Current Affairs - January 25, 2020 Current Affairs

India was ranked 51st (down 10 places) in 2019 Democracy Index - a ranking of 165 countries by Economist Intelligence Unit. The index was topped by Norway, followed by Iceland and Sweden. India was classified in the 'flawed democracy' category.

Election Commission of India (ECI) is to host the 10th Annual Meeting of the Forum of the Election Management Bodies of South Asia (FEMBoSA) and an International Conference on Strengthening Institutional Capacity.The theme of the 10th annual meeting of the forum is Strengthening Institutional Capacity.

Priya Prakash won the Global Citizen Prize: Cisco Youth Leadership Award for 2019. She is the founder and CEO of India-based HealthSetGo. The award recognizes her school health program that aimed to provided 360-degree healthcare support to children.

The national conclave on Emerging Opportunities in the natural gas sector was held on 23 January in New Delhi. It was graced by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. The present share of gas in the energy basket of the country is 6.2% and the target is to take it to 15% by 2030. In India, Gujarat has a 26% share of gas-based energy.

Private all-women cab service has recently been launched from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. The move is to make women feel safe in the national capital.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the ICCW National Bravery Award 2019 to 10 girls and 12 boys. He also awarded 16-year-old Muhammed Muhsin, who drowned while saving three of his friends in the rough sea in April 2019, from Kozhikode in Kerala posthumously.

With India's avowed policy of promoting the use of clean energy and expansion of its LPG network, Ghana sought assistance from India in its own efforts to promote safe, clean and environment-friendly LPG for increased domestic, commercial and industrial usage.

National Girl Child Day is celebrated on 24 January. The day aims to create awareness about the rights of the girl child in India. It aims to improve the condition of girls in society. The day aims to provide support and facilities to the girls of the country in every respect. It also aims to create awareness about the inequalities, discrimination, exploitation faced by the girls in the society.

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).The MoU aims to strengthen grassroots institutions of the rural poor.

The Punjab Government has announced a ban on three-wheelers that are older than 15 years and run on fossil fuel. The vehicles will be replaced with electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) engines.

India was ranked 72nd (up 8 places) in 2020 Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI). Switzerland topped the list of 132 countries, followed by the US and Singapore. Launched by INSEAD, GTCI ranks countries on the basis of their ability to grow, attract and retain talent.

The government appointed Challa Sreenivasulu Setty as the Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI) on 20 January 2020. He is appointed for a period of three years. The proposal of the Department of the Financial Services for the appointment of Setty was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

Maharashtra retain Khelo India Youth Games champions trophy in Guwahati with 256 medals including 78 gold.

Terry Jones, the co-founder of iconic UK comedy troupe Monty Python and a celebrated author and actor, has died at the age of 77, his agent confirmed to the BBC. Jones was diagnosed with dementia in 2015, which impaired his ability to communicate.

GAIL India Ltd. plans to invest over Rs.45,000 crore over the next five years. The move is to expand the National Gas Pipeline Grid and city gas distribution network. The investment aims to boost the greater use of environment-friendly fuel.

India has successfully achieved the complete phase-out of Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141 b. HCFC-141b is not produced in India and all the domestic requirements are met through imports.

The Union Cabinet designated Daman as headquarters of newly-carved out Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Cabinet also approved amendments and repeal in Acts dealing with Goods and Services Tax (GST), Value Added Tax and Excise Duty in view of the merger of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

Madhya Pradesh state government has announced incentives for the players who performed well in Khelo India Youth Games 2020 in Guwahati, Assam.The state players will be provided international level sports infrastructure, sports equipment, training in the modern and scientific methods, and all other required facilities.

According to the 'SKOCH State of Governance 2019' report, Gujarat gained the top spot on the back of better performance in Health, Education, Power and e-Governance segments. Gujarat, which was ranked 5th in 2018 replaces 2018 leader West Bengal.

A high court judge and ardent human rights advocate has been elected Greece's first female president in a historic vote by parliament. Inaugurating a new era for one of Europe's more traditional nations, MPs overwhelmingly endorsed the nomination of Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou as head of state.