinary leap towards data and network centricity in the Indian Army.
 SANJAY has been indigenously & jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat
Electronics Limited (BEL) creating a conducive ecosystem towards achieving
‘Aatmanirbharta’ as a follow up to the Indian Army’s ‘Year of Technology
Absorption’. These systems will be inducted to all operational Brigades, Divisions &
Corps of the Indian Army in three phases w.e.f. March to October of 2025, which has
been declared as ‘Year of Reforms’ in the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This system has
been developed under the Buy (Indian) category at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore.
27. Launchers or Launch Vehicles are used to carry spacecraft to space. India has three
active operational launch vehicles: Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV),
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch
Vehicle Mk-III (LVM3).
Overview
PSLV is configured with four variants like 6,4,2 solid rocket strap-on motors& core alone
versions. Variants will be chosen based on the payload weights & orbit to be
accomplished. PSLV has been a versatile launch vehicle deployed for launching all the
three types of payloads viz. Earth Observation, Geo-stationary and Navigation. It has got
highest success rate and considered as work horse of ISRO.
GSLV with indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage has enabled the launching up to 2 tonne
class of communication satellites.
The LVM3 is the next generation launch vehicle capable of launching 4 tonne class of
communication satellites and 10 tonne class of payloads to LEOs. The vehicle was
developed with completely indigenized technologies including the C25 cryo stage. The
launch vehicle has a track record of all successful launches even from the first
development flight. The Human rated LVM3 is identified as the launch vehicle for
Gaganyaan mission, which is named as HRLV.
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is being developed with complete indigenous
technologies to meet the small satellite launch market on demand driven basis
In order to achieve high accuracy in placing satellites into their orbits, a combination of
accuracy, efficiency, power and immaculate planning are required. ISRO's Launch
Vehicle Programme spans numerous centres. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, located in
Thiruvananthapuram, is responsible for the design and development of launch vehicles.
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and ISRO Propulsion Complex, located at Valiamala
and Mahendragiri respectively, develop the liquid and cryogenic stages for these launch

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vehicles. Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, is the space port of India and is responsible
for integration of launchers. It houses two operational launch for launching ISRO's
launch vehicles.
The Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) is a three-stage partially reusable Heavy-lift
launch vehicle, currently under development by the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). This vehicle is designed to replace currently operational systems
like PSLV, GSLV and LVM3. The project was previously referred to as Unified Launch
Vehicle (ULV).
This family of three launchers was previously being designed for replacing the different
core propulsion modules of PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3 respectively with a common semi-
cryogenic engine and hence it was named as Unified Launch Vehicle (ULV). Unlike the
latest proposal of the launcher, the initial proposals were planned to be expendable. But
the new proposals under the name of Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) suggests
launchers having partial reusability.
The significance of the NGLV lies in its heavy lift capability and reusability. The NGLV will
triple the payload capacity of the LVM3 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk
III), which is India’s most powerful rocket. This comes with numerous benefits. Heavy lift
rockets ease restrictions related to weight and volume. It frees up the focus of engineers
and scientists that would otherwise have to be spent on miniaturisation or weight
reduction. It greatly increases the potential of space-related missions. The possibilities
increase exponentially.
S. Sivakumar is the program director for ISRO's Space Transportation System and the
projector director for NGLV at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). The development
of the NGLV is projected to be 8 years from December 2024.
28. A batch of cowpea seeds- better known as lobia in Hindi or thattapayaru in Tamil have
successfully sprouted in space, days after they were taken into orbit by an Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO) mission. The space agency has also successfully operated
India’s first space robotic arm, it announced on January 4, 2025.
The two experiments were part of the 24 payloads flown on the PSLV-C60 SpaDeX
mission’s PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM-4) on December 30, 2024.
The CROPS payload, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), is
envisioned as a multi-phase platform to develop and evolve ISRO’s capabilities for
growing and sustaining flora in extra terrestrial environments.
The Relocatable Robotic Manipulator-Technology Demonstrator (RRM-TD), also known
as the Walking Robotic Arm, is India’s first space robotic manipulator with walking
capability, developed by IISU. It is a 7 Degree of Freedom (DoF) robotic arm that will
perform relocation through ‘inchworm walking’ to defined targets on the POEM-4
platform.
“This experiment will demonstrate a large workspace for in-orbit servicing with robotic
manipulators comprising indigenous robotic joints and arm controllers, a grappling
mechanism and standardised adaptor with power and data transfer, cameras for eye-in-
hand operation, and advanced software architecture with obstacle-aware motion
planning and several layers of safety features deployed on a high-compute processor,”
ISRO said.
It added that the experiment will serve as a precursor technology demonstrator for
certain robotic technologies of Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), such as end-on-end

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walking, microgravity operation of robotic arms, vision-based 6DoF pose estimation,

visual inspection of stages, robotic manipulation through visual servoing and compliance
control, harness-free operation using power and data grappling fixtures, tele-operation,
and a digital twin.
29. Grok is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by xAI. Based on the large
language model (LLM) of the same name, it was launched in 2023 as an initiative by Elon
Musk. The chatbot is advertised as having a "sense of humor" and direct access to X,
formerly known as Twitter. It is currently available on X, as well as on its standalone
website and iOS and Android apps.
Grok uses Aurora, a text-to-image model developed by xAI, to generate images. It
initially used Flux by Black Forest Labs. As with other text-to-image models,
Aurora generates images from natural language descriptions, called prompts.

30. Hangzhou DeepSeek Artificial Intelligence Basic Technology Research Co., Ltd., doing
business as DeepSeek, is a Chinese artificial intelligence company that develops large
language models (LLMs). Based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, it is owned and funded by the
Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer. DeepSeek was founded in July 2023 by High-Flyer co-
founder Liang Wenfeng, who also serves as the CEO for both companies. The company
launched an eponymous chatbot alongside its DeepSeek-R1 model in January 2025.
A large language model (LLM) is a type of machine learning model designed for natural
language processing tasks such as language generation. LLMs are language models with
many parameters, and are trained with self-supervised learning on a vast amount of
text.
The largest and most capable LLMs are generative pretrained transformers (GPTs).
Modern models can be fine-tuned for specific tasks or guided by prompt
engineering. These models acquire predictive power regarding syntax, semantics,
and ontologies inherent in human language corpora, but they also inherit inaccuracies
and biases present in the data they are trained in.
31. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 29, 2025 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
at 6.23 a.m. and 19 minutes later the GSLV-F15 with indigenous cryogenic stage placed
the NVS-02 satellite in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit as intended.
The NVS-02 is the second satellite in the NVS series, and part of India’s Navigation with
Indian Constellation (NavIC).
According to ISRO, NavIC is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system
designed to provide accurate Position, Velocity, and Timing (PVT) service to users in
India and the region extending about 1,500 km beyond the Indian landmass, which is its
primary service area.
NavIC provides two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted
Service (RS). NavIC SPS provides a position accuracy of better than 20 metres (2σ) and
timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds (2σ) over the primary service area.
NavIC provides two types of services: Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted
Service (RS). NavIC SPS provides a position accuracy of better than 20 metres (2σ) and
timing accuracy of better than 40 nanoseconds (2σ) over the primary service area.

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Five second-generation NavIC satellites, NVS-01/02/03/04/05, are envisaged to augment

the NavIC base layer constellation with enhanced features to ensure continuity of
services. The NVS series of satellites incorporate L1 band signals to widen the services.
NVS-01, the first of the second-generation satellites, was launched on board GSLV-F12
on May 29, 2023. For the first time, an indigenous atomic clock was flown in NVS-01.
NVS-02, the second satellite in the NVS series, is configured with navigation payload in
L1, L5 and S bands in addition to ranging payload in C-band like its predecessor-NVS-01.
It will be placed at 111.75ºE, replacing IRNSS-1E. NVS-02 uses a combination of
indigenous and procured atomic clocks for precise time estimation.

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Sports

1. The World Rapid Chess Championship 2024 was the 2024 edition of the annual World
Rapid Chess Championship held by FIDE to determine the world champions in chess
played under rapid time controls. The tournament was held at Cipriani Wall
Street in New York City from 26 to 28 December 2024, using a Swiss system with 13
rounds for the open tournament and 11 rounds for the women's tournament.
Players eligible to participate in the open tournament had to either be rated at least
2550 Elo in a FIDE rating list during 2024, or be a reigning national champion. The time
control was 15 minutes per player with a 10-second per-move increment. Since 2012,
FIDE has held the World Rapid and Blitz Championships at a joint tournament.
Volodar Arturovich Murzin (born 18 July 2006) is a Russian chess grandmaster and
current World Rapid Chess Champion. Originally from Nizhny Tagil, Murzin lives
in Khimki. Murzin won the 2024 World Rapid Chess Championship in Wall Street, New
York, with a score of 10/13.
Koneru Humpy (born 31 March 1987) is an Indian chess grandmaster. Humpy is a
runner-up of the Women's World Chess Championship and the reigning two-
time Women's World Rapid Chess Champion. In 2002, she became the youngest woman
ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster aged 15 years, 1 month, 27 days, a record only
since surpassed by Hou Yifan. Humpy is a gold medalist at the Olympiad, Asian Games,
and Asian Championship. She is also the first Indian female grandmaster.
In October 2007, Humpy became the second female player, after Judit Polgár, to exceed
the 2600 Elo rating mark, being rated 2606. Humpy won the Women's World Rapid
Chess Championship in 2019 and 2024.
2. National Sports Awards 2024: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the
National Sports Awards 2024 recently. The awardees will receive their awards from the
President of India at a specially organized function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on
17th January, 2025.
Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, Government
has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons, coaches, university and
entity:
i. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024

S. No. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

1. Shri Gukesh D Chess
2. Shri Harmanpreet Singh Hockey
3. Shri Praveen Kumar Para-Athletics
4. Ms. Manu Bhaker Shooting

ii. Arjuna Awards for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2024

S. No. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

1. Ms. Jyothi Yarraji Athletics
2. Ms. Annu Rani Athletics
3. Ms. Nitu Boxing
4. Ms. Saweety Boxing
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5. Ms. Vantika Agrawal Chess

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

iii. Arjuna Awards (Lifetime) for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2024

S. No. Name of the Sportsperson Discipline

1. Shri Sucha Singh Athletics
2. Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar Para-Swimming

iv. Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games 2024
A. Regular Category:
S. No. Name of the Coach Discipline
1. Shri Subhash Rana Para-Shooting
2. Ms. Deepali Deshpande Shooting
3. Shri Sandeep Sangwan Hockey
B. Lifetime Category:

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S. No. Name of the Coach Discipline

1. Shri S Muralidharan Badminton
2. Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco Football

v. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar

S. No. Name of the Entity

1. Physical Education Foundation of India

vi. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2024:

S. No. Name of University

1 Chandigarh University Overall winner University
2 Lovely Professional University, (PB) 1st runner up University
3 Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 2nd runner up University

 National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in
sports.
 ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ is given for the spectacular and most
outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over the period of the
previous four years.
 ‘Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games’ is given for good
performance over a period of the previous four years and for showing qualities of
leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
 Arjuna Award (Lifetime) is given to honour and motivate those sportspersons who have
contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of
sports even after their retirement from active sporting career.
 ‘Dronacharya Award for outstanding coaches in Sports and Games’ is given to coaches
for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and for enabling
sportspersons to excel in International events.
 The overall top performing university in Khelo India University Games is given the
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.
The applications were invited online and sportspersons/coaches/entities were permitted
to self-apply through a dedicated Online Portal. A large number of applications were
received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committee
headed by Justice (Retd.) V. Ramasubramanian, Supreme Court of India and consisting
members from eminent sportspersons, persons having experience in sports journalism
and sports administrators.
3. The 2025 Kho Kho World Cup was the first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup. It was held
at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi, India from 13 to 19 January 2025. The
tournament was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India and the International Kho
Kho Federation.
India defeated Nepal in both the men's and women's competition to be crowned
champions.

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It was played under the seven-a-side fast format used for Ultimate Kho Kho. The teams
were split into four groups, and there were two stages: the group stage, followed by the
knockout stage.
Kho kho is a traditional South Asian sport that dates to ancient India. It is the second-
most popular traditional tag game in the Indian subcontinent after kabaddi. Kho kho is
played on a rectangular court with a central lane connecting two poles which are at
either end of the court. During the game, nine players from the chasing team (attacking
team) are on the field, with eight of them sitting (crouched) in the central lane, while
three runners from the defending team run around the court and try to avoid being
touched. Each sitting player on the chasing team faces the opposite half of the field that
their adjacent teammates are facing.
4. The 2028 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad and commonly
known as Los Angeles 2028 or LA28, is an upcoming international multi-sport
event scheduled to take place from July 14–30, 2028, in the United States. Los
Angeles will be the host city, with various events also scheduled to be held at other cities
spread across the Greater Los Angeles area, plus two subsites in Oklahoma City.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the international, non-
governmental, sports governing body of the modern Olympic Games. Founded in 1894
by Pierre de Coubertin and Demetrios Vikelas, it is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The
IOC is the authority responsible for organizing the Summer, Winter,
and Youth Olympics. The IOC is also the governing body of the National Olympic
Committees (NOCs) and the worldwide Olympic Movement, which includes all entities
and individuals involved in the Olympic Games. As of 2020, 206 NOCs officially were
recognized by the IOC. The IOC president has been Thomas Bach since 2013.
5. Beatrice Chebet (born 5 March 2000) is a Kenyan long-distance runner who is the
current world record holder in both the women's only and mixed 5 kilometre run, in
addition to the 10,000 metres. She won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in
the 5000 m and 10,000 m races, becoming the third woman in history to win both
events at the same Olympic games. She is nicknamed the "smiling assassin".
In 2022, Chebet won gold medals in the 5000 m at the Commonwealth Games, African
Championships, and Diamond League, and a silver medal in the 5000 m at the World
Championships. Chebet also won gold medals at the 2023 and 2024 World Cross Country
Championships.
Chebet won gold medals in the 5000 m at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships and
the Junior women section of the 2019 World Cross Country Championships.
6. The 2025 Australian Open was a Grand Slam level tennis tournament held at Melbourne
Park from 12 to 26 January 2025. It was the 113th edition of the Australian Open, the
57th in the Open Era, and the first major of the year. The tournament consisted of events
for professional players in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. Junior and wheelchair
players competed in singles and doubles tournaments.
Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev and successfully defended the men's singles
title. Madison Keys won the women's singles champion, after defeating two-time
defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
The 2025 Australian Open became the first Australian Open to present pickleball. From
January 24 to the 26th the AO Pickleball Slam tournament was held. One hundred

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thousand dollars in prize money was awarded to some of Australia's top professional
pickleball players.
7. The 2024–25 Santosh Trophy was the 78th edition of the Santosh Trophy, the premier
competition in India for senior men's football teams representing their
respective states/union territories and government institutions.
West Bengal re-asserted its supremacy in the Santosh Trophy national football
championship, clinching the title for a record 33rd time with a 1-0 win against Kerala in
the final of the 78th edition.
The following awards were given out at the end of the tournament:
Award Player Team
Top scorer Robi Hansda West Bengal
Tulsidas Balaram player of the final match Robi Hansda West Bengal
Peter Thangaraj player of the championship Robi Hansda West Bengal

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Economic Survey 2024-25

Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the
Economic Survey 2024-25 in the Parliament on 31st Jan 2024. The highlights of the survey
are as follows-
State of the Economy: Getting Back into the Fast Lane
 India's real GDP growth is estimated at 6.4 per cent in FY25 (as per first advance
estimates of national income), which equates nearly to its decadal average.
 Real gross value added (GVA) is also estimated to grow by 6.4 per cent FY25.
 The global economy on an average grew by 3.3 per cent in 2023 against the IMF
projection of 3.2 per cent growth in the next five years.
 The real GDP growth in FY26 is expected to grow between 6.3 and 6.8 per cent, keeping
in mind the upsides and downsides to growth.
 Thrust on grassroots-level structural reforms and deregulation to reinforce the medium-
term growth potential and boost global competitiveness of Indian economy.
 Geopolitical tensions, ongoing conflicts and global trade policy risks continue to pose
significant challenges to the global economic outlook.
 Retail headline inflation has softened from 5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.9 per cent in April –
December 2024.
 Capital expenditure (CAPEX) improved continuously from FY21 to FY24. Post general
elections, CAPEX grew YOY by 8.2 per cent during July –November 2024.
 India accounts for seventh-largest share in global services exports, underscoring India’s
global competitiveness in the sector.
 During April to December 2024, non-Petroleum and non-Gems & Jewellery exports went
up by 9.1 per cent reflecting resilience of India’s merchandise exports amid volatile
global conditions.
Monetary and Financial Sector Developments: The Card and the Horse
 Bank credit has grown at a steady rate with credit growth converging towards deposit
growth.
 Profitability of Scheduled Commercial Banks improved, reflected in a fall in gross non-
performing assets (GNPAs) and rise in capital to risk weighted asset ratio (CRAR).
 Credit growth outpaced nominal GDP growth for two successive years. The credit-GDP
gap narrowed to (-) 0.3 per cent in Q1 of FY25 from (-) 10.3 per cent in Q1 of FY23,
indicating sustainable bank credit growth.
 Banking sector exhibits improvement in asset quality, robust capital buffers, and strong
operational performance.
 The gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) of Scheduled Commercial Banks declined to a
12-year low of 2.6 per cent of gross loans and advances at the end of September 2024.
 Under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, ₹3.6 lakh crore realized in resolution of 1,068
plans till September 2024. It amounts to 161 per cent against the liquidation value and
86.1 per cent of the fair value of the assets involved.
 Indian stock markets outperformed its emerging market peers despite election-driven
market volatility challenges.

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 The total resource mobilisation from primary markets (equity and debt) stands at ₹11.1
lakh crore from April to December 2024, five per cent more than the amount mobilised
during FY24.
 BSE stock market capitalisation to GDP ratio stood at 136 per cent at the end of
December 2024, far higher than other Emerging Market Economies like China (65 per
cent) and Brazil (37 per cent).
 India’s insurance market continued its upward trajectory, with total insurance premiums
growing by 7.7 per cent in FY24, reaching ₹11.2 lakh crore.
 India's pension sector experienced significant growth, with the total number of pension
subscribers growing by 16 per cent (YoY) as of September 2024.
External Sector: Getting FDI Right
 India’s external sector continues to display resilience amidst global uncertainties and
headwinds.
 Overall exports (merchandise + services) grew by 6 per cent (YOY) in the first nine
months of FY25. Services sector by 11.6 per cent during the same time.
 India commands 10.2 per cent of the global export market in ‘Telecommunications,
Computer, & Information Services’, ranking 2nd largest exporter in the world, as per
UNCTAD.
 India’s current account deficit (CAD) stood at 1.2 per cent of GDP in Q2 of FY25,
supported by rising net services receipts and an increase in private transfer receipts.
 Gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows recorded a revival in FY25, increasing from
USD 47.2 billion in the first eight months of FY24 to USD 55.6 billion in the same period
of FY25, a YoY growth of 17.9 per cent.
 India’s FOREX reserves stood at USD 640.3 billion as of the end of December
2024, sufficient to cover 10.9 months of imports and approximately 90 per cent of the
country’s external debt.
 India’s external debt remained stable over the past few years, with the external debt to
GDP ratio standing at 19.4 per cent at the end of September 2024.
Prices and Inflation: Understanding the Dynamics
 As per the IMF, the global inflation rate moderated to 5.7 per cent by 2024 from its peak
of 8.7 per cent in 2022.
 Retail inflation in India saw a reduction from 5.4 per cent in FY24 to 4.9 per cent in FY25
(April-December 2024).
 RBI and the IMF project India’s consumer price inflation will gradually align with the
target of around 4 per cent in FY26.
 Development of climate-resilient crop varieties and enhanced farming practices are
essential to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events and achieve long-term price
stability.
Medium-Term Outlook: Deregulation Drives Growth
 Indian economy is in the middle of a change that represents an unprecedented
economic challenge and opportunity. Geo-Economic Fragmentation (GEF) is replacing
globalization leading to imminent economic realignments and readjustments.
 To realize the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 India will need to achieve a growth rate of
around 8 per cent at constant prices, on average, for about a decade or two.

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 The Medium-term growth outlook for India must consider the new global realities - GEF,
China's manufacturing prowess, and dependency of efforts for energy transition on
China.
 India to focus on systematic deregulation to reinvigorate the domestic levers of growth
and empower individuals and organisations to pursue legitimate economic activity with
ease.
 Systemic deregulation or enhancing economic freedom for individuals and small
businesses is arguably the most important policy priority to bolster India's medium-term
growth prospects.
 Focus of reforms and economic policy must now be on systematic deregulation under
Ease of Doing Business 2.0 and creation of a viable Mittelstand, i.e. India's SME sector.
 In the next step, States must work on liberalising standards and controls, setting legal
safeguards for enforcement, reducing tariffs and fees, and applying risk-based
regulation.
Investment and Infrastructure: Keeping it Going
 The central focus of the Government in the last five years was on increasing public
spending on infrastructure, and speeding up approvals and resource mobilization.
 The Union Government‘s capital expenditure on key infrastructure sectors has grown at
a rate of 38.8 per cent from FY20 to FY24.
 Under railway connectivity, 2031 km of railway network was commissioned between
April and November, 2024, and 17 new pairs of Vande Bharat trains were introduced
between April and October 2024.
 Under road network, 5853 km of National Highways was constructed in FY25 (April-Dec).

 Under National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, a total of 383 plots

covering 3788 acres have been allotted for industrial use for various sectors in phase 1.
 Operational efficiency improved reduction in average container turnaround time in
major ports from 48.1 hours in FY24 to 30.4 hours during FY25 (Apr-Nov), significantly
improving port connectivity.
 A 15.8 per cent year-on-year increase in renewable energy capacity of solar and wind
power by December 2024.
 The share of renewable energy in India’s total installed capacity now stands at 47 per
cent.
 Government’s schemes like the DDUGJY and the SAUBHAGYA improved electricity
access in rural areas, electrifying 18,374 villages and providing electricity to 2.9 crore
households.
 The government’s digital connectivity initiatives have gained traction, particularly with
the rollout of 5G services across all states and union territories by October 2024.
 Efforts to provide 4G mobile services to remote areas under the Universal Service
Obligation Fund (now Digital Bharat Nidhi) have made significant strides, with over
10,700 villages covered by December 2024.
 Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, over 12 crore families have gained access of piped
drinking water since its launch.
 Under Phase II of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, during April to November 2024,
1.92 lakh villages were incrementally declared ODF Plus under the model category,
taking the total number of ODF Plus villages to 3.64 lakh.
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 In urban areas, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has completed over 89 lakh houses.
 City transportation network is expanding rapidly, with metro and rapid rail systems
operational or under construction in 29 cities, covering over 1,000 kilometers.
 Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act, 2016, ensured regulation and transparency
of Real Estate sector. By January 2025, over 1.38 lakh real estate projects registered, and
1.38 lakh complaints were resolved.
 India currently operates 56 active space assets. The government‘s Space Vision 2047
includes ambitious projects like the Gaganyaan mission and the Chandrayaan-4 Lunar
Sample Return Mission.
 Public sector investment alone cannot meet the requirements of infrastructure,
and private sector participation will be crucial to bridge the gap.
 The government has created mechanisms such as the National Infrastructure Pipeline
and National Monetisation Pipeline to facilitate private sector involvement in
infrastructure.
Industry: All about Business Reforms
 The industrial sector expected to grow by 6.2 per cent in FY-25 (first advance estimates),
driven by robust growth in electricity and construction.
 The government has been actively promoting Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0,
supporting the establishment of SAMARTH Udyog centres.
 In FY24, the Indian automobile domestic sales grew by 12.5 per cent.
 The domestic production of electronic goods has grown at a CAGR of 17.5 per cent from
FY15 to FY24.
 99 per cent smartphones now manufactured domestically, drastically reducing India’s
dependence on imports.
 The total annual turnover of pharmaceuticals in FY24 was ₹4.17 lakh crore, growing at
an average rate of 10.1 per cent in the last five years.
 As per the WIPO Report 2022, India ranks sixth among the top 10 patent filing
offices globally.
 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector has emerged as a highly vibrant
sector of the Indian economy.
 To provide equity funding to MSMEs with the potential to scale up, the government
launched the Self-Reliant India Fund with a corpus of ₹50,000 crore.
 The government is implementing the Micro and Small Enterprises-Cluster Development
Programme to develop clusters across the country.
Services -New Challenges for the Old War Horse
 The service sector’s contribution to total GVA has risen from 50.6 per cent in FY14 to
55.3 per cent in FY25 (First Advance Estimates).
 The average growth rate of the services sector was 8 per cent in the pre-pandemic years
(FY13 -FY20). It stood at 8.3 per cent in the post-pandemic period (FY23–FY25).
 India held a 4.3 per cent share in global services exports in 2023, ranking seventh
worldwide.
 India’s services export growth surged to 12.8 per cent during April–November FY25, up
from 5.7 per cent in FY24.

