National News

1. Supreme Court's Diamond Jubilee Celebration and Technological Advancements

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the commencement of the Supreme Court's 75th year and the Indian Constitution's 75th year by inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee celebration at the Supreme Court auditorium in Delhi.
• During the event, PM Modi unveiled key technological initiatives, including the Digital Supreme Court Reports (Digi SCR), Digital Courts 2.0, and the new bilingual Supreme Court website.
• Recognizing the Supreme Court's pivotal role in strengthening India's democracy, the Prime Minister emphasized its contributions to upholding freedom of expression, personal freedom, and social justice.

2. Infrastructure Boost in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh

• In Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated projects worth over Rs 19,100 crores, spanning crucial sectors like rail, road, oil and gas, and urban
• Notable projects include the dedication of a 173 Km long double line electrified section, inauguration of the fourth line connecting Mathura – Palwal section & Chipiyana Buzurg – Dadri section, and multiple road projects exceeding Rs 5000 crores in cumulative cost.
• These initiatives aim to enhance connectivity and promote overall development in the region.

International News

3. French President Macron's India Visit: Strengthening Ties

• French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his two-day visit to India as the chief guest in the 75th Republic Day celebrations.
• The visit focused on strengthening strategic ties between India and France. Key agreements were signed in the Science & Technology Department, including a Framework Cooperation Arrangement between the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, and Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement (INRAE),
• Additionally, a Framework Arrangement on Cooperation in Funding Research Projects was signed between DST, India, and Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), France.

State News

4. Rusoma Orange Festival 2024 in Nagaland

• The 4th edition of the Rusoma Orange Festival unfolded in the picturesque village of Rusoma in the Kohima district of Nagaland.
• With around 3400 attendees, the festival showcased organic produce, community spirit, and rural entrepreneurship.
• Beyond festivities, the event serves a deeper purpose – uplifting rural farmers and promoting organic agriculture.
• By providing a platform for local farmers, the festival stimulates economic opportunities and fosters sustainable livelihoods within the community.

Defence News

5. India-Saudi Arabia Military Exercise SADA TANSEEQ

• India and Saudi Arabia are set to commence their inaugural joint military exercise, Sada Tanseeq, in Rajasthan from January 29th to February 10th, 2024.
• This landmark collaboration between the armies of both nations signifies the growing strategic partnership.
• The exercise involves 45 personnel each from the Royal Saudi Land Forces and the Indian Army's Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry).

6. Nitish Kumar's Ninth Term as Bihar CM with BJP Support

• In a significant political development, Janata Dal-United (JDU) chief Nitish Kumar was sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for the ninth time, breaking ties with the 'Mahagathbandhan' and securing support from the BJP.
• The swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan in Patna, administered by Bihar Governor Rajendra Arlekar, marks a crucial shift ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
• Nitish Kumar, after dissolving his Cabinet and severing ties with the 'Mahagathbandhan,' garnered support from the BJP.

Economy News

7. Union Budget 2024-25: Nirmala Sitharaman’s Emphasis on Economic Growth

• In the upcoming Union Budget 2024, scheduled for delivery on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman aims to strike a balance between economic development and financial consolidation.
• The fiscal deficit target for FY24 is set at 5.9% of GDP, as suggested by CII, with further reduction to about 5.4% for FY25.
• Apurva Sheth of SAMCO Securities anticipates a focus on sectors like infrastructure, railroads, and defense in the interim budget.
• Bipin Preet Singh, CEO of Mobikwik, advocates for government funding in artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome linguistic barriers, enhancing accessibility for fintech companies.

Business News

8. IREDA's Vigilance Journal ‘Pahal’ for Transparency and Renewable Energy

• The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) took a noteworthy step on January 25, 2024, by unveiling 'Pahal,' the insightful house journal of its Vigilance Department.
• This initiative underscores IREDA’s commitment to transparency and renewable energy.
• 'Pahal' serves as a platform to engage stakeholders, disseminate insightful information, promote awareness, and encourage active participation in sustainable practices.
• The journal marks a significant milestone in fostering a culture of accountability and sustainability within IREDA.

Important Days News

9. Indian Newspaper Day 2024: History and Significance

• Indian Newspaper Day, observed on January 28th each year, pays tribute to the rich legacy of journalism in India.
• It commemorates the inception of newspapers in 1780 with the introduction of Hicky’s Bengal Gazette by James Augustus Hicky.
• Beyond historical acknowledgment, Indian Newspaper Day celebrates the contemporary relevance of newspapers, emphasizing their enduring role in fostering informed decision-making, citizen empowerment, and the sustenance of India’s democracy.

