IMPORTANT DAYS

Parakram Diwas 2025 celecrated on 23 January

• "Parakram Diwas" (Courage Day) is celebrated on January 23 every year.

• The day honors the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

• Netaji was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha.

• This year marks his 128th birth anniversary.

• The day recognizes his remarkable contributions to India's freedom movement.

• In 2021, the Indian government declared January 23 as "Parakram Diwas."

• The first Parakram Diwas was held in 2021 at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata.

• A three-day event from January 23-25, 2025, is being held at Barabati Fort in Cuttack, Netaji's birthplace.

• The Ministry of Culture is organizing this year's Parakram Diwas celebrations.

RANKING AND INDEX

India ranked 4th on the Global Firepower Index 2025

• India ranks 4th globally in military power, according to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, following the USA, Russia, and China.

• Bhutan is ranked 145th, at the bottom of the index.

• Pakistan has dropped from 9th in 2024 to 12th in the 2025 ranking.

• The top four countries (USA, Russia, China, India) remain unchanged from the 2024 rankings.

• The Global Firepower Index has been published annually since 2006 by Globalfirepower.com.

• It evaluates military strength across land, sea, and air capabilities.

• The index excludes nuclear capabilities, focusing solely on conventional military power.

• Military power is assessed based on over 60 factors including manpower, resources, finance, and geography.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

85th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference concluded in Patna.

• The 85th All India Presiding Officers' Conference (AIPOC) concluded in Patna.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the conference in Patna.

• The two-day conference focused on "75th Anniversary of the Constitution: Contribution of Parliament and State Legislative Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Values."

• Om Birla unveiled the 8th edition of the book Sansadiye Padhyati Evam Prakirya.

• He also inaugurated the Neva Seva Kendra at the Bihar Legislature premises.

• Bihar last hosted the AIPOC in 1982.

• The 84th AIPOC took place at the Maharashtra Legislature in Mumbai.

• The conference involved key dignitaries engaging in discussions and brainstorming sessions.

• The event emphasized the role of legislative bodies in upholding constitutional values.

APPOINTMENTS

Dhananjay Shukla has been elected as the President of ICSI for 2025.

• Dhananjay Shukla has been elected as the president of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) for 2025.

• He is a Commerce and Law graduate, a Fellow of ICSI, and works as a Company Secretary in Gurugram.

• Pawan G. Chandak has been appointed as the Vice President of ICSI for 2025, continuing from his role in 2024.

• Chandak, an expert in labour laws and welfare, also serves as the Vice Chairman.

• ICSI operates under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.

• It aims to promote, regulate, and develop the company secretary profession nationwide.

• The institute, headquartered in New Delhi, also has regional offices in New Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

• ICSI was established on 4 October 1968.

• It is a national professional body supporting company secretaries across India.

SPORTS

Union Sports Minister inaugurated the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 in Ladakh.

• The Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2025 were inaugurated by the Union Sports Minister in Ladakh.

• The event is taking place at the Nawang Dorjay Stobdan Sports Complex in Ladakh.

• 19 teams from various states, UTs, and institutions are competing in this five-day event.

• The second phase, focusing on snow sports like skiing, will be held in Jammu and Kashmir from February 22 to 25.

• Ladakh is hosting the Winter Games for the second time.

• The events are being organized by SAI with support from national sports federations.

• Himachal Pradesh has sent the largest contingent with 78 athletes.

• In the 2024 Winter Games, Maharashtra secured the top position with 20 medals, including six golds.

• Karnataka finished second in 2024, also winning six gold medals.

AWARDS

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025 awarded to the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad.

• The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025 was awarded to INCOIS, Hyderabad in the institutional category.

• INCOIS received the award for its exceptional contribution to disaster management efforts.

• The annual award was instituted by the Government of India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi.

• It honours individuals and organizations for their selfless service in disaster management.

• The award is announced on 23 January, commemorating the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

• Winners in the institutional category receive Rs 51 lakh and a certificate, while individuals are awarded Rs 5 lakh and a certificate.

• India's disaster management practices have significantly improved, reducing casualties during natural disasters.

• Established in 1999 in Hyderabad, INCOIS plays a vital role in ocean-related disaster management.

• INCOIS set up the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), issuing tsunami alerts within 10 minutes.

• The centre serves both India and 28 coastal countries in the Indian Ocean region.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Centre introduced Diamond Imprest Authorization scheme.

• The Centre has introduced the Diamond Imprest Authorization (DIA) Scheme for duty-free import of cut and polished natural diamonds.

• The scheme will be effective from April 1 and applies to diamonds under ¼ carat (25 cents).

• It aims to boost value addition and drive export growth in the diamond industry.

• Beneficiaries must fulfill an export obligation with a minimum of 10% value addition.

• Eligibility: Two Star Export Houses or above, and diamond exporters with annual exports of $15 million or more.

• The initiative aligns with the ‘Beneficiation’ policies of diamond-mining nations.

• The scheme seeks to provide Indian diamond exporters with a level playing field.

• It addresses challenges like declining diamond exports and job losses in the industry.

MISCELLANEOUS

Sarala Aviation launched prototype for India's first air taxi.

• Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, unveiled a prototype for India’s first air taxi, Shunya.

• The company plans to introduce electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028.

• The Shunya air taxi is designed for short distances of 20-30 km and can reach speeds of 250 kmph.

• It has a seating capacity for six passengers and can carry up to 680 kg.

• The vehicle operates as an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) model.

• Sarala Aviation was co-founded by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan in October 2023.

• The prototype highlights Sarala Aviation’s innovation in the field of urban air mobility.

• Shunya represents a significant step toward sustainable and efficient air travel in India.