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 Information and computer-related services grew at a trend rate of 12.8 per cent over
the last decade (FY13–FY23), increasing their share of overall GVA from 6.3 per cent to
10.9 per cent.
 Indian Railways recorded an 8 per cent growth in passenger traffic originating in FY24.
Revenue-earning freight in FY24 grew by 5.2 per cent.
 The tourism sector’s contribution to GDP returned to its pre-pandemic level of 5 per
cent in FY23.
Agriculture and Food Management: Sector of the Future
 The ‘Agriculture and Allied Activities‘ sector contributes approximately 16 per cent of
the country’s GDP for FY24 (PE) at current prices.
 High-value sectors like horticulture, livestock, and fisheries have become key drivers of
overall agricultural growth.
 Kharif foodgrain production for 2024 is expected to reach 1647.05 Lakh Metric Tonnes
(LMT), an increase of 89.37 LMT from the previous year.
 For the fiscal year 2024-25, the MSP for Arhar and Bajra has been increased by 59 per
cent and 77 per cent over the weighted average cost of production, respectively.
 The fisheries sector has shown the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7
per cent, followed by livestock with a CAGR of 8 per cent.
 National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna
Yojana (PMGKAY) marked a fundamental shift in the approach to food security.
 The provision of free food grains under PMGKAY for another five years, reflects the long-
term commitment of Govt towards food and nutrition security.
 As of 31st October, over 11 crore farmers have benefitted under PM-KISAN, while 23.61
lakh farmers are enrolled under PM Kisan Mandhan.
Climate & Environment: Adaptation Matters
 India’s ambition to achieve developed nation status by 2047 is fundamentally anchored
in the vision of inclusive and sustainable development.
 India has installed electricity generation capacity of 2,13,701 megawatts from non-fossil
fuel sources, which accounts for 46.8 per cent of the total capacity as of 30 November
2024.
 As per the Forest Survey of India 2024 an additional carbon sink of 2.29 billion tonnes
CO2 equivalent has been created between 2005 and 202
 The India-led global movement, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), aims to enhance the
country’s sustainability efforts.
 By 2030, it is estimated that LiFE measures could save consumers around USD 440 billion
globally through reduced consumption and lower prices.
Social Sector -Extending reach and driving empowerment
 The social services expenditure of the government (combined for Centre and States)
increased at a compound annual growth rate of 15 per cent from FY21 to FY 25.
 Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality in consumption expenditure, is declining. For
rural areas it declined to 0.237 in 2023-24 from 0.266 in 2022-23, and for urban areas, it
fell to 0.284 in 2023-24 from 0.314 in 2022-23.
 Various fiscal policies of the government are aiding in reshaping the income distribution.
 Government health expenditure increases from 29.0 per cent to 48.0 per cent; share of
out-of-pocket expenditure in total health expenditure declines from 62.6 per cent to
39.4 per cent, reducing financial hardship endured by households.
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 The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has played a
decisive role in the significant reductions in expenditure with over ₹1.25 lakh crore in
savings being recorded.
 The strategy of ―Localisa on of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been
adopted to ensure that budgets at the Gram Panchayat levels align with the SDG
objectives.
Employment and Skill Development: Existential priorities
 Indian labour market indicators have improved with unemployment rate declining to 3.2
per cent in 2023-24 (July-June) from 6.0 per cent in 2017-18 (July-June).
 With around 26 per cent of the population in the age group of 10-24 years, India stands
at the cusp of a unique demographic opportunity, as one of the youngest nations
globally.
 To give a fillip to women's entrepreneurship, the government has launched several
initiatives in terms of easier access to credit, marketing support, skill development, and
support to women start-ups, etc.
 The growing digital economy and renewable energy sectors are providing enhanced
opportunities for job creation, essential for achieving the Viksit Bharat’s vision.
 The government is establishing a resilient and responsive skilled ecosystem to keep pace
with emerging global trends such as automation, generative AI, digitalisation, and the
effects of climate change.
 The Government has implemented measures to boost employment, foster self-
employment, and promote worker welfare.
 The recently launched PM-Internship Scheme is emerging as a transformative catalyst
for employment generation.
 The net payroll additions under EPFO have more than doubled in the past six years,
signalling healthy growth in formal employment.
Labour in the AI Era: Crisis or Catalyst?
 Developers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) promise to usher in a new age, where a bulk of
the economically valuable work is automated.
 AI is anticipated to surpass human performance in critical decision-making across
various fields, including healthcare, research, criminal justice, education, business, and
financial services.
 Barriers to large-scale AI adoption persist in the present, which include concerns over
reliability, resource inefficiencies, and infrastructure deficits. These challenges, along
with AI’s experimental nature, create a window for policymakers to act.
 Fortunately, due to AI presently being in its infancy, India is afforded the time necessary
to strengthen its foundations and mobilise a nation-wide institutional response.
 Leveraging its young, dynamic, and tech-savvy population, India has the potential to
create a workforce that can utilise AI to augment their work and productivity.
 The future revolves around 'Augmented Intelligence', where the workforce integrates
both human and machine capabilities. This approach aims to enhance human potential
and improve overall efficiency in job performance, ultimately benefiting society as a
whole.
 Collaborative effort between government, private sector, and academia essential to
minimise adverse societal effects of AI-driven transformation.

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The Economic Survey of India is an annual document of the Ministry of

Finance, Government of India. The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
presents the Survey in the Parliament every year, just before the Union Budget. It is
prepared under the guidance of the Chief Economic Adviser of India. This document is
presented to both Houses of Parliament during the Budget Session.
The first Economic Survey of India was presented in 1950-51 as part of the Union Budget.
After 1964 it was separated from the Budget and presented each year during the Budget
Session before the presentation of the budget. The document is non-binding. Nevertheless,
is constructed and presented each year due to its significance.

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Padma Awards 2025

Padma Awards- one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three
categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are
given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science
and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service,
etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma
Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in
any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are
held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April every year. For the year 2025, the
President has approved conferment of 139 Padma Awards including1 duo case (in a duo
case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below.
 The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards.
 23 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of
Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and13 Posthumous awardees.
Padma Vibhushan (7)

SN Name Field State/Country

1. Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy Medicine Telangana
2. Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar Public Affairs Chandigarh
3. Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia Art Gujarat
4. Shri LakshminarayanaSubramaniam Art Karnataka
5. Shri M. T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) Literature and Kerala
Education
6. Shri Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) Trade and Industry Japan
7. Smt. Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) Art Bihar

Padma Bhushan (19)

SN Name Field State/Country

8. Shri A Surya Prakash Literature and Karnataka
Education-
Journalism
9. Shri Anant Nag Art Karnataka
10. Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) Literature and NCT Delhi
Education
11. Shri Jatin Goswami Art Assam
12. Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram Medicine Kerala
13. Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit Others- NCT Delhi
Archaeology
14. Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) Public Affairs Maharashtra
15. Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti Trade and Tamil Nadu
Industry
16. Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna Art Andhra Pradesh

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17. Shri P R Sreejesh Sports Kerala

18. Shri Pankaj Patel Trade and Gujarat
Industry
19. Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) Art Maharashtra
20. Shri Rambahadur Rai Literature and Uttar Pradesh
Education-
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 Public Affairs Bihar
(Posthumous)
26. Shri Vinod Dham Science and United States of
Engineering America

Padma Shri (113)

SN Name Field State/Country

27. Shri Adwaita Charan Gadanayak Art Odisha
28. Shri Achyut Ramchandra Palav Art Maharashtra
29. Shri Ajay V Bhatt Science and United States
Engineering of America
30. Shri Anil Kumar Boro Literature and Assam
Education
31. Shri Arijit Singh Art West Bengal
32. Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya Trade and Maharashtra
Industry
33. Shri Arunoday Saha Literature and Tripura
Education
34. Shri Arvind Sharma Literature and Canada
Education
35. Shri Ashok Kumar Mahapatra Medicine Odisha
36. Shri Ashok Laxman Saraf Art Maharashtra
37. Shri Ashutosh Sharma Science and Uttar Pradesh
Engineering
38. Smt. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande Art Maharashtra
39. Shri Baijnath Maharaj Others- Rajasthan
Spiritualism
40. Shri Barry Godfray John Art NCT Delhi
41. Smt. Begam Batool Art Rajasthan
42. Shri Bharat Gupt Art NCT Delhi
43. Shri Bheru Singh Chouhan Art Madhya
Pradesh
44. Shri Bhim Singh Bhavesh Social Work Bihar

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45. Smt. Bhimavva Doddabalappa Art Karnataka

Shillekyathara
46. Shri Budhendra Kumar Jain Medicine Madhya
Pradesh
47. Shri C S Vaidyanathan Public Affairs NCT Delhi
48. Shri Chaitram Deochand Pawar Social Work Maharashtra
49. Shri Chandrakant Literature and Gujarat
Sheth(Posthumous) Education
50. Shri Chandrakant Sompura Others- Gujarat
Architecture
51. Shri Chetan E Chitnis Science and France
Engineering
52. Shri David R Syiemlieh Literature and Meghalaya
Education
53. Shri Durga Charan Ranbir Art Odisha
54. Shri Farooq Ahmad Mir Art Jammu And
Kashmir
55. Shri Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid Literature and Uttar Pradesh
Education
56. Smt. Gita Upadhyay Literature and Assam
Education
57. Shri Gokul Chandra Das Art West Bengal
58. Shri Guruvayur Dorai Art Tamil Nadu
59. Shri Harchandan Singh Bhatty Art Madhya
Pradesh
60. Shri Hariman Sharma Others- Himachal
Agriculture Pradesh
61. Shri Harjinder Singh Srinagar Art Punjab
Wale
62. Shri Harvinder Singh Sports Haryana
63. Shri Hassan Raghu Art Karnataka
64. Shri Hemant Kumar Medicine Bihar
65. Shri Hriday Narayan Dixit Literature and Uttar Pradesh
Education
66. Shri Hugh and Colleen Literature and Uttarakhand
Gantzer(Posthumous)(Duo)* Education-
Journalism
67. Shri Inivalappil Mani Vijayan Sports Kerala
68. Shri Jagadish Joshila Literature and Madhya
Education Pradesh
69. Smt. Jaspinder Narula Art Maharashtra

70. Shri Jonas Masetti Others- Brazil

Spiritualism
71. Shri Joynacharan Bathari Art Assam

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72. Smt. Jumde Yomgam Gamlin Social Work Arunachal

Pradesh
73. Shri K. Damodaran Others- Tamil Nadu
Culinary
74. Shri K L Krishna Literature and Andhra
Education Pradesh
75. Smt. K Omanakutty Amma Art Kerala
76. Shri Kishore Kunal(Posthumous) Civil Service Bihar
77. Shri L Hangthing Others- Nagaland
Agriculture
78. Shri Lakshmipathy Literature and Tamil Nadu
Ramasubbaiyer Education-
Journalism
79. Shri Lalit Kumar Mangotra Literature and Jammu And
Education Kashmir
80. Shri Lama Lobzang(Posthumous) Others- Ladakh
Spiritualism
81. Smt. Libia Lobo Sardesai Social Work Goa
82. Shri M D Srinivas Science and Tamil Nadu
Engineering
83. Shri Madugula Nagaphani Sarma Art Andhra
Pradesh
84. Shri Mahabir Nayak Art Jharkhand
85. Smt. Mamata Shankar Art West Bengal
86. Shri Manda Krishna Madiga Public Affairs Telangana
87. Shri Maruti Bhujangrao Literature and Maharashtra
Chitampalli Education
88. Shri Miriyala Art Andhra
Apparao(Posthumous) Pradesh
89. Shri Nagendra Nath Roy Literature and West Bengal
Education
90. Shri Narayan (Bhulai Public Affairs Uttar Pradesh
Bhai)(Posthumous)
91. Shri Naren Gurung Art Sikkim
92. Smt. Neerja Bhatla Medicine NCT Delhi
93. Smt. Nirmala Devi Art Bihar
94. Shri Nitin Nohria Literature and United States
Education of America
95. Shri Onkar Singh Pahwa Trade and Punjab
Industry
96. Shri P Datchanamoorthy Art Puducherry
97. Shri Pandi Ram Mandavi Art Chhattisgarh
98. Shri Parmar Lavjibhai Nagjibhai Art Gujarat
99. Shri Pawan Goenka Trade and West Bengal
Industry

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100. Shri Prashanth Prakash Trade and Karnataka

Industry
101. Smt. Pratibha Satpathy Literature and Odisha
Education
102. Shri Purisai Kannappa Art Tamil Nadu
Sambandan
103. Shri R Ashwin Sports Tamil Nadu
104. Shri R G Chandramogan Trade and Tamil Nadu
Industry
105. Smt. Radha Bahin Bhatt Social Work Uttarakhand
106. Shri Radhakrishnan Art Tamil Nadu
Devasenapathy
107. Shri Ramdarash Mishra Literature and NCT Delhi
Education
108. Shri Ranendra Bhanu Majumdar Art Maharashtra
109. Shri Ratan Kumar Parimoo Art Gujarat
110. Shri Reba Kanta Mahanta Art Assam
111. Shri Renthlei Lalrawna Literature and Mizoram
Education
112. Shri Ricky Gyan Kej Art Karnataka
113. Shri Sajjan Bhajanka Trade and West Bengal
Industry
114. Smt. Sally Holkar Trade and Madhya
Industry Pradesh
115. Shri Sant Ram Deswal Literature and Haryana
Education
116. Shri Satyapal Singh Sports Uttar Pradesh
117. Shri Seeni Viswanathan Literature and Tamil Nadu
Education
118. Shri Sethuraman Panchanathan Science and United States
Engineering of America
119. Smt. Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al- Medicine Kuwait
Jaber Al-Sabah
120. Shri Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Literature and Rajasthan
Kishan Bissa) Education
121. Shri Shyam Bihari Agrawal Art Uttar Pradesh
122. Smt. Soniya Nityanand Medicine Uttar Pradesh

123. Shri Stephen Knapp Literature and United States

Education of America
124. Shri Subhash Khetulal Sharma Others- Maharashtra
Agriculture
125. Shri Suresh Harilal Soni Social Work Gujarat
126. Shri Surinder Kumar Vasal Science and Delhi
Engineering

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127. Shri Swami Pradiptananda Others- West Bengal

(Kartik Maharaj) Spiritualism
128. Shri Syed Ainul Hasan Literature and Uttar Pradesh
Education
129. Shri Tejendra Narayan Art West Bengal
Majumdar
130. Smt. Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi Art Manipur
131. Shri Tushar Durgeshbhai Shukla Literature and Gujarat
Education
132. Shri Vadiraj Raghawendracharya Literature and Andhra
Panchamukhi Education Pradesh
133. Shri Vasudeo Kamath Art Maharashtra
134. Shri Velu Aasaan Art Tamil Nadu
135. Shri Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar Art Karnataka
136. Shri Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Others- Bihar
Maharaj Spiritualism
137. Smt. Vijayalakshmi Deshamane Medicine Karnataka
138. Shri Vilas Dangre Medicine Maharashtra
139. Shri Vinayak Lohani Social Work West Bengal

Note: * In Duo case, the Award is counted as one.

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National Mission on Natural Farming

Natural Farming (Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati (NF-BPKP) is a chemical free farming
system based on livestock and locally available resources and rooted in Indian tradition.
Natural Farming-BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which gives
freedom to farmers from externally purchased inputs and is largely based on biomass
mulching, round the year green cover, multi-species green manuring, use of on-farm desi
cow dung-urine formulations (such as Bijamrit, Jivamrit, Ghanjivamrit etc) for nutrient and
soil fertility management, use of diversity, multi-cropping systems and on-farm made
botanical extracts for plant protection and maintaining soil aeration in exclusion of all
purchased synthetic chemical inputs directly or indirectly. As natural farming is aimed at
reduction in cost of cultivation and providing freedom to farmers from purchased inputs,
use of external purchased inputs including organic, biological or otherwise are also avoided.
Components of Natural Farming- Natural Farming mainly relies on adoption of diversified
multi-cropping systems, desi cow based on-farm inputs for nutrient and soil enrichment and
various botanical concoctions for plant protection. These were initially thought to be main
pillars and promoted as components of Natural Farming. However, the practices have
evolved with time and farmers are also using innovations like Pre Monsoon Dry Sowing (a
method of multi-species green manuring), Green manuring and applying Farm Yard Manure
(FYM), vermi-compost, etc. along with the desi-cow based components of Natural Farming.
In some areas farmer groups have come forward and are preparing desi cow derived inputs
for Natural Farming and making it available to other end using farmers who don’t own
livestock.
Need- There is no doubt that, green revolution technologies have revolutionized the food
production scenario and transformed the Indian agriculture from subsistence to surplus
generating enterprise. But indiscriminate use of chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides and
hormones) and over-exploitation of natural resources led to decline in soil health and
fertility, depleting natural resources and contamination in environment, water and food. All
these concerns have underscored the need for exploring alternative agricultural systems,
that are sustainable, environment friendly, non-degrading, non-contaminating and offer
better income opportunities to the farmers along with safe and healthy food to citizens.
Non-chemical natural farming systems which rely largely on biomass recycling, biological
rejuvenation of natural nutrient cycles and promote usage of on-farm plant and livestock-
based inputs are being used with considerable success in various parts of the country by
individual practitioners. Such natural farming systems, besides being sustainable, non
degrading, non-depleting and resource conserving are also low cost. They give freedom to
farmers from purchased inputs, ensure comparable productivity, increased income and are
safe to soil, environment and all the life forms including human and animals. Adoption of
natural farming practices on farmer fields have been found to be enriching the soils with
organic carbon, increased microbial activity, increased activity of earthworms leading to
restoration of natural nutrient cycles, improved water holding capacity and increased
biological activity. Natural farming fields with adequate diversity have been found to be less
prone to insect pest attacks.
Organic and Natural Farming Systems- Although, both organic and natural farming systems
are non-chemical systems of farming largely relying on diversity, on-farm biomass

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management, rejuvenation of natural nutrient recycling, crop rotation, multiple cropping

and efficient resource recycling but with following differences:
 Organic systems in addition to above are open to use of off-farm purchased organic and
biological inputs and need based soil correction through natural mined minerals,
 Natural farming systems are based on biomass mulching, round the year green cover,
indigenous cow-based dung and urine formulations in exclusion of all purchased inputs
organic, biological or otherwise. Government of India is promoting both these non-
chemical systems of agriculture. Natural farming, through National Mission on Natural
Farming (NMNF) and organic farming through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY)
and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).
Upscaling Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP)- Government started promoting
natural farming through Bhartiya Prakratik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP), a sub-scheme of PKVY
since 2019-20 and sanctioned more than 4.09 lakh ha area under 8 states. But keeping in
view of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision to promote natural farming as mass movement,
the BPKP is being up-scaled as “National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF)/ (Bhartiya
Prakratik Krishi Paddhati)” for implementation all across the country.
National Mission on Natural Farming- National Mission on Natural farming aims at creating
institutional capacities for documentation and dissemination of best practices, make
practicing farmers as partners in promotion strategy, ensure capacity building and
continuous handholding and finally attracting farmers to the natural farming willingly on the
merit of the system.
Mission Objectives-
 To promote alternative system of farming for freedom from external purchased inputs,
cost reduction and thereby increasing income of farmers.
 To popularize integrated agriculture-animal husbandry models based on desi cow and
local resources.
 To collect, validate and document Natural Farming practices being practiced in various
parts of the country and to encourage participatory research with farmers on further up
scaling.
 To undertake activities for awareness creation, capacity building, promotion and
demonstration of Natural Farming.
 To create standards, certification procedure and branding for Natural Farming products
for national and international markets.

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World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) Report

India is set to dominate the global economic landscape, maintaining its status as the fastest-
growing large economy for the next two fiscal years. The January 2025 edition of the World
Bank’s Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report projects India's economy to grow at a steady
rate of 6.7% in both FY26 and FY27, significantly outpacing global and regional peers. At a
time when global growth is expected to remain at 2.7 per cent in 2025-26, this remarkable
performance underscores India’s resilience and its growing significance in shaping the
world’s economic trajectory.
 The GEP report credits this extraordinary momentum to a thriving services sector and a
revitalised manufacturing base, driven by transformative government initiatives. From
modernising infrastructure to simplifying taxes, these measures are fuelling domestic
growth and positioning India as a cornerstone of global economic stability. With its
closest competitor, China, decelerating to 4 per cent growth next year, India’s rise is
more than just a statistic. It is a powerful story of ambition, innovation, and unmatched
potential.
 Complementing the World Bank report, the latest update from the International
Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO) also reinforces India’s strong
economic trajectory. The IMF forecasts India's growth to remain robust at 6.5% for both
2025 and 2026, aligning with earlier projections from October. This consistent growth
outlook reflects India’s stable economic fundamentals and its ability to maintain
momentum despite global uncertainties. The continued strength of India’s economic
performance, as projected by both the World Bank and IMF, underscores the country’s
resilience and highlights the sustained strength of its economic fundamentals, making
India a crucial player in the global economic landscape.
Overview of World Bank’s GEP Report-
The Global Economic Prospects (GEP) report is a flagship publication of the World Bank
Group that examines trends and projections in the global economy. It places a special
emphasis on emerging markets and developing economies, offering insights into their
growth trajectories and challenges. Published twice a year in January and June, the report
serves as a vital resource for policymakers, economists, and researchers. The January
edition delves into detailed analyses of pressing policy issues, while the June edition
provides shorter, focused analytical pieces.
The latest GEP report marks a significant milestone by offering the first comprehensive
review of the performance of developing economies since the beginning of the 21st century.
With 2025 signalling the end of its first quarter, the report assesses the progress made by
these economies since 2000 and evaluates their future prospects over the next 25 years.
This edition features two analytical chapters. One examines the opportunities and
challenges faced by middle-income emerging and developing economies, while the other
focuses on the progress and hurdles of the world’s poorest nations.
Key Findings in January 2025 Report
 India is projected to remain the fastest-growing large economy for FY26 and FY27,
reaffirming its dominance in the global economic landscape.
 India’s economy is expected to grow at a stable rate of 6.7 per cent annually during FY26
and FY27.

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 Growth in India’s services sector is expected to remain robust, while manufacturing

activity will strengthen, supported by government efforts to improve logistics
infrastructure and streamline tax systems.
 Private consumption in India is likely to gain momentum, driven by a stronger labour
market, increased access to credit, and lower inflation.
 India’s Investment growth is expected to remain steady, supported by rising private
investments, improved corporate balance sheets, and favourable financing conditions.
 Global economic growth is projected to hold steady at 2.7 per cent in 2025-26,
highlighting India's outperformance.
 Emerging Market and Developing Economies (EMDEs) have undergone significant
transformation since 2000, now contributing about 45 per cent of global GDP, compared
to 25 per cent at the start of the century.
 India, China, and Brazil, the three largest EMDEs, have collectively driven approximately
60 per cent of annual global growth since the start of the century.
Government Schemes and Initiatives Driving Growth
Government of India has implemented a series of visionary schemes and initiatives aimed at
propelling the nation towards sustained economic growth and global leadership. From
infrastructure development under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan to fostering
innovation through initiatives like Startup India and the Production Linked Incentive
Scheme, these reforms are transforming sectors such as manufacturing, digital economy,
and financial inclusion. Collectively, they reflect India's commitment to building a resilient,
self-reliant, and globally competitive economy.

