Current Affairs - January 17, 2025 Current Affairs

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist and global badminton icon, has partnered with PUMA India in a multi-year collaboration, marking the brand's official entry into the badminton domain. This partnership highlights PUMA's commitment to promoting badminton in India, where the sport has a rapidly growing fan base of 57 million. Sindhu's legacy of achievements, including her Olympic medals and World Championship title, positions her as the perfect ambassador for the brand. The collaboration aims to inspire young athletes, launch innovative badminton gear, and expand PUMA’s presence in India's burgeoning sports market.

Shriram Housing Finance has rebranded itself as Truhome Finance after being acquired by Warburg Pincus and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), with a ₹1,225 crore investment. This strategic rebranding aligns with the company’s vision to enhance accessibility to affordable home loans, particularly in Tier 2 to Tier 4 cities. The new identity underscores a commitment to trust, transparency, and customer-centric services while setting ambitious growth targets for assets under management and disbursements. The initiative also aims to boost the company’s presence in non-metro regions, making homeownership more accessible across India.

The Archaeological Experiential Museum has been inaugurated in Vadnagar, highlighting its 2,500-year-old history. The museum, a collaborative effort of the Union Ministry of Culture and the Gujarat Government, is a 12,500 sq. m. facility featuring nine thematic galleries, a 50m bridge, and an excavation site with remains extending up to 18m deep. Built at a cost of Rs. 298 crore, the museum promotes cultural heritage and sustainability for future generations.

India ranks 25th globally in the QS Future Skills Index 2025, showcasing its strong preparedness in AI, digital, and green industries, only behind the US. The country is recognized as a leading contender in the "Future of Work" category with an impressive score of 99.1, driven by its youthful population and a thriving start-up ecosystem. To maintain and enhance this position, India must focus on improving industry-academia collaboration and fostering sustainable innovation.

Maharashtra has taken a pioneering step by establishing a 16-member AI Policy Taskforce to draft its Artificial Intelligence Policy 2025. This initiative positions Maharashtra as the first state in India to focus exclusively on a dedicated AI policy, aiming to leverage the rapid growth of AI-based industries and set a benchmark for technological advancements in governance and industry.

V K Singh has been sworn in as the 25th Governor of Mizoram, a significant milestone in the state’s governance since it attained statehood in 1987. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the Chief of Army Staff of India. The oath of office was administered on January 16, 2025, underscoring his commitment to serving the people of Mizoram in this new capacity.

The Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) has been declared near the Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. This zone, covering 43 villages within a 2 km radius, was established under the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972, to help reduce deforestation, mitigate human-wildlife conflict, and regulate development. Sustainable activities, like organic farming, are encouraged, while harmful practices such as mining and deforestation are strictly prohibited. This initiative aims to preserve the sanctuary's ecological balance.

Shri Vineet Joshi has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. With a distinguished career in the education sector, he has previously served as the Chief Secretary of Manipur, Director-General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), and Chairman of CBSE. He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from IIT Kanpur and an MBA from IIFT, showcasing his academic and administrative expertise.

The Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, launched during the 77th Army Day celebrations, aims to promote battlefield tourism. This initiative allows tourists to access information about key conflict locations such as the wars of 1962, 1971, 1999, the Galwan clash of 2020, and the Siachen base camp. It is a collaborative effort by the Defence and Tourism Ministries to enhance public engagement with India's military history.

Ashok Chandra has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB), effective January 2025. With over three decades of experience, he previously served as an Executive Director at Canara Bank, handling various key verticals like digital banking, IT, MSME, and financial inclusion. Alongside this appointment, Binod Kumar has been named the MD and CEO of Indian Bank. Kumar, also with extensive banking experience, previously held positions such as Chief General Manager (Corporate Credit) and Zonal Manager at PNB and was elevated to Executive Director in November 2022. Both appointments signify strategic leadership transitions in these major public sector banks.

The World Bank projects India's economic growth rate at 6.7% for the next two fiscal years (2025–2027), reflecting an increase from the current fiscal year’s growth rate of 6.5%. This solidifies India’s position as the fastest-growing major economy, especially in contrast to a global GDP growth rate of 2.7%. While China’s growth is expected to slow to 4% next year, India's robust performance highlights its resilience and potential in the global economic landscape.

PM Modi inaugurated the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi, India’s largest mobility expo. The event, themed "Beyond Boundaries: Co-creating Future Automotive Value Chain," focuses on fostering innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in the mobility and automotive sectors. By bringing together the entire mobility value chain, the expo highlights cutting-edge technologies and solutions shaping the future of transportation.

IIT Bombay has partnered with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) to develop an "Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links." This initiative, under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), aims to enhance India's leadership in 6G technology. The chipset will support high-speed communication, especially in rural and challenging terrains, while promoting affordability and sustainability. This project aligns with India’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and aims to create a robust 6G ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s capabilities in next-generation telecom innovation.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a Rs. 2,960 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the supply of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (MRSAM) to the Indian Navy. The contract was finalised in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The MRSAM system will be integrated onboard multiple Indian Naval ships, enhancing the Navy's defensive capabilities significantly.