NATIONAL NEWS
This year's 76th Republic Day celebrations will include Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, as the Chief Guest.
• Prabowo Subianto, President of Indonesia, will be the Chief Guest for India's 76th Republic Day celebrations.
• President Subianto's state visit to India is scheduled for January 25-26, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• This marks President Prabowo's first visit to India since he took office in October 2024.
• The visit celebrates the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia, which became a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2018.
• Indonesia's leaders have been invited to Republic Day celebrations four times, with President Sukarno being the first in 1950.
• Indonesia is India's largest trading partner in the ASEAN region.
• A military contingent of 352 members will accompany President Prabowo, the largest foreign contingent at a Republic Day parade.
• The contingent will include 189 military band cadets and 152 marching troops.
• The Indonesian Air Force will not participate in the flypast during the celebration.
Union Cabinet has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission.
• The Union Cabinet has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission.
• The decision was made on January 16, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the Cabinet meeting.
• Ashwini Vaishnav, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, announced that the chairman and two members will be appointed soon.
• The Pay Commission determines the salary and compensation of central government employees.
• With the 8th Pay Commission, employees can anticipate a salary increase.
• The 7th Pay Commission, implemented in 2016, is valid until 2026.
• The 7th Pay Commission was established by then-PM Manmohan Singh in February 2014 and implemented from January 1, 2016.
• The 8th Pay Commission is expected to be implemented from January 1, 2026.
• Like previous commissions, it will likely introduce revisions in pay, including adjustments to Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners.
1st Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India celebrated on 16th January.
• The 1st Foundation Day of the Lokpal of India was celebrated on January 16.
• The event was held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
• The Lokpal of India was established on January 16, 2014, with the implementation of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
• Chief Justice of India, Shri Justice Sanjiv Khanna, was the Chief Guest of the event.
• Attendees included Justice N. Santosh Hegde, Padma Bhushan Anna Hazare, and Attorney General R. Venkataramani.
• Judges from the Supreme Court and High Courts, along with Lokayukta and Lokpal members, were present.
• Representatives from the Bar Council and officers from Delhi Judicial Services also attended the celebration.
• Officers from organizations like CAG, CBI, CVC, and CVOs of Public Sector Undertakings participated.
• The event marked the achievements and progress of the Lokpal of India since its establishment.
• The current Chairperson of the Lokpal of India is Justice A.M. Khanwilkar.
RANKING AND INDEX
India has been ranked second for digital skills in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
• India ranks second for digital skills in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
• The country secured 4th place in both Artificial Intelligence and Green Skills categories.
• India is ranked just behind the United States in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
• Overall, India holds the 25th position across all indicators.
• The report categorizes India as a “future skills contender” in the global workforce.
• Countries like the USA, UK, Germany, and Australia are labeled as “future skills pioneers”.
• The index evaluates nations based on four key factors: Skills Fit, Academic Readiness, Future of Work, and Economic Transformation.
• India scored low on Future-Oriented Innovation and Sustainability.
• India received the lowest score of 59.1 out of the top 30 nations for "skills fit."
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Government launched the “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app to promote battlefield tourism.
• The “Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan” app has been launched to promote battlefield tourism.
• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially launched the app.
• The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministries of Defence, Tourism, and the Indian Army.
• The app provides information on sites related to the 1962, 1971, and 1999 (Kargil) wars, along with the Siachen base camp and the Galwan clash site of 2020.
• The Indian Army is working to transform border areas and historic battlefields into tourist attractions.
• Tourists can also explore Doklam, the site of the 2017 India-China stand-off.
• On the western front, tourists can visit Kargil, Batalik, and Drass regions.
• This initiative aims to promote the development of border areas as part of a broader strategy.
• The app helps create awareness of India’s military history while fostering tourism in border regions.
STATE NEWS
'One Plate, One Bag' campaign has been launched for plastic-free Maha Kumbh.
• The “One Plate, One Bag” campaign aims to make Maha Kumbh plastic-free.
• The campaign focuses on replacing plastic bags and disposable items with eco-friendly alternatives.
• Cloth bags, steel plates, and glasses are being distributed to promote sustainability at the Maha Kumbh.
• The initiative is spearheaded by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
• The campaign was launched by RSS Sah-Sarkaryavah Krishna Gopal at Sector 18, Old GT Road.
