CURRENT AFFAIRS
January 2025
, CONTENTS
National News 3
Mahakumbh 2025 9
Government Schemes 10
International News 15
India and The World 18
Finance, Economy and Banking 19
Defence News 21
Appointments 24
Books and Authors 25
Obituaries (National) 25
Obituaries (International) 25
Days and Themes 26
Reports, Rankings and Index 26
Events 28
Awards 29
Sports News 32
Quick Points (News in Short) 34
,January 2025 3
NATIONAL NEWS
Republic Day Parade 2025 India joins Eurodrone Program as an Observer Nation
• India celebrated its 76th Republic Day on January • India has officially joined the multinational Eurodrone
26, 2025, under the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat program as an observer nation.
aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Progress), • The program was launched by Italy, France, Germany
highlighting India’s rich cultural legacy and hopes for
and Spain and run by the Europe-based contracting
a brighter future.
agency Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation
• The chief guest of the celebrations was Indonesia’s
(OCCAR) to build a Medium Altitude Long Endurance
President Prabowo Subianto. He was accompanied
(MALE) drone that will give Europe greater autonomy
by a 352-member Indonesian marching and band
in the drone sector.
contingent participating in the parade.
• Airbus, France’s Dassault Aviation and Italy’s Leonardo
• The parade began after President Droupadi Murmu
unfurled the national flag, followed by a salute from developed Airbus. It has a wing span of 26 meters,
parade commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar. specialise in long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance,
• Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
martyrs at the National War Memorial. • The Eurodrone will be able to fly in non-segregated
• In a rare coincidence, parade commander Lt General airspace, carry weapons and offer naval anti-submarine
Bhavnish Kumar took part in the R-day parade with his warfare as well as electronic-warfare capabilities, featuring
son Lieutenant Ahan Kumar who led the contingent of a 2.3-ton payload, 40 hours of autonomy and 45,000 feet
the iconic 61 Cavalry on Kartavya Path. maximum altitude.
• 31 tableaux, including 16 from states and Union
India’s first wetland cities- Indore and Udaipur
Territories and 15 from central ministries and
organisations rolled down the Kartavya Path. The • Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian
Army’s Battle Surveillance System ‘Sanjay’ and the cities on the global list of accredited wetland cities
DRDO’s ‘Pralay’ tactical missile also made their debut. under the Ramsar Convention.
• For the first time, the tri-services had a joint tableau • In its latest round, an independent Advisory Committee
symbolic of the spirit of unity among the country’s on Wetland City Accreditation of the Convention
armed forces. The DRDO’s tableau, with the theme accredited 31 new cities, including two from India,
‘Raksha Kavach’, showcased multi-layered protection making the global list of such cities reach 74.
against multi-domain threats.
• The International Convention on Wetlands, adopted
• Over 5,000 artists performed more than 50 folk and
in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, provides a
tribal dance forms, showcasing India’s rich heritage
framework for the conservation and wise use of
on a global stage. The choreography celebrated the
wetlands and their resources across its 172 member
themes of Viksit Bharat, Virasat bhi Vikas bhi, and Ek
Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The event was recognised by countries including India. At present, 85 wetlands in
the Guinness World Records for ‘The Largest Indian India are protected under the treaty.
Folk Variety Dance’ a milestone that underscored the
IMD Vision-2047: Zero Deaths, 100% Weather Detection
global significance of India’s cultural wealth.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has
• A Bagh Mitra (tiger friend) was invited for the first
targeted zero-error weather forecasting for up to three
time by the central government to attend the Republic
Day parade in Delhi. days, and 90% accuracy in forecasting up to five days
by 2047, a “Vision Document”.
• ‘Sinhtoo’ — the ancient folk dance of the Hatti
community settled in the remote Giri region of Sirmaur • The document has also targeted zero loss of life for
district, Himachal Pradesh was selected for the first all types of severe weather events by enabling disaster
time to be performed at the 76th Republic Day parade managers, stakeholders, and the general public to take
in Delhi. early action following early accurate warning.
, 4 OSWAAL Current Affairs
• It has targets set for the next two years, the next 10 • The CRPF’s VIP security wing currently protects over
years, that is till 2035, and the next 22 years, that is till 200 individuals, including key figures such as Union
2047. Home Minister Amit Shah and the Congress family —
• For severe weather forecasts up to seven days, it has Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi
targeted an 80% accuracy by 2047, and 70% accuracy Vadra.
for events up to 10 days. Severe weather includes
Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur join the PM Museum
heavy rains, strong winds, floods, etc.
