IMPORTANT DAYS

National Girl Child Day 2025 celebrated on January 24.

• National Girl Child Day is celebrated annually on January 24.

• The day aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls.

• It advocates for equal opportunities in education, healthcare, and nutrition for girls.

• The day marks the launch anniversary of the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign (January 22, 2015).

• The focus is on promoting gender equality and dignity for every girl child.

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced National Girl Child Day in 2008.

• The day supports ongoing government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.

• It highlights the importance of addressing gender inequalities and empowering girls.

SPORTS

India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27.

• India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27.

• FIDE unofficially confirmed India’s hosting rights in January-February 2024, according to AICF officials.

• The last time India hosted the FIDE World Cup was in 2002 in Hyderabad, where Viswanathan Anand claimed the title.

• The exact city or state for the event will be decided at the AICF meeting next month.

• The competition for spots in the Candidates Tournament will be fierce, with 206 players expected to participate.

• The 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup will be held in Batumi, Georgia, in July this year.

• The 2025 Chess World Cup in India marks a major milestone in the country’s chess history.

P.V. Sindhu & Lakshya to lead India in Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship

• The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has selected a 14-member squad for the 4th Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Qingdao, China, from February 11-19, 2025.

• The Indian team is captained by Paris 2024 Olympics semi-finalist Lakshya Sen and two-time Olympic medalist P.V. Sindhu.

• In the previous edition (2023), India secured a bronze medal at the 3rd Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships in Dubai.

• The inaugural Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships took place in 2017 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with Japan emerging as the champions.

• The event will feature top badminton teams from across Asia, showcasing mixed team competition.

STATE NEWS

India’s oldest book fair ‘boi mela’ will start in Kolkata.

• The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair 2025 will take place from January 28 to February 9 at Salt Lake City, Kolkata.

• Known as 'Boi Mela,' the fair holds a special place in the hearts of Bengalis.

• The event is organized by the National Council of Education (NCE).

• India’s first book fair was held in 1918 at College Street, Calcutta.

• The fair has inspired prominent figures, including economist Benoy Kumar Sarkar.

• It is the world’s largest non-trade book fair and Asia’s largest book fair.

• The Kolkata Book Fair is also the most attended book fair globally.

• Started in 1976 by the Kolkata Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the fair has grown significantly.

Madhya Pradesh has banned liquor sale at 17 religious sites.

• Madhya Pradesh has banned liquor sales at 17 religious sites across the state.

• The ban aims to address social and economic issues related to alcohol consumption.

• Liquor sales have been prohibited at sites linked to Lord Krishna and Lord Ram in Madhya Pradesh.

• The ban could extend to popular locations like Ujjain, Orchha, Salkanpur, and Chitrakoot.

• Other sites potentially affected include Omkareshwar, Maihar, Amarkantak, and Maheshwar.

• CM Mohan Yadav announced plans to develop sites associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna as pilgrimage destinations.

• The announcement was made during a Pro-Kabaddi tournament in Gotegaon, Narsinghgarh district.

• This move aligns with the government’s efforts to promote religious tourism and reduce alcohol-related problems.

6th International Millets Festival was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• The 6th International Millets Festival was hosted in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• A key conference, "Transformation of Agrifood Systems through Agri-Ecology: A Global Perspective," was part of the festival.

• International organizations like GIZ Germany and FiBL Switzerland collaborated on the event.

• Experts from over ten countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Australia, and more, participated in the symposium.

• Karnataka, a major producer of nutri cereals, first hosted the International Millets Festival in 2017.

• Millets are grown across 18.37 lakh hectares in the state.

• Ragi covers 8.27 lakh hectares, jowar 8.11 lakh hectares, and bajra 1.68 lakh hectares in Karnataka.

• Minor millets, including fox, kodo, and proso, are cultivated on 0.31 lakh hectares.

UP government approved aerospace and defence policy.

• The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a new Aerospace and Defence Unit policy.

• The policy is expected to create over 1 lakh jobs and attract Rs 50,000 crore in investments.

• An FDI policy has also been approved to boost the state's development.

• The Aerospace and Defence Unit and Employment Promotion Policy 2024 aims to make UP a leader in the sector.

• The policy focuses on building indigenous capabilities, driving innovation, and fostering a global collaboration.

• The state is positioning itself as a key aerospace and defence hub.

• The new FDI policy offers up to 80% land subsidy to foreign firms investing in Uttar Pradesh.

• The initiatives are set to accelerate the establishment of foreign industries in the state.

APPOINTMENTS

Neeraj Parakh has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Power.

• Neeraj Parakh has been appointed CEO of Reliance Power, effective January 20.

• His appointment is for a tenure of three years.

• Parakh joined the Reliance Group in June 2004 as an additional manager in the Central Technical Services team at Reliance Infrastructure.

• He has worked on project planning, monitoring, technical services, and execution.

• Parakh has held operations and maintenance roles in both Reliance Power and Reliance Infra.

• The appointment was made by Reliance Power’s Board of Directors.

• Parakh’s extensive experience in the group positions him for leading the company forward.

RANKING AND INDEX

India’s digital economy will constitute nearly a fifth of overall GDP by 2030: ICRIER.

• India’s digital economy is expected to account for nearly 20% of GDP by 2030, according to ICRIER.

• By 2024-25, the digital economy will contribute 13.42% to the national income, up from 11.74% in 2022-23.

• The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) prepared the report on the digital economy's growth.

• The report includes the digital share of traditional sectors like trade, BFSI, and education.

• In 2022-23, the digital economy’s Gross Value Added (GVA) was ₹28.94 lakh crore, and GDP stood at ₹31.64 lakh crore (~$402 billion).

• ICT firms, telecom activities, and electronics manufacturing contributed 7.83% to national GVA.

• The report notes that e-commerce and digital-only services currently have a limited contribution.

• ICRIER’s findings highlight the growing importance of digital sectors in India's economic landscape.

NATIONAL NEWS

Rules for verified radar equipment to boost traffic enforcement notified by the Centre.

• The Centre notified rules for radar equipment to measure vehicle speed under the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011.

• These guidelines will take effect from July 1, allowing industries time to comply.

• Verified and stamped radar equipment is essential for effective traffic enforcement and accident prevention.

• The new rules will improve the reliability and efficiency of traffic law enforcement.

• A committee, led by the director of the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi, drafted the preliminary rules.

• The draft rules were presented to State Legal Metrology Departments, RRSL officials, manufacturers, and VCOs for feedback.

• The rules aim to ensure accurate measurement of speed, distance, and other key parameters.

• Speed measurement devices use radar, laser, or other technologies to detect vehicle movement between two points.

• The new regulations will help maintain road safety and reduce wear and tear on infrastructure.