National News

IICF To Build ‘Masjid Muhammed Bin Abdullah’ Mosque In Ayodhya

• The Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) has embarked on a noteworthy endeavor, initiating the construction of the "Masjid Muhammed bin Abdullah" Mosque in Ayodhya, set to commence in May.
• This momentous project, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, aims at fostering unity and goodwill transcending religious boundaries.
• To fund the construction, IICF is exploring the option of a crowdfunding website, extending an invitation to individuals from various backgrounds to contribute to the creation of a shared cultural space.

Central Government Launches ‘Anuvadini’ App For Multilingual Education

• In a significant stride towards promoting multilingualism in education, the central government has launched the 'Anuvadini' app, an Artificial Intelligence-based platform.
• Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the initiative strives to make study materials for all school and higher education courses available in digital format, specifically in Indian languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), and the Department of School Education are actively working to ensure the availability of study materials in regional languages.

International News

Japan Becomes Fifth Country To Land On The Moon Successfully

• Japan has achieved a historic milestone in space exploration by becoming the fifth country to successfully soft-land a spacecraft on the Moon.
• The Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) accomplished this feat near the Shioli crater, south of the lunar equator, demonstrating remarkable precision technology.
• SLIM's primary objective was to achieve an unprecedented landing accuracy of 100 meters, surpassing previous missions.
• Telemetry data confirmed SLIM's successful landing in its designated area after a four-month journey from the Tanegashima Space Centre.

Cabo Verde Achieves Malaria-Free Certification By WHO

• Cabo Verde has received official certification from the World Health Organization (WHO) as a malaria-free country.
• This achievement places Cabo Verde alongside Mauritius and Algeria as the third nation in the WHO African region to attain malaria-free status.
• Cabo Verde's certification joins the ranks of 43 countries and 1 territory globally recognized as 'malaria-free' by the WHO, including the Maldives (2015) and Sri Lanka (2016), with India eagerly awaiting such certification.

Defence News

India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR Begins In Himachal Pradesh

• The 11th edition of the India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
• Running from January 22nd to February 3rd, 2024, this annual event serves as a crucial platform for enhancing collaboration and capabilities of both nations' special forces.
• The exercise focuses on exchanging experiences and best practices in Counter-Terrorism and Special Forces Operations, particularly in Built-up Area and Mountainous Terrain operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The exercise aims to refine and strengthen the skills of participating special forces units, placing emphasis on developing advanced techniques of insertion and extraction critical for success in diverse and challenging terrains.

Economy News

Capital Budget And Revenue Budget

• When delving into government financial planning, one encounters two pivotal components: the Capital Budget and the Revenue Budget.
• The Capital Budget revolves around transactions directly impacting the government's assets and liabilities, encompassing both capital receipts and expenditures.
• On the other hand, the Revenue Budget deals with day-to-day operational finances without altering the overall financial standing of the government, focusing on items that do not affect assets and liabilities.

Switzerland-India Free Trade Agreement Concluded After 16-Year Negotiation Saga

• In a historic breakthrough, Switzerland and India have successfully concluded a free-trade agreement (FTA) after an extensive 16-year negotiation period.
• The announcement, made by Swiss Economy Minister Guy Parmelin, signifies a landmark achievement in diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
• The FTA holds immense promise for fostering stronger ties and economic collaboration, providing a foundation for enhanced bilateral cooperation.

Banking News

YES BANK Achieves Milestone As First Indian Bank On RXIL’s ITFS Platform

• YES BANK has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian bank to execute an export finance transaction on RXIL Global IFSC Limited’s International Trade Financing Services Platform (ITFS).
• This groundbreaking move marks a significant stride in digitization and cross-border business for YES BANK.
• The ITFS platform, registered under the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), offers a digital avenue for arranging credit through Factoring, Forfaiting, and other trade financing services at competitive rates with swift processing.
• This historic transaction sets the precedent for future collaborations on the ITFS platform with other Indian banks.

Business News

AIIB Invests $58.4 Million In India’s Largest Renewable Energy InvIT

• The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has injected INR 4.86 billion (approximately USD 58.4 million) into Sustainable Energy Infra Trust (SEIT), India’s largest Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).
• Supported by Mahindra Susten Private Limited and Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, SEIT manages eight operational solar power assets with a combined capacity of 1.54 gigawatts-peak spread across India.
• The investment in SEIT opens up avenues for sponsors to monetize investments in revenue-generating infrastructure assets, supporting the development of new renewable energy projects.

Important Days News

Parakram Diwas 2024

• Parakram Diwas, observed on January 23rd, 2024, commemorates the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, a prominent figure in India’s freedom struggle.
• This national event, celebrated annually since 2021, marks the 127th edition of Parakram Diwas in 2024.
• It serves as a tribute to Netaji’s brave legacy, honoring his indomitable spirit and invaluable contribution to India’s independence.
• The day acts as a poignant reminder of the courage and determination embodied by one of India’s most revered freedom fighters.

Schemes News

PM Modi Launches Sunrise Scheme To Install Solar Panels In 10 Million Households

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the historic consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, launched the transformative 'Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana' as part of the Sunrise Scheme.
• This groundbreaking initiative aims to harness solar energy, propelling India towards self-reliance in the energy sector.
• The scheme seeks to empower households across India by enabling them to generate their electricity through rooftop solar systems.
• Named 'Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana,' it has a target to install solar panels on ten million households, alleviating the financial burden on the poor and middle class while fostering sustainability and self-sufficiency in the energy domain.