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ESSAY WRITITNG
ESSAY— I
Judiciary versus Legislature
Introduction
 Recently, the Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar posed the question, “Can the
Judiciary overrule the will of the people that are represented in the Parliament?”
This comes amidst the ongoing row over the process of appointment of a judge.
 It was in reference to Supreme Court 2015 judgement, striking down the National
Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Act.
 The vice-president has underlined that the judiciary cannot become legislature or
executives by diminishing their power as any incursion by one organ into the others
will upset the process of governance.
 We shall be looking at the Vice President’s comments as a part of the larger debate
over the separation of powers of each pillar of democracy – the Executive,
Legislature and Judiciary.
NJAC Act:
 In 2014, the National Democratic Alliance government brought the NJAC Act in an
attempt to change the system of appointment of judges.
 The NJAC was a proposed body, which would have been responsible for the
appointment and transfer of judges to the higher judiciary.
 The Supreme Court 2015 struck down the NJAC Act on the ground that it posed a
threat to the independence of the judiciary. Also, it violates the principle of
separation of powers between the executive and the judiciary, which is a basic
feature of the Constitution.
Collegium System:
 The collegium system is also referred to as ‘judges selecting judges’.
 Under this system, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and four senior-most judges
recommend appointments to higher judiciary and transfers of judges.
 This system has its origin in three judgments made by the Supreme Court, commonly
known as the “Three Judges Cases”.
 The recommendations of the Collegium are binding on the Central Government if
the Collegium sends the names of the judges/lawyers to the government for the
second time.
Background
 The collegium system evolved out of a series of judgments of the Supreme Court
that are called the “Judges Cases”.
 The collegium came into being through the interpretations of the relevant provisions
of the Constitution that the Supreme Court made in these Judges Cases.
Evolution of the System:
 First Judges Case (1981): It declared that the “primacy” of the CJI’s (Chief Justice of
India) recommendation on judicial appointments and transfers can be refused for
“cogent reasons.”

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 The ruling gave the Executive primacy over the Judiciary in judicial
appointments for the next 12 years.
 Second Judges Case (1993): SC introduced the Collegium system, holding that
“consultation” really meant “concurrence”.
 It added that it was not the CJI’s individual opinion, but an institutional
opinion formed in consultation with the two senior-most judges in the SC.
 Third Judges Case (1998): SC on the President's reference (Article 143) expanded the
Collegium to a five-member body, comprising the CJI and four of his senior-most
colleagues.
What is Collegium system?
 The collegium is a group consisting of the Chief Justice of India and the four senior-
most judges of the Supreme Court that decides the appointment of judges to the
apex court.
How it works?
 The Judges of the higher judiciary are appointed only through the collegium system,
and the government has a role only after names have been decided by the
collegium.
 Names recommended for appointment by a High Court collegium reach the
government only after approval by the CJI and the Supreme Court collegium.
 Sometimes the government delays making the appointments, especially in cases
where the government is perceived to be unhappy with one or more
judges recommended for appointment by the collegium.
For Judges of Apex Court For High Court Judges
 For other judges of the SC, the  The Chief Justice of the High Court is
proposal is initiated by the CJI. appointed as per the policy of having
 The CJI consults the rest of the Chief Justices from outside the
Collegium members, as well as the respective States.
senior-most judge of the court hailing  The Collegium takes the call on the
from the High Court to which the elevation.
recommended person belongs.  High Court judges are recommended
 The consultees must record their by a Collegium comprising the CJI and
opinions in writing and it should form two senior-most judges.
part of the file.  The proposal, however, is initiated by
 The Collegium sends the the outgoing Chief Justice of the High
recommendation to the Law Minister, Court concerned in consultation with
who forwards it to the Prime Minister two senior-most colleagues.
to advise the President.  The recommendation is sent to the
Chief Minister, who advises the
Governor to send the proposal to the
Union Law Minister.

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What is the role of Government in the judicial appointments?

 The role of the government in this entire process is limited to getting an
inquiry conducted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) if a lawyer is to be elevated as a
judge in a High Court or the Supreme Court.
 The government can also raise objections and seek clarifications regarding the
collegium’s choices, but if the collegium reiterates the same names, the government
is bound to appoint them.
On what grounds has the collegium system been criticized?
 On account of Transparency: The system is non-transparent, since it does not
involve any official mechanism or secretariat.
 No definite Eligibility: it is seen as a closed-door affair with any prescribed norms
regarding eligibility criteria, or even the selection procedure.
 Lack of Consensus and Consultation: There is no public knowledge of how and when
a collegium meets, and how it takes its decisions. There are no official minutes of
collegium proceedings.
Issues Related to the Collegium System
 Exclusion of Executive: The complete exclusion of the executive from the judicial
appointment process created a system where a few judges appoint the rest in
complete secrecy.
 Chances of Favouritism and Nepotism: It gives rise to the non-transparency of the
judicial system, which is very harmful to the regulation of law and order in the
country.
 Close-Door Mechanism: Critics have pointed out that this system does not involve
any official secretariat.
What were Attempts to reform the Appointment System?
 The attempt made to replace it by a‘National Judicial Appointments
Commission’ (through Ninety-ninth Amendment Act, 2014) was struck down by the
court in 2015 on the ground that it posed a threat to the independence of the
judiciary.
NJAC is a Missed opportunity
 National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) could guarantee the
independence of the system from inappropriate politicization, strengthen the quality
of appointments, enhance the fairness of the selection process, promote diversity in
the composition of the judiciary, and rebuild public confidence in the system.
Can the will of the people reflected in the Parliament be undone by the Judiciary?
 Parliamentary legislation in theory is supposed to reflect the will of the people.
When Parliament enacts it is the will of the people expressed through the
representatives of the people.
 Our constitution provides for a parliamentary form of governance and it doesn’t
create a parliament with unlimited power like the British Parliament.

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 Article 13: It limits the law-making power of the Parliament, that they cannot make a
law inconsistent with part-III of the constitution.
 Judicial Review: The power of the Supreme Court of India to enforce these Rights is
derived from Article 32 of the Constitution and it is expressly providing for it.
 Limited Government: Wherever there is a limited government and the powers of the
legislatures are limited, either by Fundamental rights or the area of legislation (area
of competence), the court has struck-down laws and will continue to strike down
laws.
 In a limited government the parliament does what it can do, the court finally is the
arbiter of what are the limits on the powers of parliament acting under the
constitution.
 The court has struck down legislation in the past, for example: in Sankari Prasad case
(1951), Minerva Mills’s case (1980) or Kesavananda Bharti case (1973). It has also
expanded the scope of judicial review.
Constitutional Supremacy vs Parliamentary Sovereignty
 The doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is associated with the British Parliament,
whereas the principle of judicial supremacy is associated with the American
Supreme Court.
 India bears the supremacy of the Constitution and provides for a balance between
the various pillars.
 But on a few occasions, there have been encroachments made by the constitutional
organs among themselves, which diminishes the principle of separation of power.
Critical areas that need to be addressed:
 Judges choosing judges: This idea is fundamentally flawed as it may compromise or
damage the basic structure of constitution. Bringing in the consultative mechanism
in the appointment of judge has an immense potential which is yet to be realized.
 Judges per million ratios: We should possibly have twice as many judges per million
as compared to the United States or the United Kingdom. It may improve the “rate
of disposal” to clear the backlog cases.
 Vacant positions in Judiciary: Even the existing vacancies in the judiciary, because
the salaries and conditions of work are dismally low. But some judges are willing to
make sacrifices.
 Process of making judges: We can have a law college/law course where one is
trained from day one to be a judge and then pass the exam to be a potential
member of the judiciary. Later one can apply for a judges’ job or become a lawyer.
Way Forward
 The solution to one's own problem will have to be done by sitting together under the
constitution.
 In any case, it is not in the interest of the country that there should be tension
between the legislature and the judiciary. This is neither in the interest of the

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Legislature, nor of the Judiciary, nor of the common man, and in the end it will only
harm the country, we and you will be harmed. So the solution must be done as soon
as possible. When both these institutions solve the problems of the general public,
then they should not face any problem in solving their own problems under the
Constitution.
 It should be expected from both the institutions that the dispute does not increase
further and the respect of the democratic institution also does not end in the mind
of the common man, because Rajdharma is in the welfare of the people, not in
bloodshed (allegations and counter-allegations). We have to use force only where it
is constitutional as well as absolutely necessary.
 Filling up of vacancies is a continuous and collaborative process involving the
executive and the judiciary, and there cannot be a time frame for it. However, it is
time to think of a permanent, independent body to institutionalize the process with
adequate safeguards to preserve the judiciary’s independence guaranteeing judicial
primacy but not judicial exclusivity.
 It should ensure independence, reflect diversity, and demonstrate professional
competence and integrity.

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ESSAY— II
Criminalization of Politics
Criminalization of Politics means that the criminals entering the politics and contesting
elections and even getting elected to the Parliament and state legislature. Criminalization of
politics is the focus of public debate when discussion on electoral reforms takes place.
“The criminalization of politics means the participation of criminals in politics which includes
that criminals can contest in the elections and get elected as members of the Parliament and
the State legislature. It takes place primarily due to the nexus between politicians and
criminals”.
A February 2020 Supreme Court judgement on Criminalization in politics may have far-
reaching consequences for Indian democracy. The judgment was passed in a contempt of
court case filed against the Chief Election Commissioner of India. The petition claimed the
ECI had failed to take any steps to ensure the implementation of a 2018 judgment of the
bench, which had made it mandatory for political parties to declare and publish all criminal
cases pending against their candidates.

According to data compiled by the Amicus Curiae, a total of 4,984 criminal cases involving
legislators were pending in various courts across the country as of 1st December, 2021. The
Amicus Curiae was appointed by the Supreme Court for helping the court in setting up
special courts to fast-track cases against MPs and MLAs. This trend highlights the increasing
instance of criminalization of politics. An amicus curiae (literally, "friend of the court") is
someone who is not a party to a case and may or may not have been solicited by a party and
who assists a court by offering information, expertise, and bearing on issues of the case.

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What are the Reasons for Criminalization of Politics?

 Lack of Enforcement: Several laws and court judgments have not helped much, due
to the lack of enforcement of laws and judgments.
 Vested Interests: Publishing of the entire criminal history of candidates fielded by
political parties may not be very effective, as a major chunk of voters tend to vote
through a narrow prism of community interests like caste or religion.
 Use of Muscle and Money Power: Candidates with serious records seem to do well
despite their public image, largely due to their ability to finance their own elections
and bring substantive resources to their respective parties. Also, sometimes voters
are left with no options, as all competing candidates have criminal records.
Reasons why criminalization of politics still exists in India:
 Corruption: In every election political parties put up candidates with a criminal
background. Evident link between criminality and the probability of winning is
further reinforced when winnability of a candidate is looked into. A candidate facing
criminal charges is twice as likely to win as a clean candidate.
 Vote Bank: The political parties and independent candidates have astronomical
expenditure for vote buying and other illegitimate purposes through these criminals.
 Denial of Justice and Rule of Law: Toothless laws against convicted criminals
standing for elections further encourage this process. Under current law, only people
who have been convicted at least on two counts be debarred from becoming
candidates. This leaves the field open for charge sheeted criminals, many of whom
are habitual offenders or history-sheeters. Constitution does not specify what
disqualifies an individual from contesting in an election to a legislature. It is the
Representation of People Act which specifies what can disqualify an individual from
contesting an election. The law does not bar individuals who have criminal cases
pending against them from contesting elections
 Lack of good governance: The root of the problem lies in the country’s poor
governance capacity.
 Scarcity of state capacity: The scarcity of state capacity is the reason for the public
preferring ‘strongmen’ who can employ the required pulls and triggers to get things
done. Criminality, far from deterring voters, encourages them because it signals that
the candidate is capable of fulfilling his promises and securing the interests of the
constituency.
 No political party is free of this problem. The use of muscle power along with
money power is a weapon used by all political parties to maximize electoral gains.
 With cases dragging in courts for years, a disqualification based on conviction
becomes ineffective. Low conviction rates in such cases compounds the problem;
voters don’t mind electing candidates facing criminal cases.
 Voter behavior then emboldens political parties to give tickets to such candidates
who can win an election on their ticket etc.
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What are the Effects of Criminalization of Politics?

 Against the Principle of Free and Fair Election: It limits the choice of voters to elect a
suitable candidate. It is against the ethos of free and fair election which is the
bedrock of a democracy.
 Affecting Good Governance: The major problem is that the law-breakers become
law-makers, this affects the efficacy of the democratic process in delivering good
governance. These unhealthy tendencies in the democratic system reflect a poor
image of the nature of India’s state institutions and the quality of its elected
representatives.
 Affecting Integrity of Public Servants: It also leads to increased circulation of black
money during and after elections, which in turn increases corruption in society and
affects the working of public servants.
 Causes Social Disharmony: It introduces a culture of violence in society and sets a
bad precedent for the youth to follow and reduces people's faith in democracy as a
system of governance.
What are the Legal Aspects of Disqualification of Criminal Candidates?
 In this regard, Indian Constitution does not specify as to what disqualifies a person
from contesting elections for the Parliament, Legislative assembly or any other
legislature.
 The Representation of Peoples Act 1951 mentions the criteria for disqualifying a
person for contesting an election of the legislature.
 Section 8 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951 disqualifies a person
convicted with a sentence of two years or more from contesting elections. The law
does not bar individuals who have criminal cases pending against them from
contesting elections therefore the disqualification of candidates with criminal cases
depends on their conviction in these cases. The Lily Thomas case (2013), however,
ended this unfair advantage.
Landmark judgments pertaining to criminalization of Politics:
 The Supreme Court has taken a timely decision by agreeing to hear a plea from the
Election Commission of India (ECI) to direct political parties to not field candidates
with criminal antecedents
 The immediate provocation is the finding that 46% of Members of Parliament have
criminal records.
 While the number might be inflated as many politicians tend to be charged with
relatively minor offences — “unlawful assembly” and “defamation” — the real worry
is that the current cohort of Lok Sabha MPs has the highest (29%) proportion of
those with serious declared criminal cases compared to its recent predecessors.
 The Supreme Court has come up with a series of landmark judgments on addressing
this issue.

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 It removed the statutory protection of convicted legislators from immediate

disqualification in 2013, and in 2014, directed the completion of trials involving
elected representatives within a year.
 In 2017, it asked the Centre to frame a scheme to appoint special courts to
exclusively try cases against politicians, and for political parties to publicize pending
criminal cases faced by their candidates in 2018.
 But these have not been a deterrent to legislators with dubious credentials. Perhaps
what would do the trick is a rule that disallows candidates against whom charges
have been framed in court for serious offences, but this is something for Parliament
to consider as an amendment to the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
 This denouement, however, is still a pie in the sky given the composition of the
Lower House with a number of representatives facing serious cases.

Challenges:
 Election Commission has limited powers to legislate on such laws.
 Public opinion too is not firm on the issue.
 A survey found that opinion was divided when people were asked whether they
would vote for an honest candidate who may not get their work done, or a tainted
candidate who could get their work done.

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 While political parties raise concern about candidates with a tainted background
contesting elections, none of them come forward to set an example for others when
it is time to act.
 In the present criminal justice system, it takes years, probably decades, to complete
the trial against a politician.
 Those with political influence have taken full advantage by delaying hearings,
obtaining repeated adjournments and filing innumerable interlocutory petitions to
stall any progress.
 They also engage in corruption and infect the bureaucracy and the police.
Way Forward
 Law panel report bats for using the time of the framing of charges to initiate
disqualification as an appropriate measure to curb the criminalization of politics.
 Political parties should themselves refuse tickets to the tainted.
 The RPA Act should be amended to debar persons against whom cases of a heinous
nature are pending from contesting elections.
 Bringing greater transparency in campaign financing is going to make it less
attractive for political parties to involve gangsters
 The Election Commission of India (ECI) should have the power to audit the financial
accounts of political parties, or political parties’ finances should be brought under
the right to information (RTI) law.
 Broader governance will have to improve for voters to reduce the reliance on
criminal politicians.
 Various committees (Dinesh Goswami, Inderjeet Committee) on the electoral
reforms have recommended state funding of elections which will curb use of black
money to a large extent and thereby will have a significant impact on limiting
criminalization of politics.
 Regulating the affairs of a political party is essential for a cleaner electoral process.
Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen the Election Commission of India.
 Voters also need to be vigilant about misuse of money, gifts and other inducements
during elections.
 Proactive Role of Judiciary: Given the reluctance by the political parties to curb
criminalization of politics and its growing detrimental effects on Indian democracy,
Indian courts must now seriously consider banning people accused with serious
criminal charges from contesting elections.
 Fast-track courts are necessary because politicians are able to delay the judicial
process and serve for decades before prosecution.
 The Election Commission must take adequate measures to break the nexus between
the criminals and the politicians.

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 The forms prescribed by the Election Commission for candidates disclosing their
convictions, cases pending in courts and so on in their nomination papers is a step in
the right direction if it applied properly.
 Addressing the entire value chain of the electoral system will be the key to solving
the puzzle of minimizing criminal elements from getting elected to our legislatures.
This process would involve sensitizing the electorate about the role and
responsibility of the elected representatives.
 Political parties will have to be encouraged to have stronger inner party democracy
to attract this new set of leaders to join the party. And finally, our judicial system will
have to be overhauled drastically to ensure that justice is dispensed swiftly in all
cases.

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TRANSATION

Translate the following English Passage into Hindi

In a democratic system, electoral reforms have always been a debatable issue in Indian
politics because ensuring free and fair elections is only possible through administrative
systems. Indian electoral system is managed by the Constitution along with several
legislative provisions, some major challenges such as Electoral Malpractices, Money Power
in Elections, and Foul / Bogus / Non Realistic Voter Registration Processes. In this article, we
will explore the landscape of electoral reforms in India, addressing key issues and political
solutions as well as highlighting the roles of the Election Commission of India and various
legislative measures.
The Indian electoral process is of mammoth size owing to the large percentage of its
population and a hierarchical political system involving different parties and an electorally
sensitive population. Most of it is laid down in the Representation of the People Act, which
sets out how elections run and how political parties function. This is a system run by the
Election Commission of India (ECI), responsible for free and fair elections. But other
challenges like voter registration, political finance, and the role of big money in elections still
threaten democracy.
To date, India always experienced a problem with voter turnout which has several reasons
including apathy, disillusionment, and ignorance. Efforts to influence voters to understand
the importance of their vote in a particular election greatly improve the turnout. Citizenship
participation programs especially those that seek to involve youths and other vulnerable
groups in society are crucial in the efforts to promote citizenship participation among
citizens.
The Indian government has introduced several electoral reforms bills aimed at enhancing
the electoral process. These include provisions for greater transparency in political finance,
measures to improve voter registration, and the implementation of the Code of Conduct for
Political Parties. These reforms are essential for establishing accountability and ensuring
that political parties adhere to democratic norms. Key legislative measures for electoral
reforms include the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill (Aims to enhance voter
registration and simplify the voting process) and the Election Finance Bill (Aimed at
regulating political finance and campaign finance, this bill seeks to curb the influence of
money in politics).
Political finance plays a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes. It remains a
contentious issue in Indian politics. The lack of transparency regarding donations and
expenditures can lead to corruption and a loss of public trust. Implementing stricter
regulations on political donations and ensuring the disclosure of funding sources can
enhance accountability and integrity in the electoral process.

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उपरो िदए गए अं जे ी लेखांश का िहदं ी म अनवु ाद :

लोकतािं क यव था म, भारतीय राजनीित म चनु ाव सधु ार हमेशा से ही एक बहस का मु ा रहा है य िक
वतं और िन प चनु ाव सिु नि त करना के वल शासिनक यव थाओ ं के मा यम से ही सभं व है।
भारतीय चनु ावी णाली को सिं वधान के साथ-साथ कई िवधायी ावधान ारा बिं धत िकया जाता है,
कुछ मख ु चनु ौितयाँ जैसे चनु ावी कदाचार, चनु ाव म धनबल और बेईमानी/फज /गैर-वा तिवक मतदाता
पंजीकरण ि याएँ। इस लेख म, हम भारत म चनु ावी सधु ार के प र य का पता लगाएँग,े मुख मु और
राजनीितक समाधान को सबं ोिधत करगे और साथ ही भारत के चनु ाव आयोग क भिू मकाओ ं और
िविभ न िवधायी उपाय पर काश डालगे।
भारतीय चनु ावी ि या अपनी जनसं या के बड़े ितशत और िविभ न दल और चनु ावी प से
सवं ेदनशील आबादी को शािमल करने वाली एक पदानु िमत राजनीितक णाली के कारण बहत बड़ी है।
इसका अिधकाश ं िह सा जन ितिनिध व अिधिनयम म िनधा रत है, जो यह िनधा रत करता है िक चनु ाव
कै से चलते ह और राजनीितक दल कै से काम करते ह। यह भारत के चनु ाव आयोग (ईसीआई) ारा
सचं ािलत एक णाली है, जो वतं और िन प चनु ाव के िलए िज मेदार है। लेिकन मतदाता पजं ीकरण,
राजनीितक िव और चनु ाव म बड़े पैसे क भिू मका जैसी अ य चनु ौितयाँ अभी भी लोकतं के िलए
खतरा ह।
आज तक, भारत म हमेशा मतदाता मतदान म सम या देखी गई है िजसके कई कारण ह िजनम उदासीनता,
मोहभगं और अ ानता शािमल है। िकसी िवशेष चनु ाव म मतदाताओ ं को उनके वोट के मह व को समझाने
के यास से मतदान म काफ सधु ार होता है। नाग रकता भागीदारी काय म िवशेष प से वे जो समाज म
यवु ाओ ं और अ य कमजोर समूह को शािमल करना चाहते ह, नाग रक के बीच नाग रकता भागीदारी को
बढ़ावा देने के यास म मह वपणू ह।
भारत सरकार ने चनु ावी ि या को बेहतर बनाने के उ े य से कई चनु ावी सधु ार िवधेयक पेश िकए ह। इनम
राजनीितक िव म अिधक पारदिशता, मतदाता पजं ीकरण म सधु ार के उपाय और राजनीितक दल के िलए
आचार सिं हता के काया वयन के ावधान शािमल ह। ये सधु ार जवाबदेही थािपत करने और यह सिु नि त
करने के िलए आव यक ह िक राजनीितक दल लोकतािं क मानदडं का पालन कर। चनु ावी सधु ार के
िलए मुख िवधायी उपाय म जन ितिनिध व (सश ं ोधन) िवधेयक (मतदाता पंजीकरण को बढ़ाने और
मतदान ि या को सरल बनाने का ल य) और चनु ाव िव िवधेयक (राजनीितक िव और अिभयान िव
को िविनयिमत करने के उ े य से, यह िवधेयक राजनीित म धन के भाव को रोकने का यास करता है)
शािमल ह।
राजनीितक िव चनु ावी नतीज को आकार देने म मह वपणू भिू मका िनभाता है। यह भारतीय राजनीित म
एक िववादा पद मु ा बना हआ है। दान और यय के बारे म पारदिशता क कमी से ाचार और जनता
का िव ास कम हो सकता है। राजनीितक दान पर स त िनयम लागू करना और फंिडंग ोत का खल ु ासा
सिु नि त करना चनु ावी ि या म जवाबदेही और ईमानदारी बढ़ा सकता है।
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उपरो िदए गए अं जे ी लेखांश का िहदं ी म अनवु ाद :

