Current Affairs - January 20, 2025 Current Affairs

Uttarakhand is poised to become the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after its government approved the UCC rules manual. This groundbreaking initiative, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, includes provisions for marriage, divorce, inheritance, and maintenance across all communities, irrespective of faith. Key features include a dedicated online portal and mobile app to streamline registration processes and ensure accessibility. Comprehensive training and statewide mock drills are being conducted to prepare officials and stakeholders for seamless implementation, marking a significant step in unifying civil laws in India.

Dr Krishna Ella, founder of Bharat Biotech, received the INSA Fellowship for 2025 in recognition of his exceptional contributions to vaccine development, notably Covaxin. The fellowship, starting January 1, 2025, places him among distinguished scientists like Dr. S. Somanath of ISRO. Bharat Biotech has developed 18 vaccines, delivered nine billion doses globally, and introduced innovations like the intranasal vaccine iNCOVACC.

Uttarakhand has partnered with Iceland, a global leader in geothermal energy, to harness the state's geothermal potential. This collaboration formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Verkis Consulting Engineers, focuses on exploring 40 identified geothermal sites in Uttarakhand. The initiative aligns with India’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2070 and aims to develop sustainable energy solutions. With this partnership, the state seeks to generate renewable power and contribute to environmental conservation while leveraging Iceland’s expertise in geothermal energy technologies.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced India’s FY25 growth forecast to 6.5%, citing challenges like an industrial slowdown. This adjustment aligns with similar revisions by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Statistics Ministry, which estimate a slightly higher growth of 6.6%. Factors such as a depreciating rupee have impacted inflation and export competitiveness. Globally, economic growth for 2025-26 is projected at a moderate 3.3%, reflecting widespread challenges in maintaining robust growth rates.

Karnataka clinched their fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title by defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in the final held on January 19, 2025, at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Anchored by key contributions from Ravichandran Smaran, who scored 101 runs, and a match-winning cameo by Abhinav Manohar with 79 runs, Karnataka posted a formidable total of 348/6. This victory adds to their previous titles in 2013-14, 2014-15, 2017-18, and 2019-20, cementing their status as one of the most successful teams in domestic cricket.

Hyderabad’s Musi River heritage sites, including landmarks like the Telangana High Court, State Central Library, Osmania General Hospital, and British Residency, were added to the World Monuments Watch. This recognition highlights the need for preservation amid challenges like urbanization and pollution. The Musi River, a tributary of the Krishna River, originates in the Ananthagiri Hills and plays a significant role in the region's history and culture by supporting vital reservoirs and historic structures.

HSBC India has been granted approval by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to establish 20 new branches across key cities, marking its largest expansion in over a decade. This strategic move reflects the bank’s focus on India’s rapidly growing affluent and ultra-high net worth market. With the addition of these branches, HSBC India’s total network will increase to 46. The bank has also been strengthening its wealth solutions, including launching Global Private Banking in 2023 and acquiring L&T Investment Management in 2022, showcasing its commitment to catering to India’s burgeoning wealth markets.

Viktor Axelsen from Denmark secured the Men’s Singles title at the India Open Badminton 2025. His victory was part of a tournament featuring champions from various countries: South Korea’s An Se Young won the Women’s Singles, while the Men’s Doubles went to Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin. Japan's Arisa Igarashi and Ayako Sakuramoto clinched the Women’s Doubles, and the Mixed Doubles title was won by China’s Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin.

The World Economic Forum 2025 is being held in Davos, Switzerland. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will represent India at the event, showcasing the nation’s inclusive development model. His participation emphasizes India's commitment to ensuring progress for all sections of society, particularly those historically excluded. The forum serves as a platform for global leaders to discuss pressing economic and social challenges and explore collaborative solutions.

Gyanendra Pratap Singh, a 1991 batch IPS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the CRPF, with tenure extending till November 30, 2027. He succeeds Anish Dayal Singh and follows the interim charge held by Vitul Kumar. Singh’s significant career achievements include serving as Assam’s Director General of Police and playing a pivotal role during the anti-CAA agitation. His appointment underscores his extensive experience and leadership within India’s police and security framework.

The Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center is located in Jaffna, a city in northern Sri Lanka. This cultural center was built with Indian assistance and serves as a symbol of the strong cultural, linguistic, historical, and civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his support for the naming of the center, highlighting the significance of this cultural hub.

The Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) from Nicobar district in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was recently awarded the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This achievement highlights the region’s unique production and quality standards. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 118th episode of "Mann Ki Baat," emphasized this milestone as a step towards empowering women through self-help groups (SHGs) and specialized training in marketing and branding. The GI tag is expected to enhance the global recognition of Andaman's VCO and boost its contribution to the global market while supporting tribal and local communities economically.

The men’s elite race at the 20th Mumbai Marathon 2025 was won by Berhane Tesfay, representing Eritrea. This marathon, held at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and flagged off by Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, showcased exceptional talent. Alongside Eritrea's victory in the men’s category, Kenya’s Joyce Chepkemoi Tele triumphed in the women’s elite race. The event included categories for differently-abled individuals and senior citizens and also served as a qualifier for the World Athletics Championships, highlighting its global relevance.

India is working with the European Union to strengthen economic ties through a 6-point plan that emphasizes integrating their $24 trillion market. Key areas of focus include promoting fair trade, fostering SME growth, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and ensuring resilient supply chains. The partnership aims to align trade practices with sustainability and address global challenges, with the ultimate goal of finalizing a robust Free Trade Agreement. This collaboration highlights India and the EU's commitment to mutually beneficial economic growth.

India emerged victorious in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, with both the men’s and women’s teams winning their respective titles. The tournament took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. The women’s team defeated Nepal 78–40, and the men’s team triumphed 54–36. This success was attributed to excellent teamwork and strategies, as highlighted by Captain Priyanka Ingle and coach Sumit Bhatia.