Council
• The IMD has also aimed at 100% detection of all
• In a significant development, the society and executive
types of severe weather right up to the village and
council of the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library
household level, with augmentation of meteorological
(PMML) have been reconstituted with several new
observational systems up to village level supported
names joining the institution’s society. Former Principal
by remote-sensing systems such as much-improved
Secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, has
radars and satellites by 2047.
got another five-year term as the chairperson of the
• IMD launched “Mission Mausam” to develop organisation.
cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and
• Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, ex-NITI Aayog
systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric
Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed
observations, next-generation radars and satellites,
Ata Hasnain, renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur,
and high-performance computers.
and Vasudev Kamath from Sanskar Bharati are among
the prominent new members added to the PMML
Key Points
society. These individuals bring diverse expertise and
IMD’s Headquarters — New Delhi
experience to the institution, reflecting the evolving
IMD’s Director General — Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
nature of the PMML.
• The key decision-making body of PMML, helmed by
India’s first-ever glass bridge inaugurated at Kanyakumari
Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its president, and
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as vice-president, has
India’s first glass bridge over the sea, connecting the
also been expanded to now have 34 members, instead
Vivekananda memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue in
of 29 earlier.
Kanyakumari.
• The glass bridge spans 77 metres in length and 10 Pravasi Bharatiya Express
metres in width, making it a substantial addition to • The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a special state-of-the-
Kanyakumari’s landscape. It will provide visitors with art Tourist Train exclusively designed for the Indian
a unique vantage point of the sea while facilitating Diaspora (PIOs only) that will travel to multiple
easy access between the two iconic monuments. destinations of prominent tourist interest and religious
• This initiative aligns with broader efforts to develop importance all over India for three weeks starting on
Kanyakumari as a premier tourist destination. January 09, 2025, starting from Safdarjung Railway
Station in New Delhi.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF’s) Parliament unit
• The date of January 9 was chosen to commemorate the
disbanded and merged with VIP security for dignitaries
return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order on this date in the year 1915.
changing the designation of the approximately 1,400
• The specially conducted tour is being organised under
members of the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) to the
the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) scheme
VIP Security Group (VSG) under CRPF.
of the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration
• This change follows a directive earlier this month that with the M/s Indian Railways Catering and Tourism
involved transferring the CRPF’s battalion number Corporation (IRCTC).
190, based in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, to the VIP
security division. The battalion, originally tasked with National Turmeric Board established
anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand, now contributes • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush
to protecting high-profile dignitaries. Goyal inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in
January 2025
, CONTENTS
National News 3
Mahakumbh 2025 9
Government Schemes 10
International News 15
India and The World 18
Finance, Economy and Banking 19
Defence News 21
Appointments 24
Books and Authors 25
Obituaries (National) 25
Obituaries (International) 25
Days and Themes 26
Reports, Rankings and Index 26
Events 28
Awards 29
Sports News 32
Quick Points (News in Short) 34
,January 2025 3
NATIONAL NEWS
Republic Day Parade 2025 India joins Eurodrone Program as an Observer Nation
• India celebrated its 76th Republic Day on January • India has officially joined the multinational Eurodrone
26, 2025, under the theme “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat program as an observer nation.
aur Vikas” (Golden India: Legacy and Progress), • The program was launched by Italy, France, Germany
highlighting India’s rich cultural legacy and hopes for
and Spain and run by the Europe-based contracting
a brighter future.
agency Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation
• The chief guest of the celebrations was Indonesia’s
(OCCAR) to build a Medium Altitude Long Endurance
President Prabowo Subianto. He was accompanied
(MALE) drone that will give Europe greater autonomy
by a 352-member Indonesian marching and band
in the drone sector.
contingent participating in the parade.
• Airbus, France’s Dassault Aviation and Italy’s Leonardo
• The parade began after President Droupadi Murmu
unfurled the national flag, followed by a salute from developed Airbus. It has a wing span of 26 meters,
parade commander Lt General Bhavnish Kumar. specialise in long-endurance Intelligence, Surveillance,
• Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
martyrs at the National War Memorial. • The Eurodrone will be able to fly in non-segregated
• In a rare coincidence, parade commander Lt General airspace, carry weapons and offer naval anti-submarine
Bhavnish Kumar took part in the R-day parade with his warfare as well as electronic-warfare capabilities, featuring
son Lieutenant Ahan Kumar who led the contingent of a 2.3-ton payload, 40 hours of autonomy and 45,000 feet
the iconic 61 Cavalry on Kartavya Path. maximum altitude.
• 31 tableaux, including 16 from states and Union
India’s first wetland cities- Indore and Udaipur
Territories and 15 from central ministries and
organisations rolled down the Kartavya Path. The • Indore and Udaipur have become the first two Indian
Army’s Battle Surveillance System ‘Sanjay’ and the cities on the global list of accredited wetland cities
DRDO’s ‘Pralay’ tactical missile also made their debut. under the Ramsar Convention.
• For the first time, the tri-services had a joint tableau • In its latest round, an independent Advisory Committee
symbolic of the spirit of unity among the country’s on Wetland City Accreditation of the Convention
armed forces. The DRDO’s tableau, with the theme accredited 31 new cities, including two from India,
‘Raksha Kavach’, showcased multi-layered protection making the global list of such cities reach 74.
against multi-domain threats.