लोकतािं क यव था म, भारतीय राजनीित म चनु ाव सधु ार हमेशा से ही एक बहस का मु ा रहा है य िक
वतं और िन प चनु ाव सिु नि त करना के वल शासिनक यव थाओ ं के मा यम से ही सभं व है।
भारतीय चनु ावी णाली को सिं वधान के साथ-साथ कई िवधायी ावधान ारा बिं धत िकया जाता है,
कुछ मख ु चनु ौितयाँ जैसे चनु ावी कदाचार, चनु ाव म धनबल और बेईमानी/फज /गैर-वा तिवक मतदाता
पंजीकरण ि याएँ। इस लेख म, हम भारत म चनु ावी सधु ार के प र य का पता लगाएँग,े मुख मु और
राजनीितक समाधान को सबं ोिधत करगे और साथ ही भारत के चनु ाव आयोग क भिू मकाओ ं और
िविभ न िवधायी उपाय पर काश डालगे।
भारतीय चनु ावी ि या अपनी जनसं या के बड़े ितशत और िविभ न दल और चनु ावी प से
सवं ेदनशील आबादी को शािमल करने वाली एक पदानु िमत राजनीितक णाली के कारण बहत बड़ी है।
इसका अिधकांश िह सा जन ितिनिध व अिधिनयम म िनधा रत है, जो यह िनधा रत करता है िक चनु ाव
कै से चलते ह और राजनीितक दल कै से काम करते ह। यह भारत के चनु ाव आयोग (ईसीआई) ारा
सचं ािलत एक णाली है, जो वतं और िन प चनु ाव के िलए िज मेदार है। लेिकन मतदाता पजं ीकरण,
राजनीितक िव और चनु ाव म बड़े पैसे क भिू मका जैसी अ य चनु ौितयाँ अभी भी लोकतं के िलए
खतरा ह।
आज तक, भारत म हमेशा मतदाता मतदान म सम या देखी गई है िजसके कई कारण ह िजनम उदासीनता,
मोहभगं और अ ानता शािमल है। िकसी िवशेष चनु ाव म मतदाताओ ं को उनके वोट के मह व को समझाने
के यास से मतदान म काफ सधु ार होता है। नाग रकता भागीदारी काय म िवशेष प से वे जो समाज म
यवु ाओ ं और अ य कमजोर समूह को शािमल करना चाहते ह, नाग रक के बीच नाग रकता भागीदारी को
बढ़ावा देने के यास म मह वपणू ह।
भारत सरकार ने चनु ावी ि या को बेहतर बनाने के उ े य से कई चनु ावी सधु ार िवधेयक पेश िकए ह। इनम
राजनीितक िव म अिधक पारदिशता, मतदाता पंजीकरण म सधु ार के उपाय और राजनीितक दल के िलए
आचार सिं हता के काया वयन के ावधान शािमल ह। ये सधु ार जवाबदेही थािपत करने और यह सिु नि त
करने के िलए आव यक ह िक राजनीितक दल लोकतािं क मानदडं का पालन कर। चनु ावी सधु ार के
िलए मख ु िवधायी उपाय म जन ितिनिध व (सश ं ोधन) िवधेयक (मतदाता पजं ीकरण को बढ़ाने और
मतदान ि या को सरल बनाने का ल य) और चनु ाव िव िवधेयक (राजनीितक िव और अिभयान िव
को िविनयिमत करने के उ े य से, यह िवधेयक राजनीित म धन के भाव को रोकने का यास करता है)
शािमल ह।
राजनीितक िव चनु ावी नतीज को आकार देने म मह वपणू भिू मका िनभाता है। यह भारतीय राजनीित म
एक िववादा पद मु ा बना हआ है। दान और यय के बारे म पारदिशता क कमी से ाचार और जनता
का िव ास कम हो सकता है। राजनीितक दान पर स त िनयम लागू करना और फंिडंग ोत का खल ु ासा
सिु नि त करना चनु ावी ि या म जवाबदेही और ईमानदारी बढ़ा सकता है।

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Translation of the above given English Passage into Hindi:

India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with 'unity in diversity' and rich cultural
heritage. Indian culture still preserves its ancient traditions After Independence, the Indian
Constitution was enacted and established the strong framework of Indian democracy. India
is one of the largest democracies in the world, and is often praised for its diversity and
plurality. Liberty, equality, sovereignty, fraternity, secularism, justice, tolerance, collective
responsibility and respect for the voice of the people are the main features of our
democracy.
Democracy is not limited to political democracy. It means much more than just a form of
government. In its broadest sense, democracy means, or should include, a form of
government, a type of state, a pattern of social order, a design of economic system and a
way of life and culture. Therefore, when it is said that India is a democratic nation, it does
not only mean that its political institutions and processes are democratic, but also that
Indian society and every Indian citizen is democratic; reflects basic democratic values in the
social environment and individual behaviour. Here people choose their government and the
government runs on the basis of the will of the people.
After independence, our country has witnessed more than 65 successful elections and
peaceful changes of governments at the centre and in the states. Democracy is not limited
to the process of elections but also to fulfill the social and economic aspirations of the
people. For political democracy to succeed, it is necessary to align it with economic and
social democracy. Economic democracy means that every member of the society gets equal
material facilities for his development. According to a recent report, 1% of the rich in our
country own more than 85% of the country's wealth, which shows high economic inequality.
Everyone in our country has equal social rights. Economic inequality, caste and religion
discrimination, poverty, exploitation are major challenges for Indian democracy.
Media is called the fourth pillar of democracy. Its main responsibility is to fix accountability
and question the government on failure of governance and policies. Its important role is to
create awareness among people and provide information that shapes attitudes and public
opinion. It is a powerful tool of democracy. If the media is biased rather than neutral, if it
undermines the Constitution and democracy, it will lose public confidence. Nowadays, the
free press is under attack. Critical journalists have been harassed, prosecuted and
investigated, put under surveillance, many of them facing criminal trials including false
sedition charges.

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PRÉCISE WRITING

PASSAGE — I
After Indore, now Bhopal too has prohibited begging across all public places, including giving
alms.
On February 3, the Bhopal district collector issued orders prohibiting begging in the district,
a month after the Indore collector passed similar orders, and introduced stringent measures
including registration of FIRs for receiving and giving alms.
The criminalization of begging has been a contentious issue in many parts of the country
with some states having stringent laws, often criticized for being ‘anti-poor’ and mandated
in the place of rehabilitation-centric interventions.
The orders by the collectors of the two districts in Madhya Pradesh are under section 163 of
the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. This law gives officials including the
district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate or any other executive magistrate, the power
to issue an order in urgent cases of ‘nuisance or apprehended danger’.
The order can direct any person from abstaining from a certain act. It may apply to persons
residing in a particular place or area, or the public generally frequenting or visiting a
particular place or area.
The orders state that action will be taken under section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
(BNS). The section punishes those disobeying an order announced by a public servant, who
is lawfully empowered to do so. If an order under the section is not obeyed, the person can
be punished with simple imprisonment for a term up to six months, fine up to Rs 2500, or
both. If the disobedience of the order causes or tends to cause danger to human life, health
or safety, imprisonment can be extended to one year and the fine to Rs 5000.
Section 163 BNSS, however, also says that an order under the section shall remain in force
for not more than two months, provided the state government considers it necessary that
the order remain in force for a period not exceeding six months. Orders under the section-
erstwhile section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code are extended periodically if required
by issuing fresh orders.
The first law against begging was the Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959. Its roots
were colonial, when there were laws against ‘vagrants’, in various provinces, including the
Bengal Vagrancy Act, 1943 and the Cochin Vagrancy Act, 1945.
In 1959, in then Bombay, an Act was formulated to keep the streets clear of destitute
persons, leprosy patients or those with mental illnesses so that they could be sent into
institutions. Section 10 of the Act, for instance, gives a chief commissioner powers to order
the detention of ‘incurably helpless beggars’. Under this provision, any person detained in a
certified institution, is considered ‘to be blind, a cripple or otherwise incurably helpless’, and
can be ordered to be detained ‘indefinitely’.
Mumbai continues to have detention centres for those picked up by the police on suspicion
of being beggars. Under the Act, the police can pick up those without any visible means of

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subsistence, which leads to many homeless being regularly detained. The punishment under
the Act extends to detention for 10 years.
In 2018, the Delhi High Court struck down some sections of the Act as unconstitutional,
decriminalizing begging. It was the first in the country to strike down provisions of the Act,
including permitting authorities to arrest any person without a warrant who is found
begging.
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“People beg on the streets not because they wish to, but because they need to. Begging is
their last resort to subsistence, they have no other means to survive…The government has
the mandate to provide social security for everyone, to ensure that all citizens have basic
facilities, and the presence of beggars is evidence that the state has not managed to provide
these to all its citizens,” the High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice
C Hari Shankar said.
The court did not strike down provisions which deal with other ancillary provisions, where
begging is still an offence. These include section 11, which deals with penalty for employing
or causing persons to beg.
Many states including Maharashtra continue to criminalise begging under the Act. There is
no central Act on begging in the country but many states have enacted their own laws, most
of them based on the 1959 Act.
In 2018, when the Delhi High Court struck down some sections and decriminalised begging,
activists working in this field said that the Act should be reconsidered entirely. While
authorities say that the Act is needed to address forced begging or ‘begging rackets’,
activists say that it can be addressed in existing provisions, like laws against trafficking.
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Another attempt at repealing the Act and focusing on other social security measures was
through the introduction of The Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation)
Model Bill, 2016. Its provisions included doing away with the Beggary Act and focusing on
setting up rehabilitation centres for destitute persons in each district. While some of its
provisions continued to allow detention and the involvement of the police, discussion on
the Bill after a pre-legislative consultation in 2016 came to a halt.
Many states have announced policies to make cities ‘begging-free’. In 2020, the Union
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment proposed to make ten cities including Mumbai
part of its campaign to focus on rehabilitation rather than criminalizing begging. The Act,
however, still remains in place.

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Answer
Precise I
Criminalization of Begging: A Controversial Approach
Bhopal has recently banned begging in public places, following Indore’s lead. The district
collector issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
(BNSS), 2023, which allows authorities to prohibit certain acts deemed as a ‘nuisance or
apprehended danger.’ Non-compliance can lead to penalties, including fines and
imprisonment under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While initially
applicable for two months, the ban can be extended up to six months by the state
government.

The criminalization of begging has long been debated in India. The first law against it, the
Bombay Prevention of Beggary Act, 1959, was rooted in colonial-era vagrancy laws and
sought to clear the streets of destitute persons. The Act allows detention of beggars for up
to ten years and continues to be enforced in states like Maharashtra.

In 2018, the Delhi High Court struck down key provisions of the Act, declaring them
unconstitutional and recognizing begging as a last resort for survival. The court emphasized
the government’s duty to provide basic social security rather than penalizing the poor.
However, it upheld provisions related to forced begging. Activists argue that trafficking and
exploitation can be addressed through existing laws rather than blanket criminalization.

Attempts to repeal the Act and focus on rehabilitation have been made. The Persons in
Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016 proposed establishing
rehabilitation centres in every district. However, discussions stalled. In 2020, the Union
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment initiated a campaign in ten cities to focus on
rehabilitation rather than punishment, though the Act remains in force. Despite growing
recognition that begging is a symptom of poverty rather than a crime, many states continue
to criminalize it rather than prioritizing long-term social welfare measures.

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PASSAGE — II
In the 21st century, climate change is the number one global challenge where ecosystems
are disrupted, economies are affected, and human lives are at stake. In the face of this
challenge, the role of law (both domestic and international) is indispensable in catalyzing
action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. As one of the world’s largest
greenhouse gas emitters and a country highly vulnerable to climate impacts, India has
recognized the importance of legal frameworks in addressing this global crisis.

The Constitution of India does not mention the term "climate change", but it has several
provisions that can be used to bolster environmental protection and sustainable
development. Notably, Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment and
safeguarding of forests and wildlife), “The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the
environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country,” and Article 51A(g),
“to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and
wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures,” serve as the foundation for legal
efforts to combat climate change.

Moreover, India has signed numerous international agreements; one such was the 2015
Paris Agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change,
UNFCCC. It translates into its NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions)-the range of
action that aims at reducing carbon emissions and practicing sustainable practices. In this
article, we will discuss the role of law in combating climate change by determining different
laws and policies introduced by the Indian government and the judgments passed by the
Supreme Court addressing climate change.

The Indian judiciary has played a pivotal role in shaping climate policy and ensuring
accountability in addressing climate change. The Supreme Court (SC) of India, in particular,
has taken several landmark decisions that have established a robust legal framework for
environmental protection and climate action. T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad, known as the
Green Man has initiated various petitions concerning environmental protection. In one of
the cases, not a climatic change case, the SC’s judgment opened the gate for the active role
of the judiciary in climate change issues. The case laid the foundation of the 'Green Bench'
within the Supreme Court, which handled cases related to the implementation of
environmental laws as well as the preservation of forests and wildlife. In this regard, this
judgment made a way for all future climatic judicial acts by emphasizing that environmental
conservation needs to be an important aspect. Also, M.C. Mehta (lawyer and natural
extremist), known as the Green Avenger of India, appeared in various cases relating to
natural issues. In one of the cases, the top Court directed the government to take
immediate measures to curb air pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region.
Similarly, over the years, the Indian judiciary has played an important role in protecting the
environment.

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To effectively combat climate change, India must further strengthen its legal and regulatory
frameworks. This includes increasing penalties for environmental violations, improving the
transparency of climate data, and making climate change a central consideration in all
development policies. The judiciary must continue to hold both the government and
corporations accountable for their environmental actions while ensuring that vulnerable
communities are not disproportionately affected by climate change.

India’s legal framework for addressing climate change has evolved significantly, with both
legislative and judicial measures contributing to environmental protection and climate
action. The Supreme Court’s proactive role in interpreting the Constitution’s environmental
provisions and upholding environmental rights has paved the way for a more sustainable
future. However, the fight against climate change requires continuous judicial vigilance,
stronger enforcement of laws, and collaborative efforts across all sectors of society. By
strengthening its legal tools, India can enhance its resilience to climate change while playing
a crucial role in global climate governance.

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Answer
Preicse II
Role of Law in Combating Climate Change

Climate change is a major global challenge, affecting ecosystems, economies, and human
lives. Legal frameworks, both domestic and international, play a crucial role in mitigating its
effects. India, one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters and highly vulnerable to climate
impacts, has recognized the significance of legal measures in tackling climate change.

Although the Indian Constitution does not explicitly mention climate change, Articles 48A
and 51A (g) provide a foundation for environmental protection. India has also committed to
international agreements such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, translating its obligations into
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

The Indian judiciary has played a significant role in shaping climate policies. The Supreme
Court, through landmark decisions, has reinforced environmental conservation. Cases
initiated by environmentalists like T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad and M.C. Mehta have
strengthened legal actions against pollution and deforestation. The judiciary has ensured
government accountability in enforcing environmental laws.

To combat climate change effectively, India must further strengthen legal regulations,
impose stricter penalties for violations, and integrate climate concerns into development
policies. With continued judicial vigilance and collaborative efforts, India can enhance its
resilience to climate change and contribute significantly to global climate governance.

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Practice Paper - I
Current Affairs
(December & Janunary) –2025

1. ISRO launched its 100th mission using which rocket?

(a) GSLV-F15
(b) PSLV-C59
(c) SSLV-D3
(d) PSLV-C60
2. Amelia Kerr, who was named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year 2024, belongs to
which country?
(a) Australia
(b) New Zealand
(c) England
(d) South Africa
3. Greg Bell, who recently passed away, was a famous long jumper from which
country?
(a) Australia
(b) Germany
(c) Canada
(d) USA
4. Who became the first Australian to score a double century on Sri Lankan soil?
(a) Steve Smith
(b) Travis Head
(c) Usman Khawaja
(d) David Warner
5. Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla has been selected as a pilot for which private space
mission?
(a) Gaganyaan
(b) Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)
(c) Apollo Mission
(d) Artemis Mission
6. Who will chair the BRICS Youth Council Entrepreneurship Working Group meeting?
(a) China
(b) South Africa
(c) India
(d) Russia

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7. Which state recently approved a pilot study for regulated cannabis cultivation?
(a) Assam
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Madhya Pradesh
8. Which two Indian cities have recently been included in the list of global wetland
recognized cities under the Ramsar Convention?
(a) Delhi and Mumbai
(b) Indore and Udaipur
(c) Chennai and Kolkata
(d) Bangalore and Hyderabad
9. Which player won the title of Australian Open 2025?
(a) Alexander Zverev
(b) Yannick Sinner
(c) Carlos Alcaraz
(d) Novak Djokovic
10. Who won the ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year award?
(a) Kamindu Mendis
(b) Yashasvi Jaiswal
(c) Ben Duckett
(d) Rinku Singh
11. In which program has India recently joined as an observer nation?
(a) NATO
(b) Eurodrone Programme
(c) Asian Defence Cooperation Programme
(d) UN Peacekeeping Mission
12. Who was recently awarded the ICC Umpire of the Year Award?
(a) Richard Illingworth
(b) Nitin Menon
(c) Kumar Dharmasena
(d) Michael Gough
13. Young Indian mountaineer Shivangi Pathak recently hoisted the tricolor on the
highest peak of which country?
(a) Brazil
(b) USA
(c) Nepal
(d) Australia
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14. Which of the following has recently been awarded the ECI Media Award?
(a) Sansad TV
(b) DD National
(c) All India Radio
(d) Doordarshan
15. Who has been named the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year 2024?
(a) Surya Kumar Yadav
(b) Pat Cummins
(c) Henry Classen
(d) Rohit Sharma
16. Michel Martin has recently been elected the new Prime Minister of which country?
(a) Belgium
(b) Norway
(c) Ireland
(d) Finland
17. Which player holds the record for scoring the most runs without getting out in T20I
cricket?
(a) Surya Kumar Yadav
(b) Tilak Varma
(c) Harry Brooke
(d) Rohit Sharma
18. Which is the first state in independent India to implement Uniform Civil Code?
(a) Uttarakhand
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Assam
(d) Himachal Pradesh
19. Where has Khelo India Winter Games 2025 been organized?
(a) Assam and Arunachal Pradesh
(b) Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
(c) New Delhi
(d) Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
20. What is India’s rank in the Global Firepower Index 2025?
(a) First
(b) Second
(c) Third
(d) Fourth

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21. What is First EA₹N RuPay Credit Card seamlessly integrated with?
(a) Net banking
(b) ATM network
(c) UPI
(d) Digital wallet
22. Prabowo Subianto, the chief guest of Republic Day 2025, is the President of which
country?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Malaysia
(c) Singapore
(d) Indonesia
23. Justice Alok Aradhe has recently been sworn in as the Chief Justice of which High
Court?
(a) Allahabad High Court
(b) Bombay High Court
(c) Delhi High Court
(d) None of these
24. Who was sworn-in as the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court?
(a) Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay
(b) Justice Alok Aradhe
(c) Justice Ajay Kumar Sinha
(d) Justice Deepak Mishra
25. Which country will host the Chess World Cup 2025?
(a) India
(b) Germany
(c) USA
(d) Norway
26. Who has recently become India's top chess player?
(a) Arjun Erigaisi
(b) Parimarjan Negi
(c) D Gukesh
(d) None of these
27. Recently, Virgin coconut oil of which city has been awarded the Geographical
Indication (GI) tag?
(a) North and Middle Andaman
(b) South Andaman
(c) Nicobar
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(d) Puducherry
28. The historical Ratnagiri site, which was in the news recently, is located in which
state?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Odisha
(c) Assam
(d) Rajasthan
29. Where did the Ministry of Tribal Affairs organize the National Conference of District
Magistrates (DMs) on Pradhan Mantri Janman?
(a) Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
(b) Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
(c) Red Fort, New Delhi
(d) Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi
30. What kind of missile is the Pralay missile that was in the news recently?
(a) Wind from the surface
(b) Surface to surface
(c) Air to surface
(d) None of these
31. Where will the first International Olympic Research Conference be held?
(a) Bhopal
(b) Jaipur
(c) New Delhi
(d) Gandhinagar
32. Who has been sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America?
(a) Donald Trump
(b) Joe Biden
(c) Kamala Harris
(d) Hillary Clinton
33. Where was the Flamingo Festival 2025 organized recently?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Assam
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Rajasthan
34. Where has the 27th International Glass Congress 2025 been held?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Jaipur
(c) Varanasi
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(d) Kolkata
35. How many winners were honoured in the 25th anniversary of the Gates-Cambridge
Impact Prize 2025?
(a) 5
(b) 8
(c) 10
(d) 12
36. Which country has recently banned TikTok?
(a) USA
(b) Japan
(c) Pakistan
(d) Germany
37. In which city was the Archaeological Experimental Museum inaugurated recently?
(a) Ahmedabad
(b) Vadnagar
(c) Jaipur
(d) Ludhiana
38. What is India's rank in the 'Future of Work' category under the QS World Future
Skills Index?
(a) First
(b) Second
(c) Third
(d) Fourth
39. General V.K. Singh (retd) has been recently appointed as the new Governor of which
state?
(a) Assam
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Mizoram
(d) Kerala
40. In which city has the India Mobility Global Expo 2025 been organized?
(a) Mumbai
(b) New Delhi
(c) Varanasi
(d) Jaipur
41. Which Union Minister has recently launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App?
(a) Rajnath Singh
(b) Amit Shah
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(c) Jyotiraditya Scindia

(d) Chirag Paswan
42. Who has been sworn in as the new Justice of the Supreme Court?
(a) Justice Vinod Kumar
(b) Justice Ashok Ganguly
(c) Justice Deepak Mishra
(d) Justis K. Vinod chandran
43. Former CII Director General Tarun Das was recently awarded the Honorary Citizen
Award of which country?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Maldives
(c) Singapore
(d) Malaysia
44. With which country has India signed a deal for the export of BrahMos supersonic
cruise missiles?
(a) Indonesia
(b) Bangladesh
(c) Ukraine
(d) Indonesia
45. What has the Crisil Intelligence report projected for India's GDP growth rate in the
next fiscal year (2025)?
(a) 6.6%
(b) 6.7%
(c) 6.8%
(d) 6.9%
46. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three new warships of the Indian Navy, INS
Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer to the nation at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai
on January 15, 2025 are built by
(a) Cochin Shipyard Limited
(b) Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers
(c) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
(d) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
47. Who won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December 2024?
(a) Jasprit Bumrah
(b) Pat Cummins
(c) Travis Head
(d) Yashasvi Jaiswal

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48. Larsen & Toubro launched which multi-purpose vessel (MPV) for the Indian Navy?
(a) INS Samarth
(b) INS Utkarsh
(c) INS Surat
(d) INS Vagsheer
49. What is the name of India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to
counter swarm drones?
(a) Bhargavastra
(b) Agni-shastra
(c) Vayu-shastra
(d) Saryu-shastra
50. With which institutions has C-DOT signed an agreement to develop wideband
spectrum-sensor ASIC-chip?
(a) IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur
(b) IIT Jammu and IIT Mandi
(c) IIT Bombay and IIT Madras
(d) IIT Kharagpur and IIT Hyderabad
51. Recently Nawaf Salam has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of which
country? ‘
(a) Qatar
(b) Lebanon
(c) Pakistan
(d) Bahrain
52. Nag Mark 2 anti-tank guided missile has been developed by which organisation?
(a) Indian Ordnance Factory
(b) BEL
(c) DRDO
(d) ISRO
53. Who has been appointed as the chairman of the newly-formed Athletes Commission
of AFI?
(a) Neeraj Chopra
(b) Bajrang Punia
(c) PT Usha
(d) Anju Bobby George
54. Who inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel or Sonamarg Tunnel?
(a) Narendra Modi
(b) Amit Shah
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(c) Rajnath Singh

