STATE NEWS

The Uniform Civil Code manual approved by the Uttarakhand Cabinet.

• The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) manual on January 20.

• The approval came after a thorough review by the Legislative Department.

• Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired the cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat.

• CM Dhami stated that the government fulfilled its pre-election promises regarding the UCC.

• The implementation dates for the UCC will be announced soon.

• The UCC Bill was introduced in the Uttarakhand legislative assembly on February 6, 2023.

• The bill was passed in February, and President Draupadi Murmu signed it on March 13.

• Uttarakhand became the first state in India to enact a Uniform Civil Code.

• The UCC aims to create uniform personal laws on marriage, divorce, adoption, inheritance, and succession for all citizens, regardless of religion, gender, or caste.

Maharashtra government formed a 16-member committee to draft first-ever AI policy.

• Maharashtra has formed a 16-member committee to draft its first-ever AI policy.

• The committee will submit recommendations for the Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025.

• Maharashtra will be the first state in India to create a dedicated AI policy.

• The committee will be chaired by the Director of the Directorate of Information Technology in Mumbai.

• The AI policy will align with the framework of India’s national AI Mission.

• It aims to complement the Central Government’s AI Mission with additional measures.

• The India AI Mission focuses on advancing AI capabilities through initiatives like IndiaAI Datasets Platform and Innovation Centre.

• Maharashtra’s AI policy will help accelerate AI development at the state level.

Punjab Government launches 'SHE COHORT 3.0' initiative

• The Punjab government launched the "SHE COHORT 3.0" initiative in Mohali to support women-led startups and students in tech ventures.

• Over 250 startups, innovators, and students participated in the event.

• The initiative aims to empower women entrepreneurs and foster innovation in Punjab.

• Participants were introduced to the growth plans of Startup Punjab.

• "SHE COHORT 3.0" is designed to contribute to India’s economic growth by 2047.

• The program is focused on promoting tech-based ventures and advancing women in the startup ecosystem.

APPOINTMENTS

As the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump took the oath of office.

• Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States.

• The oath of office was administered in Washington, DC, by US Chief Justice John Roberts.

• JD Vance, the US Vice President, also took the oath of office.

• India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, represented the country at the ceremony.

• Prominent figures like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and Sam Altman attended the event.

• The ceremony marked a significant moment in US political history.

Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed Director General of the CRPF.

• Gyanendra Pratap Singh has been appointed as the Director General of CRPF.

• He is a 1991 batch Indian Police Service officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved his appointment.

• He will serve as Director General until his retirement on November 30, 2027.

• Singh has experience in both Assam Police and central agencies like SPG and NIA.

• CRPF is one of the largest Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in India.

• His appointment strengthens CRPF’s leadership with extensive experience.

• Singh’s tenure will focus on enhancing the efficiency and capabilities of the CRPF.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

World Economic Forum 2025 annual meeting started in Davos, Switzerland.

• The World Economic Forum 2025 annual meeting is being held from January 20 to 24 in Davos, Switzerland.

• Key attendees include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.

• Indian delegation will be led by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

• Ministers from India such as C R Patil, K. Rammohan Naidu, and Chirag Paswan will participate.

• Key topics include inclusive growth, infrastructure investment, and democratizing technology.

• The WEF serves as a platform for business and political leaders to address global socio-economic issues.

• Klaus Schwab, a German professor, founded the World Economic Forum.

• The WEF is a prominent forum for discussing regional and global challenges.

NATIONAL NEWS

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the toolkit for 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan.

• Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched the toolkit for the 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan.

• Swachh Survekshan, the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey, began in 2016 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

• A new category, the Super Swachh League, was introduced in 2024 for cities excelling in cleanliness.

• Cities are now classified into five population categories: Very Small, Small, Medium, Big, and Million-Plus.

• This year, Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) are included in the assessment for the first time.

• A focus on behavior change in daily lives—Swabhav Swachhata Sanskaar Swachhata—is part of this year's evaluation.

• The Super Swachh League includes 12 cities excelling in cleanliness.

• The top three cities in each population category will move into the Super Swachh League for future years.

GOVERNMENT SCHEME

Internet Governance Internship & Capacity Building Scheme announced by NIXI.

• The Internet Governance Internship and Capacity Building Scheme has been launched by NIXI.

• Shri S Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY, and Chairman of NIXI, inaugurated the program.

• The initiative aims to raise awareness and build expertise on Internet Governance (IG) among Indian citizens.

• The program offers two internship tracks: a six-month program and a three-month program.

• Interns will be mentored by experts from organizations like ICANN, APNIC, APTLD, and retired government officials.

• Faculty advisors from recognized institutions/universities will also guide the interns.

• A stipend of 20,000 rupees per month will be provided to each intern.

• Interns will also receive support to conduct mandatory outreach programs.

• NIXI, a non-profit organization, was established on June 19, 2003, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• NIXI's mission is to promote internet access and adoption in India, supporting the infrastructure for the public internet ecosystem.

SPORTS

The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup clinched by India Women with a commanding win over Nepal in the final.

• India Women’s team won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, defeating Nepal in the final.

• The match was held on January 19 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

• India dominated Nepal with a convincing 78-40 victory in the final.

• The Indian Men’s team also triumphed over Nepal with a 54-36 win on the same day.

• Anshu Kumari of India was named the Best Attacker of the Match.

• Manmati Dhani from Nepal received the Best Defender of the Match award.

• Chaithra B from India was recognized as the Best Player of the Match.

• Both teams made history by clinching the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles.

BANKINNG, ECONOMY AND FINANCE

India’s electronics exports rose 35.11 per cent to USD 3.58 billion.

• India’s electronics exports grew by 35.11% to reach USD 3.58 billion in December 2024.

• This marks the highest-ever value for India’s electronics exports.

• Electronics exports in October and November were USD 3.43 billion and USD 3.47 billion, respectively.

• The significant rise in December highlights a strong growth trend.

• Engineering exports also saw a rise of 8.35%, reaching USD 84 billion.

• December’s performance reflects India’s growing presence in the global electronics market.

• The surge in exports demonstrates robust demand and sectoral growth in India.

MISCELLANEOUS

Hyderabad’s Musi River Historic Buildings have been added to the 2025 World Monuments Watch list by WMF.

• World Monuments Fund (WMF) has added Hyderabad's Musi River Historic Buildings to its 2025 World Monuments Watch list.

• Gujarat’s "Bhuj Historic Water Systems" is another Indian site listed due to risks from the water crisis and climate change.

• Key structures along the Musi River include the British Residency (now Koti Women’s College), Osmania General Hospital, Telangana High Court, and State Central Library.

• WMF's list features 25 sites from 29 countries needing preservation and advocacy.

• The organization’s biannual program highlights locations threatened by natural disasters, tourism, conflict, and climate change.

• The Musi River, a major tributary of the Krishna River, flows through these historic buildings.

• The World Monuments Fund aims to raise awareness for sites at risk to ensure their conservation.

• WMF’s efforts focus on protecting global heritage for future generations.