• Over 2 million steel plates and glasses have been collected to replace single-use plastics at food stalls and communal kitchens.
• The effort supports the shift towards sustainable practices during the Maha Kumbh.
• This initiative plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of the event.
SHE COHORT 3.0 launched by Punjab to empower women-led startups.
• SHE COHORT 3.0 was launched by Punjab on January 15 to empower women-led startups.
• The program supports aspiring female entrepreneurs and students in building tech-based ventures with help from business incubators.
• The initiative was inaugurated by Priyank Bharti, Secretary of Science, Technology, and Environment of Punjab.
• The launch event in Mohali highlighted Startup Punjab’s plans to boost the state’s startup ecosystem.
• Over 250 emerging startups, innovators, and students attended the event, showcasing the growing entrepreneurial spirit in Punjab.
• The initiative provides a platform for marginalized women entrepreneurs to present their ideas and become self-reliant using science and technology.
• The program aims to create opportunities that can also help generate income for others, contributing to broader economic growth.
• This effort aligns with the vision of a developed India by 2047, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among women.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
US government removed restrictions on three key Indian nuclear entities
• The US government has lifted restrictions on three major Indian nuclear entities.
• The entities affected are Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
• This move is aimed at strengthening US-India ties and boosting collaboration in nuclear energy and related sectors.
• These entities had previously faced strict export controls due to their involvement in nuclear and defense activities.
• The decision will simplify licensing procedures for nuclear energy and research between the two countries.
• With the restrictions lifted, India and the US will cooperate more closely on advanced nuclear energy technology and R&D.
• This development is seen as a step towards enhancing global energy security and supporting sustainable development.
• Both nations view this as a significant effort to foster strategic collaboration in nuclear energy and technology.
SUMMT AND CONFERENCE
Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 inaugurated by PM Modi.
• PM Modi inaugurated the 2nd edition of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 on January 17 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• The theme of the expo is "Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating the Future Automotive Value Chain."
• The event is expected to showcase over 100 new launches in automobiles, components, and technologies.
• The expo aims to promote collaboration and innovation in the automotive and mobility sectors.
• It emphasizes sustainable advancements and the latest technological innovations in the industry.
• Held from January 17-22, the expo brings together the entire mobility ecosystem, including manufacturers, component makers, and tech firms.
• Supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, the expo is hosted by industry associations like SIAM and ACMA.
• The event will be attended by 5,100 international participants and attract over 5 lakh visitors globally.
• The Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 is one of the largest mobility expositions in India.
APPOINTMENT
General V K Singh sworn in as the Governor of Mizoram.
• General V K Singh was sworn in as the 25th Governor of Mizoram on January 16.
• The oath ceremony took place in Aizawl, with Chief Justice Vijay Bishnoi of the Guwahati High Court administering the oath.
• General Singh succeeds Hari Babu Kambhampati, who became the Governor of Odisha.
• General Vijay Kumar Singh previously served as the Army Chief and Union Minister of State.
• He held ministerial roles during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first two terms (2014-2024).
• General Singh was the 24th Chief of Army Staff of India.
• The appointment marks a significant transition for General Singh from military leadership to governance.
• His role as Governor of Mizoram follows his extensive career in both military and political spheres.
Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran took oath as Judge of the Supreme Court.
• Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran took the oath as a Supreme Court Judge on January 16.
• The oath was administered by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna.
• Justice Chandran previously served as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
• With his appointment, the Supreme Court now has 33 judicial members, just one short of its full sanctioned strength.
• On January 7, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended his name for appointment to the Union Government.
• Justice Chandran was appointed as a Judge of Kerala High Court in November 2011.
• He became the Chief Justice of Patna High Court on March 24, 2023.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
India becomes fourth country to achieve unmanned docking in space.
• India has become the fourth country to achieve unmanned space docking, following the United States, Russia, and China.
• The achievement was made by successfully docking two satellites, Chaser and Target, as part of the SpaDex mission.
• The docking was carried out using the indigenously developed Bharatiya Docking System by ISRO.
• Docking technology is essential for assembling space stations and enabling crewed missions.
• This technology allows India to transfer materials between spacecraft, including payloads, lunar samples, and potentially even humans in space.
• India’s success in space docking marks a significant step in advancing its space exploration capabilities.
• The development of docking technology also supports India’s future space ambitions.
• India is aiming to build its own space station by 2035, further enhancing its space program.