(d) Piyush Goyal
55. Who was recently appointed as the new Secretary of BCCI?
(a) Devjit Saikia
(b) Angad Bedi
(c) Nikhil Chopra
(d) Rajeev Shukla
56. Which country will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of
Parliaments of Commonwealth countries?
(a) India
(b) Japan
(c) USA
(d) France
57. Who has been appointed the new chairman of the Indian Police Foundation?
(a) Rajiv Ranjan
(b) Abhinav Kumar
(c) Rameshwar Sinha
(d) OP Singh
58. Which is the biggest annual festival for the Hatti tribes of the Trans-Giri region in
Himachal Pradesh?
(a) Lohri
(b) Boda festival
(c) Dussehra
(d) Harvest festival
59. In whose honor has the Himachal Pradesh government renamed the Himachal
Pradesh Institute of Public Administration?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) Indira Gandhi
(c) Dr. Manmohan Singh
(d) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
60. Where was India’s first cable-stayed railway bridge inaugurated?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Himachal Pradesh
(c) Jammu and Kashmir
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
61. Where did PM Modi lay the foundation stone of India's first green hydrogen hub?
(a) Ahmedabad
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(b) Mumbai
(c) Visakhapatnam
(d) Chennai
62. In which city did Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurate the special
'Kumbhvani' channel of All India Radio?
(a) Lucknow
(b) Varanasi
(c) Prayagraj
(d) Gorakhpur
63. Where has the Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue been organized?
(a) Haridwar
(b) Nashik
(c) New Delhi
(d) Bhopal
64. In which city has the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas been organized?
(a) Varanasi
(b) Patna
(c) Bhubaneshwar
(d) Bhopal
65. John Dramani Mahama has recently been sworn in as the President of which
country?
(a) Kenya
(b) Argentina
(c) Ghana
(d) South Africa
66. What is the theme of World Hindi Day 2025?
(a) Global initiative for Hindi Language
(b) Hindi unity and Global Participation
(c) A Global voice of Hindi Unity and Cultural Pride
(d) Hindi unity, world unity
67. Where is Aero India 2025 being organized?
(a) Srinagar
(b) Mumbai
(c) Hyderabad
(d) Bangalore
68. Recently India and America have announced the co-production of which technology
for the Indian Navy?
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(a) Hypersonic missile

(b) American sonobuoy
(c) Climate monitoring system
(d) Marine drone
69. Who won the title of Under-17 Junior Squash Open 2025?
(a) Malika El Karaksi
(b) Anahat Singh
(c) Rukayya Salem
(d) None of these
70. What is the NSO estimate of India's real GDP growth for the financial year 2024-25
(FY25)?
(a) 8.2%
(b) 6.4%
(c) 7.5%
(d) 5.9%
71. How much has Microsoft announced to invest in the next two years on AI and cloud
infrastructure in India?
(a) $1 billion
(b) $2 billion
(c) $3 billion
(d) $4 billion
72. What is the main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently
signed between FIU-IND and IRDAI?
(a) Reduction in insurance premium
(b) Enhancing cooperation in the fight against money laundering and
terrorist financing
(c) Expansion of insurance schemes
(d) To promote financial inclusion
73. Which Union Minister launched the Bharatpol Portal?
(a) Amit Shah
(b) S. Jaishankar
(c) Chirag Paswan
(d) Jyotiraditya Scindia
74. Union Minister Chirag Paswan has inaugurated the Indusfood 2025 exhibition on
January 8 in
(a) Greater Noida
(b) Jaipur

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(c) Chennai
(d) New Delhi
75. Who inaugurated the Gandhi Darshan Art Gallery near Rajghat in Delhi?
(a) Amit Shah
(b) Rajnath Singh
(c) Om Birla
(d) Jyotiraditya Scindia
76. Which country has recently become the tenth full member of the BRICS group?
(a) Nepal
(b) France
(c) Argentina
(d) Indonesia
77. In which city did PM Modi recently lay the foundation stone of Central Ayurveda
Research Institute (CARI)?
(a) Mumbai
(b) Chennai
(c) New Delhi
(d) Varanasi
78. Who inaugurated the Panchayat to Parliament 2.0 initiative?
(a) Jagdeep Dhankhar
(b) Om Birla
(c) Rajnath Singh
(d) Amit Shah
79. What is the name given to the 'torch' of the 38th National Games?
(a) 'ACHAL'
(b) 'PRABAL'
(c) 'BHART'
(d) 'Tejaswini'
80. Which city has recently been declared the world's most polluted city?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Hanoi
(c) Paris
(d) Dhaka
81. Recently, UP CM inaugurated water purification projects focused on cleaning which
river?
(a) Ganga
(b) Ramganga
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(c) Gomti
(d) Rapti
82. Which state has established “Mahabharata Vatika” for forest conservation?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Assam
83. How many athletes have been awarded the Arjuna Award for the year 2024?
(a) 22
(b) 32
(c) 40
(d) 42
84. Recently Arif Mohammad Khan has been sworn in as the Governor of which state?
(a) Haryana
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Bihar
(d) Himachal Pradesh
85. Recently under whose leadership a committee has been formed to revise the base
year of Price Index (WPI)?
(a) Amitabh Kant
(b) Ramesh Chand
(c) Rajeev Kumar
(d) Nandan Nilekani
86. How many athletes will be honored with the Khel Ratna Award 2025?
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 5
87. In which state was India's first Glass Sea Bridge unveiled?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Odisha
(c) Gujarat
(d) Maharashtra
88. Where was the World Blitz Chess Championship held?
(a) Chennai
(b) Paris
(c) New York
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(d) Rome
89. Which team won the title of the 78th edition of Santosh Trophy?
(a) West Bengal
(b) Mohun Bagan
(c) Kerala
(d) Sikkim
90. Which player scored the first century of the year 2025?
(a) Yashasvi Jaiswal
(b) Travis Head
(c) Harry Brooke
(d) Kushal Perera
91. Who released the book 'Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages'?
(a) Rajnath Singh
(b) Amit Shah
(c) Jyotiraditya Scindia
(d) Jayant Chaudhary
92. Which state won the best tableau award at the 76th Republic Day 2025?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Punjab
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Rajasthan
93. Which institution has launched iSPOT portal for reporting technical glitches?
(a) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
(b) Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
(c) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
(d) NITI Aayog
94. What is the name of the scheme recently launched by government to provide loan
guarantees for MSMEs?
(a) Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme
(b) Stand-Up India Scheme
(c) Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs (MCGS-MSMEs)
(d) Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana
95. Which three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) in January 2025?
(a) Nigeria, Ghana, Togo
(b) Senegal, Guinea, Liberia
(c) Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger
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(d) Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone

96. Which state has become the first North Eastern state to sign a Memorandum of
Understanding with “Bhasha Interface for India” (Bhashini), AI-driven app?
(a) Tripura
(b) Assam
(c) Nagaland
(d) Mizoram
97. Which ministry has launched the “MSME TEAM initiative” to empower small
businesses in adopting digital commerce?
(a) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
(b) Ministry of Finance
(c) Ministry of Power
(d) Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
98. Which institution, recently, extracted silicon carbide from simulated moon soil?
(a) IIT Bombay
(b) IIT Kanpur
(c) IIT Madras
(d) IIT Delhi
99. Who won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the Senior National Table Tennis
Championships 2025?
(a) Jash Modi and Yashaswini
(b) Manush Shah and Diya Chitale
(c) Payas Jain and Sreeja Akula
(d) Akash Pal and Syndrela Das
100. What is “WASP-127b” that was recently seen in news?
(a) Synthetic Drug
(b) Exoplanet
(c) Invasive weed
(d) Newly discovered species of Bee
101. Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is developed by which organization?
(a) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
(b) Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
(c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
(d) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
102. Which city becomes the Inland Waterways Authority of India’s (IWAI’s) sixth regional
office recently?
(a) Bhopal
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(b) Varanasi
(c) Chennai
(d) Gorakhpur
103. Which bank becomes the first Indian bank to implement Clari5’s NCRP Integration
Solution?
(a) Punjab National Bank
(b) Bank of Baroda
(c) Bank of India
(d) Canara Bank
104. Which state government has launched “Samman Sanjeevani” app?
(a) Haryana
(b) Madhya Pradesh
(c) Gujarat
(d) Rajasthan
105. India hosted the Second BIMSTEC Expert Group Meeting on Cyber Security
Cooperation in which city?
(a) Hyderabad
(b) Chennai
(c) New Delhi
(d) Bengaluru
106. Which institution has published the Fiscal Health Index 2025?
(a) Reserve Bank of India
(b) Securities and Exchange Board of India
(c) NITI Aayog
(d) World Bank
107. Which Indian Navy ship conducted the hydrographic survey of Mauritius recently?
(a) INS Viraat
(b) INS Sarvekshak
(c) INS Kalvari
(d) INS Saryu
108. Which day is observed as International Day of Education every year?
(a) 24 January
(b) 25 January
(c) 26 January
(d) 27 January
109. Typhoon Missile System was developed by which country?
(a) Russia
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(b) France
(c) Japan
(d) United States
110. Which institution has been awarded the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan
Puraskar for 2025?
(a) Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)
(b) Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
(c) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
(d) Geological Survey of India (GSI)
111. Which state government has launched Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomiheen Krishi
Majdoor Kalyana Yojana?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Chhattisgarh
(c) Karnataka
(d) Kerala
112. Who won men’s and women’s India Open 2025 Badminton titles respectively?
(a) Viktor Axelsen and An Se-young
(b) Lee Cheuk Yiu and Pornpawee Chochuwong
(c) Goh Sze Fei and Arisa Igarashi
(d) Nur Izzudding and Kim Hye Jang
113. National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) is jointly developed by
the United States and which country?
(a) France
(b) Norway
(c) Greece
(d) Australia
114. Which cricket team has won the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy?
(a) Karnataka
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Rajasthan
115. Which Organisation released the ‘Global Risks Report 2025’?
(a) International Monetary Fund
(b) World Economic Forum
(c) United Nations Development Programme
(d) United Nations Environment Programme
116. Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system is developed by India and which country?
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(a) Russia
(b) Australia
(c) France
(d) Japan
117. Which Indian Naval Ship (INS) is participated in the fourth edition of the
Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE?
(a) INS Surat
(b) INS Kolkata
(c) INS Mumbai
(d) INS Vikrant
118. Which two sites from India have been included in the 2025 World Monuments
Watch list?
(a) Musi River Historic Buildings and Bhuj Historic Water Systems
(b) Gateway of India and Mysore Palace
(c) Red Fort and Jaipur City
(d) Lotus Temple and Gateway of India
119. Which institution developed the Central Suspect Registry?
(a) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
(b) Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
(c) Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
(d) National Investigation Agency (NIA)
120. Which state government has launched SHE COHORT 3.0 initiative to empower
women-led startups?
(a) Odisha
(b) Haryana
(c) Punjab
(d) Gujarat
121. Which country has developed Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) for eco-friendly extraction
of Rare Earth Elements (REEs)?
(a) Myanmar
(b) China
(c) Japan
(d) India
122. Zoran Milanovic has been elected as president of which country in January 2025?’
(a) Croatia
(b) Bulgaria
(c) Romania
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(d) Bosnia
123. Which city is the host of Kho Kho World Cup 2025?
(a) Bengaluru
(b) New Delhi
(c) Hyderabad
(d) Chennai
124. Neptune Missile is developed by which country?
(a) Ukraine
(b) China
(c) Iran
(d) Israel
125. Project Veer Gatha 4.0 a joint initiative of which ministries?
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Youth Affairs
(b) Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Education
(c) Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Defence
(d) Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sports
126. The National Youth Day is celebrated on 12th January every year in commemoration
of which Indian leader?
(a) Bhagat Singh
(b) Chandra Shekhar Azad
(c) APJ Abdul Kalam
(d) Swami Vivekananda
127. What is the name of portal launched by government to make genome data
accessible to researchers in India and abroad?
(a) Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portal
(b) Indian Genomic Repository (IGC) Portal
(c) Genome Access Portal
(d) Life Science Data Bank
128. Joseph Aoun has been elected as president of which country?
(a) Oman
(b) Lebanon
(c) Qatar
(d) Yemen
129. Which state government has launched PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment
Training & Hunar)?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Jharkhand
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(c) Madhya Pradesh

(d) Bihar
130. Which organization released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025
report?
(a) United Nations (UN)
(b) World Bank
(c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(d) Asian Development Bank (ADB)
131. Which organization released the Future of Jobs Report 2025?
(a) World Economic Forum (WEF)
(b) World Bank
(c) International Monetary Fund (IMF)
(d) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
132. India’s first commercial utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) is located
at which place?
(a) Kilokri, South Delhi
(b) Amarsar, Jaipur
(c) Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
(d) Pokhran, Jaisalmer
133. Which institution has developed AnemiaPhone technology to assess iron deficiency?
(a) Loughborough University, England
(b) Cornell University, United States
(c) Banaras Hindu University, India
(d) Duke University, United States
134. Who has been appointed as the new space secretary and chairman of the Indian
Space Research Organisation?
(a) Prahlad Chandra Agrawal
(b) Anil Bhardwaj
(c) V Narayanan
(d) Shiv Prasad
135. Which ministry launched the “Cashless Treatment Scheme” for road accident
victims?
(a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
(b) Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
(c) Ministry of Finance
(d) Ministry of Home Affairs
136. What is Twigstats that was recently seen in news?
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(a) A statistical model for climate analysis

(b) A tool for mapping ancient trade routes
(c) A new mineral found in the Atlantic Ocean
(d) A time-stratified ancestry analysis tool
137. Which day is celebrated as World Day of War Orphans?
(a) January 5
(b) January 6
(c) January 7
(d) January 8
138. What is the rank of India in terms of the largest metro network in the world?
(a) First
(b) Second
(c) Third
(d) Fourth
139. Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana was launched by which state government?
(a) Odisha
(b) Jharkhand
(c) Bihar
(d) Gujarat
140. Which state is the host of 74th Senior National Basketball Championship?
(a) Gujarat
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Odisha
141. The ‘Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0’ program commemorates the 150th birth
anniversary of which tribal leader?
(a) Birsa Munda
(b) Rani Durgavati
(c) Tirot Singh
(d) Laxman Nayak
142. Which ministry launched the Sashakt Beti and e-Drishti initiatives?
(a) Ministry of Home Affairs
(b) Ministry of Education
(c) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(d) Ministry of Defence
143. Which state launched the Ladki Bahin scheme?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Gujarat

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(c) Karnataka
(d) Tamil Nadu
144. India’s first Coastline-Waders Bird Census has conducted at which place?
(a) Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
(b) Marine National Park, Jamnagar
(c) Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh
(d) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
145. Which city is the venue of the 31st National Children’s Science Congress?
(a) Bhopal
(b) Hyderabad
(c) Jaipur
(d) Lucknow
146. Business Ready (B-READY) is the flagship report of which organization?
(a) International Monetary Fund
(b) World Bank
(c) United Nations Development Programme
(d) World Trade Organization
147. Which organization has launched the quantum processor ‘Willow’?
(a) Amazon
(b) Meta
(c) Google
(d) Microsoft
148. Which country has recently launched the CR450 prototype, the world’s fastest high-
speed train?
(a) France
(b) China
(c) Russia
(d) India
149. Which institute has developed needle-free shock syringes for painless injections?
(a) IIT Hyderabad
(b) IIT Delhi
(c) IIT Bombay
(d) IIT Madras
150. Which state won the Senior National Men’s Handball Championship 2024 title?
(a) Haryana
(b) Kerala
(c) Punjab
(d) Rajasthan

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Practice Paper - I
Current Affairs (December & Janunary) –2025
Answers and explanations
Sr. No. Ans. Explanation
1. A  ISRO recently successfully launched its 100th mission using the GSLV-
F15 rocket. This mission carried the NVS-02 navigation satellite. On this
occasion, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan stated that their goal is to
launch another 100 missions in the next five years.
2. B  New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr was awarded the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the
Year 2024 for her outstanding performances. She scored 387 runs and took
29 wickets in 18 T20I matches, along with 264 runs and 14 wickets in 9 ODI
matches. Amelia is the first New Zealand female cricketer to win this
award.
3. D  Famous American long jumper Greg Bell recently passed away. He was
born on November 7, 1930, in Terre Haute, Indiana, and won a gold
medal at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
4. C  Australian opener Usman Khawaja scored his first double century on Sri
Lankan soil during the first Test at Galle International Stadium. With this,
he became the first Australian to achieve this milestone in Sri Lanka.
5. B  Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and ISRO astronaut Group Captain Shubanshu
Shukla has been selected as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), marking a
historic milestone for India in space exploration. NASA announced this
selection on January 30, 2025, making Shukla the first Indian astronaut to
travel to the International Space Station (ISS) on a private mission.
6. C  The Youth Affairs Department under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports, Government of India, will host the BRICS Youth Council
Entrepreneurship Working Group meeting from March 3-7, 2025. The
theme of the meeting is "Youth Entrepreneurship for Sustainable
Development," with participation from around 45 youth representatives
from BRICS nations.
7. B  The Himachal Pradesh government recently approved a pilot study for
regulated cannabis cultivation in the state, aiming to explore its medicinal
and industrial applications. This initiative marks a significant step toward
the legalization of cannabis farming in the region.
8. B  Indore (Madhya Pradesh) and Udaipur (Rajasthan) are the first Indian cities
accredited as wetland cities under the Ramsar Convention. It was approved
during the Ramsar Convention COP12 held in the year 2015. It recognizes
cities that have taken extraordinary steps to protect their urban wetlands.
 The Ramsar Convention promotes conservation and wise use of wetlands
globally across 172 member countries. Accreditation recognizes cities
valuing and conserving natural and human-made wetlands. The latest
round accredited 31 cities, including these two, bringing the global total to
74 wetland cities. India currently has 85 protected wetlands under the
Ramsar treaty.
9. B  World number 1 tennis player Yannick Sinner won the Australian Open title
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for the second consecutive time. He defeated Germany's Alexander Zverev

in the final in straight three sets, with the score 6–3, 7–6 (4), 6–3. In the
final played in Melbourne on 26 January 2025, Sinner ensured his victory
without losing any break point.
10. A  Kamindu Mendis has been named as the ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of
the Year. This 25-year old young batsman from Sri Lanka has achieved
unique achievements in Test cricket right in the beginning of his career.
Kamindu scored eight consecutive half-centuries in his first eight Test
matches, becoming the first batsman to achieve the feat.

11. B  India has officially joined the Eurodrone programme as an observer nation,
marking a significant step in its defence cooperation with Europe. This
announcement was made by the Organisation for Combined Armament
Cooperation (OCCAR). This effort reflects India's commitment to enhance
defence cooperation with European countries.
12. A  Richard Illingworth has been named for the fourth time as the ICC Umpire
of the Year for 2024. This honor was given to him on 26 January 2025,
making it the fourth time in his career that he has won this award. Richard
Illingworth has officiated in many important matches in his umpiring career
and has been praised for his decision-making abilities.
13. D  Haryana's young mountaineer Shivangi Pathak celebrated India's 76th
Republic Day by hoisting the Indian tricolor on Australia's highest peak
Mount Kosciuszko. He achieved this feat on January 26, 2025 at 7:00 am IST
which was an important moment for him and India.
14. D  Recently Doordarshan has been awarded the ECI Media Award for Voter
Awareness in the Electronic Media category. The award was given for his
extensive campaign titled Chunav Ka Parv Desh Ka Garv, which emphasized
the importance of informed voting.
15. D  Rohit Sharma has been named the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of
the Year 2024, this achievement has been given to him for his excellent
leadership of the team in the year 2024. Last year, India also won its
second T20 World Cup title under the captaincy of Rohit. The team includes
four Indian players Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and
Arshdeep Singh.
16. C  Following the recent Irish parliamentary vote, Micheál Martin has been re-
elected as Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland for a second term. His
nomination received 95 votes in favor and 76 against. Earlier, he had held
this post from 2020 to 2022.
17. B  India's dashing batsman Tilak Verma has created a new world record in T20
international cricket. He accomplished the feat of scoring the maximum
runs without getting out. As of 25 January 2025, Verma has scored a total
of 318 runs in four consecutive innings without getting out, which has
become a world record in itself.
18. A  Uttarakhand has taken the historic step of implementing the Uniform Civil
Code (UCC) today, 27 January 2025, making it the first state in India to do
so. Its main objective is to establish equal laws for all citizens and to end

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discrimination on religious grounds.

19. B  Khelo India Winter Games 2025 began on January 23, 2025 in Leh, Ladakh,
which is the fifth edition of this national sporting event. The opening
ceremony of the Games took place at the iconic NDS Stadium. The first
phase in Ladakh will run from January 23 to January 27, 2025. The second
phase will be held in Jammu and Kashmir from 22 February to 25 February
2025.
20. D  India is ranked fourth in the Global Firepower Index 2025, retaining its
position as a significant military power. The ranking ranks India among the
top military forces globally, evaluated among 145 countries based on over
60 factors related to military capabilities, including military strength and
resources.
21. C  IDFC First Bank has launched the First EA₹N RuPay Credit Card, a new UPI-
enabled credit card designed primarily for first-time users. This card is
backed by Fixed Deposit (FD), allowing customers to avail credit instantly
and securely. Also, the card has been seamlessly integrated with UPI.
22. D  This year the chief guest of Republic Day 2025 will be the President of
Indonesia Prabowo Subianto. This is an important occasion as we mark the
completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and
Indonesia. Let us tell you that in the year 2025, India will celebrate its 76th
Republic Day.
23. B  Justice Alok Aradhe has recently officially taken oath as the Chief Justice of
the Bombay High Court. Oath by Maharashtra Governor C. P.
Radhakrishnan administered the award during a function held at Raj
Bhavan in Mumbai. Justice Aradhe is the 48th Chief Justice of the Bombay
High Court and replaced Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay in the role.
24. A  Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay recently took oath as the Chief Justice
of Delhi High Court. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Raj Niwas,
where the oath was administered by Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena Singh and other senior officials
participated in this program.
25. A  India is set to host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to
November 27, 2025. This was announced by a senior official of the All India
Chess Federation (AICF). However, the AICF has said that the hosting rights
were informally confirmed in January or February 2024 itself.
26. C  As of January 23, 2025, D Gukesh has emerged as India's top chess player,
surpassing his compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in the latest FIDE rankings. The 18-
year-old chess genius Gukesh is now ranked fourth globally with a rating of
2784 points. Let us tell you that Gukesh defeated Vincent Keymer of
Germany after his impressive performance in the Tata Steel Tournament in
Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.
27. C  Recently, Virgin Coconut Oil of Nicobar district has been awarded the
Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the GI tag for seven products
from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including Nicobari Virgin Coconut
Oil, Nicobar Coconut, and Andaman Karen Musley Rice.

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28. B  The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered important Buddhist
relics during fresh excavations at the historic Ratnagiri site in Jajpur district,
adding another chapter to its 1,200-year-old heritage. It is located 100 km
north-east of Bhubaneswar in Odisha. The site is situated on a hill between
the Birupa and Brahmani rivers and is the most famous Buddhist site in
Odisha.
29. B  The Ministry of Tribal Affairs recently organized a National Conference of
District Magistrates (DMs) on Pradhan Mantri Janman at Bharat
Mandapam, New Delhi. The objective of the conference was to address the
unique challenges faced by Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
and to promote their integration into the socio-economic fabric of the
nation.

30. B  The Defence Secretary recently informed that for the first time, the
indigenously developed Pralay Missile will be showcased during the
Republic Day parade. It is an indigenously developed short-range, quasi-
ballistic surface-to-surface missile. It has been developed by the Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) based on the Prithvi
defence vehicle of the Indian ballistic missile programme.
31. D  The first International Olympic Research Conference will be organised from
27 to 30 January 2025 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
 India is preparing to host the 2036 Olympics, focusing on sustainable sports
infrastructure. The first International Olympic Research Conference will be
held at Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, Gujarat from January 27-
30, 2025. Organized by the Indian Olympic Association, the event aims to
address financial challenges and create a sustainable roadmap for hosting
the Olympics.
32. A  Donald Trump is officially sworn in as the 47th President of the United
States on January 20, 2025, marking his return to the White House after a
gap of four years. He also completed his term as the 45th President of
America. Let us tell you that in the elections held in November 2024,
Donald Trump had registered a spectacular victory.