• The International Convention on Wetlands, adopted
• Over 5,000 artists performed more than 50 folk and
in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, provides a
tribal dance forms, showcasing India’s rich heritage
framework for the conservation and wise use of
on a global stage. The choreography celebrated the
wetlands and their resources across its 172 member
themes of Viksit Bharat, Virasat bhi Vikas bhi, and Ek
Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. The event was recognised by countries including India. At present, 85 wetlands in
the Guinness World Records for ‘The Largest Indian India are protected under the treaty.
Folk Variety Dance’ a milestone that underscored the
IMD Vision-2047: Zero Deaths, 100% Weather Detection
global significance of India’s cultural wealth.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has
• A Bagh Mitra (tiger friend) was invited for the first
targeted zero-error weather forecasting for up to three
time by the central government to attend the Republic
Day parade in Delhi. days, and 90% accuracy in forecasting up to five days
by 2047, a “Vision Document”.
• ‘Sinhtoo’ — the ancient folk dance of the Hatti
community settled in the remote Giri region of Sirmaur • The document has also targeted zero loss of life for
district, Himachal Pradesh was selected for the first all types of severe weather events by enabling disaster
time to be performed at the 76th Republic Day parade managers, stakeholders, and the general public to take
in Delhi. early action following early accurate warning.
, 4 OSWAAL Current Affairs
• It has targets set for the next two years, the next 10 • The CRPF’s VIP security wing currently protects over
years, that is till 2035, and the next 22 years, that is till 200 individuals, including key figures such as Union
2047. Home Minister Amit Shah and the Congress family —
• For severe weather forecasts up to seven days, it has Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi
targeted an 80% accuracy by 2047, and 70% accuracy Vadra.
for events up to 10 days. Severe weather includes
Smriti Irani and Shekhar Kapur join the PM Museum
heavy rains, strong winds, floods, etc.
Council
• The IMD has also aimed at 100% detection of all
• In a significant development, the society and executive
types of severe weather right up to the village and
council of the Prime Ministers’ Museum & Library
household level, with augmentation of meteorological
(PMML) have been reconstituted with several new
observational systems up to village level supported
names joining the institution’s society. Former Principal
by remote-sensing systems such as much-improved
Secretary to the Prime Minister, Nripendra Mishra, has
radars and satellites by 2047.
got another five-year term as the chairperson of the
• IMD launched “Mission Mausam” to develop organisation.
cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and
• Former Union Minister Smriti Irani, ex-NITI Aayog
systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric
Vice-chairman Rajiv Kumar, retired Army General Syed
observations, next-generation radars and satellites,
Ata Hasnain, renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur,
and high-performance computers.
and Vasudev Kamath from Sanskar Bharati are among
the prominent new members added to the PMML
Key Points
society. These individuals bring diverse expertise and
IMD’s Headquarters — New Delhi
experience to the institution, reflecting the evolving
IMD’s Director General — Mrutyunjay Mohapatra
nature of the PMML.
• The key decision-making body of PMML, helmed by
India’s first-ever glass bridge inaugurated at Kanyakumari
Prime Minister Narendra Modi as its president, and
• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin inaugurated
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as vice-president, has
India’s first glass bridge over the sea, connecting the
also been expanded to now have 34 members, instead
Vivekananda memorial and Thiruvalluvar statue in
of 29 earlier.
Kanyakumari.
• The glass bridge spans 77 metres in length and 10 Pravasi Bharatiya Express
metres in width, making it a substantial addition to • The Pravasi Bharatiya Express is a special state-of-the-
Kanyakumari’s landscape. It will provide visitors with art Tourist Train exclusively designed for the Indian
a unique vantage point of the sea while facilitating Diaspora (PIOs only) that will travel to multiple
easy access between the two iconic monuments. destinations of prominent tourist interest and religious
• This initiative aligns with broader efforts to develop importance all over India for three weeks starting on
Kanyakumari as a premier tourist destination. January 09, 2025, starting from Safdarjung Railway
Station in New Delhi.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF’s) Parliament unit
• The date of January 9 was chosen to commemorate the
disbanded and merged with VIP security for dignitaries
return of Mahatma Gandhi from South Africa to India
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an order on this date in the year 1915.
changing the designation of the approximately 1,400
• The specially conducted tour is being organised under
members of the Parliament Duty Group (PDG) to the
the Pravasi Teerth Darshan Yojana (PTDY) scheme
VIP Security Group (VSG) under CRPF.
of the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration
• This change follows a directive earlier this month that with the M/s Indian Railways Catering and Tourism
involved transferring the CRPF’s battalion number Corporation (IRCTC).
190, based in Jharkhand’s Chatra district, to the VIP
security division. The battalion, originally tasked with National Turmeric Board established
anti-Naxal operations in Jharkhand, now contributes • Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush
to protecting high-profile dignitaries. Goyal inaugurated the National Turmeric Board in