10. K.M. Cariappa Janayati 2024: Celebrating a National Hero

• On January 28, the birth anniversary of Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa, the inaugural Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, is celebrated.
• Recognized as a national hero, Cariappa played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian military during a crucial transitional phase.
• His enduring legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration, emphasizing the values of discipline, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the nation.

Schemes News

11. Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana: A Solar Revolution

• Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration, the "Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana" aims to boost solar energy usage in India.
• This ambitious project is a significant step towards energy self-reliance and sustainability.
• The scheme, designed to empower 1 crore households, promises to drive India towards energy independence and create new market opportunities in the sustainable energy sector.

Ranks & Reports News

12. Surge in Higher Education Enrollment: AISHE Report 2021-22

• The recently released All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) 2021-22 by the Ministry of Education reveals a noteworthy surge in higher education enrollment.
• The total enrollment has risen from 4.14 crore to nearly 4.33 crore in the academic year 2021-22, witnessing an increase of 19 lakh students.
• Particularly commendable is the rise in female enrollment in the science stream, surpassing their male counterparts, with overall female enrollment reaching 2.07 crore in 2021-22.

13. India Ageing Report 2023: Jammu Kashmir’s Resilience

• The 'INDIA AGEING REPORT 2023,' a collaborative effort between the International Institute for Population Sciences and the United Nations Population Fund, sheds light on Jammu Kashmir's aging demographic.
• With only 4.2 percent of its aged population below the poverty line, the region showcases remarkable resilience against elderly poverty.
• Jammu Kashmir stands out with the highest life expectancy after the age of 60, with males exhibiting 20.3 percent and females 23.0 percent between 2015-19.

Agreements News

14. India-France Defence Space Agreement

• A significant milestone was achieved on January 26 as French Defence Minister Sebastien Locornu and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval sealed the Defence Space Agreement.
• This agreement marks a paradigm shift, enhancing collaboration in space defence between India and France.
• It opens avenues for joint development and deployment of military satellites, bolstering offensive and defensive capabilities.
• France’s comprehensive support, from advanced fighter aircraft engines to cutting-edge underwater drones, signifies a crucial step in fostering indigenous development of state-of-the-art defence platforms.

Awards News

15. Filmfare Awards 2024 Celebrates Indian Cinema

• The 69th edition of the Filmfare Awards 2024 unfolded in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, celebrating the finest achievements in Indian cinema.
• Hosted by Karan Johar, the event featured captivating performances by Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Kartik Aaryan, among others.
• The two-day celebration in Gujarat, leading up to the Filmfare Awards ceremony in GIFT City, Gujarat, marked a grand affair with Gujarat Tourism.

Sports News

16. Australian Open 2024 Winners: Sinner, Sabalenka, and Bopanna Shine

• Jannik Sinner secured his first Grand Slam in men’s singles, Aryna Sabalenka claimed her second in women’s singles, and at 43, Rohan Bopanna became the oldest man to win men’s doubles.
• Hsieh Su-Wei and Elise Mertens won women’s doubles, and Hsieh, with Jan Zielinski, clinched mixed doubles.
• Sinner's victory makes him the youngest Australian Open champion since 2008, and the event witnessed outstanding performances and achievements by these tennis luminaries.

17. Tanmay Agarwal’s Record-Breaking Triple Century in Ranji Trophy

• Hyderabad’s Tanmay Agarwal created history in the Ranji Trophy Plate Group game by scoring an unbeaten 323 off just 160 balls against Arunachal Pradesh.
• Achieving his triple century in a record 147 balls, Agarwal surpassed the previous record and maintained an extraordinary run rate of 11.02.
• This remarkable feat, along with Rahul Singh Gahlaut's contribution, led Hyderabad to a massive total of 529 runs in 48 overs.

Science & Technology News

18. ISRO’s Successful Execution of POEM-3 Platform

• On January 27, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the successful execution of all experiments within the Payload Orbital Experiment for Microgravity (POEM-3) mission.
• Launched as part of the PSLV-C58 mission, POEM-3 exemplifies India’s innovative approach to space exploration, aligning with strategic goals from power generation to telecommand & telemetry capabilities.

19. ISRO’s INSAT-3DS Satellite: A Leap in Meteorological Advancements

• ISRO is set to launch its latest meteorological satellite, INSAT-3DS, representing a significant advancement in India’s space capabilities.
• The satellite, designed for enhanced weather forecasting and disaster management, symbolizes ISRO’s commitment to harnessing space technology for societal benefits.
• The impending launch, scheduled from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, underscores ISRO’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of space exploration for the betterment of society.