33. A  The Flamingo Festival 2025 concluded on January 20, 2025 at the Nelapattu
Bird Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh, marking the successful revival of the
event after a gap of four years. The festival was attended by thousands of
participants, including over 3,000 students from nearby districts like
Tirupati and Nellore, who were provided free transportation and food by
the organisers.
34. D  Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge),
Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the “27th International Congress on Glass,
2025” at the Vishwa Bangla Convention Centre in Kolkata. Eminent
personalities from the global glass community, including Chairman of the
International Glass Commission and Professor Hiroyuki Inoue of the
University of Tokyo, were present on the occasion. ICG 2025 is being
organized from 20 to 24 January 2025.

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35. A  Professor Urvashi Sinha, faculty member of Light and Matter Physics at the
Raman Research Institute (RRI), has been awarded the Gates-Cambridge
Impact Award 2025 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Cambridge,
UK. Professor Sinha is one of eight winners celebrating the 25th
anniversary of the Gates-Cambridge Impact Prize.
36. A  The President of the United States has imposed a federal ban on TikTok.
The decision comes after a US Supreme Court ruling that upheld a law
requiring TikTok's Chinese parent company, Bytedance, to sell its US
operations or face a complete ban due to national security concerns.
37. B  Recently, the Union Ministry of Culture and the Gujarat State Government
unveiled a state-of-the-art Archaeological Experiential Museum in
Vadnagar. This inaugural ceremony was presided over by Union Home
Minister Amit Shah. This landmark project showcases the rich cultural and
historical heritage of Vadnagar, a city with a history of over 2,500 years.
38. B  India has emerged as a strong contender in the QS World Future Skills
Index, ranking 25th globally and second in the "Future of Work" category,
just after the United States, with a score of 99.1. The QS World Future Skills
Index is a comprehensive tool that assesses how prepared countries are to
meet the emerging demands of the international job market.
39. C  General V.K. Singh (retired) was sworn in as the 25th Governor of Mizoram
on January 16, 2025. He was appointed on December 24, 2024 by President
Draupadi Murmu. Singh, who has previously served as a Union minister and
Army chief, replaced Hari Babu Kambhampati in the role.
40. B  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the India Mobility Global Expo
2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on January 17, 2025. The expo is
considered to be the largest mobility event in India, which will see the
launch of over 100 vehicles from over 34 global automakers. The event
aims to promote electric and sustainable progress in India's growing
automotive sector.
41. A  On January 17, 2025, the Government of India officially launched the
Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, aimed at increasing public access to
India's rich military history. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the
app during the 77th Army Day celebrations to promote battlefield tourism
and is part of a broader initiative to educate citizens about India's defence
heritage.
42. D  Justis K. Vinod Chandran sworn in as Supreme Court Judge, Chief Justice of
India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna administered the oath of office to him. The Centre
approved the appointment of Justice Chandran to the apex court based on
the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. Union Minister of
State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced this on the social
media platform X.
43. C  Former Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) director general Tarun Das
has been conferred the Honorary Citizen of Singapore award, a prestigious
honour for non-Singapore residents. The award was presented to him by
the President of Singapore Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a ceremony
held in New Delhi on January 15, 2025.

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44. D  India is close to finalising a $450 million deal to export BrahMos supersonic
cruise missiles to Indonesia, a significant step in defence cooperation
between the two countries. The deal will make Indonesia the second
ASEAN country after the Philippines to acquire these advanced missiles,
which have a range of 290 kilometers.
45. B  According to a Crisil Intelligence report, India's gross domestic product
(GDP) growth rate is expected to improve to 6.7% in the next financial year
(FY25). The first advance estimates of the National Statistical Office (NSO)
show that GDP growth rate will decline to 6.4% in the current financial
year, from 8.2% last year.
46. C  Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three new warships of the Indian
Navy, INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vagsheer to the nation at the Naval
Dockyard in Mumbai on January 15, 2025. All these warships are designed
and built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, which is a
classic example of the “Make in India” initiative.
47. A  The ICC Player of the Month award for December 2024 has been
announced. This time the Player of the Month award in the men's category
was given to India's fast bowler Jaspreet Bumrah, while Australia's Annabel
Sutherland received the ICC Women's Player of the Month honor.
48. B  Recently, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) launched the second multi-purpose vessel
(MPV) INS Utkarsh for the Indian Navy. Its launch comes just after INS
Samarth, which was launched just three months back. The launch of INS
Utkarsh is part of India's broader initiative to enhance self-reliance in
defence manufacturing and strengthen its naval capabilities.
49. A  India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system
to counter swarm drones. It is designed to counter the threat of swarm
drones. It was developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. Bhargavastra detects
small flying machines over 6 km and hits targets over 2.5 km. It uses guided
micro-munitions and can fire more than 64 micro missiles simultaneously.
The system operates in all terrains, including high-altitude areas. It fulfills
Army Air Defence requirements, marking India’s first counter-drone system
with micro missiles.
50. B  Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the flagship unit of the
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with Indian
Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT Jammu) has signed an agreement with
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi (IIT Mandi) to develop Wideband
Spectrum-Sensor ASIC-chip to boost spectrum utilisation. It aims to develop
cutting edge next generation telecommunications indigenous technology.
51. B  Nawaf Salam has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Lebanon.
President Joseph Aoun has recently announced this. He is currently the
President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). He secured 84 out of
128 votes during the consultative poll conducted by the President.
52. C  India has successfully field tested a third-generation anti-tank guided
missile, Nag Mark 2, demonstrating significant advancement in its defence
capabilities. Nag Mk 2 is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)
developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation

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(DRDO).
53. D  Recently, Anju Bobby George has been appointed as the chairperson of the
newly-formed Athletes Commission of the Athletics Federation of India
(AFI). This commission consists of nine members including six women. Two-
time Olympic medallist and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is one of the
nominated members.
54. A  Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Z-Morh Tunnel, now
officially named Sonamarg Tunnel, on January 13, 2025. The tunnel was
constructed at a cost of over ₹2,700 crore. The aim of this project is to
increase connectivity between Srinagar and Ladakh.
55. A  Devjit Saikia has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Board of
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This post had fallen vacant after Jay Shah
became the ICC President. Along with Saikia, Prabhtej Singh Bhatia has
been elected as the new treasurer replacing Ashish Shelar.
56. A  India will host the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of
Parliaments of Commonwealth countries (CSPOC) in the year 2026. This
was announced by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla during the recent CSPOC
Standing Committee meeting in Guernsey.
57. D  Recently, former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police OP Singh has
been appointed the new Chairman of the Indian Police Foundation (IPF).
IPF is an independent think tank that works on police-related issues. OP
Singh, who is a 1983 batch IPS officer.
58. B  The vibrant Boda Tyohar, the biggest annual festival for the Hatti tribes
living in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh, began recently with
traditional gaiety and enthusiasm. This tribe is known as a close-knit
community. Their name is inspired by the small markets or 'haats' where
they traditionally sold domestic crops, vegetables, meat and wool.
59. C  The Himachal Pradesh Government has honoured the former Prime
Minister Dr. Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) has
been officially renamed in honour of Manmohan Singh. This decision was
taken during the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Thakur
Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu recently on the occasion of the 50th anniversary
celebrations of Himachal Pradesh.
60. C  Recently, India's first cable-stayed railway bridge, Anji Khad Bridge, was
inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir which is an important milestone in the
development of infrastructure of Indian Railways. The bridge connects the
Katra and Reasi section of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Link
(USBRL) in Jammu and Kashmir.
61. C  Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone of India's
first Green Hydrogen Hub in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh under the
National Green Hydrogen Mission. Developed by NTPC Green Energy
Limited in collaboration with New and Renewable Energy Development
Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP), this project is a major initiative
towards sustainable energy development in India.
62. C  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the special
Kumbhvani channel (FM 103.5 MHz) of All India Radio dedicated to
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Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. It will be telecast from January 10, 2025 to

February 26, 2025. A broadcast time is from 5:55 am to 10:05 pm.
63. C  Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr.
Developed India Young Leaders Dialogue has been organized under the
leadership of Mansukh Mandaviya from 10-12 January 2025 at Bharat
Mandapam, New Delhi. The aim of this event is to provide a better
platform to the youth to present innovative solutions for a developed India.
64. C  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 8th January inaugurated the 18th Pravasi
Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event,
scheduled from January 8 to 10, 2025, celebrates the contributions of the
Indian diaspora and is attended by participants from over 75 countries. The
theme of this year's conference is "Contribution of NRIs in Developed
India", which emphasizes the role of NRIs in the development of India.
65. C  John Dramani Mahama has been officially sworn in as President of Ghana
for a second term after winning the December 2024 presidential election.
His swearing-in ceremony took place at Black Star Square in Accra on
January 7, 2025, attended by numerous dignitaries, including nearly 20
African heads of state and thousands of supporters.
66. C  The theme of World Hindi Day 2025 is "A Global Voice of Unity and Cultural
Pride". This day is celebrated every year on 10 January, the aim of which is
to promote the Hindi language and highlight its cultural importance.
67. D  Aero India 2025 will be held from 10 to 14 February 2025 at Yelahanka Air
Force Station, Bengaluru. This is Asia's largest aerospace show and this is its
15th edition. This year's theme is "The Runway to a Billion Opportunities",
which focuses on promoting innovation and global partnerships in India's
aerospace sector. The first three days are scheduled for commercial
activities, while on February 13 and 14 there will be events for the general
public.
68. B  India and the US recently announced cooperation on co-production of US
sonobuoys for Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy, a
high technology device for tracking submarines in deep seas and oceans.
69. B  Anahat Singh, a promising young squash player from India, has won the
Under-17 title at the British Junior Open 2025 held in Birmingham. This win
is his third title in this prestigious tournament, earlier he had won the title
in Under-11 and Under-15 categories.
70. A  India's real GDP growth is projected to slow to 6.4% for financial year 2024-
25 (FY25), down from 8.2% in FY24, according to the National Statistical
Office (NSO). This is the lowest growth rate in four years. Indicates
slowdown in economic growth.
71. C  Microsoft has significantly deepened its collaboration with India by
announcing an initiative of substantial investments and partnerships aimed
at enhancing the country's AI capabilities. On January 7, 2025, Microsoft
CEO Satya Nadella revealed an investment of $3 billion over the next two
years focused on AI and cloud infrastructure in India.
72. B  Recently, Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and Insurance
Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) signed a
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Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing cooperation in

the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing. The agreement
was formalised by FIU-IND Director Vivek Agarwal and IRDAI Member
(Distribution) Satyajeet Tripathi.
73. A  Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the BharatPol portal, a landmark
initiative aimed at enhancing India's capabilities in international crime
investigations. Developed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the
portal is designed to streamline communications between Indian law
enforcement agencies and Interpol
74. A  Union Minister Chirag Paswan has inaugurated the Indusfood 2025
exhibition on January 8 in Greater Noida. The event has run from January 8
to January 10, 2025. The event marks the 8th edition of Indusfood,
recognised as Asia's leading food and beverage trade show.
75. C  Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the Gandhi Darshan Art Gallery
located near Rajghat in New Delhi. The gallery displays works by over 80
artists and aims to celebrate the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi through art.
76. D  Indonesia has officially become the tenth full member of the BRICS group,
which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The
announcement was made by Brazil, the current chair of BRICS for 2025.
Indonesia's membership was unanimously approved by the existing
members during the 2023 BRICS summit held in Johannesburg.
77. C  Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Central
Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Rohini, New Delhi on January 5, 2025.
This new facility, which will cover an area of 2.92 acres, is being built at a
cost of around ₹187 crore. Its aim is to advance research and health care in
Ayurveda.
78. B  The Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0 initiative was inaugurated by Lok Sabha
Speaker Om Birla on January 6, 2025. The programme aims to empower
502 elected women representatives of Scheduled Tribes in 22 states and
union territories of India. It is organised by the National Commission for
Women (NCW) in collaboration with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the
Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
79. D  The torch of the 38th National Games, named Tejaswini, has started its
journey across Uttarakhand, visiting various cities of the state. This torch
relay is an important part of the preparation for the National Games, which
are scheduled to be held here from January 28 to February 14, 2025.
80. B  Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has recently been declared the most
polluted city in the world. This dangerous situation was confirmed by data
from AirVisual and IQAir, which showed that the concentration of PM2.5
particles in the air has reached well above the safe limit. In particular,
PM2.5 levels in the city were recorded at 266 micrograms per cubic metre,
15 times more than the maximum daily exposure recommended by the
World Health Organisation.
81. D  Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated several water
purification projects focused on cleaning drains flowing into the Rapti
River. The initiative was launched on January 3, 2025 and aims to enhance

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the ecological health of the river by using eco-friendly methods for water
purification.
82. B  The Uttarakhand government has recently established "Mahabharata
Vatika" for forest conservation in Haldwani. Which aims to promote forest
conservation and ecological awareness through ancient Indian texts. This
initiative follows the earlier construction of Ramayana Vatika.
83. B  The Arjuna Award 2024 has been presented to several outstanding athletes
for their exceptional performance in various sports. Along with this, four
athletes have also been honoured with the Khel Ratna Award. The awards
will be presented during the National Sports Awards ceremony on January
17, 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. This year 32 athletes have been
awarded the Arjuna Award.
84. C  Arif Mohammad Khan has officially taken oath as the 42nd Governor of
Bihar on January 2, 2025. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Raj
Bhawan in Patna and was administered by Chief Justice of Patna High Court
K Vinod Chandran.
85. B  The government recently announced the formation of an 18-member panel
headed by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to revise the base year of
the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and suggest a road map for switching to
the Producer Price Index (PPI). It has been set up to revise the base year of
Wholesale Price Index (WPI) from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
86. C  The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has officially announced the Khel
Ratna Award winners for 2025. The prestigious award will be presented to
four eminent athletes Gukesh D (chess), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey),
Praveen Kumar (para-athletics) and Manu Bhaker (shooting). The award
ceremony will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, 2025.
87. A  Tamil Nadu has officially unveiled India's first Glass Sea Bridge, which will
be inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin on December 30, 2024. The
bridge connects the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the 133-foot
Thiruvalluvar statue in Kanyakumari, an important landmark in the tourism
infrastructure of the region.
88. C  Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi have created history by agreeing
to share the title of 2024 FIDE World Blitz Chess Champion. The decision
came after three consecutive draws in their final match. This tournament
was organized in All Street, New York.
89. A  West Bengal has won the 78th edition of the Santosh Trophy, defeating
Kerala 1-0 in the final held at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on
December 31, 2024 to lift the title for a record 33rd time. The win marks a
stunning comeback for West Bengal after a gap of eight years since their
last win in the 2016-17 season.
90. D  Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera played a brilliant innings by scoring the first century
of the new year in the third T20 match against New Zealand. In this innings
of 101 runs in 44 balls, he hit 13 fours and 4 sixes. Let us tell you that the
record for the fastest century in T20 International is in the name of Sahil
Chauhan of Estonia. Leaving behind many legends, Chauhan played an
unbeaten innings of 144 runs, which included 18 sixes and 6 fours.

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91. B  The book titled "Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: Through the Ages" was
officially released on January 2, 2025 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah
and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi. This publication
is an important contribution to the historical narrative of the Jammu and
Kashmir region, providing information about its rich history, cultural ties
and continuity through the ages.
92. A  Uttar Pradesh’s Mahakumbh tableau won the best tableau award at the
76th Republic Day celebrations. Tripura’s tableau on Kharchi Puja secured
second place, followed by Andhra Pradesh’s tableau on Etikoppaka
Bommalu wooden toys. Jammu & Kashmir Rifles won best marching
contingent among services, while Delhi Police topped in the CAPF/auxiliary
forces category. Ministry of Tribal Affairs won for its Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh
tableau.
93. B  SEBI launched a web-based portal called Integrated SEBI Portal for
Technical Glitches (iSPOT) for submitting root cause analysis (RCA) reports
on technical glitches. It serves as a centralized repository to streamline
reporting by stock exchanges and market infrastructure institutions (MIIs).
iSPOT aims to improve data quality, track past glitches, and generate
system reports for better compliance monitoring.
94. C  The central government approved the Mutual Credit Guarantee Scheme
(MCGS-MSMEs) for micro, small, and medium enterprises. The scheme
guarantees loans up to ₹100 crore with 60% coverage by the National
Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC). Eligible MSMEs must have a
valid Udyam Registration Number. At least 75% of the loan must be used
for equipment or machinery.
95. C  Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have officially left ECOWAS due to diplomatic
tensions. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) was
founded in 1975 to promote economic cooperation and development.
Citizens of ECOWAS can live, work, and move freely across member states.
96. A  The Government of Tripura signed an MoU with Digital India Bhashini
Division (DIBD) under MeitY to promote regional languages in governance.
Bhashini, part of the Digital India initiative, enables real-time translation,
speech-to-text, and voice-to-voice communication in 22 Indian languages.
97. D  The Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has
launched the MSME Trade Enablement and Marketing (TEAM) initiative to
help small businesses adopt digital commerce. The initiative focuses on
inclusivity, targeting 50% women-led enterprises. MSMEs will get digital
storefronts, payment solutions, and logistics support via ONDC. More than
150 workshops will educate MSMEs, especially women-led and SC/ST-led
businesses. A dedicated portal will offer training, financial aid, and
grievance support. The initiative aligns with India’s digital transformation
goals and complements schemes like PM Vishwakarma and Digital MSME.

98. C  IIT-Madras researchers have extracted silicon carbide (SiC) from simulated
moon soil, aiding future lunar habitat construction. Silicon carbide (SiC),
also called carborundum, is a synthetic crystalline compound of silicon and

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carbon. It is extremely hard, has high thermal conductivity, and offers

excellent resistance to wear, oxidation, and chemical reactions.
99. B  Manush Shah won the men’s singles title at the Senior National Table
Tennis Championships 2025, defeating Payas Jain 4-1 in the final. Payas Jain
earlier beat Olympian Sathiyan Gnanasekaran in the semifinals.
 Diya Chitale claimed the women’s singles title, overcoming two-time
champion Sreeja Akula in a thrilling 4-3 final. Diya and Sreeja also won the
women’s doubles gold, beating Suhana Saini and Prithoki Chakraborty 3-2.
 Akash Pal and Poymantee Baisya won the mixed doubles title 3-0 against
Jash Modi and Taneesha Kotecha.
 PB Abhinand and Preyesh Raj Suresh clinched the men’s doubles title with
a 3-1 win. The event was organized by the Table Tennis Federation of India
(TTFI), founded in 1926, headquartered in New Delhi.
100. B  Scientists detected supersonic winds of 33,000 km/h on the gas giant
exoplanet WASP-127b. WASP-127b is located 520 light-years away in the
Milky Way and orbits a sun-like star every four days.
 It is a hot Jupiter, orbiting just 5% of the Earth-Sun distance, with one side
always facing its star. Its atmosphere reaches 2,060°F and contains
hydrogen, helium, carbon monoxide, and water. WASP-127b is 30% larger
than Jupiter but only 16% of its mass, making it extremely puffy. It has the
fastest equatorial jet stream winds recorded on any known planet.
101. A  DRDO showcased the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS)
during the 76th Republic Day parade. ATAGS is a 155mm, 52-calibre
howitzer developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). It has a range of 48 km, making it one of the longest-
range towed artillery systems globally. It can operate in extreme
temperatures and has high mobility due to its 6×6 towing platform. The
gun achieves precision strikes with future Long Range Guided Munitions
(LRGM).
102. B  The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) recently set up a new
Regional Office in Varanasi.
 IWAI, established under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act
(1985), focuses on developing and maintaining Inland Water Transport
infrastructure on national waterways.
 It receives grants from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
 The headquarters is in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, with regional offices in
Guwahati, Patna, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, and Kolkata. The Varanasi office will
oversee development works on the Ganga and its tributaries in Uttar
Pradesh, including rivers like Betwa, Chambal, and Gomti.
103. A  Punjab National Bank (PNB) becomes the first Indian bank to integrate
Clari5’s National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) solution. The solution
was developed with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to
automate cybercrime complaint processing. It works across all retail
banking channels like Internet and Mobile Banking, ATMs, UPI, and
NEFT/RTGS. Features include automated lien marking, intelligent account
freezes, and customizable whitelisting to protect customers.

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104. A  Haryana minister Shruti Choudhry launched the ‘Samman Sanjeevani’ app
on National Girl Child Day 2025. The app tracks benefits under the ‘Mahila
Evam Kishori Samman Yojana’. Sanitary napkins are distributed to BPL
women and girls aged 10-45 years via Anganwadi centers and schools. The
app ensures timely delivery, collects beneficiary data, and updates monthly
benefits. The Women and Child Development Department celebrates 10
years of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’.
105. C  India hosted the Second BIMSTEC Expert Group Meeting on Cyber Security
Cooperation on 21 January 2025 in New Delhi. The meeting aimed to
finalize a 5-year Action Plan for strengthening cyber security among
BIMSTEC Member States. Key focus areas include information sharing,
cybercrime, protecting critical infrastructures, incident response, and
global cyber norms. India presented its “Cyber Hygiene for School Children”
initiative under Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The Action
Plan’s implementation will boost regional cyber security and resilience
among BIMSTEC countries.
106. C  NITI Aayog published the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025. It assesses fiscal
health across 18 major Indian states using five sub-indices: Quality of
Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt
Sustainability. Odisha ranked first with a score of 67.8, followed by
Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6). Strong performers excel in revenue,
expenditure, and debt management, while Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West
Bengal, and Kerala are the worst-performing states. Maharashtra, Uttar
Pradesh, and Karnataka were categorized as “front-runners,” while Tamil
Nadu, Bihar, and Haryana are “performers.”
107. B  INS Sarvekshak of the Indian Navy completed the final phase of a
hydrographic survey in Mauritius, covering 25,000 square nautical miles.
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located east of
Madagascar. It has an area of 2,040 sq. km, with the capital being Port
Louis. The country includes the Main Island and outlying islands like Ambre,
Est, and Cerfs. Formed by volcanic activity 8 million years ago, it has Mount
Piton as its highest peak (828 m). The chief water source is Lake Vacoas,
and the climate is maritime subtropical.
108. A  The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) observes January 24 as
International Day of Education to highlight education’s role in peace and
development. It was declared on December 3, 2018, through resolution
73/25, co-written by Nigeria and 58 other countries. The 2024 theme is “AI
and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,”
focusing on education’s role in adapting to AI and technology. The day
emphasizes education’s power in promoting peace, achieving global goals
like SDG 4, and fostering global collaboration. UNESCO leads the
celebration to advocate for accessible, high-quality education worldwide.
109. D  The U.S. military has relocated Typhon missile launchers within the
Philippines to improve mobility and survivability amid tensions with China
and Russia. Typhon, or the Mid-Range Capability (MRC), is a mobile,
surface-to-surface missile system developed by Lockheed Martin, United