Awards News

UP Govt To Honour Dr. Ritu And Naveen With ‘UP Gaurav Samman’

• The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has announced the prestigious 'UP Gaurav Samman' award for two distinguished personalities - eminent scientist Ritu and renowned entrepreneur Naveen.
• Ritu, recognized for her significant contributions to scientific research and innovation, is set to receive this honor.
• With a career spanning several years, Dr. Ritu has been at the forefront of scientific discovery, making a profound impact on society.
• Naveen, an entrepreneurial success story, is being honored for transforming the business landscape with innovative ideas and leadership skills, creating substantial economic value and job opportunities.

BCCI Awards 2023, Shubman Gill & Ravi Shastri To Be Honoured

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to honor exemplary performances in Indian cricket at the NAMAN Awards ceremony in Hyderabad.
• Shubman Gill will be awarded the Cricketer of the Year for his outstanding performance in 2023, playing 48 matches and amassing an impressive 2,154 runs.
• Ravi Shastri, former all-rounder and head coach of the Indian cricket team, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Shastri's illustrious career includes representing India in 80 Tests and 150 One Day Internationals, scoring over 3,000 runs in both formats and taking 280 wickets.

Sports News

Madrid To Host Spanish F1 GP From 2026

• Madrid is set to host the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix from 2026, marking a significant shift from Barcelona, which has been the event's home since 1991.
• The new circuit in Madrid, designed around the IFEMA exhibition centre, promises a thrilling and challenging experience for drivers with a mix of street and non-street sections.
• Spanning 47 kilometres with 20 corners, the circuit awaits FIA homologation and final design specifications.
• The move introduces a fresh and innovative dimension to the Formula 1 calendar, attracting attention for its projected qualifying lap time of 1 minute and 32 seconds.

Raiza Dhillon, Gurjoat Khangura Clinch Skeet Mixed Team Bronze Medal

• At the Asian Shotgun Championships 2024 in Kuwait City, the Indian shooting duo Raiza Dhillon and Gurjoat Singh Khangura secured a bronze medal in the mixed skeet team event.
• This triumph marked India's successful conclusion at the event, securing one gold, three silvers, and four bronze medals on the closing day.
• The gold medal in the mixed skeet team event was claimed by the People’s Republic of China, while Bahrain secured the second bronze medal, triumphing over Qatar in a closely contested match.

Tai Tzu Ying Clinches Victory In India Open 2024 Women’s Singles

• Chinese Taipei's badminton sensation, Tai Tzu Ying, displayed an exceptional performance in the India Open 2024 Women's Singles, securing her 32nd title.
• After a setback in the Malaysian Open final, Tai Tzu Ying's determination shone through as she claimed victory in the India Open.
• With a remarkable record, including three All-England Open victories, Tai Tzu Ying remains a dominant force in the badminton world.
• Adding an emotional touch to her recent success, she announced her decision to retire after the 2024 season.

Khelo India Youth Games 2024

• The Khelo India Youth Games 2024 has commenced in Tamil Nadu, showcasing the nation's budding sporting talents in a celebration of skill and sportsmanship.
• Spread across vibrant cities like Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Coimbatore, the games reflect India's commitment to nurturing sports at the grassroots level.
• Beyond athletic competition, the Khelo India Youth Games 2024 is a celebration of India's diverse sporting culture.
• As of the latest updates, Tamil Nadu leads the medal table with six gold medals, closely followed by Maharashtra with four. This event captures intense competition and high spirits among the participating athletes.

ICC Announced The Men’s And Women’s T20I Teams Of The Year For 2023

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled the Men’s and Women’s T20I Teams of the Year for 2023, acknowledging outstanding performances in the shortest format of the game.
• The Men’s T20I Team comprises emerging stars and established talents from India, England, the West Indies, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Ireland.
• The Women’s T20I Team features a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging players from various cricketing nations, including non-traditional cricketing nations like Uganda, showcasing the global reach of T20 cricket.

Books & Authors News

Amit Shah Unveils ‘Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan’ Book In Delhi

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, unveiled the book 'Assam’s Braveheart Lachit Barphukan' in Guwahati, Assam.
• The book narrates the remarkable story of Lachit Barphukan, who fought against bigotry and power-hungry forces in the Northeast.
• Shri Shah drew parallels between Lachit Borphukan and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, emphasizing Lachit's vital role in India’s freedom struggle.
• He highlighted the significance of the Battle of Saraighat, crediting Lachit for safeguarding Assam and contributing to the region’s integration with India.

Miscellaneous News

Kachchhi Kharek Gem From Kutch Receives GI Tag

• Kachchhi Kharek, an indigenous date variety from the arid region of Kutch in Gujarat, has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
• Following Gir Kesar mango, Kachchhi Kharek is the second fruit from Gujarat to be honored with this recognition.
• The GI tag identifies products originating from specific geographic locations, protecting their unique qualities and attributes.
• This recognition not only promotes Kachchhi Kharek but also safeguards against unauthorized use of its name, celebrating the rich agricultural diversity of the region.