IMPORTANT DAYS

International Customs Day 2025 celebrated on 26 January

• International Customs Day is celebrated annually on January 26 to recognize the work of customs agencies and personnel.

• The day was first established in 1953 by the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC).

• In 1994, the World Customs Organization (WCO) replaced the CCC.

• The WCO has 182 member countries worldwide.

• The WCO's headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.

• The current Secretary General of the WCO is Ian Saunders.

• The theme for 2025 International Customs Day is: "Customs Delivering on its Commitment to Efficiency, Security, and Prosperity."

• The day highlights the crucial role of customs in global trade and economic security.

National Geographic Day 2025 observed on 27 January

• National Geographic Day is observed every year on January 27.

• The day marks the founding of the National Geographic Society in 1888.

• Founded by 33 leading scholars and scientists, the Society aimed to promote the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.”

• In 1888, the Society also launched National Geographic Magazine (often called “Nat Geo”).

• The magazine's goal was to provide American readers with insights into natural history, anthropology, and more.

• For over 130 years, the Society has supported top individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and global understanding.

• In 1890, the Society organized its first scientific expedition, mapping the Mount Saint Elias region in North America.

• National Geographic continues to be a leader in environmental conservation, exploration, and education.

NATIONAL NEWS

76th Republic Day on 26th January 2025

• President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the 76th Republic Day on 26 January 2025 at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.

• The event featured an impressive parade and cultural extravaganza, showcasing India’s historical and cultural diversity.

• The theme for the 2025 Republic Day tableaux was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas”, chosen by the Union Ministry of Defence.

• 15 States/Union Territories and 10 Ministries/departments displayed their unique tableaux.

• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was the Chief Guest at the celebrations.

• The Union Ministry of Defence organizes and oversees the entire Republic Day celebration.

• A Tri-services tableau was showcased for the first time with the theme “Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat” (Strong and Secure India).

• 139 Padma Awards have been conferred on 76th Republic Day. These include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

• Republic Day is celebrated every 26 January to mark the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1950.

AWARDS

Padma Awards 2025

• On the eve of the 76th Republic Day, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs announced the 2025 Padma awardees.

• Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are India's highest civilian honors, awarded for distinguished contributions in public service.

• The awards will be conferred in March/April 2025 by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

• This year, 139 Padma Awards will be presented, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.

• 23 of the awardees are women, 10 are foreigners/NRIs/PIOs/OCI, and 13 are posthumous awardees.

• Usually, no more than 120 Padma Awards are given annually, but exceptions are made when necessary.

• The Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards were instituted by the Government of India in 1954.

• The Padma Award was originally called the Padma Vibhushan and later renamed in 1955 into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

SPORTS

Australian Open Singles Titles 2025

• Jannik Sinner (Italy) and Madison Keys (USA) won the men's and women's singles titles at the 2025 Australian Open.

• Sinner successfully defended his 2024 Australian Open title.

• Madison Keys claimed her first-ever Australian Open title.

• This was Jannik Sinner’s third Grand Slam title, and Keys’ first.

• The 2025 Australian Open was the season's first Grand Slam, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.

• The 120th edition of the Australian Open took place from January 6-26, 2025. The tournament was held at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

• Following are the winners of the 2025 Australian Open along with their nationalities.

✓ Men’s Single- Jannik Sinner (Italy )

✓ Women’s Single- Madison Keys (USA)

✓ Men’s Double- Harri Heliovaara (Finland) Henry Patten (Britain)

✓ Women’s Double- Katerina Siniakova (Czech Republic) and Taylor Townsend (USA)

✓ Mixed Doubles- Olivia Gadecki and John Peers (Both from Australia)

STATE NEWS

Uttarakhand will implement the UCC on January 27, 2025.

• Uttarakhand will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) on January 27, 2025.

• Uttarakhand will become the first state in India to adopt the UCC.

• The UCC aims to standardize personal civil laws, ensuring equal rights for all citizens.

• It seeks to eliminate discrimination based on gender, caste, and religion in personal civil matters.

• The state cabinet recently approved the rules and regulations for implementing the UCC.

• All citizens (except scheduled tribes) will be governed by the same set of laws under the UCC.

• The UCC will cover laws related to marriage, divorce, succession, and inheritance.

• All marriages and live-in relationships must be registered under the UCC.

Four welfare programs were introduced by the Telangana Government.

• The Telangana Government introduced four welfare programs for farmers, farm laborers, and families below the poverty line.

• These programs were launched across the state, with each block's village receiving the initiative.

• Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the programs at Chandravancha village in Kosgi Mandal, Narayanpet district.

• The government will distribute ration cards to 40 lakh families in Telangana.

• These families will also receive fine rice as part of the program.

• The Gram Sabhas held across the state were mentioned by the Chief Minister.

• He emphasized that officials are accountable to the people for their participation in Gram Sabhas.

• To ensure accountability, the government sent officials to villages to attend the Gram Sabhas.

On 26 January, the Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre launched by the Governor of Nagaland, La Ganesan.

• The Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre was launched by Governor La Ganesan on 26 January.

• This initiative aims to improve healthcare access in rural and remote areas of Nagaland.

• The launch took place during the 76th Republic Day celebrations at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat Plaza, Kohima.

• The mobile theatre is equipped to provide advanced surgical and medical services to communities with limited healthcare access.

• It features cutting-edge technology and is capable of performing keyhole surgeries.

• The unit includes portable diagnostic equipment like ultrasound, X-ray, endoscopy, and blood testing.

• Specialized tools for minimally invasive surgeries are also available in the mobile unit.

• A team from Kohima Hospital, supported by both private and public healthcare professionals, will operate the unit.

• The initiative aims to provide high-quality healthcare directly to underserved populations in Nagaland.

Indore and Udaipur joined the list of wetland accredited cities.

• Indore and Udaipur have joined the global list of wetland accredited cities.

• These cities are the first from India to be included under the Ramsar Convention.

• The Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty focused on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.

• The accreditation recognizes cities that value and protect their natural and man-made wetlands.

• In the latest round, 31 new cities were added to the list, bringing the total to 74 cities worldwide.

• The announcement for Indore and Udaipur was made on January 24, ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2.

• Accreditation is granted to cities that meet six international criteria, including conservation efforts for wetlands.

• China has the most cities on the list with 22, followed by France with nine.

• The Ramsar Convention was signed in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and became effective in 1975.

• India became a signatory on February 1, 1982, and currently has 85 protected wetlands under the treaty.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ will be inaugurated by Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh.

• Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ will be inaugurated by Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on January 28.

• The event will take place at the Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.

• The conclave aims to gather stakeholders to exchange best practices, innovations, and strategies for the handloom sector.

• Around 250 stakeholders will attend, including 21 panelists and 120 handloom beneficiaries.

• The event will serve as an interactive workshop for weavers, manufacturers, retailers, buyers, designers, and academicians.

• Giriraj Singh will also launch the Handloom Weavers E-Pehchan Portal and the Handloom Awards Online module.

• The conclave will feature 3 technical sessions focused on key aspects of the handloom sector.

• Sessions will include topics like the E-Pehchan Portal, start-up support, and marketing strategies for handlooms.

• The conclave will also explore modeling the handloom sector to attract and support young weavers.