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States. It features a modular design and can fire multiple missile types,
including the SM-6 (500 km range) and Tomahawk cruise missiles (2,500 km
range). The SM-6 strikes air and surface targets, while the Tomahawk is
effective for land-attack and anti-ship missions. A full Typhon system
includes four launchers, a command post, and support vehicles on trailers.
110. A  Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad
has been awarded the prestigious Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda
Prabandhan Puraskar for 2025 in the Institutional Category. This award
recognizes INCOIS’s significant contributions to disaster management in
India, particularly in tsunami early warning, cyclone forecasting, and coastal
risk mitigation. INCOIS operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre
(ITEWC), recognized globally by UNESCO. The organization has developed
innovative tools like SARAT and SynOPS to enhance disaster response
capabilities. This award highlights India’s advancements in disaster
management and the crucial role of institutions like INCOIS in safeguarding
lives and livelihoods.
111. B  Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai launched the ‘Deendayal Upadhyay
Bhoomiheen Krishi Majdoor Kalyana Yojana’ in Raipur. More than 5.62 lakh
landless agricultural labourers, including Baigas and Gunias, will get Rs
10,000 annually under the scheme. Rs 562 crores were disbursed to
beneficiaries during the launch.
112. A  The India Open 2025 badminton tournament concluded in New Delhi with
outstanding performances. Viktor Axelsen of Denmark won his third India
Open men’s singles title, defeating Lee Cheuk Yiu of Hong Kong China 21-
16, 21-8. Axelsen previously won the India Open in 2017 and 2019. An Se-
young of South Korea dominated the women’s singles final, defeating
Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-12, 21-9 in just 39 minutes. Both
champions are Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalists, showcasing their world-
class talent.
113. B  Taiwan will deploy advanced National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile
Systems (NASAMS) in North Taiwan to protect Taipei. NASAMS is a
medium-range, ground-based air defense system developed by Raytheon
(USA) and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Norway). The system defends
against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs, and air-to-surface
threats. It protects high-value assets and population centers and has been
part of the US capital’s air defense since 2005. NASAMS is the first
networked short- and medium-range system, integrating with other
defense equipment.
114. A  Karnataka men’s senior cricket team won its 5th Vijay Hazare Trophy by
defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in the 2024-25 final. The final was held on 18
January 2025 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat. This victory ended
Karnataka’s five-year title drought in domestic cricket. Vijay Hazare Trophy,
organized by BCCI, is a premier 50-over one-day tournament featuring 38
Ranji teams.
115. B  The World Economic Forum released the Global Risk Report, first published
in 2006, categorizing extreme weather as an “environmental risk.” The

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2024-2025 report is based on the Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS)

and assesses risks over short-term (1-2 years) and long-term (10 years)
periods. Short-term risks include misinformation, extreme weather events,
and state-based armed conflict. Long-term risks include extreme weather
events, biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and critical earth system
changes. Four key spheres shaping global risks are technological,
geostrategic, climatic, and demographic, expected to intensify. The report
highlights addressing short-lived climate pollutants like black carbon,
methane, and hydrofluorocarbons.
116. C  The Trajan 155 mm towed artillery gun system, developed by India and
France, has secured an export order from Armenia. It is a 155 mm, 52-
calibre towed gun system, jointly developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and
KNDS France, and manufactured in India. The gun has a range exceeding 40
km, depending on the ammunition, and is designed for modern combat. It
features advanced targeting, fire-control systems, modular design for easy
transport, rapid firing rates, and terrain adaptability.
117. C  INS Mumbai, an indigenously built guided missile destroyer, is participating
in the fourth edition of Exercise LA PEROUSE. The exercise involves navies
from Australia, France, the UK, the US, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and
Canada. It focuses on enhancing maritime situational awareness,
surveillance, interdiction, air operations, and information sharing. The
exercise highlights India’s naval synergy, interoperability, and commitment
to a rules-based maritime order. It aligns with India’s SAGAR vision to
ensure security and growth in the Indo-Pacific region.
118. A  The Musi River Historic Buildings in Hyderabad and Bhuj Historic Water
Systems in Gujarat are listed in the 2025 World Monuments Watch by the
New York-based World Monuments Fund (WMF). These sites face risks
from climate change and water crises, highlighting the need for advocacy
and preservation. WMF emphasizes heritage as a pathway for rejuvenation,
sustainability, and resilience amid Hyderabad’s environmental challenges
and rapid change.
119. B  The online ‘central suspect registry’ has prevented six lakh fraudulent
transactions, saving ₹1,800 crore. It strengthens fraud risk management
with a registry of cybercriminal identifiers. It was created using the
National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP). It includes data on 1.4 million
cybercriminals. It hs been developed by the Indian Cyber Crime
Coordination Centre (I4C) with input from banks and financial institutions.
Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) , under the Ministry of Home
Affairs, coordinates efforts against cybercrime. It also prevents cyberspace
misuse by extremist and terrorist groups.
120. C  Punjab government has launched SHE COHORT 3.0 (Startups Handholding
& Empowerment – Cohort 3.0) initiative in Mohali to empower female
startups and students in building tech-based ventures. The initiative is
supported by business incubators and ecosystem enablers. More than 250
startups, innovators, and students were briefed on StartUp Punjab’s
growth plans. It offers a platform to showcase talent and ideas with

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potential for economic growth. Aims to contribute to India’s development

by 2047.
121. B  Researchers at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, China, developed
Electrokinetic Mining (EKM) for eco-friendly extraction of rare earth
elements (REEs). EKM uses an electric field to concentrate REEs, simplifying
their separation. REEs are 17 metallic elements with critical properties for
modern technologies, including magnetic, electronic, and chemical
applications. EKM relies on electrokinetics, which involves the movement
of particles or fluids under an electric field to extract REEs from ore.
122. A  Zoran Milanovic was re-elected as President of Croatia for a five-year term,
securing 74% of the run-off vote. The first round of the presidential
election on 29 December 2024 saw Milanovic win 49.1% of votes,
necessitating a second round on 12 January 2025. Milanovic, backed by the
opposition Social Democratic Party, is a critic of the EU and NATO but
condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while criticizing Western military
support for Ukraine. The Croatian Democratic Union, the ruling party since
1991, had its candidate, Dragan Primorac, secure 19.2% of votes. The
President in Croatia is the Head of State with limited executive powers,
while the Prime Minister holds real executive authority. Croatia is located
on the Balkan Peninsula along the Adriatic Sea.
123. B  The first Kho Kho World Cup began on 13 January 2025 at Indira Gandhi
Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal,
President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. It was organized by the Kho
Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association,
the event runs from 13–19 January 2025. Each team has 12 players, with 9
taking the field during a match. The tournament features men’s teams
from 20 countries and women’s teams from 19 countries, divided into four
groups. India’s men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar, and the women’s team
by Priyanka Ingle.
124. A  Ukraine’s Security Service and Navy used a Neptune missile to strike an
ammunition depot in Russia’s Rostov region. The R-360 Neptune is a
Ukrainian-made subsonic cruise missile, originally designed for anti-ship
use and later adapted for land attacks. It is based on the Russian Kh-35
missile, known as AS-20 Kayak by NATO. The missile entered service with
the Ukrainian Navy in March 2021. It weighs 870 kg, is 5.05 meters long,
and has a 400 km range. It travels at 900 km/h, with altitudes from 10 to
300 meters, dropping to 3 meters in the final phase.
125. B  Project ‘Veer Gatha 4.0’ has received a huge nationwide response as part
of Republic Day celebrations. It was launched in 2021 under Azadi Ka Amrit
Mahotsav. The project aims to spread awareness of Gallantry awardees’
bravery and life stories, instilling patriotism and civic values in students. It
is a joint initiative by the Ministries of Defence and Education. The
initiative’s inspiring journey has expanded its reach nationwide.
126. D  India celebrates National Youth Day on January 12, honoring Swami
Vivekananda’s legacy of youth empowerment. The National Youth Festival
(NYF) 2024, held on January 10-12 at Bharat Mandapam, is reimagined as

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the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. It is organized under the National
Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD) by the
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, with shared costs between the Centre
and the host state/UT. The festival includes cultural events, youth
conventions, exhibitions, and adventure activities, involving around 7,500
delegates.
127. A  India launched the Indian Biological Data Centre (IBDC) Portals, making
10,000 whole genome samples accessible globally. The data set enables
advancements in genomics, personalized healthcare, and medicine. IBDC
supports seamless access to genetic data, aiding researchers in studying
genetic variations and developing precise genomic tools. The Framework
for Exchange of Data Protocols (FeED) ensures ethical and secure genomic
data sharing under Biotech-PRIDE Guidelines. The GenomeIndia project, led
by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), creates a comprehensive genetic
diversity database for cutting-edge research. India plans to sequence 10
million genomes, enhancing innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and
biotechnology.
128. B  Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s army chief, was elected President on 9 January
2025, filling a two-year vacancy since Michel Aoun’s term ended. His
election signals reduced influence of Hezbollah, following its war with
Israel, and revived Saudi and international involvement in Lebanon. Aoun
pledged to ensure state control over arms, rebuild areas affected by war,
and prevent Israeli attacks. Aoun’s presidency aims to revive governance
and tackle Lebanon’s economic crisis.
129. C  Madhya Pradesh launched the PARTH Yojana (Police Army Recruitment
Training & Hunar) to train youth for careers in the Army, police, and
paramilitary forces. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav unveiled the scheme at
the State-Level Youth Festival. The initiative fosters patriotism, skill
development, and employability among energetic youth. Training includes
physical fitness, written exam coaching (general knowledge, math, English),
and personality development. Divisional-level training centers will be set
up, managed by district sports and youth welfare officers. Rural youth
coordinators and departmental employees will support the program. The
scheme aims to channel youth enthusiasm into meaningful employment
opportunities.
130. A  World Economic Situation and Prospects 2025 report was recently released
by the UN. According to this report, the Indian economy is projected to
grow by 6.6% in 2025 and 6.7% in 2026, supported by private consumption
and investments. The UN report highlighted the public sector’s role in
funding infrastructure, digital connectivity, and social infrastructure
projects. Capital expenditure on infrastructure will have strong multiplier
effects, boosting growth. Manufacturing, services, and strong export
growth in pharmaceuticals and electronics will drive economic activity.
Favorable monsoon rains in 2024 are expected to boost agricultural output
in 2025. Risks include geopolitical tensions, debt challenges, and climate
hazards affecting growth.

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131. A  The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts AI,
big data, and security management specialists as the fastest-growing jobs.
The report is based on data from over 1,000 global companies, covering 14
million workers in 22 sectors across 55 economies. The Future of Jobs
Report 2025 was published by the World Economic Forum (WEF). By 2030,
170 million new jobs will be created, but 92 million jobs will be displaced,
leading to a net increase of 78 million jobs. Drivers of change include
technology, digital access, economic shifts, green transition, and
demographic trends. Fastest-growing roles include FinTech engineers,
software developers, and autonomous vehicle specialists. India focuses on
AI, robotics, energy technologies, and semiconductors, with AI adoption
surpassing the global average.
132. A  India’s first commercial utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS)
will go live in March 2025. It is located in Kilokri, a village in south Delhi.
The BESS is a 20 MW/40 MWh battery cluster that is part of the BSES
Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) Kilokri substation. The system is expected to
provide four hours of power every day, two hours each during the day and
at night. The BESS project is a collaboration between BRPL, IndiGrid, and
the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP). The project is a
significant milestone in India’s efforts to integrate renewable energy and
modernize its power infrastructure.
133. B  AnemiaPhone, developed by Cornell University, is now part of Indian
Council of Medical Research (ICMR) programs for anemia, women’s health,
and maternal and child health in India. It offers quick, accurate, and low-
cost iron deficiency assessment. Anemia affects 50% to 70% of pregnant
women in India, with iron deficiency as the main cause. The device uses a
drop of blood on a test strip, similar to a COVID-19 test, providing results in
minutes. Data is uploaded to a clinical database via mobile devices,
enabling healthcare workers to provide immediate guidance, referrals, or
interventions.
134. C  Dr. V. Narayanan, Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), has
been appointed as the new ISRO Chairman and Space Secretary. He will
succeed S. Somanath on January 14, 2025, for a two-year term or until
further orders. Dr. Narayanan, a propulsion expert, joined ISRO in 1984 and
has worked on projects like ASLV, PSLV, GSLV Mk-II, and GSLV Mk-III. He
chaired the expert committee for Chandrayaan-2’s hard landing and
delivered propulsion systems for Chandrayaan-3. His predecessor, S.
Somanath, led major missions, including Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and
Gaganyaan’s first flight
135. B  The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) launched a cashless
treatment scheme for road accident victims. The scheme will cover all road
accidents caused by motor vehicles, implemented through an IT platform
combining eDAR and NHA systems. A pilot program, started in Chandigarh
in 2024 and expanded to six states, focused on providing timely medical
care during the golden hour. Initiatives include Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS) for trucks, E-Rickshaw safety guidelines, vehicle tracking

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devices, and driver training institutes. Faceless services for vehicle

registration and monitoring will be standardized nationwide by March
2025.
136. D  Researchers introduced Twigstats, a tool for time-stratified ancestry
analysis, in a Nature study. Twigstats significantly enhances statistical
power and reduces errors in ancestry studies. It provides high-resolution,
precise individual-level ancestry analysis. The tool is coded in C++ and uses
the statistical language R. Twigstats enables fine-grained analysis of specific
historical periods.
137. B  January 6 is observed as World Day of War Orphans to highlight the
struggles of children who lose parents to war. Millions of children
worldwide face impacts of conflict, climate change, displacement, and
poverty. The day calls for collective efforts to ensure care, education, and
protection for these vulnerable children. More than 460 million children
live in or flee conflict zones like Sudan, Ukraine, Myanmar, and Palestine.
These children face physical dangers and emotional trauma from losing
their families.
138. C  India has the third-largest operational metro rail network globally, after
China and the USA. India’s metro network serves over 1 crore passengers
daily, surpassing Japan in metro projects by 2022. Metro development in
India began in 1969 with the Metropolitan Transport Project. PM Modi
launched metro projects worth over ₹12,200 crore in Delhi on January 5.
139. B  Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren transferred ₹1,415.44 crore to 56.61 lakh
women under the Maiya Samman Yojana on January 6, 2024. Jharkhand’s
government launched the Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana in August
2024. The scheme aims to empower women by improving access to
education, health, and daily necessities. CM encouraged women to use the
funds for nutritious food to combat anaemia and for gas cylinders, festival
clothes, and school supplies for children.
140. A  The 74th Senior National Basketball Championship is organized by the
Gujarat State Basketball Association under the Basketball Federation of
India. The tournament is hosted at Sidsar Sports Complex Indoor Stadium,
Bhavnagar, Gujarat. More than 900 national and international players,
along with more than 150 officials and state representatives, are
participating. India aims to host the 2036 Olympics, with Gujarat planning
five world-class sports events in 2025, 2026, and 2029.
141. A  Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates ‘Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0’ at the Central
Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. It is organised by the National Commission for
Women (NCW) with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Ministry of Tribal
Affairs. The event commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of tribal
leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda. It gathers 502 elected women
representatives from Scheduled Tribes across 22 states and Union
Territories. Its primary focus is to empowering women representatives by
enhancing their knowledge of constitutional provisions, parliamentary
procedures, and governance.
142. B  Union Minister of Education launched Sashakt Beti and e-Drishti projects at

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the University of Delhi’s Samarpan Samaroh event. Project Sashakt Beti

empowers orphaned and single-parent female students with family
incomes under ₹4 lakh by providing laptops. Project e-Drishti supports
visually impaired students by providing tablets to improve their learning
and research capabilities.
143. A  Maharashtra is reviewing beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Scheme,
launched in June 2024. Scheme supports women from economically
weaker sections with ₹1,500 per month. Only women with an annual family
income below ₹2.5 lakh are eligible. Budget also included free LPG
cylinders for BPL families and free electricity for farmers. Scheme’s annual
cost is ₹46,000 crore, raising concerns over financial sustainability. Finance
department warned the expenses could affect payment of government
salaries. Government aims to reduce beneficiaries to ease the financial
burden.
144. B  Gujarat government and Bird Conservation Society of Gujarat (BCSG)
conducted India’s first coastal and wader bird census from January 3 to 5,
2025, at the Marine National Park and Marine Sanctuary in Jamnagar.
Jamnagar district in Gujarat hosts 300+ bird species, including 50+ wader
bird species. The three-day event includes expert talks on Day 1, bird
counting on Day 2, and a closing ceremony with knowledge sharing on Day
3. The census will focus on wader and coastal bird species in the Marine
National Park and Marine Sanctuary
145. A  Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav inaugurated the 31st National Children’s
Science Congress in Bhopal, held from January 3 to 6, 2025. More than 700
child scientists, teachers, and mentors from across India and Gulf countries
like Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia participated in the
event. The theme of the event is “Understanding Ecosystems for Health
and Well-being.” The event aims to inspire children to develop scientific
temper and solve societal problems through innovation. Activities include
the Chandrayaan Mission Exhibition, Water Rocketry, Robotics,
Hydroponics, Environmental Snakes and Ladders, Cheetah Conservation
Exhibition, and scientific folk songs.
146. B  The World Bank launched the Business Ready (B-READY) report, replacing
the paused Ease of Doing Business report. The Ease of Doing Business
report was suspended in 2020 due to data manipulation and ranking
integrity concerns. B-READY serves as a benchmarking tool to evaluate the
global business climate and promote inclusive private sector growth. It
focuses on ten core topics: Business Entry, Location, Utility Services, Labor,
Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution,
Market Competition, and Insolvency.
147. C  Google launched the quantum processor ‘Willow,’ advancing quantum
computing to solve practical problems. Willow has 105 physical qubits and
operates at near absolute zero temperatures (-273.15°C). It features better
error correction and faster performance than other quantum computers.
The coherence time of Willow’s qubits is around 100 microseconds,
improved by error correction. Willow’s architecture enables lower error

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rates with more qubits. It outperformed classical computers in testing,

completing a Random Circuit Sampling task in minutes.
148. B  China unveiled the CR450, the world’s fastest high-speed train, with test
speeds of 450 km/h and a commercial speed of 400 km/h. It surpasses the
CR400 Fuxing trains (350 km/h) and reflects breakthroughs in speed,
energy efficiency, safety, and comfort. Developed through 200,000 km of
tests, 3,000 simulations, and 2,000 platform tests. Features include water-
cooled traction, high-stability bogies, and a 20% reduction in energy use.
Enhances passenger comfort with noise reduction, spacious cabins, and
storage for bicycles and wheelchairs. Aligns with China’s plan to expand its
rail network to 70,000 km by 2035.
149. C  IIT Bombay developed a shockwave-based, needle-free syringe for painless
drug delivery, reducing skin damage and infection risks. The syringe uses
high-energy shockwaves to create a microjet of liquid drug that penetrates
the skin without needles. It consists of a driver, driven section, and drug
holder, powered by pressurized nitrogen gas. Effective in tests on rats, it
showed deeper tissue penetration with minimal skin damage. The device
supports over 1,000 uses, needing only nozzle replacements, making it
cost-effective. It could accelerate immunization drives like Mission
Indradhanush and lower risks of needle-related infections.
150. B  Kerala won their first Senior National Men’s Handball Championship title
with a 34-31 victory over Chandigarh. Kerala reached the final after a close
semi-final win against Services, 23-21. Chandigarh advanced to the final by
defeating Indian Railways 32-30. Kerala’s Devendar was named ‘Best Player
of the Championship,’ Rahul won ‘Best Goalkeeper,’ and Sujith was
honored as ‘Best Left Wing Player.’ Services and Indian Railways shared
third place in the tournament.

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Practice Set - 02
General Studies

1. Lake Victoria, which was seen in news, is bordered by which countries?

(a) Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda
(b) Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania
(c) Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania
(d) Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda
2. Mount Ibu, which was seen in the news, is located in which country?
(a) Indonesia
(b) Vietnam
(c) Malaysia
(d) Egypt
3. Pangsau Pass, which was seen in news, lies between which two countries?
(a) India and Bhutan
(b) China and Nepal
(c) India and Myanmar
(d) India and Bangladesh
4. Arrange the following according to their related year in chronological order (first to
last)
(a) Kyoto Protocol
(b) Brundtland Commission
(c) Paris Agreement
(d) Agenda 21
Choose the correct answer from the option given below
(a) A, B, D, C
(b) B, D, A, C
(c) B, A, D, C
(d) A, D, C, B
5. Identify the correct sequence (descending order) of leading countries in wind power
installed capacity in 2023.
(a) USA
(b) Germany
(c) China
(d) India
Choose the correct answer from the options given below
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(a) C, D, A, B
(b) A, C, B, D
(c) C, A, B, D
(d) A, C, D, B
6. Asian Waterbird Census 2025 is conducted by which organization?
(a) Society for Environment and Development (SED)
(b) Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
(c) Aranya Environment Organization
(d) Greenpeace India
7. Lezim is traditional folk dance of which state?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Karnataka
(d) Maharashtra
8. Nahargarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Gujarat
(d) Karnataka
9. The Mannan community is primarily found in which state?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Kerala
(d) Karnataka
10. Vaigai River, which was seen in news, lies in which state?
(a) Kerala
(b) Karnataka
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Maharashtra
11. The Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) scheme is operated by which organization?
(a) Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
(b) Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
(c) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
(d) Ministry of Finance
12. Palamu Tiger Reserve is located in which state?
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(a) Maharashtra
(b) Karnataka
(c) Bihar
(d) Jharkhand
13. Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art of which state?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Kerala
(c) Karnataka
(d) Maharashtra
14. The Nord Stream Pipeline is constructed under which Sea?
(a) Red Sea
(b) Baltic Sea
(c) Arabian Sea
(d) Black Sea
15. Tungabhadra River is tributary of which river?
(a) Godavari
(b) Kaveri
(c) Krishna
(d) Narmada
16. Siachen Glacier, which was seen in news, is located in which mountain range?
(a) Karakoram Range
(b) Zanskar Range
(c) Pir Panjal Range
(d) None of the Above
17. Kokborok is the official language of which Indian state?
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Sikkim
(c) Nagaland
(d) Tripura
18. Pavana River, which was seen in the news, flows through which state?
(a) Odisha
(b) Telangana
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Bihar
19. Diego Garcia Island, that was recently seen in news, is located in which ocean?
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(a) Indian Ocean

(b) Atlantic Ocean
(c) Pacific Ocean
(d) Arctic Ocean
20. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve lies at the junction of which two mountain ranges?
(a) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats
(b) Satpura and Vindhyas
(c) Aravallis and Vindhyas
(d) Himalayas and Shivaliks
21. Indravati National Park is located in which state?
(a) Odisha
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Jharkhand
(d) Chhattisgarh
22. Kalpeni Island, which was seen in news, is located in which state/UT?
(a) Lakshadweep
(b) Andaman and Nicobar
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Puducherry
23. Banihal Bypass, which was seen in news, is located in which state/UT?
(a) Sikkim
(b) Assam
(c) Jammu and Kashmir
(d) Himachal Pradesh
24. The discussion on ‘Sustainable Development’ was started after submitting a report
on environment to the United Nations in 1987. Name of that report was:
(a) First Report on Climate Change
(b) Our Common Future
(c) Second Report on Climate Change
(d) Fifth Assessment Report
25. With reference to Environment identify the correct statement from the given
options below :
(a) The natural world of land, water, air, plants and animals that exist
around it.

