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.