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(b) The sum total of conditions which surround human beings at a given
point of time.
(c) The interacting system of physical, biological and cultural elements
which are interlinked.
(d) All the above
26. Where is the Headquarter of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?
(a) The Hague
(b) Nairobi
(c) New York
(d) Washington D.C.
27. Eco-Mark is given to an Indian product which is –
(a) Pure and unadulterated
(b) Rich in protein
(c) Environment-friendly
(d) Economically viable
28. The term Ecosystem was proposed by –
(a) G. Tailor
(b) E. Hartigan
(c) D.R. Stoddart
(d) Tansley
29. Which is the most stable ecosystem?
(a) Marine (ocean)
(b) Forest
(c) Mountain
(d) Desert
30. The ‘Hotspot’ of Biodiversity in India are:
(a) Western Himalayas and Eastern Ghats
(b) Western Himalayas and Sunderban
(c) Eastern Himalayas and the Western Ghats
(d) Eastern Himalayas and Silent Valley
31. The maximum concentration of ozone is found in which of the following layers of
Atmosphere?
(a) Troposphere
(b) Mesosphere
(c) Stratosphere

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(d) Exosphere
32. The International Day for Preservation of Ozone layer is observed on:
(a) 15th August
(b) 16th September
(c) 24th October
(d) 1st May
33. Montreal Protocol is related to the protection of:
(a) Greenhouse gases
(b) Acid rain
(c) Ozone layer
(d) Endangered species
34. Which one of the following gases is responsible for the decrement/ depletion of the
ozone layer
(a) Nitrous Oxide
(b) Chlorofluorocarbon
(c) Carbon dioxide
(d) Carbon Mono Oxide
35. Mangrove (Tidal Forests) vegetation in India is mostly found in –
(a) Malabar coast
(b) Sundarbans
(c) Rann of Kachchh
(d) Mumbai Coast
36. Which one of the following is the first National Park established in India?
(a) Chandoli National Park
(b) Jim Corbett National Park
(c) Gir Forest National Park
(d) Dudhwa National Park
37. Which important latitude divides India into almost two equal parts?
(a) 23°30' South
(b) 33°30' North
(c) 0°
(d) 23° 30' North
38. Name the place in India where Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean meet.
(a) Kanyakumari
(b) Indira Point

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(c) Nagercoil
(d) Rameshwaram
39. Which one of the following states does not form the border with Bangladesh –
(a) Meghalaya
(b) Tripura
(c) Manipur
(d) Mizoram
40. Which one of the following Indian states does not share border with Myanmar?
(a) Manipur
(b) Tripura
(c) Mizoram
(d) Nagaland
41. Which one of the following geographical regions is the oldest in the country?
(a) Himalayan Mountainous Region
(b) Great Plains of North India
(c) Indian Peninsular Plateau
(d) Eastern Coastal Plains
42. Kuttanad (or Kuttanadu) of Kerala is famous for :
(a) A freshwater lake
(b) The region with the lowest altitude in India
(c) A coral island
(d) The westernmost point of India
43. In which part of Himalayas is ‘Karewa’ landform found?
(a) North-East Himalaya
(b) Eastern Himalaya
(c) Himachal-Uttarakhand Himalaya
(d) Kashmir Himalaya
44. The Lesser Himalaya is located between:
(a) Trans Himalaya and Great Himalaya
(b) Shiwalik and Great Himalaya
(c) Trans Himalaya and Shiwalik
(d) Shiwaliks and Outer Himalaya
45. Identify the correct west to east sequence of the following Hilly Castes?
(a) Khasi-Garo-Naga-Jaintia
(b) Naga-Jaintia-Khasi-Garo
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(c) Garo-Khasi-Jaintia-Naga
(d) Jaintia-Naga-Garo-Khasi
46. Which of the following is a part of Aksai Chin region:
(a) Karakoram Range
(b) Shiwalik Range
(c) Kashmir Valley
(d) Ladakh Plateau
47. Which one of the following lies at the junction of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
states?
(a) Anaimalai Hills
(b) Palni Hills
(c) Nandi Hills
(d) Nilgiri Hills
48. Cardamom Hills lie along the border of the states of –
(a) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
(b) Karnataka and Kerala
(c) Kerala and Tamil Nadu
(d) Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
49. Highest mountain peak in India –
(a) Kanchenjunga
(b) Makalu
(c) Karakoram
(d) Mt. Everest
50. Palghat is situated between :
(a) The Nilgiris and the Cardamom Hills
(b) The Nilgiris and the Annamalai Hills
(c) The Annamalai Hills and the Cardamom Hills
(d) The Cardamom Hills and Palani Hills
51. Which of the following river valleys is most important in respect of coal reserves of
the Gondwana period?
(a) The Son river valley
(b) Mahanadi river valley
(c) Damodar river valley
(d) Godavari river valley
52. Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

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(a) Abul Kalam Azad - Hind Swaraj

(b) Annie Besant - New India
(c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak - Common Weal
(d) Mahatma Gandhi - India Wins Freedom
53. The memoirs entitled ‘Bapu: My Mother’ was written by:
(a) B.R. Nanda
(b) Rajkumari Amrita Kaur
(c) Mahadev Desai
(d) Manubehn
54. What was the name of the newspaper published by Mahatma Gandhi in South
Africa?
(a) The Indian Opinion
(b) National Herald
(c) Leader
(d) The Pioneer Chhattisgarh
55. ‘Operation Polo’ is associated/connected with :
(a) Quit India Movement
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Military Action in Junagarh State
(d) Military Action in Hyderabad State
56. Who was the chairperson of first All India Socialist Youth Congress?
(a) Subhash Chandra Bose
(b) Acharya Narendra Dev
(c) Jawahar Lal Nehru
(d) J. B. Kriplani U.P.
57. Arrange the following events in correct chronological order:
(1) Lucknow Pact
(2) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
(3) Poona Pact
(4) Final Withdrawal of Civil Disobedience Movement
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) (3), (2), (4), (1)
(b) (1), (2), (3), (4)
(c) (1), (3), (4), (2)
(d) (1), (4), (3), (2)

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58. Arrange the following events in their chronological order and select the correct
answer by using the codes given at the end:
(1) Decision for partition of Bengal.
(2) Acceptance of Swaraj as the goal of Congress.
(3) Formal declaration of Swadeshi Movement.
(4) Surat Split.
(a) 1, 3, 4 and 2
(b) 1, 3, 2 and 4
(c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 4 and 3
59. Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Movement/Satyagraha Person
Activity Associated with
(1) Champaran : Rajendra Prasad
(2) Ahmedabad Mill : Morarji Desai Workers
(3) Kheda : Vallabhbhai Patel
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3
60. Match the List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using codes given
below:-
(a) Indian Council Act, 1909 1. Beginning of Dyarchy
(b) Government of India Act, 1935 2. 1916
(c) Lucknow Pact 3. Lord Minto
(d) The Government of India Act, 1919 4. Provincial Autonomy
Code:
A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4
(b) 4 3 2 1
(c) 2 4 1 3
(d) 3 4 2 1
61. Match List-I with List-II and select correct answer by using codes given below:-
List- I (Organisation) List-II (Leaders)
(a) Home Rule League 1. Chittranjan Das

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(b) Nationalist Party 2. Lokmanya Tilak

(c) National Liberation Front 3. Madan Mohan Malviya
(d) Swaraj Party 4. Tej Bahadur Sapru
Code:
A B C D
(a) 2 3 4 1
(b) 4 2 1 3
(c) 3 2 1 4
(d) 1 2 3 4
62. Which of the following events occurred last?
(a) Chauri-Chaura incident
(b) Dandi March
(c) Gandhi-Irwin Pact
(d) Declaration of Communal Award
63. Consider the following pairs :
Movements/Organizations Leaders
(1) All India Anti Untouchability League − Mahatma Gandhi
(2) All India Kisan Sabha − Swami Sahajanand Saraswati
(3) Self-Respect Movement − E. V. Ramaswami Naicker
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
64. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events.
(1) Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
(2) Quit India Movement launched
(3) Second Round Table Conference
What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?
(a) 1-2-3
(b) 2-1-3
(c) 3-2-1
(d) 3-1-2
65. Who was the first Indian selected as a member of the British Parliament?
(a) R.C. Dutt
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(b) Dadabhai Naoroji

(c) Rammohan Roy
(d) Meghnad Desai
66. Which of the following statements is not true regarding Jawaharlal Nehru?
(a) He was influenced by Socialism.
(b) He was influenced by British liberalism.
(c) He was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi.
(d) He was influenced by German Nationalism.
67. Consider the following statements:
(1) Lord Mountbatten was the Viceroy when Shimla Conference took place.
(2) Indian Navy Revolt, 1946 took place when the Indian sailors in the Royal
Indian Navy at Bombay and Karachi rose against the Government.
Which one of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
68. Identify the famine that occurred in Bengal in which millions of people died?
(a) 1942
(b) 1943
(c) 1944
(d) 1945
69. During the colonial period in India, what was the purpose of the Whitley
Commission?
(a) To review the fitness of India for further political reforms
(b) To report on existing conditions of labour and to make
recommendations
(c) To draw up a plan for fi nancial reforms for India
(d) To develop a comprehensive scheme for Civil Services in India.
70. The Samadhis of Kasturba and Mahadev Desai are situated in the premises of :
(a) Agha Khan Palace, Poona
(b) Yerwada Jail
(c) Ahmadnagar Fort Jail
(d) Alipur Central Jail

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71. What was the name of the movement started by Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan against
British?
(a) Red Shirt
(b) Quit India
(c) Khilafat
(d) None of the above
72. The Banaras Session of August, 1923 of the Hindu Mahasabha was presided over by :
(a) Swami Shraddhananda
(b) Rajendra Prasad
(c) Lala Lajpat Rai
(d) Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya
73. Who among the following is popularly known as the ‘Frontier Gandhi?
(a) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
(b) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan
(c) Jatin Das
(d) Maulana Muhammad Ali
74. Who has advocated 'Practical Vedanta'?
(a) Dayanad
(b) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
(c) Gandhi
(d) Vivekananda
75. Who amongst the following had called Rabindra Nath Tagore as ‘the Great Sentinel’?
(a) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
(b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(d) Subhash Chandra Bose
76. Who said, “Political Freedom is the life-breath of a nation”?
(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(b) Aurobindo Ghosh
(c) Bipin Chandra Pal
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
77. Match the correctly –
(a) Child marriage 1. Ishwarchand Vidyasagar
(b) Suppression of 2. Colonel Sleimen Thuggee
(c) Widows’ Remarriage 3. M.G. Ranade

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(d) Suppression of 4. Lord Hastings Pindaris

Code:
A B C D
(a) 3 2 1 4
(b) 4 2 1 3
(c) 1 4 3 2
(d) 2 3 1 4
78. The Indian Famine Code, 1883 was prepared by –
(a) Hunter Commission
(b) Hartog Commission
(c) Strachey Commission
(d) Indigo Commission
79. Who amongst the following had called the Government of India Act, 1935 as the
“Charter of Slavery”?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) M.A. Jinnah
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(d) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
80. Which one of the following is not a feature of the Government of India Act of 1935?
(a) Dyarchy at the Centre as well as in the Provinces
(b) A bicameral Legislature
(c) Provincial Autonomy
(d) An All-India Federation
81. The Montagu-Chelmsford Report formed the basis of –
(a) The Indian Councils Act, 1909
(b) The Government of India Act, 1919
(c) The Government of India Act, 1935
(d) The Indian Independence Act, 1947
82. By which of the following Acts, the British for the first time introduced the system of
indirect elections in India?
(a) 1909
(b) 1861
(c) 1867
(d) 1892

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83. Which one of the following Acts of British India strengthened the Viceroy’s authority
over his executive council by substituting “portfolio” or departmental system for
corporate functioning?
(a) Indian Councils Act, 1861
(b) Government of India Act, 1858
(c) Indian Councils Act, 1892
(d) Indian Councils Act, 1909
84. Which of the following was not a member of Cabinet Mission?
(a) William Wood
(b) Pethick-Lawrence
(c) Sir Stafford Cripps
(d) A. V. Alexander
85. S. C. Bose had founded ‘Forward Bloc’ in the year
(a) 1936
(b) 1937
(c) 1938
(d) 1939
86. With which one of the following Movements was Aruna Asaf Ali associated?
(a) Khilafat Movement
(b) Non-Cooperative Movement
(c) Civil Disobedience Movement
(d) Quit India Movement
87. The Muslim League Annual Session which gave effect to Jinnah’s Two Nation Theory
was held in :
(a) Lahore
(b) Karachi
(c) Bombay
(d) Lucknow
88. The Congress Socialist Party was founded in 1934 by:
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru and Vinoba Bhave
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru and Jay Prakash Narayan
(c) Jayprakash Narayan and Acharya Narendra Dev
(d) Ashok Mehta and Dr. Rajendra Prasad
89. Who amongst the following attended all the three Round Table Conferences?
(a) Vallabhbhai Patel

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(b) Madan Mohan Malviya

(c) B.R. Ambedkar
(d) None of the above
90. In the year 1613, where was the English East India Company given permission to set
up a factory (trading post)?
(a) Bangalore
(b) Madras
(c) Masulipattam
(d) Surat
91. A group of eunuchs and ladies dominated in the Government under :
(a) Muhammad Shah (1719-48)
(b) Ahmad Shah (1748-54)
(c) Alamgir (1754-59)
(d) Shah Alam II (1759-1806)
92. The member of Shivaji’s Ashtapradhan who looked after foreign aff airs was :
(a) Peshwa
(b) Sachiv
(c) Pandit Rao
(d) Sumant
93. Aurangzeb is responsible for which Sikh prophet’s death?
(a) Guru Gobind Singh
(b) Guru Tegh Bahadur
(c) Guru Ramdas
(d) Guru Angad
94. Who of the following compiled “Adi Granth or Guru Granth Saheb”?
(a) Guru Nanak Dev
(b) Guru Tegh Bahadur
(c) Guru Gobind Singh
(d) Guru Arjun Dev
95. Which one of the following is authored by Darashikoha?
(a) Tabqat-i-Nasiri
(b) Kitab-ul-Hind
(c) Tahqiq-i-Hind
(d) Mazma-ul-Bahrain
96. After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of

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(a) Tuti-e-Hind
(b) Kaiser-e-Hind
(c) Zil-e-Ilahi
(d) Din-e-Ilahi
97. 'Aadi Varaha' was the title of which Gurjar Pratihara ruler?
(a) Vatsraja
(b) Nagbhatta II
(c) Mihir Bhoja
(d) Nagbhatta I
98. Who among the following laid the foundation of Rashtrakuta Empire?
(a) Amoghavarsha- I
(b) Danti Durga
(c) Dhruva
(d) Krishna- I
99. Which ruler of Bengal founded the ancient University called ‘Vikramshila.’
(a) Dharamapala
(b) Gopala
(c) Devpala
(d) Mahipala
100. The largest source of National Income in India is :
(a) Service Sector
(b) Agriculture Sector
(c) Industrial Sector
(d) Trade Sector
101. What is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) that was recently seen in news?
(a) Genetic disorder
(b) Neurological disorder
(c) A type of autoimmune arthritis
(d) None of the Above
102. Scrub Typhus, that was recently seen in news, is caused by which agent?
(a) Virus
(b) Fungus
(c) Bacteria
(d) Protozoa
103. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery is used in :
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(a) Calculator
(b) Cordless electronic appliances
(c) Transistors
(d) All of the above
104. Which of the following is a mechanical wave?
(a) Radio-waves
(b) X-rays
(c) Light waves
(d) Sound waves
105. Which pair of following is of Copper alloys?
(a) Brass and invar
(b) Bronze and Nichrome
(c) Brass and Bronze
(d) None of the above
106. Dysentery Human diseases caused by which of the following microorganism?
(a) Virus
(b) Protozoa
(c) Bacteria
(d) None of the above
107. Methyl-cobalamin, which was recently seen in the news, is an activated form of
which vitamin?
(a) Vitamin D
(b) Vitamin A
(c) Vitamin B12
(d) Vitamin K
108. Yeast reproduces rapidly and produces carbon dioxide during :
(a) Respiration
(b) Photosynthesis
(c) Transpiration
(d) All of the above processes
109. Edward Jenner discovered the vaccine for smallpox in :
(a) 1857
(b) 1680
(c) 1798
(d) 1975

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110. The medicines which are prepared from microorganisms and are used to kill or stop
the growth of the disease-causing microorganisms. Such medicines are called :
(a) Antipyretics
(b) Anti-Histamine
(c) Anti-steroids
(d) Antibiotics
111. Type of synthetic fibre called Acrylic is also known as :
(a) Artificial Wool
(b) Artificial Cotton
(c) Artificial Plastics
(d) Both (a) and (c)
112. When a copper vessel is exposed to moist air for long, it acquires a dull :
(a) Green Coating
(b) Red Coating
(c) Yellowish coating
(d) Bluish coating
113. The Liver is a reddish brown gland situated in the upper part of the abdomen on the
right side. It is the largest gland in the body. It secretes bile juice that is stored in a
sac called the gall bladder. The bile plays an important role in the digestion of :
(a) Proteins
(b) Carbohydrates
(c) Fats
(d) All of the above
114. Mohair wool is obtained from Angora Goats, found in hilly regions of :
(a) Jammu and Kashmir
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Himachal Pradesh
(d) Sikkim
115. Sometimes indigestion is painful. To relieve indigestion and neutralize the effect of
excessive acid, we take an antacid which contains :
(a) Magnesium Hydroxide
(b) Sodium Chloride
(c) Magnesium Benzoate
(d) Sodium Bromide

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116. Under which Article the State Election Commission conducts the election of urban
bodies?
(a) 243K
(b) 243L
(c) 243M
(d) 243N
117. The tenure of every Panchayat in India is five years from–
(a) The scheduled date of its first meeting
(b) The date of notification of election.
(c) The date of declaration of election results.
(d) The date of oath of office by members.
118. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the District Planning Committee
constituted?
(a) Article 243 ZD
(b) Article 244 ZD
(c) Article 242 ZD
(d) Article 243 ZE
119. Which one of the following Committees/Commissions recommended the creation of
Nyaya Panchayats?
(a) Balwantrai Mehta Committee
(b) Ashok Mehta Committee
(c) G.V.K. Rao Committee
(d) Sarkaria Commission
120. Which of the following Committees recommended to give Constitutional status to
Panchayati Raj?
(a) L.M. Singhvi Committee
(b) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
(c) Rao Committee
(d) Ashok Mehta Committee
121. By which Constitutional Amendment the number of Central Ministers has been
limited to 15% of the total number of the members of the Lok Sabha?
(a) 91st Amendment
(b) 92nd Amendment
(c) 90th Amendment
(d) None of the above

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122. Which Amendment of the Constitution provides that no law passed to give effect to
Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Articles 39(b) & (c) shall be deemed
to be void on the ground that it abridges the rights conferred by Articles 14 and 19 ?
(a) 25th Amendment
(b) 28th Amendment
(c) 42nd Amendment
(d) 44th Amendment
123. Which Constitutional Amendment bifurcated the Combined National Commission for
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes into two separate bodies?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 44th Amendment
(c) 89th Amendment
(d) 93rd Amendment
124. The 79th Amendment of the Indian Constitution is related to –
(a) Centre-State Relations
(b) Establishment of two political parties
(c) Fundamental Rights
(d) Reservation of SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative
Assemblies
125. Which one of the following Constitutional Amendments introduced the anti-
defection provision in the Constitution for the first time?
(a) 54th Amendment
(b) 53rd Amendment
(c) 52nd Amendment
(d) 51st Amendment
126. The First Constitution Amendment Bill passed in 1951 was related to
(a) Security of the country
(b) Security of the Prime Minister
(c) Protection of agrarian reforms in certain States
(d) Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes
127. Who is empowered to recognize various political parties in India as National or
Regional Parties?
(a) The Parliament
(b) The President
(c) The Election Commission

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(d) The Supreme Court

128. Right to Vote and to be Elected in India is a-
(a) Fundamental Right
(b) Constitutional Right
(c) Natural Right
(d) Legal Right
129. Under Article 103 of the Constitution of India, the President shall obtain the opinion
of which of the following authority before giving any decision on any question
regarding the disqualifi cation of the members of the Lok Sabha?
(a) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(b) Election Commission
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Attorney General
130. Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from his office by-
(a) Chief Justice of Supreme Court
(b) The President
(c) Provision of the Cabinet
(d) 2/3rd majority of the members of both the Houses of the Parliament
on the basis of proven misconduct.
131. Which Act established Public Service Commission in India for the first time?
(a) Indian Council Act, 1892
(b) Council Act, 1909
(c) Government of India Act, 1919
(d) Government of India Act, 1935
132. The Union Public Service Commission can be entrusted with the functions of a State
Public Service Commission with the approval of –
(a) Chief Justice of India
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
(d) President of India
133. Name the committee which has investigated and submitted the report on the nexus
of politicians and criminals?
(a) Gyanprakash Committee
(b) Vohra Committee
(c) Goswami Committee

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(d) Rajamannar Committee

134. Who was the Chairman of the Twelfth Finance Commission?
(a) A.M. Khusro
(b) K.C. Pant
(c) Montek Singh
(d) C. Rangarajan
135. The term of a State Legislative Assembly can be extended during Emergency by–
(a) The President
(b) The Parliament
(c) The Governor of State
(d) The State Legislature
136. A Proclamation of Emergency must be placed before the Parliament for its approval–
(a) Within one month
(b) Within two months
(c) Within six months
(d) Within one year
137. Which of the following Articles cannot be suspended during the national Emergency?
(a) Articles 14 and 15
(b) Articles 19 and 20
(c) Articles 21 and 22
(d) Articles 20 and 21
138. Under Art. 352 of the Constitution of India, an emergency can be declared if security
of any part of India is threatened by
(1) War
(2) External aggression
(3) Armed rebellion
(4) Internal disturbance
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) 1, 3 and 4
139. The headquarters of International Court of Justice is situated at
(a) Hague

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(b) New York

(c) Geneva
(d) Paris
140. Who was the First Chairman of Planning Commission of India?
(a) M. Viswesvarya
(b) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) P.C. Mahalanobis
(d) John Mathai
141. On the recommendation of which Commission/ Committee, the Inter-state Council
was set up in India?
(a) Punchhi Commission
(b) Rajmannar Committee
(c) Kothari Committee
(d) Sarkaria Commission
142. Acting Judges are appointed in :
(a) Supreme Court
(b) District Court
(c) High Court
(d) Both (a) and (b)
143. State Legislative Assembly can participate in the election of which of the following:
(1) President of India
(2) Vice-President of India
(3) Members of Rajya Sabha
(4) Members of Legislative Council
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 4
144. Which Article of the Constitution defines the duties of the Chief Minister?
(a) Article 162
(b) Article 164
(c) Article 165
(d) Article 167

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145. If the Speaker of Legislative Assembly of a State wants to resign, he will give his
resignation to–
(a) Chief Minister
(b) Governor
(c) Deputy Speaker
(d) President of India
146. Under which one of the following Articles of Indian Constitution, the provision of
creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in State is made?
(a) Article 168
(b) Article 169
(c) Article 170
(d) Article 171
147. Who remains in office as long as the President of India wishes?
(a) Governor
(b) Election Commissioner
(c) Judges of Supreme Court
(d) Speaker of Lok Sabha
148. National Voters Day is celebrated on –
(a) 15th January
(b) 25th January
(c) 17th January
(d) 27th January
149. The Election Commission was converted into a ‘Three members Commission’ in the
following year:
(a) 1987
(b) 1988
(c) 1989
(d) 1990
150. The Dinesh Goswami Committee was concerned with:
(a) De-nationalization of banks
(b) Electoral reforms
(c) Steps to put down insurgency in the north - east
(d) The problem of the Chakmas

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Practice Set - 02
General Studies
Answer Key
Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans. Q. No. Ans.
1. C 31. C 61. A 91. A 121. A
2. A 32. B 62. D 92. D 122. A
3. C 33. C 63. D 93. B 123. C
4. B 34. B 64. C 94. D 124. D
5. C 35. B 65. B 95. D 125. C
6. B 36. B 66. D 96. C 126. C
7. D 37. D 67. B 97. C 127. C
8. B 38. A 68. B 98. B 128. D
9. C 39. C 69. B 99. A 129. B
10. C 40. B 70. A 100. A 130. D
11. A 41. C 71. A 101. B 131. C
12. D 42. B 72. D 102. C 132. D
13. B 43. D 73. B 103. B 133. B
14. B 44. B 74. D 104. D 134. D
15. C 45. C 75. B 105. C 135. B
16. A 46. D 76. B 106. B 136. A
17. D 47. D 77. A 107. C 137. D
18. C 48. C 78. C 108. A 138. C
19. A 49. A 79. A 109. C 139. A
20. C 50. B 80. A 110. D 140. B
21. D 51. C 81. B 111. A 141. D
22. A 52. B 82. D 112. A 142. C
23. C 53. D 83. A 113. C 143. B
24. B 54. A 84. A 114. A 144. D
25. D 55. D 85. D 115. A 145. C
26. B 56. C 86. D 116. A 146. B
27. C 57. B 87. A 117. A 147. A
28. D 58. B 88. C 118. A 148. B
29. A 59. C 89. C 119. B 149. C
30. C 60. D 90. D 120. A 150. B

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References-

1. Newspaper (English)-
a. The Hindu
b. The Times of India
2. Newspaper (Hindi)-
a. Hindustan
3. Magazine-
a. Frontline
b. India Today
4. www.wikipedia.com
5. www.indiabudget.nic.in
6. www.economictimes.indiatimes.com
7. Judgments Information system (www.judis.nic.in)
8. Press Information Bureau (www.pib.nic.in)

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